Delving into the Wisdom of James: Trials, Testing, Endurance, and Maturity
Explore the insightful teachings of the Book of James, focusing on how trials lead to joy, testing strengthens faith, endurance fosters maturity, and wisdom is bestowed upon those who ask in faith. Discover the key message of finding calm and reason in times of crisis and rage. Is the author of James considered wise or just plain nuts? Uncover the depths of this profound biblical text with this deep dive.
Download Presentation
Please find below an Image/Link to download the presentation.
The content on the website is provided AS IS for your information and personal use only. It may not be sold, licensed, or shared on other websites without obtaining consent from the author. If you encounter any issues during the download, it is possible that the publisher has removed the file from their server.
You are allowed to download the files provided on this website for personal or commercial use, subject to the condition that they are used lawfully. All files are the property of their respective owners.
The content on the website is provided AS IS for your information and personal use only. It may not be sold, licensed, or shared on other websites without obtaining consent from the author.
E N D
Presentation Transcript
Deep Dive August 4, 11, 18, 25 & September 1 Why James, Why James, Why Now? Why Now? Calm in a time of Crisis, Calm in a time of Crisis, Reason in an Age of Rage Reason in an Age of Rage
Why James, Why James, Why Now? Why Now? Main Question Throughout: Main Question Throughout: Is the author of James nuts? Is the author of James nuts?
Why James, Why James, Why Now? Why Now? Chapter 1 Chapter 1 2 2My brothers and sisters, My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind any kind, , consider it nothing but joy consider it nothing but joy, ,3 3because you know that know that the testing of your faith produces the testing of your faith produces endurance endurance; ;4 4and and let endurance have its full effect, so let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing. nothing. whenever you face trials of because you , lacking in
Why James, Why James, Why Now? Why Now? Trials Trials Testing Testing Endurance Endurance Maturity = Perfection ( Maturity = Perfection ( ) ) Joy Joy Endurance Endurance Maturity Maturity
Why James, Why James, Why Now? Why Now? Chapter 1 Chapter 1 5 5If any of you is If any of you is lacking in wisdom lacking in wisdom, , ask God gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you be given you. .6 6But But ask in faith ask in faith, , never doubting one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind; tossed by the wind;7, 8 for the doubter, being double the doubter, being double- - minded and unstable in every way, must not expect to minded and unstable in every way, must not expect to receive anything from the Lord receive anything from the Lord. . ask God, who and it will never doubting, for the , who , for the 7, 8for
Why James, Why James, Why Now? Why Now? Ask in faith Ask in faith Doubt Doubt minded = Instability ( ) ) = Corruption = Corruption Wisdom Wisdom Nothing Nothing Double Double- -minded = Instability (
Why James, Why James, Why Now? Why Now? Chapter 1 Chapter 1 9 9Let the believer Let the believer who is up up, ,10 and the rich in being brought low rich in being brought low, because rich will disappear like a flower in the field rich will disappear like a flower in the field. .11 sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the field; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. It is field; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. It is the same with the same with the rich; in the midst of a busy life, they the rich; in the midst of a busy life, they will wither away will wither away. . who is lowly boast in being raised lowly boast in being raised 10and the , because the 11For the For the the
Why James, Why James, Why Now? Why Now? Major Jamnian theme: Major Jamnian theme: Poverty = righteousness, blessing Poverty = righteousness, blessing Wealth/rich = worldliness, separation from God Wealth/rich = worldliness, separation from God Why did the early church see wealth and affluence Why did the early church see wealth and affluence as sinful and unrighteous? Why the blessing on as sinful and unrighteous? Why the blessing on poverty? poverty?
Why James, Why James, Why Now? Why Now? Chapter 1 Chapter 1 12 Blessed is anyone who endures temptation. Such a one has stood the test and will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.13 No one, when tempted, should say, I am being tempted by God ; for God cannot be tempted by evil and he himself tempts no one.
Why James, Why James, Why Now? Why Now? Chapter 1 Chapter 1 14But one is tempted by one s own desire, being lured and enticed by it;15then, when that desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and that sin, when it is fully grown, gives birth to death.16Do not be deceived, my beloved.
Why James, Why James, Why Now? Major Jamnian theme: Major Jamnian theme: Why Now? Not giving into temptation Not giving into temptation What relationship do you see between wealth and What relationship do you see between wealth and possessions and temptation? possessions and temptation? In what ways is resisting temptation a test that In what ways is resisting temptation a test that proves faithfulness? proves faithfulness?
Why James, Why James, Why Now? Why Now? Chapter 1 Chapter 1 17Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.18In fulfilment of his own purpose he gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would become a kind of first fruits of his creatures.
Why James, Why James, Why Now? Why Now? Chapter 1:18 Chapter 1:18 Let s unpack this passage carefully: Let s unpack this passage carefully: 18 18In fulfilment of his own purpose (God s will) In fulfilment of his own purpose (God s will) he gave us birth by the word of truth, (Jesus justification) he gave us birth by the word of truth, (Jesus justification) so that we would become a kind of first fruits of his creatures so that we would become a kind of first fruits of his creatures. . (the Holy Spirit s sanctification) (the Holy Spirit s sanctification) We exist to fulfill the will and intention of God as creator, We exist to fulfill the will and intention of God as creator, redeemer, and sustainer. redeemer, and sustainer.
Why James, Why James, Why Now? Why Now? Chapter 1 Chapter 1 19You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger;20for your anger does not produce God s righteousness.21Therefore rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls.
Why James, Why James, Why Now? Major Jamnian themes: Major Jamnian themes: Self Self- -Control = righteousness Control = righteousness Speaking/teaching/power of words/The Word Speaking/teaching/power of words/The Word Why Now? Paul s definition of justification Paul s definition of justification gift of God, freely given, cannot be earned through works freely given, cannot be earned through works gift of God, James definition of justification James definition of justification reward of God, prepared for and available to all, validated prepared for and available to all, validated through works through works reward of God,
Why James, Why James, Why Now? Defining Jamnian terms: Defining Jamnian terms: Why Now? Sordidness Sordidness ( (athli tita everything offensive to God. everything offensive to God. Wickedness Wickedness ( (kak a like, anything foul, vile, socially unacceptable. like, anything foul, vile, socially unacceptable. Meekness Meekness ( (pra tita pra tita) absolute openness and acceptance. openness and acceptance. Implanted word Implanted word - - ( (emfytevm ni emfytevm ni l xi l xi/ /log s log s) = Jesus. athli tita) anything and ) anything and kak a) literally feces ) literally feces- - ) absolute ) = Jesus.
Why James, Why James, Why Now? Why Now? Chapter 1 Chapter 1 22But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves.23For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror;24for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like.
Why James, Why James, Why Now? Why Now? Chapter 1 Chapter 1 25But those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who act they will be blessed in their doing. Major Jamnian theme: Major Jamnian theme: Doers of the Word = true Christianity Doers of the Word = true Christianity Hearers only = incomplete/false Christianity Hearers only = incomplete/false Christianity
Why James, Why James, Why Now? Why Now? Chapter 1 Chapter 1 26If any think they are religious, and do not bridle their tongues but deceive their hearts, their religion is worthless.27Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
Why James, Why James, Why Now? Major Jamnian themes: Major Jamnian themes: Self Self- -Control = righteousness Control = righteousness Speaking/teaching/power of words/The Word Speaking/teaching/power of words/The Word Why Now? Social Justice Social Justice Care of widows, orphans, personal integrity Care of widows, orphans, personal integrity (Actions speak (Actions speak louder than words) louder than words)
