Invitation
to James: Persevering Through Trials to Win the Crown
by Donald Sunukjian
These published sermons by renowned preacher
and Preaching Professor Donald Sunukjian (author of Invitation to Biblical Preaching also) are chalk full of wisdom concerning
preaching and understanding the audience.
Taking us through the Book of James, Donald opens both the newspapers of
our culture (what’s going on in the lives of those people we preach to), and
the world of James (the 1st century Biblical world) to give us God’s
wisdom for our lives. What initially
turns out to be some written sermons after reading becomes a clear model of how
to preach clearly, effectively, and winsomely.
Opening the book is a sermon on James 1.1-4 is
an illustration from Judith Viorst’s book Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible,
No Good, Very Bad Day. Alexander wakes
up with gum in his hair and he goes to bed with his terrible railroad pajamas
on and no cat in his bed. Donald takes
up this book in connection with all people who experience anger, frustration,
and pain that they don’t want and wish would go away (6-7). He then goes onto set these examples in light
of James’ situation as a church leader in the midst of a hostile world where
their shops were boycotted, their lives endangered and harassment at every
corner. In this context, Donald helps
his audience understand what it means to “Consider it pure joy when you face
trials of many kinds,” James 1.2. Donald
goes onto point out that these trials are very specific in nature, they are “the
kind of trials he’s talking about are those where you can’t do anything to
deserve such difficulty; and there isn’t anything you can do to stop it. You didn’t cause it, and you can’t end it:…”
(10). Dementia, financial failure
because of the economy, pain of having drug addicted parents, all these things
are not part of the normal way of things.
Donald has a way of getting to the bottom of issues in the text that
point to very real life events in the audience.
On speaking about loving impartially and James
2.1-13, Donald writes, “There’s a second reason why you should love impartially. You must do so not only because it shows your
trust in God, that he is in control, but also because it shows your wisdom
about people – that it’s often the poor who have the deepest walk with God….whereas
the rich often have no use for him in their live” (45). We don’t often think about classes of people
like this because often we are more concerned about what they can give to the
church, money, than about their wisdom in the things of God. Donald brings about to the underlying truth
of James’ words about impartiality.
This book of sermons is a breath of fresh air
for those wanting a sober account of the book of James. Even more, Donald provides sterling examples
of how to dig into the text and into our culture, bringing together the hope of
the gospel for the weary soul.
Thanks to Weaver Book Company and Cross Focused
Reviews for the copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Comments
Post a Comment