Embracing Trials and Temptations
The Wisdom Jesus Offers - Part 1
James 1:1-11
Summary: In this passage, James encourages believers to find joy in their trials and to understand that these hardships are a means of developing perseverance and maturity in faith.
Application: This message can help Christians and others recognize that trials are not merely obstacles but opportunities for growth. By reframing their perspective on hardships, they can cultivate a more resilient faith that relies on God’s wisdom and grace.
Teaching: The teaching of this message is that facing trials with joy can lead to spiritual maturity and completeness. It emphasizes the importance of seeking God’s wisdom in difficult times and trusting in His greater purpose.
How this passage could point to Christ: This passage points to Christ as the ultimate source of our joy and strength in trials. Just as He persevered through suffering for our sake, we are called to follow His example, trusting in God’s character and promises.
Big Idea: Enduring trials with a joyful heart leads to spiritual maturity and deeper faith through reliance on God's wisdom.
Recommended Study: As you prepare your message, I recommend diving deeper into the historical context of James, particularly his audience and their challenges. Explore commentaries and resources that address the cultural implications of joy in suffering, and consider the Greek terms used in the text for a richer interpretation of 'trials' and 'perseverance.' Additionally, examining early church practices in dealing with trials could provide practical examples for your audience.
1. Joyful Endurance in Trials
James 1:1-4
You could emphasize how trials are an opportunity for growth in faith. James tells believers to consider trials with joy because they test faith, producing perseverance. Perhaps explain that perseverance leads to maturity and completeness. This passage challenges believers to see difficulties through the lens of God's purpose, reminding them of the example of Christ's endurance. By accepting trials joyfully, Christians can develop a more resilient and faith-filled life, trusting that God uses every trial to refine and mature them.
2. Seeking Divine Wisdom
James 1:5-8
Perhaps point out that when facing trials, believers should seek God’s wisdom to navigate their struggles. James encourages asking for wisdom confidently, without doubt. Emphasize the importance of steadfast faith in God’s character and promises during uncertain times. Relating this to Christ, who trusted God’s wisdom completely, encourages believers to rely on divine guidance rather than their understanding, thus aligning their hearts with God’s purpose and growing in maturity.
3. True Wealth in Christ
James 1:9-11
Maybe explore how trials reveal the true value of spiritual richness over material wealth. James contrasts the lowly believer with the rich, highlighting the fleeting nature of earthly wealth. This passage suggests that joy and maturity come from knowing one's identity in Christ rather than possessions. Relate this to Christ’s teaching on eternal treasures versus earthly gain, encouraging believers to find joy and contentment in their spiritual status, which empowers them to endure trials with grace.
Verses 1-4 (Perseverance through Trials)
Life's Trials Produce Endurance and Can Make Us Perfect
Verses 5-8 (Asking for Wisdom)
God Gives Wisdom to Those Who Ask in Faith
Verses 9-11 (Contrast between the Rich and the Poor)
Poverty Can Force Us to Trust God; Wealth Will Pass Away
Subject | James | Gospels |
Joy During Trials | James 1:2 | Mt 5:10-12, 48; Luke 6:22-23 |
The Importance of Perfection | James 1:4 | Mt 5:48 |
Asking for God’s Generosity | James 1:5-8 | Mt 7:7-9, Luke 11:9-11 |
Faith and Doubt | James 1:6 | Mt 21:21 |
Riches | James 1:9-11 | Mt 6:19-21 |
One who perseveres will be saved | James 1:12 | Mt 10:22; 24:13 |
YOU THINK YOU GOT PROBLEMS
Dr. Joe Pettigrew
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4
Nelson Mandela spent 27 years in prison for fighting for a cause he believed in. Mandela, met external prosecution with internal character. While jailed he spent his time learning and teaching, even mastering the language of his oppressors to be able to communicate with them.
Paul knew a few things about suffering as well, which makes the book of Philippians all the more remarkable. In 2 Corinthians 11:25-27, we read part of the list of those sufferings: “Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.”
In 2 Corinthians 12:7, Paul talks about a thorn in the flesh. “Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.” We don’t know what the affliction was although scholars have speculated things such as a chronic eye problem, malaria, migraines, epilepsy, and even a speech disability. We don’t know what it was, but it was a source of real pain in the apostle’s life.
No one likes to live in pain. Paul sought the Lord three times to remove this source of pain from him (2 Corinthians 12:8). He probably had many good reasons why he should be pain-free: he could have a more effective ministry; he could reach more people with the gospel; he could glorify God even more. But the Lord was more concerned with building Paul’s character and preventing pride. Instead of removing the problem, whatever it was, God gave Paul more overwhelming grace and more compensating strength. Paul learned that God’s “power is made perfect in weakness.”
I don’t believe God is in the rating and ranking of Christians, but Paul may have been the greatest Christian in history. He has probably done more to further Christianity than anyone living or dead. Paul wrote much of the New Testament and yet he still had more than his fair share of bad circumstances.
Many of us think once we’ve made that decision for Christ that everything will fall into place and life will be easier. And when trials and tough times come upon us or continue, we begin to question, “why?” It is difficult to find joy in the midst of all the problems, hardships, and painful circumstances?
I have talked to many Christians who have faced seemingly insurmountable obstacles, mountains of medical bills, bankruptcy, and physical pain. But amidst it all, God’s joy really is there.
Thought of the Day = Whatever circumstances you are facing, I hope you realize that God is all you need to have real joy in your life.
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DO YOU WANT TO BE HAPPY?
Dr. Joe Pettigrew
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything" James 1:2-4
God has blessed us with laughter and joy. Christianity is joyful, and joy is good for our health.
We all know people who are happy and love life. I have many friends that fall into this category. When the world is coming apart, they stay focused and positive. People love to be around these three women because you can tell there is something different about them. All three of these women love Jesus, but they tend to face life from a different point of view than some.
We all experience difficult times that hold no laughter, but during those trying times God provides joy regardless of our circumstances. One of Webster's definitions of joy is "a source or cause of delight." God is our source of joy and he never changes, no matter what is happening around us.
He provides the reasons for our joy: his love, his forgiveness, his grace, his peace, his strength, his hope for today, for tomorrow, and especially for eternity.
All of these wonderful things are ours no matter what our circumstances, no matter what we are going through.
Thought of the Day. We have a choice. When we are going through difficult times, we can choose to remember all those good things and to allow this joy to stay strong within us. Or, we can focus totally on the difficulties and fail to trust God to bring us through, to meet our needs, to ultimately work all things for good.
God loves you. He wants to bring you joy that is beyond understanding. Joy through the good times and the painful times.
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5 Blessings Brought By Deep Water
“God brings men into deep waters not to drown them, but to cleanse them.” – James H. Aughey
Storms of Correction
When the flood waters of trials are about to overwhelm you, remember that God has a life preserver in the Person of Jesus Christ Who hears us when we cry out for help. What we may think it could drown us, God can use to cleanse us. The psalmist sees the good in suffering as he wrote, “It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes” (Psalm 119:71). When we look at storms as a corrective measure of God, done in love, we can look at storms much differently.
Storms of Direction
Sometimes the storms of life can send us into a different direction in our lives like the storm that God hurled at Jonah as he was running away from God on a ship. The storm threatened to sink the whole ship but when they discovered it was because of Jonah’s God, they hesitated to throw him overboard to save the ship, knowing that Jonah would surely die, but in a death-wish sort of frame of mind, Jonah told them to toss him in the sea and when they did, the storm immediately ceased and the crew finally found out Who the One, True God was and they worshiped Him…and the storm directed Jonah into the belly of a great fish where he was later deposited on land so that he could finish his mission of witnessing to Nineveh. Think of a storm in life as a course correction.
Storms of Affection
Ecclesiastes 8 can tell us a lot about suffering and some of the “whys” as Solomon writes, “For there is a proper time and procedure for every matter, though a person may be weighed down by misery” (Eccl 8:6). The author of Hebrews adds, “the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives” (Heb 12:6) because “It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline” (Heb 12:7)? To God, discipline = love!
Storms of Reflection
When Joseph was unfairly thrown into prison, twice no less, he never complained or said “woe is me” but rather committed himself to the sovereign God, knowing that God can use evil for His own good (Gen 50:20). The Apostle Paul looked at life’s trials in this way; “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, or those who are called according to his purpose” (Rom 8:28). He didn’t say all things were good but even the good and the bad work out for God’s purposes. We must simply trust Him in the storms of life and reflect on God’s ultimate best for us. See what God is trying to tell you.
Storms of Perfection
We get a lot of tornadoes in our state of Kansas but these storms do a lot more good than they do bad. The thunderstorms bring nitrogen rich water which feeds the plants and the strong winds make the trees much stronger here than in places where strong wind is rare. The author of Hebrews sees suffering as a perfecting work in us but of Christ, he wrote “During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him” (Heb 5:7-9).
Conclusion
Remember James H. Aughey’s wise saying that “God brings men into deep waters not to drown them, but to cleanse them” and these storms may be storms of correction, storms of direction, storms of affection, storms of reflection, and storms of perfection. He intends for them to do us good and not harm. We can trust the God of the storms, can’t we?
Read more: https://www.christianquotes.info/images/5-blessings-brought-by-deep-water/#ixzz4bES0M3Ln
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Need wisdom? Just ask.
by Rick Warren
"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." (James 1:5 NIV)
Need wisdom? We all do. And the good news is that God wants to give it to you. He is eager to do so.
Just like it pleased God when Solomon asked for wisdom (1 Kings 3:7-14), it pleases God when we ask for wisdom. It's God's nature to give. He is a giving God.
The Bible says in James 1:5, "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." (NIV)
This verse says three things about how God gives wisdom. He does so:
· Continually. "Ask God who gives ..." In Greek this is in the continuous tense. He keeps on giving. He doesn't run out of energy. He never wears out.
· Generously. God's resources are unlimited. He has enough resources for everyone. He's got plenty of wisdom to go around.
· Cheerfully. James says God gives "without finding fault." God loves to give. It's in his nature to give! Don't get embarrassed to ask. He wants to give you wisdom!
Where do you need wisdom? Got a big decision coming with your career, your marriage, or your kids? God wants to help. He has wisdom to offer. But remember what James says. If you want wisdom from God, you've got to ask! If you ask, he'll give it.
That's a promise!
DO YOU WISH YOU WERE CLOSER TO JESUS?
Dr. Joe Pettigrew
“Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world.” James 1:7–8
The planet Mercury is hot, whereas Pluto is cold. That’s because Mercury is close to the sun and Pluto is a long way off. A planet’s temperature and climate are determined by its proximity to the sun. There’s an important spiritual principle here. As a redeemed child of God, our spiritual temperature is determined by how close we are to Jesus.
You say, “I wish I were closer to the Lord.” The truth is that we are as close to Him as we desire to be, decide to be, and discipline ourselves to be. Our pursuit of God reveals our passion for God—or the lack of it. To experience true intimacy with someone, we must be willing to sacrifice other things and give ourselves fully to that person.
The psalmist wrote: “You have said, Seek My face [inquire for and require My presence as your vital need]. My heart says to You, Your face (Your presence), Lord, will I seek, inquire for, and require [of necessity].” (Psalm 27:8)
You’ll notice that the psalmist didn’t say we were to seek God’s gifts, but His face! Not the gifts, but the Giver of the gifts! And a wonderful thing happens when we do that: “Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord [roll and repose each care of your load on Him]; trust (lean on, rely on, and be confident) also in Him and He will bring it to pass.” (Psalm 37:4–5)
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