Through Thick and Thin: The Epistle of James

The Epistle of James is attributed to the younger [half-]brother of Jesus who was a leader of the early church in Jerusalem.

The book is a collection of wisdom sayings but penned as a letter to Jewish Christians forced from their homeland. Mistreated for their faith many of these believers had begun to abandon their convictions for worldly and selfish pursuits. Throughout the epistle the author exhorts his readers to triumph under trials and temptations. It covers such topics as endurance amidst persecution, poverty and wealth, control of the tongue, caring for orphans and widows, cursing, boasting, oaths, and prayer.

The Epistle of James is a timely reminder to today’s church — going through comparable difficulties — to walk together “through thick and thin”, in a manner consistent with the sincere profession of faith.

Speaker: Ian Ma
Scripture: James 3:1-12
Date: 2022-03-13

James 3:1-12 (NIV)

Taming the Tongue

Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.

Speaker: Ian Ma
Scripture: James 2:14-26
Date: 2022-03-06

James 2:14-26 (NIV)

Faith and Deeds

14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food.16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

Speaker: Ian Ma
Scripture: James 2:1-13
Date: 2022-02-27

James 2:1-13 (NIV)

Favoritism Forbidden 

My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. 2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. 3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” 4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

Speaker: Ian Ma
Scripture: James 1:19-27
Date: 2022-02-20

James 1:19-27 (NIV)

Listening and Doing

19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

Speaker: Josephine Kwong
Scripture: James 1:1-18
Date: 2022-02-13

James 1:1-18 (NIV)

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,

To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations:

Greetings.