Sermon for May 18: James 1:1-12
Hello folks,
This summer we are going to go through the book of James; hopefully it will also go into us. Many of us have gone through and are going through trials, James has a word from the Lord for us. He will also talk about poverty and riches, favoritism, social justice, the tongue, worldliness, boasting, planning, illness, healing, commandment keeping, assurance we are saved and many other life issues. It is a book of proverbial wisdom, prophetic insight, warning, and a call to not only hear the Word but actually put it into practice.
James, the author, was the Lord’s brother, James the apostle of “Peter, James and John fame” was beheaded and the other apostle, James of Alphaeus is relatively unknown. He was one of the other children of Joseph and Mary making him Jesus’ half brother, who underwent a post – resurrection conversion. Jesus spoke with him as recorded in 1 Corinthians 15:3-8. He became a natural leader in the early church as seen in Acts 15.
I recommend reading some on the background of James, its place in the Canon, and the controversies surrounding its acceptance as genuine
Scripture. I think regular Christians have had no trouble seeing it as authentic, apostolic, and helpful to living the Christian life. I welcome any questions or comments as we study this book together. Read the book through once a week concentrating on the passage to be studied. Hiding the Word in our heart is a great spiritual discipline so memorize it if you will.
As I noted in the sermon on Titus 3 the phrase “washing of regeneration” goes along with Ephesians 5:26 that he might sanctify her (church), having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word. As we read the Bible with a believing heart the Holy Spirit takes His word and washes us with His truth so we are renewed into the image of Christ; renovated from the inside out. This will take a commitment on your part to read James slowly with a believing heart. The Lord promises he will strengthen us as we “eat this book” so that it will under the Spirit produce the wisdom we need to live.
This Sunday we will cover James 1:1-12. Look for the purpose of trials, how to understand them and a practical example of how this works in real life.
See you Sunday,
Lee