James Part 1
Message Summary: James, the half-brother of Jesus, writes a letter reminding us of how the Christians dispersed into different warring countries after the stoning death of Stephen. The culture of the world was persecuting the followers of Jesus’ teachings. They dispersed looking for a place where the love, peace, and hope Jesus taught could be preached and lived out without persecution.
The reality is that throughout history and in this world, we are going to experience a culture that does not value or believe in what Jesus taught. Our challenge is how to create a culture that loves Jesus and loves others. How do we fight back in a culture that has agendas and messages contrary to our Christian beliefs? James reminds us that our God is a way maker, He is able, He is an overcomer to this world. We have to trust, believe, and have faith in God’s word. James teaches us not to be just a hearer of God’s word but a doer of His word. This is faith in action. Our job is to make a kingdom impact as a community of Jesus’ followers into the darkness around us. We are to create a culture of love, hope, and peace. Together as a community, we can create a new culture by living out the principles Jesus taught by reading God’s word in the Bible. People are watching us to see if we are living out those principles.
- How can you keep your hope in a world that doesn’t believe in Jesus’ teachings?
- What characteristics of God or scripture verses strengthen you in today’s world of messages against Christian values?
- Who is watching how you live out your Christian life, and are you reflecting Jesus’ teachings?
John 16:33 – “I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world, you will have distress. But be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
James 1:1-3 – James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus the Messiah, To the twelve tribes which are dispersed abroad.
Acts 11:19 – Now those who were dispersed by the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, preaching the word to no one except Jews.