“The Implanted Word”

Show Notes

SCRIPTURE: James 1:2-8 / John 16:33 / Philippians 4:7

SHOW NOTES: James encourages Jewish believers to apply action and attitude to their faith walk. He begins with a difficult topic – trials of many kinds – and he states, “Consider it joy whenever you face trials.” This attitude of joy does not come automatically because, it doesn’t feel good when we go through trials and hard times. Rather, we need to think deeply and examine our heart-felt response as we face life’s troubles. God’s purpose is to mature us and to see our faith strengthened. Tests will come, but through them, the Lord teaches us more about Himself.

For change to occur, we need to be challenged, work through some difficult days and situations, and come face to face with our shortcomings. We need the Holy Spirit’s power flowing through our hearts & minds. Lord, change our actions & attitudes. We count it joy!

Show Notes

SCRIPTURE: James 1:9-12 / Isaiah 40:6-8 / Revelation 2:10

SHOW NOTES: The book of James begins with the topic of trials and God wants us to have His perspective. “Consider it pure joy” when we face many different trials. Secondly, He tells us the only way we can have His perspective is to have His wisdom. Today, let’s look at our circumstances. Those believers who are lowly and poor have been given a high position because God lifts them up and gives them dignity and worth. In contrast, the rich person is humbled by their human frailty – the comforts and pleasures they enjoy will be last for a brief time. The person who holds on amid afflictions or temptations will grow strong in their faith and will enjoy spiritual happiness and the favor of God. God has promised the crown of life to those who remain steadfast under trials and love Him.

Show Notes

SCRIPTURE: James 1:12-18

SHOW NOTES: We want the characteristics of faith and endurance in our life, but we don’t really like the process. Right? Because we really don’t like to be uncomfortable, or inconvenienced, or experience hardship, sickness, or death. “Let endurance have its perfect result – so you may be mature, complete, lacking in nothing.”

Yet, we truly desire to be approved by God and our hope is that we would receive the reward of the crown of life. As we continue working our way through this book, James now returns to the theme of testing. He reminds us that every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from our loving heavenly Father. In the middle of the trouble, consider it all joy!

Show Notes

SCRIPTURE: James 2:1-13

SHOW NOTES: James now expands his thoughts from chapter one, verse 27 – How is a believer to treat orphans and widows in their times of distress, need, and struggle? In chapter two, he presents the issue of personal favoritism. James contrasts a rich man with fine clothes and gold to a poor man in dirty clothes. As believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, we have experienced the abundant gift of His mercy and our sins have been forgiven. We must graciously extend mercy, love, and forgiveness to other people.

Show Notes

SCRIPTURE: James 2:14-26

SHOW NOTES: As believers in Jesus Christ, our everyday actions should “match” our words of faith. The way we live out our faith each day really matters! James tells us that faith and works go “hand in hand.” Genuine faith will be lived out through deeds, and he points to charitable works or generosity. Do we visit the widow and orphans? Do we neglect the poor and show partiality to the rich? We may believe that God loves the poor but if our actions do not demonstrate our care and concern for their daily needs then our faith is not alive. In fact, our faith is dead. It is inactive, it is dormant. James writes, “You have faith and I have works. Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”

Show Notes

SCRIPTURE: James 3:1-12

SHOW NOTES: How should we live out our faith in everyday life? James is very specific in the opening verses of chapter 3. He wants us to know teachers of God’s Word will be held accountable and he reminds us that we all make mistakes. We will not be perfect, but our desire should be spiritual growth and maturity.

Now, James points to the control of our tongues. In verse 5 he writes, “So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.” When the tongue is not carefully constrained or guarded, it will get us into trouble. James takes us to the heart of our Christian walk. How do we use our tongue?