James - Part 1 [Notes]

You’re invited to join us for to "James," a five-week series through the five chapters of James. This letter to early Christians is packed with practical truths to help us learn and live our faith every day. Whether it’s standing strong in trials and temptations, using our words to build others up, or serving and sharing with those in need, this series will help equip us for an everyday faith that grows our relationship with God and others.

Takeaway: God has given us what we need to stand strong.

The book of James is a wonderful companion piece to the teachings of Jesus as recorded in the four Gospels. James has a strong ethical emphasis that is consistent with the moral teachings Jesus gave to his disciples. James also mirrors the sometimes harsh denunciations that Jesus spoke against religious hypocrisy. Like Jesus' teachings, the book of James is both a source of an exhortation and comfort, reproof and encouragement. Finally, James is known for being extremely practical, yet it contains some of the most profound theological truths of the New Testament.
 – HCSB Study Bible Introduction to James

James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ: To the 12 tribes in the Dispersion. Greetings.
– James 1:1 (HCSB)

Isn’t this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And aren’t His sisters here with us?” So they were offended by Him.
– Mark 6:3 (HCSB)

Then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles.
– 1 Corinthians 15:7 (HCSB)

James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ: To the 12 tribes in the Dispersion. Greetings.
– James 1:1 (HCSB) 

Saul agreed with putting him to death. On that day a severe persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the land of Judea and Samaria.
– Acts 8:1 (HCSB)

Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing. Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith without doubting. For the doubter is like the surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. An indecisive  man is unstable in all his ways. The brother of humble circumstances should boast in his exaltation, but the one who is rich should boast in his humiliation because he will pass away like a flower of the field. For the sun rises with its scorching heat and dries up the grass; its flower falls off, and its beautiful appearance is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will wither away while pursuing his activities. A man who endures trials  is blessed, because when he passes the test he will receive the crown of life that God  has promised to those who love Him. No one undergoing a trial should say, “I am being tempted by God.” For God is not tempted by evil, and He Himself doesn’t tempt anyone. But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desires. Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death. Don’t be deceived, my dearly loved brothers. Every generous act and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights; with Him there is no variation or shadow cast by turning. By His own choice, He gave us a new birth by the message of truth so that we would be the firstfruits of His creatures.
– James 1:2-18 (HCSB)

My dearly loved brothers, understand this: Everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for man’s anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness. Therefore, ridding yourselves of all moral filth and evil, humbly receive the implanted word, which is able to save you. But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. Because if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man looking at his own face in a mirror. For he looks at himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but one who does good works—this person will be blessed in what he does. If anyone thinks he is religious without controlling his tongue,  then his religion is useless and he deceives himself. Pure and undefiled religion before our  God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
– James 1:19–27 (HCSB)

Praise You Anywhere // My Eyes Have Seen // Worthy of It All // Another in the Fire

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