Start with a correct understanding of the history of Israel, of the people of the book. The Bible was written to, for, and about Abraham's descendants (through Isaac and Jacob only). Go to 2 Kings 16:6. In it is the first application of "Jews" in scripture. It will tell you that Israel was fighting---with the Jews (i.e., with the Judah portion of Israel). Then, read of the seventh and sixth century BC invasions and deportations of Israel (by the Assyrians), and of Judah (by the Babylonians). The ten tribes, or house of Israel did, and would not return. A remnant only (42,000) of two tribed Judah returned. It was they who became the community of Israelites who populated Palestine when Jesus was born among them. Thus it was that when Jesus began his ministry most Israelites were outside of Palestine, and had been for hundreds of years. They were referred to by Christ as "the lost sheep of the house of Israel," and "other sheep I have which are not of this fold" (John 10:16), and by the Pharisees as "...the dispersed among the Gentiles" (John 7:35). Called "Gentiles" in Paul's epistles these non-Jew Israelites were north and west of Palestine, in the Mediterranean area and well into Europe in the first century. James, writing to these Christian Israelites, addressed his letter to "...the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad" (James 1:1). Your pastor does not know this, or if he does will not admit it.