John’s primary PURPOSE is that believers will enter and maintain fellowship with God, with the RESULT of inner joy.“That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that our joy may be full … These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may [continue to] believe in the name of the Son of God.” 1Jo 1:3-4; 1Jo 5:13 (emphasis added)
This compilation of notes represents the truths found in the Epistle of First John.
Gene Cunningham - January 20, 2003
A Faith That Endures #1
The book of James is about suffering: Jam 1:1-2, Jam 1:12, Jam 5:11. There's a parallel to the Beattitudes in Matthew 5-7. The Greek words for trial and temptation is the same; God tests; Satan tempts. James may have been listening to his brother, Jesus who visited him after the resurrection (1Co 15:7). James and Job are the first writings of respective testaments and each is about suffering. Paul responded to suffering with confidence in God (2Co 12:1-10). We are being refined into the likeness of the Lord (Heb 5:8). James is writing to believers; "salvation" in the book means deliverance (5 times he mentions it in the context of trials). Rightly dividing the word of truth (2Ti 2:15, Jam 1:12): (1) Reconize source (2Ti 3:16, 2Pe 1:20, Mat 5:17-18); (2) Unity of scripture -- doesn't contradict itself (Mat 24:35, Joh 10:35); (3) Progressive revelation (Heb 8:6, Heb 11:13); (4) Every book has a purpose/theme; (5)Context, context, context (Gal 3:16); (6) spiritual illumination (1Co 2:10-13; (7) humility is paramont (2Ti 2:20-21).
Conference notes for this series can be found [HERE]
Scripture References: Hebrews 5:8, Hebrews 11:13, James 5:11, Hebrews 8:6, James 1:12, John 10:35, James 1:1-2, Matthew 24:35, Matthew 5:17-18, James 1:12, Galatians 3:16
From Series: "James - A Faith That Endures"
Given a the Washington DC Conference in November 2007 this 8-part study in James examines our faith. We are to be 'doers' and not 'hearers' only. By this we are 'justified' before men (not God). In this way James complements (and precedes) Paul writings.