An Introduction to James

Of His own will, He (the Father) brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of His creatures. - James 1:18

-THIS SUNDAY'S TEXT-

James – Faith & Works

A few weeks ago we finished up our walk through The Great Commission. In it, Jesus said, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

As we begin walking through the Book of James, we must understand what is happening with the early church. In Acts, we understand that persecution scattered the early church. Jews who converted to Christianity were dispersed throughout Gentile nations. While it may appear and even be true that the early christians dispersed because of persecution, we must understand something bigger - God was taking the gospel to the nations. As many of the first Jewish christians dispersed, the writer of James remained in Jerusalem. James was a half brother of Jesus, who, at first, did not believe Jesus was the Christ. After the resurrection, Jesus appeared to James and then to all the apostles, and James believed Jesus was the Christ. In Acts 15, we discover that James was a well respected leader of the church in Jerusalem. While he remained and led in Jerusalem, James wrote to the twelve tribes in the Dispersion.

-Consider and Meditate- Read James 1:1-27

Focus on the introduction (James 1:1). Note how James refers to himself. Think about this introduction. ? What does this introduction reveal about James’ character before his holy God? ? How would you introduce yourself if you were James?

Move down to verses 16-18. Think about these verses ? What does verse 17 reveal about the character of God? ? What does verse 18 reveal about the work of God?

-PRAYER & THANKSGIVING- Read James 1:18 and let this verse lead you into a time of thanksgiving and prayer.

Give thanks to the Lord for bringing you out of the darkness and into the marvelous light through the good news of Jesus Christ. Ask God to continue to be gracious and kind in bringing many more people out of the darkness and into the marvelous light of Jesus Christ. Pray for specific people who need salvation through Jesus Christ. Pray for the unreached people group Pajonal Asheninka in Peru. Ask God to give you a heart of compassion for the lost and courage to share the gospel with the lost.