Category Archives: James

There are only two people prominent enough in the early church to simply call themselves “James.” The first would be the brother of John and the other was the Lord’s half-brother. The first James was martyred too early (AD 44) to have written this letter. It is commonly agreed that the author was Jesus’ halfContinue reading “James | Part 1”

When we come to James 1:13 we could be forgiven for thinking that James is changing subjects. He has finished talking about trials. Now he wants to speak about temptations. I want you to know that this is not the case. THE SOURCE AND COURSE OF TEMPTATION (James 1:13-18)You see the Greek word translated “trials”Continue reading “James | Part 2”

At the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II she was presented with a bible and the person who gave it to her said; “this is the most precious thing that this world affords.” True! But for many Christians the bible remains a closed book. THE CHRISTIAN AND THE WORD OF GOD (James 1:19-25)The puritan preacher WilliamContinue reading “James | Part 3”

TRUE AND FALSE RELIGION (James 1:26, 27)Most people, Christian and non-Christian are uncomfortable with this word religion. For some people the word religion conjures up images of priests in ecclesiastical robes, and bells and smells. Some Christians who have got this kind of dead formality in mind seem overly anxious to let it be known;Continue reading “James | Part 4”

THE DANGER OF FAVOURITISM (James 2:1-9)In this passage James pictures a church meeting. Two strangers arrive. One is clearly wealthy. He is dressed in fine clothes and has gold rings. The Greek word means gold fingered. He had a gem on every joint in his hand! The other man was just as plainly poor. HisContinue reading “James | Part 5”

FAITH THAT WORKS (JAMES 2:14-26)In our passage this morning James distinguishes between a faith that is living and a faith that is dead. It is very important as we read these verses that we understand that James is not contradicting the apostle Paul. Paul consistently taught that we are justified by faith alone. James isContinue reading “James | Part 6”

A MATTER OF LIFE OR DEATH (JAMES 3:1-12)The phrase “weapons of mass destruction” has become a common saying. The scriptures teach us that we all have a weapon of mass destruction. Our tongues! In Proverbs 18:21 we read; the tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat itsContinue reading “James | Part 7”

TWO KINDS OF WISDOM (James 3:13-18)When pastors gather, we often speak about some of the books that have been of particular blessing to us. We jokingly say; “whatever it takes. Sell your house, sell your car, sell the shirt of your back but get this book.” Well in Proverbs 4:7 Solomon has something of theContinue reading “James | Part 8”

HOW NOT TO BE A TWO-FACED CHRISTIAN (James 4:4-10)From time to time we will refer to someone as “two faced.” What do we mean by this? We mean that the person in mind acts in a certain way when around one set of people and then acts in an entirely different way when in theContinue reading “James | Part 9”

DEO VOLENTE (James 4:13-17)A Time magazine a few years ago suggested that if wars are fought today over oil we will be waging war over water in the not too distant future. Scripture speaks of another precious resource which we often squander and abuse. Time. Someone once placed an advert which read as follows; “Lost,Continue reading “James | Part 10”

MONEY, MONEY, MONEY (James 5:1-6)In these verses James addresses rich landowners. He accuses them of three things but of course his accusations apply equally well to all of us. ACCUSES THEM OF HOARDING (vrs 1-3)Someone once asked the American billionaire, Rockerfeller; “how many millions does it take to satisfy a man?” His reply was –Continue reading “James | Part 11”

LIVE LOOKING UP!! (James 5:7-12)The Christian social reformer of the 19th century, the Earl of Shaftesbury embossed all his envelopes with the Greek text of Revelation 22:20 Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. He would frequently say; “Why do we not plead for it every time we hear the clock strike. He lived each day looking up.Continue reading “James | Part 12”

A MODEL FOR EFFECTIVE PRAYER (James 5:13-18)Photographers have a whole series of lenses which they use depending on what they want to accomplish. If they want a panoramic perspective, they will use the wide-angle lens. If they want detail, they will use a zoom lens. In this passage of scripture, we see evidence of bothContinue reading “James | Part 13”

HEALING (James 5:14-16)Yesterday I said that in this we see evidence of both a wide-angle lens and a zoom lens. We used the wide-angle lens yesterday to look at Elijah as a model for effective praying. This morning we take the zoom lens out of our camera bags and focus on one particular aspect ofContinue reading “James | Part 14”

RECLAIMING THE WANDERER (James 5:19, 20)Our text this morning instructs us as to our responsibility toward our fellow believers. Here is this brother or sister. They start to wander from the truth. They have started to stray from the paths of righteousness. They need someone to love them enough to bring them back again. THEREContinue reading “James | Part 15”