a study of the book of James

• steals our joy (ch 1)• robs us of peace (ch 3)• empowers sin (ch 1,4)• harms others (ch 2,3,4)• makes fools of us (ch 1,3)• brings God’s discipline

(ch 2,3)• leads to death (ch 1,2,5)

The Divided Life

① Undivided Faith

Deuteronomy 6:4“Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one!”

① Undivided Faith

God ExistsJesus is Lord

Isaiah 45:5“I am the Lord, and there is no other; besides Me there is no God...”

① Undivided Faith

God ExistsJesus is Lord

① Undivided Faith

God ExistsJesus is Lord

Jesus is Christ

Assumes we already believe it

2:1

② Undivided Devotion

James...• younger half-brother of Jesus• a skeptic during Jesus’

ministry

② Undivided Devotion

John 7:5For not even His brothers were believing in Him.

② Undivided Devotion

James...• younger half-brother of Jesus• a skeptic during Jesus’

ministry• transformed after seeing Jesus

resurrected• “doulos of God & of the Lord

Jesus”

② Undivided Devotion

James...• younger half-brother of Jesus• a skeptic during Jesus’

ministry• transformed after seeing Jesus

resurrected• “slave of God & of the Lord

Jesus”

② Undivided Devotion

"There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry: 'Mine!'”

Abraham Kuyper

② Undivided Devotion

Importance of obedience1:221:252:204:17

② Undivided Devotion

54 commands in 108 verses

highest % in the NT

② Undivided Devotion

③ Undivided Allegiance

Acts 8:1...on that day a great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered...

③ Undivided Allegiance

“twelve tribes dispersed abroad”

Acts 8:4Therefore, those who had been scattered went about preaching the word.

③ Undivided Allegiance

“twelve tribes dispersed abroad”

③ Undivided Allegiance

“twelve tribes dispersed abroad”

didn’t fit in with Jewsdidn’t fit in with Gentilestempted to compromise

③ Undivided Allegiance

Will I embrace God’s values or the world’s values?

Our answer: Both!4:4

1:27

③ Undivided Allegiance

James: practical guide to living in the world without loving the world

= wisdom3:17

• read James in one sitting• pray for transformative growth• get connected at Grace

The Undivided Life