Turning Trials into Triumphs
Notes
Transcript
James 1:2-18
James 1:2-18
Last week we talked about James and who he was - now let us get into what he wrote about.
Turn to James 1:2
Our wishes, our desires can get thrown into an upheaval just because it changes. It could be something minor, it could be a big deal. but any changes that happen and has us going in a different direction then we planned, the response is what is important.
Think about when we hear:
Someone just died - this can happen at your age, it happened at NCA last year
Someone was in a serious car wreck where just a couple of hours early all enjoying a dinner together. - Cooper
Someone yelling in pain - Ms. Tess getting burned
Someone having chest pains - needing an ambulance - Brycen’s dad
It happens all around us sometimes we are personally affected other time we are not. But it will come, there will be trails in our life.
Read James 1:2-12
Let us pray
Count - A Joyful attitude
Outlook determines outcome
Attitude determines action
We cannot always expect everything to go our way
Some trials come simply because we live in a sin cursed world
Like sickness
Accidents
Disappointments
And tragedies
Other trials come because we are Christians
Satan fights us
if we are living for the Lord
if we are being bold in our faith
Unfortunately it is a lifetime battle
The key word is count
It is a financial term means to evaluate
Our Value in things and people and ourselves determine how we evaluate things in life
If we value comfort more than character - then trials will upset us
Be are inconvenienced
Life is interrupted in how we expect or know it to be
If we value material and physical more than spiritual, we will not be able to count it all joy.
Our outlook determines our outcome
To end with joy we must first have joy
Side note - how do we have joy John 15:10-11
“If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. “These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.
Know - and Understanding Mind
Why do we take tests?
Well we have , for really it is to bring out the best in us
When taking my EMT test, I was studying and prepping I was nervous but when it came to do the physical part of the test , I nailed it , it brought out the best.
Well for us the tests that we go through
The testing of our faith helps us to grow spiritually
God always test us to bring out our best
Satan tempts us to bring out our worse
The testing show where we stand spiritually
The trials we go through are for us as a believer -
Paul said in Romans 8:28
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
What do you think God wants to produce in our lives?
Look back at James 1:3-4
knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Immature people are always impatient
Impatience and unbelief usually go together
Mature people are patient and persistent
Faith and patience go together
Let - a Surrendered Will
God can not build our character without cooperation
If we submit to Him, then He can accomplish His work in us and through us.
He wants a finished product that is mature and complete.
Think of woodworking - the finished product is the best.
Looking at Ephesians 2:8-10
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
The work God does for us, that is salvation
Jesus completed this work on the cross
Trusting in Christ , and calling upon Him we will be saved
The work God does in us
We are His workmanship
This is what is known as sanctification
God builds our character and then we become more like Him
The work is what God does through us
Serving
We are created in Christ Jesus unto good works
God build our character before He calls us to service
Example Abraham - 25 years before Issac was born
Example Joseph - 13 years before Joseph became second to Pharaoh
Example disciples - 3 years of training
Ask - a believing heart
Praying that we have the wisdom not to waste what God allows us to go through
Asking God for wisdom
When asking in faith - are we believing?
Those that doubt are toss around like the boat in the sea
Trusting in God for all things because the double minded man is unstable in all his ways
Benefit
Rewarded by Growth in
Character
Bringing Glory to God and not ourselves
Able to face the trials we go through
Being obedient , which again build character
Our Faith grows
It is neat to see how Josh was able to pinpoint the rewards in scripture
