A Daily Walk

John Randall: Today on A Daily Walk, we’re encouraged to live out what we say we believe. If we are as a people known for hypocrisy and not authenticity in the Christian life, then this does great damage to the work of the gospel. And so James is calling for action in the church. He’s calling for God’s people to actually be God’s people.

Guest (Male): We hope you had a wonderful Christmas, and welcome to A Daily Walk. We’ll be joined by Pastor John Randall in a second. Today, we begin a study in the highly practical book of James, which you could say is all about faith in action or faith that works.

In the coming weeks, we’ll learn how to exercise self-control over our speech, experience joy in the midst of trials, overcome temptation, and so much more. With that as a backdrop, let’s join Pastor John in James chapter one as he begins with these introductory comments and a little bit about the author.

John Randall: The book of James is an extremely practical book for the everyday life of the Christian. James exhorts believers not only to have faith but also to demonstrate their faith through the life that they live. Of the 108 verses that are found in this epistle, 54 of them contain imperative verbs, meaning that one of the themes, one of the main themes of the book of James is faith in action.

Now the book opens with simply the name of the author, James. Now when reading through the New Testament, you will discover that there is more than one person with the name James. It’s fairly easy to rule out a couple of these concerning the authorship. First of all, there is James the father of Judas, who never appears in the New Testament except there in Luke chapter six in verse 16.

Then there is James the son of Alphaeus, probably also known as James the Less. Though one of the 12, he disappears from the biblical account after the upper room experience on Pentecost in Acts chapter one, verse 13. These two Jameses can be dismissed as unlikely candidates for authorship.

And then there’s a third man named James who was the brother of John, and they were fishermen. They served alongside of their father, whose name was Zebedee, before Jesus called them to be His disciples. Peter, James, and John were also considered the inner three disciples. At one time, Jesus referred to the two brothers, James and John, as the sons of thunder. He was also the first of the 12 to suffer martyrdom among the apostles during the reign of Herod Agrippa the First recorded in Acts chapter 12.

Last of all, there was James who was the half-brother of Jesus. He was the son of Joseph and Mary. He grew up in the same household as Jesus there in Nazareth. And this is the James that most scholars and commentators agree was the author of this book called James.

Now I want you to think with me for one moment what it would have been like to grow up alongside of your older brother named Jesus. Maybe when you were growing up among your siblings, your parents would draw comparisons and say, "Why can't you be more like your older brother or your older sister?" But James, your brother's perfect. That would be difficult. He always made his room, I mean, just always did everything he was supposed to do. He was sinless.

But after 30 years, the Bible tells us that Jesus left home to begin His ministry. And in Luke chapter four, verse 16, we find out that Jesus went back to His hometown of Nazareth for a visit. And there he went into the local synagogue where he had no doubt grown up along with his siblings.

And he was handed on that particular day the scroll of Isaiah, and he read from the prophetic passage of Isaiah chapter 61 that pointed to the Messiah. And within his reading, Jesus stopped mid-sentence. He read a portion that described the Messiah's first coming and his ministry, but then he paused at a comma and he didn't read the next verse that described his second coming, and then he closed the book.

The Bible tells us there in Luke chapter four and verse 20, "and the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on him." And he began to say to them, "today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing." In other words, Jesus was saying that he was the Messiah. He was the one that all of the prophets pointed to.

I personally believe that James, no doubt, would have been in the synagogue that day to listen to his older half-brother. But the Bible tells us that following this declaration from Jesus, in Luke chapter four, verse 28, it says that all in the synagogue heard these things and they were filled with wrath, and they rose up to thrust him out of the city. They led him to the brow of the hill on which their city was built that they might throw him down over the cliff. Then passing through the midst of them, he went his way.

We don't have to assume how James felt about his older brother at that time because the Bible tells us how he felt. When you come to John's Gospel in chapter seven and verse five, Jesus' brothers were encouraging him to go up to the feast to reveal himself as the Messiah to all of his disciples. And then it says there in verse five of John seven, "for even his brothers did not believe in him."

Then in Mark chapter three and verse 21, there was an occasion where Jesus' family came to rescue him from himself, or so they assumed. For in verse 21 it says, "but when his own people heard about this, they went out to lay hold of him, for they said 'he's out of his mind.'" His family came to take him home. They were concerned for his mental stability that he thought he was the Messiah.

James did not believe that Jesus was the Christ. He lived in unbelief. But one day, everything changed. It was the day that he saw Jesus resurrected from the dead. The apostle Paul, in his first epistle to the Corinthians, recounted the reality of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, saying that he was seen by Peter and he was also seen by over 500 witnesses at one time, many of which are still alive. If you don't believe me, go ask them. They're still living.

By the way, if you were to take 500 witnesses that saw Jesus alive from the dead and have each one of them take a witness stand for six minutes to share their testimony, including cross-examination, you would have an estimated 50 hours of firsthand eyewitness testimony, which would be the largest lopsided trial in history, presenting an open-and-shut case that Jesus is indeed alive.

That's just a side note. But Jesus was not only seen by 500 witnesses at one time, but the Bible says that he was seen and revealed himself to his younger brother, made a personal appearance to James. First Corinthians chapter 15, verse seven says this, "and after that, he was seen by James, and then by all the apostles."

It's hard to imagine what it was like, that meeting for James, to see his half-brother, Jesus, resurrected from the dead. What went on in that meeting? Heaven will reveal it. But from that day forward, James was never the same. What a difference the resurrection of Jesus makes.

The next time we find James, it was following the ascension of Jesus. He was there in the upper room. The Bible tells us in Acts chapter one, verse 14. It says, "these all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication with the women and Mary, and the mother of Jesus and his brothers." They were all there in the upper room waiting for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon them. James was there on the day of Pentecost when the church came alive as the Spirit of God came upon them.

James then became an active part of the early church. He was there when it exploded numerically. He was there when persecution came against the church. He no doubt was there when Saul of Tarsus held the coats of those who stoned the first martyr whose name was Stephen.

Later on, the apostle Paul actually referred to James in the book of Galatians as one of the pillars within the church. It was James who was a voice of wisdom presiding over the Jerusalem Council that we just studied about on Sunday there in Acts 15 to help settle a heated debate on whether or not Gentiles had to become Jews in order to be truly saved. James was the one who helped reaffirm that we are saved by grace alone through faith alone.

We see James again in Acts chapter 21, meeting with the apostle Paul as he completed his third and final missionary journey where he made his way up to Jerusalem and he met with the apostles and James was encouraging Paul to take a few of the Jews through the temple ceremony just to show that he still believed in the law and he was still Jewish and he didn't completely leave his background and so forth. And you remember what happened there.

One secular historian, Eusebius, records the testimony that said concerning James that he used to enter alone into the temple and he would be found kneeling and praying for the forgiveness for the people. And it was so often that he prayed that it was said that his knees became like camel skin due to the constant kneeling. He was referred to as "camel knees." He was also known for his piety, and he was said to be called "James the Just."

Now although there is no record in the scriptures, tradition and history states that James eventually was martyred around 62 AD. The story was told that there was a Pharisee that hated him, hated his testimony for Christ, and they took him and threw him down off the temple and then they beat him to death with clubs. And the tradition goes on to state that while his enemies were beating him, that he prayed a similar prayer that Jesus prayed, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do."

Now with all of that background, it would have been very easy for James, with the connection to his half-brother, the Messiah, Jesus, or his position in leadership of the church in Jerusalem, to add some weight to this letter and to his name by listing his titles or his connections. But instead, he opens the letter simply by saying, "James, the bondservant of Jesus Christ."

The word bondservant is the Greek word doulos. It's used 124 times in 117 verses in the New Testament. It refers to one who is bound to another. The word actually means to be a servant or a slave. And often the word would carry a negative connotation due to the total subservience and complete submissiveness in a slave's relationship to his master.

But in the Old Testament, in the book of Deuteronomy chapter 15, there was a commandment given that if any man had a Hebrew slave, that that slave would serve his master for six years and then he would leave in freedom on the seventh year. And when the servant was sent out from his master, he was given an option, and this was the option recorded here in Deuteronomy chapter 15.

It says this, "if it happens that he says to you, 'I'm not going to go from you' because he loves you and your house since he prospers with you, then you shall take an awl, thrust it through his ear to the door, and he shall be your servant forever. Also to your female servant, you shall do likewise."

In other words, if a servant of a master was given the option to go out free, but he was so blessed by being with his master, he could of his own volition, on his own decision, be a servant for life. And the motivation was love for the master. James takes that title and says that concerning himself. That was his relationship to Jesus. "I'm nothing but a servant of a master. I'm a bondservant of Jesus Christ."

Jesus had said during his ministry that the greatest in the kingdom is the servant of all. And I believe that James understood this. One man said it this way: any truly great man or woman of God, regardless of how high their position in the church, regards themselves as a servant of Christ.

Jesus told his disciples in Luke chapter 17, "so likewise, when you've done all those things which you are commanded, say 'we are unprofitable servants. We've done what was our duty to do.'" James saw himself as a servant. And a servant is not there to promote himself but rather to promote the one who he serves.

Now it also says here in verse one to whom it was that James addressed this letter: "to the 12 tribes that are scattered abroad." 12 tribes, of course, refers to the nation of Israel. The nation of Israel had been divided into 12 tribes. There were two in the south and there were 10 in the north. And you can read about these tribes recorded there in the book of Genesis and how they got started from the line of Jacob.

Now although most of the historical 12 tribes of Israel had lost their distinct identities centuries earlier, the reason that they were scattered is because there in 722 BC, the Assyrians came in and they displaced and took into captivity the 10 northern tribes. Later on, there in 586, the Babylonians came down and they took the remaining southern tribes into 70 years of captivity. So they were dispersed in every direction.

And then when they came back to Jerusalem, having been scattered in Mesopotamia, the Mediterranean, Asia Minor, and Europe, many Jewish believers you remember were dispersed because of persecution. So they were in every direction. And it was to those who were scattered, Jewish believers primarily, that James addressed this letter.

Now when James wrote this letter, Jewish communities had already been established throughout the Roman world as a result, as I said, of numerous exiles from the Holy Land and persecution. In addition, about this time, historically speaking, the Roman Emperor Claudius persecuted the Jews of Rome and he drove them out of the city.

Jewish businesses were boycotted. Jewish children were mocked. They were thrown out of schools. Jewish Christians were not only despised by those in Rome, but they were also despised by their own people for their faith in Christ. And it is to them that James addresses this letter.

Many wonderful truths are found within this practical epistle. James writes about joy in the midst of trials. He writes about overcoming temptation, partiality and prejudice, faith and works, and exercising self-control over our speech. Ultimately, it's faith in action or faith that works.

It's taking what you say you believe and actually living out what you say you believe. If we are as a people known for hypocrisy and not authenticity in the Christian life, then this does great damage to the work of the gospel. And so James is calling for action in the church. He’s calling for God’s people to actually be God’s people, to be what they’re commanded to be, to be what they’re called to be.

And the first thing that James exhorts these scattered believers to do—and make note of it, and I think it is appropriate during the times in which we’re living—it says this: "rejoice in trials." And James begins to share with us how that faith triumphs over trials.

Look at what it says, verse two. "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."

James begins by encouraging those who were presently going through trials to make a decision to rejoice in the midst of them. The word trial here generally refers to tests that challenge the strength of our faith or temptations that challenge one's moral strength. And James deals with both in this letter.

We come to find out, first of all, trials are inevitable. They’re just part of the Christian life. When it says "you fall," it says "when you fall into," not "if you do," "when you do." It's just a matter of time before you hit a trial in life. I’ll say whether you believe or not, you’re going to have trials. The difference is who's going to go with you in the midst of it. I want Jesus in my trials.

Sometimes people get saved and then not long after, they hit a trial. They think, "what is this? Why am I having a trial? That guy that I prayed with up there said Jesus was going to give me peace." Yeah, in the midst of your trials.

Jesus said in John chapter 16, verse 33, "in this world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I've overcome the world." It's going to happen. Acts chapter 14, verse 22 says we must through much tribulation, many trials inherit the kingdom of God. They’re unavoidable.

Peter said in First Peter chapter four and verse 12, "beloved, don't think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to test you as if some strange thing had happened to you. Rejoice to the extent that you are partakers of Christ's suffering, that when his glory is revealed, there you may also be glad with exceeding joy."

Guys listen, trials are inevitable. Anyone that tells you, "hey, don't pray for patience, you're going to get trials." You're going to get trials regardless of whether you pray for patience or not, because God knows you need patience and so he's going to use trials to help you learn patience like we're learning right now.

Trials are not only inevitable, trials are diverse. It says "various trials." Make a note of that. It means there are various kinds. They’re diversified, they’re manifold, they’re variegated, they’re different for everybody, many-colored. The word stresses not the number of trials but the variety of them.

Well, maybe a trial for you may not be a trial for me tonight. Well, maybe a trial for me may not be... you know, it's just different. Everyone has different trials that they go through, different struggles that we encounter. They are various. They come in different forms.

Someone put it this way: our troubles may be various, but the good news is so is the grace of God. There is no color in the human situation which grace cannot match. There is a grace to match every trial, and there is no trial without its grace.

All kinds of experiences will come to us. There will be tests of the sorrows and the disappointments which seek to rob us of our faith. There will be tests of the seductions which seek to lure us from the right direction and the right path to walk on. There’ll be tests of dangers, the sacrifices, and unpopularity that Christians may go through and be involved with.

But they’re all meant, guys, they’re meant not to make us fall, they’re meant to make us soar. They’re meant to make us strong. They’re not meant to defeat us. They’re meant to be defeated, these trials. They’re not meant to make us weaker. They’re meant to make us stronger. Trials are inevitable. They are diverse, man, varying.

What am I supposed to do with the trials? Well, it says here: rejoice in them. Now that's where the challenge comes: to rejoice, not necessarily for them—"oh yay, a really difficult trial in my life, I'm so thankful for this. This is so great. Yes. Lord, bring more hard times. Yes. Amen." That's not what it's saying.

Not thankful for them, but I can be thankful in the midst of them. In the midst of them. I never pray, "God, give me trials today. I'm so excited just to... I just want to grow more, so more trials, God, bring them." I've never prayed that. I'd pray for strength in the midst of them, for sure.

Jesus told his disciples, "blessed are you when they revile and persecute you and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for my name's sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." When you go through a trial for the gospel's sake, Jesus said here's your response: rejoice. Rejoice.

Guest (Male): That's the sort of reaction to trials we're to have. Today on A Daily Walk, we’re kicking off our study of James. Pastor John Randall's introductory message is titled "Faith Endures Trials." It’s just part of our Through the Bible series.

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