Faith Amidst Unbelief: The Transformation of James

 

Summary

In John 7, we see Jesus surrounded by unbelief, not only from the crowds but also from His own brothers. This passage highlights the tension Jesus faced within His family, as His brothers did not believe in Him and even taunted Him. This familial unbelief is a reminder that Jesus understands the pain of a divided family, a reality many of us may face. Despite the pressure and taunting, Jesus remained steadfast in His mission, choosing not to reveal His glory prematurely. His brothers, unaware of the implications, urged Him to show Himself to the world, not realizing that such a revelation would have ushered in judgment rather than salvation.

The story of Jesus' brothers, particularly James, is a powerful testament to transformation. Initially, James and his siblings did not believe in Jesus, but after the resurrection, they became devoted followers. James, who once taunted Jesus, became a leader in the early church and authored the Epistle of James. His writings reflect a deep understanding of humility, wisdom, and the dangers of jealousy and selfish ambition—lessons he learned through his journey from unbelief to faith.

This narrative calls us to faith, hope, and love. Jesus invites us to trust in His timing and to live by faith, even when the world is not as it should be. He offers hope for transformation, as seen in the lives of His brothers, and stands before us in love, having chosen the cross over worldly glory. By embracing Jesus as Lord and Savior, we can trade a life of selfish ambition for one of peace and joy, serving others in love.

Key Takeaways:

1. Jesus Understands Familial Unbelief: Jesus experienced the pain of unbelief within His own family, reminding us that He understands the struggles of a divided family. His steadfastness in the face of taunting teaches us to remain faithful to our calling, even when those closest to us do not understand or support us. [03:23]

2. The Transformation of James: James, once a skeptic, became a pillar of the early church after witnessing the resurrection. His journey from unbelief to faith illustrates the transformative power of encountering the risen Christ. This transformation is available to all who open their hearts to Jesus. [17:12]

3. The Call to Faith Over Sight: Jesus calls us to live by faith, trusting in His timing and purposes. While we may long for immediate change in the world, Jesus reminds us that His time has not yet come. Until then, we are to walk by faith, knowing that one day faith will be turned into sight. [31:04]

4. Hope for a Changed Heart: The story of James offers hope for those struggling with jealousy and ambition. By surrendering our desire to "show ourselves to the world" and becoming servants of Christ, we can experience a heart transformation, leading to peace and joy. [34:35]

5. Jesus' Love and Sacrifice: Jesus chose the cross over worldly glory, demonstrating His love for us. He invites us to trade a life of selfish ambition for one of love and service. By following His example, we can find true fulfillment and purpose in serving others. [36:19]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:16] - Miracle of the Loaves and Fish
- [00:32] - Teaching on Eternal Life
- [01:00] - Offense and Departure
- [01:46] - Peter's Confession
- [02:04] - Unbelief of Jesus' Brothers
- [03:23] - Jesus' Divided Family
- [05:30] - Brothers' Advice to Jesus
- [06:14] - Brothers' Strategy
- [08:09] - Taunting and Temptation
- [11:17] - Jesus' Response
- [13:19] - Future Revelation
- [17:12] - Transformation of James
- [20:39] - Insights from the Book of James
- [29:05] - Applications for Today

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- John 7:1-10
- James 3:13-18
- 1 Corinthians 15:3-7

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Observation Questions:

1. What was the reaction of Jesus' brothers to His ministry, and how did they express their unbelief? ([02:04])
2. How did Jesus respond to His brothers' suggestion to show Himself to the world, and what reason did He give for His decision? ([11:17])
3. What transformation did James undergo after the resurrection, and how is this reflected in his role in the early church? ([17:12])
4. How does the sermon describe the relationship between Jesus' decision not to reveal His glory prematurely and the concept of judgment? ([14:53])

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does Jesus' experience with His unbelieving brothers provide comfort to those who face familial tension due to faith differences? ([03:23])
2. In what ways does the transformation of James illustrate the power of encountering the risen Christ, and how might this encourage someone struggling with unbelief? ([17:12])
3. What does the sermon suggest about the importance of trusting in God's timing, especially when we desire immediate change in our circumstances? ([31:04])
4. How does the story of James challenge our understanding of jealousy and ambition, and what lessons can we learn from his journey? ([34:35])

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you faced unbelief or misunderstanding from those closest to you. How did you respond, and what might you do differently in light of Jesus' example? ([03:23])
2. Consider the transformation of James. Is there an area in your life where you need to experience a similar change? What steps can you take to open your heart to Jesus' transformative power? ([17:12])
3. How can you practice living by faith rather than sight in your current situation? What specific actions can you take to trust in God's timing and purposes? ([31:04])
4. Identify a personal ambition or jealousy that you struggle with. How can you surrender this to Christ and seek a heart transformation like James? ([34:35])
5. Jesus chose the cross over worldly glory. In what ways can you choose love and service over selfish ambition in your daily life? ([36:19])
6. Think of a divided relationship in your life. How can you apply the lessons from Jesus' experience with His brothers to bring peace and understanding to that relationship? ([03:23])
7. How can you actively serve others in love this week, following Jesus' example of sacrifice and service? What specific actions will you take? ([36:19])

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus Understands Our Family Struggles
Jesus faced unbelief and taunting from His own brothers, highlighting the reality of familial division. Despite this, He remained committed to His mission, showing us that He understands the pain of a divided family. This understanding offers comfort to those who experience similar struggles, reminding us to stay faithful to our calling even when those closest to us do not support us. Jesus' steadfastness in the face of taunting teaches us to remain true to our purpose, trusting that God sees and understands our challenges. [03:23]

John 1:11-12 (ESV): "He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God."

Reflection: Think of a family member who does not share your faith. How can you show them love and understanding this week, even if they do not support your beliefs?


Day 2: Transformation Through Encountering Christ
James, the brother of Jesus, initially did not believe in Him and even taunted Him. However, after witnessing the resurrection, James experienced a profound transformation, becoming a leader in the early church and authoring the Epistle of James. His journey from skepticism to faith illustrates the transformative power of encountering the risen Christ. This transformation is available to all who open their hearts to Jesus, offering hope for change and growth in our own lives. [17:12]

Acts 1:14 (ESV): "All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you experienced a significant change in your faith. How can you seek a deeper encounter with Christ today to continue your transformation?


Day 3: Trusting in God's Timing
Jesus calls us to live by faith, trusting in His timing and purposes. While we may long for immediate change in the world, Jesus reminds us that His time has not yet come. Until then, we are to walk by faith, knowing that one day faith will be turned into sight. This call to faith over sight challenges us to trust in God's plan, even when we cannot see the full picture. [31:04]

Habakkuk 2:3 (ESV): "For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay."

Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you are struggling to trust God's timing. What steps can you take today to surrender this area to Him and walk by faith?


Day 4: Hope for a Changed Heart
The story of James offers hope for those struggling with jealousy and ambition. By surrendering our desire to "show ourselves to the world" and becoming servants of Christ, we can experience a heart transformation, leading to peace and joy. This hope for a changed heart encourages us to let go of selfish ambition and embrace a life of service and humility, following the example of Jesus. [34:35]

Ezekiel 36:26 (ESV): "And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh."

Reflection: Consider an area of your life where jealousy or ambition has taken root. How can you invite God to transform your heart in this area today?


Day 5: Embracing Jesus' Love and Sacrifice
Jesus chose the cross over worldly glory, demonstrating His love for us. He invites us to trade a life of selfish ambition for one of love and service. By following His example, we can find true fulfillment and purpose in serving others. This call to embrace Jesus' love and sacrifice challenges us to live selflessly, prioritizing the needs of others and finding joy in serving. [36:19]

1 John 3:16 (ESV): "By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers."

Reflection: Think of a specific way you can serve someone in your community this week. How can you demonstrate Jesus' love and sacrifice through your actions?

Quotes


Now think about this the the blessing of a family in which you are loved, supported, and affirmed not everyone has this but I want you to think about what a great blessing that is you face enormous pressure enormous trouble in the world but you know that when you come home you have the love you have the support you have the understanding of those who are with you and those who love you it was not like that for Jesus. [00:02:09]

So I want to say straight away as we bring this into our own lives if you have a brother a sister other family members who do not believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and there's tension in the family because of that the Lord Jesus Christ knows what that is like he knows what it is to live in a divided family his mother of course believed in him but we're told very specifically and clearly here that that was not the case when it came to his brothers. [00:03:20]

Now after the accounts that we have in scripture of the birth of Jesus and you remember the account of the visit that the family made to Jerusalem when our Lord Jesus was just 12 years old after these accounts we don't hear anything from Joseph in the gospels and that has led many people to speculate that Joseph died early in life especially since if you remember when Jesus was on the cross just before he died he commended his mother to the care of John his disciple a clear indication that at that point Joseph was no longer living. [00:03:54]

Now what we're looking at in the Bible today is this remarkable account in John chapter 7 of an occasion where these brothers who do not believe in Jesus actually try and tell him what they think he should do and remember the context this is why John chapter 6 is so important this is a point in the ministry of Jesus where this vast crowd has simply walked away and so now here come the brothers and they have the answer they know how Jesus can do better. [00:05:32]

Here's what you need to do you need to go where the movers and the shakers are moved to Judea and of course what that meant was especially where they were going which was the great city of Jerusalem and having given him their advice with regards to location they now give him advice with regards to objective verse four here's their reason no one works in secret if he seeks to be known openly notice the assumption you want to be known openly don't you. [00:07:00]

Now let us be clear Jesus will show himself to the world amen he will do this one day in power and in splendor and in glory and that they cannot come too quickly behold he is coming with the clouds and every eye will see him he will show himself to the world they will see the son of man Jesus says coming on the clouds with great power and glory and when the son of man is revealed from heaven he will come with his mighty angels and with flaming fire. [00:13:42]

Now friends the big aha moment for me this week I've never seen this before or connected these things before this week but the thing that came with great force to me pondering the scriptures this week was to look again at the book of James in the light of what we know about him from John in chapter seven so let me read to you some words that were written under the inspiration of the spirit by James and and give you perhaps just a little commentary on what he wrote under the inspiration of the scripture of the spirit. [00:20:29]

Imagine James writing that under the inspiration of the spirit you see I think if he was here today he'd say something like this oh I blush to think that I once thought that I could tell Jesus what to do I mean there was no meekness in me then I was all about myself I thought I was so wise and I spoke like a fool there was a time when I actually thought he didn't know what he was doing I thought I could be the one to tell him how to succeed. [00:21:44]

I struggled with jealousy bitter jealousy I know what that is but you know there came a time when I figured there's an upside in every trial and I remember thinking now if he shows himself to the world this might not be all bad there could be something in it for me I'm his brother after all so I said show yourself to the world and looking back I am so glad that he did not listen to me yes one day he will unveil his glory and every eye will see him. [00:23:47]

But if like James you give up the agenda of showing yourself to the world and become truly a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ you will find that he frees your heart from bitter jealousy and from selfish ambition and that the good fruit of purity and peace and gentleness and mercy actually begin to grow in your heart and that's the hope that Jesus Christ holds out for all who will come to him and embrace him truly as Lord and as Savior. [00:34:24]

He gave himself in love for us so that you should not spend your life locked up in bitter jealousy selfish ambition but rather you would be able to give yourself in love to others he died for all that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and rose so follow the example of James stop trying to tell Jesus what he should be doing trade in a life that's about how I'm going to make my mark in the world. [00:36:47]

Father unlock hard bitter hearts today and change us by the grace and mercy that is found in Jesus that with living faith renewed hope and the knowledge of your amazing love that we may be transformed into the likeness of Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit for it is in Christ's name that we pray amen. [00:37:56]

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Transcript
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