THE LETTER FROM THE LORD'S BROTHER - Part 1
I. Background
A. The Christians were spread by persecution; except the Apostles -
Acts 8:1 (AD 35)
B. As they we went the spread the word - Acts 8:4
C. The Lord's brother wrote the Book of James ( by the direction of the
Holy Spirit ) which gives practical solutions to problems that the
downtrodden Christians had - which we still have today
II. About James
A. He was the oldest step brother of our Lord
B. He did not believe Jesus was the Lord during his ministry - Jn 7:5
C. After the resurrection he believed (perhaps the Lord appeared to them) after the resurrection - Acts 1:14
D. He and Peter became leaders in the Church in Jerusalem - Gal 2:9
E. He calls himself as the bondservant not the Brother of the Lord
III. The Book
A. Five chapters; 108 versus that covers real issues that real Christians have
B. They cover trust, temptation, prejudice, controlling the tongue, how to
stop arguments, and what I can expect from prayer
C. This book reads us - we don't read it; it pierces our soul and addresses what we need!
IV. Chapter 1
A. Troubles / tribulations
i) vs. 1-3 look for the blessing that God will give us in troubles that we can not get in good times
ii) God can not tempt - he will allow us to go through trials to test and strengthen us
ii) there are external trials and internal temptations
B. How to overcome problems
i) be optimistic that God will provide - vs. 2; I Cor. 10:13
ii) pray - vs. 6-8
iii) remember the price of living in sin - vs. 15
iv) remember the reward of being faithful - vs. 3-4
C. All are equal in God's sight vs 9-11
i) in Christ is one of the few places that this is true or SHOULD be true
ii) Christians live by the Royal Law - Luke 10 : 25-37
D. Religion that makes a difference - vs. 16-27
i) difference in the way we view God - vs. 16-18
ii) difference in controlling our tongue- vs. 19-20
iii) difference in our heart -vs. 21
iv) difference in our willingness to obey - vs. 22-25
iv) difference in the way we view the needy - vs. 26-27