January 3, 2010

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Moving The Chains

Two Major Themes of the Bible

• Believing about God.
   

• Walking with God.
  

Always Ask Yourself:
Is this talking about believing something about God,
or doing something with God?

The Book of James

• The first New Testament book written.
   

• Practical book about living out our faith.
   

• Has 108 verses containing 54 commands.
   

• Gives us strategies and actions to live life as a Christ Follower.
   

BIG IDEA: A Faith that doesn’t make itself visible is useless!

Before we can Move The Chains…
You have to choose to be on a team!

• What jersey are you wearing?
   

• Whose side have you chosen to be on?
   

• How do others around you know what team your on?
   

This letter is from James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am writing to the “twelve tribes” —Jewish believers scattered abroad. Greetings!
James 1:1 (NLT)

Who is James?

Half-brother of Jesus,
the first born son of Mary and Joseph.

He returned to Nazareth, his hometown. When he taught there in the synagogue, everyone was amazed and said, “Where does he get this wisdom and the power to do miracles?” Then they scoffed, “He’s just the carpenter’s son, and we know Mary, his mother, and his brothers—James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas. All his sisters live right here among us. Where did he learn all these things?” And they were deeply offended and refused to believe in him.
Matthew 13:54-57a (NLT)

Thought Jesus was crazy.

One time Jesus entered a house, and the crowds began to gather again. Soon he and his disciples couldn’t even find time to eat. When his family heard what was happening, they tried to take him away. “He’s out of his mind,” they said.
Mark 3:20-21 (NLT)

Didn’t believe in Jesus at time of his death.

Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave here and go to Judea. For even his brothers didn’t believe in him.
John 7:3a, 5 (NLT)

Lived life for himself.

Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve. After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. Then he was seen by James and later by all the apostles.
1 Corinthians 15:3b-7 (NLT)

Slave of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Child of God who know Jesus' full name.

This letter is from James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.
James 1:1a (NLT)

Lord Jesus Christ

Lord means sovereign,
boss, the one who rules and reigns.
1 Corinthians 15:27a, 28

  Jesus means Savior.
Matthew 1:21

Christ means the anointed chosen one.
Matthew 12:23

Once your on the team,
how do you move the chains down the field?
RUN THE PLAYBOOK!

James says, “You’re life will never change unless you read this book—God’s playbook—and DO what it says.”

“Christianity begins by praying a prayer and then you get into this book and you DO what it says and THEN you’re life will begin to change.”

But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.
James 1:22 (NLT)
 
For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like a man glancing at his face in a mirror.
James 1:23 (NLT-SE)

if we are on the right team and want to begin Moving the Chains we have got to begin to DO what the Bible says…

But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.
James 1:25 (NLT)

Two Final Questions
 
Which team have you chosen?
 
Are you running the right playbook?

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