For Preachers: ”The Sermon on the Mount & James” by Doug Burleson

April 22, 2023 - Equipped Day 3

9:00AM MPR 2 Speaker 

Doug Burleson looks at the similarities of the teachings from the book of James and Jesus' sermon on the mount.

 

Slides:

• Parallels Between James and the Sermon on the Mount
• Why doesn't James spend more time making the clear connection between himself and his older brother
  • Sayings > Stories
  • Not limited to Matthew
  • Not limited to Sermon on Mount (Matthew 24:27 and James 5:9)
• "James depends more than any other NT author on the teaching of Jesus... The author of the letter seems to have been so soaked in the atmosphere and specifics of Jesus' teaching that he can reflect them almost unconsciously" - Douglas Moo, The Letter of James, Pillar NT Commentary, 7
• How does James allude to the teaching of Jesus in the book of James?
  • Direct Statements (not quotes) -
    • James 1:5; 2:8; 11; 4:11-12; 5:9; 12
  • Being Hearers and Doers -
    • James 2:14-26
  • The Beatitudes -
    • James 2:5, 13; 3:18; 4:8
  • Nine Themes of practical living
• Direct Statements
  • Ask and it will be given - James 1:5 & Matthew 7:7
  • Love your neighbor - James 2:8 & Matthew 5:43; 7:12
  • Do not murder, commit adultery - James 2:11 (Exodus 20:13-14) & Matthew 5:21,27
  • Do not make unfair judgments - James 4:11-12; 5:9 & Matthew 7:1; Luke 6:37
  • Do not make oaths - James 5:12 & Matthew 5:33-36
    • James 5:12 -  But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath; but your yes is to be yes, and your no, no, so that you my not fall under judgment.
    • Matthew 5:34-35 - But I say to you, make no oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by earth, for it is the footstool of His feet, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King.
  • For total OT quotations in James
    • James 2:8 - Leviticus 19:18 (Matt. 5:43; 7:12)
    • James 2:11 - Exodus 20:13-14 (Deut. 5:17-18) and Matthew 5:21, 27
    • James 2:23 - Genesis 15:6
    • James 4:6 - Isaiah 54:7
• Being Hearers and Doers
  • Compare James 2:14-26 with Matthew 7:24-27; Luke 6:46
  • Faith without works is dead (James 2:17, 26)
  • The wise man is like the one who hears Jesus' words and acts on them. The foolish man hears and doesn't act (Matt. 7:24-27).
  • Why honor Jesus with our words and not do what He says? (Luke 6:46; 11:28)
• The Beatitudes
  • The poor in spirit (Luke 6:20) - James 2:5 & Matt. 5:3
  • The merciful - James 2:13 & Matt. 5:7
  • The peacemakers - James 3:18 & Matt. 5:9
  • The pure in heart - James 4:8 & Matt. 5:8
• Nine themes for living
  • Enduring Trails - (1:2-4; Matt. 5:10-12, 48; Luke 6:23)
  • Judging (2:1-13; Matt. 5:3-7, 19-22; 7:1-5; Luke 6:20)
  • Listening (1:19-27; Matt 5:22; 7:21-27; Luke 6:46-49)
  • Patience (5:7-11; Matt. 5:11-12; 7:1; Luke 6:22-23)
  • Prayer (5:13-18; Matt. 6:12-15; 7:7-11)
  • Use of Riches (1:9-11; Matt. 6:19-21)
  • The tongue (3:1-12; Matt. 7:16; Luke 6:44-45)
  • Wealth (5:1-6; Matt. 6:19-21; Luke 6:24-25; 12:33)
  • Wisdom (3:13-18; Matt. 5:5-9)
• Should we be surprised at the consistency of GOD's WORD?
  • The book of James is well-connected to the rest of scripture, but especially the teachings of Jesus.
  • Two of the OT passages quoted in James are also quoted in the sermon on the mount.
  • What are the implications for inspiration and the nature of the truthfulness of GOD's WORD?

 

Duration 41:45