Lesson 2 April 25

Those addressed:

"to the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad, greetings."

So James is writing to Jewish believers dispersed among the nations, throughout the Roman empire.

When and How they got there.

- There was a recognized dispersion in the time of Jesus' ministry Jn 7:35.

- There were many Jews, Pilgrims, in Jerusalem out of this dispersion for the Passover and feast of Pentecost from all nations. Luke notes this in Acts 2:5-11

- There was also a general dispersion of Jewish believers at the time of Stephen's death, a time of great persecution. Acts 8:1 (UNDSF - Paul participated)

- Many who were in Jerusalem during the Pentecost period heard Peter's great message Acts 2:14-36.

Background:

These Jewish believers lived in a unique period of history, one of great changes. Transition from the age of Israel and living under the M/L to the new dispensation the church age.

During this time they were still trying to function/worship in the synagogue.

Greetings - cai,rw - common greeting - root meaning = to rejoice, be glad, to have joy.

- James purpose is not just in greeting them but in preparing them for the discussion to follow. The MA of Joy - inner happiness - contentment that they as believers should have even in the face of persecution, suffering which many of them were experiencing.

1:2 Introduction:

James focuses his attention as he begins this letter on just what our mental attitude, our viewpoint should be as believers as we face the pressures, the tests and often the tough circumstances of life which seems to become increasingly more complex.

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials;

consider - h`ge,omai - (Aor mid Imp 2nd pl) - to think, to consider, to regard

(denotes a mental process - looking at the facts, adding them up and making a proper application)

my brethren - avdelfoi, mou - shows his equality with them as a fellow believer and expresses his deep compassion for them.

- For the Israelite it denoted his physical heritage but for the Believer it denotes his spiritual heritage as a result of regeneration and indicates his new position in Christ.

SOME CONSIDERATIONS RELATED TO JOY

First must look at some negative statements or What Joy is NOT!!

1. JOY is not the same as fun and games.

2. JOY is not the same as jollity or cheerful exuberance.

3. JOY is not the same thing as being carefree.

GENERIC DEFINITION OF JOY:

Webster = Excitement of pleasurable feeling caused by the acquisition or expectation of good; ... delight; exultation; exhilaration of spirits.

J.I. Packer, theologian, Joy is a happiness of heart linked with good feelings of one sort or another. Joy covers the spectrum of what may be called the rapturous, ranging from the extreme aching of ecstasy to the quiet thrill of contentment.

OBSERVATIONS:

Joy is a condition, something experienced, but more than an emotional feeling, it is primarily a state of mind.

As we observe life we can see the preciousness of joy, its importance in life and the contrasting pitifulness of a life of devoid of joy.