James: Faith That Works — 5-Week Sermon Series

Trials are not interruptions of the Christian life; they are the workshop where patience is made.

1. The purpose of trial (v. 2-4)
2. Wisdom for the wavering (v. 5-8)
3. The anatomy of temptation (v. 13-15)

Count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

James 1:2-3 (KJV)

Application: What trial are you asking God to remove that He may be using to build something?

A hearer who never acts is a man staring into a mirror and forgetting his own face.

1. Swift to hear, slow to speak (v. 19-21)
2. The mirror test (v. 22-25)
3. Respect of persons condemned (2:1-9)

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

James 1:22 (KJV)

Application: What is one thing you already know God has asked of you and have not done?

The smallest member sets the course of a whole life — and a whole congregation.

1. The bit, the helm, the fire (v. 3-6)
2. Blessing and cursing from one mouth (v. 9-12)
3. Wisdom from above (v. 13-18)

Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

James 3:5 (KJV)

Application: Whose reputation have you damaged in the last month, even mildly?

Most conflict between Christians is not a disagreement; it is a desire that has hardened into a demand.

1. Where wars come from (v. 1-3)
2. Draw nigh to God (v. 7-10)
3. If the Lord will (v. 13-17)

Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.

James 4:8 (KJV)

Application: What are you demanding from God or from someone else?

The letter of works ends on its knees — because faith that works is faith that prays.

1. Patience unto the coming of the Lord (v. 7-11)
2. Prayer over the sick (v. 13-16)
3. Turning back the wanderer (v. 19-20)

The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

James 5:16 (KJV)

Application: Who has drifted from the church that you could call this week?