THE BOOK OF JAMES CHAPTER 1

I. THE INTRODUCTION OF THE LETTER: V 1

A. This letter was from a great Christian: James v 1 B. This letter came with the greatest credentials: James being a servant of God. v 1 C. This letter was to the greatest people on earth: Christians. v 1 D. This letter desired a great blessing: Greeting. v 1

II. THE PROBLEMS OF OUR TEMPTATIONS: VS 2-15

A. These are the instructions for our temptations. v 2 1. Christians must rejoice over their temptations. v 2, Romans 8:16-18 2. Saints should not complain over their trials. v 2, 1 Cor. 10:9-10 B. These are the purposes of our temptations. vs 3-4 1. Our temptations test our faith in being a Christain. v 3, 1 Peter 1:6-7 2. Our temptations try our patience in being a disciple. v 3, James 5:10-11

3. Our temptations make us to be perfect in being a saint. v 4, l Peter 5:10 C. These are the ways to overcome our temptations. vs 5-8 1. Disciples must possess divine wisdom. v 5, Col. 1:9 2. Christians must have a trusting faith in God. vs 6-8, Heb. 11:6 a). A disciple must know the word of God. John 8:31-32 b). A brother in Christ should believe the word of God. Eph. 3:20-21 c). A saint ought to obey the word of God. Heb. 5:8-9 D. These are the ways by which we are tempted. vs 9-11 1. Christians are tempted to despise the ways of a poor man. v 9, 1 Tim. 6:8 2. Disciples are tempted to love the ways of a rich man. vs 10-11, 1 Tim. 6:9- 10 E. These are the blessings for overcoming our temptations. v 12 1. Christians will be given a crown of life. Romans 2:7 2. Disciples will be given a crown of righteousness. 1 Tim. 4:8 F. These are the sources of our temptations. vs 13-14 1. Our temptations do not come from God. v 13, Job 1:7-12 2. Our temptations come from our own selfish desires. v 14, 1 John 2:15-17 G. These are the punishment for any person who is overcomed by his own temptations. v 15 1. That person will lose his own soul. Matt. 10:28 2. That person will be punished with everlasting punishment. 2 Thess. 1:7- 9

III. BEING MISLEAD: VS 16-21

A. This is the forbiddance for our being mislead. v 16 (Christians should not err from the truth of God.) Gal. 6:6-9 B. These are the reasons for not being mislead. vs 17-18 1. Christians can receive the spiritual blessings of God. v 17, 2 Peter 1:1-4 a). A disciple has been redeemed from his sins. 1 Peter 1:18-19 b). A saint can win the victory over Satan. 1 Cor. 15:57, Romans 8:37 2. Christians should fulfill the purpose of their own regeneration of life. v 18 a). A disciple should produce fruit in the vineyard of God. John 15:1-8 b). A saint can manifest the fruits of the Spirit. Gal. 5:22-23 C. These are the ways to keep from being mislead. vs 19-21 1. Disciples should control their speech because the anger of man does not promote the righteousness of God. vs 19-20, Eph. 4:26-27 2. Christians should control their conduct. v 21, Romans 12:1-2 a). A saint should give up his sins. Romans 6:12 b). A disciple should be governed by the word of God. Psa. 1:1-3

IV. COMPLETE OBEDIENCE: VS 22-27

A. These are the commandments for our obedience. v 22 1. Christians should hear and obey the word of God. Matt. 7:24-25 2. Disciples should not hear and disobey the word of God. Matt. 7:26-27 B. These are the reasons for our obedience. vs 23-24 1. The word of God is a mirror for our soul. vs 23-24, 2 Tim. 3:16-17 2. The word of God will built up our faith. Acts 20:32 C. These are the blessings for our obedience. vs 25-26 1. Those persons who obey God will be made a pillar in the temple of God. Rev. 3:12 2. Those persons who obey God will be eternally blessed. Rev. 22:14 D. These are the requirements for our obedience. vs 26-27 1. Christians must control their language. v 26, James 3:8 2. Disciples should help the needy persons. v 27, Gal. 6:10 3. Saints need to keep themselves separated from the world. v 27, Romans 12:1-2

CHAPTER 2

I. SHOWING PARTIALITY: VS 1-7

A. These are the reasons for showing partiality. v 1 1. The lack of obedience causes a Christian to show partiality. James 2:9 2. The lack of knowledge entices a saint to reveal partiality. Acts 10:34-35 3. The lack of faith makes a disciple to manifest partiality. Mark 9:23 B. These are the ways of showing partiality. vs 2-3 1. A Christian can favor the rich person. Luke 16:19 2. A disciple can despise the poor person. Luke 16:20-21 C. These are the restrictions for showing partiality. v 4 1. Saints should not favor the rich and despise the poor. Prov. 30:8-9 2. Christians must not be governed by evil motives. Prov. 4:23, Prov. 23:7 D. These are the punishments for showing partiality. vs 5-7 1. If Christians show partiality, they would be robbed of God's spiritual blessings. v 5, James 1:27 a). A brother in Christ would not be rich in the faith. Heb. 13:5-6 b). A disciple would not be an heir of the Kingdom of God. Matt. 5:3 c). A saint would not be a lover of God. 1 Tim. 5:21 2. If Christians show partiality, they would be persecuted by evil men. vs 6-7 a). The rich persecute the poor. v 6, James 5:4 b). The rich blaspheme the poor. v 7, 1 Peter 4:16

II. FULFILLING THE ROYAL LAW: VS 8-13

A. These are the conditions for fulfilling the royal law. vs 8-9 1. A Christian must love his neighbor. v 8, Gal. 5:14 2. A disciple should be impartial. v 9, Acts 10:34-35 B. These are the ways of fulfilling the royal law. vs 10-11 1. Christians can not fulfill the royal law of God by breaking any one of the commandments of the law. v 10, John 14:15 2. Disciples can fulfill the royal law of God by keeping each one of the commandments of the law. v 11, 1 John 5:4 C. These are the reasons for fulfilling the royal law. vs 12-13 1. Christians will be judged by the law of God. v 12, John 12:48, Rev. 20:12- 15 2. Saints will be judged by an impartial Judge. v 13, Acts 17:30-31

III. A WORKING FAITH: VS 14-26

A. These are the values of an un-working faith. vs 14-20 1. An un-working faith can not save the soul. v 14, James 4:17 2. An un-working faith will not help the needy persons. vs 15-16, Gal. 6:10

3. An un-working faith is inactive. v 17, 1 John 5:4 4. An un-working faith is inconsistent. v 18, 1 Peter 2:12 5. An un-working faith is worthless and powerless. vs 19-20, Gal. 5:6 B. These are the values of a working faith. vs 21-26 1. A working faith will do the works of God. vs 21-25 a). Abraham was justified by a working faith. vs 21,23, Gen. 22:1-14 b). Rahab, the harlot was justified by a working faith. v 25, Josh. 2:1-21 2. A working faith will justify the soul. vs 24,26, Heb. 10:38-39

CHAPTER 3

I. GOVERNING THE TONGUE: VS 1-12

A. These are the reasons for our tongue. vs 1-2 1. Our tongue allows us to communicate. v 1, 1 Peter 3:15 2. Our tongue makes us accountable for our communication. v 2, Matt. 12:36 B. These are the powers of the tongue. vs 3-6 1. There is power in small things. vs 3-5 a). The bride is able to govern the horse. v 3 b). The rudder is able to guide the ship. v 4 2. The tongue is a small member of the body. vs 5-6 a). The tongue is more powerful than a fire. v 5 b). The tongue does determine our destiny. v 6 C. These are the traits of the tongue. vs 7-8 1. We can tame all kinds of animals. v 7 a). Man can tame beasts. v 7 b). Man can tame birds. v 7 c). Man can tame serpents. v 7 d). Man can tame sea creatures. v 7 2. We can not tame the tongue. v 8 D. These are the inconsistencies of the tongue. vs 9-12 1. These are the ways by which the tongue become inconsistent. vs 9-10 a). The tongue is used to bless God. v 9 b). The tongue is used to curse man. v 10 2. These inconsistencies of the tongue are forbidden. vs 11-12 a). A drinking fountain produces only one kind of water. v 11 b). A fruit tree produces only one kind of fruit. v 12

II. TRUE WISDOM: VS 13-18

A. These are the essentials of true wisdom. vs 13-14 1. Christians must be governed by true wisdom because their conversation and works must be perfected by wisdom. v 13, Col. 1:9 2. Disciples must not be governed by false wisdom because they would be following false doctrines. v 14, 2 Thess. 2:10-12 B. These are the reasons for true wisdom. vs 15-16 1. False wisdom is earthly, sensual and devilish. v 15, 2 Cor. 11:14-15 2. False wisdom engenderes evil works. v 16, Romans 16:17-18 C. These are the qualities of true wisdom. v 17 1. These are the positive characteristics of true wisdom. a). True wisdom is pure. Prov. 15:26 b). True wisdom is peaceable. 1 Tim. 2:2, Romans 12:18 c). True wisdom is gentle. 2 Tim 2:24 d). True wisdom is reasonable. Isa. 1:18-20, Romans 12:1-2 e). True wisdom is merciful. Luke 6:36 f). True wisdom is fruitful. Col. 1:10 2. These are the negative traits of true wisdom. a). True wisdom is without partiality. 1 Tim. 5:21 b). True wisdom is without hypocrisy. Prov. 11:9 D. These are the blessings of true wisdom. v 18 1. True wisdom brings peace to those persons who use that wisdom. Phil. 4:6 2. True wisdom engenderes the righteousness of God to those persons who use that wisdom. Heb. 12:11

CHAPTER 4

I. WORLDLINESS: VS 1-10

A. These are the causes of worldliness. vs 1-3 1. Lust produces worldliness. v 1, Jude 16 2. Murder engenderes worldliness. v 2, 1 John 3:15 3. Selfish motives worldliness. v 3, Isa. 1:15-16 B. These are the effects of worldliness. v 4 1. An unfaithful Christian would be guilty of spiritual adultery. v 4, 1 Cor. 6:15-18 2. An unfaithful disciple would be an enemy of God. v 4, Eph. 2:11-12 C. These are the reasons for worldliness. vs 5-6 1. Some people are trying to fulfill their lustful desires. v 5, Gen. 6:5 2. Some people are to proud to serve God. v 6, Prov. 16:18 D. These are the cures for worldliness. vs 7-10 1. Saints can overcome the world by trusting in God. vs 7, 8, 10, 1 John 5:4 2. Disciples can overcome the world by resisting the Devil. vs 7, 8, 9, 1 Peter 5:9

II. EVIL SPEAKING: VS 11-12

A. These are the forbiddances for evil speaking. v 11 1. Christians must not slander one another. 1 Peter 2:1 2. Saints should not malign one another. Eph. 4:31 B. These are the effects of evil speaking. v 11 1. Evil speaking causes saints to speak evil of the law of God. 2 Peter 3:3-4 2. Evil speaking would make Christians to judge the law of God. Titus 1:9- 11 C. These are the results of evil speaking. v 11 1. An unfaithful saint would not be practicing the law of God. James 1:22-25 2. An unfaithful disciple would be judging the law of God. Romans 2:1 D. These are the rebukes for evil speaking. v 12 1. Christians are not the Savior of the world. Luke 2:7-14 2. Saints are not the Lawgiver of the law of God. John 6:68 3. Disciples are not the Judge of the law of God. Acts 17:30-31

III. A BOASTING ATTITUDE: VS 13-17

A. These are the characteristics of a boasting attitude. v 13 1. A brother in Christ could boast about the future. Prov. 27:1 2. A disciple can brag about his possessions. Luke 12:18-20 3. A saint could praise his own righteousness. Luke 18:9-14 4. A Christian can boast about his intentions. Acts 24:25 B. These are the rebukes for a boasting attitude. v 14 1. Life is uncertain. Psa. 90:9-10 2. Death is certain. Romans 5:12 C. These are the cures for a boasting attitude. v 15 1. A Christian must consider the will of God. Psa. 1:1-3 2. A disciple should obey the will of God. Heb. 5:8-9 D. These are the effects of a boasting attitude. vs 16-17 1. The boasting of a Christain would cause evil rejoicing. v 16, Psa. 10:2-6 2. The boasting of a siant would produce a neglectful personality. v 17, Heb. 2:1-3

CHAPTER 5

I. THE WOES OF RICHES: VS 1-6

A. These are the rebukes for the rich. v 1 1. The rich should weep. 1 Tim. 6:9-10 2. The rich should howl. Luke 6:24 B. These are the insecurities of the rich. v 2 1. The riches of those rich persons are uncertain. v 2, 1 Tim. 6:17 2. The riches of those rich persons are cankered. v 3, Matt. 6:19-21 C. These are the traits of the rich. vs 4-6 1. The rich will often cheat in different way. v 4 2. The rich will seek earthly pleasures. v 5, Luke 17:19-31 3. The rich will often be selfish. v 5, Luke 18:18-25 4. The rich will seek self-gratification. v 5, Luke 12:13-21 5. The rich will often persecute the innocent. v 6, Matt. 5:11-12

II. THE VALUE OF OUR PATIENCE: VS 7-11

A. These are the extents of our patience. vs 7-8 1. Christians must be patient until our Lord comes. v 7, Rev. 2:10 2. Saints should be patient for our Lord's return. v 8, Romans 13:11 B. These are the reasons for our patience. v 9 1. An unfaithful Christian will be condemned. v 2, 2 Cor. 5:10 2. Each disciple will be judged. Acts 17:30-31 C. These are the motivations for our patience. v 10 1. There is power in the examples of suffering. Heb. 11:32-40 2. There is influence in the examples of patience. 2 Tim. 4:6-8 D. These are the effects of patience. v 11 1. Our patience brings happiness. James 1:12 2. Our patience produces Divine compassion. 1 Peter 5:10

III. THE NATURE OF SPEECH: V 12

A. A Christian should not use profanity. B. A disciple must speak the truth.

IV. THE POWER OF OUR PRAYERS: VS 13-20

A. These are the privileges of our prayers. vs 13-14 1. Saints can pray when they are afflicted. v 13, 1 Peter 5:7 2. Christians can pray when they are sick. v 14, Phil. 4:6 B. These are the reasons for our prayers. v 15 1. The physical health of a Christain can be restored. 2 John 2 2. The spiritual health of a disciple can be healed. 1 John 1:7-9 C. These are the needs for our prayers. vs 16-18 1. Christians should pray for the forgiveness of their own sins. v 16, Matt. 6:12 2. Disciples should pray for those who are lost. vs 17-20, 1 Tim. 2:1-4 a). Elijah was praying for Israel's repentance. vs 17-18, 1 Kings 17:20- 22 b). Christians should pray for the erring persons. vs 19:20, Acts 8:19-24




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