A Lesson in Trials (Part 1)
Notes
Transcript
Intro
Intro
Series Slide
Turn in your bibles to James 1 - As you do…let me introduce myself…
With that said, we just started a series in the book of James.
Recap of last week.
Written by James, brother of Jesus, leader of Jerusalem church, servant of God. Written to Jewish Christians who have been scattered.
James is the proverbs of the NT. Filled with many wisdom sayings, and we will be breaking many of them down bit by bit to fully understand them as we go along in this series.
Pray
2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
I’m titling this message, and the next few messages, “A Lesson in Trials”.
Title Slide
Because in verse 2-12 that’s what his large focus…trials. But, it’s many aspects of trials and so I want to do them justice by covering them a section at a time.
And the first lesson in trials we see is that..
Trials are certain (v.2)
Look back at verse 2…it says “WHEN” you meet trials…not IF, but WHEN.
Which means…Trials are certain.
Jesus said it best to us…
Scripture slide.
John 16:33 (ESV)
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.”
You see that? In the world, you WILL have tribulation…strife…difficulty.
Why is this important for us to hear? Because we spend much of our time running from trials, avoiding them, complaining about them as if they are unique to us…but the reality is that trials are promised to us just as certain as all of others God’s promises.
Have you thought about that before.
Like, think about some of God’s most precious promises to you…
Think of those…and realize that the promise that trials are going to come is just as strong, just as certain to happen and be fulfilled.
So don’t be surprised when they come in. They are guaranteed. They are certain. More on our response to trials a bit later in the message, so let’s keep on going.
They come in many forms (v.2)
Look back at verse 2. “when you meet trials OF VARIOUS KINDS”. Now James seems to use the statement “various kinds” for two purposes.
To make sure we understand that James is talking about ALL trials, not just a certain kinds.
To acknowledge the truth that trials DO come in various kinds…
Meaning they come in all shapes and sizes.
The most common way we think of trials would be the things that happen to us that are bad.
Illness, death, failure, missed opportunity, relationship/friendship issues, being persecuted for your faith.
BUT…the greek word here that’s used for trials, is actually an all encompassing word that doesn’t just mean trials like difficulty thrown upon us…but the word here is actually the word for Temptations.
So what you need to understand, is that when you experience temptation in your life to sin…to give up….to give in…to go against God’s word and will and fulfill your own desire and will…
When that temptation happens…that is also a trial. James is talking about that as well when he says trials of various kinds.
So we’ve established a couple lessons already. One that trials are certain. Two that they come in many forms. Let’s continue on and get into the meat of the text now. In verse 3 we see that not only do trials come and are various…but they come to…
They test your faith (v.3)
Look back at verse 3. He says “FOR”…meaning here’s why you should count it Joy (which we will get to)… “for, you know that the TESTING OF YOUR FAITH”…do you see what he did there? He used the word trial, and the word for “testing of your faith” as the same thing. Because they are. Because that’s what a trial does.
Trials and temptations have an ultimate purpose. And part of that ultimate purpose is to TEST YOUR FAITH.
That temptation you have to lash out and hurt someone who has hurt you…that’s a trial meant to test your faith.
That temptation you have when you’re alone with your boyfriend or girlfriend…to go further than you should…that’s a trial meant to test your faith.
That close loved one that passed away to early…leaving you broken hearted…it’s a trial meant to test your faith.
Meaning…
Trials reveal the true character and quality of your faith.
Like when you take an actual test for school…it’s meant to test your knowledge…reveal what’s there.
That’s what trials and temptations do…reveal what’s already there.
So you should definitely be asking yourself when you reflect back on a trial or temptation…what did it reveal about my faith? Was I found faithful? Was I found unfaithful?
How did you do when your faith was tested in treating others, dealing with sexual temptation, grieving the loss of a loved one. How did I do?
Certainly we can see. Trials are a testing of faith and the testing of faith comes through trials.
If you’re looking for further study on this…look no further than the book of Job. If you’re new to scripture, it’s in the OT and it’s a perfect example of the testing of faith coming through trials..
So…onward. We’re not done with our lesson on trials…the amazing thing about trials…is that they don’t have the sole purpose of testing your faith…no like I told you, they have a larger overarching purpose in your life…and another part of that purpose is to…
Produce steadfastness (v.3)
Look back at verse 3.
“the testing of your faith PRODUCES STEADFASTNESS”
You see that trial/temptation in your life wasn’t just meant to test your faith…it was meant to create resilience.
The word steadfastness means endurance…perseverance. Meaning the testing of your faith is meant to help you better resist more testing of your faith to it’s meant to strengthen you to keep on going.
It’s like when a teacher gives you a pop quiz every week…yes it’s meant to test your knowledge…but it’s also meant to better prepare you to take quizzes, to handle them well, to know what to expect and how to better prepare for them.
If you’re not tracking on that…think of it like this.
In 2019 I ran the QC Half marathon…It was in Sept…so I started training in February/March…the way you train is adding mileage…one of the things I did was sign up for some races along the way…like the bix…it was the distance I needed, and it tested what I was able do…while continuing to contribute to my overall ability to run.
So trials not only test your faith…they make you stronger. BUT they don’t just make you stronger as in a better, stronger version of yourself…that’s not God’s purpose in your life is that you would just be tougher…no, he’s got a much better purpose in your life and trials contribute to that purpose by sanctifying you.
And sanctify you (v.4)
When I say sanctify…I mean they make you look more like Christ. I get this from verse 4.
4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
See that? Perfect and complete. Lacking in nothing.
Guys…there’s only one person who has ever been perfect…complete…and lacking in nothing.
Jesus.
So what this passage is saying is that trials are meant to make you look more like Christ.
They reveal where your faith is…the strengthen that faith…and they do it for a purpose…to make you like Christ.
Medical residency illustration where DOC is asking questions as he’s doing it…or our ministry residency..
So, if we understand what trials are…they are certain, they come in many forms, they test your faith, produce steadfastness, and sanctify you…the next question should be…if we know these things, how should we be responding to them? This passage lists two way two ways.
So embrace them (v.4)
Notice in verse 4 it says “LET steadfastness have it’s full effect”…meaning, don’t resist it. This takes us back to what I said at the top of our message. Trials are certain to come…which means don’t resist them, to be taken off guard, don’t be surprised by them…be ready for them.
LET them have the FULL Effect. Dive head first into them. Acknowledge them for what they are and take a running leap.
What does this look like?
Partly, it’s acceptance…
And partly it’s intentionality…
So we see one response is to embrace trials…and the second response…
With joy (v.1)
Joy means “with delight”…or “with gladness”
But how can we do that?
When we understand the purpose of them.
Understanding they reason something happens to us is what allows us to delight in it happening to us.
When I think of this concept…I think of this picture. Maybe you’ve seen it…maybe you haven’t…I’ve seen it multiple times…and every time I do I’m impacted…because it just says so much.
Picture slide.
Keeping this in mind…is how we can have joy.
Keeping in mind that what feels like strife, and struggle, or heartbreak…actually serves to bring us more peace, more assurance, deeper closeness with Christ…and more joy.
Essentially what I’m saying is that the way we can have joy…is that we remember God is Sovereign. He’s in control and he’s got a plan. And he’s told us how he plans to execute his plan.
Because God is sovereign.
Trials are certain. They come in many forms. They test your faith, produce steadfastness, and sanctify you. So, embrace them with joy, remembering God is sovereign over them.
Announcements:
Volunteer Slide
C Group Slide
Event Slide - Mention breakfast and board games
