Steadfast:
How to Stay
on Track

Remain steady and grounded in God’s wisdom and strength as we learn how to face trials, live out His Word, and walk in faith through the book of James. Catch up or rewatch sermons here.

Weekly Lineup

Week 1

How To Keep Your Faith Through Hard Times

James 1:1-12

Week 2

How To Be A Good Person

James 1:19-27

Week 3

How To Know Your Faith Is Real

James 2:14-26

Week 4

How To Speak Life

James 3:1-12

Week 5

How To Be At Peace

James 4:1-10

Week 6

How To Be Rich

James 5:1-6

Week 7

How To Pray More

James 5:13-18

Sermon Discussion

Follow along with the sermon with these helpful questions.

Music

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More on the Book of James

James 1:1 tells us that the author of this letter is “James, a servant of God” who is thought to be the brother of Jesus Christ (Matthew 13:55; Mark 6:3). James became the head of the Christian church in Jerusalem and is mentioned first as a pillar of the church (Galatians 2:9).

The book of James is probably the oldest book of the New Testament, written perhaps as early as AD 45, before the first council of Jerusalem in c. AD 50. James was martyred in approximately AD 62, according to the historian Josephus, so some have dated this epistle around 49-52 AD. This time frame seems most likely.

James is located toward the end of the New Testament, right in between Hebrews and 1 Peter. These letters (Hebrews, James, 1 & Peter, Jude) have sometimes been called the “Catholic” epistles. Catholic means the whole church, commenting on how these letters have a much wider scope in mind (while other epistles (letters) are focused on single churches (Corinthians) or even individual leaders (Titus)).

The original readers seem to be experiencing some kind of trials and temptations (1:2-3), we also see in the church divisions arising between the rich and the poor (5:1-6), along with the problem of some professing to have faith yet lacking any actual evidence of a vibrant spiritual life with God (2:14-16).

The letter of James appeals to the readers to have an active and practical faith lived out in all circumstances. He desires for the church to walk and grow in true wisdom (1:5-8), master the tongue (3:5-12), live and active faith (2:14-26), and care for the poor (2:1-7).

First, remember you’re saved by God’s grace alone, not by anything you do. Then, be encouraged to live out your faith tangibly and in response to God’s grace. Good works are not the cause of salvation, but they are the result of it.

Also, read James with these two foundational reference points: The sermon on the mount and the book of Proverbs. James quotes and alludes to the words of his brother (Jesus) and this Old Testament wisdom book throughout his letter. To his audience, James is showing them how to practically live out the greatest sermon ever given and to walk in ancient wisdom in their every day.