Introduction: There are two places in which wisdom can originate. There is the wisdom from above and the wisdom from below. Specifically, there is wisdom that is heavenly wisdom that comes from God, or there is earthly wisdom which comes from man. The wisdom of the world tells us to put ourselves first.…

Introduction: What comes to your mind when you hear the following statements? Did you hear that she… Did you know that he said… Can you believe that they… I probably shouldn't tell you this, but… Obviously, these are often the beginning sentences that will end with gossip. There is something within most…

Introduction: The verses we are going to hit today are among some of the most debated Scripture in the Bible. It was so difficult for Martin Luther to reconcile this section of James with Paul’s letters that he fought to make it a secondary epistle! He called it a ‘gospel of straw’ because it lacked…

Introduction: It is Sunday morning and the attenders of the city’s largest church begin to fill the seats of the sanctuary. The greeters are at the door saying hello to many of the familiar faces that they see week after week. The service is a few minutes away when a man pulls into the parking lot driving…

Introduction: The late Adlai Stevenson, a politician and Princeton graduate, spoke to a group of students at Princeton and once said: “I understand I am here to speak and you are here to listen. Let’s hope we both finish at the same time.” Adlai Stevenson I love this tongue-in-cheek remark about the…

Introduction: If you have been with us for the past three weeks, we have seen James really expound upon what a true and mature believer looks like. In fact, that will be the theme of his book. He is going to compare and contrast the mature believer with the immature believer. He will continue to call…

Introduction: Listen to some of these paradoxical statements… I need to have experience to get a job, but I need a job to get experience. The only constant is change. You must spend money to save money. Nobody goes to that restaurant anymore because it is so crowded. Less is more. Giving is receiving.…

Introduction: James started off his letter with encouraging the dispersed Jewish believers to see trials as a blessing from the Lord. He admonished them to seek joy even in the midst of trials. And now, he is going to urge them to seek wisdom in the midst of these trials. In order to face the difficult…

Introduction: Did you grow up with a sibling that seemed to never get in trouble? They seemed to always obey and make good decisions, yet you seemed to always make the wrong one? I am pretty sure that is how James felt growing up. James was the biological son of Joseph and Mary and the half-brother of…

Introduction: Physical fatigue is a difficult thing to fight through. I’m sure there are some here who could amen that even this morning! However, spiritual fatigue can be even more difficult. The late William Carey - referred to as the ‘father of modern missions’ - spent some 40 years serving India…