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WORKING FAITH Studies from the Book of JAMES

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WORKING FAITH Studies from the Book of JAMES WORKING FAITH studies from the book of JAMES JoLynn Gower 493-6151 [email protected] ABOUT THIS CLASS v YOU WILL NEED: A workbook; a good Bible translation v If you are attending the class on Sunday, you can sign-out a workbook today; there is no charge for the workbook and it is yours to keep v Work through the assigned section before class if possible v The audio of the class will be on meadow.org; look under adult electives; iTunes or dropbox link by emailing me v The PowerPoint presentation will be under the audio link for each class v If you want extra workbooks for those who are not attending the class on Sundays, they can be downloaded from meadow.org; the workbook will be located under the audio for the 1st class only WORD FOR THE JOURNEY v James 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. v Confess: exomologeo: to say the thing in the midst v Logos: what we know about God and His Word v Ethos: who we are as believers v Pathos: our personal passion and conviction v Who is James? Usually recognized as being the half- brother (or step-brother) of Jesus v Matthew 13:55-57 "Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not His mother called Mary, and His brothers, James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? And His sisters, are they not all with us? WHO WAS JAMES? v John 7:5 For not even His brothers were believing in Him v 1 Corinthians 15:4-7 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; v The 12 included James, brother of John (Zebedee & Salome) v The 12 included James “the less” Mark 15:40 There were also some women looking on from a distance, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the Less and Joses, and Salome. v John 19:25 But standing by the cross of Jesus were His mother, and His mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. WHO WAS JAMES v Acts 12:17 But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had led him out of the prison. And he said, "Report these things to James and the brethren." Then he left and went to another place. v Acts 12:2: James, the brother of John, already martyred v Galatians 2:9 …and recognizing the grace that had been given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we might go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. (time of Jerusalem council) v James 1:1 James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad: Greetings. v Bond-servant: doulos: someone serving another; if freed, indicated by a stigmata MORE ABOUT JAMES v Josephus (37 AD): James was stoned to death by Jewish leaders in 62 AD v Eusebius (260 AD): James was thrown from the pinnacle of the temple and beaten with a club around 69 AD v James’ letter was written somewhere between 47-49 AD v Neither Jerusalem Council (50 AD) or Paul (48-49 AD) are mentioned v Purpose of the letter: to encourage dispersed believers to practice what they preach; Christians experience stress v 1 Peter 1:6-7 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; WHEN NOT IF v James 1:2-4 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. v Trials: correcting when we are outside God’s will perfecting when we are inside God’s will v Stress and trials create problems: Some because we live in a fallen world Some because we live in unredeemed bodies Some are spiritual in nature and happen because we are Christians v Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us… A BIT OF A PARADOX v Hebrews 12:2 …fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. v Joy: chara: delight, inner sense of happiness or gladness v Endurance: hupomone: to abide under v James 1:5-8 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. v Double-minded: dipsuchos: wavering between opinions or value systems WISDOM TO HANDLE TRIALS v Wisdom comes from God v Wisdom: sophia: the ability to apply knowledge appropriately v James 3:16-17 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. v 1 Corinthians 12:8 For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; v A word of wisdom enables one to see how to use information and the potential result of its use; sometimes it has a future component to it ALL ABOUT WORKS? v Before James even begins to speak about works, he is speaking about faith v Trials test our faith and bring us to a prayerful position v James 1:6 But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. v James 1:9-11 But the brother of humble circumstances is to glory in his high position; and the rich man is to glory in his humiliation, because like flowering grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with a scorching wind and withers the grass; and its flower falls off and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed; so too the rich man in the midst of his pursuits will fade away. v OUR CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES ARE NOT OUR ETERNAL CIRCUMSTANCES FIRST IMPORTANT ACTION v John 6:28-29 Therefore they said to Him, "What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent." v Acts 16:27-31 When the jailer awoke and saw the prison doors opened, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Do not harm yourself, for we are all here!” And he called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas, and after he brought them out, he said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household." v No other works count if not preceded by an active choice to believe in Jesus and His redemptive work THE REFINING PROCESS v James 1:12 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. v Approved: dokimos: withstood the test; been refined v Romans 12:1-2 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. v Prove: dokimazo (dokimazein): to be refined to the point that you understand/discern the will of God .
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