James 1:2-8

Turn with me in your Bible to James 1:2-8 New King James Version

2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces [a]patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be [b]perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

The Title of my sermon is Trying Times

Point One Knowing the Trial

Verse 2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials

Along our walk with Christ we will come into different trails. Jesus himself said in John 16:33

John 16:33 ESV

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.”

we are promised tribulations

Notice how the text says fall into various trials. Other translation use wording like experiences and face but which one is going to happen to us. This word trial in the Greek text is (peirasmos)(pee-air-Amos) actual means one being enticed by sin or it can be understood as a trial from God. we can find ourselves in a middle of a trial because of our own sin but also you can be going through going strong in the faith when bam!! Problems. You might not have caused them but remember through every trial there is something to learn. something to grow into. Our faith is not limited to staying the same it is able to grow. To produce life in us. I think the first step to growth in a trial is recognize that you are in a trial. A trial can make someone bitter and angry but God want to change something in our lives

Ts:Through trials we gain patience

Second Point: Patience is key

You guys know the old saying practice makes perfect well bible teaches that patience makes perfect. it doesn’t sound as good but it is the truth.

Verse 3-4

 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

God produces patience through testing our faith but what does that mean?

I think it can be said like this the more things that happen in our lives challenging things the more we must trust in God for everything. I think you can really see this through Church history.

The biggest example any persecuted church when times got tough did they quit no no no. It made them stronger. Paul or at the time Saul was used by God to move the church out of areas they had stayed in to spread the gospel. See the testing of their faith made them stronger.

I learned this rule of God awhile ago…

I want to give this illustration of something that took place during my time of living in dorm. When I first got to faith I had a great roommate. Zack Mcque. Once Zack left I had to find a new roommate. This roommate ended up being brady. before Brady was my roommate thing were going perfect in every way even down to last detail. Once Brady became my roommate thing began changing. Brady was nothing like zack. His side of the room was constantly messy. He was annoying. He distracted me from my work for hour because he did not want to do his own. I felt crazy.

BUT!

At one point I ended up reading this scripture. I realized that thing in my life are sometimes there to test my faith. Over time my patience grew so much. The things he had did before began not to bother and life was good again.

I also noticed in my own that I was not the same man that went into that trial. I had grown

Ts: Wisdom must be practiced

Point Three: We Need Wisdom

verse 5

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

Proverbs 3:19

By wisdom the LORD founded the earth; by understanding he created the heavens.

As humans we are not all powerful seeing creatures. We are bound to this body but we have a spirit that communicates with the living God who is all seeing and all powerful. If not for God’s wisdom the whole universe would fall apart literally.

There is a need especially to seek God during time of trials and tribulations. This does not go for all trials but for most usually you have to make a decision. Let us seek God for wisdom in which he give so much of. I know I need God wisdom for every part of my life because it is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me.

This piece of wisdom I will give it to you as a remembrance.

Psalm 37:23

“The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he delights in his way”

This takes the fear away from life. That the Almighty God order our steps. I don’t know about you but I will always find shelter under the almighty.

Knowing scripture is part of that wisdom God has given.

Ts: But not only wisdom but faith

Point Four: Faith

Verse 6-8

But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

If we do not ask all things with faith how are we to receive from God. This is the sole principle of our beliefs is faith. That he works out all for our good. Even when we do not see that he is work. he is always. When we are doubtful God does not know what we are asking of him. He want us to believe for the things he has promised us like wisdom.

Let us grow in our faith as it is test either from the things we do ourselves or things God has allowed to happen. Let us not doubt God for the things that he has for us. Let us have faith that can overcome any trial.

Conclusion

Though trials and tribulation will come remember God use that to build our faith through patience we can reach perfection. Let God give us wisdom for the decision in our lives. Let our faith help overcome every obstacle in our way