 Good morning, everyone. Welcome to today's session on New Testament survey, BC103. Today we would be studying on the letter to James, sorry, the episode of James. Before we could begin with our session, can I request one of us to lead us in prayer? Anyone? Father, we want to thank you for this time Lord. We submit ourselves into your mighty presence, Lord, as we learn today. We pray to God that you would open the eyes of our understanding and help us to know more about your word, about you. We also submit ourselves into your hands of God. We pray that you would anoint her to deliver your word towards Lord Jesus. We thank you. We submit us once again. Amen. Thank you so much. Thank you, John. Okay, so today we're going to study on the book of James, which is the book of practical Christianity. It is also known as the book of practical Christianity. And the summary of this book goes like this, where unbelievers now a pillar of the church who are very pious, devote, he was actually an unbeliever. He never believed Jesus because maybe many reasons related to that. But then now he's become the pillar in the Jerusalem church and he's become very pious. He's become a devote man and he's a man of good character. And truly he lived the doctrine that he preached. So he writes to the Jewish Christians who are scattered among the nations because of persecution. He's trying to encourage them during this time of suffering. And he also addresses various issues related to faith. We also see that this letter is written between the time period of 41 to 50 AD probably from the Jerusalem church. So this letter is like a sermon note on various tropics and this practical rather than doctrinal. Yes, it also surprised me knowing that just five chapters, but so much to learn from this book. So the main theme that we see in this letter is the practical religion. Manifesting itself in good works contrasted with profession of profession of faith. So before we could move ahead, let us know the person, the author of this book. Who is he? Who is James? So the name James is the English form of the word Jacob. So in Greek it means Jacobos. So this name is to be, this name is to be from, you know, distinguished from the other men by the name of James in the New Testament. So there are different James. So one of the James was the James the son of Zebedee or James the great where we read in Matthew chapter 421. In today's session, I would request all of us to take turn and read. Okay, so I would request please keep please turn to the episode of James in your Bible so that we all can take turns to read the scripture so that we can understand better and we can actively participate in the class. Okay, so we are talking about the different James from the Bible. We have one James the son of Zebedee or James the great. And then the second person was James the son of Alpheus or James the less where we read about him and Mark chapter 15. And the third is James the son of Mary and Joseph, the half brother of Jesus. He is sometime referred to as James the just in historical literature and we are going to study about this James. And he is the author of this letter. And he was most likely the eldest son of Mary and Joseph and the brother of Jesus. So how do we know that? Can I request one of us to please turn to Matthew chapter 13 verse 55 to 56. Matthew chapter 13. Matthew chapter 13 verses 55. Isn't this the carpenter's son? Isn't this the mother's name Mary and aunt his brother brother James, Joseph, Simon and Judas aren't all. Okay, that's it. Thanks. Thanks. Just to relate the scripture and can one of us also turn to Mark chapter 6 verse 3. Mark 6. Chapter 6 verse 3. Mark chapter 6 verses 3. Isn't this the carpenter? Isn't his mother's son and brothers of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon. Yes, thank you. There's also another verse in Galatians chapter 1 verse 19. It reads like this, but I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord's brother. Okay, so there are different scriptures confirming that James was the half brother of Jesus. We also see the other siblings name listed here. Who are those? Some of the version says his name was Joseph, possibly named as Joseph as what even Sid read from his translation. The other brothers named as Simon, Judas. We also see that the writer of Book of Jude and then unnamed sisters are a bit listed and he was not numbered among the 12 apostles of the Lamb. And he did travel with Jesus on various occasions with his other brothers. We see that in many of the Gospels or in the Gospel of John where it clearly says that, you know, he traveled. So he and his brothers were not totally convinced about Jesus calling and mission in the early days of Jesus' ministry. Like if I could request one of us to turn to John chapter 7 verse 3 to 5. John chapter 7 verses 3 to 5. Yeah. Vicious brother said to him, you ought to leave here and go to Judea so that your disciples may see the miracle you do. 3 to 5. Okay. No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world for these things for even his own brothers did not believe in him. Therefore. That's it. Thank you so much. So what we see here is even his brothers were not convinced totally with the calling of Jesus. They didn't believe the ministry of Jesus initial of the days. And later we see that he was James. He was attentive to the teaching of Jesus, which is reflected in his knowledge of the sermon on the Mount. And we also see in John chapter 19 verse 25 to 27. John chapter gospel of John chapter 19 verse 25 to 27. Anyone have turned to it can read. Ma'am, it's chapter 9 or 19. Sorry, chapter 19 verse 25 to 27. Thanks for correcting. John chapter 19 verses 25 near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary, the wife of clopas and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there and the disciples whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, Dear woman, here is your son and to the disciple. Here is your mother from that time on the disciples took her into his home. Thank you. So what we see here is though he received Jesus teaching later part, but he was absent at the cross at the time of Jesus Crucification. So James was not present near the cross and he was one of the first to receive the message of Christ resurrection. Can I request one of us to please turn to John chapter 20 gospel of John chapter 20 verse 17. Jafina, can you also turn? I request you to turn to 1 Corinthians chapter 15 verse 5 to 7. If anyone have turned to John chapter 20 verse 17, you can start. John 20 17. Yes. Jesus said to her, Do not cling to me for I have not yet ascended to my father, but go to my brethren and say today. I am ascending to my father and your and your father and to my God and your God. Amen. Thank you. So what we see here is he was one of the first to receive the message of Christ resurrection. And can I also request one of you all to turn to 1 Corinthians 15 5 to 7. Jafina, if you have turned to, can I request you to read? Okay. If anyone else have turned. 1 Corinthians chapter 15 verses 5 to 7. And that he appeared to Peter and then to the 12. After that, he appeared to more than 500 of the brothers at the same time. Most of whom are still living though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles at last he appeared to me and asked to abnormally born. Yeah, thanks. Thanks. So what we see here is yet personal encounter. We see that James had a personal encounter with the risen Christ sometime later. We also see that in Acts chapter 1 verse 14 that he was in the upper room in, you know, waiting for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. We also see in the book of Galatians chapter 1 verse 18 to 19. We see that he was referred to by Paul as an apostle. And later in the book of Acts, we see that he eventually ascended to the senior leadership position in the Jerusalem church and he was a senior pastor, senior leader in the Jerusalem church. And he was instrumental in writing the degree sent out and let us form to the Gentile churches from Jerusalem Council. We also see that in book of James chapter 1 verse 1, it reads like this. James born servant of God and of Lord Jesus Christ to the 12 tribes which are scattered abroad greetings. So what we see here is that he achieved the high status of that of a born servant of Jesus Christ. Look at the understanding, the revelation that he started to have in Jesus. The one who did not believe in him in initial of his days or when Jesus was alive. But later part, you know, he started believing, he started having a personal encounter with Jesus. No more he related Jesus as his brother, but then he started relating as the son of God. And we also see that the tradition suggests that he died as a martyr at the hand of the Jews. So what is the background of this book? Where the audience of this book to whom was this letter addressed to anyone from the class would you like to share? Where the audience, I'm sorry, there's some sound coming from outside. There's some carpenter work happening around. So we see the audience here is James identifies the audience has been the 12 tribes which we just read was scattered abroad, just like the Jacob of the Old Testament add a word for his 12 natural sons. The New Testament Jacob will have a word for the spiritual Israel of God. So some have suggested that he was writing to the natural Israelites of the of the people will live there. However, when we study the content of the book, there is no question that he was not writing to the unbelievers but then to the believers. He is most likely writing to the spiritual Israel of God. He is writing to the believers in the Gentile regions. Most specifically, he could have been writing to the members of his own congregation who had moved away from Jerusalem, or had been dispersed through various persecution that had occurred in the Jerusalem. So on what occasion he is addressing little has been known about the reason why James wrote this book except that at the pastor he was concerned caring for those who were caring for those under his spiritual influence, whether they were local or abroad. So from the date of writing, as I said, it was between 41 to 50 AD. And most scholars place this writing of this book was a spread of the gospel to the Gentile world. And what was the main message or we see the central message of this book is the book of James is that Christianity cannot be just a confession of lips. It cannot be based on statement of faith alone, but then Christianity must be authenticated by the way we live our lives. So James is just not only telling to the people who lived in those, I mean, in his time, but then it also applies to us. This letter is more alive to us, asking us just not to live our life with any confession of our lips, but then make it a living, make it a lifestyle. So we also see through this letter, James is emphasizing the practical nature of Christianity and the necessary connection between faith and works. So this is also seen in James writings where when we turn to James chapter one, can I request all of us to turn to James chapter one verse 27. Can I request one of you to read James chapter one verse 20. Okay, maybe we can read from 26 to 27. If anyone among you thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue, but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless. Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this, to visit orphans and widows in their trouble and to keep oneself unsported from the world. Yeah, thank you. So what we see here, we see that in this section James deals with a self deception that can occur when we think that we know the truth. And, you know, and it is the same thing that as practicing the truth, we need to apply it in our life and we have to do more than just the talk talk, but a religion must reach the practical side of our life. It must become a lifestyle. And he also says in James chapter 417 he says, therefore to him who knows to do good and does not do it to him, it is sin. Very clearly he says to him who knows to do good and does not do it to him, it is sin. You also goes further, can I request you all to turn to chapter 2 verse 20 to 21. James chapter 2 verse 20 to 21. Verse 20, but do you want to know O foolish man that faith without works is dead was not Abraham or father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar. Thank you. Thank you, John. What we see in this action James is making it clear that faith is just not enough. One must authenticate their faith with action. So it must correspond into action is confession and his work should go along. So James almost seems to be saying the opposite of Paul writing or is it so? Is he saying something opposite to what Paul said? No. No, it is the same. In Romans, we see that Romans chapter 4 verse 2 to 3, we see that for if Abraham was justified by works, he was something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the scripture say? Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him for righteousness. We also read in the Gospel of John verse 8. Sorry, chapter 8 verse 39, they answered and said to him, Abraham is a father. Jesus said to them, if you were Abraham's children, you would do the works of Abraham. So here we're seeing that all the apostles also emphasizing on faith should go along with works. It should not just be the profession of only lips, but it should correspond to our action. Can I request one of us to turn James chapter 2 verse 14? Verse 14, what does it profit my brethren if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? Yeah, we like to compare this scripture with 2 Timothy chapter 1 verse 9 and the other person turned to Ephesians chapter 2 verse 8 to 9. If one of us have turned to 2 Timothy chapter 1 verse 9, 2 Timothy. Brother Isaac, would you like to turn to Ephesians chapter 2 verse 8 to 9 and also your others? Yeah. 2 Timothy chapter 1 verse 9, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, but not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ's thesis before time began. Amen. Anyone else after on Ephesians chapter 2 verse 8 to 9? For it is by grace you have been saved through faith and this is not from yourselves. It is the gift of God not by works so that no one can boast. Amen. So in all these scriptures we see that they go hand in hand and it also emphasizes that don't look at only your works, but give glory to God. Yes, we need to have faith. It has to correspond with the action, but in everything glorify God in it so that we don't boast with our own work. But then it is the grace of God who enables us to do it. We cannot do anything with our own effort, but it is only through grace of God. So at all areas give glory to God and faith is something that we receive from God and we apply it in action. We also see that the same teaching, whatever Paul has taught is what even James has been teaching. They all teach the same doctrine, same words, same gospel they preach. So what is the unique feature of this letter? James as a pastoral concern. So there is no question that James is a pastor, but he sees and addresses all of the issues that pastors have to face every day when he was working with people who are not living a victorious life or not living as a matured believer. So he is addressing certain issues in this letter concerning the practical side and he is also addressing them and he's concerned about them and he would like to correct them. And you know, he wants to see them grow matured just like how Paul had this passion to the people in the places where he planted the church. So we see Paul, sorry, James addressing on certain issues in this letter like how to handle the temptation or handling the riches, hearing and doing it so important. You know, we shouldn't just be the person of just talks but then we need to apply it in action and he also talks about dealing with prejudice or faith and works. Especially he also talks about taming the tongue and how important it is to walk in wisdom. And he also talks about dealing with carnality or cultivating patients are so important in the ministry. We also see James knowledge of the sermon on the mount where he talks about, you know, the whole book of James deals with the application of the sermon on the mount to the local church setting like we see three points the addresses under most is God laid out the laws for the children of Israel and God's covenant of people of the Old Testament on Mount Sinai. He also addresses about Jesus. God laid out the law of the kingdom relating to the New Testament on the sermon on the mount. And he also says, James is saying God laid out how the laws of the kingdom apply to the church, the spiritual Israel of God. He also address about the temptation issues in this letter. So he gives us a clear presentation of the process of temptation found in the Bible. And also with the view to help the believers how we can overcome. So he's talking about man has been tempted. He shares about in the book of Genesis, how he was tempted and later how David was tempted by seeing the women. And also he addresses about Arkhan in the book of Joshua, how he was tempted looking at the spoils at a war. And he also wants about being enticed by our own lust. So he again shares the three example about Eve, David and Arkhan like combined with the desires within. It can arouse sexual arousal or, you know, being tempted when the eyes for the things that you desire. So he is warning on different areas where if when we are tempted when we allow the temptation, how it can, you know, create a desire. And this desire that when we allow it, it gets conceived in our heart. And once it is conceived, how it, you know, how it relates us with an action. It gives birth to sin or action leads to sin and and then the sin has been accomplished when we allow it. So at the first part itself, like how Paul says when, when we are tempted at the very start itself, when we rebuke it, try to overcome at the first place itself. So we will not be, we will not be led into sin. Okay, so he's just warning and he's giving us an idea how when we allow how a simple temptation can lead to sin. Okay, and he also talks about the heroes of the Old Testament. So who are there? He talks about Abraham because he was a man who verified his faith by his works. We also see James talk about Isaac, how Abraham prepared him as a sacrifice and it was an ultimate example of work verifying with faith. You also see James addresses, Rahab as seen as someone who demonstrated her faith by her action which resulted in her salvation. We also see James talk about Job is seen as a man of perseverance through suffering. We also see Elijah, he addresses Elijah as a man who knew how to pray and believe God for the impossible. And you're, James is encouraging us to be like Abraham, to be like Rahab despite our past or be like Job in midst of suffering and be like Elijah a man of prayer and then trust God, believe him for the impossibilities. Yes, it is a greater revelation or a reminder for each of us how we can stir this faith within us. As Paul writes in Romans, faith comes by hearing and hearing the word of God. The more and more we hear, that's one of the reason why continuously we see the disciples emphasize on the work of God. They remind us from the Old Testament how God was faithful, what God can do in different situations. So this is one of the things like how faith can be generated by hearing and hearing the word of God. So the more and more we hear about God, the impossibilities that God could do in each one's life. We can apply it in our own life, in our own situation, because we serve a God who is living. We serve the God who desires to minister to each one of us personally. And we also should know that he is a living God and who is living inside of each one of us. And here we go back to the book of James where he describes a description of the tongue, where every pastor should know that the greatest enemy of the local church is disunity. And you also talk about the greatest cause for disunity is the misuse of the tongue. And here we see in this letter that James describes the power that the tongue can have for both good and evil. I'm talking about chapter 3 verse 1 to 12 in the book of James where the tongue is like, he compares it, it is like the bit in the horse mouth. Yes, it is a small thing but it can control a large animal. And he also says that tongue is like a rudder on a large ship. It is very small by comparison but it can control the directions of the entire ship. He also goes further and he says that tongue is a spark of fire. It may seems insignificant but then we know it has the potential to destroy the entire forest. You also says the tongue is more difficult for man to tame than the wild animal. You know why? Because it could do something within himself. So it's not impossible but then with God all things are possible. We also see the tongue can be just like the venom of a snake. That when injected it can kill its prey. James is also talking about the tongue which is like a spring of water. When it is pure it produces life but when it is tainted it brings forth death. It is so very important. Isn't it awakening to us what he is talking about? When it is pure it produces life. We are life giving people. We are to encourage. We are to empower people. We are here to build people. Let our tongue be pure. Because when it is pure it can produce life. We also see the book of Proverbs 18 to 21. It says death and life is in the power of your... Can anyone complete that verse? So you shall have what you say. You shall bear the fruit of what you produce out of your mouth. It is very very important. So James is not saying something new. He is just emphasizing the scriptures again and again so that you know we realize we are ministered. We can correct. We can empower ourselves as a leader. He is the leader of the Jerusalem church. He is giving us the importance as a leader what we need to do. He also goes further and he says that tongue is like a fruit tree or a wine from which people can eat. It can be a tree of life or of death. Again emphasizing on Proverbs 18 to 21. The power of tongue. We should be like this. We should have a tongue that is pure that can produce life. We should have a tongue that can bear good fruit which can also be contagious and which has the power to multiply. 130, 60. Can we tame ourselves to have a tongue that is pure which can bring life? And also this book. A learning from this book should be the faith which corresponds with action. Even during the time of trials. Or even when we have been treated poor. Even when we have been looked down by others. I'm sure James been the leader in the Jerusalem church. It is very nice for us to call him that way. James being the leader of the Jerusalem church. He was the main person in the council. But then we should also know the other side of you know the persecution that you would have faced from the Jewish people or from the other leaders around him. But he is saying in midst of that hold on to your faith. Let faith produce action. So what we speak here is look up to God. Trust Him in all situations. Just like the other disciples like Paul, Peter. You know, he is asking us to hold on to Jesus. In times of trial look up to him. And he was the man who was martyred. Even if he did not give up on his faith. Even till his death. Just like Paul and other disciples. So today when we study this letter. Can we look how well do our action reflect the faith we proclaim in our life? Is our faith is corresponding to the action? Is our tongue been tamed? Are we having, are we like the spring of water? Are we like the life giving fruit? Are we bearing good fruit? We need to look. And right now I keep the session open. If there's anyone in our class would like to add, share. Please feel free to unmute and you know, share your learning. Or is there something that you would like to add to this letter? Please feel free so that we all could learn together. I think it's interesting to see how James brings all Tasman characters as we mentioned. Including Job and also Elijah. How they operated in faith. And how we can make them as an example. And to practice that faith in our lives. I think it's quite interesting as we mentioned in the class. Yes, yes. Thank you. Thank you, John. Brother Abu Bakr, you would like to add. Brother Isaac, Zelle, Brother Subashish, Anita. Anyone. What was your learning or is there anything that you would like to add to this letter so we all can learn together. There's so much more to speak. But then I just prepared the class for 15 minutes. What we could, the important points that we could discuss, learn from this letter together. Okay, I see complete silence. So I understand that it's clear and we can. Yes, yes, brother. Please go ahead. I wanted to add something, one about his death, about the death of James. And about the works being talked about here. Number one, about death. He was put on the same pinnacle where the devil put Jesus Christ. And he was pushed off that pinnacle of Jerusalem and he did not die. They tried to stone him, still he didn't die. And somebody out of Petimasi put a club on his, on his head and he breathed his last. But when he was looking at his dead body, they found that his knees had been marked. They were, they were more like the legs of a horse. That means that he was always on his knees. He, he lived most of his life on his knees, most of his time. So, and the reason they called him, they called him just James the Just. Because he was a very honest man, whenever your case would reach him, he would always give the best opinion as far as scripture and what he was concerned. Number two, about his works, about the works being mentioned here. We might be confused with what Paul says in Romans that it is by faith alone, but not works. We don't hear what they talk about the faith. I mean, the works that Christians need to do are the acts of compassion, being kind to each other, welcoming. Just as Jesus Christ said that if you come to me and you say, Lord, Lord, how did I mistreat you, what and what. It really means that, formally, the works were on Tuanu's body, whereby you needed to be circumcised, you needed to keep the sabbaths, you needed. But after the cross, the acts of compassion, the acts of, those acts of compassion you do to others, because it's not on to yourself only, much as you have to live a just life, but you also have to do most of what you do for others, just as Christ also died for us on the cross. That's what I have to say, Tisha. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Brother Lubega. You briefed about certain very important points, like about his death. And also one of the character of James, which was very well known, is about, you know, he was also nicknamed saying that the old camel knees because of the clauses that he had developed while kneeling and prayer. So he was known as a man of prayer where he used to kneel and pray and he developed that clause and he was nicknamed as old camel knees. Yeah. Anyone else would like to add? Thank you, Brother Lubega. Anyone else would like to add? So we all are very clear on this letter. Let's emphasize certain things from this letter is to be a man of just, to be a man of prayer. It is good for us to pray on knees. Somewhere I read like the knee mails are answered, you know, fervently. So the mails are good, good to kneel and pray and seek God and yes, faith with actions is very important. Let's, let's stay my tongue, let our words be pleasing, let our words be gentle, let our words bear fruit, let it be like a fruit bearing tree. Let it encourage and build others so our words should be to build others. Okay, because we are the ambassador of Christ, we reflect him in our life and what is within you is what comes out. So within us is God, so his words, his nature, his character should reflect in and through us. So with that, we will end this session. Can I request one of us to please dismiss us in a word of prayer? As we studied, can I request Zelle if you can pray? Sure, Pastor. Let's pray. Father God, I want to thank you so much for this wonderful session, learning from the book of James, Lord. Whatever particular lessons that we have learned, Holy Spirit, you enable us so that Lord, you will enable us to live a victorious Christian life. Lord, taming our tongue and also doing the works of Jesus and working by faith and also Lord, help us Lord. Oh, hallelujah, Father, you bless each one of us and also bless our pastor who taught us this morning, Lord. Bless our pastor, bless each one of us, Lord. And Holy Spirit, continue to guide us, lead us throughout the day, Lord. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Thank you. Thank you so much. Amen. Amen. Thank you, Zelle, for praying and thank you each one for joining into our session. God bless our great week. See you all next session, next Monday. Thank you. God bless.