THE BOOK OF JAMES

Aaron Levering
There are two different kinds of people that James talks about in these verses. The one who merely listens to the word and the one who brings the word into action. Let’s start first with the ones who merely listen to the Word.

James 1:22-25
22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

Aaron Levering
Many in the church are guilty of approaching Jesus with pride in that they don’t want to change to be a disciple of Jesus. Rather; they want to add Jesus to a long list of other principles, life lessons and even idols. James writes that we are to humbly accept the Word of God. It is in humility that we see that Jesus is superior, His Words are superior and we get in line with Him, instead of Him getting in line with us.

James 1:21
“Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.”

Aaron Levering
In our text for today, James writes about man’s anger not bringing about the righteous life that God desires.

James 1:20
“For a man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.”

Aaron Levering
Jesus was perfect at being Quick & Slow. I often long to be able to have this ability; to know when I am to be quick and when I am to be slow. James sheds some light on this for us in James 1:19.

James 1:19
“My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.”

Aaron Levering
How is it that Fathers and Spouses seem to know the right gifts to give but at times we are too set in our ways to see them for what they are? But even the gifts that fathers and spouses give fall drastically short to the gifts God gives. James talks about this in James 1:16-18. 

James 1:16-18
“Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.”

Aaron Levering
How many temptations did William Carey endure? How many people told him to quit? In the story of the man, we can see that there were two sources of temptation causing for him to waver a bit on his dedication. What is the source of temptation? Many people will likely point the finger to God. That is until they read what James writes in James 1:13-15. 

James 1:13-15
“When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”

Aaron Levering
Jesus once shared a story about a poor man and a rich man. The poor man was named Lazarus and he was forced to beg in order to get his daily food. Can you imagine having to live off the generosity of other people for your survival? So the question comes up, why didn’t Lazarus simply get a job?

James 1:9-11
“The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business.”