JAMES – THE NEW TESTAMENT

WISDOM BOOK

THE VERY EPITOME OF THE BOOK OF JAMES
IN THIS BOOK, JAMES IS NOT CONCERNED WITH PHILOSOPHICAL ASPECTS, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY MAKING OUR FAITH WORK FOR US REGARDING THE MANY ENCOUNTERS IN LIFE.
I. TODAY’S WISDOM GEM
TRIALS WILL COME EVEN IN THIS CHRISTIAN LIFE; HOWEVER, OUR PERCEPTION ABOUT HANDLING THESE TRIALS HAS A LOT TO DO WITH OUR SUCCESS TO OVERCOME AND BE GOD’S LIGHT UNTO THIS WORLD.
TRIALS ARE "TESTS" IN LIFE. JAMES IS ENCOURAGING US NOT TO BE "SPIRITUAL DROP-OUTS,"BUT PASS THE TEST – BECAUSE –
ECCLESIASTES 3:11&12 (KJV)
11 He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.
12 I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.
II. TODAY’S WISOM TEXT
JAMES 1:1-4 (KJV & NIV)
(KJV)
1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.
2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
(NIV)
1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings.
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
A NUGGET REGARDING WISDOM:
REMEMBER — SUNESIS, PHRONESIS AND SOPHIA
WISDOM TAKES THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD AND APPLIES IT TO THE SITUATION. IT UTILIZES THE DIVINE PERCEPTION OF GOD TO FUNCTION WITHIN THE TRIAL, WITH THE TRIAL AND THROUGH THE TRIAL.
A. "TRYING OF YOUR FAITH"
1. NATURAL FAITH VS SPIRITUAL FAITH
NATURAL= CIRCUMSTANCE, DESIRE, FEELING
SPIRITUAL = WORD OF GOD
NATURAL = TEMPORAL
SPIRITUAL = ETERNAL
NATURAL = FALLIBLE
SPIRITUAL = INFALLIBLE
NATURAL = CHANCE
SPIRITUAL = CERTAIN
NATURAL = FALSE EXPECTATIONS
SPIRITUAL = GODLY HOPE
III. GOD’S GOAL FOR OUR LIVES!
PATIENCE/PERSEVERANCE WORK BRINGS US TO TOTAL/COMPLETE DEPENDENCE.
JAMES 1:4 (KJV &NIV)
4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
THE GOAL
EPHESIANS 4:15 (NIV)
15 . . . we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.
TO GOD BE ALL THE GLORY!