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PEOPLE OF THE BIBLE

Introduction

We started looking last week at the Apostle James, the brother of the Apostle John.

Review – The Apostle James – Part 1

I.    THE BACKGROUND OF JAMES.

            Three James’ in Scripture (Mt 10:1-4)

            1. Two apostles are named James

                        a.   James the brother of John

                        b.   James the son of Alphaeus

            2. And there is the Lord’s half-brother, also named James (Mt 13:54-56; Gal 1:19)

II.  THE CALL OF JAMES. (Mt 4:18-22; Lk 5:10)

            Same as the call of everybody Jesus meets - The call is to Follow

III.  THE TRAINING OF JAMES.

            1.  Had a trade – a fisherman

            2.  Then spent 3 ½ years with Jesus

                        a.   Learning how to see life through Christ’s eyes

                        b.   Learning how to face anything, and conquer by faith alone!

IV. HIS RELATIONSHIP TO JESUS– PART OF THE INNER-CIRCLE.

V.  THE CHARACTER OF JAMES.

It is during two events recorded in the Bible that the Lord really begins to mould and change James’ character – and he doesn’t even know it – at least until after the resurrection!

Jesus even renames both James and John to “Sons of Thunder” or “Quick tempered” – quick to react (Mark 3:17)

            A.        He Handled Pressure With Wrath.

The anger of the Samaritans triggered the anger that rested in the bosoms of two Apostles – it affected both James and John

                        Jesus pointed out that they were being influenced by a WRONG spirit.

            B.  He Sought the Pre-Eminence (Mark 10:35-41; Matthew 20:20-24).

Now let’s also see how James Sought the Pre-Eminence over the Person of Jesus – i.e., sought the good life instead more than the godly life.

                        1.  The Rewards of a Christian Life (Mark 10:28-31).

We need every once in a while to be reminded of the benefits of the Christian life.

                                    a.   It appears that Peter is worried about having nothing in the end – Remember that he left everything back 3 years prior at the sea side

                                    b.   Jesus promises every Christian who has lost anything in following Him, that it will be made up to them up to 100 times as much (10,000% interest)

                                    c.   And the payment is NOT only in heaven, but we get some of the benefit in this life as well!

                                    d.   But the key is found in two words

                                                 1)  Losing – if all we are focused on is gain, then we will lose.

                                                2)  Persecutions – if we won’t take a stand for the Lord, we will fall.

                        2.     The Reason for the Christian Life (Mark 10:32-34).

                                    This is critical.

                                    a.   As they got closer and closer to Jerusalem for the last time, two things happen in the hearts of the apostles

                                                 1)  They became amazed – surprised, astonished, shocked at how they were feeling

                                                2)  They became afraid – something was not right – they seemed to be heading into a storm, and bad time of troubles, and they didn’t want to go on

                                                 3)  It is here that Jesus looked them all in the eye and once again explained what was ahead for them, and especially what was ahead for HIMSELF.

                                                            a)   He tells them that He will be captured and brought to the high priest.

                                                            b)  He tells them that He will be condemned to death.

                                                            c)   He tells them that He will be turned over to the Romans.

                                                                        Where He will be mocked, whipped, spit upon.

                                                                        and ultimately killed.

                                                            d)  But, He tells them He will rise again!

                                     b.  How do you think the apostles looked after hearing all this?

                                                What were they thinking? What would YOU have thought?

                        3.  The Reign of the Flesh in the Christian’s Life (Mark 10:35-40).

This is so typical of us all! No matter how much we read in this Bible, or I preach, we are more often like James here than like Jesus!

                                    a.   James ignored all the talk about the cross, and Jerusalem.

                                    b.   James missed the emphasis of Jesus on Jesus the Saviour.

                                    c.   His mind was locked onto Jesus the King – James thought they were going to Jerusalem to make Jesus the King!

                                    d.   Now, we know that our reign is a reality, but it will be later.

                                    e.   Notice the work of the flesh here:

                                                 1)  The flesh doesn’t want to hear about the cross – it’s foolishness.

                                                2)  The flesh is guided only by what IT desires, not by what Christ desires.

                                                3)  The flesh wants to tell Jesus what to do.

                                                4)  The flesh will even get influential people to help you get what you want – even your own mother!

                                                5)  The flesh will worship ANYTHING or ANYBODY as long as it gets what it wants!

                                                6)  The flesh only wants to bask in Christ’s glory, not seek to GIVE Christ glory

                                                            a)   Queens or chief of state sit in these places, alongside the king

                                                            b)  They knew Jesus would reign – it was obvious from His display of supernatural powers

                                                 7)  What is it that James’ flesh wanted? The Apostle James sought to be “ABOVE OTHERS.”

                                                            i.    Obviously Jesus was TOP – how pious.

                                                                        ii.  But the number 2 spot must be available, and JAMES thought HE was perfect for the position!

                                     f.    Now, it wasn’t just James and John who were infected with this “disease” – so also was:

                                                 1)  All of the disciples at various times debated who was the greatest (Mark 9:30-35; Luke 22:24).

                                                2)  The religious – Pharisees (Matthew 23:4,5).

                                                3)  And an early charismatic leader in the church – Diotrephes (3 John 1:9,10)

                        4. The Price of a Christian’s Praise (Mark 10:38-40).

                                    a.   Jesus asks James if he and anyone else is able to drink of His “cup” and be “baptized” with His baptism?

                                    b.   Instantly, he says, “Of course we can!”

                                    c.   Obviously, James has not been paying much attention, because he doesn’t have a clue about what Jesus is talking about.

                                    d.         Jesus tells James that he actually WILL drink from the same “cup” that Jesus will drink from, and be baptized with the same “baptism” that Jesus will be baptized with.

                                                 1)  Both of which are referring to His death

                                                2)  You see, the price of glory is high.

                                                3)  Every music star and movie star will tell you the same

                        5.  The Refocusing of the Christian’s Life (Mark 10:41-45)

                                    a.   Self-examination (1 John 4:1).

                                                            We need to check out our own attitudes

                                    b.   Humility.

                                                            Not weakness, but allowing someone else to be first

                                    c.   Ministering

                                                1)  When was the last time that you not only did something for someone else, and just KEPT being a blessing to them, all for Jesus’ sake?

                                                2)  To minister means to SERVE, like a low, foot-washing slave of a servant!!!

3) The servant of all shall in God’s kingdom be Lord of all.

                                                4)  Now we know and understand what Jesus came to be and do – not rule and reign over men’s lives like a tyrant, but to save!

Conclusion

So let’s review the character of James

a.   He knew not what spirit he was following

            1)  It is so easy to get “carried away”

            2)  We are told to be sober – fully aware of the spiritual battle that may flare up at any time

b.   He knew not what kind of question he was asking of Christ.

But then, . . .

We see his enablement. Something happened to James after the resurrection!

1.  The Holy Spirit makes the difference in the life of the believer.

            a.   Belief in God means nothing. Belief IN Jesus means little more.

            b.   Belief ON Jesus – total trust in Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection makes for salvation.

            c.   But surrender to the work of the Holy Spirit in our life makes for change in our life!     We need to allow Him to break us, mold us and remake us.

2. He was addicted to learning and teaching the word of God, and to prayer (Acts 6:3,4)

We See His End (Acts 12:1,2)

1. He was not kept from death.

2. It was an honor to be a martyr – he did drink of that cup.

3. But it is better to be a living sacrifice.

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NOTICE:   THESE SERMONS ARE FREE TO BE USED BUT ARE NOT TO BE SOLD!