The Alternative

Dr. Tony Evans: If your world is going to keep from falling apart, Jesus must be Lord.

Guest (Male): Dr. Tony Evans talks about keeping the Savior at the center of your whole life, not just your church life.

Dr. Tony Evans: If you don't see Jesus as Lord, don't be surprised if your life unravels in front of your eyes.

Guest (Male): This is The Alternative broadcast, featuring the timeless biblical teachings from the archives of Dr. Tony Evans.

Guest (Male): You know, it can be really refreshing to talk to somebody who skips all the small talk, gets straight to the point and tells the truth. Dr. Evans says that describes the Apostle James perfectly. Let's join him as he begins the first message in a series that gives us practical insights from the book of James.

Dr. Tony Evans: When you are going on a trip, it's good to read a map so that you can get the most out of your journey. To know where you're going and how you're getting there and what sites you're going to see helps save time and helps you to maximize the trip.

Dr. Tony Evans: James chapter 1, verse 1 gives us our map. That's as far as we will get today, chapter 1, verse 1.

Dr. Tony Evans: As James introduces us to himself and to what he is about in those few words that orients us to the rest of the trip. We're going to discover today the person of James, the priority of James, the people of James, and the point of James.

Dr. Tony Evans: James here is the half-brother of Jesus Christ. There are four men called James in the New Testament. We know from chapter 1, verse 6, where it talks about the sea-driven surf, chapter 3, verse 4, that this James lived by the sea.

Dr. Tony Evans: We know that he lived in a land full of figs and oil and wine, so chapter 3, verse 12 tells us. That he lived in a context of salt and bitter springs, according to chapter 3, verse 11 and 12 and the hot wind he was constantly faced with. As the text shows us, this was the environment of his life.

Dr. Tony Evans: Putting all that together with the fact that some of the other James we know have already died or functioned in obscurity, the James of whom we speak today is the half-brother of Jesus Christ. James got to see the brother he saw a few days earlier nailed to a cross risen from the dead.

Dr. Tony Evans: And nothing will turn a man around like seeing the risen Christ. The thing that set Christ apart in the mind of James was the resurrection. And the thing that makes Christianity unique from every other religion in the world, the thing that will turn a man inside out is him being confronted with the risen Christ. That's what captured the mind of James.

Dr. Tony Evans: The book of James is made up of 108 verses. But what's more important for you to know is that 54 of them are imperatives. An imperative is a command. James is not big on suggestions. You will discover as we go through this book, he really doesn't want to know what you think.

Dr. Tony Evans: And please forgive me as I go through this series as I try to incarnate myself in James. Since he's not going to make suggestions, neither will I. Since he's not going to ask for anyone's opinion, neither will I.

Dr. Tony Evans: James is a commanding figure who does not want to hear your excuses. He wants to deal with function, not theory. He wants to know more about your walk and less about your talk. He's concerned about your demonstration, not your declaration. And he wants to be able to observe your commitment and not merely meander around your conversation.

Dr. Tony Evans: James is concerned today that we have too much milktoast Christianity. James is concerned that the church has become a playpen for babies, rather than a workshop for adults. He preaches with fire, with illustrations and analogies. Folks, there are enough needles in this haystack to prick the conscience of every dull, defeated, and degenerated Christian.

Dr. Tony Evans: James starts off by saying, "Hello, I'm James. Jesus is Lord. Let's get busy." That's the mindset of James. He wants to get at it quick. That is the personality of this man who writes this biting letter to us today.

Dr. Tony Evans: The priority of James.

Dr. Tony Evans: James a bond servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. That's odd. Why wouldn't he say James half-brother of Jesus? Why wouldn't he do some one-upmanship? You folks, listen to me because I'm Jesus's blood brother. He didn't say that. He says James, slave of Jesus Christ.

Dr. Tony Evans: You see, James had come to understand at his conversion and beyond that Jesus was not just his half-brother, he was his Lord. James is going to say Jesus must be Lord. James is going to say if Jesus is Lord, stop whining about your circumstances and get on top of them.

Dr. Tony Evans: If Jesus Christ is Lord, there is nothing you face that's bigger than you, because in order for it to be bigger than you, it's got to be bigger than him. Since it's not bigger than him and you have him, it's not bigger than you. He's going to say that you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you, if Jesus is Lord.

Dr. Tony Evans: Some of us want to say, "Well, I'm waiting for God to help me." James is going to say, "God is waiting for you to start moving so he can help you." Many of us want to be still targets and say, "Lord, take me to victory." The Lord Jesus Christ is saying, "Walk in victory and you watch me take you there."

Dr. Tony Evans: Some of us are saying, "Well, I guess God's not ready yet." James is saying, "No, you're not ready yet." God is there in the Lordship of Jesus Christ to give you victory over that failed marriage, to give you victory over those failed passions, to give you victory over those failed addictions, to give you victory over those failed depressions. He is there through his many mechanisms to give you victory.

Dr. Tony Evans: And that's why the Bible says, "Walk in the Spirit, Galatians 5:16." If the Spirit doesn't walk, you walk. The Spirit takes you as you walk. The Holy Spirit will be your moving sidewalk underneath and you'll pass people by who are walking on their own. Many of us are trying to do it on our own when the Holy Ghost provides under the Lordship of Christ the moving sidewalk for spiritual victory.

Dr. Tony Evans: Thirdly, the people of James. Verse 1 says that he is writing to those who have been scattered to the 12 tribes who are dispersed. This refers to Jewish Christians who through persecution, told to us in Acts chapter 8, verse 1, have been scattered all about beyond Palestine. They were now scattered everywhere because persecution broke out in Jerusalem, so they were going every which way.

Dr. Tony Evans: And so they kind of lost their way and even though persecution had now ended, according to Acts 9:31, things that settled down, all kind of internal strife had arisen that was causing great pain in the lives of these believers. We know he's writing to believers because he calls them in verse 16, "My beloved brethren." Again in verse 19, "My beloved brethren." In fact, he says in verse 18, "The Lord brought us forth."

Dr. Tony Evans: By the word of truth. We're saved. They were saved believers. Now what does this tell us? First of all, he's going to talk about trials. Anybody in here going through a trial? He's going to open up in verse 2 and say, "Guess what? Consider it all joy."

Dr. Tony Evans: Clap your hands and shout, because you're in the opportunity to look at life differently. So if you're here for a trial and you're in a trial, James has something for you. I wonder if there's anybody in here today who's stuck in a sin. You got a sin you can't get rid of. You got a sin you can't shake. James says, "I got something for you."

Dr. Tony Evans: Cause James is going to say in verse 13, "Let no one say when he is tempted, 'I am tempted by God.'" He's going to say, "Don't get trials mixed up with temptation." Don't get the two mixed up. Don't get these things mixed up because God doesn't tempt people to sin. You sin because you want to sin, not because God makes you sin. Don't blame God for your sin if you want to get out of your sin. So if there are any sinners in the house who got sins they can't shake, guess what? James has something for you.

Dr. Tony Evans: Well, let's say you're not in a trial, nor you're in a temptation, but I believe there's somebody here with financial difficulties. Somebody here who can't pay their bills on time. Somebody here in debt they can't get out of. Guess what? James has something for you.

Dr. Tony Evans: James says, verse 9, "But let the brother of humble circumstance glory in his high position." Let the folks who don't have a lot of money recognize their position because when they recognize without money, that they have more than money can buy, now God may be free to give you some money. See, James is going to talk about that and deal with that through the book of James. He's not only going to talk about that.

Dr. Tony Evans: But I wonder if there's somebody here who can't control their temper. They're angry, angry at what your mama did, angry at what your daddy did, angry at what your boss is doing, and you're just an angry person. James has a word for the angry here today. Because James is going to say when we get to it in verse 20, "For the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God." You getting mad don't hurt anybody but you.

Dr. Tony Evans: And God is going to say to you, if you think your anger is going to make God do what God has no intent on doing, all you're going to wind up getting from him is more to be angry about. So if anybody here is dealing with anger, guess what? James has something for you.

Guest (Male): Dr. Evans will have more of what's coming up for us in the book of James when he returns in just a moment. First though, I want to tell you about our current featured resource. Dr. Evans' encouraging 30-day devotional, "Trusting God in Turbulent Times."

Guest (Male): When life feels uncertain and the future seems unclear, it's easy to respond with fear, frustration, or confusion. But this devotional will help you find comfort and strength in God's faithfulness through daily scripture readings, practical insights, and biblical encouragement for life's toughest seasons. We want you to have the "Trusting God in Turbulent Times" devotional to help reinforce your faith when the going gets tough.

Guest (Male): So we'll send you a copy as our thank-you gift when you make a contribution to support our work here on the air and around the world. Along with it, we'll also include all 16 lessons in Tony's current two-volume series, "James: Time to Grow Up." Available on CD, USB flash drive, or instantly downloadable MP3s. Get all the details at tonyevans.org before this limited-time offer runs out. That's tonyevans.org. Or call 1-800-800-3222. I'll repeat that contact information for you after part two of today's lesson and this.

Guest (Male): On Unbound with Dr. Tony Evans, guests share practical wisdom for navigating anxiety, distraction, and the pressure to always be on.

Guest (Female): My mind is like an internet browser. 19 tabs are open.

Guest (Male): Through their real stories, they offer perspective on growth and resilience.

Guest (Female): Consider how the wildflowers grow. They grow in freedom.

Guest (Female): Even when progress isn't obvious, you don't have to be blooming to be growing.

Guest (Male): Unbound with Dr. Tony Evans, listen now. You can hear the Unbound podcast on your favorite podcast platform. Right now, let's get back to Dr. Evans for more on "The Point of James."

Dr. Tony Evans: Anybody in here going through a trial? Guess what? Consider it all joy. So if you're here for a trial and you're in a trial, James has something for you. But maybe you don't have a problem with trials, temptations, finances or anger. But maybe your problem is racism, classism or culturalism. Chapter 2, verse 1. "My brethren, do not hold the faith of our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism." "If a man comes into your assembly with a gold ring, dressed in fine clothes, and there comes a poor man in dirty linen, and you pay special attention to the rich man, you are evil."

Dr. Tony Evans: And James is going to say, "I got something to talk to you about and I don't want to hear what your mama raised you to believe." I want to hear what the Lord Jesus Christ has to say. He's got something for you if you're facing that. But not only that. Somebody here today is selfish. Selfish. You think only about yourself. Only what you want. Only what you want to do.

Dr. Tony Evans: He's going to say something about selfishness and the spirit that only wants what I want for me. He says verse 15 of chapter 2, "If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says, 'Go in peace, be warmed and filled,' but yet you do not give him what is necessary for the body, what use is that?" What use is saying, "I hope you get to eat," and you got food in your refrigerator and you're only concerned about you? Any selfish people need to hear from James this week. He has a word for you. Some people here are dealing with jealousy. You wish you were the pastor.

Dr. Tony Evans: Hello. Hello. He says in chapter 3, verse 1, "Let not many of you be teachers, my brethren." "Knowing that you shall fall under the strict of judgment." Say you want the job, you got to pay the penalty. He says, he says, so they were arguing, one wanting one position, one wanting another position, one thinking they should sing the solo, and one think that they should be the choir director, another one, they want to be the choir director. And there was mass confusion. He had to say, "Get yourself in order."

Dr. Tony Evans: But maybe you're not dealing with one of those problems. Maybe your problem is much more than that, you can't control your tongue. You don't know how to talk. You say the first thing that comes out of your mouth. James says, "I want to talk to you and the flap in your mouth." He says, verse 2 of chapter 3, "For we all stumble in many ways. Nobody's perfect." But if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man. "Able to bridle the whole body as well." Controlling the tongue. He says, is a key issue in Christianity for those who want to be serious about it.

Dr. Tony Evans: But maybe that's not your problem. Maybe your problem is you're just a secular Christian. Verse 15 of chapter 3. "This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, and demonic." Oh, I got some folk in here saying, "Well, I'm a natural man." I got some, "I'm a natural woman." Well, you're evil from hell. Don't get mad at me, read the verse. He says, "If you're a natural man, if you're a natural woman," "If you do the secular way." He says, "That's not natural, that's demonic." He says, "And it is straight from the pit." Secularism, he says, it leaves God out and uses human wisdom is demonic.

Dr. Tony Evans: Some of us are in conflicts. We fight everybody all the time. "What is the source, chapter 4, verse 1, of your quarrels and conflicts among you?" "Is it not the source of your pleasures that wage war in your members?" They were fighting one another, church fights, church splits, everybody arguing with one another. Couldn't have peace. Some had a problem with pride. Chapter 4:16. He says, "You boast in your arrogance and all such boasting is evil."

Dr. Tony Evans: Brag about, "This is my money and this is my house, this is my business, and these are my clothes and this is my." He says, "Your life is like a vapor." "And if you don't act right, you may vaporize up out of here sooner than you think." He says, "Your life is short." And he says, "You better stop thinking that it is yours because one day you will leave it or it will leave you." So if we got some people who are successful and think you're somebody, James says, "Think again."

Dr. Tony Evans: Some are materialists. Verse 5, chapter 5, verse 1. "Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries which are coming upon you." Okay? You didn't made all that money without me? Well, I'm going to show you how miserable poverty can look like when I take away the things that matters most. The misery that God is going to bring to you. And when God brings it, you can't buy your way out of it and MasterCard neither nor American Express can bail you out. Not when God brings you misery. James has a word for materialism.

Dr. Tony Evans: Then he has a word for the impatient. Chapter 5, verse 8 and 9. "You too be patient, strengthen your heart, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not complain, brethren, against one another that ye yourselves may not be judged." If you are complaining, you are becoming as wrong as the person that you are complaining against, then the Lord's solution to you may be delayed for you because you are a complainer and not a prayer.

Dr. Tony Evans: He's going to say some are sick. If anybody in here is dealing with physical illnesses, he's going to have something for you too. Because he's going to say that even in sickness, chapter 5, verse 14, "Is anyone sick? Let him call for the elders of the church." He's going to tell you what to do with disease, because James is a bottom-line kind of guy. Some were dealing with prayerlessness. To he had to tell them that prayer is powerful. And then some were teetering with apostasy, leaving the faith, he says to them, "Let uh verse 19, my brethren, if anyone strays from the truth."

Dr. Tony Evans: I think there's something in here for James for just about everybody, huh? So these 12 tribes, this Israel, that is applied to the church, are the people that he's speaking to. "My beloved brethren, I have something to share with you in this letter." Finally, his point is simple, spiritual maturity in the faith. The word he uses in the book is that you might be perfect. That doesn't mean without any error, it means grown up.

Dr. Tony Evans: Some of us think growing old equals growing up. Some of us have been Christians for 25 years and we're still in a spiritual nursery. Some of us have been Christians for a long time and we don't handle problems any better today than if that same problem happened 25 years ago. You know why? Cause we're still baby Christians. And the worst thing in the world is to have grown up problems and not be a grown up.

Dr. Tony Evans: The reason why some of us want to walk away is because we haven't grown up. The reason why some of us want to throw in the towel is because we haven't grown up. The reason why some of us can't get rid of certain sins is because we haven't grown up. The reason why some of us collapse under pressure is because we haven't grown up. When you grow up, you can handle more than a baby. But if you can't handle anything more now than you could handle 10 years ago when you came to Jesus Christ, it's a grow up problem. Because the trials will never cease. You got to grow up, he says. The issue is spiritual maturity.

Dr. Tony Evans: So let me show you the key verse as we wind down. Here's the key verse. The verse for the book. Chapter 1, verse 19. "This you know, my beloved brethren." Here's the key. One, be swift to hear. What does that mean? I'll sum it now, listen to God's word. Either directly or through others, but run first to what God has to say about a matter. That's what it means to be swift to hear. Go first to what God has to say about a subject.

Dr. Tony Evans: Two, be slow to speak. Now we get that backwards. We're fast to talk and slow to hear. He says, "Be slow to speak." You can't learn while talking. God gave you two ears and one mouth for a reason. Okay? Don't pour out your thoughts too fast. Or to put it another way, when you're facing one of these things that I've just gone over, don't say, "Well, I." Stop, shut up, don't say anything. Be like Job, he covered his mouth. Said he covered his mouth and he would not speak because as long as he was trying to talk to understand what God was doing, he couldn't make sense or head nor tail of it. But when he says, "I will be silent and say no more," the Bible says, "And the whirlwind whipped up." And God showed up because we're talking too much and listening too little.

Dr. Tony Evans: You run to God first. You keep quiet until you find out what he has to say. And then you talk about what he thinks and not what you think. And then thirdly, be slow to wrath. That is, do not have an inappropriate reaction to difficult times because if you react inappropriately, you will work against God than working for him. And the reason why many of us are in trials we can't get out of is because we're working against the God who wants to help us. But he can't help us because we're using human wisdom and not divine means.

Guest (Male): Speaking of trials, that's where Dr. Tony Evans will pick up next time as he continues our look at the book of James. In the time we have remaining, I want to mention that today's lesson is the first in Tony's series called "James: Time to Grow Up." There are 16 full-length messages in this two-volume collection. Containing bonus content we won't have time to present on the air. As I mentioned earlier, it's yours as our thank-you gift. When you make a contribution to help us keep Tony's teaching on this station.

Guest (Male): Along with it, we'll send you Dr. Evans' 30-day devotional, "Trusting God in Turbulent Times." Designed to encourage you with scripture and strengthen your confidence in God through every season of life. But this offer will only be available for a limited time, so don't wait. Visit tonyevans.org today or reach out to our resource center at 1-800-800-3222. Where team members are always on hand to help you. That's online at tonyevans.org or by phone at 1-800-800-3222.

Dr. Tony Evans: Are the trials in your life going to take you apart or put you back together better than ever? You want to join us again next time as Dr. Evans explains why the difference is up to you.