Apostle James
“The Apostle of Passion”
Acts 12: 1-2 (NIV)
“It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. He James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword.”
Introduction:
Every individual brings his personality, his talents, his gifts, his thoughts, and feelings to the body of Christ. Throughout scripture God choose men & women with a number of different traits and called them to serve faithfully.
Of the three Apostles (Peter, James, & John) that made up the inner circle James is the one we have the least information about. He was the older brother of John, and son of Zebedee. Some things of interested we do know:
His calling was clearly defined … Matthew 4:21 … “they immediately followed him”
I. Jesus gave James (along with his brother) the name Boanerges which means “Son of Thunder” … MARK 3:17
a. There indication that he was:
i. Fervent
ii. Passionate
iii. Zealous
iv. Insensitive
b. He also appeared to have been
i. Ambitious
ii. Overconfident
c. Not the first to have this demeanor listed in scripture;
i. Elijah … called fire down on the pagan unbeliever.
II. He was a student of Jesus teaching
a. One the first three called as disciples
b. There when Jesus taught the crowds
c. There when Jesus performed the miracles
d. He was there when Jesus shared personally with the disciples.
e. One of the three to be there for the transfiguration
f. One of the three to be in the garden when Jesus went to pray prior to HIS death.
g. He was in agreement with the will of God … Acts 2:1
h. He saw & felt the power of Pentecost … Acts 2: 3 - 4
III. He was willing to pay the price for Christ
a. He walked away from family
b. He walked away from the family business
c. He was mostly likely ridiculed daily
