Sermon Tone Analysis

Secular -

Here is a story of a DEA Agent whose life got really hard.

A DEA officer stops at a ranch in Texas, and talks with an old rancher..

He tells the rancher, "I need to inspect your ranch for ill*gally grown dr*gs."

The rancher says, "Okay , but do not go in that field over there," as he points out the location.

The DEA officer verbally explodes saying, "Mister, I have the authority of the Federal Government with me."

Reaching into his rear pants pocket, he removes his badge and proudly displays it to the rancher.

"See this badge?

This badge means I am allowed to go wherever I wish.... On any land..

No questions asked or answers given.

Have I made myself clear?

Do you understand? "

The rancher nods politely, apologizes, and goes about his chores.

A short time later, the old rancher hears loud screams and sees the DEA officer running for his life chased by the rancher's big Bull...

With every step the bull is gaining ground on the officer, and it seems likely that he'll get gored before he reaches safety.

The officer is clearly terrified.

The rancher throws down his tools, runs to the fence and yells at the top of his lungs...

"Your badge... Show him your badge!"

Historical/Cultural Context -

The book of James was written by the half-brother of Jesus.

The Son of Joseph and Mary.

Written in the early 40s.

He wrote to primarily Jews who were Christians, as at this time it was so early in the spread of Christianity that it had not been widely adopted by non-jews, also known as Gentiles.

James encouraged his readers to live consistent Christian lives in the midst of persecution for their faith in Christ.

He says he writes to the “12 tribes in dispersion” which is likely due to the fact that Christians in and around Jerusalem were being persecuted for their faith in Jesus and were being driven out of the area and were settling in farther and farther regions.

Biblical Text -

-[Prayer]-

Life Principle - When Life Falls Apart, We Must Have Endurance And Faith In Seeking God’s Wisdom.

Life Point- Endurance Is Hard, Do It Anyway

Exegetical -

Homiletical -

James opens this letter by calling himself a bondservant.

A bondservant is one who is a slave.

During this time slavery was a whole lot different than it was in this country.

Slavery in the New Testament time was very common, and there were rules on how a slave should be treated.

The relationship was more like a surf and a lord.

The slave would cultivate land or work in some other fashion in order to provide for their family.

Often, but not every time, a person would sell themselves into slavery for a sum of money or for some other kind of gain.

In this situation they would agree to work for so long a time in order to pay the master back.

We think of this when we think of Jacob working for Rachel for an agreed upon time.

There were other ways to become a slave, such as your homeland being conquered and then people being taken into captivity.

Many times, in this situation, the slave could buy their freedom.

Out of this mindset and culture do Christians see themselves.

Not only that, but it is true that we are slaves of Christ, willingly.

We are also members of His family

We are also called friends of God

What is the point here?

You do not belong to yourself.

Once you have had the experience of salvation, in that moment you were saved, your life stopped belonging to yourself and now belongs to Jesus Christ.

You don’t get to chose how you act.

You don’t get to chose what you do with yourself in regards to morality and character.

In other words, you were bought with a price, so act like it.

James reminded them to whom they belong, now he gets into the nitty gritty, as it were.

God gives us a command here.

He says to count it all joy when you fall into different trials.

But what does this mean?

Trials in today’s language would be various troubles.

Does a broken water pump at your home, a business man who ripped you off, broken down car, or a death of a loved one sound like something that can bring you joy?

Let me says what you haven’t heard anyone else say about this scripture.

The answer is no!

That’s right I said NO!

When things go wrong, they aren’t fun.

As a matter of fact they upset us all.

So what is James talking about?

He says that we can look at a problem in 2 ways

1) We can be negative about it.

Which can be expressed in anger, sadness, depression, and even rage.

2) We can look at it in such a way that we know that through these circumstances God will produces something in us.

He can add to, or take away from our character.

The situation itself does not bring us joy, but that which God is producing in us through the situation can bring us joy.

The testing of our faith produces patience, perseverance, toughness, character.

all synonyms for the same word.

The same concept.

Suffering and Christianity used to be almost synonymous.

If you became a Christian you will suffer for your faith.

You know what, in many parts of the world that is the same way.

Christians all around the world die every day for their beliefs.

From communist Russia to the various nations of Muslim Africa.

Christians are murdered for their faith in Jesus Christ.

This ought to put our 1st world American Christian problems into perspective.

All of this evil in the world because people don’t want to be held accountable to a Holy God.

Christians are dying all over the world and Christians here are upset because the color of the carpet isn’t the color they would like.

Christians are dying all over the world and Christians here are upset because the the song that is sung isn’t what they like.

or because someone didn’t say Hi to them.

Or because (blank), you insert whatever you like in that blank.

You know what that is?

It is called being a baby Christian.

It is called be concerned over things that have no eternal value.

Are you staying away from God’s church because you’re upset?

Well I got news for you.

The church is a hospital for sinners.

You know what else?

If you are staying out of church you are sinning and you need to come to the hospital.

This is a command.

To not follow this command means you are in sin and need to repent.

Repent means to turn around and go the other way.

When we come to God in prayer, we don’t just ask for forgiveness but we repent.

This means to stop doing the action that is prohibited or to start doing the action that is required.

There are 4 types of sin

1) sin of ignorance - where you don’t know you’re sinning