Joy in Suffering

James 1:1-4

James 1:1–4 NASB95

James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad: Greetings. Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 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.

Youth Sunday - Theme: Joy in Suffering.

Why are you here? Norm Macdonald Moth Joke.

Author: James, the brother of Jesus

Audience:

James 1:1 NASB95

James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad: Greetings.

James is speaking primarily to the jewish christians who were scattered because of persecution. (Acts 11:19)

Diaspora: 1 Peter 1:1, John 7:35

In Exile: To be in a foriegn land, without citizenship, without rights. (Thought to always carry with us)

Suffering :

Perasmos (trials, often translated as temptation/ conetxt external trials or internal temptations)

What kind of trials?

poverty and wealth (1:9-11; 2:1-7; 2:15-17; 4:135:11).

James 2:6-7 makes pretty clear that religious persecution

Dragging people into court.

Why does a good God allow suffering?

What is a good response to such a question? I agree it is indeed difficult one.

The Right Response to Suffering.

Focus : Verse 2

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials

What is the carnal response to suffereing?

The verse is an imperative; its a command.

The emotion linked with suffering - Sadness, Grief, Bitterness, Anxiety, Fear, Pain, Hopelessness.

There is suffering and there is a response to it.

The right kind of response.

To replace the natural feelings with supernatural ones.

“All Joy” or “Pure Joy” unparalleled Joy, nothing but Joy. Well that kind of Joy.

2. Reason for Suffering.

We try to make sense of our suffering/ pain. We tend to rationalise our pain.

We are humans, we need reasons to make sense of things. It is in our nature. Example: Blast.

Why is this happening to me?

I am good why did this happen to me?

I am not praying enough, or maybe my faith is not enough. If i had enough faith then maybe this would pass away.

Most prayers would be to take away suffering, but if we are being overjoyed, then should we bother about suffering to be taken away?

Knowledge that your faith is being tested.

1 Peter 1:6–7 NASB95

In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

3. Result of Suffering.

To produce endurance.

What is endurance?

MB Dictionary:

: the ability to withstand hardship or adversity

especially

: the ability to sustain a prolonged stressful effort or activity.

Example: Yo-Yo Test.

Testing of your faith produces endurance. And Endurance have its perfect result making you perfect and complete.

both Paul (Rom. 5:3-4) and Peter (1 Pet. 1:6-7) uses the same idea.

Romans 5:3–4 NASB95

And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;

dokimion -Testing your faith.

Refining Silver/ Gold.

What is the end goal.

To be perfect and complete:

Moral perfection, We become more like whom? We become more like God through suffering.

3 R’s

Response

Reason

Result