Video

James Chapter One

1. James did not introduce himself as the brother of the Lord Jesus Christ (Mt. 13:55; Mk. 6:3; 1st Cor. 9:5; Gal. 1:19), but as a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ (Jas. 1:1).
2. The Book of James consists of a general sermon, developing wisdom principles for believers in the Dispensation of the Church.
   1. He addressed a general Jewish audience (v.1).
   2. He addressed every believer who encounters various trials (v.2).
   3. He writes this book from a wisdom literature tradition for a Dispensation of the Church venue.
3. “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials” (Jas. 1:2-4).  This is the theme for the Book, and establishes the context for the material which follows.
   1. Tested faith produces steadfast endurance (v.3).
   2. Steadfast endurance works to produce a complete believer (v.4).
4. The tested and steadfast believer understands the privilege and power of prayer (Jas. 1:5-8).
   1. He is perfect and complete because he is intimate with the Father.
   2. He lacks nothing because he is intimate with the Father.
5. This believer considers financial trials to be a joy (Jas. 1:9-11).
6. Temptations are rewardable, and the procreation/conception of sin is readily identifiable (Jas. 1:12-15).
7. The Church’s heavenly nature is spotlighted (Jas. 1:16-18).
8. Hearing (Jas. 1:19-21) and doing (Jas. 1:22-25) the Word of God provides experiential soul-salvation and happiness.
9. The tested and steadfast believer bears fruit through Godly thoughts, words and deeds (Jas. 1:26-27).

James Chapter Two

1. The tested and steadfast believer demonstrates the Royal Law of Liberty (Jas. 2:1-13).
   1. The Law of Liberty does not show favoritism (vv.1-7,9).
   2. The Law of Liberty exercises love to one another with mercy (vv.8,10-13).
2. The tested and steadfast believer demonstrates his faith through the works that he does—resulting in his experiential justification (Jas. 2:14-26).
   1. Without external deeds of faith, a believer has no observable witness.
   2. External deeds of faith are the only means by which faith becomes perfected.

James Chapter Three

1. The tongue is a difficult thing to master (Jas. 3:2-12 cf. Jas. 1:26), and therefore not many should become teachers (Jas. 3:1).
2. The mental-attitude must also be mastered, manifesting the wisdom from above while rejecting the wisdom from below (Jas. 3:13-18).

James Chapter Four

1. God’s wisdom warns against the quarrels and conflicts generated by friendship with the κόσμος, and uses OT Scripture to promote humility and intimacy with God (Jas. 4:1-10).
2. God’s wisdom promotes grace over condemnation in our thinking towards one another (Jas. 4:11-12).
3. God’s wisdom establishes a proper perspective on time (Jas. 4:13-16).
4. God’s wisdom convicts us on sins of omission (Jas. 4:17).

James Chapter Five

1. God’s wisdom demonstrates the valuation of spiritual and temporal riches (Jas. 5:1-6).
2. It teaches the value of patience (Jas. 5:7-12).
3. It urges believers to engage in an effective intercessory prayer ministry (Jas. 5:13-20).
4. It motivates believers to turn one another back from the perils of sin (Jas. 5:19-20).