Sermon -- Festival of St. James of Jerusalem (October 23, 2020)

This was preached for chapel at Huron Valley Lutheran High School of Westland, Michigan.

JAMES 1:1-12

JAMES WANTS GOD'S PEOPLE TO BE GODLY PEOPLE.

In the name + of Jesus.

      If St. James of Jerusalem should be remembered for anything, it is that he was a pastor who encouraged godly living.  We assume the epistle of James was written by James of Jerusalem.  Some suggest it was written by James the Less, but its emphasis certainly is consistent with what we know about St. James of Jerusalem.  We also know of James from Acts 15.  There, he presided over the Church at a great council.  In the Council of Jerusalem, James guided the discussion which debated how much the Church was to reflect Jewish customs.  In other words, how Jewish should the Church be?  The Council of Jerusalem concluded with instruction to the Gentile Christians about how to live in a way that honors God and maintains harmony among the Jewish Christians.  The point, of course, is not that one is saved by his ethnic heritage, any more than being Lutheran means being German.  It is about God's people being godly people.

     That is the emphasis of his epistle.  James wants God's people to be godly people.  He does not spend any time speaking about how we are saved through faith in Jesus Christ.  James assumes you already know that.  You are God's people and you are confident in God's promises.  Therefore, he jumps right to instruction and encouragement.  James wants God's people to be godly people.

     Giving instruction is easy.  Following that instruction is hard.  And living in a world that resists and ridicules godly living makes it all the harder.  James knows that, and he is aware you will face that.  Therefore, he encourages you, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” (James 1:2-3)  

     You would think that godly living would be easy for God's people.  But we are always fighting against something.  We fight against the temptations that the devil lays before us.  He always makes wickedness look attractive.  We fight against the world which tells us that we are cool only when we adopt sinful choices.  And we also fight against our own sinful desires which always wants to take what God has chosen not to give us.  Every day is a battle with trials of many kinds and tests which can prove to be very hard.

     James knows that you have faced this and will continue to face this.  You might think that it will calm down when you get older.  It doesn't.  You need to be aware of that, but you don't need to be alarmed by it.  In fact, James says, “Consider it pure joy … whenever you face trials of many kinds.” (James 1:2)  Why?  Because “the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” (James 1:3)  Believe it or not, the temptations you face and the trials you endure can serve a good purpose for you.  As St. James wrote, they produce perseverance.  Or, in other words, they teach God's people to be more committed to being godly people and to be more confirmed in godly living.

     Let's compare it to athletic competition.  You know how to play soccer.  You have seen footage of professionals play soccer.  You are aware of the rules and the goal of the game.  You understand strategies which are supposed to help you succeed.  You know all of this in your head.  How many games have you won daydreaming about soccer?  Probably all of them.  But it is different when you actually step onto the pitch.  It is a lot harder when you are facing real opponents, especially if those opponents are experienced players, are skilled in their game plan, and are well-conditioned.  You will only improve as a soccer player and as a soccer team if you put in the work.  The work is not always fun.  If it is actually to improve you as a soccer player, it will not be easy, either.  But continual training will make you better.

     Therefore, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4)  When you are challenged in your faith, you are forced to acknowledge that you have not mastered everything.  First, you must flee back to Jesus for mercy and forgiveness.  For, we often fall into temptation when it seduces us.  But the blood of Jesus continues to mark you as God's people.  Then listen

to Jesus for strength and encouragement.  By his word, Jesus continues to sustain you in the faith so that you remember why you are God's people.  By his word, Jesus strengthens you in the faith so that you remain committed to being godly people.  

     The trials you face and the challenges you endure can serve a good purpose: They force you back to God's promises.  “Why do I believe what I believe?  Why do I confess this hope that others don't care about?  Why do I trust the Scriptures when others tell me that they are untrustworthy?”  Flee to the Scriptures; they are not weak on answers.  “Why do I maintain a godly life when my friends don't and mock me that I do?  What reason do I have to be steadfast in the faith?”  Oh, yes, because I have a Father who is merciful and loves me, because Jesus gives me a refuge in death, because the Holy Spirit gives me a purpose in life, because I have a Savior who has set me free from shame and guilt, and because I am a baptized child of God.  By continuing to listen to God's word, by participating in holy communion with Christ, and by continuing in the fellowship with other Christians, you will persevere.  James wants God's people to be godly people, and this is how our Lord maintains both.

     “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12)  This is James' prayer for you.  This is God's promise to you.  This is the Holy Spirit's work in you.  This is our eternal hope, and it is why God's people want to be godly people.

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen. 

St. James of Jerusalem

Lutheran worship is liturgical.  While that often refers to an order of worship, it can also refer to the calendar of the Church Year.  The Church Year includes major festivals, such as Christmas, Epiphany, Easter, Pentecost, etc...  Today we recognize a minor festival, the Festival of St. James of Jerusalem.

Though not one of the Twelve Apostle, St. James of Jerusalem was the recognized leader of the Christian Church in Jerusalem.  Known also as the brother of our Lord (Galatians 1:19), James was presumably the author of the epistle of James.  James was considered a pillar of the early Christian Church (Galatians 2:9) and presided over a Church Council in Jerusalem which acknowledged that Gentiles too have a place in God’s kingdom (Acts 15).  Tradition teaches that James served his entire life in Jerusalem, finally being martyred about 62 AD by the High Priest Annas II.  James was reported to have been thrown to his death from the pinnacle of the temple, stoned to death, or both.