We Are To Joy In Temptations

Temple Baptist Church - 6-2-2021

James 1:1-4

 

Introduction: 

 

A.  To understand the Book of James, we must keep in mind that the theme of the Book is “A Faith That Works!”

 

B.  We live in days when professing Christians either know nothing about God and the Bible or are “walking at a guilty distance from God.”  Paul said, “Having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof.”  In the context of that verse, we find the worldliness and ungodliness of the perilous times or last days.

 

C.  Since they are not here tonight nor will they be here on Sunday either, I choose to preach to you and me.

 

D.  First, let me say that there is a difference between tribulations and temptations though both work patience in the believer. 

 

1.  Tribulation comes from a root work meaning “narrow” or “a tight place.”  afflicted, (-tion), anguish, burdened, persecution, tribulation, trouble

 

2.  Temptation is “putting to proof by the experiencing of evil and the implementation of doing good.  To be enticed, tested, scrutinize, to discipline, and then to go about doing good.

 

Romans 12:21  Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

 

James 4:17  Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

 

E.  The temptations that are spoken of here are not temptations to sin but the trying of our faith according to verse 3.  When I see this verse, I think of Abraham in Genesis, chapter 22.

 

Genesis 22:1-3  And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.  (2)  And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.  (3)  And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him.

 

F.  Tonight, I want to break down verse 2.  James 1:2  My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

 

 

 

 

Faith and Temptation
James 1:13-18

1) There is a difference between trials and temptations:
A) Trials James 1:2-3 & 1:12
1. To Test the Genuineness of our Faith… (is it real)
2. To Perfect our faith. James 1:3-4
1Pe 1: 6-7 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if
need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the
trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that
perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise
and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

B)Temptation …. Entice to disobey God’s will.
1. Adam tempted to disobey God’s Will
Ge 2:16-17 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of
every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the
knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that
thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
2. The Lord Jesus tempted to disobey God’s Will
He was not tested by the Father to prove anything.
He was tempted by the devil so Christ could expose sin
for what it is.

2) Temptation are Common (Shared) to all People.
A) All are Tempted.
As long as we are in this flesh, temptations will come
B) Different Temptations will have different affect

3) The Steps of Temptation . Jas.1:14-15
A. Desire (Lust)
Mt 15:18-19 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth
from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil
thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness,
blasphemies:

B. Deception
Drawn away… baiting a trap…. Allurement
Entice .. To bait a hook

The thought is as a hunter or fisherman puts a bait out to
allure a catch. Within that bait, there is a hidden hook.

There is a desire within… the right bait comes along…
We are tempted, will we take the bait or not.

C. Disobedience
1) If we are tempted and say no to it, we have not sinned.
Heb 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with
the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we
are, yet without sin.
The Lord was tempted and did not yield…. No sin.
2) If we are tempted and say yield, then we have sinned
Desire of the heart and the bait of allurement come
together they produce a child, called sin.

D. Death
When sin has run its course… brings death
Ro 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All these points can be seen in Gen. 3
Desire v.1-3 Deception v.4-5
Disobedience v.6 Death v.8-21

4) If we do Yield to temptation, there is Hope.
A. The Lord Jesus
1Jo 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if
any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
Advocate… one who pleads the cause of another.
Heb 2:16 -18 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took
on him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be
made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high
priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the
people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to
succour them that are tempted.
Succour… to give help or support

If we will acknowledge to the Lord we have sinned. 1John 1:9
We can be forgiven by the Lord.

B. The New Nature. 1:18
At our physical birth we got the Adamic nature
At new birth we got our Godly nature.

C. The Bible 1:18 (The Word of Truth)
1) It will help us to identify the bait.
2) It will help us to remember the consequences of yielding

Desire… Deception … Disobedience… Death

 

a.  In these verses, there are two things found in which we are to glory: our salvation and our tribulation.  Most would totally agree with the first but have some difficulty with the second.  We will look at them in the biblical order to get the mind of God on both subjects. 

 

b.  Last week, we looked at glorying in our salvation which glorifies God.

 

c.  The second thing that we are to glory in are our tribulations.  Verse 3.  We who are older understand the hardness and brevity of life.

 

Job 14:1  Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.

 

d.  At this point, I doubt if any of us would raise our hands when asked, “Do you really like to suffer?”   God answers that question for us in 1 Peter:

 

1 Peter 1:6  Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 

 

e.  I would say that the Apostle Paul was a spiritual man who loved God.   Paul asked God thrice to remove the thorn in his flesh.

 

f.  Going back to 1 Peter, the next verse shows the importance of trials in the life of God’s people.

 

1 Peter 1:7   That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

 

g.  Our text shows the reason for our glorying in tribulation.  There is a progression that follows tribulation.

 

Romans 5:3-5  And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;  (4)  And patience, experience; and experience, hope:  (5)  And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

 

1.  Tribulation – this comes from a root word that means to “crowd or pressure.”  This shows that tribulations are troubles which are both hard and lengthy in nature.  Though we do not enjoy troubles, especially lengthy ones, they are the basis for our spiritual growth.  Children grow into adults through hardship, not easy times.

 

2.  Patience – to stay under or to persevere, to have fortitude or to bear with continuance, hopeful waiting.  Patience is, though we want our troubles to come to an end, spiritual endurance or not quitting when things do not go our way.

 

3.  Experience – to be properly approved or trustworthy.  Experience cause one to know how to get something done.  There is an old saying that “experience is the best teacher.”  As we learn how to handle life, we can teach others who follow us.

 

4.  Hope – expectation or confidence.  As we learn to patiently endure our problems, we find the faithfulness of God which instills more confidence.  Before our next trial begins, we know that everything will be alright.  Proverbs 3:5-6 becomes a reality instead of just a memory verse.

 

5.  Not ashamed – the word “not” is an absolute negative.  It means never for any reason.  “Ashamed” means to be disgraced.  The ultimate sign of spirituality is to never be ashamed of our heavenly Father, our wonderful Saviour, or the precious Holy Spirit who indwells us.  I had still rather be an old time Christian than anything that I know.

 

Conclusion: Life is as hard as it is short!  Though our troubles may vary, it through the corporate trials of the members of the local church that we God in all our tribulations and can be an encouragement to others.  If we suffer for Christ, we will reign with Christ.

What Makes America A Great Nation?

 Temple Baptist Church - 5-30-2021

Proverbs 14:34

 

Introduction: 

 

A.  As we look forward to Memorial Day tomorrow, I want us here at Temple Baptist Church to keep upon our minds and hearts the sacrifices that have made the day possible. 

 

1.  “All gave some and some gave all” is a quote that we often hear around Memorial Day.  President Ronald Reagan said that these who have died gave up two lives:  the one that they had and the one that they should have had.

 

2.  As far as I can tell (in all wars) app. 1,309,552 men and women have died in defense of our freedom while app. 1,500,000 have been wounded (excluding wounded who did not require hospitalization.  These statistics also do not include POW’s.

 

B.  I watched a series not long ago on World War II called “A World At War.”  I was once again made horrifically aware of the great price paid for our being able to assemble in church this morning. 

 

1.  I saw the battles; I saw the bodies of our boys floating in the ocean foam on the shores of both Normandy and the islands of the South Pacific; I saw the faces of the wives, children, and parents as they waited not knowing.  I saw the bodies swollen in the heat and the flies that covered them.  I watched as they took their dog tags from around their necks so that they could inform the fathers, mothers, wives, loved ones, and children back home of their fate. 

 

2.  These were young men: teens and early twenties.  Just kids who were made to grow up on the beaches of the South Pacific, on the shores of North Africa, Sicily, Italy, and Normandy.  Children who became young men and then old men in a matter of months!  These were young men who gave up their hopes and dreams that we may hope and live out those dreams for them.  Women who gave up the comforts of America to tend to the wounded

 

3.  They lived, they loved, and they died.  They were white, brown, red, yellow, and black; but they were Americans!  They were from many different nations, but they were Americans!  They were mill workers, coal miners, farmers, businessmen, doctors, lawyers, preachers, salesmen, and a myriad of other professions; men and women from every walk of life brought together in a cause that was greater and more dear than their lives.  I watched as families had every male in them who were of age join. 

 

4.  My Aunt Edna (my father’s older sister) had a letter from my dad, who fought with Patton in North Africa-Sicily-Italy where he was wounded, written on a long piece of calculator paper because it was all he had to write home on.  She had a letter from dad’s older brother, Austin, written from Iran.  All of the sons joined and served as well as did your fathers and family members.  They paid so that we could enjoy the benefits. We have reaped what they have lost!

 

C.  Our nation was founded by men and their families who left England, Europe, as well as other nations in search of a utopia which was framed in their minds.  They had little but expected much as they came to the “New World” in search of freedom and prosperity.  They carved out for us the greatest nation on the face of the earth.  Righteousness exalteth a nation!  America is known for its integrity.

 

D.  We are so blessed and should be so thankful for the sacrifices of these pilgrims!  God bless the memories of those who made these blessings possible for us.  We inherited that which they paid so dearly for. 

 

“What Made America A Great Nation?”

 

1.  The Principles Upon Which It Was Founded – Liberty and justice for all.  Men who could never be free left their homes and families that they might find freedom and liberty on foreign soil.  They bought and paid for our liberty through their foresight and sacrifice.  These freedoms our Constitution upholds today.  We have liberty to worship; liberty of speech; liberty to travel; liberty to personally excel in life; liberty to be all that we can be.  We are free, praise the Lord, we are free!  “Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty!”  Never let anyone take our freedom from us or our children.

 

2.  The Values That Our Forefathers Bore – They were honest and principled.  They were men of integrity and their word was their bond.  Their values were Bible based, even those who were not saved.  We call it “Old School” but its precepts are anchored deeply in biblical principles.  Our people were honest and hard working with no time for deadbeats.    They had character instead of being characters.  They loved their families, their church, and their nation.  They were Americans!

 

3.  The Courage Of Our Military To Die And Our People To Sacrifice – “Give me liberty or give me death” has been the motto of every American fighting man in all wars.  I gave some statistics of those who died but could not count the countless millions who have served in all branches of the military.  They lay behind the bodies of their dead brothers while the bullets whizzed past their heads and returned fire.  They still join up; they still fight; and they still die.  Their crosses are around the world from Normandy to the South Pacific to North Africa to Arlington National Cemetery where the Tomb of the Unknowns (also known as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier) are engraved with these words:  “HERE RESTS IN HONORED GLORY AN AMERICAN SOLDIER KNOWN BUT TO GOD.”  The willingness of our nation to sacrifice – families have sacrificed their sons and daughters; they have sacrificed their moneys and possessions; they have sacrificed their personal desires for the betterment of the nation.

 

4.  The Diversity Of America’s People – The greatness of America is in its diversity!  We are not all the same but we all have the same rights.  We are not all the same but we accept and love those who are not like us.  Different cultures and ethnic backgrounds and yet united.  We are of every race and every creed; we are from every country on the face of the earth.  We do not look the same or act the same, but we all love the same!  We love America and are willing to both die and live for her.

 

5.  The Natural Resources That God Gave – God has given to our nation the capability to both be and remain self-sufficient.  We are indebted to others because of greed and ignorance.  From shore to shore and boundary to boundary, our nation is the most beautiful and blessed of all nations.  America is truly a nation flowing with milk and honey.  We have all and abound!  We are blessed!

 

6.  The Benevolence Of America – In natural disasters as well as war and genocide, the United States of America is the first to respond.  We get relief and medical aid to other countries while other governments are thinking about it.  America gives many times what all of the other nations give combined.  God blesses benevolence!  “It is more blessed to give than to receive” has always been America’s motto.

 

7.  The System Of Government That We Have – America was founded as a republic, not a democracy!  Three branches of government set up with checks and balances that keep us both safe and directed.  Every two years we have elections to correct the mistakes that we made in the last elections.  Both veto power and the power to overcome veto!  The men who set up our government had divine foresight.  What a magnificent piece of legislative work our Constitution is!  Wise men made sure that we remain both free and prosperous.

 

8.  The Love Of America For Israel – “And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.”  God still blesses those who bless Israel, and He still curses those who curse Israel.  To this point, we have stood with God’s covenant people and God has blessed us for it.  “Hang on to Israel’s coat tails, America, hang on!”

 

9.  The Possibility Of Impossibility – Young man, young lady, you can be anything that you want to be.  You can be a doctor, a lawyer, a business owner, or any other thing that you wish.  You can excel both in school and the workplace.  You can go to college, work in the career of your choice, start your own business, and be the president of the United States of America.  You are limited only by the limitations that you place on yourself! 

 

10.  The God Who Gave Her Birth – America is blessed because “In God We Trust” is still on our money and in the hearts of most.  The blessed gospel can be preached and missionaries are being sent around the world. 

 

Psalms 33:12 says,  “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.”  May God bless the memory of our war dead and those who served!  May God bless our nation!  May we bless God for His blessings upon us!

The Beast From The Sea – Part 2

Temple Baptist Church - 5-30-2021

Revelation 13:1-10

 

A.  Last week, we saw the progression of the “beast from the sea” from Babel to the end-time political system: the revived Roman Empire.  Tonight, we will explore this first “beast” by expounding the next 9 verses of chapter 13.

 

Daniel 2:40-45  And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise.  (41)  And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters' clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay.  (42)  And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken.  (43)  And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay.  (44)  And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.  (45)  Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.

 

Daniel 7:23  Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.

 

B.  In verse 2, we find Daniel’s vision in reverse.  Daniel saw the lion (Babylon) first, then the bear (Medo-Persia), then the leopard (Grecian) last.  Daniel saw it from a prophetic view from his day until the end of time.

 

1.  The lion is a formidable beast for sure but is kingly in nature.  We call the lion the “King of the Beast.”   Though powerful and aggressive, Babylon was a place of elegance and a power to be respected.

 

2.  The bear is equally ferocious but is more of a scavenger and much less respected.  This is a good analogy for Medio-Persia.

 

3.  The leopard is also a power to be respected and is very quick in its attack.  The Grecian Empire, under Alexander the Great, could move armies with unparalleled speed and attack with great ferocity.  

 

C.  In the Revelation, John sees these world powers from the end of time back to their beginning.

 

1.  The leopard because now the culmination of world power comes very quickly in the end time. 

 

2.  The bear because it is a power to be feared and destructive in its nature.

 

3.  The lion because of its great power and authority.  

 

Daniel 12:4  But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

 

D.  Verse 3 is one of those verses where there are differing opinions concerning its meaning.

 

1.  Some hold that Antichrist will be dealt a death blow in battle or an attempted assassination and will resurrect again with the whole world knowing it.  I find no place in the Bible where either Satan or man has the power of resurrection.  Jesus said that He was the “resurrection and the life!”  Therefore, I reject this interpretation of verse 3.

 

2.  I believe that the Bible gives us light in this area.  This was one of the “7 heads” that is being spoken of here.  I believe that these were the 7 great world empires that lead up to the end-time political system.  Each of the first 6 empires eventually fell to their enemies to never rise again though the “baton” was handed to the 7th and final empire.

 

3.  The Roman Empire fell due to internal decay, military anarchy, and constant attack by the Vandals from North Africa who cut off Rome’s grain supply as well as waged war, the Visigoths from the north who sacked Rome continually, and the Asiatic Huns attacked from the east. Though the official fall of Rome was in 476 AD, the fall came by degrees over a period of 200 years under the wicked hands of the Caesars.

 

3.  These empires all died but the 7th empire, Rome, has never completely gone away and will rise again in the last days. 

 

4.  In verse 3, I find the Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire, the 7th and last world empire.

 

E.  Verse 4, we see Satan Worship because it is he that gives power to the beast and because of this power, no man or nation can stand before it militarily.

 

F.  Verse 5, the beast is given a “mouth” or spokesperson, probably Antichrist, who will have nothing but evil to speak of God (blasphemy-to speak evil against God) and allowed of God to continue for the span of 42 months or 3 ½ years until the end of the Tribulation Period.

 

G.  Verse 6, the direction of his blasphemy.  He will curse God; he will curse God’s name; he will curse His Tabernacle (this will include all places of God’s worship including local Bible believing churches; and he will curse God’s people.  An all-out attack on everything and anything that stands for or speaks for God.

 

H.  Verse 7, Antichrist will make war against the saints and put them to death.  He will also war against all people in all places.  Today, foolish, and blinded people give their freedom and wealth to socialism which is an enemy that will ultimately destroy them.

 

J.  Verse 8, the saved will reject the Antichrist while ALL the world will worship him.  I have often said, “There is no benign state of neutrality with God!”

 

Matthew 12:30  He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.

 

Matthew 6:24  No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

 

Mark 9:40  For he that is not against us is on our part.

 

K.  Verse 9, TAKE HEED!  If you have ears, you need to hear.  There is a great separating taking place today as those who reject God are becoming more “in His face” with their lack of faith and sinful lives.

 

1.  The deceivers are being deceived.

 

2 Timothy 3:13  But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

 

2.  Those who sin or, in this case kill, will live, or die in the same way. 

 

Genesis 9:6  Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.

 

Matthew 26:52  Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.

 

3.  Here we find the patience and faith of the saints.  They will patiently endure amid the Tribulation Period because their faith is in God, not in circumstances.

 

Mark 13:13  And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

Introduction of the Book of James

 Temple Baptist Church - 5-26-2021

James 1:1

 

Introduction: 

 

1.  The Author of the Book of James.  Though the name James was a popular one in the 1st century, there are only 3 men named James mentioned in the Bible that would need to be considered as the author of the Book of James.

 

a.  James, the son of Zebedee - Matthew 10:2  Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;

 

1)  James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were called the “sons of thunder.”  Mark 3:17  And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder:”

 

2)  James was one of the 12 Apostles and headed up the church at Jerusalem.

 

3)  James was martyred in app. 42 A.D.  Acts 12:1-2  Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.  (2)  And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.

 

4)  The Book of James is dated around 60 A.D., thus eliminating this James from being the author of the Book of James.

 

b.  James, the son of Alphaeus - Matthew 10:3  Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;

 

1)  James, the son of Alphaeus, was named among the 12 Apostles.  Matthew 10:2-4  Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;  (3)  Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;  (4)  Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

 

2)  Though an Apostles, little is known or said about him in the Bible so I would rule him out as the author of the Book of James.

 

c.  James, the Lord’s brother - Mark 6:3  Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.

 

John 7:5  For neither did his brethren believe in him. (There was a time when Jesus’ half brothers and sisters did not believe that He was the Messiah!  At some time, they too began to believe upon Him.)

 

1)  Also known as James the Less - Mark 15:40  There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome;

 

2)  This James was the half-brother of our Lord with the same mother but different fathers - Galatians 1:19  But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother.

 

Matthew 13:55  Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? (James is always listed first and, therefore, probably the eldest of the children of Joseph and Mary.)

 

3)  James was also the full brother of Jude, who wrote the Book of Jude.  Jude 1  Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:

 

Matthew 13:55  Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?

 

4)  This James, according to tradition, pastored the church at Jerusalem and was also known as “Old Camel Knees,” evidently because of his calloused knees from hours in prayer to God.

 

5)  James was the spokesperson in the First Jerusalem Council.  Acts 15:13  And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me:

 

6)  James saw Jesus in His resurrected body.  1 Corinthians 15:7  After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.

 

7)  Tradition says that he was martyred in 62 A.D.

 

8)  This James, the brother of the Lord, would be my guess as to who authored the Book of James as his brother, Jude, authored the Book of Jude.

 

2.  The Authenticity of the Book of James.

 

a.  The Canon of Scriptures.  The word “Canon” means “rod.”  The “rod” was a stick used by carpenters and builders for precise measurements.  We use devices in our day to give precise measurements and they are still essential in in carpentry and building.

 

b.  The Canon of Scriptures are the “measuring stick” for the books of the Bible that we hold in our hands tonight.  The canonization of Scripture was finished for the New Testament app, 170-200 A.D. 

 

c.  The Old Testament canonization was probably done in two parts, called the Law and the Prophets in the New Testament.  The Law, Torah, refers to the five books of Moses while the Prophets is a general term compassing the other 34 books (historical, poetical, and prophetic).

 

1)  The Torah was possibly canonized around 400 BC.

 

2)  The Prophets were possibly canonized around 200 BC.   

 

d.  The reason for canonization.

 

1)  The Old Testament because of the Apocrypha.  These writings were available for canonization but were rejected.  Though they do have some historical value, they were never valued as inspired scripture.  They were placed between the Old and New Testaments for historical value but were later taken out because of the confusion that they may have caused.

 

2)  The New Testament because of the “letters as from us” mentioned in 2 Thessalonians, chapter 2.  2 Thessalonians 2:2  That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.

 

3)  These false letters or manuscripts were causing confusion in the churches. 

 

4)  As late as the 1500’s, Martin Luther rejected the Book of James because, in his thinking because of his Roman Catholic background, thought it contradicted the doctrine of sola fide, or justification by faith alone.

 

e.  “That which is perfect” was the completion of the work of canonization and we now have confidence that the King James Bible is the completed Word of God for the English-speaking people.

 

3. The Addressee of the Book of James.

 

a.  One of the Hebrew Christian Epistles written “to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad” – “are scattered abroad,” diaspora – converted Jews that resident in Gentile countries.  The same believers that Peter and Paul were writing to.  To “the strangers scattered:” dispersed, hated Jewish believers in Asia.

 

b.  One of the Hebrew Christian Epistles: the epistles of Hebrews, James, I & II Peter, and Jude.

 

4.  The Aim of the Book of James.  Faith’s Evidence.

 

a.  Chapter one.  Found in how we face our trials.

 

b.  Chapter two.  Found in how we treat people.

 

c.  Chapter three.  Found in how we control our tongue.

 

d.  Chapter four. Found in how we handle sinfulness in our lives.

 

e.  Chapter five.  Found in how we pray.