James - Chapter 5

Parting words, but not like Paul

James – Chapter 5

Review

1. What did we discuss in the Intro?  What do we know about James?
1. Likely the half-brother of Jesus
2. The book is frequently considered in conflict with Paul’s teaching and emphasis on faith (rather than works)
3. Written to Jewish Christians
4. Probably written around 49 A.D.
5. Life was rough for the audience.
2. What was Chapter 1 about?
1. Trials are a test of our faith (ie v 12)
3. What was Chapter 2 about?
1. Trials are a test of our faith, cont.
2. Don’t discriminate.
4. What was Chapter 3 about?
1. The perils of our tongues
5. What was Chapter 4 about?
1. A look inside ourselves, dealing with others, looking to God

Introduction

1. How did you all do this week reading James?
2. What’s your opinion of James (thus far)?  Easy, hard, straightforward, confusing, basic, advanced, etc?
3. What is your opinion of this chapter?  Easy or lots of questions, difficult and convoluted?
1. Really straight-forward.  At first, hard to understand the relationship between the first half and second.

Lesson

1. vv. 1-6 [READ – James 5:1-6] The risk of arrogance with riches
1. Is James condemning riches or money?

                                                               i.      No.  He’s simply alerting readers that with money, comes “miseries”.

2. Culturally, who is he talking to?

                                                               i.      Likely, there are more generalizations being made here than just “having money”, but rather, the oppressive, very rich that have these Jews (and others) as slaves.

3. What points does James attempt to make with the statements?

                                                               i.      Their cloths are moth-eaten…

1.       They’re not nearly as perfect as they think.  They have blemishes (sins?)

                                                             ii.      Their riches have rotted…

1.       Their belongings will not last. 

                                                            iii.      Their gold and silver have rusted

1.       What they have isn’t what they think.

2.       Does gold and silver rust?  What does that mean?  That it’s impure.

3.       It also implies decay.  That gold and silver won’t last, because YOU won’t last.

4. V 4-6 talks about withholding salary from workers and living high but…

                                                               i.      The Message says “You've looted the earth and lived it up. But all you'll have to show for it is a fatter than usual corpse.”

                                                             ii.      What else do these verses accomplish, particularly for James’ audience?

1.       It gives them comfort that God sees and will avenge their situation.

2. vv. 7-12 [READ – James 5:7-12]
1. V 7-8 – Be patient.  Jesus is coming.
2. V 9-11 – Don’t fight.  A commentator stated, wouldn’t it be horrible if you’re fighting or judging a fellow Christian when Christ returns?  Be patient.  God will deliver.  Be patient.  God will provide.  Be patient.
3. V 12 – Swearing – This isn’t necessarily talking about cursing, but rather being a person of your word.  “Let your yea be yea…”  I hope this is something that will be said of me when I die, but more so, I hope it’s said of my young boys.
3. vv. 13-20 [READ – James 5:13-20] Pray!
1. V 13 – Pray and Praise!
2. V 14 – Bring your prayers before others.  Allow other Christians to pray for, with and on your behalf.  Why?

                                                               i.      More people interceding to God for you.

                                                             ii.      Comfort of friends praying for you.

3. V 14 – “anoint” – this is NOT the same word referring to sacred anointing, such as “The Annointed One” (Christ).  This is simply “to apply or rub”.  Does this mean anything to you?

                                                               i.      It’s the acknowledgement that God has given us (in the name of the Lord) things (medicines) that can help ailments.  In other words – take your medicine!

4. V 15 – “save the sick” – what is this in reference to?  I believe this is said in reflection of the previous verse that dealt with physical ailments.  This “save the sick” refers to the heart-sick, the sinful, the dead without Christ.  This verse is a gospel message in a box.
5. V 16 – “Confess your…” – FAULTS, not sins.

                                                               i.      I can tell you about my faults.  I can tell you about the things I know I need to work on and am hopefully working on.  Especially, if I’ve wronged you, my faults are perhaps your business.  But sins…

                                                             ii.      Sins are God’s business.  We are to confess our sins to God.

6. V 17-18 – Elijah and the power of prayer.  Who was Elijah?  WHAT was Elijah?

                                                               i.      He was a normal guy “subject to like passions as we are”.

                                                             ii.      But he accomplished AMAZING things.

7. V 19-20 – Who are these last two verses to?

                                                               i.      Non-believers?

1.       Perhaps, since it talks about saving someone’s soul from death and sins being removed.

                                                             ii.      Straying believers?

1.       “Death” could be a figurative “death”.  A backslidden believer sometimes gets depressed and represses their souls (their conscience).  A “conversion” or rescue of these, could be a similar scene to what James describes.

Summary

1. What’s your key verse?
1. v 7
2. How do you feel about James Chapter 5 now?
1.  
3. What will you do, starting now, to move forward on what God has told you?

Print | posted on Saturday, May 20, 2006 2:58 PM |