James 1

Introduction

James 1:1–8 ESV

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

Explanation

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

James is the brother of Jesus.

James is the bishop of Jerusalem.

James is preaching to the church at the diaspora - afflicted.

James 1:2–3 “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.”

Count it all joy, when you face trials of various kinds.

Not 99% of it. All of it. James uses an imperative. What does that mean? He is not asking. He is commanding them.

It also does not mean that we aren’t sad or upset over something difficult that has happened. It means that we press into joy in the midst of trials and hardships. And we can find it.

The Story of “In the Garden” - C. Austin Miles

His granddaughter once remarked that he wrote that hymn in a dank, dark basement where he developed film.

How do we count all of our trials as joy?

Our trials produce something in us.

Our trials change us, they cause us to cling to God.

I have had trials in my life where I came out stronger, and other trials where I came out weaker - but I was leaning on someone who was stronger.

Our trials are temporary.

We go through trials in the presence of God.

“Count” means intentionality.

You will not lean into joy instinctively.

You will have to find it.

for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness

How do we become more steadfast in our faith when we go through trials?

Youthful optimism gives way to a deep and abiding faith.

James 1:4–5 “4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Steadfastness can have a full effect in you.

The Greek connotation is a picture of someone carrying a large load for a long time.

Can we be perfect and complete this side of eternity? James says so. So what does he mean instead?

We must allow endurance to do its intended work. Sometimes, God asks us to carry things for awhile, because in carrying things for awhile, we learn what he is truly teaching us.

James is presenting the ultimate goal, but he is not presenting the attainable one.

He wants them to grow and grow and grow. The increase in growth is limitless.

James 1:5–8“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.”

We must ask God and seek wisdom. We must acknowledge our lack of it.

God gives this generously and consistently. You want to take something to the bank - ask for wisdom. James doesn’t say that God MIGHT give you wisdom. He says he WILL give you wisdom. There are many things that God may or may not give you. Wisdom is one that he WILL certainly give you.

James (2) Faith without Doubt (1:5–8)

A close connection exists, therefore, between faith, prayer, and wisdom. The one who asks for wisdom asks in faith; asking in faith requires divine wisdom; to ask for wisdom is itself wise and is part and parcel of persevering in faith and growing in wisdom. Growth in wisdom is to understand that everything of faith is from God. Prayer is both accepting and asking. Prayer accepts the gift of faith. Prayer likewise asks for the means to work out that faith through the gift of wisdom

A. We trust Jesus and trust produces a steadiness.

B. We don’t want to be unstable. We want to consistently grow in Him.

Invitation