Rev. David Holwick L Book of James series
First Baptist Church
Ledgewood, New Jersey
April 10, 1994
James 1:1
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I. Being part of a family.
A. Our families influence us, sometimes for the worse.
1) Common to blame all problems on folks.
2) Sibling rivalry can last a lifetime.
B. Birth order theory, according to Kevin Leman:
Children look up to, and develop in relation to the person
on the next rung up the family ladder.
First-born and only children have only their parents to watch.
They turn into little adults: responsible, hard-working,
but commonly perfectionistic and discouraged.
Other children try to copy their older siblings (and usually
fail to do as well).
On the other hand, they may choose a different or even
opposite course.
By the time the last child arrives, the parents are worn out.
He gets away with murder, with charm, humor and spontaneity.
The baby of the family may have a hard time learning
self-discipline and can be headed for disaster.
#2629
C. Special dynamics of James' family.
1) The writer of Book of James is brother of Jesus, not apostle.
2) Oldest brother is Son of God.
3) You don't like him, and he acts indifferent toward you.
II. Growing up with Jesus.
A. Family was large, poor and in boonies.
1) Jesus had 4 half-brothers and several half-sisters. Mk 6:3
a) Probably not cousins, as RCC.
2) Single parent, at least during early adulthood of Jesus. Mk 6:3
3) Doves at dedication of Jesus points to poverty. Lk 2:24
4) In socially backward area and questionable reputation.
a) Galileans were seen as hicks. Acts 4:13
b) Legitimacy of Jesus questioned. Jn 8:41
B. Devout in faith in God.
1) Pilgrimage to Jerusalem every year for feasts. Lk 2:42
2) Regular synagogue attendance. Lk 4:16
3) Knowledge of Bible.
a) James alludes freely to OT.
4) Even among Jews, James had a good reputation.
a) Called "The Just" by Jewish historian Josephus.
b) He believed in Jesus, but he remained observant Jew.
III. A special big brother.
A. Jesus would be a hard act to follow.
1) "Prophet not accepted in own home." Mt 13:57
B. His family rejected him.
1) They thought he was nuts, tried to "rescue" him. Mk 3:21
2) Mocked him. (John, feasts) Jn 7:3-7
3) Did not believe in him.
C. Jesus, in a sense, rejected them.
1) Must leave family to enter Kingdom of God. Mk 10:29
2) Almost as if you hate them. Lk 14:26
3) His family was those who obeyed word of God. Mk 3:35
D. At the cross, only his mother remained. Jn 19:25
IV. The difference of Easter.
A. Jesus appeared specially to James. 1 Cor 15:7
1) Apparently at this moment he believed.
a) In letter, he calls self "servant" of Jesus, not brother.
2) At Pentecost, he was in upper room with rest of family. Acts 1:14
B. Following Peter, James becomes leader of Jerusalem church. Acts 12:17
1) Leads council in Acts 15. Acts 15:13
2) Concerned about incorporating Gentiles into church.
3) Some tension with Paul attributed to his followers.
a) Too Jewish? Legalistic? Gal 2:12
b) Yet is second to welcome Paul after his conversion. Gal 1:19
C. James is martyred around AD 62.
1) (Not same as James who is killed in Acts.) (Acts 12:2)
V. Faith that Works.
A. His greatest impact comes from his short book in the NT.
B. Prophetic emphasis.
1) Identifies with the underdog.
2) More than fifty imperatives. "Do this!"
3) Vivid expectation of prophecy and judgment.
C. Practical theology.
1) Faith has to make difference, or it is phony.
2) Living right.
a) Comparison with Jesus' Sermon on Mount.
b) The Law of Love is supreme.
VI. God is not limited by our situation.
A. Families today are the targets of abuse.
1) Almost every family is labeled "dysfunctional."
Menendez brothers - slaughter parents, blow money, then
claim abuse.
They should get sympathy, after all, they're orphans.
2) Let's face it - families do have major problems.
As an article in NEWSWEEK pointed out the upheaval is
evident everywhere in our culture.
Babies have babies, affluent Yuppies prize their BMWs more
than children.
Rich and poor children alike blot their minds with drugs,
people casually move in with each other and out again.
The divorce rate has doubled since 1965.
Researchers that half of all first marriages made today will
end in divorce.
Six out of ten second marriages will probably collapse.
One third of all children born in the past decade will
probably live in a step-family before they are 18.
One out of every four children today is being raised by a
single parent.
It would be difficult to paint a bleaker picture. #1668
a) Christians should try to correct deficiencies.
b) Recent Swedish study: lousy parents become better if
training is forced on them.
B. Our family situation is important, but not decisive.
1) Don't blame circumstances, but rise above them.
2) (Tree on sparse ledge.)
C. God made the difference in James' life.
1) James had every reason to turn out differently.
2) He could have blamed small town, dead father, unique brother.
3) Instead, he let his brother Jesus mold him into a new man.
D. God can make a difference in your life.
1) Is Christ in your family?
Copyright © 2024 by Rev. David Holwick
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