Faithfulness, clarity and relevance. As Jonathan Lamb notes, these are the criteria and hallmarks of effective biblical preaching that Langham Preaching seeks to inculcate. So what score can we give this book on each point? On faithfulness and clarity – top marks. We are taken through the whole text of James with careful explanatory attention to every detail of the text, but in a way that is crystal clear and most helpfully signposted all the way. The thematic division in the five main sections is imaginative and memorable, but it does also clearly reflect the passion and purpose of James and draws out the breadth of his wisdom and challenge to all followers of his brother Jesus. And relevance? Well, there are ample resources for that purpose too: multiple short and apt illustrations and abundant questions for personal or group reflection, response and application. Everything you need, in fact, to prove the real-life relevance of God’s word. But in the end, as James said, it’s not just hearing (or reading) the word that counts, but doing it. So only you the reader or Bible-study group making use of this book can finally give it a score on that point. Test it and see. You will most definitely not be disappointed.
Chris Wright, PhD
International Ministries Director, Langham Partnership
From confusion to confidence, from mourning to mending, from faith to action, God’s word brings purpose, hope and comfort to God’s people in every generation. God’s word also challenges and warns against serious inconsistency, as well as a drift towards an easy religion and faith shaped by personal expediency rather than godly determination. The Langham titles on the books of Nehemiah, Habakkuk and James by Jonathan Lamb bring alive God’s word in a clear, faithful and relevant manner. They challenge us to live consistent, authentic Christian lives in a morally bewildered and spiritually confused world, with God’s purpose and for his glory. I highly recommend them to you.
Rev Dr Patrick Fung
General Director, OMF International
We need sermons that are authentic to the text of Scripture, lucid in conveying its truths, and courageous in applying the word of God to our lives today. In the expository ministry of Jonathan Lamb you will find all of these characteristics, and the sermons contained in this book bear witness to this commendation. They once blessed a live audience and have since continued to bless many more people through the printed page, along with the additional questions and application. May your soul be enriched as you find the big questions of life answered from Scripture in studying these passages yourself!
Conrad Mbewe, PhD
Pastor, Kabwata Baptist Church
Chancellor, African Christian University, Lusaka, Zambia
Rather than exhorting us to practice what we preach, Jonathan Lamb challenges us to think of how thin our message would be if we preached what we practice. He challenges us to face a simple question: What’s the point of believing something unless it works out in our behaviour and relationships?
Charles Price
Author and Teacher
Minister-at-Large, The Peoples Church, Toronto, Canada
This study guide to James is clear, relevant and practical – all the qualities I associate with the expositional gifts of Jonathan Lamb. When the world turns its back on institutional Christianity, often the most powerful witness left standing is Christians in community demonstrating a faith that behaves. The solid achievement of this book is that it addresses with a memorable outline what godliness looks like, in actions as well as words.
David Coffey, OBE
Global Ambassador, BMS World Mission
Past President, Baptist World Alliance
