James the perfect man is:

1
James the perfect man is

• chapter 1 not double-minded
• chapter 2 not partial
• chapter 3 not double-tongued
• chapter 4 not divided in loyalties to Christ
• chapter 5 not impatient in suffering

2
chapter 1 the perfect man is

• v2-12 tested by the Lord
• joy in testing, v2-4
• wisdom for testing, v5-8
• examples of testing, v9-11
• reward from testing, v12
• v13-16 - tempted by the world
• v17-27 transformed by the Word
• begotten by it, v17-18
• changed by it
• in character, v19-21
• in practice, v22-27

3
Introduction (v1)

• James the Lord's brother
• a servant once a doubter (John 75)?
• to the 12 tribes but not only (Acts 1514)?
• only 1 verse...

4
Tested by the Lord (1)

• joy in testing, v2-4
• count it joy
• when (not if)?

...if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye
take it patiently, this is acceptable with
God. 1 Peter 220
In the world ye shall have tribulation but be
of good cheer I have overcome the world. John
1633
If they have persecuted me, they will also
persecute you John 1520
5
Tested by the Lord (2)

• wisdom for testing, v5-8
• ask for wisdom
• in faith
• not double-minded

...your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have
need of all these things. Matthew 632
when he saw their faith... Luke 520
Thy faith hath saved thee Luke 750
Where is your faith? Luke 825
...because thou art ... neither cold nor hot, I
will spue thee out of my mouth. Revelation 316
...let your yea be yea and your nay,
nay... James 512
6
Tested by the Lord (3)

• examples of testing, v9-11
• poor rejoice in being rich (spiritually)?
• rich rejoice if made poor (physically)?

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye
of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into
the kingdom of God. Matthew 1924
I know thy ... poverty, (but thou art
rich) Revelation 29
Because thou sayest, I am rich, and knowest not
that thou art ... poor... Rev 317
7
Tested by the Lord (4)

• reward from testing, v12
• designed to strengthen
• reward for those who endure
• the answer to endurance?
• ...them that love him

8
Tempted by the world (1)

• different to testing?
• testing from God temptation not from God
• designed to stumble
• progressive
• tempted (when)?
• drawn away
• sin
• death
• the answer to tempting?
• do not err i.e. don't stray from the pathway

9
Transformed by the Word (1)

• God never changes
• man does (v8, v11)?
• another progression
• begotten (brought forth) by the Word, v18
• changed by the Word
• in character, v19-21
• in practice, v22-27

10
Transformed by the Word (2)

• changed in character
• swift to hear slow to speak
• ...bridleth not his tongue..., v26
• slow to wrath

...if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature
old things are passed away... 2 Corinthians 517
...I knew that thou art a gracious God ... slow
to anger, and of great kindness Jonah 42
11
Transformed by the Word (3)

• changed in practice
• practice what you preach!
• true religion...

...every one that heareth these sayings of mine,
and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a
foolish man... Matthew 726
...whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and
doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise
man... Matthew 724
...by grace are ye saved through faith ...
created ... unto good works ... that we should
walk in them. Ephesians 28-10
12
The perfect man

• rejoices in trial
• love Him
• resists temptation
• do not err
• reflects his faith
• keep ... unspotted from the world