The What Vs. The Why
James • Sermon • Submitted
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INTRO:
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New Series!
Book of James!
Can anyone tell me about James?
Half Brother of Jesus
written between 40-50 AD
Book has become known as the Proverbs of the NT
What is a proverb?
James gives wisdom to a body of believers scattered around and under heavy persecution
Times of Trial
Times of Trial
What is one of the most trying or difficult thing to happen to you?
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion:
Greetings.
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
James 1
Joy - Chara
gladness or delight in
Same word used when the shepherds saw the Star of Bethlehem
Matthew
When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.
Count it all joy (CHARA) when you meet trials of various kinds
What are trials of various kinds?
sickness
rejection
abuse
hatred
difficult situations
Key component to remember:
Not IF you meet trials but WHEN
The promise that you will face trials in your life
But doesn’t mean coming to Jesus mean I will be taken care of? Yes and No - depending on what you are meaning to be taken care of
What are some characteristics of a good person?
Does that person tend to be treated differently than others?
In our minds, shouldn’t that person receive rewards from God?
John the Baptist - greatest among men (labeled that by Christ)
Prepares the way for the Messiah
Preaches repentance
Calls out Herod for taking his brother’s wife as his own
thrown in prison
sends his disciples to make sure Jesus is the one
situation looks bad
Jesus states:
And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them.
Matthew 11:
He quotes Isaiah:
Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,
and the ears of the deaf unstopped;
then shall the lame man leap like a deer,
and the tongue of the mute sing for joy.
For waters break forth in the wilderness,
and streams in the desert;
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor;
he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
What’s missing from what Jesus said in Matthew that is included in the passages from Isaiah?
Captives go free
Jesus declares He is the Messiah and John is going to die for his obedience
What did John gain by being faithful?
Steadfastness Rewarded
Steadfastness Rewarded
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
What’s the reward?
You get God!!
The same realization Paul had (To live is Christ and to die is gain)
James’ plea to the church :
endure the trials, they grow you
Valleys reveal your desparation greater than hilltops stir praise