Through Thick and Thin: The Epistle of James
The Epistle of James is attributed to the younger [half-]brother of Jesus who was a leader of the early church in Jerusalem.
The book is a collection of wisdom sayings but penned as a letter to Jewish Christians forced from their homeland. Mistreated for their faith many of these believers had begun to abandon their convictions for worldly and selfish pursuits. Throughout the epistle the author exhorts his readers to triumph under trials and temptations. It covers such topics as endurance amidst persecution, poverty and wealth, control of the tongue, caring for orphans and widows, cursing, boasting, oaths, and prayer.
The Epistle of James is a timely reminder to today’s church — going through comparable difficulties — to walk together “through thick and thin”, in a manner consistent with the sincere profession of faith.
- Speaker: Ian Ma
- Scripture: uke 24:13-36
- Date: 2022-04-17
Luke 24:13-36 (NIV)
On the Road to Emmaus
13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him.
- Speaker: Ian Ma
- Scripture: James 5:12-20
- Date: 2022-04-10
James 4:12-20 (NIV)
Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned.
- Speaker: Ian Ma
- Scripture: James 4:11-5:11
- Date: 2022-04-03
James 4:11-5:11 (NIV)
Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. 12 There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?
- Speaker: Ian Ma
- Scripture: James 4:1-10
- Date: 2022-03-27
James 4:1-10 (NIV)
Submit Yourselves to God
What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?2 You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God.3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.
- Speaker: Ian Ma
- Scripture: James 3:13-18
- Date: 2022-03-20
James 3:13-18 (NIV)
Two Kinds of Wisdom
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
