The True Source of Joy - James 1:1-11

February 9, 2025 teaching - Pastor Brent Robinson
Bethel Memorial Baptist Church of Easton, Pennsylvania
www.bmbceaston.com
James 1:1 James, a servant of God & of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the
Dispersion: Greetings.
James - a unique relationship with Jesus
The 12 tribes - God’s stubborn chosen people
The Dispersion - People promised a land
James - The Proverbs of the New Testament
Earliest books of NT include Galatians & James
Paul emphasized Faith - James stressed Conduct
Peter: Hope - John: Love - Jude: Purity
Paul: inner saving faith from God’s perspective
James: outward serving faith from man’s perspective
The purpose of the epistle is to exhort the early believers to Christian maturity &
holiness of life
James included 54 imperatives in his 108 verses: an average of 1 call for action in
every other verse!
We must look beyond pursuing happiness & find joy
Joy in Patience James 1:2-4
More than positive thinking - God is at work 2
More than a single test of faith - Steadfast 3
More than joy in the moment - Perfecting Joy 4
Joy in Wisdom James 1:5-8
God desires to give us wisdom 5
God is pleased with faith 6
God can bring stability 7-8
Joy in Humility James 1:9-11
Don’t trust your stuff 9-10
Trust God’s work 11a
Don’t trust your efforts 11b
Conclusion: The Joy of the Lord brings strength to our lives
Lives full of trials - we can be steadfast
Lives full of confusion - we can be wise
Lives full of want - we can have abundance
Nehemiah 8:10b “And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”