Suffering and Perserverance

Grace to you and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. It is an honor to share in the Word of God with the saints of Durbin Memorial Baptist Church. Our church exists by grace for glory in Love.

I recently saw a clip of a preaching giving an impassioned message to his congregation. I don’t know anything about the man’s background, but listening to him speak, you could certainly feel the emotion he was intending to convey. While speaking on the crosses we are called to bear in following the Lord, he spoke about the difficulty in being a pastor. He said in his message, “The Lord called me to pastor a church and I said, ‘no!’ I don’t want to prepare a sermon every single week of my life. I don’t wanna be making an oral presentation every single week no matter what’s going on in my life. I don’t want to be leading meetings every single week of my life. I don’t want to be coaching, correcting, and counseling people every single week of my life. I don’t want to live in a fishbowl where everyone can see what my family is doing every single day of my life. I don’t want to have the pressure of hundreds and thousands of souls weighing down on me at night every single night of my life. This thing has broken me. Has made me feel more insecure than anything else in my life. Has crushed my pride. My arrogance. Keeps me on my knees. Makes me desperate for Jesus. I feel insecure all the time. I feel ill-equipped all the time. … I didn’t want to do this, I ran from this calling for four year. … I’m doing this out of obedience… it is weighty… it is heavy… and it crushes me.”

The pastor shared his feelings with his congregation and it was an impactful presentation. It was actually one of my own pastor friends who originally shared the video with me and ask me for my thoughts. First of all let me be clear, I think the office of pastor is a position worthy of double honor and men who fill this position should desire to do so. I don’t know this man’s heart but if he truly has no desire to pastor I believe he should biblically withdraw from his position and find another place to serve.

However, I bring up this pastor’s message this morning, not to simply denounce the parts that I disagree with, but to honestly share with the congregation that I can identify with much of it! The weight of shepherding souls sits heavy upon me each night. Knowing that people look up to me and and evaluate my family is intimidating. I differ from that pastor in that I want to the best of abilities lead, coach, correct, and counsel others as best as I can, but I can identify with saying that this position, a position I love and am honored to hold, crushes my pride, brings me to my knees, and makes me desperate for Jesus. I may give an air of confidence from this pulpit, but I feel insecure and ill-equipped all the time. This morning especially.

Why am I sharing this, this morning? It’s not to throw myself a pity party. By no means. I first bring this up because though we may be in different positions, I believe we all struggle with the feel of inadequacy from time to time. I don’t want you to think that I am somehow exempt. I bring this up because often times we elevate people in positions of authority onto pedestals that is above what deserve. I do not want that to happen with me. No, I bring this up because there is only one truly worthy of glory, honor, and praise in any and every circumstance and that is Jesus Christ.

This morning we are going to begin a new series through the book of James. James is one of the most highly practical books. I’ve entitled this series “Tested Faith” because we will be working through a litany of ways our faith is sharpened, deepened, and tested as we walk through this life by the grace of God, for His glory, in love of Him and one another, by faith in Jesus Christ, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

As James, the half brother of Jesus, writes this letter, it comes across almost conversational, bouncing from one subject to the next without major formal transition. We will be walking through this book basically looking at each topic grouped into concurrent verses.

This morning we will be exploring the topic of faith, suffering, and perseverance. This is a topic that, while I have explored deeply in recent years, I am no expert on. I come before you today not presenting myself as some expert to follow, but an inadequate, struggling mess of man who’s confidence though flickering rests in the unwavering God. I come before you not as the master but pointing us to the Master, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Open your Bibles if you have not already to the book of James. May we be edified and God be glorified as the Holy Spirit works through the preaching of God’s Word to further our understanding of His grace and empower our daily service unto Him. Begin with me in verse 1.

James 1:1 ESV

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

While it can be tempting to skip over the introductions, in their simplicity, the opening to the epistles often give us great context into the book we are about to dive into.

Right here in the first word of the book, we see the Author is James. James describes himself as a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. In this self-description we see a humbled posture. A posture that most of us, myself included, are not so quick to mimic.

You see while this may read to us like a the regular, normal disposition of a soft-spoken, God-honoring, saint. We find real humility when we realize what James didn’t write, or how James could’ve opened up his letter. He DIDN’T say, “HEY Y’all! Listen up, this James. JESUS’ BROTHER. You know that guy you worship, well we go way back! You heard of that Mary woman? She’s my momma too!”

This may seem a bit ridiculous, and I may be embellishing a bit, but we need to note that the culture in which this book was written promotes heredity and familial ties. James had a great opportunity to “pull rank” just because of his family connection, but instead makes no mention of it. Instead he is content with servant.

When I think about the impact of this book, that it is breathed out by the Holy Spirit through the pen of James, that it has lasted through the centuries and made it before us today, I am then it really hits home for me how important humility is in the life of the disciple of Christ.

In this life, we are constantly relying on our titles to gain sway and privilege. I was just speaking with someone the other day about how I can use the title of Pastor to get into places in the hospital that would regularly be off limits. We see in Scripture that titles, or roles, in and of themselves are not evil. Paul appeals to the his Roman citizenship to gain privilege in a particular instance. But while we all hold different roles and titles, what is it that truly defines us? I would hope that we could say the same as James in our letter this morning, or Paul all throughout his epistles, that at the end of the day when you draw back from any of the pomp and circumstance, we are servants of God and the Lord Jesus Christ. And we do that by recognizing the greatness of Christ and our great need of Him.

For the writer of our book, this was not an overnight experience. We see in John 7:5 that Jesus’ brothers initially were unbelievers. But after the Resurrection, Jesus would appear to James and James would believe (1 Cor 15:7). He is then there in the upper room. And would eventually be the under-shepherd of the church in Jerusalem. As one pastor put it, “James was a late bloomer, but he flowered well!”

The experience of James shows us coming to faith and exposure to Christ are not one in the same. Who had a closer view of Christ the King than His little brother? But we also see the grace of God to work through the heart of stone over time and eventually blossom into a faithful servant of the Lord. Understanding the development of faith in James and the humbleness in which he writes this letter, helps us appreciate the content therein all the more.

I mentioned earlier that James is a highly practical book. Much of it is written in direct imperatives that we are to take, evaluate, and apply. Before we get into the first set of direct instruction, James gives us one more piece of context to aid in our evaluation and application. Look again at the last half of verse one. “To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings.”

In these simple words we come to find the initial recipients and a bit about the state of their lives. The twelve tribes is a distinct reference to Jewish believers. But even more specifically, the jewish believers in the Dispersion. The Dispersion refers to how starting in the 700’s BC, the Jewish people have been dispersed, out of Israel and throughout the world. It is the scattering of God’s covenant people out of the Promised Land and it came as divine judgment for their rebellion. The recipients of this letter may very well have identified with a desire for the earthly king to restore their physical kingdom like that which we explored in Matthew 10 in our most recently previous series. It’s also possible, given the events of Acts 11, that James is writing to Jewish Christians who were in Jerusalem and have been driven out and scattered because of the persecution of Christ’s church in that area.

Which ever case may have been in mind, the recipients of this letter were no strangers to hardship. We have much to gain from the words and direction of the humble James to this dejected group.

With an understanding of this background, let’s now look at three sets of instructions for our application today.

First, James 1:2-4

James 1:2–4 ESV

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.

Can you imagine being the initial recipients to this letter? Can you imagine reading through this introduction, being glad that you are greeted by this leader in the church who is completely focussed on serving the Lord? Can you imagine seeing that this leader recognizes the challenge that you are going through, noting that you are wandering out in the world as a result of the dispersion, seemingly understanding how difficult all of this is? And then can you imagine that the first thing this guy says to you is “count it all joy?” Count it joy when you meet trials of various kinds.

If we’re evaluating this imperative from our natural perspective, it is lunacy! This certainly isn’t the coffee mug, door hanging, inspirational verses that we use to decorate our homes and adorn our t-shirts!

So how are we to take and understand such a command. Well first, it is important to be clear about what is NOT being said. So here are a few things that James is NOT saying. James is NOT saying seek out trial. He’s not saying that we have to pretend going through trials is a pleasant experience. He is NOT saying that trials in and of themselves ARE joy.

Rather, James is pointing the original readers and all of us in this room today to the joy amidst trial that only exists in this world for the born again Christian because we have come to have our very understanding of the World transformed by the grace of God.

The writer of Hebrews explains, that “[God] disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.” This doesn’t mean that every trial and uncomfortable situation we find ourselves in is a direct reaction or punishment for our sins, because in Romans we read a verse that I have come to cling to deeply in recent months, Romans 8:28 “28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

When we interpret the book of James within the teacher of the rest of the New Testament, we come to see that the call to “Count it all joy when you meet trial,” is the call to consciously embrace that God is working even when you don’t see how. If we are to understand that book of James as the book of tested faith, this is the calling to remain faithful when the storms of life are certainly testing every fiber of our being.

We see examples of this all over the new testament. In the book of Acts when the apostles are beaten they leave the council rejoicing in their suffering. Paul and Silas would be flogged and imprisoned yet at midnight they could be heard singing hymns and praying aloud. Remember that the Paul’s, the Silas’, the apostles even were not super Christians, rather they were regular people serving the all powerful God.

Over the past few weeks, not only have I been walking through some difficult trials on an personal level, but I have been there with brothers and sisters in this same room going through their own struggles. I bring this up for two reasons. First, notice that James does not say count it all joy IF you meet trials, but rather count it all joy WHEN you meet trials. We may not all face the same exact trials, but each of us live in a fallen world and will be met with the results of sin, pain and suffering, and each of us will experience trial. But I also bring up that others in this room have been through trial recently because multiple times last week the phrase was said to me in one way or another, “I don’t know how people get through this type of trial without Jesus.” That is the root of counting it all joy in trial. Seeing that in the difficulty, Christ remains. There is a purpose to the trial, difficult as it may be.

The purpose for trial is deeper explained as we get into verse 3. “for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. Let steadfastness have its full effect, that you be perfect and complete lacking in nothing.”

One of the ultimate goals of trial, is that as our faith is tested, it grows, as James puts it, it produces steadfastness. “Elaboration on what is meant by “steadfastness” will unlock rich truth. J. H. Ropes renders this “staying power.” Martin Dibelius calls it “heroic endurance.” And the NEB translates this as “fortitude.” James is talking about toughness—“the testing of your faith produces toughness.”

As the Christian goes through trial, clinging o their Savior through every turn along the way, they are perfect, complete, lacking in nothing, as we read in verse 4. This does not mean that Christian on this side of glory reach some state of perfect sinlessness, if anyone says they are without sin they deceive themselves. Verse 4 describes spiritual maturity, a state of being fully developed. People who endure trials with faith in Christ can develop every trait needed for spiritual victory. And when we view this truth through a natural analogy, we see that it is for our own good that God allows us to develop through trial.

Take the caterpillar for example. One day covers itself in the cocoon. Looking at it from the outside, it appears to be awfully cramped. We could provide intervention, we could cut a gap in the chrysalis and provide liberation. But if we do, then the butterfly would not develop the strength it needs to function as it should.

No analogy can ever perfectly encapsulate every nuance that is involved in our suffering, but we see in our text this morning that in our trials, we are to hold tightly to Christ knowing that He uses all things together for our good, and we will come through our trial more mature in the faith and reliant upon Him.

It sounds really good to say, trust in God and know He is using this trial for your good, you’ll come out stronger on the other side. However, it can be very difficult to go from a head understanding to actual life application. This is where our next imperative comes in. Read with me verses 5-8

James 1:5–8 ESV

5 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.

Now, I want to be clear as we walk through this text. Some interpreters believe James to be too “staccato” with his presentation. The Reformer Martin Luther charged James with throwing together this book haphazardly. However, from my perspective, that only goes to show that even the brightest theological minds, used by God for the good of His church, are still fallible and thus our dependence relies on God and His Word, rather than the interpretation of any one individual.

I think it is wholly appropriate for James to wander from suffering into the topic of wisdom. He just talked about finding joy amidst suffering, a lofty endeavor. How is one to go about such an endeavor without inquiring wisdom from God?

Wisdom refers to the quality of having knowledge, skill, and experience a sense of mastery over a particular subject or trade. It comes through practice and learning. As we see faith develop through trial one needs wisdom to grow and develop at a similar rate if they are to remain faithful through the trial. Later on when we come to chapter 3 in James we will see a contrast between earthly and godly, that is divine wisdom. But for now, we will focus on godly, divine wisdom. This is wisdom that is peace loving, considerate, full of mercy, open to reason, good fruit, impartiality, and sincerity.

With godly wisdom, the Christian can understand how their trials merge into God’s plan for their lives. Don’t hear me incorrectly here. We may never know on this side of glory the CAUSE of the trial, meaning if it is in response to our sin as in the case of Jonah, an attack allowed by the enemy as in the case of Job, or even a powerful piece in God’s plan of redemption as was Christ’s suffering on the cross. We may never understand the CAUSE of the trial on this side of glory, but with godly, divine wisdom, we can see how God is still GOOD, and the ways He is working in us to conform us to Christ’s image THROUGH the suffering.

So how do Christians obtain this wisdom? Well our text this morning makes it very simple. We ask God for it. God is a giving God. He gives good gifts to his children. But as we walk through this text, we must be careful to point out the specific things that are being promised by the good Father to His children. We have seen that trials are inevitable, and they are good because they cause us to grow. Then we see wisdom to get through the trial. Good, and godly wisdom. I want to make those two things very clear because if we don’t keep them in the front of our mind as we read through verses 6-8 we can develop a false theology that is setting us up to question God and feel as if He does not make good on His promises. Let’s break down what is being promised.

If you lack wisdom, ask God. He GIVES GENEROUSLY and UNGRUDGINGLY. That is He gives out wisdom freely and without partiality. To pastors, to farmers, to senators, to homemakers, to fill in the blank. All classes, races, and peoples. There is no type of person that will be excluded from God’s gracious wisdom.

Ask God for wisdom with sincerity and faith and it will be given to you, that is without doubting. Faith is a complete commitment to God in trusting obedience. Doubt, in our text this morning, is presented like an unstable wave of the sea, doubters are tossed by the wind. Church, when we call out to God for wisdom, may we be unwavering in faith, knowing that He is the wisdom provider. Verses 7 and 8 show us that when we doubt God we should have no expectation that He will answer our prayer.

Allow me to speak vulnerably with the church this morning. I do not ever want to make this pulpit about myself, but I also in some ways only able to share my own experience in concordance with this Scripture.

If I am speaking honestly, last week I spent most of the week dreading to prepare this message. For two reasons. First, I feel as though my family is undergoing a trial in this moment which makes it very difficult to preach about objectively. Second, because in the beginning of the week when Is tart my preparation, I misread and could not understand these verses. In my initial reading, I did not understand that the whole of James 1:5-8 is about wisdom. I thought it was about all prayers and desires. I saw that the Lord gives to the one who has faith and I prayed Lord, give me what I want, take this trial from me. The week progressed. We received more news that the trial wasn’t going to be taken. I prayed to God, “Lord make it make sense. Give me wisdom to see your Word, understand it, and explain it to others. Make light of my personal situation in congruence with your Word”. And as I sat behind the keyboard to prepare my notes, the key of wisdom became clear. The Lord gave a bit of wisdom to someone trying to be faithful.

One thing has become very clear to me, particularly in the last year or so. No matter the circumstances of my life, Jesus Christ really did live and die and rise again so that all who believe in Him, myself included, would have eternal life. Over the last few years I have been brought low and I have abounded in much different circumstances but I have seen better the intentions of the Apostle Paul when he wrote those words. And in any and every situation I have been able to go forward by faith because of the reality of the cross. Being uncomfortable in your trial and calling out to God isn’t doubting. Doubters display no stamina in their commitment to the Lord. Church, hold on, hold tight, trust the Lord, and ask for His Wisdom.

Let’s look briefly at one more imperative.

James 1:9–11 ESV

9 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.

Though Martin Luther would disagree, I see a great cohesion between these verses and the rest of what we have walked through this morning. The one who goes through trial, who relies on wisdom sees the goodness of God in whatever the outcome of the trial may be. Whether it be lowly poverty, with an understanding of the goodness of God, you can rejoice at God’s bounty of grace in your life. If you gain material possessions, that must not be your delight, but find joy in the humility which trials produce in your life.

Hebrews & James 2. Outer Trials (vv. 2–12)

These verses also warn against the tendencies of both poverty and wealth. Poverty brings no joy, so many people feel that wealth provides joy. In reality the poor must find joy in their spiritual privileges despite their penury. The wealthy must avoid delighting in wealth, glorying instead in the spiritual privileges God makes available. James would doubtless have followed Paul in urging his wealthy listeners to be “rich in good deeds”

To wrap everything together that we have talked about this morning, friend, you are going to go through trial. By the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, you can somehow some way actually find joy in the trial. It wont be easy. It doesn’t make the struggles of life go away or less painful in the moment. However, it does give you perspective to know that He who began in a good work in you will bring it to completion even as you walk by the valley of the shadow of death. You are not left to wander through your trial alone, but God graciously gives His wisdom to those who seek it sincerely by faith. Call out to God and dive into His Word, relying on His Wisdom and see it grow. Whatever the temporal, the immediate outcome of your trial, you can find joy and security in the Lord. Material things will not last. Whether you have them now or not, they wont be going into eternity. So instead of seeking riches may we seek to be rich in good deeds, following the Lord, and leaning on Him through our trials, persevering till the end because even when we’re hurting, He is worthy to be served.

A few months ago on Sunday evening I taught through a series called suffering for the glory of God. One of the biggest take aways I personally had from that series was the quote, “This life is our only opportunity to glorify God through faith.” Trials are on opportunity to exercise faith. A tested faith is a mature faith informed by the wisdom of God.

Let me tell you, were it not for God, I do not know how I could take another day. But because of God. Because of our Triune God. Because of Jesus the Son of God. Because He Lived. Because He died. And Because He lives I can face tomorrow. I know He holds the future and will somehow someway weave this together for my good and His glory. Do you know the same? If you are unsure, come speak with me today. Let’s pray.