An OverviewAn Overview

Speaker: Doug Humphrey Senior PastorSpeaker: Doug Humphrey Senior Pastor

1.Who was James?

2.To whom did James write?

3.What makes the book of James unique?

4.What is the message of this book?

Who was James?Who was James?

1. James, the son of Zebedee

2. James, the son of Alphaeus

3. James, the father of Judas the Apostle

4. James, Jesus’ brother

54 He came to His hometown and began teaching them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?55 “Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary, and His brothers, James and Joseph and Simon and Judas?

56 And His sisters, are they not with us?...

Matthew 13

• Matthew 13:54-56

• Mark 3:31-35

• Luke 8:19-21

• John 2:12

Jesus Had Siblings!Jesus Had Siblings!

24 And Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife,25 but kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus.

Matthew 1

7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Luke 2

The Biblical Record is Clear

Jesus had at least four half-brothers, and at least two half-sisters!

An OverviewAn Overview

Speaker: Doug Humphrey Senior PastorSpeaker: Doug Humphrey Senior Pastor

2 Now the feast of the Jews, the Feast of Booths, was near.3 Therefore His brothers said to Him, “Leave here and go into Judea, so that Your disciples also may see Your works which You are doing.4 “For no one does anything in secret when he himself seeks to be known publicly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world.”5 For not even His brothers were believing in Him.

John 7John 7

20 And He came home, and the crowd gathered again, to such an extent that they could not even eat a meal.21 When His own people heard of this, they went out to take custody of Him; for they were saying, “He has lost His senses.”

Mark 3Mark 3

3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,5 and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.

1 Corinthians 151 Corinthians 15

6 After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some brethren at one have fallen asleep;7 then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles;

1 Corinthians 151 Corinthians 15

An OverviewAn Overview

Speaker: Doug Humphrey Senior PastorSpeaker: Doug Humphrey Senior Pastor

To Whom Did James Write?To Whom Did James Write?

Persecuted Jewish Christians scattered throughout the Roman empire

What Makes This Book Unique?What Makes This Book Unique?

1. It is the first N.T. book written

2. Its focus on personal application

What is the Message of the Book?What is the Message of the Book?

Faith in God should result in behavior that is in harmony with God's will.

1. The life of faith is a life of peril.

Two AffirmationsTwo Affirmations

• We must challenge the spirit of the world.

• We must deny the lusts of the flesh.

• We must resist the devil.

With Regard to The World says:

The Flesh says:

The Devil says:

Trials (Ch. 1)

Avoid them Indulge yourself

God hates you

Favoritism (Ch. 2)

Favor those who can help you.

Love yourself. God is withholding something from you.

Speech (Ch. 3)

Promote yourself

Glorify yourself.

God has abandoned you.

Conflicts(Ch. 4)

Demand your rights

Assert yourself God will not defend you

Money (Ch. 5)

Grab all you can get

Serve yourself God will not provide for you

2. The life of faith is a life of power.

Two AffirmationsTwo Affirmations

• It is superior to the spirit of the world.

• It is stronger than the lusts of the flesh.

• It is stubborn against the attacks of the devil.

Home WorkHome Work

1.Read through the book of James in one sitting if possible.

2.Jot down your observations and any questions you have about the book.

3.Come back next week ready to be challenged!