James 1: The Brother of Our Lord
Speaker
John MacArthur
Date Published
I. The Unbelieving Brother
The sermon begins by establishing the family context of Jesus. Contrary to some traditions, Mary and Joseph had a normal marriage after Jesus's birth, raising a large family that included at least four other sons (James, Joses, Simon, and Jude) and multiple daughters.
Growing Up with Perfection: James grew up with a half-brother who was absolutely sinless. Jesus never disobeyed, complained, lied, or wasted a moment. This perfection, rather than inspiring faith, likely created jealousy, resentment, and envy among His siblings.
Skepticism and Rejection: Despite thirty years of firsthand exposure to Jesus's perfection, His brothers did not believe He was the Messiah (John 7:5). In fact, when Jesus began His public ministry, they thought He was "out of His mind" (Mark 3:21). MacArthur suggests this illustrates the principle that "familiarity breeds contempt."
James's Role: As the eldest brother after Jesus, James likely became the family leader after Joseph's death and was a prominent voice in the family's disbelief.
II. The Believing Brother
James's transformation from skeptic to believer was not gradual but the result of a single, pivotal event.
The Turning Point: There is no biblical evidence that James or his brothers came to faith during Jesus's three-year public ministry.
A Post-Resurrection Appearance: The change occurred after Jesus's resurrection. As recorded in 1 Corinthians 15:7, the resurrected Christ made a personal appearance to James. This "stunning reunion" was the catalyst for his conversion.
Evidence of Conversion: After this event, James and his brothers are seen gathered with the 120 believers in the Upper Room on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 1:14), fully embracing their brother as Lord and Messiah.
III. A Pillar of the Church
Following his conversion, James rapidly rose to become the preeminent leader of the church in Jerusalem, essentially its first lead pastor.
Established Authority: He was the central figure Paul sought out after his conversion (Galatians 1:19) and the person Peter reported to after his miraculous release from prison (Acts 12).
The Jerusalem Council (Acts 15): James's leadership was most clearly demonstrated when he presided over the Jerusalem Council around A.D. 49. He moderated the debate and delivered the final verdict, affirming that salvation is by grace through faith alone, not by adherence to Mosaic law. This decision was critical in defending the purity of the gospel.
Faithful Shepherd: He led the Jerusalem church faithfully for approximately 30 years until his martyrdom around A.D. 62.
IV. A Writer of Scripture
James was used by God to write the first book of the New Testament, the Epistle of James. The sermon outlines five key character traits revealed in his writing:
