James Part 1

THE BOOK OF JAMES PART 1

James 1:1-11

1. INTRODUCTION - James 1:1

A. The Author

1. James (Jacob)

B. The Readers

1. Jews living in the dispersion outside Israel

C. Date

1. Somewhere between A.D. 45 and 50

D. Purpose

1. Strengthen the faith of Jewish believers in the midst of persecution

E. Theme

1. James 1:3: The Proving of your faith

II. THE ENDURANCE OF FAITH: JAMES 1:2-18

A. Outward Trials: James 1:2-12

1. The Relationship of Trials to Patience: Verses 2-4

a. Consider it all joy when you encounter various trials (2)

b. Knowing that proving of your faith works patience (v3)

c. So that you may be perfect lacking in nothing (v4)

2. The Relationship of Trials to Wisdom: Verses 5-8

a. Lack wisdom, ask the giving God (v5)

b. Ask in faith with no doubt (v6)

c. If you doubt, don’t expect your prayers to be answered

d. Doubting is double minded and unstable (v8)

3. The Relationship of Trials to Social Status: Verses 9-11

a. The poor brother is to glory in his high position (v9)

b. There rich brother is to glory in his humiliation (v10)

c. Because wealth is temporary and will burn up (v11)