JAMES

Theme: Faith & Works

Author: James, some consider him to be the brother of Jesus. It would also be James the cousin of Jesus

Time: 40-50 AD (could be 7 years after the accession of Jesus)

  • Many believe James is the first New Testament book ever written. It is historically a book that divided people but we should love this book.

  • Written to the church at large not a specific church

Key Words:

Faith 16 times

Works 16 times

Law 10 times

Key Scripture:

James 2:17 ESV

17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

  • Many early reformed church leaders had a problem with this thought… that faith is connected to works

  • This does not mean that works = salvation. Faith has to be connected to works because faith is justified by the works that you do.

    • We act on what we believe. If we believe Jesus is Lord then we act on it

    • Our belief/ faith has to come from a love for God.

    • Work is a manifestation of faith but finds their motivation and fulfillment in love. Love closes the gap between faith and works

Structure:

James1:1-21: Faith tested and shown by our temptations

  • You’re not tempted by God but led astray by your own desires

  • The nature of your temptation is that God allows it but he wants you to succeed. He uses temptation to strengthen you

James 1:22-2:26

James 3:1-18: Faith shown by our words

James 4:1-5:6: Faith is shown by our unworldliness

James 5:7-12: Faith is shown by our patience

James 5:13-20: Faith is shown by our prayers

Purpose of the Book:

1. To comfort and encourage Hebrew believers who were going through trials and temptations

  • Early Christian believers who were people who formally identified as Jews.

2. To correct some disorders and misconceptions among the Hebrew Believers’ assemblies

3. Refute the tendency to divorce faith and works

  • Faith justifies your soul and works justify your faith

Message of the Book:

1. Trail and striving is God’s way of maturing the believer

2. True faith is shown by it’s good works

3. Good works are not a means to justification, but rather the product of sanctification and the means to glorification

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