Title: James Finale

Text: Various in James

FCF: We often struggle to see the complexity and unity of a book of the bible.

Prop: Because James is one book in the whole of scripture, we must submit to all God has taught us through this book.

Scripture Intro:

[Slide 1] Go ahead and turn in your bible one more time to the book of James.

Today I will do my best to succinctly summarize and review the entire book of James.

[Slide 2] After 27 sermons covering 108 verses in just shy of 20 and a half hours, we are going to try to boil all that down to the next 45 minutes. The task before us is Herculean… but I think we can do it.

I printed off 25 of my revised and expanded outlines for the book of James. You are free to grab that if you like and if we are out of them, I can make more if you want it.

However, we won’t go line by line through that outline as we review the book of James. Instead, we will be looking thematically over all that James has talked about. And we will do so in ascending order of importance..

But before we get into this – let’s pray and seek the Lord this morning.

Transition:

If I can say this reverently, without appearing to be critical of James at all, James’s structure of his book is abundantly offensive to western minds. We enjoy order, points developing into other points, and a direct purpose that is clearly defined. We like solid starts and finishes. We like cohesion and clarity. James is a very Jewish book. It is arranged somewhat thematically, but even then – the themes spiral in and out of every succeeding point. James’ thought appears more like a spider web where threads connect to other threads before it and after it. This makes it incredibly difficult to organize and collate what he is saying, especially when we cover it all in 27 sermons spread out over 34 weeks. So today – we will attempt to zoom out and see the forest as a whole. We’ve seen every tree or at least many of them. But what is the forest like? There are 6 key themes in the book of James. Each of them fit within and connect to one another. Because of this, the first 4 themes we will look at this morning, I will cover very quickly – simply because I do not want to needlessly repeat myself over and over again. I’m sure you’ll appreciate that. However, the last two themes must be seen in full. So have your bible open to chapter 1. When we get to those last two themes, I’d encourage you to follow along with me as I call out references and we move through the book. So let’s get to it ok. The very first theme we need to see is…

I.) [Slide 3] The lack of wisdom

a. This is the first lack that James addresses with his audience in James.

b. In many ways this is the beginning of everything James has to say. Not that it is the most important thing -but that without wisdom all that he says won’t actually make a lot of sense.

c. Wisdom is knowing what God has said, understanding what God has said, and then living what God has said. Wisdom is the foundation of all that James considers going forward.

d. Wisdom is connected to every other theme we will discuss today. So as we go through each theme we will highlight how wisdom connects to it.

e. Twice in James he overtly speaks of wisdom in chapter 1 and chapter 3.

f. The sum of those verses is that Wisdom from God looks like God. Just like faith from God should manifest itself in godliness.

g. Generally speaking, James imparts wisdom to his readers by giving them insight on their current sufferings and difficulties.

h. And so, Wisdom, or the lack of it, underpins the entire letter.

i. Without knowing what God has said, what he means, and living according to what He desires – we cannot hope to hear James’ message.

Transition:

[Slide 4 (blank)] There we go. One theme done. Wisdom starts us because in and of itself it is a theme that is only addressed in a couple spots. But each subsequent point connects back to wisdom and its need. So let’s move on with the next most important theme in the book of James.

II.) [Slide 5] The power of the tongue

a. A good chunk of James’ letter is devoted to the power of the tongue.

b. He tells us that it can do great things but also terrible things.

c. Every chapter in the book of James tells us something about the tongue.

d. To sum up what is being taught – Though it seems to be an impossible task, God’s true children must control their tongues. Whether it be confessing wrong doctrine, slandering, grumbling or prejudice, we must control our tongue. And not just to keep it from doing evil but to use it to do good, like teaching, praying, confessing sin, and disciplining one another.

e. The lack of wisdom connects readily to the use of the tongue in distinct ways.

i. We must ask of the Lord for wisdom using a tongue that is not doubting.

ii. We must also have a wisdom that is from above which is characterized by peace and gentleness – which would certainly mean gentleness and peacefulness in our spoken words.

f. And so, as the next largest theme in the book we see layers being added together. The power of the tongue will also connect to every other theme we will see. So, we’ll trace that out as we go forward.

Transition:

[Slide 6 (blank)] Well, that is two themes down. Only 4 to go. We are making great time! Don’t worry – as they grow in importance, they will grow in length too.

III.) [Slide 7] The command to love

a. Love for one another is an essential Christian doctrine that we find woven to much of what James says.

b. Every chapter except for chapter 3 speaks overtly about loving others.

c. To sum up James’ teaching, If our faith in the Lord is genuine and we are truly God’s children, we will love one another as Christ loved us.

d. But how do the other themes shuffle into this one?

i. As for wisdom

1. Wisdom from God is pure, peaceable, gentle, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good works.

2. Wisdom relates directly to how we treat one another in the sense that when we have God’s wisdom – wisdom from above – we are able to love one another.

ii. As for the tongue

1. Our tongues can be used to express love for other believers

a. By following up well wished words with action

b. By showing no partiality to those of different earthly backgrounds

c. By teaching one another sound doctrine and imparting true and godly wisdom

d. By praying in faith and trusting God

e. By praying for others

f. By rebuking others

2. But our tongues can also be used to withhold love from other believers

a. By speaking over people or using angry words

b. By speaking favorably or prejudicially to other believers

c. By cursing or speaking harshly against one another

d. By selfishly and jealously entering into disputes with others

e. By slandering or judging others

f. By grumbling against others.

Transition:

[Slide 8 (blank)] And so, we are starting to see why the book of James gives us all kinds of fits. Everything we’ve covered so far, is woven within itself. But as the advertisements always say – just wait there’s more!

IV.) [Slide 9] The need for humility

a. A dominant theme throughout the scriptures as a whole and indeed in James as well, is the need for God’s people to be humble.

b. Broadly speaking the whole of this letter communicates this need fairly well in the sense that James addresses 9 things that his readers are lacking that God is trying to perfect in them through trials, testings, and temptations. Since he ended the letter without any benediction, we wonder if 9 is all he saw, or if 9 is all that would fit on the bit of parchment that he had available at the time. In either case – 9 lacks in faith are a LOT. And should immediately humble his readers. And perhaps as you assessed yourself you found that most of these lacks were in your faith too.

c. So broadly from the whole letter – the need for humility is apparent.

d. The need for humility is overtly stated in every single chapter except chapter 2.

e. The sum of James’ teaching is that we can only approach God and therefore be what He desires us to be when and if we are humble or humbled. And if we are not humble, it leads to a whole host of sin that threatens to undo us perhaps even to the point of our soul’s death.

f. And all three of the previous themes connect to this need for humility.

i. If we are to have the wisdom from God, it is a wisdom without selfish ambition and pride. Which of course, we must humbly ask God for in faith without doubting.

ii. If we are to control our tongues

1. We must speak less often and listen much more.

2. Slander is woven to considering ourselves more highly than we ought.

3. Grumbling over others lacks humility in that we judge others

4. Thinking we need to be teachers because we are so very wise is the obvious opposite of humility.

iii. If we are to love others

1. Even a person who thinks they are religious but does not humbly care for others is lacking.

2. If you think you are wise but do not sow peace then your wisdom is the wisdom of demons. It is no wisdom at all.

3. Grumbling against others is a sign of arrogant judgement against them and not love.

Transition:

[Slide 10 (blank)] And so, we see humility as another core or foundational principle. As much as the control of the tongue is important, wisdom, love, and humility dominate the themes throughout this book. These are foundational truths of those who are truly believers. And that naturally leads us into our last two themes which easily take the trophy as the two primary themes in the book of James. Because both of these themes are pervasive throughout the entire book. We will take a more expanded look at them this morning. Have your bible out and turned to chapter 1. As I call out each reference, you see how these last two themes are woven to almost every single verse in this book. So what is the next theme?

V.) [Slide 11] The works of saving faith

a. As we supposed in our introduction to the book of James, it seems that James is responding to a twisted version of Paul’s teaching.

b. Paul taught that we are justified by faith alone. He makes this statement overtly in several of his letters and those who are in youth community should be very familiar with this teaching since it is found quite plainly in Philippians 3.

c. But Paul’s teaching was easily twisted. James writes to Jewish Christians who had concluded that since they were declared righteous by faith alone they could therefore live as they wished never needing to actually be righteous.

d. James throughout this letter has stressed repeatedly that there are two kinds of faith. There is a faith that saves us and there is a faith that doesn’t save us.

e. [Slide 12] Chapter 1 -

i. From the very beginning James tells them that their faith is in need of being perfected (1:4)

ii. He continues with 9 lacks in the letter which indicates a continual and growing nature to their spiritual walk

iii. He says that it is only those who persevere through trial that will inherit the crown of life or salvation (1:12)

iv. He indicates that it is not only possible to still sin after having been justified by faith but he also tells us the source of such temptation to sin – which is our own lusts. In this he shows that although we have been declared righteous by God through faith, we are still sinners needing more saving (1:13-15)

v. James tells his readers that God has brought them to life by His will for a purpose. So that they could be a first fruits among His creatures. In other words, they were regenerated and birthed in His family to be something different – not to be what they had always been. (1:16-18)

vi. He stresses that they must lay aside all that is filthy and instead receive the word which is able to save their souls. They are to be hearers and doers of the word and not hearers only. (1:19-22)

vii. He tells them that hearers only are like those who go to a mirror and notice all that is wrong but forget how bad it is. But doers correct what is wrong. (1:23-25)

viii. He tells them that if they think they are religious but can’t control their tongue then their religion is futile (1:26)

ix. He tells them that pure and undefiled religion before God includes not just faith in Christ but sacrificial and unconditional love and purity from sin. (1:27)

f. [Slide 13] Chapter 2 –

i. Immediately in chapter 2 he stresses that you cannot hold your faith in Christ along with favoritism or prejudice. When you have one you lose the other. (2:1)

ii. Showing partiality is sin, and if you sin in one point you violate the entire law. (2:9-10)

iii. Then he challenges them to speak and act as those under the law of freedom and warns them that they will be judged as they judge others – regardless of what they say they believe. (2:12-13)

iv. James finally reaches the heart of the argument in chapter 2.

1. Faith without works is a dead faith that is unable to save.

2. He proves this as true by citing that Abraham and Rehab were justified by works and not by faith alone.

3. We saw that this is not a contradiction of Paul’s doctrine, merely another guardrail on the other side of the gospel. Justification is by faith alone in that God does not use our works or our merit as a means to declare us righteous. Rather He does so through us receiving faith in Christ.

4. Yet those who truly receive faith in Christ will ALWAYS be irrevocably changed to produce the good works which God has prepared for us to do.

5. Faith that saves is faith that works. Faith that is alone… is like the body without a soul. It is empty and lifeless. (2:14-26)

g. [Slide 14] Chapter 3 –

i. Chapter 3 opens with another big clue that we cannot live as we wish after being justified by faith. Teachers will be judged more strictly for what they say (3:1)

ii. James, speaking in riddles, makes it clear that no man can control his tongue but then ends by saying that Christians can. Those who have been justified by faith can by the power of the cross of Christ purify their speech and use their words for God’s glory. Indeed, they must because God has changed their very nature from a bitter well to a fresh well. He has changed them from a bad tree to a good one. (3:2-12)

iii. Wisdom mimics saving faith. Wisdom from God is full of good works, gentleness, peace, love, purity, and mercy. Just like justifying faith from God is also full of good works. (3:13-18)

h. [Slide 15] Chapter 4 –

i. He lays out at the beginning of chapter 4 that the reason they are constantly fighting with one another is because they have selfish passions that war against each other. These passions are ultimately sinful and worldly. He then concludes that you cannot be both a friend of the world and a friend of God. Stating essentially that you cannot have true faith that justifies and also love the world. (4:1-4)

ii. Then he commands them to repent of sin, resist the devil, and seek the Lord humbly while purifying their hearts. (4:6-10)

iii. He follows this with a command to stop speaking maliciously against each other and being vengeful judges against each other, saying that only God is able to save and destroy (4:11-12)

iv. Even boasting about plans for the future and being self-made men and women is said to be evil. James concludes that if they know to do right and don’t do it… it is sin. They are not yet free of sin. (4:13-17)

i. [Slide 16] Chapter 5 –

i. James concludes his entire letter on a somber note.

ii. Any who wander away – who deliberately keep on sinning or who deny Christ – their souls are in danger of death and they are still in their sin.

iii. James makes it abundantly clear that such people – regardless of what they believe – will not inherit the kingdom of heaven. Because a saving faith is a working faith. There is no such classification of Christian who are carnal, live as they wish but have prayed a prayer and will inherit the new Kingdom. They simply… do not exist (5:19-20)

j. [Slide 17] Maybe you feel like we just went through the entire book of James?

k. This is why I say that these last two themes easily take that trophy as the two most dominant themes in the book.

l. And as I said, every other theme easily fits within this theme throughout the book of James.

i. Wisdom mimics faith in that if it is from God, it produces good works. One could argue that just like faith without works is dead, so wisdom without good works is dead too.

ii. The tongue is frequently challenged as a source of sin in a believers life but James makes it obvious that a Christian is not incapable of mastering his tongue, since he has been made into a new creation.

iii. Love for others includes things like confessing sins to each other, praying for others and stopping a person who has professed Christ from pursuing a life of sin. Out of love a Christian cannot allow someone who claims Christ to have faith alone that does not produce good works.

iv. Humility is included in a lengthy section talking about resisting the devil and repenting of sin. Getting victory over sin by purifying hearts. And at the heart of that is submission to God.

Transition:

[Slide 18 (blank)] But as pervasive as this theme is throughout the book – even though the works of saving faith is very clearly a MAJOR theme in James... there is still one more theme that dominates literally every verse, every section, and underpins every single concept, including a working faith. It is the faithfulness of God.

VI.) [Slide 19] The faithfulness of God

a. When I say the faithfulness of God, what I mean is that God is simultaneously good to His people while also being in complete control of His entire creation. God keeps His Word because nothing can stop Him from doing so. God keeps His Word because He is good to those He loves.

b. [Slide 20] Chapter 1 -

i. From the very beginning of the letter, James seeks to assure his readers that despite their trials, tribulations, tests, and temptings – God is still at work to perfect their faith. (1:1-4)

ii. God even gives whatever a believer lacks (wisdom in this instance) and He does so generously when they pray in faith. When they do not doubt, He lavishes upon His children what they ask for in His will. (1:5-8)

iii. God gives greatly to those who are weak and he humbles those who have much all so they can be exalted in His Kingdom. (1:9-11)

iv. The Lord has promised eternal life to those who love Him and as we know, we only love Him because He first loved us. (1:12)

v. God is not the tempter because He has never been tempted by sin nor can He tempt anyone. He can allow temptations to come before us to test us. But He is never the one who tempts us. No, we are tempted when we are drawn away by our lusts. When we succumb to temptation it is all on us. (1:13-15)

vi. But every perfect and good gift comes from God who is the Father of all creation. He never changes – He has always been good and will always be good to those who love Him and have been called according to His purpose. (1:16-17)

vii. And the greatest and best gift He ever gave to us, as an exercise of His will alone, was that He birthed us into His family by the Word of truth. He is good and sovereign indeed (1:18)

viii. He has given the word so that we can not only hear it but do it. He has revealed what righteousness is and what He desires. And He determines what is pure and undefiled religion which is not a faith that simply trusts Him but also serves Him. A faith that is not double minded. (1:19-27)

c. [Slide 21] Chapter 2 –

i. God stands alone as the impartial judge. He determines who is to be honored and who is to be cast aside. He alone doles out mercy and justice. Showing prejudice or favoritism makes us wholly unlike God. God shows no favor nor prejudice based on any external standard but by the counsel of His will, He give grace to those whom He wishes and shows mercy on those whom He wishes and many times those to whom He lavishes grace, are those the world considers the least. (2:1-13)

ii. Faith from demons is a faith that can say all the right things and believe all the right things but live in outright rebellion to God. It is not the faith from God. God given faith is a faith that works. It is a faith that changes us. Would we expect anything less from a God who is Sovereign and good? Would a God who is Sovereign and good give us a faith that fails? (2:14-26)

d. [Slide 22] Chapter 3 -

i. God changes the hearts of His people so much so that He enables us to do something that no man can possibly do. He enables is to control our tongues. (3:10-13)

ii. Wisdom from God is full of good works, peacefulness, gentleness, and without selfish ambition. Again – would we expect anything less from a Sovereign and good God?

iii. Would God give us a wisdom that is arrogant or abusive? Would God give us a wisdom that forgets Him?

e. [Slide 23] Chapter 4 -

i. God is wholly opposed to the world and all its wickedness. So much so that to be a friend of the world is to immediately be enemies with God. (4:1-5)

ii. But God gives grace to His people to be able to overcome the world. (4:6)

iii. He exalts the humble and draws near to those who draw near to Him. He forgives the repentant and helps to chase off the devil when we submit to Him. (4:7-10)

iv. Would we expect anything less from a Sovereign and good God?

v. God alone is the lawgiver and judge of the law. So much so that His people cannot go about pretending as if they are. He alone can save or destroy the soul. (4:11-12)

vi. As the Sovereign One who is good, He will judge rightly and give abundant mercy.

vii. God determines where we go, what we do, when, and for how long. He determines how long we live, where, and in what manner. There is no single quark, not one gluon that lives outside of His control.

viii. Men can lay their plans but God alone guides their steps. (4:13-17)

f. [Slide 24] Chapter 5 -

i. The wicked that are rich and powerful may think that they have it good. And the righteous may wonder why the rich prosper. But God alone is judge. And He will justly punish all who are wicked. He will bring them to their appropriate end when He determines it is time to do so (5:1-6)

ii. Would we expect anything less from a God who is Sovereign and Good?

iii. God is worthy to be waited on, because He is faithful and will keep His promises. He is worthy to be believed and His people are worthy to be treated with love from one another. And because He is good and because He is Sovereign and because He will keep His promises because nothing can stop Him from doing so – we must endure and we must be patient. (5:7-12)

iv. While we wait, we will hurt. God knows this. And He is ready to hear from us. He is ready to hear our prayers of pain. He is ready to receive praise and thanksgiving from His people. And He has given His church to look after one another until His return (5:13-20)

g. [Slide 25] My friends… the center of the book of James, is the faithfulness of God.

h. How can He call on us to be joyful in trial?

i. How can He get wisdom to His people?

j. How can He get us to perceive the world around us as He does?

k. How can He give us a faith that produces endurance?

l. How can He give us a tongue that is under control?

m. How can He produce love toward one another and humility in our hearts?

n. How can He get from us the proper deference for His character?

o. How can He teach us patience?

p. How can He show us guidance?

q. How can He ensure that we, His people, continue to pursue Him and do not wander?

r. My friends… Without the faithfulness of God. Without Him being both Sovereign and Good. None of this could be.

s. He is faithful. The whole essence of what James has to say is simply this.

t. God is faithful. He fills every lack. He gives every good gift. He will get you from here to His Kingdom… IF. You are truly His.

u. The heart of James’ letter, is that we serve a great BIG God who loves His people. And He loves them so much and He is so much in control of the world… that HE WILL NOT ABANDON THEM to sin, or to death, or to principalities, or to powers. In fact, with Paul James concurs…

v. NOTHING CREATED can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. He will not let it happen. No power of hell and no scheme of man can ever pluck me from His hand!

Conclusion:

[Slide 26 (end)] So CBC… What do we do with the book of James?

One of the reasons I think we love the book of James is because it seems like there is a little bit of something for everyone here. He deals with what seems like a wide array of topics from wealth and prejudice to how we talk to each other, to dealing with trails, and even being teachers. There is so much here.

But I think the greatest danger in the book of James is that it becomes very easy to see this book as a series of 9 or 10 lessons thrown together almost haphazardly. In this we would miss the forest for all the trees. We’d get great lessons about Ash trees, oak trees, cherry and cedar. But we wouldn’t know how big the forest is or how to survive in it.

My friends I hope that today’s sermon gave you some perspective. I hope that you were able to isolate some key themes from the book of James that are much bigger than one point here and there but have huge implications on your Christian life and whether or not you are indeed, a genuine believer.

But Christian I especially hope that your view of God through the book of James was enlarged. I hope that you came away from the book of James realizing that He is always faithful to those who are genuinely His people. How can we know that He is faithful? Because first, He is good, and second because He is Sovereign.

There are some who believe God is powerful but ultimately does not actually care about His creation. He set the world in motion and then walked away.

There are some who believe God doesn’t care what we do, only that we are happy.

There are some who believe that God cares deeply for His people but is ultimately not able or not willing to do much in the world He created.

There are some who believe that God looks on at us in our trials and troubles and shakes His head wishing He could do something about it but alas He can’t because He is not powerful enough or perhaps because He would have to infringe on someone’s right of free will.

All these views of God are not the God James presents. God is absolutely Sovereign over all His creation and perfectly good to His people. That is why James can say, “Count it joy when you fall into trails.” Why? Because we can trust God to have a purpose in them. We can know that faith will produce works, why? Because God gave it to us. We can know godly wisdom will be pure and gentle, why? Because God gave it to us.

God is faithful. And the only way you can truly say amen to that is if you believe that He is Sovereign and that He is good.

That is the great message of James. We serve a truly Awesome God. And because of that – we can trust Him without hesitation, without reservation, and without end. Amen?

Amen!