Overcoming Trials, Practicing True Religionn

INTRO:

Suffering is one of the unwanted facts of life in this world under the curse of sin, and Christians are not examp, or in any way excluded from suffering . We suffer for our faith in Christ. When our faith in Him is tested by trials and temptations and our sincere desire is to remain faithful to Christ, God will give us the wisdom and spiritual power to do so, and when we do our lives are blessed by God.

The Epistle of James is about Practical Christianit. What it stresses is practical Christian living, the epistle of James reflects, in its style and its frequent references to the sermon on the mount, the mind and teachings of Jesus Chris.

As believers in Christ we are to live in a way that reveals the transforming presence of Gods grace and Spirit working within us. As Christians we should be internalizing Gods Word in our mind and heart and putting it into practice. In practical terms our lives should reflect the moral and ethical teachings of the Bibl.

This epistle of James was widely distributed as a means of providing practical instructions, encouragemen, and correction to believers in Christ.

GOLDEN TEXT: Be ye doers of the Word and not hears only, deceiving yourselves in Chris.

REJOICE IN TRIAlS

James saw that his fellow Jewish believers in Christ were experiencing divers, various temptations that tested their faith in Chris. “The trying of your fait. This can come from external opposition or persecutio, as well as from internal struggles to overcome temptations to sin.

In either case we are called to exper joy. Not some superficial or fleeting or something dependent on good circumstance, this is spiritua, the gift of Chris. Therefore James say’s count it all joy. This joy comes from a God given perspective that values spiritual growth above temporal confort.

Let us allow persevering faith to grow in our hearts. This does not mean to pretending the trial is not real or that it is enjoyable, but rather refers to the determined calm assurance that whatever we face it has the potential of helping us grow in our relationship with Chris.

Romans 5:3–5 NKJV

And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Romans 8:28 NKJV

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Understand the promise that God works all things together, trials, tribulation for goo, does not mean all things are goo, but that God is able to work them together for good. This simply means that Gods goodness and our confidence that His plan for our lives will work out.

THIS IS THE GOD GIVEN PROSPECTIVE, THAT ALLOWS THE BELIEVER TO COUNT IT ALL JOY!

ASK GOD FOR WISDOM

James 1:5–8 NKJV

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. 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. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

James reassured the believers that even though they were facing trials and tribulation, God had not abandoned them. In all that we go throughGod walks beside u, granting to us all that is necessary to remain faithful to Him, Gods gift of love is Wisdom.

When our faith is tested Godly wisdom is what we need.

Godly wisdom is this, first it’s from God. Godly wisdom starts with the fear, that is reverence for God, and results in a holy life. Godly wisdom enables us to prepare ourselves for eternity.

Godly wisdom is comprehension for his play for your life. It does not mean we know all the details or have all the answer, but recognizing a larger devine plan for our lives.

Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”

With Godly wisdom, we trade earthly values for biblical values.

Such living requires decisive faith. We cannot bounce between trusting God or not. Such a person will not receive from God what is needed! Why?

Because a person having two opposing minds (double minded) does not have the decisive faith to receive from God.

James 1:6 (NKJV)

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.

UNDERSTAND THE SOURCE OF TEMPTATIONS

Blessed Are Those Who Persevere

James 1:12 NKJV

Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

Some believers in Christ have more temporal, worldly comforts than others. This fact should bring gratitude for God’s blessings and motivation to help others.

GOD GIVES ONLY GOOD THINGS

James 1:13–15 NKJV

Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.

James emphasizes that blessed is the man who , that is my believer in Christ, that endures temptatio, who preserves in faithfulness to Christ when tempte.

IN DOING SO YOU WILL RECEIVE THE CROWN OF LIFE!

1 John 3:1–2 NKJV

Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.

BE DOERS OF THE WORD Receive the Word of God

The opposite of sinning is living in obedience to the Word of God.

Therefore we should be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath. Because the wrath of man does not work the righteousness of God