Be Matureby Warren W. Wiersbe

Chapter 1Time to Grow Up

Book of James

• Who was James?James 1:1 – James , a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus

Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.– James as a form of Old Testament name, Jacob– Son of Zebedee & brother of John– Son of Alphaeus– Father of Judas the disciple, not Iscariot– Brother of the Lord (Mark 6:3)

• Unbeliever (John 7: 1-5)• In Upper Room (Acts 1:14)• Jesus appeared unto him (1 Cor.15:7)• Paul described Him as a pillar (Gal 2:9)• Moderator in a council (Acts 15)• Married man (1 Cor. 9:5)• Received love offering from Gentiles (Acts 21: 18-19)• Tradition:

– Was martyred in 62 A.D.– Man of prayer & his knees were as hard as camel’s

• Pharisees casted him out and beat him to death. He prayed for his murderers like Jesus :Father, forgive for they know not what they do”

– Jew

• To whom did James write?– James 1:1b – “…to the twelve tribes which are scattered

abroad,…”– Christian Jews– James 1:16 – Of his own will beloved begat he us with

the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

– Jews rejected by Gentiles and Christian Jews rejected by their own countrymen

• Why did James write?– Problems Christian Jews faced: difficult testings,

temptations, competitions, attention to or being robbed by the rich, tongue, lack of practice to what one says, worldiness. Disobedience to God’s Word

– Churches are playpens for babies or workshops for adults– Characteristics of little children (immature)– Impatience in difficulties (James 1:1-4)– Talking, but not living the truth (2:14ff)– No control of the tongue (3:1f)– Fighting & coveting (4:1ff)– Collecting material toys (5:1ff)– Perfect – mature, complete– Perfect man – not sinless man, but rather mature,

Theme: Spiritual Maturity; in Hebrews Spiritual Perfection

– balanced, grown up man(Hebrews 6:1 … let us go unto perfection;…)

– Build on perfect salvation & grow into maturity– Five marks of the mature Christian

• He is patient in testing. Chapter 1– Trials on the outside 1: 1-12– Trials on the inside 1: 13-27

• He practices the truth Chapter 2– Faith & love 2:1-13– Faith & works 2:14-26

• He has power over tongue Chapter 3– Exhortation 3:1-2– Illustrations 3:3-12– 6 images of tongue– Application 3:13-18

• He is a peacemaker Chapter 4– Three wars 4:1-3– Three enemies 4:4-7– Three admonitions 4:8-17

• He is prayerful in troubles Chapter 5– Economic trouble 5:1-9– Physical troubles 5:10-16– National troubles 5:17-18– Church troubles 5:19-20

• How do we get out of the study?– 5 Essentials

• Spiritual Birth (James 1:18)– No spiritual birth, no spiritual maturity– As human baby has 2 parents, a spiritual baby

has 2 parents: Word of God and Spirit of God• We must examine our life in the light of God’s Word

– God’s Word as a mirror

• We must obey what god teaches us no matter the cost– James 1:22

• We be prepared for extra trials & temptaions– “Tribulation worketh patience” Romans 5:3

• We must measure our spiritual growth by the Word of God, not by others Christians (II Cor. 10:12)

– Not everyone who grows old grow up.– Difference between age & maturity