Growing Up Through Trials
James 1.2-12
I. Introduction
A.
Perhaps you have
seen the bumper sticker: "When life
hands you a lemon, make lemonade!"
B.
It is easier to
smile at that statement than
to practice it, but the basic philosophy is sound...
1.
In fact, it is
Biblical.
2.
Throughout the Bible
are people who turned defeat into victory and trials into triumph.
3.
Instead of being
victims, they became victors
C. The Epistle of James tells us that we can
have this same experience today!
1.
Whether we are dealing
with trials on the outside
2.
Or temptations on the
inside
3.
Through faith in God
and Jesus Christ we can experience victory!
D. The four keys to dealing with trials
maturely
1.
Count- A Joyful
Attitude (2)
2.
Know- An Understanding
Mind (3)
3.
Let- A Surrendered Will
(4, 9-11)
4.
Ask- A Believing Heart
(5-8)
II.
COUNT- A Joyful
Attitude (2)
A. Outlook determines outcome and…
1.
Attitude will determine
action during trials.
a.
James 1:2 “Count
it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds”
B. We will experience trials
1.
Because we are God’s
scattered people, not his sheltered people.
a.
We are not isolated on
an island in the ocean.
b.
Christians are in the
perfect location scattered throughout the world to do what we need to do, and
that is to save souls.
2.
Remember He doesn't say
"if" but "when"
3.
Therefore Christians
must expect trials.
a.
John 16:33 I have said these things to you, that in
me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart;
I have overcome the world."
b.
Acts 14:22 strengthening the souls of the disciples,
encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many
tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.
4.
Various trials- from
without & within.
a.
Some trials come simply
because we are human: Sickness, accidents; Disappointments, death; peer
pressure
b.
Other trials come
because we are Christians
1)
1 Peter 4:12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery
trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were
happening to you.
2)
2 Tim. 3:12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly
life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,
5.
As long as Satan fights
us, and the world opposes us, we can expect trials!
C. Evaluate in view of what God is doing for
us.
1.
As Jesus was able to
endure the cross because of the joy that was ahead of Him.
a.
You ask what joy?
i. The joy of going back to his father.
ii. The joy of saving us.
D. What is the mature response to these
trials?
1.
Our values determine
our evaluation of trials, if you value;
a.
Comfort over character
then trials will upset you.
b.
Material & physical
things then trials will be joyful.
c.
Live for the present
then trials will make you bitter not better.
2.
Respond to trials as
Job did;
a.
“But he knows the way
that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.” Job 23:10
3.
Immature responses are
easily seen and recognized: sorrow, blaming God, losing faith.
4.
Rather we are to
consider it JOY
a.
Acts 5:41 Then they left the presence of the council,
rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.
b.
Romans 5:3 More than that, we rejoice in our
sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,
c.
1 Peter 1:6-8 In this you rejoice, though now for a
little while, as was necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, [7] so that the tested genuineness of your
faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be
found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus
Christ. [8] Though you have not seen
him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and
rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory,
5.
Notice James begins
this text with Joy in 1 and ends with Joy 12.
6.
So the first step to
turning trials into triumph is to: Immediately thank God and adopt a joyful
attitude!
III.
KNOW - An
Understanding Mind (3)
a.
James 1:3 for you know
that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
1.
When we understand that
despite the ardors of trials, it has positive benefits for us; we can have a
joyful attitude.
b.
What do we need
to understand?
1.
Trials test our faith
2.
When faith is tested it
can bring out the best in us!
a.
1 Peter 1:7 so that the tested genuineness of your
faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be
found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus
Christ.
b.
Training makes athletes
stronger
7.
Testing works for us,
not against us
a.
2 Cor. 4:17 For this slight momentary affliction is
preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,
b.
Such trials help us to
mature!
E. Tested faith produces endurance.
1.
Romans 5:3-4
More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering
produces endurance, [4] and endurance
produces character, and character produces hope,
2.
Endurance is not a
passive acceptance of circumstances.
a.
It denotes the ability
to exhibit steadfastness and constancy in the face of the most formidable
difficulty!
b.
It is a courageous
perseverance in the face of suffering!
c.
It is the continuing on
even when it is rough, despite the circumstances
3.
Such a quality of
steadfastness can come only through experiencing trials
4.
Immaturity wants
difficulties to end quickly
a.
Rubics Cube
b.
Have your kids ever
stopped playing a game because they couldn't get past a level?
c.
Have you heard them
talking about getting the 'cheat codes'
d.
They're seeking the
easy path, where nothing is learned, or strengthened: we are weakened and
become lessened; knowledge is decreased, not increased.
e.
Do we not sometimes
long for the 'cheat codes' of life?
1)
Just give us the easy
answers.
2)
Make the pain and
trials and difficulties go away.
IV.
LET - A
Surrendered Will (4, 9-11)
a.
James 1:4 And let steadfastness have its full
effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
b.
To be mature, we
must let endurance do it's work.
1.
Too often, we want to
get our trials or difficulties over with quickly
2.
But there are times
when the best course is to bear up under the trial patiently
a.
Immaturity whines about
unfairness, difficulty, excessive, quitting.
b.
Instead of grumbling
and complaining. patiently endure the trial, doing good despite the trial
c.
Perfect and
complete
1.
The word perfect does
not mean sinlessness, but "completeness, wholeness, maturity"
a.
Have attained to
spiritual manhood in Christ
b.
Have reached full
maturity and understanding in spiritual matters
c.
Are no longer
"babes" and immature persons in Christ
2.
Such maturity comes
only when patience has had time to work!
a.
Consider, for example,
an endurance runner in his training
3.
To be a mature runner requires
letting patience do its work.
4.
That is, patiently
running mile after mile in training
a.
If we wish to run the
race well spiritually speaking, we need to develop patience
5.
Which comes only
through a form of spiritual "resistance training"
6.
That is, trials in
which our faith is put to the test!
7.
Jonah's struggle for
maturity.
a.
God commanded Jonah to
preach to the enemy, Nineveh, and he refused to go
b.
God chastened him, and
Jonah accept the work God expected of him
c.
Jonah had not matured
through that trial: when God did not destroy Nineveh - he pouted!
d.
Psalms 131:2, NAS95
"2 Surely I have composed and quieted my soul; Like a weaned child rests
against his mother, My soul is like a weaned child within me."
d.
Maturity for all
Christians
1.
James 1:9-11 Let the lowly
brother boast in his exaltation, [10]
and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will
pass away. [11] For the sun rises with
its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty
perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.
2.
Money and social status
was a real problem for them and us (2.1-7; 15-16; 4.1-3; 13-17; 5.1-8)
3.
Poor Christians are
tested: and should learn to rejoice that no one can take his spiritual riches
away.
4.
Rich Christians are
tested: and should learn to rejoice that while material riches may be taken,
they can also rejoice in their true riches
5.
God's test looks beyond
our worldly status and things and help us all to learn to depend on Him.
V.
ASK - A Believing
Heart (5-8)
a.
James 1:5-8
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all
without reproach, and it will be given him.
[6] But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts
is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. [7] For that person must not suppose that he
will receive anything from the Lord;
[8] he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
b.
Attaining this
understanding is not easy.
1.
James reminds us to
turn to God for help in understanding and will
2.
He has promised to give
it liberally
3.
And He will not
reproach us for making such a request
4.
Solomon: 1 Kings 3:7-12
a.
And now, O Lord my God,
you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but
a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in. [8] And your servant is in the midst of your
people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted
for multitude. [9] Give your servant
therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern
between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?"
[10] It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. [11] And God said to him, "Because you have asked this, and
have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies,
but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, [12] behold, I now do according to your
word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has
been before you and none like you shall arise after you.
c.
What is this
wisdom?
1.
We should be careful to
distinguish "wisdom" from "knowledge"
a.
Knowledge involves
information, facts, etc.
b.
Wisdom is the ability
or insight to properly use those facts in the most expeditious way
2.
Failure to understand
this distinction has led many into error!
a.
Many believe that this
passage teaches that God will give knowledge concerning His Will in answer to
prayer
b.
But knowledge comes
only through His Word; we must carefully study it if we would know the Will of
God!
c.
However, the wisdom to
properly use His Word can be received through prayer.
d.
Belief, not
doubt
1.
Proper prayer is that
asked in faith and with no doubt.
a.
Our society pounds at
us that there is no connection between faith and knowledge.
b.
Matrix Revolutions:
2.
"Did you know this
would end this way?"
3.
"No, but I
believed."
a.
This is spiritual
immaturity! and it is destructive in trials.
b.
Otherwise, the prayer
will not be answered by God
VI.
Conclusion
a.
These are the four keys
for maturing through our trials
1.
An Understanding Mind
(3)
2.
A Surrendered Will (4,
9-11)
3.
A Believing Heart (5-8)
a.
All the while using the
wisdom God gives in answer to prayer to help put it all together.
4.
A Joyful Attitude (2)
B. Much of the material
for this outline was adapted heavily from The Bible Exposition Commentary,
Volume 2, by Warren W. Wiersbe, pages 337-340. and adapted from Mark A.
Copeland
Dave Stewart, Modified
by Ron Herring