James Intro

 

James

Intro

James deeply loved his Jewish heritage

But as a servant of God and Jesus Christ, change was taking place

Many issues had to be dealt with after Jesus rose from the dead

Other changes were taking place

As riots and political instability forced people to flee

James doesn’t write about keeping the law and customs of the heritage he loves

He writes about practical living to believers who are facing adversity

He calls us to look at ourselves in the mirror of God

To think about the change God wants for us

As we see the world forcing changes upon us       

If you feel scattered because you cannot go to church because of the pandemic

If you are concerned, worried

About the riots in the streets and the political environment

Let James help you stay focused as your world changes    

 

Intro

 

The Book of James starts with

a very interesting introduction.

 

It is not what James says

but what he does not say.

 

James 1:1…

 

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,

 

James could have said…

 

James, the brother of Jesus.

 

Everything we know about James

reveals a man deeply commitment to God.

 

A respected leader of the church in

Jerusalem and among the Apostles.

 

Writings outside the scriptures tells us James

was called “James the Just or Righteous”.

 

 He was called “camel knees” as he was

known for praying for the Jewish people.

 

It is recorded that James was pushed off

the hill at the pentacle of the temple…

 

Where Jesus was tempted and stoned.

 

 James got on his knees and prayed for

those attacking him, till a man took a club

used to beat garments and struck

James in the head and he died.

 

2020 in America has been the year of riots.

 

Because of the riots many are moving,

leaving the relationships, businesses,

and homes for a safer place to live.

 

In the life of Jesus, and the early

church, riots were common.

 

The Roman government was not able,

or maybe even willing, to keep the peace.

 

Christians, especially Jewish

Christians, were attacked.

 

Many fled Jerusalem.

 

James, a man of compassion, was concerned

for those who faced discrimination and

moved to find peace and safety.

 

James says he is writing to…

  

The twelve tribes scattered among the nations:

James 1:1

 

Here we see James’ love for

the Jews, “The 12 Tribes”.

 

Although James supported Paul in his ministry

to the Gentiles, James loved his Jewish culture.

 

It is interesting James’ name is really Jacob…

 

 It is through the changes of

languages, we get James.

 

As we live in a time of riots,

pandemic, a time of suffering…

 

The Book of James gives greeting to us as well.

 

James’ life was focused on being a

servant of God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

James speaks right to the issues much

like Jesus did in the Sermon on the Mount.

 

This is not a Book with lots

of examples or explanations.

 

This is a Book to make you think

about every statement, every sentence.

 

James in the first chapter

tells us to look into the mirror.

 

To see our self in light of God’s Word

and make changes in our lives.

 James 1:23-25

 

If you feel scattered because you cannot

go to church because of the pandemic…

 

If you are concerned, worried, about the

riots in the streets and the political environment..

 

Let James help you stay focused

as your world changes.

    

 

Scripture Reading

 

James 1:1 NIV

1:1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,

 To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations:

 Greetings.

 

 

James 1:23-25 NIV

23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror  24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it — he will be blessed in what he does.