The Bible is comprised of different genres of writings with the Old Testament comprised of Rabbinic categories of Law, Prophecy, Wisdom literature. The letter of James in the New Testament is best understood as Wisdom. Wisdom applies principles, patterns and perceptions for navigating truth in uncertainty. In the close of James, we see the nature of wisdom in his statements about prayer, it’s importance, purpose, and power.

James warns his readers against making plans, spending and using wealth without reference to God. He warns us against this same illusion of control–that if we plan, we can guarantee outcomes or if we have wealth, it is our to use as we please. Our life is short and only God is sovereign over all of it. The faith that works lives in light of the will of the Lord.

James calls the church to be a unique community, a righteous community: a people in right relationship with God and with one another. But instead the churches are filled with fighting and quarrels. Why? Because of their passions and desires–what they want. But what we want and who we are is not just an internal driver, rather it is shaped by the relationships we are invested in. To be righteous community is to be people who are being transformed by the gospel: admitting their sinfulness, grieving the brokenness of the world, submitting to God and one another, and experiencing and sharing the grace of God.

James warns his readers about the dangerous power of our words. The tongue can be a spark that catches a whole forest on fire. The things we say can spread great harm and evil if not controlled. But like God who created life and beauty and flourishing by his words, the things we say can be a powerful force for love and goodness.

Note: At the beginning of this sermon, Pastor Johnny Kurcina addresses the topic of child sexual abuse that took place at another church between 1990-2002.

In James 2:14-26, James calls out the hypocritical nature of believers in the churches. Faith without works is dead–it is useless, it does not save. Both a words only faith (saying you believe) and a thinking only faith (knowing Christian doctrine) does not matter if your life does not demonstrate your faith. In contrast, both Abraham and Rahab are Hebrew Bible saints who acted in ways that revealed the authenticity of their faith. Authentic Christian faith involves integrity of life with professed beliefs, a tree is know by its fruit, as Jesus said.

In James 2:1-13, James calls out the practice of showing favoritism within the church community–especially honoring the rich and looking down on the poor. Favoritism is wrong because of who Jesus is and who we are. Because of what God has done for us in Jesus we are called to a radical love of our neighbors, even those who don’t offer us anything.

[Unfortunately, the audio file for the sermon was not able to record directly through the sound system resulting in a less than ideal recording.]

As James, the brother of Jesus and head of the church in Jerusalem, begins one of the earliest letters in the New Testament, he calls his readers to develop steadfastness–faithful endurance–in all the trials in life. How do we endure faithfully through suffering that tests us? We seek God wholeheartedly, not trusting in our other sources of assurance, remembering we are loved eternally by grace.

Injustice

– James 2:1-17 & Zechariah 7:8-14

– Johnny Kurcina

– August 9, 2015

– Sermon Series | Questioning Christianity