James was profoundly influenced by the sermon on the mount; it may be even viewed as a commentary on Jesus' Sermon on the Mount.

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Examining Ourselves

James wants that all believers everywhere to examine their faith and make sure it's real.

The Test of True Faith

Fallen men and women are basically natural liars. Putting "spin" on something is a form of subtle deception of twisting the truth. John 8:44 refers to the devil as the father of lies. As followers of Jesus, we are told by Him; "let you Yes be yes and your No be no, anything beyond is evil" Matthew 5:37. Our speech and keeping our word becomes another test of our living faith.

The Test Of Truthfulness

Pleasures(hedonism) connotes gratification of sensual, natural, and fleshly desires and when used in the New Testament is always used in negative ungodly sense. The sensual desire is inordinate, sinful, and uncontrolled.

Test Of Worldly Indulgence - Part 1

The Hebrews of James' time knew and clearly understood that true wisdom was not intellectual, but behavioral. Thus, the biggest fool was one who knew the truth or had the knowledge but failed to apply it or exercise wisdom. James is telling us if you have wisdom and understanding let it be shown in your good life, your exemplary lifestyle.

Test For Humble Wisdom

Any declaration of faith in God that does not result in a changed life and good works is a false doctrine. James says, "even so faith, if it has no works is dead, being alone." Alone means by its self. True saving faith can never be by itself; it always brings life and life produces good works. Becoming a Christian means we don't only receive new life, we also reveal the new life.

Test For Righteous Works

Those who profess faith in Christ as the Lord of glory, must not respect persons on account of mere outward circumstances and appearances, in a manner not agreeing with their profession of being disciples of the lowly Jesus. St. James does not here encourage rudeness or disorder: civil respect must be paid; but never such as to influence the proceedings of Christians in disposing of the offices of the church of Christ, or in passing the censures of the church.

Test Of Impartial Love

Saving faith is marked by a proper reaction to Scripture as the Word of god and by the believer's obedience to God's Word. We have to have a willingness to receive it with submission, purity, and humility. There needs to have a continual reception of God's Word. We are exhorted to be doers, not merely hearers thus delude ourselves; if we don't we are just pretenders.

Test Of Response to the Word

How a Christian handles suffering will reveal whether his/her faith is living or dead, genuine or imitation, real or counterfeit, saving or non-saving. Sometimes the trouble we find is caused by our own poor decision we make. Sometimes our trouble is a consequence of sin that we have brought upon ourselves. Sometimes God allows trials to come to our lives to strengthen our faith and help us to grow spiritually.

Test Of Perseverance In Suffering

James, the brother of our Lord Jesus seems to have written this letter or book. One of the major problems in the church at that time was a failure of many to live what they professed to believe. The writer discussed an array of different problems and the bottom line is; the lack of spiritual maturity. This book is one of the most practical books in the Bible for day to day living.

James:Who?Why?What?When? and Where?

It was the feast of the Unleavened Bread and Passover was the central feast of the Jewish year. Both feasts commemorated the freedom from bondage and the Exodus from slavery from Egypt. Passover was the oldest of the Jewish festivals

The Last Supper

Jesus frequently went to Gethsemane with His disciples to pray (John 18:2). The most famous events at Gethsemane occurred on the night before His crucifixion when Jesus was betrayed. Each of the Gospel writers describes the events of that night. As the evening began, after Jesus and His disciples had celebrated the Passover, they came to the garden. At some point, Jesus took three of them—Peter, James and John— to a place separated from the rest. Here Jesus asked them to watch with Him and pray so they would not fall into temptation (Matthew 26:41), but they fell asleep. Twice, Jesus had to wake them and remind them to pray so that they would not fall into temptation. This was especially poignant because Peter did indeed fall into temptation later that very night when three times he denied even knowing Jesus. Jesus moved a little way from the three men to pray, and twice He asked His Father to remove the cup of wrath He was about to drink, but each time He submitted to the Father’s will. He was “exceedingly sorrowful unto death,” but God sent an angel from heaven to strengthen Him.

Garden Of Gethsemane

As Jesus rode victoriously into the city the throngs of people as described in Matt.21:8-9 spread their garment on the road and cut down palm branches spreading them too in his path symbolizing the respect and the submission to his authority. The palm leaves also represent salvation and joy. As Jesus rode along the path, several hundred thousand people took up a chant "Hosanna" to the Son of David, blessed is He that comes in the name of the LORD. Hosanna in Hebrew is an exclammatory that means "Save now!". They knew he was a King but didn't understand the nature of His kingship.

Palm Sunday

The disciples could not heal a boy with seizures, but when the father of the boy brought him to Jesus, he was healed. The disciples asked Jesus why they can't; and He told them that they have little faith. He assured them that if they have faith even the size of a mustard seed, they can even move mountains. The smallness of their faith was their failure, not lack of faith. Small faith can accomplish great things only if like the mustard seed it grows in something greater than it was. Mustard seed faith is persistent faith, praying faith, faith that never gives up, and continuously growing.

The Faith Of A Mustard Seed

Christ if the object of our faith because of His preexistence according to Philippians 2:9-11. His incarnation, "the state of being clothed with flesh", means that He was clothed in human flesh. He is man on the outside but still God on the inside. The incarnation is important because this is how God identified Himself with humanity; thus He could sympathize what they felt in day to day situations. Incarnation provided redemption for mankind. Christ is the object of our faith because of His exaltation.

The Object Of Faith: Jesus Christ

We are God-centered; we exist to bring glory to God. This is the chief aim and purpose of humanity and of all creation. The glory of God is ultimate. The scriptures share the wonderful news that God is glorified through changed lives. Life change is both an event (salvation) and a process (sanctification). The process of life change begins at salvation, or rebirth. This is the result of a person placing his or her faith in the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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Alum Rock Christian Church

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