Count It All Joy

Introduction

James 1:1–4 ESV

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings. Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Have you ever been through a difficult time where God’s presence is the only thing that God you through it?

Explanation

James 1:1 “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings.”

James was not the disciple, James, but James, the brother of Jesus.

This fact is very important.

I have a little sister, Emily. She lives in Mobile, AL. She was an all state basketball player, a four-octave voice range, and earned an MBA.

Let’s say that I claimed that I was God. Who would be the first person to tell you that I wasn’t God. I can GUARANTEE that it would be Emily.

James title - a servant of God and the Lord Jesus Christ

James, as Jesus brother, called Himself a servant of Jesus.

He knew Jesus enough to know that He was the Son of God.

James is writing to the Diaspora.

Christians were harshly persecuted just before James wrote His letter.

As a result, they dispersed out of Jerusalem and were now located all over the known world.

James is writing to a scattered (and probably discouraged) people.

James 1:2 “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,”

What do we do with our trials? We count them all joy.

What is a trial? A trial is a difficult time, ordained by God, that grows the strenght of the Christian’s faith.

What is joy?

James 1:3 “for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.”

God tests our faith. It is important that God tests our faith from time to time.

Our faith is more important than anything else that we have

God is gracious, kind, and good.

James 1:4 “And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

Invitation