The King and The Kingdom - James 1

The King and the Kingdom - James 1
 
As we eagerly prepare for our momentous 150th-year celebration, we are embarking on a journey to read a psalm a day. Today, you will read Psalm 6. King David wrote the first six psalms (songs). King David reigned as the second king over the nation of Israel from 1003 to 963 BC. So, a majority of the psalms you will be reading are around 3,000-year-old songs.
 
The 150 Psalms are divided into 5 books.
Book 1: Psalms 1—41
Book 2: Psalms 42—72
Book 3: Psalms 73—89
Book 4: Psalms 90—106
Book 5: Psalms 107—150
 
“The division of the Psalms is not based on authorship or chronology, as several authors composed Psalms, and their individual songs are mixed throughout the various collections.” “David is listed as the author of 73 psalms, Asaph of 12, and the sons of Korah of 11. Other psalms were written by Solomon, Heman the Ezrahite, Ethan the Ezrahite, and Moses (Psalm 90).” It is most likely that Ezra and/or other Jewish religious leaders compiled the Psalms into their existing order during Ezra’s lifetime in the fourth century (520) BC.”
 
Psalm 2 is quoted seven times in the New Testament, prophesying about the Messiah. For further study and understanding, read the references (Acts 4:24-28; 13:33; Hebrews 1:5; 5:5; Revelation 2:27; 12:5; and 19:15).
 
Please pick up a chart from the Welcome Desk Sunday to keep track of reading through the Psalms with us.
 
*****
 
The sermon on Sunday was from the book of James. James, the half-brother of Jesus, wrote his book in 62 AD. James was one of the leaders of the congregation in Jerusalem.
 
James was a half-brother because Jesus was miraculously conceived by the Holy Spirit, Jesus didn’t have an earthly biological father.
 
            Matthew 1:18 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.
 
Mary and Joseph had children after Jesus was born.
 
            Matthew 13:54  Coming to his hometown, (Jesus) began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. "Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?" they asked. 55  "Isn't this the carpenter's son? Isn't his mother's name Mary, and aren't his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? 56  Aren't all his sisters with us?
 
James and the rest of the family did not believe in Jesus. They were actually embarrassed by their older brother’s behavior and mocked Him.
 
             John 7:2  But when the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles was near, 3  Jesus' brothers said to him, "You ought to leave here and go to Judea, so that your disciples may see the miracles you do. 4  No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world." 5  For even his own brothers did not believe in him.
 
James and the other brothers thought Jesus just wanted to be famous. Like Joseph’s brothers in the Old Testament, they were blinded by jealousy.
 
            Mark 3:20  Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. 21  When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, "He is out of his mind."
 
James and the rest of the family questioned Jesus’ motives, and now they are questioning his sanity.
 
Has your family ever questioned your motives; it hurts; have they ever questioned your sanity?
Just because you are accused of being crazy doesn’t mean you are.  Jesus was not the crazy one – his brothers, who refused to believe that he was the Messiah, were the crazy ones.  Calling people names is an easy way to shut down an argument; don’t stoop to that level.
 
            Mark 3:31  Then Jesus' mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him. 32  A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, "Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you." 33  "Who are my mother and my brothers?" he asked. 34  Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! 35  Whoever does God's will is my brother and sister and mother."
 
Jesus is not concerned about earthly relationships; He is concerned about spiritual relationships; those who do God’s will are Jesus’ family.
 
James learned that after Jesus appeared to Him (1 Corinthians 15:4-8). That is why James begins his letter the way he does.
 
            James 1:1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
 
James admits he is a servant of Jesus. Being raised in the same house was irrelevant.
 
Answer two questions today.
1. Are you a servant of Jesus?
2. Are you doing the will of God?
 
            James 1:22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
 
If we are going to grow in our relationship with Jesus, we must listen to Him and do what He asks.