Zip-a-dee-ay, it’s Tuesday again and we’re starting another study! We finished Ephesians last week. This week, we’re beginning James. And I have a treat in store for you. Welcome back. It’s a treasure having you come study with me.
This one will last five weeks as it’s five chapters long. James, the half-brother of Jesus wrote it. It’s a no-nonsense, straight teaching kind of book.
Normally I read the NIV and share what I learn from it, but this time, we’re going to do a bit of time in The Message. There’s just something about that version that touches my heart in ways the NIV can’t always do. I hope it does that for you as well.
But you say, “I don’t have a Message version” Never fear, that’s the benefit of the internet. Biblegateway has it.
So navigate to James in The Message now. And let’s read James’ introduction.
When someone introduces themselves to you, perhaps while you’re in a crowd, does your preference go towards “Greetings.” or “Hello!”? Just in how it falls on your ears, that’s the question.
In the NIV James’ introduction says this…
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings.
Can you see yet at this point why The Message this time?
Because it’s written in verse groups, we’re going to do this studying with them. With a little help from the NIV along the way. So now, read verses 2-4.
It might be easier to receive a test or challenge or even multiples at the same time, as sheer gifts rather than ‘pure joy’ that the NIV uses but you know what they’re for?
You know that under pressure, your ________-______ is forced into the _______ and shows its ________ colors.
Romans 5:4-5 MSG
There’s more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!
James calls this testing, your success at it is producing perseverance. There are 11 times in the NIV that that word, perseverance is used. Three of those are in James’ five chapter letter.
There are far too many benefits to growing your faith, working on your faith, succeeding in the tests and challenges to mention in one lesson, but the one listed in Romans 5:4-5 The Message, is so easy to see.
We can’t round up enough containers to hold ___________ God generously pours into our lives through the ______ _________.
So work your faith, become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way. That kind of perseverance will make you mature and complete, not lacking anything.
If you’re not deficient, not lacking, and God pours out so much we can’t contain it all, …well then, those are good reasons to see every test and challenge as a sheer gift or pure joy. Even when we’re hemmed in with troubles. All of it is gift. All gives the chance to find Joy.
Ah the benefits of using two versions, it’s so much easier to see. That’s how 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 can say:
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
And it can be totally possible to do.
Read Verses 5-8 in The Message
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 MSG
May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.
If…then _______. God Loves to help. God gives generously to all without finding fault. So pray continually, in everything.
When you ask, ask __________________, without ____________________________. Confidence is very important to God. Not confidence in you, confidence in Him.
Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Read Verses 9-11
Prosperity is as short-lived as a _____________, so ______ ______ ______ on it.
At the very moment everyone is looking on in admiration, it ________ _________ to __________.
Read verse 12 – yes, a single verse in The Message, shocking!
Anyone who meets a testing challenge head-on and manages to stick it out is mighty fortunate. For such persons loyally in love with God, the reward is life and more life.
It’s perseverance. It proves your loyalty. The reward is _____ and more ______ or as the NIV puts it, ‘the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him’.
Read Verses 13-15
Where does the temptation to give in to evil come from? ______ and only ______. Withstand it, lest you fall for if you fall…
Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
It’s the exact opposite of the gift God has for you for your faith and loyal love to Him.
Read Verses 16-18
So, my very dear friends, don’t _____ __________ _____ __________.
Every desirable and beneficial gift… Every good and perfect gift, comes out of heaven, from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (verse 17b NIV)
Not just desirable, beneficial. Not just good, perfect. Trust Him.
These gifts are _______ of light ___________________ down from the Father of Light. We’re the ____________ of all his ________________.
Read Verses 19 – 21 The Subtitle changes here.
In the NIV it says “Listening and Doing”
in The Message it says, “Act on What You Hear”
Yes, lots of words in this chapter are do-able.
In the NIV, verse 19 is a little clearer in the direction, so here are verses 19-20 in the NIV:
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
So throw all _________ ________ and _________________ evil in the ____________. In simple ___________…
accept the word planted in you, which can save you. (James 1:21b NIV) Your life can be turned into a ‘salvation-garden’. Does that remind you of fruit or fragrance?
2 Corinthians 15:
For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.
Read Verses 22-25
What have you seen in this lesson? All revealed counsel of God. No action He’s asked of us in this has so far been too hard. We must do what we have learned. And it all is faith work.
The person who is one of action will find _________ and _______________ in the action.
Read Verses 26-27
Reach out to the _____________ and _____________ in their plight, and __________ against ___________________ from the _____________ __________.
Faith. Humility. Trust. Love. Gifts and Joy. I hope you enjoyed this as much as I did. It’s amazing what God will do when we study.
Thank You, Jesus, for this chapter and it’s many verifiable truths. Thank You for the way You faithfully lead. All I am is Yours. All I have is Yours. All for your glory.