BELIEVERS UNDER TRIAL SHOULD PATIENTLY
PERSEVERE AND PRAY
James 5:7-20
As taught by Dave Lindstrom
I. Believers under trial should patiently persevere (James 5:7-11).
A. The Greek word for patience is “makrothymesate” which means to be long- suffering. As believers we are encouraged (commanded) to take the long view concerning the things we experience and suffer in this world (James 5:7,8).
1. The people around the Mediterranean Sea had their rainy seasons in the late autumn (after planting) early spring (before harvest). The farmers patiently planted and patiently cared for their crops relying totally on the predictability of these rains (James 5:7b).
2. As believers we are planting the things of our lives and making Christ-honoring choices because of our hope of Christ’s return (James 5:8).
3. The coming (“parousia”) of Christ will involve the rapture (catching-up) of the believers and the start of the Millennial reign (1,000 years) of Christ on this earth. Before this time begins, believers will come before the Bema or Judgment-seat of Christ where He examines our lives in this mortal body for the purpose of our reward as co-heirs with Him (I Thes. 4:13-18; 2 Thes. 2:1; Matt. 24:27-31; 2 Cor. 5:10; Rom. 14:10-12; Matt. 25:31-34; Rom. 8:17; I Cor. 3:5-15; Rev. 19:6 - 20:6).
B. Believers under pressure and trials need to rely on the Lord rather than grumbling (to groan or sigh) against each other (James 5:9).
C. As examples of patiently persevering believers we should think of the Old Testament prophets (i.e. David, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel) and Job. We need to remember that, “Yahweh blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the first (Job 42:12; James 5:10,11).
II. Believers under trial should pray (James 5:12-20).
A. Believers under pressure and trial need to be completely honest rather than trying to out-maneuver their situation before other peoples eyes by taking oaths (James 5:12).
1. Our Lord Jesus and the Apostle Paul expounded on this subject as well (Matt. 5:33-37; Matt. 7:6-13 is a similar idea; 2 Cor. 1:17-21). The main issue that is taught is honesty and integrity in the speech of believers in their daily lives and their prayer lives.
2. Taking an oath in the name of Yahweh or God does not seem to be prohibited but should not be taken lightly or done rashly (Lev. 19:2; Psalms 24:4; Isaiah 45:23; I Thes. 2:5).
B. The believer who is under the trial should pray and can ask the church for their prayers as well (James 5:13-20).
1. Sufferers should pray and cheerful people should sing praises (James 5:13).
2. Weak and sickly sufferers can receive extra help from the prayers of their local congregation (James 5:14-20).
a. This kind of suffering Christian can ask their elders of the church (I Tim. 3:1) for special prayer using anointing oil which symbolizes the power of the Holy Spirit (James 5:14; I Sam. 10:1; 16:13; I Kings 1:34).
b. Not all sickness is the result of a persons sin (John 9:1-3) but some of it is (Matt. 9:2; I Cor. 11:30). The sickly believer should be willing to examine himself/herself, confess any sin, and humble himself/herself before the Lord. If the believer is sick because of sin, he/she will be forgiven and their body healed through this prayer of faith (James 5:15-18; I John 5:16,17).
c. As believers walk with Christ, they are given the privilege and awesome responsibility to help their fellow believers walk in the truth and therefore avoid extra destructive ramifications for them (James 5:19,20; I John 5:14-17).
Thursday, March 11, 2010
James 4:1 - 5:6
A BELIEVER WHO IS “SLOW TO ANGER” WILL BE BLESSED
AND BE A BLESSING TO OTHERS
James 4:1 - 5:6
As taught by Dave Lindstrom
I. James completes the main body of his letter to the scattered Jewish Christian churches in James 4:1 - 5:6. His desire has been to instruct these believers in the way of the engrafted word (James 1:21) which can bring the righteousness of God (James 1:20) and blessing to their lives (James 1:25). He desires for these believers to live out three sanctifying principles in their life (James 1:19) to be:
A. “quick to hear” (James 1:21 - 2:26) - by this believers should be work-doers, serving and caring for others as God directs them. This will help them not to listen to their sinful flesh.
B. “slow to speak” (James 3:1-18) - by this believers should restrain their speaking by leading a life of gentleness and meekness. This will help them not to speak with sinful words which steers their lives off course.
C. “slow to anger” (James 4:1 - 5:6) - by this believers should lead a life of humility and total dependence on God. This will help them to not deceive themselves by their sinful motives.
II. Fleshly anger comes from worldly thinking and self-centered motives and therefore cannot be used to bring about God’s righteousness (James 4:1-5; James 1:20).
A. Some of these believers were having wars and fights among themselves in their churches (James 4:1,2).
B. All believers have new natures (2 Cor. 5:17) as well as remnant’s of old flesh (Rom. 7:23) are a war zone until our final glorification. James uses a word in verse one that describes a war campaign or military battle that is currently going on in the life of every believer (stratuomenon - present tense, middle voice,
participle).
C. Are we as believers choosing to live according to our old self-centered, pleasure grabbing ways or Christ’s way? The first way will exalt ourselves and be quickly used up and the second way will exalt Christ, express friendship with God and last forever (James 4:3-5, 2:23; Exodus 20:5, 24:14; Zech. 8:2; I John 2:15-17).
III. God’s solution and remedy for a believers self-centered, prideful anger is humility. Humility brings our life back under the control of the Scriptures and the Holy Spirit (James 4:6 - 5:6).
A. James quotes the Scripture verse of Proverbs 3:34 for the solution to fleshly anger and then properly exegetes it (James 4:6-10).
1. The Proverbs 3:34 verse translates out in Hebrew “Yahweh stands against the ones who think above (the proud) but gives His grace (unmerited favor) to the afflicted, low ones” (James 4:6).
2. James then uses ten command form words (imperatives) to describe the process for a prideful anger-filled believer’s repentance (submit, resist, come near, wash, purify, grieve, mourn, wail, change, and humble) (James 4:7-10).
3. Notice that James mentions nothing about receiving Christ by faith here as he is writing this to believers. Therefore, he is writing about repentance for believers who have erred from the way of Christ, not justification for unbelievers (similar to I John 1:8 - 2:2).
B. Angry Christians speaking evil of each other bring problems on themselves and the church (James 4:11,12; Lev. 19:16).
1. Christians are not called to be the final judge for unbelievers or believers. Only Yahweh of Hosts, The Ancient of Days, Jesus the Messiah makes those calls (Dan. 7:9-14; Matt. 7:1, 25:31-46; 2 Cor. 5:10; Rev. 19:11-20:15)
2. Christians are called to discern and exercise judgment on believers in the church for the purpose of warning, exhortation, discipline, and hopeful restoration from a church standpoint (Matt. 18:15-20; I Cor. 6:2-5; I Thes. 5:14; I Tim. 5:19,20).
C. Angry believers boast in themselves and humble believers boast in the Lord (James 4:13 - 5:6).
1. Humble believers submit their plans to the Lord’s will and have a spirit of thankfulness rather than bragging (James 4:13-17; I Thes. 5:18).
2. Angry believers are warned by James in the spirit of Zechariah the Prophet (Zech. 14:12-15) that living for material wealth now, not paying your workers on time, living for pleasure, and condemning righteous believers is a short-sighted and miserable way to live (James 5:1-6).
3. By deduction, the opposite of angry believers living this way would be the humble believers. Humble believers live for eternal purposes which gives a higher quality of life now and future eternal reward (Prov. 3:34; Matt. 5:5).
AND BE A BLESSING TO OTHERS
James 4:1 - 5:6
As taught by Dave Lindstrom
I. James completes the main body of his letter to the scattered Jewish Christian churches in James 4:1 - 5:6. His desire has been to instruct these believers in the way of the engrafted word (James 1:21) which can bring the righteousness of God (James 1:20) and blessing to their lives (James 1:25). He desires for these believers to live out three sanctifying principles in their life (James 1:19) to be:
A. “quick to hear” (James 1:21 - 2:26) - by this believers should be work-doers, serving and caring for others as God directs them. This will help them not to listen to their sinful flesh.
B. “slow to speak” (James 3:1-18) - by this believers should restrain their speaking by leading a life of gentleness and meekness. This will help them not to speak with sinful words which steers their lives off course.
C. “slow to anger” (James 4:1 - 5:6) - by this believers should lead a life of humility and total dependence on God. This will help them to not deceive themselves by their sinful motives.
II. Fleshly anger comes from worldly thinking and self-centered motives and therefore cannot be used to bring about God’s righteousness (James 4:1-5; James 1:20).
A. Some of these believers were having wars and fights among themselves in their churches (James 4:1,2).
B. All believers have new natures (2 Cor. 5:17) as well as remnant’s of old flesh (Rom. 7:23) are a war zone until our final glorification. James uses a word in verse one that describes a war campaign or military battle that is currently going on in the life of every believer (stratuomenon - present tense, middle voice,
participle).
C. Are we as believers choosing to live according to our old self-centered, pleasure grabbing ways or Christ’s way? The first way will exalt ourselves and be quickly used up and the second way will exalt Christ, express friendship with God and last forever (James 4:3-5, 2:23; Exodus 20:5, 24:14; Zech. 8:2; I John 2:15-17).
III. God’s solution and remedy for a believers self-centered, prideful anger is humility. Humility brings our life back under the control of the Scriptures and the Holy Spirit (James 4:6 - 5:6).
A. James quotes the Scripture verse of Proverbs 3:34 for the solution to fleshly anger and then properly exegetes it (James 4:6-10).
1. The Proverbs 3:34 verse translates out in Hebrew “Yahweh stands against the ones who think above (the proud) but gives His grace (unmerited favor) to the afflicted, low ones” (James 4:6).
2. James then uses ten command form words (imperatives) to describe the process for a prideful anger-filled believer’s repentance (submit, resist, come near, wash, purify, grieve, mourn, wail, change, and humble) (James 4:7-10).
3. Notice that James mentions nothing about receiving Christ by faith here as he is writing this to believers. Therefore, he is writing about repentance for believers who have erred from the way of Christ, not justification for unbelievers (similar to I John 1:8 - 2:2).
B. Angry Christians speaking evil of each other bring problems on themselves and the church (James 4:11,12; Lev. 19:16).
1. Christians are not called to be the final judge for unbelievers or believers. Only Yahweh of Hosts, The Ancient of Days, Jesus the Messiah makes those calls (Dan. 7:9-14; Matt. 7:1, 25:31-46; 2 Cor. 5:10; Rev. 19:11-20:15)
2. Christians are called to discern and exercise judgment on believers in the church for the purpose of warning, exhortation, discipline, and hopeful restoration from a church standpoint (Matt. 18:15-20; I Cor. 6:2-5; I Thes. 5:14; I Tim. 5:19,20).
C. Angry believers boast in themselves and humble believers boast in the Lord (James 4:13 - 5:6).
1. Humble believers submit their plans to the Lord’s will and have a spirit of thankfulness rather than bragging (James 4:13-17; I Thes. 5:18).
2. Angry believers are warned by James in the spirit of Zechariah the Prophet (Zech. 14:12-15) that living for material wealth now, not paying your workers on time, living for pleasure, and condemning righteous believers is a short-sighted and miserable way to live (James 5:1-6).
3. By deduction, the opposite of angry believers living this way would be the humble believers. Humble believers live for eternal purposes which gives a higher quality of life now and future eternal reward (Prov. 3:34; Matt. 5:5).
James 3:1-18
WATCH YOUR MOUTH (or BEING SLOW TO SPEAK)
James 3:1-18
As taught by guest geek, Preston Hancock
I. vs. 1-2 Key Thought: the Goal of Maturity- Teaching?
A. This pursuit of being a teacher was common as the early church began (3:13; 1 Tim. 1:3-7).
B. Being a teacher is based on spiritual gifting (Rom. 12:7), is a role in the church (Eph. 4:11), and comes with a price tag (vs.1- "greater judgment". "krima"- value neutral word, good or bad.)
1. For we all sing (2:10), yet teachers are held to a higher standard because the tongue is extremely difficult to control. There is a direct link between our speech and our "whole body" involvement in sin (James 1:29; 2:12; Prov. 10:19; 13:3; 18:7).
C. Conclusion: Being mature in the faith doesn't necessarily mean being a teacher- it's godliness.
II. vs. 309 Key Thought: The Power Of Speech
A. vs. 3-5 Despite it's small size, the tongue can direct the course of a life (Ecc. 5:2-6; Rom. 16:17-18; 1Pet. 3:10)
B. vs. 6 Not only does the tongue direct a life, it can destroy it and others around (Ps. 55:21; 64:2-6; Prov. 26:23-28).
C. vs. 7-9 The tongue cannot be tamed by man, only by God's Spirit in the believer (Gal. 5:22-23; Tit. 2:11-14).
D. Conclusion: We must direct our speech towards godliness and lean on the power of the Spirit to do so!
III. vs. 10-12 Key Thought: The Source Of Our Troubles With Speech
A. The tongue is a mechanism for expressing the darkness in our hearts (Luke 6:34).
B. In a beliver's life, our speech is often inconsistent, "this should not be" (Matt. 10:18-20; Mk. 12:30-31; 2 Cor. 4:16; James 9-10).
C. Conclusion: We seek to allow the Lord to truly change us on the inside, while watching to see that we don't fight him on the outside!
IV. vs. 13-17 Key Thought: the Goal of Maturity- Godly Wisdom
A. To be a true influencer for Christ, we seek to apply what we teach before we teach it (Ez. 7:10; Prov. 27:2).
1. It is a life to be led in gentleness and humility- a willing submission of strength to the Lord's authority in our lives. Gentleness is the middle ground between stubborn defiance and spineless disengagement.
B. Christians may engage in earthly, fleshly wisdom which is born out of a selfish zeal or a posturing for personal power (Tit. 1:10-11).
1. This "wisdom" comes from holding onto envy and selfish ambition as a motivational force.
a.If you struggle with these feelings, do not brag about your "successes" or "triumphs" nor deny the selfishness of your motivations (the tongue leading in a wrong direction). In doing so you will deny the life-changing truth of the gospel and your growth in Christ will be stunted.
2. This "wisdom" has nothing to do with the Father, and in fact reflects the attitudes of demons. (Phil. 3:19; Tit. 3:9-11).
3. This "wisdom" always results in disorder and disruptions in personal relationships and in congregations (Luke 21:9).
C. The wisdom the Spirit leads us into is free from selfish motivation, being the right words for the moment. These words are conveyed so that your thoughts and feelings are expressed (genuine), yet others are respected (peace-loving, considerate, full of mercy), all options and perspectives are considered (impartial), and the proper order is maintained (submissive).
D. Conclusion: As we submit ourselves to the Spirit, watching our speech and depending on his power to change us, we guard our heart motivations and seek wisdom from above.
James 3:1-18
As taught by guest geek, Preston Hancock
I. vs. 1-2 Key Thought: the Goal of Maturity- Teaching?
A. This pursuit of being a teacher was common as the early church began (3:13; 1 Tim. 1:3-7).
B. Being a teacher is based on spiritual gifting (Rom. 12:7), is a role in the church (Eph. 4:11), and comes with a price tag (vs.1- "greater judgment". "krima"- value neutral word, good or bad.)
1. For we all sing (2:10), yet teachers are held to a higher standard because the tongue is extremely difficult to control. There is a direct link between our speech and our "whole body" involvement in sin (James 1:29; 2:12; Prov. 10:19; 13:3; 18:7).
C. Conclusion: Being mature in the faith doesn't necessarily mean being a teacher- it's godliness.
II. vs. 309 Key Thought: The Power Of Speech
A. vs. 3-5 Despite it's small size, the tongue can direct the course of a life (Ecc. 5:2-6; Rom. 16:17-18; 1Pet. 3:10)
B. vs. 6 Not only does the tongue direct a life, it can destroy it and others around (Ps. 55:21; 64:2-6; Prov. 26:23-28).
C. vs. 7-9 The tongue cannot be tamed by man, only by God's Spirit in the believer (Gal. 5:22-23; Tit. 2:11-14).
D. Conclusion: We must direct our speech towards godliness and lean on the power of the Spirit to do so!
III. vs. 10-12 Key Thought: The Source Of Our Troubles With Speech
A. The tongue is a mechanism for expressing the darkness in our hearts (Luke 6:34).
B. In a beliver's life, our speech is often inconsistent, "this should not be" (Matt. 10:18-20; Mk. 12:30-31; 2 Cor. 4:16; James 9-10).
C. Conclusion: We seek to allow the Lord to truly change us on the inside, while watching to see that we don't fight him on the outside!
IV. vs. 13-17 Key Thought: the Goal of Maturity- Godly Wisdom
A. To be a true influencer for Christ, we seek to apply what we teach before we teach it (Ez. 7:10; Prov. 27:2).
1. It is a life to be led in gentleness and humility- a willing submission of strength to the Lord's authority in our lives. Gentleness is the middle ground between stubborn defiance and spineless disengagement.
B. Christians may engage in earthly, fleshly wisdom which is born out of a selfish zeal or a posturing for personal power (Tit. 1:10-11).
1. This "wisdom" comes from holding onto envy and selfish ambition as a motivational force.
a.If you struggle with these feelings, do not brag about your "successes" or "triumphs" nor deny the selfishness of your motivations (the tongue leading in a wrong direction). In doing so you will deny the life-changing truth of the gospel and your growth in Christ will be stunted.
2. This "wisdom" has nothing to do with the Father, and in fact reflects the attitudes of demons. (Phil. 3:19; Tit. 3:9-11).
3. This "wisdom" always results in disorder and disruptions in personal relationships and in congregations (Luke 21:9).
C. The wisdom the Spirit leads us into is free from selfish motivation, being the right words for the moment. These words are conveyed so that your thoughts and feelings are expressed (genuine), yet others are respected (peace-loving, considerate, full of mercy), all options and perspectives are considered (impartial), and the proper order is maintained (submissive).
D. Conclusion: As we submit ourselves to the Spirit, watching our speech and depending on his power to change us, we guard our heart motivations and seek wisdom from above.
EXEGETING JAMES 2:14-26 IN CONTEXT
EXEGETING JAMES 2:14-26 IN CONTEXT:
SPENDING EXTRA TIME ON A DIFFICULT PASSAGE
As taught by Dave Lindstrom
I. What has been learned in the letter of James in regards to his audience so far:
Putting James 2:14-26 in context.
A. He refers to them as Christian brothers (James 1:2,9,16,19; 2:1).
B. He refers to them as the Father’s children (James 1:17,27).
C. He refers to them as people who pray because they already have true faith (James 1:3,5-8).
D. He refers to them as having received and able to receive the word of truth (James 1:18,21).
E. He refers to them as believers who can be rewarded at Christ’s judgment seat for loving Christ by obeying Him.
1. We will receive the crown of life for handling trials well (James 1:12).
2. We will receive mercy and favor by our obedience to His word and by doing His righteousness. James calls this being a works-doer (James 1:21,22; 2:13).
Conclusion: James is writing to Christian believers who have already placed their faith in Christ alone for their salvation.
II. What James, the other apostles, and Jesus understood about eternal salvation and being declared righteous (justified) before God.
A. James was a main leader in the Jerusalem church and had a firm grasp of being justified by faith (Acts 15:4-29).
B. Paul taught justification by faith (Rom. 4:1-12; Gal. 2:15,16; Eph. 2:8-10).
C. John taught justification by faith (John 1:12; 20:21), Jesus taught justification by faith (John 3:16), and Peter taught justification by faith (I Pet. 1:3-5).
Conclusion: The message of the New Testament is very consistent regarding justification by faith in Jesus Christ alone as accomplishing a believers standing before God.
III. A believer who has been justified by faith before God needs to learn to do works of faith in order to manifest Christ’s righteousness before men (James 2:14-26).
A. We are in the section of James, which is the main body of the letter, where he is explaining that being “quick to hear” means being obedient to Christ’s words and doing them (James 1:21 - 2:26).
B. James has already given several examples of being a work-doer or working out God’s righteousness in James 1:21 - 2:13. A works-doer includes obeying Christ’s word by controlling ones tongue, providing for those unable to care for themselves, keeping oneself from the false thinking and the lusts of this world, and treating others without bias and partiality.
C. James starts out his argument by pondering the profitability or the benefit of a believer who chooses to live his life out without being this previously described works-doer of James 1:21 - 2:13 (vs 14a).
D. Given the context of the letter, James reiterates the idea that God’s word heard, obeyed, and done is the process of saving (sanctifying) the believers life from the power of sin (James 1:21). A believer who does not live this way will not receive the benefit of the word in this way and will not be a blessing to others (vs 14b-17).
E. Faith without the kind of works coming from obedience to God’s word makes a believer’s mortal life dead, empty, and fruitless concerning his/her walk and witness (vs 17-20).
F. A believer operating with Christ’s Spirit and word should produce life, productivity, and fruitfulness rather than the demonic belief (that does not save) that produces trembling before Christ (vs 17-20).
G. James knew that the Scriptures said that Abraham was justified by faith (Gen. 15:6) just as Paul, Peter, John, and Jesus also knew this (Rom. 4:1-12; I Pet. 2:7; John 1:12; John 3:16).
H. James shows that justification by works is something that can happen after justification by faith through the examples of Abraham and Rahab (vs 21-26).
1. Justification by faith is being declared righteous before God. Justification by works is showing God’s righteousness to other people.
2. His doctrine of justification by works is the same as “working the righteousness of God (James 1:21),” “receiving with meekness the engrafted word which is able to save your lives (souls)(James 1:21),” “being a word-doer (James 1:22),’ and “being blessed in your work (James 1:25).”
3. Abraham and Rahab were already justified before God at the time of their belief before they were justified before other people at the time of their works of righteousness (Gen. 15:6; 22:1-12; Josh. 2:11-16; Heb. 11:31).
4. By justification by faith, we become children of God (Rom. 4:1-12). By James’ phrase of justification by works, we can become friends of God (James 2:23; 2 Chron. 20:7; Isa. 41:8) by understanding and doing what God desires in us (John 15:13-17).
SPENDING EXTRA TIME ON A DIFFICULT PASSAGE
As taught by Dave Lindstrom
I. What has been learned in the letter of James in regards to his audience so far:
Putting James 2:14-26 in context.
A. He refers to them as Christian brothers (James 1:2,9,16,19; 2:1).
B. He refers to them as the Father’s children (James 1:17,27).
C. He refers to them as people who pray because they already have true faith (James 1:3,5-8).
D. He refers to them as having received and able to receive the word of truth (James 1:18,21).
E. He refers to them as believers who can be rewarded at Christ’s judgment seat for loving Christ by obeying Him.
1. We will receive the crown of life for handling trials well (James 1:12).
2. We will receive mercy and favor by our obedience to His word and by doing His righteousness. James calls this being a works-doer (James 1:21,22; 2:13).
Conclusion: James is writing to Christian believers who have already placed their faith in Christ alone for their salvation.
II. What James, the other apostles, and Jesus understood about eternal salvation and being declared righteous (justified) before God.
A. James was a main leader in the Jerusalem church and had a firm grasp of being justified by faith (Acts 15:4-29).
B. Paul taught justification by faith (Rom. 4:1-12; Gal. 2:15,16; Eph. 2:8-10).
C. John taught justification by faith (John 1:12; 20:21), Jesus taught justification by faith (John 3:16), and Peter taught justification by faith (I Pet. 1:3-5).
Conclusion: The message of the New Testament is very consistent regarding justification by faith in Jesus Christ alone as accomplishing a believers standing before God.
III. A believer who has been justified by faith before God needs to learn to do works of faith in order to manifest Christ’s righteousness before men (James 2:14-26).
A. We are in the section of James, which is the main body of the letter, where he is explaining that being “quick to hear” means being obedient to Christ’s words and doing them (James 1:21 - 2:26).
B. James has already given several examples of being a work-doer or working out God’s righteousness in James 1:21 - 2:13. A works-doer includes obeying Christ’s word by controlling ones tongue, providing for those unable to care for themselves, keeping oneself from the false thinking and the lusts of this world, and treating others without bias and partiality.
C. James starts out his argument by pondering the profitability or the benefit of a believer who chooses to live his life out without being this previously described works-doer of James 1:21 - 2:13 (vs 14a).
D. Given the context of the letter, James reiterates the idea that God’s word heard, obeyed, and done is the process of saving (sanctifying) the believers life from the power of sin (James 1:21). A believer who does not live this way will not receive the benefit of the word in this way and will not be a blessing to others (vs 14b-17).
E. Faith without the kind of works coming from obedience to God’s word makes a believer’s mortal life dead, empty, and fruitless concerning his/her walk and witness (vs 17-20).
F. A believer operating with Christ’s Spirit and word should produce life, productivity, and fruitfulness rather than the demonic belief (that does not save) that produces trembling before Christ (vs 17-20).
G. James knew that the Scriptures said that Abraham was justified by faith (Gen. 15:6) just as Paul, Peter, John, and Jesus also knew this (Rom. 4:1-12; I Pet. 2:7; John 1:12; John 3:16).
H. James shows that justification by works is something that can happen after justification by faith through the examples of Abraham and Rahab (vs 21-26).
1. Justification by faith is being declared righteous before God. Justification by works is showing God’s righteousness to other people.
2. His doctrine of justification by works is the same as “working the righteousness of God (James 1:21),” “receiving with meekness the engrafted word which is able to save your lives (souls)(James 1:21),” “being a word-doer (James 1:22),’ and “being blessed in your work (James 1:25).”
3. Abraham and Rahab were already justified before God at the time of their belief before they were justified before other people at the time of their works of righteousness (Gen. 15:6; 22:1-12; Josh. 2:11-16; Heb. 11:31).
4. By justification by faith, we become children of God (Rom. 4:1-12). By James’ phrase of justification by works, we can become friends of God (James 2:23; 2 Chron. 20:7; Isa. 41:8) by understanding and doing what God desires in us (John 15:13-17).
James 1:21 - 2:26 (today through 2:13)
A BELIEVER WHO IS “QUICK TO HEAR” WILL BE BLESSED
AND BE A BLESSING TO OTHERS
James 1:21 - 2:26 (today through 2:13)
As taught by Dave Lindstrom
I. James has listed three Christian behaviors or works which specifically will help
believers in their time of trial and temptation in James 1:19,20.
A. We should be “quick to hear.” This includes listening to and obeying God’s
word, confessing our sins, being merciful and loving to others (James 1:21 -2:26).
B. We should be “slow to speak.” This includes taming our tongue, doing humble
works without selfish ambition and learning how to be Christ’s peacemaker
(James 3:1-17).
C. We should be “slow to anger.” This includes giving up worldly ambitions and humbly placing ourselves under Christ’s authority (James 4:1 - 5:6).
D. The outcome of handling our trials well and having victory over temptations is
the privilege and blessing of manifesting our new life in Christ which James calls
“God’s righteousness” (vs 20). John called this “matured love” (I John 2:28-4:19).
Thought: How have you seen these behaviors help you in your time of trial?
II. A believer who learns to hear God’s word on the inside, by obeying, will manifest
God’s righteousness (James 1:21 - 27).
A. Listening on the inside involves laying aside (like clothing) our old filth of the flesh
and worldly wickedness (vs 21) (I Peter 2:1-2).
B. Listening on the inside involves living out our lives from the standpoint of our new
natures and accepting or welcoming God’s word rather than resisting its direction
(vs 21) (I Peter 1:23-25; 2:1-2).
C. Listening on the inside can save your life. This is a Greek phrase which carried the
idea of saving your physical life from death (vs 21) (Mark 3:4; Matt. 16:24-28;
Gen. 19:17 (LXX); Prov. 11:19; James 5:20). For the believer, saving your soul or life involves the process of sanctification (becoming more set apart for Christ by being freed from sins power) and has great benefits now and at Christ’s judgment seat (James 2:13).
D. Listening on the inside involves using our mind attentively and doing Christ’s law
(James 1:22-25; Rom. 6:14; 2 Cor. 3:6; Gal. 6:2).
E. Listening on the inside involves using our words in a Christ-like way, giving mercy and help to the people that have the least but that God cares for the most, and keeping ourselves pure while living in this corrupt world (James 1:26,27).
III. A believer who treats other people with the love of Christ is truly listening on the
inside (James 2:1-13).
A. Our Yahweh Jesus Christ came from glory and treated people without partiality
(vs 1)(Phil. 2:4-10).
B. We need to view outward things like jewelry and clothing as God views them.
People are the items of value! (vs 2-4)
C. Believers that are poor in this worlds goods are many times the richest in faith
and will have great privileges as co-heirs with Christ at His kingdom (vs 5-7;
Rom. 8:17; 2 Tim. 2:12; Rev. 2:26-28).
D. Believers will give an account to Christ at His judgment seat in the future. By
treating others with Christ’s love and manifesting His mercy, we will in turn
receive more of His mercy concerning our life as co-heirs with Him (vs 8-13;
2 Cor. 5:10; I Cor. 3:8-15; I John 4:17,18).
AND BE A BLESSING TO OTHERS
James 1:21 - 2:26 (today through 2:13)
As taught by Dave Lindstrom
I. James has listed three Christian behaviors or works which specifically will help
believers in their time of trial and temptation in James 1:19,20.
A. We should be “quick to hear.” This includes listening to and obeying God’s
word, confessing our sins, being merciful and loving to others (James 1:21 -2:26).
B. We should be “slow to speak.” This includes taming our tongue, doing humble
works without selfish ambition and learning how to be Christ’s peacemaker
(James 3:1-17).
C. We should be “slow to anger.” This includes giving up worldly ambitions and humbly placing ourselves under Christ’s authority (James 4:1 - 5:6).
D. The outcome of handling our trials well and having victory over temptations is
the privilege and blessing of manifesting our new life in Christ which James calls
“God’s righteousness” (vs 20). John called this “matured love” (I John 2:28-4:19).
Thought: How have you seen these behaviors help you in your time of trial?
II. A believer who learns to hear God’s word on the inside, by obeying, will manifest
God’s righteousness (James 1:21 - 27).
A. Listening on the inside involves laying aside (like clothing) our old filth of the flesh
and worldly wickedness (vs 21) (I Peter 2:1-2).
B. Listening on the inside involves living out our lives from the standpoint of our new
natures and accepting or welcoming God’s word rather than resisting its direction
(vs 21) (I Peter 1:23-25; 2:1-2).
C. Listening on the inside can save your life. This is a Greek phrase which carried the
idea of saving your physical life from death (vs 21) (Mark 3:4; Matt. 16:24-28;
Gen. 19:17 (LXX); Prov. 11:19; James 5:20). For the believer, saving your soul or life involves the process of sanctification (becoming more set apart for Christ by being freed from sins power) and has great benefits now and at Christ’s judgment seat (James 2:13).
D. Listening on the inside involves using our mind attentively and doing Christ’s law
(James 1:22-25; Rom. 6:14; 2 Cor. 3:6; Gal. 6:2).
E. Listening on the inside involves using our words in a Christ-like way, giving mercy and help to the people that have the least but that God cares for the most, and keeping ourselves pure while living in this corrupt world (James 1:26,27).
III. A believer who treats other people with the love of Christ is truly listening on the
inside (James 2:1-13).
A. Our Yahweh Jesus Christ came from glory and treated people without partiality
(vs 1)(Phil. 2:4-10).
B. We need to view outward things like jewelry and clothing as God views them.
People are the items of value! (vs 2-4)
C. Believers that are poor in this worlds goods are many times the richest in faith
and will have great privileges as co-heirs with Christ at His kingdom (vs 5-7;
Rom. 8:17; 2 Tim. 2:12; Rev. 2:26-28).
D. Believers will give an account to Christ at His judgment seat in the future. By
treating others with Christ’s love and manifesting His mercy, we will in turn
receive more of His mercy concerning our life as co-heirs with Him (vs 8-13;
2 Cor. 5:10; I Cor. 3:8-15; I John 4:17,18).
James 1:13-20
HOW A PERSON SINS WHETHER A BELIEVER OR UNBELIEVER
AND HOW A BELIEVER CAN LIVE OUT TRUE LIFE
James 1:13-20
As taught by Dave Lindstrom
I. Temptation toward evil desires come from ourselves and not from God
(James 1:13-18).
A. The Greek word “peirasmos” can be translated as the English word “trial” or as
the English word “temptation.”
1. The noun form of the word is usually, but not always, the idea of outer
difficulties where “trial” would be used (James 1:3,12).
2. The verb form of the word is usually, but not always, the idea of inner conflicts
that could lead us to sin. The word “temptation” would be used in these places (James 1:13,14).
3. The context of the sentence and paragraph many times give us clues, but it
sometimes takes extra work to figure out which word is best (Matt. 26:41;
Gal. 4:14; Heb. 11:37; Matt. 4:1; Matt. 6:13).
Thought: How are trials and temptations different and how are they the same as you
deal with them in your life?
B. The source of humanities desire to sin and do evil comes from something inside of
them (vs 13-16).
1. Scripture agrees with the Genesis account of the fall of humanity as found in
Genesis 3.
2. The Bible tells us that all humanity is depraved, wicked, and separated from
God’s ways (Ps. 14:1-3; Isa. 1:18, 64:6; Rom. 3:9-20).
3. Through faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ, believers have been given a
new birth and are newly created (Rom. 3:21-28; 2 Cor. 5:16-21).
4. Believers have the possibility to please God by living life in their new nature
under the power of Christ’s Spirit but can still sin. The believer sins by
choosing to follow the ways of sin which Scripturally is called the flesh or not
living according to the truth (Gal. 5:13 - 6:5; I John 1:5 - 2:6).
5. James describes our desire to sin with fishing and hunting metaphors where
prey is being lured out by bait. As Christians, we have certain tendencies in
our flesh which baits us and starts the sin process rolling! (vs 14)
6. The lustful bait will go through a “conceiving” process which will lead us to
sin (missing the mark) and death (broken fellowship, loss of true life for that
time period, unproductivity, loss of reward, possible early physical death)
(I Cor. 3:10-17; Rom. 5:1 - 6:23; James 5:19,20; I John 5:14-17).
C. Our Father of creation is 100% good, giving, and non-sinful (vs 17,18).
1. God’s creation in the heavens of stars, planets, and moons cast differing
shadows that can distort light, but God is above His creation.
2. Sin also is a distortion of the light or truth of God’s creation, but God, by His
word of truth, has redeemed His people to be a first fruit of a new creation.
3. The first fruit of the harvest in the Old Testament (Ex. 34:22; Lev. 23:10) was
the first pickings of the new crop dedicated to Yahweh. It was the promise
of the harvest and participation in Yahweh’s blessings to come.
II. As believers live out their new lives here on earth, they should learn to be “quick to
hear,” “slow to speak,” and “slow to anger,” which is also how James structures the
rest of his letter (James 1:19,20, 1:21-2:26, 3:1-18, 4:1-5:12).
AND HOW A BELIEVER CAN LIVE OUT TRUE LIFE
James 1:13-20
As taught by Dave Lindstrom
I. Temptation toward evil desires come from ourselves and not from God
(James 1:13-18).
A. The Greek word “peirasmos” can be translated as the English word “trial” or as
the English word “temptation.”
1. The noun form of the word is usually, but not always, the idea of outer
difficulties where “trial” would be used (James 1:3,12).
2. The verb form of the word is usually, but not always, the idea of inner conflicts
that could lead us to sin. The word “temptation” would be used in these places (James 1:13,14).
3. The context of the sentence and paragraph many times give us clues, but it
sometimes takes extra work to figure out which word is best (Matt. 26:41;
Gal. 4:14; Heb. 11:37; Matt. 4:1; Matt. 6:13).
Thought: How are trials and temptations different and how are they the same as you
deal with them in your life?
B. The source of humanities desire to sin and do evil comes from something inside of
them (vs 13-16).
1. Scripture agrees with the Genesis account of the fall of humanity as found in
Genesis 3.
2. The Bible tells us that all humanity is depraved, wicked, and separated from
God’s ways (Ps. 14:1-3; Isa. 1:18, 64:6; Rom. 3:9-20).
3. Through faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ, believers have been given a
new birth and are newly created (Rom. 3:21-28; 2 Cor. 5:16-21).
4. Believers have the possibility to please God by living life in their new nature
under the power of Christ’s Spirit but can still sin. The believer sins by
choosing to follow the ways of sin which Scripturally is called the flesh or not
living according to the truth (Gal. 5:13 - 6:5; I John 1:5 - 2:6).
5. James describes our desire to sin with fishing and hunting metaphors where
prey is being lured out by bait. As Christians, we have certain tendencies in
our flesh which baits us and starts the sin process rolling! (vs 14)
6. The lustful bait will go through a “conceiving” process which will lead us to
sin (missing the mark) and death (broken fellowship, loss of true life for that
time period, unproductivity, loss of reward, possible early physical death)
(I Cor. 3:10-17; Rom. 5:1 - 6:23; James 5:19,20; I John 5:14-17).
C. Our Father of creation is 100% good, giving, and non-sinful (vs 17,18).
1. God’s creation in the heavens of stars, planets, and moons cast differing
shadows that can distort light, but God is above His creation.
2. Sin also is a distortion of the light or truth of God’s creation, but God, by His
word of truth, has redeemed His people to be a first fruit of a new creation.
3. The first fruit of the harvest in the Old Testament (Ex. 34:22; Lev. 23:10) was
the first pickings of the new crop dedicated to Yahweh. It was the promise
of the harvest and participation in Yahweh’s blessings to come.
II. As believers live out their new lives here on earth, they should learn to be “quick to
hear,” “slow to speak,” and “slow to anger,” which is also how James structures the
rest of his letter (James 1:19,20, 1:21-2:26, 3:1-18, 4:1-5:12).
James 1:1-12
INTRODUCTION AND
HOW A BELIEVER RECEIVES A HIGHER QUALITY OF LIFE
James 1:1-12
As taught by Dave Lindstrom
I. An introduction to the letter of James.
A. The author is James, the half-brother of Jesus Christ.
1. It was not James, the son of Zebedee, the apostle, the brother of John
(Matt. 4:18-22; Matt. 17:1-3). He was martyred in 44 A.D. which was too
early to have written this (Acts 12:1,2).
2. It was one of Jesus’ half-brothers who became the leading elder of the church
at Jerusalem (Mark 6:3; I Cor. 15:7; Gal. 2:12; Acts 15:13; Acts 21:17-25).
a. James had authority to make major decisions in his office in Jerusalem and
his speeches in Acts 15 and Acts 21 reveal this.
b. The letter of James uses similar Jewish and Old Testament phrasings and
quotes as the Acts passages. It also is written very authoritatively by using
46 imperatives or command-tenses.
c. Early church history confirms the description of “James the Just,” the half-
brother of Christ as the author (Hegisuppus, Eusebius, and others).
d. He was martyred according to Josephus in 62 A.D.
B. The letter was most likely written between 45 and 50 A.D.
1. This fits the persecution of Christians from the Jews and Roman Empire time
period (Acts 8:1-3; 12:1,2), and their Jerusalem church leader’s heart to
encourage the dispersed Jewish Christians (James 1:1).
2. This fits the Jewishness of the teachings from Old Testament writings
(ie. Proverbs, Isaiah) and Christ’s teachings (Sermon on the Mount).
3. This fits a simpler early church leadership of teachers (James 3:1) and elders
(James 5:14).
4. This fits a lack of discussion of Jewish legalizers which the Apostle Paul dealt
with after 50 A.D. (see Galatians, Acts 15 and 21).
C. The purpose and canonicity of the letter of James.
1. It was written to instruct, comfort, and encourage dispersed Jewish Christians
who had to leave Jerusalem because of Roman persecution (Acts 7:59 - 8:3;
Acts 12:2; James 1:1).
2. It was one of the letters that was scrutinized for two to three hundred years of
church history as whether it should be included in the New Testament Canon of
Scripture. The Church Council of Carthage finally settled the issue in 397 A.D.
II. How a believer receives a higher quality of life (James 1:1-12).
A. The writer of this letter identifies himself as a servant or slave (“doulos”) of God
and Yahweh Jesus the Christ (Messiah). He writes to the scattered, persecuted
Jewish Christians (James 1:1).
Thought: How does knowing that you are owned and directed by the God and Savior
of the universe help you?
B. Christians are instructed to look at trials and tests in a wise and scripturally
knowledgeable way (James 1:2-12).
1. Believers should look at the trial, which is something that tests how mature our
faith has become, as a source of joy and discipleship (James 1:2-4).
a. Through the trial we can grow up in our faith (vs 4; I John 4:12-18).
b. Through the trial, as we trust in God, we learn how to endure (“abide
under”)(vs 4).
c. Through the trial we can get out of our non-abiding state (not lacking
abiding)(vs 4).
2. Believers should realize that they are not in the trial alone (James 1:5-8).
a. God will supply for them His wisdom if they will ask in faith (vs 5,6;
I John 3:20-23; I John 5:14,15).
b. God desires to be with you in your trials in a generous and non-rebuking
way if you will believe. Don’t be a wavering, double thinking God
doubter! (vs 7,8; Heb. 13:5,6).
3. Believers should realize that this world’s trials can yield eternal reward
(James 1:9-12).
a. A Christian’s mortal life, whether with material wealth or material poverty,
is short compared to eternity. We need proper perspective (vs 9-11;
Isaiah 40:6-8).
b. The reward for enduring trial in faithful trust is not only a matured faith in
this life but eternal reward in the next life called the crown of life (vs 12;
I Cor. 9:25; I Thes. 2:19; 2 Tim. 4:8; I Peter 5:4).
HOW A BELIEVER RECEIVES A HIGHER QUALITY OF LIFE
James 1:1-12
As taught by Dave Lindstrom
I. An introduction to the letter of James.
A. The author is James, the half-brother of Jesus Christ.
1. It was not James, the son of Zebedee, the apostle, the brother of John
(Matt. 4:18-22; Matt. 17:1-3). He was martyred in 44 A.D. which was too
early to have written this (Acts 12:1,2).
2. It was one of Jesus’ half-brothers who became the leading elder of the church
at Jerusalem (Mark 6:3; I Cor. 15:7; Gal. 2:12; Acts 15:13; Acts 21:17-25).
a. James had authority to make major decisions in his office in Jerusalem and
his speeches in Acts 15 and Acts 21 reveal this.
b. The letter of James uses similar Jewish and Old Testament phrasings and
quotes as the Acts passages. It also is written very authoritatively by using
46 imperatives or command-tenses.
c. Early church history confirms the description of “James the Just,” the half-
brother of Christ as the author (Hegisuppus, Eusebius, and others).
d. He was martyred according to Josephus in 62 A.D.
B. The letter was most likely written between 45 and 50 A.D.
1. This fits the persecution of Christians from the Jews and Roman Empire time
period (Acts 8:1-3; 12:1,2), and their Jerusalem church leader’s heart to
encourage the dispersed Jewish Christians (James 1:1).
2. This fits the Jewishness of the teachings from Old Testament writings
(ie. Proverbs, Isaiah) and Christ’s teachings (Sermon on the Mount).
3. This fits a simpler early church leadership of teachers (James 3:1) and elders
(James 5:14).
4. This fits a lack of discussion of Jewish legalizers which the Apostle Paul dealt
with after 50 A.D. (see Galatians, Acts 15 and 21).
C. The purpose and canonicity of the letter of James.
1. It was written to instruct, comfort, and encourage dispersed Jewish Christians
who had to leave Jerusalem because of Roman persecution (Acts 7:59 - 8:3;
Acts 12:2; James 1:1).
2. It was one of the letters that was scrutinized for two to three hundred years of
church history as whether it should be included in the New Testament Canon of
Scripture. The Church Council of Carthage finally settled the issue in 397 A.D.
II. How a believer receives a higher quality of life (James 1:1-12).
A. The writer of this letter identifies himself as a servant or slave (“doulos”) of God
and Yahweh Jesus the Christ (Messiah). He writes to the scattered, persecuted
Jewish Christians (James 1:1).
Thought: How does knowing that you are owned and directed by the God and Savior
of the universe help you?
B. Christians are instructed to look at trials and tests in a wise and scripturally
knowledgeable way (James 1:2-12).
1. Believers should look at the trial, which is something that tests how mature our
faith has become, as a source of joy and discipleship (James 1:2-4).
a. Through the trial we can grow up in our faith (vs 4; I John 4:12-18).
b. Through the trial, as we trust in God, we learn how to endure (“abide
under”)(vs 4).
c. Through the trial we can get out of our non-abiding state (not lacking
abiding)(vs 4).
2. Believers should realize that they are not in the trial alone (James 1:5-8).
a. God will supply for them His wisdom if they will ask in faith (vs 5,6;
I John 3:20-23; I John 5:14,15).
b. God desires to be with you in your trials in a generous and non-rebuking
way if you will believe. Don’t be a wavering, double thinking God
doubter! (vs 7,8; Heb. 13:5,6).
3. Believers should realize that this world’s trials can yield eternal reward
(James 1:9-12).
a. A Christian’s mortal life, whether with material wealth or material poverty,
is short compared to eternity. We need proper perspective (vs 9-11;
Isaiah 40:6-8).
b. The reward for enduring trial in faithful trust is not only a matured faith in
this life but eternal reward in the next life called the crown of life (vs 12;
I Cor. 9:25; I Thes. 2:19; 2 Tim. 4:8; I Peter 5:4).
Oopsy!
Hey Folks,
I wanted to send out a BIG apology to you all. I only now realized that in January I started posting Dave's notes for the book of 1 John... for the second time! (I posted them the first time in 2009.)
Sorry!
I'm going to try and compensate by immediately posting all of the notes for the book of James.
Thanks for your patience!
-Paeter (blog admin)
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