Explore the Bible Lesson Preview July 19, 2009 "When Common Sense Isn't Enough" Background: James 1:1-18 Lesson: James 1:2-18

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1 Explore the Bible Lesson Preview July 19, 2009 "When Common Sense Isn't Enough" Background: James 1:1-18 Lesson: James 1:2-18 Motivation: James' epistle is organized around a series of sermons with many parallels to the Sermon on the Mount. The emphasis is on practical Christianity (1:27). In this passage James immediately introduces wisdom as a need of every Believer. Examination: I. Wisdom for Trials (1-8) A. Background (1) 1. Author "James" - Most commentators agree that of the three significant men in the New Testament named "James", the half-brother of Jesus is the most likely author. If so, James and possibly Jude are the only authors of New Testament books who knew Jesus from childhood. Even with that close relationship, he doesn't introduce himself as Christ's half-brother, but as His " bondservant" (1). 2. Recipients "To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings&quot ; (1) Written from Jerusalem, James is one of the general (catholic) epistles, not addressed to a specific church. Instead it is addressed to Jewish believers. It is probably the first letter written in the New Testament canon. B. Trials (2-4) 1. Perspective " My brethren, count it all joy..." (2) Joy is a "Fruit of the Spirit " listed in Galatians 5:22. This inward attitude is not simply a response to good news. It is a 1 / 8

2 Fruit that should be produced by " testing " as well. (Matt 5:10-12; Luke 6: 22-23; II John 12; I Thes. 2:19; Neh. 8:10; John 15:11; Ps. 30:5, 16:11) 2. Pain "When you fall into various trials" (2) Believer's Study Bible, p. 1758: 1 :2 "In this chapter (vv. 2, 12-14) is found the classic example of the biblical distinction between trial' and temptation'. Trials' in v. 2 comes from peirasmos (GK.), which often means a fiery trial' or a proving,' tests which are for the purpose of building fortitude in the believer. The word translated perfect' ( teleios, Gk.) means the "end or "completeness" of a process or thing. The trials are designed to bring about spiritual maturity and completeness in the believer (v. 3). In vv , James makes it clear that God never takes the initiative in tempting' men. The general biblical teaching on this distinction is that whereas God allows men to be tested, He cannot by His very nature test men with evil intent (v. 13). Clearly when men are tempted to do evil, it is the consequence of yielding to Satan's enticements because of their own fallen sinful natures (cf. Eph. 2:1-3). Brethren' is a key word in the epistle, used 15 times by James. It sometimes softens a harsh rebuke. James also uses it as a linguistic device to make transition to a new topic of discussion." (I John 3:5-8; Heb. 2:14; Col. 2:14-15) 3. Patience "Knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience" (3) (Rom. 5:3) Patience is the Greek word hupomone which implies waiting for a victory. 4. Perfect "But let patience have its work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing " (4) a. "Perfect" - The Greek word is "telios", perfection toward a given 2 / 8

3 end. The word full) is built on this word. The emphasis is maturity, tetelestai (paid in (Col. 4:12b; 2 Cor. 13:11-14; Heb. 6:1; Phil 3:12) b. "Complete" - The Greek word is "holokleros" and implies "without blemish". As God works to refine our character, and as we seek repentance and forgiveness, we can be completely ready for service. The emphasis is refining. (Col. 2:9-10) c. "Lacking nothing" - The Greek word is "leipesthai " deficient in nothing, or "without any defect" (Goodspeed). Patience allows us to look beyond the present circumstance and rejoice in God's final victory. (Matt 5:48; 2 Cor. 9:8) C. Wisdom (5-8) 1. Ask "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him " (5); (Matt. 7:7) a. Ask for wisdom - As opposed to the gifts of the Spirit which are automatically bestowed upon Believers at salvation, Wisdom must be requested. J ames is viewed as the wisdom book in the New Testament, Analogous to Proverbs in the Old Testament. (Prov. 1:7; 8:22-30; Col. 2:3; Dan. 12:4) b. Ask in faith "But let him ask in faith"... (6) James was known as 3 / 8

4 "camel knees" because of the time he spent in prayer. The turn-around of faith in his life is seen by the contrast of his unbelief (John 7:5) with his passion for prayer (Acts 1:14; Mark 9:24; Heb. 11:6; 2 Thes. 2:8-12) 2. Assurance a. The antidote to doubt "with no doubting". (6) Without the possibility of doubt, there can be no faith. So, how do we pray "with no doubting"? We must pray according to God's Word, a request that Jesus would approve " in Jesus' name ". b. The attitude of doubt "For he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways (6a-8 ) 1. Doubting results in mood swings - As a piece of driftwood on the ocean first appears close to the shore and then far away, so a doubter is always "up and down," and "hot and cold" in his/her Christian faith. " The just shall live by faith&qu ot; (Hab. 2:4; Rom. 1:17; Gal. 3:11; Heb. 10:38) 2. Doubting results in unfruitfulness - In contrast to God "Who gives to all liberally and without reproach " (5), the doubter receives nothing (7). Bro. John's best selling book " The Power of Positive Praying " expands on this theme. 3. Doubting results in instability. One commentator described "double mindedness", as like a drunken man swaying from side to side, doubting is a part of the progression of the "Killer D's;" disappointment, discouragement, doubt, defeat, 4 / 8

5 despair, and depression. One tends to lead to the next unless we act in faith and the power of God's Spirit. II. Wisdom About Wealth (9-11) A. The poor who is rich "Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation" (9) " Lowly&q uot; is also translated " in humble circumstances " (Montgomery). Probably the vast majority of first century Christians were of limited financial means and many of them were slaves (1 Cor. 1:26-27; Rom. 15:26; 2 Cor. 8:9). James exhorted them to rejoice in their spiritual position, reward and inheritance. B. The rich who is poor "but the rich in his humiliation...for the rich man will fade away in his pursuits " (10-11). For those who depend upon money for their significance and security, James declared that it can all be taken away in a moment. Just as the scorching heat in Palestine can kill vegetation in a day, so adverse circumstances can, in a very short time, take away riches, health and even life itself (Luke 12:20). Certainly, James had in mind Isaiah's promise " The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever " (Isa. 40:8; Ps. 103:15-17; James 5; I Tim. 6:5-19) III. Wisdom For Temptation (12-15) A. Blessing "Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love him " (12) (Rev. 2:10, I John 5:4; Heb. 12:2) B. Blame "Let no one say when he is tempted, I am tempted by God", for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempts anyone." (13) Since God is holy, evil and temptation are not in His nature (Isaiah 6:3). Conversely, no one should say "The devil made me do it." (1 Cor. 10:13) The blame 5 / 8

6 for succumbing to temptation is to be placed entirely on the "doer." C. Bait "But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed " (14) Our desires attract us to the "bait" that the world, the flesh and the Devil place on a hook (1John 2:16; James 3:13-18). D. Birth "Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death." (15) Believer's Study Bible, p. 1758: " 1:15 A more literal translation of this verse provides one of the most vivid expressions of the progressive stages and the tragedy of sin to be found in the Scriptures: Desires', having conceived, continually gives birth to sin, and sin, when it reaches maturity, continually gives birth to death." IV. Wisdom About God's Gifts (16-18) A. Beloved "Do not be deceived my beloved brethren" (16) James loved the "brothers" and desires that they think correctly about sin, temptation, and God. B. Benefit "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning (17) God does not shower temptation upon us (13); instead He is the source of gifts. John declared Jesus to be The Light of the World (1John 1:1-12) and now we see God as the "Father of Lights". He is dependable - when God makes a promise there are "no ifs, ands, or buts". (2 Cor. 9:15; Jude 24-25; Rev. 21:22-23) C. Brought " Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of His creatures " (18) In contrast to 6 / 8

7 sin which births death, God births life, (John 3:3, 17:17) Application: 1. Trials can be used by God to produce patience in our lives. 2. Faith is absolutely necessary for powerful prayer. 3. Sin leads to death while God's grace leads to life. Leader Pack Item 14: Poster: Unit 3 Outline; Item 15: Handout: Blessing Bills Biblical Illustrator: p. 66: "James Ethical Imperatives" Notes: **You may access David's Lesson Preview in MP3 format at: g ; Dates: 6/4-8/6 - Metro Bible Study, WC; 7/ Houston Project; 7/ High 5 Music Camp ; 7/ First Place 4 Health Leadership Summit; 7/29 - Another Midsummer Night's Thing; 7/30 - Kindercamp; 8/7-8 - Rushapaloosa; 8/23 - SBS Promotion and Start New Church Schedule; 8/ LivingProof Simulcast; 7 / 8

8 8/30 - Gregg's 5 th Anniversary; 8/26-11/18 - Fall Midlink; 9/6 - Labor Day Weekend - Normal schedule ; 9/8-11/17 - LivingProof Bible Study; 10/2-3 - Men's Retreat; 10/31 - First Fest - CLC; 11/1 - Time Change Sunday; 11/7 - Breakaway Ministries Event; 11/11 - FBA Veteran's Day Service; 11/20 - FBA Grandparents & Friends Day; 11/29 - Thanksgiving Weekend - (No SBS) - normal worship sched.; 12/5 - Christmas Store; 12/ Christmas Production; 12/17 - FBA Primary & Lower School Christmas Plays; 12/19 - Candycane Lane; 12/27 - Christmas Weekend (No SBS) - normal worship Schedule. 8 / 8