Part 1

Our president has been proclaiming how each American needs to do their part and take personal responsibility for making our nation a better place. This is a great thought and idea. I would like to extend that thought to study some areas we need to take some personal responsibility from the book of James. Many in the religious world hate the book of James. For some reason James offends many. Notable religious leaders, including Martin Luther, have stated that they did not think James should be included in the New Testament. We have had similar reactions from callers on our TV programs. For some reason James offends many because James speaks of works Christians should be doing and is in direct opposition to the doctrine of "faith only". Yet the book of James teaches things that are totally consistent with the teachings of Jesus and the rest of the New Testament. Some scholars believe that the author of the book of James is actually the Lord’s brother, which is also consistent with what we see in the New Testament. What I would like to do is focus on some things James tells Christians that they are personally responsible for.

The book of James is only five chapters, but is full of powerful teaching for the child of God. James may be one of the earliest books written in the New Testament, maybe around 45 AD.

Things Christians are personally responsible for!

1. Dealing with trials that come our way (James 1:2-4, 12)

2. Controlling out tongues (James 1:19-20)

3. Hearing and doing the Word of God (James 1:21-27)

4. Not showing favoritism (James 2:1-13)

5. Justifying our faith by our works (James 2:14-26)

6. Turning from the world and seeking the peace of God (James 3:13-18)

We can have peace with Jesus even though we live in a world where there is little peace. If we confess that He is the Son of God, if we repent of our sins, and if we are baptized for the forgiveness of those sins, we can have a peace that is beyond this world (Philippians 4:7). If you are not a Christian this morning, don’t you want and need the peace of Jesus? If you are a Christian but have not been taking personal responsibility for your life, I encourage you to repent and get back to being responsible for your life. James had to do that. At one time he did not believe in his brother’s teaching. But later he repented of that and took responsibility for his life for the Lord (Acts 1:14, 15:13-21). If we can help you, please come forward while we stand and sing! 

Part 2

More and more you hear that citizens of our country need to do their part in “remaking America”. Being personally responsible for our actions is something consistent with the New Testament. Christians are always to be personally responsible for doing the works of the Lord (Ephesians 2:10, Titus 2:11-14). I would like to continue our study on “Personal Responsibility from James” this morning.

Things Christians are personally responsible for!

7. Not be a friend of the world but be a friend of God (James 4:1-10). This passage relates to the new message on our sign! [If the Lord seems far away, guess who moved? Come get closer to God with us (James 4:8)!]

8. Realize today may be our last day (James 4:13-15)

9. Be patient and enduring in our lives (James 5:7-11)

10. Not swear or take oaths (James 5:12)

11. Realize and use the power of prayers (James 5:13-18)

12. Bring Christians who have fallen away back to the Lord (James 5:19-20)

James and the Holy Spirit expect a lot from Christians. We cannot expect that our brethren or anyone else to do the things we are personally responsible to do! We also cannot expect God to overlook the things He commands us to do! Who needs to do these things? Me and you! How about you this morning? Do you need to repent of things in your life? Do you need to become a Christian? There is no better time than now to take care of those things you are personally responsible for. Please let us know if we can assist you while we stand and sing!