An exposition of James 5:13-18.
It is declared in Deuteronomy 32:4—”[God] is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.” If God is the rock, then He cannot be moved; if His work is perfect, then nothing can be added to it or taken from it; if all His ways are judgment, then He has fully weighed the options and chosen the best course of action; if He is a God of truth and without iniquity, then He is just and right in all that He brings to pass. In short, the prayers of God’s people cannot move Him to change His eternal decree. What then, is the value of private and corporate prayer, if the child of God cannot persuade God to change His will? This study explores that very question.
An exposition of James 5:12-20.
There is nothing quite so hurtful than the broken promises of a trusted friend. It is a betrayal that is not easily forgotten and it leaves a wound that is not quickly healed. Broken promises have been the cause of whole nations going to war; they have been the cause of best friends turning into worst enemies. This study examines how a Christian is able to prevent the sobs of a broken heart and promote the songs of a cheerful life.
An exposition of James 3:1-4:12.
This section of James’ Epistle pivots on the subject of a professor’s inconsistency: First, the inconsistency of communication-evidenced by his false teaching and judgment; Second, the inconsistency of communion-evidenced by his friendship with the world, rather than God. This study explores the evidence for a professor’s faith-setting forth the challenge that not all professors are Christ’s people.
An exposition of James 1:16-2:26.
Exactly what is the relationship a Christian sustains to the law of God? Does James contradict the doctrine of Justification by Faith? What is the difference between Regeneration and Reformation? Why does James deal with the subject of Regeneration prior to his explanation on Justification? These questions are explored throughout this study.
An exposition of James 4:13-5:20.
This last section of the epistle deals with self-inflicted trials. First, by the deceitfulness of self-made plans and possessions; Second, by the deceitfulness of self-made promises. Nevertheless, the Lord is of tender mercy and secures for His people eternal salvation—their unfaithfulness in no way changes His faithfulness.
An exposition of James 1:2-15.
The phrase ‘tough love’ was coined in 1968 by Bill Milliken when he wrote a book by that title. It has now become part of our modern vernacular. Tough love is exercised when a parent uses harsh or stern treatment in order to genuinely help his rebellious son or daughter. God the Father often exercises ‘tough love’ when His children err, and this is the subject of the present study.
An exposition of the Epistle of James.
The Epistle of James has notoriously been a difficult book to analyze. Many have concluded the content has little order or unity. It appears to be a string of unconnected truths—perhaps the general musings of James, jotting down the first things that came to his mind with no real purpose to his letter. Albert Barnes expresses this view well in his Notes on the New Testament: “The plan of the epistle seems to have been to notice such things as the apostle supposed claimed their attention, without particular regard to a logical connexion.”
Now surely, this is a misguided conclusion. Albeit, the structure of the Epistle is not easy to find, yet structure there is. This study unfolds the major movements of the letter, highlighting the perfect harmony of God’s Word through James:
An exposition of James 4:13-5:6.
Having been recognised by the church in Jerusalem as a man of leadership and influence, James exercised his oversight by writing a circular letter to the various congregations that were springing up around Judea. It was James’ purpose to provide a treatise on how the Christian is to live out his faith in the world. This Epistle, therefore, is not a theological thesis and it provides no doctrinal creed. On the contrary: it is designed to present a philosophical view of the Christian life and therefore provide a code of conduct for each believer.
Of special interest is the text of this study. Evidently, the members of these scattered congregations had cultivated a false view of time and treasures. They attempted to govern their lives apart from any consideration of God. Such an attitude leads to much mischief, and it is James’ purpose to correct these false ideas.
An exposition of James 4:13-17.
James provides one of the clearest statements in the whole of Scripture on how the Christian is to utilize the time given him by God. Discover the parameters that protect the Christian from presumptuous sins and promote the believer to a life of godliness./p>