James - Faith that Works
James 1:1-4, 12
Matthias Heusel
Part of James
September 8, 2024

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.

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. —James 1:2-4 + 12

  • Practical saving Faith
  • The Character of true and living Faith
  • Godliness from the heart in real life application

I. AUTHOR

4 Men named James in the New Testament
1. James Son of Zebedee - Brother of John
2. James Son of Alphaeus - Matthew 10:3
3. James father of Judas (not Iscariot) - Luke 6:16
4. James the brother of Jesus

  • Matthew 1:18+25 - Mary and Joseph had normal marital intimacy after Jesus was born
  • Mark 6:1-3 - Jesus had many brothers and sisters
  • Mark 3:21+31 - Jesus’ brothers thought he was out of his mind
  • John 7:5 - Jesus’ brothers did not believe in him

“Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. —Mark 6:3

For not even his brothers believed in him. —John 7:5

From Unbelief to Faith

Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. —1 Corinthians 15:7

James - Senior Pastor of the Jerusalem Church

  • Galatians 1:19; 2:9
  • Acts 12:17
  • Acts 15:13, 19-23
  • Acts 21:18 ff.

II. DATE

AD 46-49

III. RECIPIENTS

  • 12 Tribes - Jewish People
  • Dispersion - around the Roman Empire
  • Brothers & Sisters - Christians

IV. CONTENT

  • Suffering - James 1:2-4, 12, 13-15; 5:7-12
  • Wisdom - James 1:5-8; 3:13-18
  • Humility - 1:9-11; 4:6-10, 13-17
  • God’s Generosity - James 1:16-18
  • Hearing and Doing - James 1:19-25, 27; 2:1-26
  • The Tongue - 1:26; 3:1-12; 4:11-12
  • Worldliness - 4:1-5
  • Wealth - 5:1-6
  • Prayer of Faith - 5:13-20

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.

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. —James 1:2-4 + 12

Trials of Various Kinds

  • John 16:33
  • Job 5:7
  • 1 Peter 4:12
  • Hebrews 12:4-11

THE PURPOSE OF TRIALS

  • Reveals our Faith —> puts the sincerity of our faith to the test
  • Pushes us to our knees —> Prayer of Dependence
  • Resets our priorities —> what really matters
  • Drives us into the arms of God —> the God of all comfort
  • Strips away other objects of faith and trust —> reveals our idols
  • Dispels the illusion that we are in control
  • Helps us have empathy for other sufferers
  • Helps us comfort the broken hearted —> 2 Corinthians 1:4
  • Grows us in humility
  • Weans us from the comforts and pleasures of the world
  • Reveals that the world is broken and not our home
  • Instills in us the hope of heaven

APPLICATION

  • You need an encounter with Jesus
  • Bring your pain to God
  • Fill your life with God’s word and God’s people
  • Trust God to bring you comfort