James- An Apostle of Zeal

8/10/2019 James- An Apostle of Zeal

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James the Greater: An Apostle of Zeal

Power-Point Presentation

Setting: Middle Adults Class

Length of Delivery: 40 minutes for each lesson

Name of Student: David W. Tack

Student ID: 713154

Class: NBST 521Instructors Name: Dr. Rodney Woo

Date Submitted: 10/2/2010


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Character Study on

James the Greater

An Apostle of Zeal


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Lesson 1

The Three James


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IntroductionThe name James appears frequently in the gospel

narratives. There are three separate James mentioned

amidst the early church in Jerusalem: James the greater;

James the less; and James the righteous. Correct

interpretation of which James is being mentioned is vital.


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I. James the Greater

A. James Family

1. Father: Zebedee

2. Mother: Salome

3. His Younger Brother: Apostle John


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I. James the GreaterA. Character of John the greater

1. His name: James

2. His Occupation: Fisherman from Galilee

3. His Personality: Boisterous


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II. James The LessA. Family Identifiers

1. Son of Alphaeus

B. Three brothers

1. Matthew

2. Joses

3. Simeon


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III. James the RighteousA. Family Identifiers

1. The Son of Joseph and Mary

B. Important Milestones

1. Author: Book of James

2. First Bishop of Jerusalem

3. Leader of Jewish Wing Christianity

4. Death of a Martyr


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ConclusionThe (3) three James are intertwined throughout the gospel

accounts. Each James played a crucial role during the early

church era.

Point: It is essential for todays disciple of God to rightly

divide the word of truth to prevent misinterpretations

(II Tim. 2:15; II Tim. 3:16).


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Lesson 2

James: A Fisherman with a New

Occupation


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IntroductionThe twelve apostles were chosen by Jesus. Prominent figures

included (2) sets of brothers: Andrew/Peter and James/John.

Their occupation was fisherman by trade. Jesus calling

required them: to forsake their old lives and to follow Him.

The new purpose of James and the other apostles was: to

become fishers of men.


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James: A Fisherman with a New OccupationOverview

I. Calling the Disciples

II. A Call That Involved: ImmediacyIII. The Ordination (appointment)- Involved

Action

IV.James and John: Jesus Reference as: Sonsof Thunder


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James: A Fisherman with a new occupation

I. Calling the Disciples

A. Rugged, common men- tasking: gospel

proclamation to Jerusalem--- world.

1. David Wheeler puts it like this: If you want to

catch fish you first got to fish in stocked ponds.


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The apostles, who were called toservice, would begin to understand

the discipleship call would be at a

cost. Servanthood, involvesforsaking the familiar and following

a new and less known pathway.


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II. The Call Involved: Immediacy (Matt. 4:22)

A. Leaving ship (livelihood)

B. Leaving father (family)


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This call involved forsaking and

following. Next, the appointment

will involve communion,

expansion, and labor.


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III. The Ordination (Appointment) Involved

Action (Matt. 10:1-4)A. Time Frame: Prior to Sermon on the Mount

B. Purpose: One of Action (Mark 3:14)

1. Action of communion: to be with Him

2. Action of expansion: to send forth3. Action of labor: to preach


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IV. James and John: Jesus called them Sons of

Thunder

A. Why the Name?

1. Positive Possibility: zealousness harnessed

2. Negative Possibility: zealousness unharnessed


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Point: God is able to use all

temperaments. We are to be indwelt and

empowered with the Holy Spirit.

Furthermore, we must be surrendered to

Gods will.


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ConclusionToday we are: called by Christ; required to forsake and

follow Him; and were ordained (appointed) for God purpose.

Endued with the Holy Spirit the apostles shook the world;walked worthy of their vocations; and were ambassadors for

Christ.

Point: These things still apply to todays churches andChristians.


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Lesson 3

James: A Part of the Inner Circle


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IntroductionThere were many followers of Jesus; yet, there were only three

inner circle apostles: Peter, James and John. The inner circle

apostles were selected by Christ, to witness important events;

more specifically, to be eyewitnesses of three monumental

events: the Transfiguration; the raising of Jairus daughter; and

Jesus prayer in Gethsemane.


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James: A Part of the Inner CircleOverview

I. Three Monumental Events

II. Other Important Events Including James


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James: A Part of the Inner CircleI. Three Monumental Events

A. First Event: The Transfiguration

1. Divinity of Jesus is demonstrated

B. Second Event: The Raising of Jairus

Daughter

1. Power over death is stressed

C. Third Event: Prayer in Gethsemane

1. Humanity of Jesus is demonstrated


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Not only was James the Greater one of the inner

circle apostles who was privy to the three

monumental events; but, James is listed in other

important biblical accounts. These other important

accounts include: seats of honor request; and,

questioning Jesus regarding the signs of His return.


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James: A Part of the Inner Circle

II. Other Important Events Including James

A. James and John Honor Seats Request

B. Second Event: Signs of Christs Return


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MacArthur characterizes James as one who wanted a crown

of glory; Jesus gave him a cup of suffering. He wanted

power; Jesus gave him servanthood. He wanted a place of

prominence; Jesus gave him a martyrs grave. He wanted to

rule; Jesus gave him a swordnot to wield, but to be an

instrument of his own execution

MacArthur, John. Twelve Ordinary Men (Nashville, TN:

Thomas Nelson. 2002) 91.


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Lesson 4

James: After Calvary


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IntroductionJames: one of Gods inner circle disciples is mentioned

very little after Calvary. The amount of space given to James

martyrdom (1 passage), who was such an important character;

in comparison to Stephens who was a simple deacon is

astounding. What we know is: James did remain active in

ministry, maybe in Spain and definitely upon his return to

Jerusalem. James was first apostle to be martyred and is the

only apostolic martyr mentioned in Scripture.


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James: After CalvaryOverview

I. What Do We Know: Regarding James

After Calvary

II. Events/Persons Surrounding the Death of

James the Greater (Acts 12:1-3)

Though information about James during the time frame between Pentecost and his death is sparse; the witness of James true to his brash Sons of T


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I. What Do We Know: Regarding James

After Calvary

A. James Was Present at Pentecost (Acts 1:13)

Though information about James during the time frame between Pentecost and his death is sparse; the witness of James, true to his brash Sons of T


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II. Events/Persons Surrounding Death of

James the Greater (Acts 12:1-3)

Herod Agrippa I

Herod Antipas


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II. Events/Persons Surrounding Death of James

the Greater (Acts 12:1-3)

A. Historical Data Surrounding James Death

1. Herod Agrippa I

a. A mixed Jew, trying to please Jews and Romans

i. Grandmother was a Hasmonean princess

ii. Pro-Pharisee

iii. Nephew of Herod Antipas

iv. Herod Antipas- Killed John the Baptist- Put Jesus on trial


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A. Historical Data Surrounding James Death1. Herod Agrippa I (cont.)

b. Ordered Peters imprisonment

i. Motive: to please the Jews (Acts 12:3-4a)

ii. Peters miraculous escape (Acts 12:7-10)iii. Guards executed (Acts 12:19)

iv. Herod Agrippa I relocates from Judea to Caesarea (Acts

12:19)


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Point of Consideration

Gods Sovereign ways

James to martyrdom

Peter to freedom.


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B. Death of Herod Agrippa I (Acts 12:23)1. An act of God

a) Eaten by worms

C. Method of James Execution

1. With a Sword: Beheadinga. Considered less cruel and more merciful than crucifixion


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Conclusion

We know little of what James did between Calvary and his

death. James was condemned to death while Peter was

miraculously delivered. Though despised by the

Judaist/Hellenistic Herod Agrippa I, James certainly remained

true to his character and faith until the very end.

Point: What an example for you and I! (I Co. 15:58)


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Lessons learned

Lesson 1

It is essential for todays disciple of God to rightly divide the

word of truth to prevent misinterpretations (II Tim. 2:15; II

Tim. 3:16).

Lesson 2

Today we are: called by Christ; required to forsake and

follow Him; and were ordained (appointed) for God purpose.

(Matt. 4:19-22)


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Lessons learned

Lesson 3

We have accounts of countless miracles; and the astounding

power of Jesus (the Holy Spirit) embodied in flesh. In a Spiritual

sense we are still required to commune with our God, to walk and

talk with Jesus and to learn from the Holy Spirit.

Lesson 4

Though despised by the Judaist/Hellenistic Herod Agrippa I,James certainly remained true to his character and faith until the

very end. Point: What an example for you and I! (I Cor. 15:58)

James- An Apostle of Zeal

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