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- Preaching the Living WORD through the Written WORD - 2 Tim 4:2
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INTRODUCTION TO
JAMES (James)
8-29-12 Grace Bible Church,
Gillette, Wyoming Pastor Daryl Hilbert I. TITLE, DATE, AND IDENTIFICATION
OF JAMES A. The Book of James, like
most New Testament books, was named after its author. There are at least four
different men named James in the NT. 1. James the
son of Zebedee (Mat 4:21-22; 10:2; 27:56; Mar 1:19; 3:17; 10:35; Luk 5:10). a) This James
was the brother of John, the one who wrote the Gospel of John as well as 1-3
John. b) Their father was Zebedee, a fisherman by
trade, in which they originally followed in his line of work (Mat 4:21; Mar
1:9). c) James, along with John and Peter, were
present at the Transfiguration of Jesus (Mat 17:1). d) Some have thought that this James might be
the author of this epistle, however, he was the first martyr among the
apostles, being put to death by a sword about ten years after the martyrdom
of Stephen in approximately AD 44 (Act 12:2). Having no mention of the
Council of Jerusalem (AD 49), the epistle of James is presumed to be written between AD 45-48. 2. James the
son of Alphaeus (Mat 10:1-3; Act 1:13) a) Also
called James the Less, perhaps because of his small stature, he probably was
not the bother of Levi (Matthew) son of Alphaeus (Mar 2:14). b) Some claim (Roman Catholics) that he, as
the supposed cousin of Jesus (erroneously termed “brother”), authored the
epistle. However, this seems suggested only as an attempt to support the
doctrine of Mary’s perpetual virginity. It is highly unlikely that this James
authored the epistle. 3. James the
father of Judas (Luk 6:16) a) In the
lists of the twelve disciples by Luke (Luk 6:14-16; Act 1:13) we find that
there were two named Judas. Luke identifies them, so as to not create
confusion, as “Judas son of James” and “Judas Iscariot.” b) “Judas son of James” is the same person as
Thaddaeus, identified in Matthew and Mark’s Gospel (Mat 10:2-4; Mar
3:16-19) but is absent from Luke’s. c) We know very little of this Judas (Joh
14:22) and less of his father James. Obviously he did not write the epistle
of James. 4. James the
brother of the Lord a) That Jesus
had half-siblings through his mother Mary (through Joseph) is well documented
in Scripture. At least four brothers are named in Mat 13:55-56 (cp. Mat 12:46
cp. Mar 6:3), James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas. b) Jesus’ brother James was not one of the
original disciples. Initially Jesus’ brothers did not accept Him as the
Messiah. In fact, they ridiculed him if not opened up opportunity for Him to
be seized by the Jews (Joh 7:1-10). c) It was during the time of Jesus’
resurrection that Jesus revealed Himself to James and subsequently he
believed (1Co 15:7). Evidently James went to his brothers and they also
believed (Act 1:14). In fact, Jesus’ other half-brother is the author of the
epistle of Jude (Jude 1:1). d) James obviously became an apostle (Gal
1:19) and a prominent leader in the church alongside Peter and John (Act
12:17; 15:13; 21:18; Gal 2:9). e) This leaves little doubt that it is
Jesus’ half-brother James that is the author of the Epistle of James. B. The life of James is a
remarkable testament to his strict religious upbringing as well as the
influence of his half-brother, Jesus our Lord. 1. According
to tradition, James was a “Hebrew of Hebrews” meaning his spiritual life was
exemplary as a Jew and a Christian. It is said that he was strict in
following all the observances, regulations, and morality of the Jewish faith. 2. The early Christian historian, Hegesippus
wrote that James was characterized with holiness, drank no wine or strong
drink, and ate no unclean flesh. 3. James alone was permitted to enter with
the priests into the holy place. Being preeminent in justice and defense of
the people he was called “James the Just.” 4. He was a man of prayer and was found so
often on his knees in prayer, worship, and intercession that his knees became
hard like those of a camel (i.e. camel knees). 5. James was so zealous and outspoken in his
faith that many from among the people and some from the ruling class accepted
Jesus Christ as Messiah. As a result some of the Pharisees ridiculed, “A
little more, and we shall have all the people looking for Jesus as the
Christ.” 6. It was these same Pharisees who threw
James from the summit of the Temple to stifle his witness. Surviving the
fall, they began to stone him upon which he knelt and prayed for his persecutors.
With similar words to His Lord and Savior and half-brother he prayed, “I
beseech Thee, Lord God our Father, forgive them; for they know not what they
do.” 7. Having suffered martyrdom in AD 62, they
buried him on the spot and erected a pillar of memory to him. Hegesippus
concludes, “This man was a true witness to both Jews and Greeks that Jesus is
the Christ.” II. BACKGROUND, SETTING, STYLE, AND PURPOSE OF JAMES A. James is probably the
earliest writing of the New Testament (AD 45-48), Galatians being second (AD
48-50), Matthew next (AD 50), and 1 & 2 Thessalonians being written
between AD 50-54). B. He was writing to Jewish believers who had
been dispersed (Jam 1:1), beginning with the persecution that began at Stephen’s
martyrdom and persecution under Herod Agrippa I (Act 12:1-3ff; AD 44). Such
persecution is apt to produce a silent and fruitless Christianity. Obviously
they were dealing with persecution (1:2-4) as well as superficial formality
(1:22-27), partiality (2:1-13), dead faith (2:14-26), bitterness in speech
(3:1-12), unchristian attitudes (3:13-4:3), worldliness (4:4-10) oppression
from the rich (5:1-6), and prayerlessness (5:13-18). C. Being Jewish and writing to a Jewish
audience, the epistle contains over 40 allusions to the Old Testament. It is
also saturated with wisdom akin to the book of Proverbs. However, the
influence of Jesus is obvious as there are more than 20 allusions to the
Sermon on the Mount (Mat 5-7). D. The book of James includes more figures of
speech, analogies, and imagery from nature than all of Paul’s epistles put
together. Like Jesus, he uses exhortations, rhetorical questions, and
illustrations from everyday life. E. The purpose of the epistle was to exhort
the early believers to live a holy, righteous, and fruitful life in the midst
of worldliness and persecution. This includes attitudes, service, and speech.
Though some have accused the epistle of unrelated sections and inconsistent
patterns, James can be depicted as carefully strung pearls on a necklace of wisdom
and practical holiness. III. HISTORICAL AND THEOLOGICAL
THEMES OF JAMES A. Martin Luther called the
epistle of James a “right strawy epistle” with no
“gospel character to it.” Luther was referring to the epistle from a purely
doctrinal point of view in that the gospel was not explicitly revealed.
Perhaps this was said due in part to his battle with the Roman Catholic
Church on justification by faith, Luther saw how James was twisted and used
as a support for Romish beliefs. B. James teaches that a faith without works
is a dead faith (Jam 2:14-26). This does not contradict the doctrine of
justification by faith from other Scriptures. James is not referring to
initial saving faith mixed with works. Rather he is referring to the evidence
that follows true saving faith. John Calvin rightly stated that, “Faith alone
saves, but the faith that saves is not alone.” Works are the evidence of justification by faith. An absence of
works is the evidence of an absence of justification by faith alone. C. Nevertheless, when understood in the
context of the entire NT, James can be described as the practical side of
doctrine. The epistle emphasizes consistent Christian practice from an
ethical gospel imperative. It was relevant in his day and we find it extremely
relevant for today’s carefree gospel living. Harold Ironside titled the theme
of the book of James, “A Living Faith.” What James’ readers needed and what
we need today for ourselves and professing Christians around us is “a living
faith.” D. Yet James is an epistle implicitly rich in
theology as recorded by the Expositor’s Bible Commentary: 1. God is
seen as being generous (1:5) and holy (1:13), the unchanging source of good
(1:17). He is the one and only God (2:19), the Father of his people and the
prototype in whose likeness men were created (3:9). Furthermore he is
sovereign (4:15) and just (5:4), filled with pity and tender mercy (5:11). 2. James views sin as universal (3:2),
indwelling all persons (1:14–15) and resulting in death (1:15). It expresses
itself in anger (1:20), moral filth (1:21), blasphemy (2:7), discrimination
(2:11), bitterness and lust (4:1–3), intimate ties with the evil world (4:4),
pride (4:6), and theft and oppression (5:4). 3. In the third area of theological
emphasis, James sees the end time as the day of rewards (1:12), the day when
God’s kingdom will be introduced (2:5), the day of judgment (2:12; 3:1), and
the day when the Lord will return (5:7–8). 4. Several other doctrines receive limited
mention. Christ is described as Lord (1:1; 2:1), but the Holy Spirit is not
referred to unless it be in 4:5. In the area of soteriology, James speaks of
regeneration (1:18), salvation of the soul (1:21), and justification
(2:21–25). He promises the believer forgiveness of sins (5:15). He discusses
the relation of saving faith and resultant good deeds (2:14–26). And he makes
incidental reference to church order when he speaks of elders (5:14). IV. OUTLINE OF JAMES: “A Living
Faith” I. Salutation
(1:1) II. Trials
and Temptations (1:2–18) A. The Testing of Faith (1:2–12) B. The Source of Temptation (1:13–18) III. The
Practice of the Word (1:19–27) IV. The
Condemnation of Partiality (2:1–13) V. The
Relation of Faith and Action (2:14–26) VI. The
Control of the Tongue (3:1–12) VII. Two
Kinds of Wisdom (3:13–18) VIII. The
Worldly Attitude (4:1–10) IX. Faultfinding
(4:11–12) X. Arrogant
Self-Sufficiency (4:13–17) XI. Denunciation
of the Wicked Rich (5:1–6) XII. Miscellaneous
Exhortations (5:7–20) A. Concerning Patience (5:7–11) B. Concerning Oaths (5:12) C. Concerning Prayer (5:13–18) D. Concerning the Wanderer (5:19–20) V. OBSERVATIONS AND
APPLICATIONS A. Living faith 1. Much time
is spent in defending the fruitless Christian whereas more time should be devoted
to James’ theme: faith without works is dead; therefore if you are a
believer, show your faith. 2. James not only was taught the Law from a
child, but he was a spectator of someone who daily lived out His faith as the
perfect example, that is James’ half-brother, the Lord Jesus Christ. We have
Christ’s example recorded in and revealed from the Word. B. Passion for prayer 1. It would
have been great to have an individual like James in the church. You knew you
could count on his prayers. Your fears would fade as you saw his camel knees
come limping into the assembly. 2. Oh that we would all be
more comfortable kneeling rather than standing as well as walking with a
limp. C. Vocal witness 1. What the
world needs now are Christians who put the Devil and the status quo on their
heels fearing that if left unchecked, the whole world would accept Christ as
their Savior. 2. On the one hand the pinnacle of the
Temple was a terrible place from which to be thrown, but on the other hand it
was an ideal location from which to shout the gospel to the world. Let’s all
go find a pinnacle. |
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