An Introduction to James (1:1)

Who Wrote It?

“James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,”

James 1:1a (NASB Update)

Who Was It Written To?

“To the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad:”

James 1:1b (NASB Update)

• James is called a “catholic” epistle, because it is a letter written to the universal church, not one specific church location. 

• Other catholic epistles are 1-3 John, 1 and 2 Peter, and the book of Jude. 

• Romans was written to a group of legalists, who thought they could save themselves by the law. 

• James was written to a group called the Libertines, who thought that once they had faith in Jesus they could live like the devil without worry. 

So What?

          “Greetings!”

James 1:1c (NASB Update)

The Greek word chairo translated into “greetings” here literally translates into “rejoice!” “Go away happily!”  James writes that believers be encouraged, the trials you are going through are making conforming you to the image of Jesus.  You are being perfected in the midst of these trials and tribulations.  You are being matured as you put your faith into action and start to live what you believe.  God is calling us to grow up, and to have a mature faith, and the book of James is about that. 

• James is about the maturing process of the believer, and how through maturity, they are conformed to the image of Christ.

 

No Pain, No Gain

 "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."

James 1:2-4

• How do you initially feel about James instruction to consider trials and tribulations “pure joy?”

 

• How do we develop maturity and patience in the midst of tribulation? 

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.

James 1:5-8

 

• If we want to know God’s will for our life, we simply have to do what?

 

• In what ways are we wishy-washy when it comes to hearing what God has to say?

 

• How do trials expose our need for God’s wisdom?

 

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. 

James 1:9-11

• Why do you think James compares the rich and poor under trial?

 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.

James 1:12