Maturity In Christ

Series: Maturity In Christ

Introduction: Whish James Wrote it?

1. The Writer of the letter of James is not the one who was one of the sons of Zebedee the brother of John.
2. This is not the first James that gave his life as a martyr for the cause of Christ. He was killed at
the order of Herod the King in A.D. 44 prior to this book being written.
3. It was not the James who was depicted as being the father of Judas. The only reason he is mentioned is to depict him from Judas Iscariot the betrayer, a distinction he, no doubt, was happy to have.
4. The most likely candidate for being the writer is James the brother, or rather, half-brother of our LORD. He was not a follower of Christ until just before or just after the crucifixion of Jesus. However, by the time that Peter was forced to leave Jerusalem, James was already a person who was highly valued in the Church and poised to be a leader. He was a man of prayer who spent so much time on his knees that he was dubbed “old camel knees”.

The following outline for this study is adapted from Warren Wiersbe’s book, “Be Mature” 1979 by Victor Books, Wheaton, IL

Theme: Spiritual Maturity
Key Verse: James 1:4
Preaching series: The Marks of a Mature Christian
I. He Is Patient in Testing.
1. Trails on the outside 1:1-12
2. Temptations on the inside 1:13- 27
II. He Practices the Truth.
1. Faith and Love 2:1-13
2. Faith and works 2:14-26
III. He Has Power Over His Tongue.
1. Exhortation 3:1-2
2. Illustration 3:3-12 (six pictures of the tongue)
3. Application 3:13-18
IV. He Is a Peace Maker Not a Trouble Maker.
1. Three wars 4:1-3
2. Three enemies 4:4-7
3. Three admonitions 4:8-17
V. He Is Prayerful in Troubles.
1. Economic troubles 5:1-9
2. Physical troubles 5:10-16
3. National troubles 5:17-18
4. Church troubles 5:19-20

Sermon1 Maturity In Christ
Gaining Triumph In Trials James 1:1-8
Introduction: Dorthy, Toto, and the Scarecrow were hungry on the way the Emerald City, in the Land of Oz. They started to pick some tasty apples from trees that were rather indignant, or should we say ‘Crabb Apples’. When the trees became angry at the Scarecrow, they started throwing their apples at the three travelers. Rather than being caught up in the arguments, Dorthy started to pick up the apples around her and eat.
Someone once said, “If the world gives you nothing but lemons, make lemonade.” I must say that I have seen some pretty bad looking apples make some very tasty cider.

There are four words that the author (Warren Wiersbe) points out in this passage. They are count, know, let, and ask.

I. Count 1:2 (Joyful attitude)
II. Know 1:3 (Understanding mind)
III. Let 1:4; 9-11 (A surrendered will)
IV. Ask 1:5-8 (A heart that wants to believe)

Examples: 1. A wave, driven of the sea and tossed
2 A double minded man
3. A flower in the heat of the sun

Challenge: Are these areas that you need to grow in?