Archives for August 2022

Good morning,

This week we begin our study of the book of James.

Chapter one explains how to deal with trials and temptations.

The Jewish believers in James’s day were being persecuted. They had been driven out of Jerusalem and were scattered abroad. James encourages those scattered Jewish believers on how to conduct themselves during this time.

James 1

3. Be doers of the Word (Verses 22-25)

Be doers of the Word v 22

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

Not hearers only v 23-24

For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:²⁴ For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

Be a doer and hearer of the Word and be blessed v 25

But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

How do we perceive the Bible? In our minds is it just a great literary work, philosophical teaching, moral principles to live by, or is it the Word of God, living and powerful, able to save our souls from the wages of sin, death?

Here, James, tells us to be doers of God’s word. We must read, hear, and apply what we hear. From the book of Genesis through the book of Revelation, it is always people fulfilling God’s word. Some in obedience and some in disobedience.

Which one are we?

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: ¹⁷ That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

How to Deal with Trials and Temptations

 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: (James 1:19)

INTRODUCTION

Refer to handout

This month we will study the Book of James

James 1

1. Trials and Temptations (Verses 1-12)

Greeting v 1

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.

Count it all joy v 2-4

Divers temptations or trials v 2

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

Trying of your faith works patience v 3-4

Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. ⁴ But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Lack wisdom-ask God in faith v 5-7

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.⁶ But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.⁷ For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

Double minded man v 8

A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

Brother of low degree (humble circumstances) vs. the rich v 9-11

Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:¹⁰ But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away. ¹¹ For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.

Endure temptation v 12

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

James begins with his greeting. His recipients are the Jewish believers from the twelve tribes of Israel. Due to the persecution of the Romans, these people were scattered.

James makes a strange statement in verse 2. He tells the scattered Jewish believers to “…count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations.” Why would he say this? The trying of our faith works patience. So God wants us to be patient while we are going through trials. He wants us to remember who is in charge. God knows what we are going through and wants us to rely on Him.

God does not leave us alone. He is willing to give us His wisdom, if we are willing to ask in faith, nothing wavering. Trouble is, that most times we try to deal with our trials in our own wisdom. It usually does not go well.

Then he deals with the “double minded man”. We are strange creatures. We have access to God’s wisdom, knowledge, love, mercy, and grace, yet we want have one foot in the world and one foot on God. Double minded. God wants all of us. The question is: do we want all of God?

Lastly, James tells his readers to endure temptation. When trials and temptations come, do we allow them to take over our lives or endure?

“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)

2. God does not tempt man (Verses 13-21)

How is man tempted? V 13-14

Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:¹⁴ But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

How are temptations conceived? V 15-16

Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.¹⁶ Do not err, my beloved brethren.

Where do good gifts come from? V 17-18

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.¹⁸ Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

How do we concur our temptations? V 19-21

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:²⁰ For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.²¹ Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

Four vital questions, with four vital answers.

We are our own worst enemy when it comes to submitting to temptations. We are drawn away of our own lusts, then enticed, which leads to sin, and then death. If that were the end of James message, we would be in trouble.

But God, through James, gives us the solution. We should be slow to speak and eager to listen. Unfortunately, most of us are the opposite. We speak too much. Then, we are to lay aside our sin and apply God’s word to our lives. Obeying God is the best way to concur temptations and be I a right relationship with God.

Is that our desire?

3. Be doers of the Word (Verses 22-25)

Be doers of the Word v 22

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

Not hearers only v 23-24

For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:²⁴ For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

Be a doer and hearer of the Word and be blessed v 25

But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

How do we perceive the Bible? In our minds is it just a great literary work, philosophical teaching, moral principles to live by, or is it the Word of God, living and powerful, able to save our souls from the wages of sin, death?

Here, James, tells us to be doers of God’s word. We must read, hear, and apply what we hear. From the book of Genesis through the book of Revelation, it is always people fulfilling God’s word. Some in obedience and some in disobedience.

Which one are we?

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: ¹⁷ That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)

4. True religion (Verses 26-27)

The religious man v 26

If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.

Pure religion is… v27

Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

Have you noticed yet, that James is making us think about what our faith means to us?

Do we seem to be religious? Do we bridle our tongue? Or do we keep ourselves unspotted from the world? Is our faith in Christ practical? Would a person who did not know us, sense that we are a believer in Christ?

Spend some time contemplating these questions.

CONCLUSION

Count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations

Trying of your faith works patience

Lack wisdom, ask God without wavering

Endure

Be doers of the Word

Pure religion is: To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

This week we begin our study of the book of James.

Chapter one explains how to deal with trials and temptations.

The Jewish believers in James’s day were being persecuted. They had been driven out of Jerusalem and were scattered abroad. James encourages those scattered Jewish believers on how to conduct themselves during this time.

James 1

2. God does not tempt man (Verses 13-21)

How is man tempted? V 13-14

Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:¹⁴ But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

How are temptations conceived? V 15-16

Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.¹⁶ Do not err, my beloved brethren.

Where do good gifts come from? V 17-18

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.¹⁸ Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

How do we concur our temptations? V 19-21

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: ²⁰ For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.²¹ Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

Four vital questions, with four vital answers.

We are our own worst enemy when it comes to submitting to temptations. We are drawn away of our own lusts, then enticed, which leads to sin, and then death. If that were the end of James message, we would be in trouble.

But God, through James, gives us the solution. We should be slow to speak and eager to listen. Unfortunately, most of us are the opposite. We speak too much. Then, we are to lay aside our sin and apply God’s word to our lives. Obeying God is the best way to concur temptations and be I a right relationship with God.

Is that our desire?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

This week we begin our study of the book of James.

Chapter one explains how to deal with trials and temptations.

The Jewish believers in James’s day were being persecuted. They had been driven out of Jerusalem and were scattered abroad. James encourages those scattered Jewish believers on how to conduct themselves during this time.

James 1

1. Trials and Temptations (Verses 1-12)

Greeting v 1

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.

Count it all joy v 2-4

Divers temptations or trials v 2

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

Trying of your faith works patience v 3-4

Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. ⁴ But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Lack wisdom-ask God in faith v 5-7

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.⁶ But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.⁷ For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

Double minded man v 8

A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

Brother of low degree (humble circumstances) vs. the rich v 9-11

Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:¹⁰ But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away. ¹¹ For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.

Endure temptation v 12

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

James begins with his greeting. His recipients are the Jewish believers from the twelve tribes of Israel. Due to the persecution of the Romans, these people were scattered.

James makes a strange statement in verse 2. He tells the scattered Jewish believers to “…count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations.” Why would he say this? The trying of our faith works patience. So God wants us to be patient while we are going through trials. He wants us to remember who is in charge. God knows what we are going through and wants us to rely on Him.

God does not leave us alone. He is willing to give us His wisdom, if we are willing to ask in faith, nothing wavering. Trouble is, that most times we try to deal with our trials in our own wisdom. It usually does not go well.

Then he deals with the “double minded man”. We are strange creatures. We have access to God’s wisdom, knowledge, love, mercy, and grace, yet we want have one foot in the world and one foot on God. Double minded. God wants all of us. The question is: do we want all of God?

Lastly, James tells his readers to endure temptation. When trials and temptations come, do we allow them to take over our lives or endure?

“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

The next six weeks we will be studying the Book of James. This week we will look at a summary of the book, author, date, recipients, distinctive characteristics, and outline.

Outline

Chapter 1

1. Greetings (1:1)
2. Trials and Temptations (1:2-18)
3. The Testing of Faith (1:2-12)
4. The Source of Temptation (1:13-18)
5. Listening and Doing (1:19-27)

Chapter 2

1. Favoritism Forbidden (2:1-13)
2. Faith and Deeds (2:14-26)

Chapter 3

1.Taming the Tongue (3:1-12)

2.Two Kinds of Wisdom (3:13-18)

Chapter 4

1. Warning against Worldliness Quarrelsomeness (4:1-3)

2. Spiritual Unfaithfulness (4:4)

3. Pride (4:5-10)

4. Slander (4:11-12)

5. Boasting (4:13-17)

Chapter 5

1. Warning to Rich Oppressors (5:1-6)

2. Miscellaneous Exhortations (5:7-20)

3. Concerning Patience in Suffering (5:7-11)

4. Concerning Oaths (5:12)

5, Concerning the Prayer of Faith (5:13-18)

6. Concerning Those Who Wander from the Truth (5:19-20)

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

The next six weeks we will be studying the Book of James. This week we will look at a summary of the book, author, date, recipients, distinctive characteristics, and outline.

Distinctive Characteristics

Characteristics that make the letter distinctive are: (1) its unmistakably Jewish nature; (2) its emphasis on vital Christianity, characterized by good deeds and a faith that works (genuine faith must and will be accompanied by a consistent lifestyle); (3) its simple organization; (4) its familiarity with Jesus’ teachings preserved in the Sermon on the Mount (compare 2:5 with Matthew 5:3; 3:10-12 with Matthew 7:15-20; 3:18 with Matthew 5:9;5:2-3 with Matthew 6:19-20; 5:12 with Matthew 5:33-37); (5) its similarity to OT wisdom writings such as Proverbs (see essay, p. 970); (6) its excellent Greek.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

The next six weeks we will be studying the Book of James. This week we will look at a summary of the book, author, date, recipients, distinctive characteristics, and outline.

Summary of the Book of James

This summary of the book of James provides information about the title, author, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the Book of James.

Author

The author identifies himself as James (1:1); he was probably the brother of Jesus and leader of the Jerusalem council (Acts 15). Four men in the NT have this name. The author of this letter could not have been the apostle James, who died too early (a.d. 44) to have written it. The other two men named James had neither the stature nor the influence that the writer of this letter had.

James was one of several brothers of Christ, probably the oldest since he heads the list in Mt 13:55. At first he did not believe in Jesus and even challenged him and misunderstood his mission (John 7:2-5). Later he became very prominent in the church:

1. He was one of the select individuals Christ appeared to after his resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:7).
2. Paul called him a “pillar” of the church (Galatians 2:9).
3. Paul, on his first post-conversion visit to Jerusalem, saw James (Gal 1:19).
4. Paul did the same on his last visit (Acts 21:18).
5. When Peter was rescued from prison, he told his friends to tell James (Acts 12:17).
6. James was a leader in the important council of Jerusalem (Acts 15:13).
7. Jude could identify himself simply as “a brother of James” (Jude 1:1), so well known was James. He was martyred c. a.d. 62.

Date

Some date the letter in the early 60s. There are indications, however, that it was written before a.d. 50:

1. Its distinctively Jewish nature suggests that it was composed when the church was still predominantly Jewish.
2. It reflects a simple church order — officers of the church are called “elders” (5:14) and “teachers” (3:1).
3. No reference is made to the controversy over Gentile circumcision.
4. The Greek term synagogue (“synagogue” or “meeting”) is used to designate the meeting or meeting place of the church (2:2).

If this early dating is correct, this letter is the earliest of all the NT writings — with the possible exception of Galatians.

Recipients

The recipients are identified explicitly only in 1:1: “the twelve tribes scattered abroad.” Some hold that this expression refers to Christians in general, but the term “twelve tribes” would more naturally apply to Jewish Christians. Furthermore, a Jewish audience would be more in keeping with the obviously Jewish nature of the letter (e.g., the use of the Hebrew title for God, kyrios sabaoth, “Lord Almighty,” 5:4). That the recipients were Christians is clear from 2:1; 5:7-8. It has been plausibly suggested that these were believers from the early Jerusalem church who, after Stephen’s death, were scattered as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Syrian Antioch (see Acts 8:1; 11:19). This would account for James’s references to trials and oppression, his intimate knowledge of the readers and the authoritative nature of the letter. As leader of the Jerusalem church, James wrote as pastor to instruct and encourage his dispersed people in the face of their difficulties.

Distinctive Characteristics

Characteristics that make the letter distinctive are: (1) its unmistakably Jewish nature; (2) its emphasis on vital Christianity, characterized by good deeds and a faith that works (genuine faith must and will be accompanied by a consistent lifestyle); (3) its simple organization; (4) its familiarity with Jesus’ teachings preserved in the Sermon on the Mount (compare 2:5 with Matthew 5:3; 3:10-12 with Matthew 7:15-20; 3:18 with Matthew 5:9;5:2-3 with Matthew 6:19-20; 5:12 with Matthew 5:33-37); (5) its similarity to OT wisdom writings such as Proverbs (see essay, p. 970); (6) its excellent Greek.

Outline

Chapter 1

1. Greetings (1:1)
2. Trials and Temptations (1:2-18)
3. The Testing of Faith (1:2-12)
4. The Source of Temptation (1:13-18)
5. Listening and Doing (1:19-27)

Chapter 2

1. Favoritism Forbidden (2:1-13)
2. Faith and Deeds (2:14-26)

Chapter 3

1. Taming the Tongue (3:1-12)
2. Two Kinds of Wisdom (3:13-18)

Chapter 4

1. Warning against Worldliness (ch. 4)
2. Quarrelsomeness (4:1-3)
3. Spiritual Unfaithfulness (4:4)
4. Pride (4:5-10)
5. Slander (4:11-12)
6. Boasting (4:13-17)

Chapter 5

1. Warning to Rich Oppressors (5:1-6)
2. Miscellaneous Exhortations (5:7-20)
3. Concerning Patience in Suffering (5:7-11)
4. Concerning Oaths (5:12)
5. Concerning the Prayer of Faith (5:13-18)
6. Concerning Those Who Wander from the Truth (5:19-20)

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

The next six weeks we will be studying the Book of James. This week we will look at a summary of the book, author, date, recipients, distinctive characteristics, and outline.

Date

Some date the letter in the early 60s. There are indications, however, that it was written before a.d. 50:

1. Its distinctively Jewish nature suggests that it was composed when the church was still predominantly Jewish.
2. It reflects a simple church order — officers of the church are called “elders” (5:14) and “teachers” (3:1).
3. No reference is made to the controversy over Gentile circumcision.
4. The Greek term synagogue (“synagogue” or “meeting”) is used to designate the meeting or meeting place of the church (2:2).

If this early dating is correct, this letter is the earliest of all the NT writings — with the possible exception of Galatians.

Recipients

The recipients are identified explicitly only in 1:1: “the twelve tribes scattered abroad.” Some hold that this expression refers to Christians in general, but the term “twelve tribes” would more naturally apply to Jewish Christians. Furthermore, a Jewish audience would be more in keeping with the obviously Jewish nature of the letter (e.g., the use of the Hebrew title for God, kyrios sabaoth, “Lord Almighty,” 5:4). That the recipients were Christians is clear from 2:1; 5:7-8. It has been plausibly suggested that these were believers from the early Jerusalem church who, after Stephen’s death, were scattered as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Syrian Antioch (see Acts 8:1; 11:19). This would account for James’s references to trials and oppression, his intimate knowledge of the readers and the authoritative nature of the letter. As leader of the Jerusalem church, James wrote as pastor to instruct and encourage his dispersed people in the face of their difficulties.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

The next six weeks we will be studying the Book of James. This week we will look at a summary of the book, author, date, recipients, distinctive characteristics, and outline.

Summary of the Book of James

This summary of the book of James provides information about the title, author, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the Book of James.

Author

The author identifies himself as James (1:1); he was probably the brother of Jesus and leader of the Jerusalem council (Acts 15). Four men in the NT have this name. The author of this letter could not have been the apostle James, who died too early (a.d. 44) to have written it. The other two men named James had neither the stature nor the influence that the writer of this letter had.

James was one of several brothers of Christ, probably the oldest since he heads the list in Mt 13:55. At first he did not believe in Jesus and even challenged him and misunderstood his mission (John 7:2-5). Later he became very prominent in the church:

6) SUFFER FOR GOD V23-31, 32-38 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God

By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment.²⁴ By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter;²⁵ Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;²⁶ Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward.²⁷ By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.²⁸ Through faith he kept the Passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.²⁹ By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.

 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.

And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gideon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthah; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:³³ Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions.³⁴ Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.³⁵ Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:  ³⁶ And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:³⁷ They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;³⁸ (Of whom the world was not worthy) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:⁴⁰ God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

Of whom the world was not worthy V38

CONCLUSION:

BUT WITHOUT FAITH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE HIM: FOR HE THAT COMETH TO GOD MUST BELIEVE THAT HE IS, AND THAT HE IS A REWARDER OF THEM THAT DILIGENTLY SEEK HIM.  (HEB 11:6)

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com