What is the first thing we do when we receive a letter? Most of us look at the bottom of the page to see who signed it before we read it. In ancient days the author would sign his name at the top. verse 1

" James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ"

The opening words of this epistle are perfectly straightforward and yet powerfully significant.

If we take this approach we will never fail to reap rich dividends in our study of the Word. Let us, by way of introduction, take a look at the author.

Mary and Joseph did have other children! I want you to see them and their reaction to their half brother Jesus in the early days of His Ministry. Mark 6: v 3—6

Mark 6:3 is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.

We can see that Jesus was the big brother in the family; but he was a source of embarrassment to them! They were offended at Him.

Mark 6:4 But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.

I think that this is one of the saddest things that Jesus ever said. Jesus, the Son of God, lived in Nazareth with His own earthly family but they did not believe in Him.

Mark 6:5 And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.

It is clear that James and the rest of the family did not believe in Christ during His earthly ministry. But, after the Lord’s death on the Cross-and after His resurrection, some thing wonderful happened to James.

1 Cor. 15—The Apostle Paul speaking of the witness’s resurrection of Jesus

James came to know Jesus, not only as his earthly brother but also as His Saviour and Lord. The living Christ became real in his heart.

James grew to such stature in Faith that he became the undisputed leader of the Church in Jerusalem and the moderator of the Jerusalem council.

When Paul --came to Jerusalem he consulted with James, for, he considered him to be a pillar of the Church. Tradition tells us that James became a great man of Prayer—

In fact he is referred to as "Camel Knees|, because of the calluses formed by spending so many hours on his knees before God. I do not think that there is one of us who has knees like James because of the time spent in Prayer.

What a transformation the Grace of God in Salvation made on his life. Tradition also tells us that James was stoned to death for his faith in Jesus.

Having met the Man let us take a closer look at how he introduces himself.

Now, because of his rich heritage – some might have expected James to introduce himself—as an Apostle- as the Leader of the big Jerusalem Church, as a pillar of the Church, or as James the brother of Jesus.

This is James speaking—you cannot do without me-- look at the impression I have made in the Church. You could not get along without me

If you should ever be foolish enough to feel that you are indispensable to the work of the Lord, just, get a bucket of water and place your finger in it, and then draw it out and see what impression you have really made.

Under the influence of Roman law—a Slave was considered to be a person who was owned by another! One without any rights whatsoever!

A personal piece of property, which belonged to another, and his owner could dispose of him, as and when he so desired. A Slave was one who was in subjection to the ownership and the authority of his master.

The Apostle Paul—used this word in Gal 6:17, when he said Gal 6:17

"He could have been free", but he has chosen to stay with his master. James considered himself to be a slave of the Lord Jesus. Having been bought with a price, he could never say no to his Master.

1 Cor 6:20 for ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

When the deal was complete, the young slave was very angry with his new master for buying him as a slave, when slavery had already been abolished in England.

Then his new owner turned to him and said "Son I have not bought you to be my slave I have bought you to set you free".

Overcome with emotion the young man said

Rom 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

He has bought us from the slave market of sin—He has chosen us; a slave cannot choose his master- Jesus said—

John 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, He goes on to say I have chosen you for service and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain:

1 Cor 4:7 For who maketh thee to differ from another? And what hast thou that thou didst not receive?

When we consider what we owe to God, the list is endless.

Life, Liberty, Gifts, abilities, the joy of sins forgiven, the hope of heaven, and new blessing morning and evening from the unchanging God.

All that we have has been given to us form the storehouse of the Grace of God. Naught have I gotten but what I’ve received by Grace.

Though James was content to call himself a slave; he did have a high conception of his Master. As a true servant of Christ, he testifies to the deity of Jesus as the Son of God.

1) James refers to Jesus as Lord.

If Jesus is your Lord, then you have no right to set up the rules for your conduct.

If He is absolute Lord and Master of your life, then He is the One who sets the agenda for your life.

Jesus said—Thomas put forth your hand and put it into my side, and be not faithless but believing. And Thomas answered and said"

Now, if the word Lord points us to Deity—the name Jesus points us to His humanity. The name Jesus—means Saviour.

This great Truth links Bethlehem to Calvary with an unbreakable link. The Lord of heaven, the eternal son Phil 2:6-8

Every redeemed soul worships and praises Him.

Jesus is the Name we Treasure

Name beyond what words can tell

Name of Gladness Name of pleasure

Ear and heart delighting well

Name of sweetness passing measure

Saving us from sin and hell

1. James refers to Jesus as Lord.

The Messiah, the anointed One. For a period of 400 years the Prophets had been silent—but in the person of Christ, the prophetic jigsaw fell into place.

The whole of the New Testament endorses the cry of Andrew "We have found the Christ"

Through His Birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and His ascension—Jesus Christ fulfilled the prophecy and promises, which God had made through the Old Testament revelation.

"Earth for Him had groaned and travailed

Since the Ages first began

For in Him was his the secret

That through all the ages ran

Son of Mary, Son of David

Son of God and Son of Man"

This was James’ Conception of Jesus! It was a high and a lofty one.

Friends—when we lift the Saviour high, then like James, we bring ourselves low as a slave in obedience to Him, and in appreciation of, who he is, and what he has done for us.

Thus the book James is the most practical letter in the New Testament in relation to Christian living today. Let us keep in mind that James was well qualified to write this book on Christian behaviour, for he had the privilege of living in the same home as Jesus for almost thirty years.

He had seen Christianity lived out before his very eyes—he had observed the life of Jesus and, when we read his book, we find that Jesus is reflected on every page.

James is saying, "I saw the life lived and here is the way the Lord wants us to live. f some of our family were to write a book, which was based on the way we lived Christianity, I wonder what the book would be like.

His Description of Himself

His Compassion for the Saints

Who are these Tribes? Well this is a reference to Israel to the Jews! For the early Church primarily consisted of Jews. These Jews had been scattered abroad because of their Faith in Christ. This word-scattered means that they were scattered like seed.

After Stephen was stoned to death outside of the lions gate of the city of Jerusalem, Christians were scattered throughout the Roman world. Act 8:1-3

God permitted this test of the Jerusalem Church for a purpose. Had there been no scattering, the Christians would have stayed in Jerusalem and growth in the Church would have been hindered. Instead in one generation the gospel spread rapidly throughout the then known world—all the way to the heart of Rome itself.

James wrote this letter to Christians who had been dispersed. He wrote to those who had to leave their homes, and loved ones.

However under the inspiration of God the Holy Spirit he was also writing to us, because in one sense all Christians are dispersed and scattered as seed among the Nations. We are living today as exiles from our heavenly home.

Thus the letter of James is directly from God to us, for behind the hand of James is the hand of God.

James wrote his letter to those who were under persecution in order to teach them how to deal with stress and the pressure of difficulties.

There were Saints who were wrestling with how to live out what they believed.

Christians today, also face stress and trials. We can learn form the book of James how to react. These Saints—had felt—

They were aliens and strangers on earth. Jesus was their Saviour and Satan was their Enemy. So it is with us today. Every attack on the believer and on the Church comes from the hand of Satan.

James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

John 16:33 In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Scattered and hard-pressed they might have been! But they were held in the loving preserving hand of their God and Saviour.