Introduction to James

Aim: To value the word of God (as it comes to us through James)

Doctrine: James pastors troubled believers (and us) in his early New Testament epistle. He does this through inspired exhortations that are designed to bring about repentance and wholeness.

Exegesis: How James' greeting encourages us, Christ's church: he sees himself as a slave of the same Trinity we serve (v. 1a); he reminds us that God cares for his beleaguered people (v. 1b); he heartens us with gospel hope (v. 1c).

Further application: How the church benefits from the book of James: as we receive its sometimes-spirited instruction with humility, we will exercise practical faith in Jesus.

Key verse: v. 1 ''James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings.''