BOOK OF JAMES

CHAPTER 1 SUMMARY-8 lessons

1)       Intro James-James writes this book to all of us as fellow believers or Christians-Brethren. Purpose of the book to bridge the gap between faith and practice (works) while understanding works does not get you into heaven only accepting and believing in Christ will do that. James focuses the entire book on A BELIEF THAT BEHAVES or shows. There should be an outward evidence of our walk with God. James as the author and half brother of Jesus, was a servant of God and emphasizes the importance of God finding in us a willing servant to do His bidding in all things.

2)       Christian/Trials-and how we are to count it all joy when trials come our way. Trials strengthen our faith and cause it to grow. Trials are not a sign of God’s disfavor. Trials worketh patience and from that comes spiritual maturity in Christ from depending solely upon Him and not ourselves.

3)       Wisdom through prayer-and how God gives us wisdom to those who ask and He will not only give it but give wisdom generously to all men. We must ask for wisdom in faith and in prayer. James reminds us unbelief does not come from the Lord. We cannot be double minded with our eyes on the world and on God. This will lead to an unstable faith. We must be single-minded towards Christ.

4)       Crown of life- and those who are humble, endure trials, and obey God’s Word will receive a reward of the Crown of Life to those that love Him. James warns us to not take pride or boast in our riches here on earth because someday they will pass away like a withering flower.

5)       Temptation-source of temptation does not come from God and the danger we face in blaming God or other people for our own sin and failures when we give into temptation. When sin results from temptation, James instructs us that we are to confess it and our Lord Jesus will forgive it and forget it.

6)       Gifts from above-James reminds us that every good and perfect gift comes from above. He reminds us that we should be quick to listen and slow to speak and become angry. Anger does not bring a righteous life before our Father. We should get rid of our moral filth and evil and humbly accept God’s Word planted in our lives.

7)       Doers of the word-and how we should not just listen to God’s Word but do what it says. Listening and not doing is like the man who looked at himself in the mirror and goes away and forgets what he looks like. Here the theme of the book of James is underscored and that is again obedience to God’s Word.

8)       Christianity/The false and the true-life changes are a result of a growing relationship with Christ. If we just hear and not obey the Word, it can lead to a religion rather than a relationship with Him. Our goal through these lessons has and will be to learn something that would cause our faith to grow and our relationship with Him to flourish. After all when it comes down to it, this is the reason we exist…to serve, glorify, and honor him..     

Part #9 (CHAPTER 2)

James 2:1-7 (1) “My Brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism. (2) Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. (3) If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say “Here’s a good seat for you, “but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet” (4) have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? (5) Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? (6) But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the one’s who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong?

Intro: As we have mentioned before, James stresses the importance of a belief that behaves throughout his epistle. To be well instructed in matters pertaining to sound doctrine is of vital importance. The Faith that does not produce good works is dead according to God as revealed to James 2:14.  Proof that our Christianity is real will be seen in a Christian life. If you remember back to Chapter 1, the message of that chapter exposed the person who only gives lip service to God as one whose religion is a vain delusion and empty of any reality. Chapter 2 continues to unfold that which violates the divine standards of God.

I.                     vs 1 “My Brothers”- Again as before in Chapter 1, James places himself on the same footing as all are brethren in Christ who have accepted Him as Lord and Savior. In love, James sets out to instruct his brethren concerning their walk.

II.                   “Don’t show favoritism/show respect of persons”-Faith of our Lord Jesus Christ – Faith plays a leading role in my Christian experience.  My Faith first of all came because I was able to hear God’s Word (Rom 10:17). Then, when I yielded to the Bible’s message, Christ became my Savior and Lord (Rom 10:9-13). Note this Faith must be in the Lord Jesus. Faith in anything or anyone else will avail a person to nothing (John 14:6). Only Christ can save (Acts 4:12).

III.                  With Respect of Persons- As in our day, the sin of honoring the wealthy and looking down on the poor was in much evidence. God’s Word condemns this and calls it SIN. Nothing we say will change this condemnation of God upon this subject. Spiritual values should be looked at within a person rather than wealth or social standing. (Deut 10:17)-God is no respecter of persons. (Luke 20:21)-Christ was no respecter of persons while on this earth.  

IV.                vs 2-3  (2) Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. (3) If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say “Here’s a good seat for you, “ but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet” .

Remember this story as the short sighted usher. In the early days of the church age when Christians still met in the synagogue, they had an individual who would be like our present day usher. James apparently draws an illustration from a scene he might have witnessed of this ushers behavior. First enters a man dressed in fine or excellent apparel. “They that wear soft clothing are in King’s houses”-Math. 11:8. This person wore a gold ring which was a special mark of wealth in those days. Today, one may flash a large diamond ring or come to the synagogue in a BMW convertible and pausing for an extra period of time in front of our church’s entrance so that all can see. Note this verse does NOT say it’s wrong to wear a ring or in the last scenario to have a BMW convertible. However, this verse does say it’s wrong to favor such a man. In contrast to the rich man, a very poor man now is portrayed. Shabby doesn’t mean dirty or filthy cloths. It does mean this man had on humble or plain clothing. Notice the similarity between these two men. The poor man like the rich man cloths worn neither makes him better or worse in the eyes of God. God our Father is more interested with how a man is clothed WITHIN.  We all should be “clothed with humility”-I Peter 5:5. “And Above all these things (like an overcoat) put on love”-Col 3:14.

Now as the two men enter, we have a rather vivid scene. As the rich man enters, the usher comes to quick attention and put on his best smile and manners. But the usher is not the only one who notices the rich man. For a stir goes through the congregation as well. “Look who has come in, one of the richest men in town, look at his fine cloths and large ring. This man is then taken to the finest seat in the assembly and heartily welcomed. Now, the door opens again and the poor man enters. He is not dressed well, just one of the common folks, there is no excitement, and there is no stir among the people in the congregation. The usher tells the poor man to stand in the corner out of the aisle, and then ads, if you get tired, sit on my footstool. This SHORT SIGHTED USHER has judges as do many by sight and shown partiality which is a SIN according to God’s Word. Many of God’s children have been deeply hurt by an act similar to this. Can you think of another example in OUR CHURCH where we might be guilty of this SIN?
 

V.                  vs 4-7-   (4) have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? (5) Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? (6) But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the one’s who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong?-   God’s choices may be different then what we expect. A) Evil Judges (Vs. 4) : 1) Partial in yourself- the thought here is that they were divided in there love for Christ and love for worldly pomp and wealth (Math. 6:4). To show respect of persons based on what they look like or think we know what they look like, is inconsistent with Faith in Christ. 2) Judges of evil thoughts or another version “Judges with wrong motives”-the reference here is to judge who were showing respect to the rich and despising the poor. God calls for righteous judgment in John 7:24 “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.” 3) Evil thought- Jesus said “For from within, out of the hearts of men proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornication, murders, etc- Mark 7:21. To stop and make an analysis of our own thoughts would bring a confessing they are often evil- (Isa. 64:6).

God chooses the rich in Faith (Vs. 5). God has always delighted in picking up the poor and lowly and using them for his glory? Why? (I Cor 1:26-31)- so that no one would boast before Him. God called Joseph out of prison, David from his sheep, Elijah from plowing and Amos from his herd. God called all of these men and exalted them for His glory. They were made rich in Faith (Heb. 11:6). This is the treasure of( I Cor 3:11-15). To those who love Him, eternal riches are offered ( I Cor 2:9) and (Rev 22:12).

VI.                Look at the charge against these people in vs. 6 of James 2. (6) But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the one’s who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong?-  You refers to the person who showed respect of persons based on wealth found in the church, there was sin as a result, for respect( favoritism) of persons is condemned. Look at the sins of the rich:1) The rich oppressed the poor. 2) The rich took the poor to court (I Cor. 6:1-7.) The Bible condemns this practice and states that believers should settle matters between them themselves outside of court with the church as mediator if necessary. 3) The rich blaspheme/slander the worthy name of Christ. The name of Christ is blasphemed almost without thought or conscience today. A person who blasphemes the name of Christ is nothing but a counterfeit. To blaspheme the name of the person you love the most is unthinkable. (Ex. 20:7 and I Cor. 12:3) .That worthy name only through this name can salvation be obtained. “For there is no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved- Acts 4:12. Through His name the Christian does all things –(John 14:13 and Col 3:17).

CONCLUSION: Christian friend, never respect a person or show partiality on the bases of wealth or other worldly characteristics, this is a sin. A man should be judged by the spiritual values he displays, not by talk, but by walk.