1. Dr. Adrian Todd - www.gatewaychurch.org.uk www.gatewaychurch.org.uk James - background James, James and more James A very practical book about Christian living Written by James the brother of Jesus  he was the leader of the church in Jerusalem (Acts 12:17, 15:13, 21:18)  martyred around AD 62 Watch out for connections to the Sermon on the Mount; Matthew 5-7 Mirror, mirror on the wall…

2. Dr. Adrian Todd - www.gatewaychurch.org.uk www.gatewaychurch.org.uk Chapter 1 - Various trials Sets out the stall for the rest of the letter The trials we face are of various kinds I would bundle all “trials”, including suffering, into “challenging circumstances” Various kinds  persecution (v12)  temptation (v13)  life’s hardships and adversities  sickness (chapter 5)

3. Dr. Adrian Todd - www.gatewaychurch.org.uk www.gatewaychurch.org.uk “Trials” have various sources other people  persecution, unpleasant neighbours, bullying at work our own foolishness or weakness  temptation, personal responsibility (v14, Matt 5:29-30)  illness due to diet & addictions,  relationship breakdown (chapter 4) the enemy  spiritual attack, sickness, some temptation

4. Dr. Adrian Todd - www.gatewaychurch.org.uk www.gatewaychurch.org.uk The Lord as a source Many people blame God for the difficulties in their lives, even though they do not believe in him Our understanding of the character of God here is vital - Jesus (Matt 6:25-34)  v5 ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach  v17 Every good and perfect gift is from above (Matt 7:11, Ps 84:11, Eph 1)  trustworthy, no shadow, v17

5. Dr. Adrian Todd - www.gatewaychurch.org.uk www.gatewaychurch.org.uk Suffering can be good for us A provocative statement  Trials (v2)  test our faith (v3)  testing produces endurance (v4)  endurance results in being perfect & complete, we have LIFE (v4, John 10:10)  in order to endure we need wisdom, so ask for it (v5)  it is a LIFE cycle

6. Dr. Adrian Todd - www.gatewaychurch.org.uk www.gatewaychurch.org.uk Count it all joy Whoopee here comes suffering! Persecution can result in joy (Acts 5:41, Matt 5:10-12) The rejoicing is in what is produced not in the suffering difficulties are an opportunity to draw more strongly on the Lord (v5) Some things can only be produced, built into us, during trials

7. Dr. Adrian Todd - www.gatewaychurch.org.uk www.gatewaychurch.org.uk Ways to avoid temptation Temptation is the result of our own desire/lust (v14, Matt 6:13) The death cycle - temptation, lust, sin, death (v15) Our behaviour matters  be doers of the word not hearers only (v22)

8. Dr. Adrian Todd - www.gatewaychurch.org.uk www.gatewaychurch.org.uk Receive the Word in humility, accept we do not know better (Matt 7:24-27) vv23-24 not a doer of the word v25 a doer of the word looks at himselflooks intently (at himself) in a mirrorat the perfect law of liberty goes off and forgetsabides by it what kind of person he isthis man will be blessed

9. Dr. Adrian Todd - www.gatewaychurch.org.uk www.gatewaychurch.org.uk Knowing God’s Love The best way to receive the love of the Father (v26) is to love others (v27, Matt 5:43 & 22:37-39)  especially the vulnerable and not to blame God, but to draw closer in the tough times