When Bad Times When Bad Times ComeCome

James 1:1-11James 1:1-11© John Stevenson, 2009

James 1:1James 1:1James, a bond-servant of God

and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad: Greetings.

James (Iakwboj)• James the brother of John and son of

Zebedee (Matthew 10:2).

• James the son of Alphaeus (Matthew 10:3).

• James the half-brother of Jesus (Galatians 1:19).

• James the son of Mary (Matthew 27:56).

• James the father of Jude (Acts 1:13).

And coming to His home town He And coming to His home town He began teaching them in their began teaching them in their synagogue, so that they became synagogue, so that they became astonished, and said, “Where did this astonished, and said, “Where did this man get this wisdom, and these man get this wisdom, and these miraculous powers? miraculous powers? 5555 Is not this the Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not His mother carpenter's son? Is not His mother called Mary, and His brothers, James called Mary, and His brothers, James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? and Joseph and Simon and Judas? 5656 And His sisters, are they not all with us? And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this man get all these Where then did this man get all these things?” (Matthew 13:54-56).things?” (Matthew 13:54-56).

For not even His brothers were For not even His brothers were believing in Him (John 7:5).believing in Him (John 7:5).

James 1:1James 1:1James, a bond-servant of God

and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad: Greetings.

Problems facing the Early New Problems facing the Early New Testament ChurchTestament Church

• Suffering & PersecutionSuffering & Persecution

• Partiality to the WealthyPartiality to the Wealthy

• A Lack of CommitmentA Lack of Commitment

• PridePride

• Strife within the ChurchStrife within the Church

• MaterialismMaterialism

James 1:2-4James 1:2-4Consider it all joy, my brethren,

when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

TrialsTrials EnduranceEndurance Perfect &Perfect &CompleteComplete

James 1:5James 1:5But if any of you lacks wisdom, let

him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

James 1:6-8James 1:6-8But he must ask in faith without

any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, 8 being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

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James 1:6-8James 1:6-8But he must ask in faith without

any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, 8 being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

They speak falsehood to one another; They speak falsehood to one another; With flattering lips and with a double With flattering lips and with a double

heart they speak. (Psalm 12:2)heart they speak. (Psalm 12:2)..

What does it mean to have a What does it mean to have a Double Soul/Heart?Double Soul/Heart?

• There is the doubt of the ability of God

• There is the doubt of the goodness of God

• There is a doubt of personal commitment

Double-Minded Man

Double-minded in his desire to have God’s

wisdom.

Single-Minded Man

Single-minded in his desire to have God’s

wisdom.

Unstable in all his ways.

Seeks the firm foundation of God’s

wisdom.

Received nothing from the Lord.

Receives wisdom from God.

Doubt hangs back. Faith steps forward.

James 1:9-10James 1:9-10But the brother of humble

circumstances is to glory in his high position; 10 and the rich man is to glory in his humiliation, because like flowering grass he will pass away.

James 1:11James 1:11For the sun rises with a scorching

wind and withers the grass; and its flower falls off and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed; so too the rich man in the midst of his pursuits will fade away.

A voice says, “Call out.”A voice says, “Call out.”Then he answered, “What shall I call Then he answered, “What shall I call out?” out?” All flesh is grass, and all its loveliness All flesh is grass, and all its loveliness is like the flower of the field. is like the flower of the field. 77 The grass withers, the flower fades, The grass withers, the flower fades, When the breath of the LORD blows When the breath of the LORD blows upon it; upon it; Surely the people are grass. Surely the people are grass. 88 The grass withers, the flower fades, The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands But the word of our God stands forever.forever. (Isaiah 40:6-9)Isaiah 40:6-9)