Could you imagine growing up with Jesus? Along comes James Imagine having someone who could stump the Pharisees as your big brother… He was the perfect son! But you were NOT! James Jude Eventually he takes over the family business after your father dies Then one day he just up and leaves and becomes a wandering Rabbi! And then he goes and gets himself killed breaking your mother’s heart… The Epistle of James Written between 50 to 62 A.D. by “James, a servant of God and our Lord Jesus Christ” James 1:1 May be the earliest book of N.T. except perhaps Galatians Criticized by some for its lack of “gospel message” and emphasis on “works” (e.g. Martin Luther) Written to Jewish believers (James 1:1) to remind them of the importance of faith proving itself in action Matthew Mark Luke John Acts Hebrews James 1&2 Peter 1,2&3 John Romans 1&2 Timothy Titus Philemon Jude Revelation Gospels History Paul’s Epistles General Epistles Prophecy New Testament 1&2 Corinthians Ephesians Philippians 1&2 Thessalonians Galatians Colossians James James the son of Alphaeus “James the Less”? James the son of Zebedee Brother of John “James the Great” James the brother of Jesus “James the Just” Killed by Herod Agrippa 44 A.D. (Acts 12:2) Martyred in Egypt (Church Tradition) Stoned to death in Jerusalem 62 A.D. (Josephus) James of the Bible Apostle Apostle James a.k.a. (Hebrew: יעקב) (Greek Iάκωβος) James, the Brother of the Lord (Mark 6:3, Matthew 13:55-56, Galatians 1:18-20) James the Just James the Righteous James of Jerusalem James Adelphotheos (brother of God) James Listed first among Jesus' "brothers" “James as well as Jude, Simon and Joses” (Mark 6:3, Matthew 13:55-56) His mother is Mary He had sisters (ibid) Probably married (1 Cor 9:5) Pillar of the early Church Jerusalem Council: Acts 15 ~ 50 A.D. Acts 15:1 Some men came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the brothers: "Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved." Detail3 Acts 15:2 This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question. Bible Stories Acts 15:13b-21 "Brothers, listen to me. Simon has described to us how God at first showed his concern by taking from the Gentiles a people for himself. The words of the prophets are in agreement with this, as it is written: When they finished, James spoke up: Acts 15:13b-21 "'After this I will return and rebuild David's fallen tent. Its ruins I will rebuild, and I will restore it, that the remnant of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who bear my name, says the Lord, who does these things‘ that have been known for ages. Acts 15:13b-21 "It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, Acts 15:13b-21 from the meat of strangled animals and from blood. For Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath." Antioch   Seleucia  Salamis Tarsus  Acts 13:2,3 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off. James, Peter and John, those reputed to be pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the Jews. Galatians 2:9 James wasn’t always such a “pillar”… Matthew 12:46-9 While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. Someone told him, "Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you." James Matthew 12:46-9 He replied to him, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" Pointing to his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers. ? ! ! ? John 19:26-27 When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Dear woman, here is your son," and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his home. James was NOT here! 1 Corinthians 15:5-8 and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born All those years and you never did a miracle in front of me! If you are God, why did you let our father die? How could you give our mother’s care to John instead of me? Forgive me my Lord and Savior! James Had the unique experience of growing up with Jesus who lived out His faith perfectly Was a very sensible leader of the Church during the expansion to Gentile believers Uniquely aware of the difficulties Jews have believing in Jesus James Perhaps aware of Paul’s mysterious lack of success among Jews of the diaspora Perhaps frustrated with the lack of impact that Jewish believers were having on their fellow Jews? Perhaps their faith was not a living testimony to others? James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings. James 1:1 Outline of James Trials, Testing and Temptation Faith and Works The Tongue and Wisdom Pride vs. Humility; Love vs. Boasting Possessions, Patience and Prayer Perhaps short sermons? James 1:2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, James 2:17,18 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. James 3:6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. James 4:7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 5:12 Above all, my brothers, do not swear--not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your "Yes" be yes, and your "No," no, or you will be condemned. James is definitely going to get in our FACE! Are you ready to exercise your faith? CBS Temple/Belton Evening Class Community Bible Study templebeltonevecbs.org CBS FAITH ALIVE