 Amen. The recording is started. OK. So today, we will be covering two letters on the letter to James and letter first and second Peter. We will take the first and second hour. Request all to please turn to the letter to James. So we completed Hebrews in the last class. And this class will be starting on the letter to James. I will share the presentation. So what do we know on the book of James? In short, the letter to James is also known as the book of practical Christianity. Previously, James was an unbeliever. And now he's become the pillar of the church whose pious devote man and with an exemplary Christian character. When we look at his life, he seemed to have lived the doctrine that he preached in the letter. So this letter to James was written to the Jewish Christians who are scattered among the nation because of the persecution that was there during those days related to the faith. So he writes this letter to them. So when we look at James, in English, the word for James in Greek is called as Jacobos. So we look at the Greek. We see that his name was Jacobos, which is the Hebrew name. This James is to be notable from the other man by the name James in the New Testament. So when we read the New Testament, we will come across three James. Three James. Let me share the presentation. So this first James, whom we are going to talk about, is from the Gospel of Matthew chapter 4, verse 21. Is the James a son of Zebedee or is also known as James the Great? If any of you have turned to Matthew chapter 4, verse 21, can I request you to read? OK, please keep the scriptures ready. The other person can keep Mark 15, verse 40 to 41. So let me read Matthew 4 to 21, what it says is, going on from there, he saw two brothers, two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother in the boat with Zebedee, their father, mending their nets and they called them. So here we see James and John were the sons of Zebedee. And he was the cousin of Jesus. And this James' mother was called as Salome, who was the sister of Mary. And he was one of the three in Jesus' inner circle, like James, John and Peter. And James was also addressed as the Great or Big James, because he's mentioned far more than the other disciples among the name James. So James, who was a son of Zebedee, was the first of the twelve apostles to be martyred when he was killed by Herod, a gripper, in about approximately 44 AD, as per the Book of Acts, chapter 12. Now, as we discussed on James, and they were also known as, James and John were also known as sons of thunder. They were nicknamed by Jesus as sons of thunder. And now, next, we will talk about the James, who was the son of Alpheus. James, the son of Alpheus, is also known as James the less. If any of you have turned to Mark chapter 15, verse 40 and 41, can I request you to please read? Verse 40 to 41. Some women, they were there looking on from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary, the mother of the younger James, and of Joseph, and Salome. They had followed Jesus while he was in Galilee and helped him. Many other women who had come to Jerusalem with him were there also. Amen. Amen. Thank you. Thank you. So the scripture talks about this James, who was a son of Alpheus, or James the less. James was a son of Alpheus, and he was also numbered among the 12 disciples. He may have been related to Matthew, because even Matthew's father was Alpheus. So little is known of this man, but the tradition such as that he was also stoned by the unbelieving Jews for preaching Jesus Christ. Now, next we will come across James, who was the brother of Jesus, was the son of Mary and Joseph, and our brother of Jesus. So he is sometimes referred as James the just. That was his historical literature name. He was most likely the eldest son of Mary and Joseph, and the brother of Jesus. So he is usually addressed or listed first in any of the references. Can I request you all to please turn to Matthew chapter 13. Matthew chapter 13 verse 55 to 56. Can any of you all please read Matthew 13 1 3 verse 55 to 56. Isn't he the carpenter's son? Isn't Mary his mother, and our James, Joseph, Simeon, Simon, and Judas' brothers? Aren't all their sisters living there? Where did he get all this? No, thank you. So if you see the list of the brothers they have listed, according to their age wise. So you see the other siblings in the family include Joseph, possibly as Joseph. So it is first as James, then Joseph, Simon, and Judas. And after that, we see the unnamed sisters who have been listed. So he was not numbered among the 12 apostles of the Lamb. He was not listed among, whereas the other two James were among the 12 disciples. But this James, who was the half-brother of Jesus, was not numbered among the 12 disciples. Well, he traveled with Jesus on various occasions with his other brother. So that has been listed in the Gospel of John. Can I request all to turn to John chapter 2 verse 12? You can read 11 and 12. John chapter 2 verse 11 and 12. This beginning of science, Jesus did in Canna of Galilee and manifested his glory, and his disciples believed in him. After this, he went down to Capernaum, he, his mother, his brothers, and his disciples. And they did not stay there many days. Thank you, friend. So we see here that this family has accompanied Jesus on various occasions with the other disciples. And later, we also see that James and his brothers were not totally convinced about the calling and the mission that Jesus carried in his ministry. Can I request all to turn to John chapter 7 verse 3 to 5? John 7 verse 3 to 5. John chapter 7 verses 3 to 5. So Jesus' brother said to him, leave this place and go to Judea so that your followers will see the things that you are doing. No one hides what he is doing if he wants to be well known. Since you are doing these things, let the whole world know about you. Not even his brothers believed in him. You are in King James' version. We see that it says, for even his brothers did not believe in him verse 5. So even his brothers were not totally convinced about the calling and ministry that Jesus was doing in his early days. And later, we also see that James was attended to the teaching of Jesus, which is reflected in his obvious knowledge of the sermon on Mount. So many things that James addresses in this letter were from the sermon on the Mount with Jesus. We also see in John 19 verse 25 to 27, he was noticeably absent from the foot of the cross at the Jesus crucifixion because, you know, the scripture says that now they stood by the cross of Jesus, his mother, his mother's sister Mary, the wife of Clovis and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw his mother and the disciple, who he loved standing by, he said to his mother, women, behold your son. Then he said to the disciple, behold your mother. And from that are the disciple took her to his own house. Because of, you know, Jesus did this because none of his brothers were available at the cross. And he saw his beloved disciple, John, who was faithfully following Jesus even to the crucifixion, whereas even the other disciples ran away with fear. And here you see Jesus handing over his mother to the disciple, John's care, to the disciple, John's care. We also see in John chapter 20 verse 17, the James was one of the first to receive the message of Christ's resurrection. Can I request all to turn to John chapter 20 verse 17? Please. If anyone have taken, please read. Pasa, can you repeat the scripture? Good, yeah. John chapter 20 verse 17. 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 to them, I am ascending to my father and your father and to my God and your God. Thank you. So he was the one of the first to receive the message of Christ's resurrection. And later part, we also see in first Corinthians chapter 15 verse five to seven mentions that he had a personal encounter with the risen Christ. And later in the book of Acts chapter one, verse 14, can I request you all to please read? Acts chapter one verse 14. Okay, for the time constraint, I'll read. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus and with his brothers and with his brother. So what we see here is that James was also present with the 120 who were present in the upper room anticipating for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. James was also referred by Apostle Paul in the book of, in the letter to Galatians. You know, we see that he was, okay, let me turn to Galatians chapter one. You're reading the scripture so that we know that he's been part of the ministry along with the disciples. Galatians chapter one verse 18 and 19. Then three years later, I went up to Jerusalem to become acquainted with Kephas and stayed with him for 14 days. But I did not see another one of the apostles except James the Lord's brother. Thank you. Thank you, Vijay. So we see that he was referred by Apostle Paul in the scripture and he was eventually ascended to the senior leadership position in the Jerusalem church council. Can I request you all to turn to Acts chapter 12? Acts chapter 12 verse 17. And what? Seven more? So what was 17? 17, one, seven. But motioning to them with his hand to keep silent, he declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison and he said, go tell these things to James and to the brethren. And he departed and went to another place. Can I also request all to turn to Galatians chapter two verse 11 and 12. Galatians chapter two verse 11 and 12. Galatians chapter two verse 11. But when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face because he was to be blamed. For before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles. But when they came, he withdraw and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. Thank you. Thank you very much. So what we see here is we see that James grew into a senior leadership position at the Church of Jerusalem. We also see that in when we read the book of Acts chapter 15 and 16, we see that James was instrumental in writing certain degree and sent out these in the form of a letter to the Gentile churches from the Jerusalem Council. We also see that he achieved the high status of that of a born servant in Jesus Christ. When you read James chapter one, verse one, he says in James, the born servant of God and the Lord Jesus Christ. Here we see that he writes in relationship with Jesus, saying that I am a born servant of God and of Lord Jesus Christ. So his perspective on Jesus has changed by, now that was after the death and resurrection of Jesus. We also see that scholars or the tradition suggests that he died as a martyr at the hand of Jews somewhere around 62 AD. So let's look into the background of this book. When we look at the background of this book, James identifies his audience as the 12 tribes which are scattered abroad. That's what we read in James chapter one, verse one. He addresses this letter to the 12 tribes which are scattered abroad due to the Nero's persecution. The Jews, the Christian Jewish Jews were scattered. And here, James is writing a letter addressing to those people. Yeah, and he mostly writing and addressing to the spiritual Israel of God, that is those who have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior, those who have accepted Jesus as their Messiah. The occasion of this letter, when we see the occasion of this letter, why James, what was the specific reason why James wrote this letter? Except for, you know, few scholars have addressed that. He had this pastoral concern, caring for those under the spiritual influence that they were, under the spiritual influence of James. So he is addressing this letter to the Christian believers or to the Jewish Christian believers. The date of this letter seemed to be approximately 45 to 50 AD. So let's look into the main message of the book of James or the central message. What does this book talk about? It addresses certain things. Let me change the slide. The addresses. James chapter one verse 19 to 27, when we read it talks about some qualities needed during the times of trials. So in this section, we see that James deals with the self deception. Yes, the self deception that can occur when we think that the knowing the truth is the same thing as practicing the truth. We have to do more than the talk that we talk because our religion must reach into a practical side of life. Therefore, he's just trying to make a point here. When we read verse 26 and 27, I'll read it for all. 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 trouble and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. And also same chapter verse 17, he says, every good and perfect gift is from above and comes down from God, from Father of lights. No, no, sorry. James chapter 417, yeah. He says therefore to him who knows to do good and does not do it to him, it is thin. So here James is addressing on the practical side. It is so very important to the one who knows what is truth and to put it in a practical side in his life. We need to practice what he's been teaching. And also he goes to the next step in chapter two verse 14 to 26, chapter 14, sorry, chapter two verse 14 to 26, he addresses faith without work is dead. So in this passage, James makes it very clear by saying you have faith and just having faith is not enough. One must authenticate, that is one must justify their faith with action that corresponds to his or hers confession. Very important. So here we see James chapter two verse 21. He says, was not Abraham a father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar. And even in John chapter eight was 39, we see that the answer and said to him, Abraham is a father and Jesus said to him, if you were Abraham's children, you would do the works of Abraham. See again and again. So you need to work. Now, keep up the faith. What does it, James chapter two verse 14, James is making it very clear. He's asking a question to the people in the church. What does it profit my brethren? If someone says he has faith but does not have works, can faith save it? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food and one of you says to him, depart in peace, be warm and filled. But you do not give them the things which are needed for the body. What does it profit? 17 verse 17. That's also faith by itself. If it does not have work, is dead. So very importantly, he's bringing the truth. He's bringing the truth. James being the leader in the main Jerusalem church is bringing the truth to the church by saying, just faith alone is not enough. Faith need to be accompanied by the action of what you have been sharing or preaching. And then some of the unique features of the book we see. Let me bring the slide. So of the unique features that James brings it in this letter is the issues that are addressed by James now, James is being the senior pastor and he sees and addresses some of the issues that has been brought to his notice. So some of the concern that he is trying to share in this letter is about handling temptation. So James chapter one verse one to four, when we read, I'm reading from verse two onward, my brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience but let patience have its perfect work that you may be perfect and complete lacking nothing. So as a pastor of the church is addressing on how to handle temptations. Likewise, further down on the same chapter one, when we read from verse nine to 11, he's addressing on handling riches, he is talking about the perspective of the rich and poor, and he shares a perspective on how to handle riches. Same chapter verse 19 to 27, 19 to 27 talks about don't just be the hearers but be the doers of the word of God. Just don't be the hearer, also be the doer and later in chapter two as we just read talks about the faith and the importance of actions been followed with faith because faith by itself, if it does not have work is considered to be a dead faith. So faith need to be followed by the action. And in chapter three, chapter three verse one to 12, he's talking about or sharing his wisdom on how to tame the tongue, the importance of controlling one's tongue and what tongue can do because that's one of the powerful weapon that a man has, and you know, that has a power to bring a fire. In verse six, he says, the tongue is a fire, the world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body and sets on fire the course of nature and it is set on fire by hell. So he's asking, he's in a stitching, he's writing in chapter three verse eight but no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil full of deadly poison. Nine, verse nine. With it we bless the God and Father and with it we curse men who have been made in the stimulated of God. So he's saying the importance of taming the tongue because the tongue can be used to bless the Lord and the same tongue can also curse the people. How can we use this tongue for both? So we need to tame the tongue to make it a blessing. And he also further goes in chapter five verse 12, he says, but above all my brethren, do not swear either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your yes be yes and your no be no. Lest you fall into judgment. So he's saying how important our words should be. Let your words be yes to yes and no to no and do not swear on any other thing. And further in chapter three itself from verse 13 to 18, he talks about the wisdom. How important it is for us to walk in wisdom. And in chapter four verse one to 17 he is addressing some of the life's concern. How we should deal with paternity or the pride promotes strife and some of the topics we see that has been covered in chapter four is humility. Talks about being humble. Verse 10 he says, sorry, seven he says, submit to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you. And verse eight he says, draw near to God and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Verse 10 he says, humble yourself in the sight of the Lord and he will lift you up. He's addressing certain issues in the church where they are false teachers who are promoting their teachings, stirring up the people against the leaders of the church. So because this was happening, James who had grown up to be a senior pastor, the leader in the main church of Jerusalem, he's trying to command people and bring a correction in their lifestyle. And he's telling them with the wisdom of problems that has been written, he's saying, walk with wisdom, walk with humility so that the Lord may bless you and lift you in due season. Further down, he talks about, when we read, he talks about dealing with carnality and later in chapter five, verse seven to 20, he talks about how important is to be patient and perseverance. It is very important to cultivate patience. So verse eight he says, be patient, establish your hearts for the coming of the Lord is at hand. So patience is important. Yeah. Further down, he also shares about the knowledge of the sermon on the Mount. He talks about, under Moses, God laid out the law for the children of Israel so that God's covenant people of the Old Testament is on Mount Sinai. And also under Jesus, he's comparing under Jesus, God laid the laws of the kingdom relating to the New Testament on the sermon on the Mount, where he's addressing from Matthew chapter five to eight. And we also see James, God lays out how the laws of the kingdom apply to the church, which is the spiritual Israel of God. We also see James talking about the process of temptation. The process of temptation in Brains chapter one was 14 and 15, I'll read it. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. And when desire as conceived, it gives birth to sin and sin. When it is fully grown brings forth death, bring forth death. So what we see here, here James is trying to address on some of the instances that happen in the Old Testament, like starting from the book of Genesis itself. In Genesis chapter three verse one to 24, we see the temptation, how Eve was tempted. She was tempted by the serpent and then it was combined with the desire within her as she took the fruit. And what did she do? The sin was birthed by, she ate and gave it to her husband. Now all this happened and the eyes we opened, the sin was accomplished. And then what happened? The punishment. What did it bring forth? Death that was she and her husband was sent out from the garden of Eden. Likewise, later part, when we come to the book of Samuel, the second Samuel in chapter 11, we see how David committed, how David was tempted and he committed a sin. So what happened? David was taking a walk. He saw women was having fun. What happened? It combined with the sexual arousement within him. And he inquired about the women and he committed a sin. And what did he do? Did he stop for that? He also went ahead to plot and kill her husband so that he can make her his own. What happened? The sin was committed. Swab was in his own house. And later also we read in the book of Joshua about Akin. When Akin went for a war along with Joshua, he was tempted by the spoils of the war of which God said, do not take it. But then he combined with this eye. He was so much tempted that he covered with them. He took some of them and he was forbidden from the old camp. Not only that, he was, you know, he took those spoils, he headed under the ground and later God revealed it to Joshua and Joshua burned out in anger. And, you know, eventually the whole family, the household of Akin, were cast out of the city. They were stoned and burned together along with the things that they had taken. So this what happens in every man's life. This is what James is trying to explain in chapter one, verse 14 to 15, that, you know, man has been tempted. He's been enticed by his own lust. What happens next? Lust has been conceived and it gives birth to sin. Now it doesn't stop there. Sin accomplished. Sin is accomplished. And then it brings forth death. So at the first place itself, when you're been tempted, you need to speak the word of God because this is what Scripture says. When you speak the word of God, the enemy flees. You can overcome the temptation by the word of God. You have the power to control the temptation. And later, James also talks about the heroes of the Old Testament. He talks about in chapter two, he addresses about Abraham. We don't have time to much dwell on each chapter, but then I just, but the little time I'm almost finishing this letter. Yeah, he talks about some of the heroes of the Old Testament. He addresses about Abraham in chapter two, verse 21. He says, was not Abraham, a father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar. So he says that he was a man who verified his faith by his works. And also he mentions about Isaac, his only son, was sacrificed by Abraham. It seems to me to be an ultimate example of works verifying with faith. Like Abraham had this strong faith in him. God blessed me with a son, Isaac. And God's promise is to multiply my descendants. Even if God is asking me to sacrifice my son, and I know for sure he will rise above, he will raise him up. You know, he was, he had the strong faith on God that made him, you know, to set an example of his work. He just went on action. And same way as Abraham believed, God provided him a sacrifice. And we also see James 2.25. He talks about Rehab, the hardlet also justified by works when she received the messenger and send them out another way. So here he addresses on Rehab as someone who demonstrated our faith by our actions, which resulted in the salvation of our and our family. And also in chapter five verse 11, we see that he is talking about Job. Indeed, we count them blessed to endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful. So what is he talking about? He is addressing about Job. He seemed to be a man of perseverance through suffering. Now, why didn't James talk about Job in the passage? Because as he is addressing some correction to the Jewish Christians, he is also addressing to the people who are being persecuted by the Nero. So by the Nero's persecution, Job was addressing to the Christians who are under the persecution saying, look at Job, who was a man of perseverance. He went through the suffering and at the end, God blessed him. God rewarded him for his suffering. He says, the Lord is very compassionate and merciful. So shall you be. And later in 517, he addresses on, Elijah, he says, Elijah was a man with a nature like us and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. So we see that, I'm sorry, there's a power cut, I guess. It will come, it will come. Yeah, thank you. So Elijah is seen as a man who knew how to pray and believe God for the impossible things. So what is James trying to do? He's encouraging the believers to pray and expect the supernatural hand of God upon them so God can know an impossible situation. Along with it in chapter three, James is addressing on the town. James is addressing on the town. From James chapter three verse one to two, for time being, we're not reading, but I'll just explain what it says. He says, the tongue is like the bit in the horse mouth. Though it is a very small thing, but it can control a large animal. The same way he also goes ahead and compares the tongue is like a rudder on a large ship. Though it is very small, the rudder is very small, when we compare it to the control of the direction of the whole ship. And later he also goes ahead and he says the tongue is like a spark of fire. Tongue is like a spark of fire. It seems insignificant, but then yes, it has a potential to destroy the entire forest, family or a person's life. So yes, the tongue is more difficult for a man to handle. So what he needs to do, he need to tame it like how he tames a wild animal. And later he also further egos and addresses on. Tongue can just like the venom of a snake. It can just be like a venom of a snake. When it's injected, it can also kill its prey. He also says that tongue is like a spring of water when it is pure, it produces life. But when it is tamed, it brings forth death. That is nothing but Proverbs 18 to 21. Death and life is in the power of your tongue. Those who speak it will taste its fruit. So what you speak from this tongue, you will have the fruit of it. You also say tongue is like a fruit tree or wine from which people can eat. It can be a tree of life or a tree of death. Again, Proverbs 18 to 21. So we need to be very careful on what the tongue is. So when we look at the reflection of this letter, the letter of James shows the importance of how our action should be in accordance of our faith. Because our actions during the trials and temptations are treatment toward the poor or toward the other person from what we speak matters, how we spend our money matters because that reflects the faith of what we proclaim. So we need to take time and ponder as we study this letter. Have a check over our life. What is our life reflecting on? Like what James is addressing some things on. He addresses in chapter one about the rich and the poor and how are we enduring ourselves during the time of trial? Are we actually the doers of the world? And also he is talking about the faith without work is a death fee. So can we take a look at our own actions? Is our faith promoting the action that is corresponding to our faith? We also should take a look at our language at that time. Is it bringing fruit? Is it bringing life into us and to the other person because the scripture says may your words be graceful? So that it may encourage the person who hears it. We need to take a look. Is our words, is our language filled with grace? Is our words bringing life into our situation and into others situation? And also take a look at our life. Say, is there any way that pride is taking over us? Are we humble in our walk? So there are many areas that we need to take a look to ponder on and correct ourselves. Are we patient, being patient with ourselves and being patient with others? So we need to check ourselves so that we know that how well do our actions reflect the faith that we proclaim? Are we brislight in our nature? We need to look at and check. So with that we end this session. Okay, we will take a short break and we will come back and we will study on first and second Peter. With that we will end this session. We will join again for the second half. Thank you so much, God bless. I'll end the session now.