Real Life - Part I

“Real Life - Part I”                                                       August 26th, 2012 James 1:1-8   From: ·         James, the brother of Jesus, wrote this letter (epistle). (James 1:1) o   Leader of the church in Jerusalem o   Martyred in A.D. 62 o   Wrote this letter in A.D. mid 40’s. To:  ·         This letter was written to the Jewish Christians scattered beyond Jerusalem.  (James 1:1) o   Old Testament Dispersion:  Captivity and Exile o   New Testament Dispersion:  Persecution Re: ·         It’s a revealing letter. o   God uses real life issues to reveal real faith. ·         It’s a practical letter. o   Practical wisdom on how to navigate wisely through real life. ·         It is a challenging letter. o   There are over 50 calls to obedience to live out real faith in real life.   Practical Truths About Real Life . . .   1.  Real life demands a real choice. (James 1:1)       “a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ . . .” ·         Bondservant:  one who gives himself up wholly to another’s will; not forced, but willingly.         Truth Statement:  Who or what I serve will influence how I live out my life.   2.      Real life involves real struggles. (James 1:2-4) ·         Trials are a part of real life. “ . . . when you meet (encounter; face) trials of various kinds . . .” (v.2)   ·         Trials will test the genuineness or maturity of my faith. (v.3) “ . . . for you know that the testing of your faith produces steafastness.”   ·         Trials are purposeful in maturing me spiritually so that I become more like Christ. (v.2, 4) “And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (Philippians 1:6; Matthew 5:48)  “Count (Consider) it all joy . . .”   Truth Statement:  As a bondservant of Christ He is our greatest joy and the gospel is our greatest aim.   3.      Real life needs real wisdom. (v.5-8) ·         Ask in faith and God will give generously. ·         Doubt God and you will be unstable, receiving nothing from God. o   Doubting is when I ask God and then run ahead to try and resolve the issue; or when I give up on God because His timing isn’t my timing.   Truth Statement:  When I encounter the trials of real life, God’s wisdom is what I need most. Making it Practical . . .  What are some of the trials you are currently going through? ·           What are some of the ways you could respond? ·           What are the ramifications that would result with each of the responses you listed? ·           Based on God’s word and the leading of His Spirit, what is the obedient thing to do that reveals God’s wisdom?