Message Transcript The first New Testament book written was the Book of James, written by Jesus' brother. After the resurrection of Jesus, James became the leader of the church in Jerusalem. My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others? For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes. If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, ""You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor - well, doesn't this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives? James 2:1-4 What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don't show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, ""Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well"" - but then you don't give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? So you see, faith by itself isn't enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. James 2:14-17 The LORD replies, ""I have seen violence done to the helpless, and I have heard the groans of the poor. Now I will rise up to rescue them, as they have longed for me to do."" Psalm 12:5 When we see injustice - when we see things that are unfair and inequitable - when basic human rights are denied - when human lives are not as they should be due to abuse, exploitation, deprivation, and persecution, James says we should produce what he calls ""good deeds"" that bring an end to these injustices. James wanted everyone who read his letter to know that God expects his people to join him in doing this rising. Champions are people who answer the call to see that wrongs are righted and that suffering ends; these are the followers of Jesus who heed the words of James and walk in the footsteps of Jesus.