Wisdom Through Trials
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
We are beginning a new study in the book of James and will continue with it for the next few months.
James is a very practical book and remains just as relevant today as it was for the original readers who received the letter from James.
Initially, James was not widely accepted as a genuine book of the Bible. Martin Luther called it an “Epistle of Straw,” believing that James promoted justification by works, the very issue he challenged during the Reformation.
Luther also pointed out that James could not have been written by James the brother of John, since he was martyred by Herod in Acts 12:2 before the book was written.
Now about that time Herod the king laid hands on some who belonged to the church in order to mistreat them.
And he had James the brother of John put to death with a sword.
What we will learn is that Martin Luther, while incredibly influential and a vital figure in the Reformation movement, probably misinterpreted some of the passages in James, which caused his confusion about Justification by Works.
Secondly, Luther was right that James could not have been written by James, the brother of John.
Who is James?
Who is James?
James was not the brother of John the disciple, but rather the half-brother of Jesus.
James and his siblings resented and wanted nothing to do with Him.
For not even His brothers were believing in Him.
James and his siblings probably believed in Jesus after His death and resurrection. In fact, Jesus made a special appearance just to James.
then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles;
James was a leader of the early church, which is seen throughout the book of Acts.
James was known as James the Just, likely because of his understanding of the theology of justification.
He was a man of prayer, so much so that he was nicknamed “Camel-knees” due to the calluses on his knees from praying.
According to Josephus, a Jewish historian, James died a martyr’s death at the hands of Ananias the high priest.
Ananias demanded he deny publicly that “Christ was the son of God.” James refused, so they took him and threw him down from the temple’s pinnacle.
Still alive with broken legs, James prayed one last time, just like Jesus and Stephen, asking God to forgive his executioners.
They then beat him with a club and stoned him to beyond recognition.
James died defending and knowing that the brother he grew up with was not only his sibling but also his Lord and Savior.
If anyone could have cast doubt on Jesus' testimony, it was James, but instead he died for the gospel’s cause.
I wonder if Jesus made it a point to seek Him out after His resurrection; I wonder what kind of reunion they had when James arrived in Heaven.
Well, that was the introduction... Let’s see if we can actually get into the text this morning.
James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad: Greetings.
James could have claimed his relationship to Jesus as his brother or his position in the church. Instead, he chooses to be called a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The letter was written to the 'Diaspora,” which refers to the Jews who had been dispersed through persecution.
But Saul began ravaging the church, entering house after house, and dragging off men and women, he would put them in prison.
Therefore, those who had been scattered went about preaching the word.
Then we get the word “Greetings.” This is the only instance in the entire Word of God where we find this word opening a book.
The English word “Greetings” is used in other books, but this particular Greek word is not your typical greeting.
This word in Greek actually means “Rejoice” or be “Satisfied!”
This is the equivalent of telling someone who just had a family tragedy to have a wonderful day.
And yet, the entire message of the book of James is wrapped up in the word “Rejoice.”
James says, Rejoice! Now let me show you how.
Verse 2
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.
In these three verses, we find three timeless truths we can apply in our lives when we face trials.
The first is based on our reaction to trials.
Reaction to Trials
Reaction to Trials
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,
Again, it is critical that we consider the original meaning here.
Most of us, when we read this, think we are overjoyed, laughing our way through a trial. But that is not what this means at all.
The word “Consider” in Greek has four meanings. Two are based on feelings and two are based on facts.
James is using one of the words based on facts.
Trials will come “When” (Trials are not optional; they are inevitable).
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you;
They will come in different shapes and sizes “various”
But we can take a factual look at them.
When we first get hit by a trial and it knocks the wind out of us our first response isn’t a feeling of joy, but we can look at facts.
The facts will lead us to an eternal perspective on a trial.
We can look at how God lead us through a previous trial
We can look for the good in a situation (the silver lining)
Cloud with a silver lining… our perspective is mostly dark, God’s perspective is all silver.
Why? Verse Three gives us our Reason for Trials
Reason for Trials
Reason for Trials
knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
Knowing... as we go through trials
Testing... this word brings to mind a fiery furnace, symbolizing purification or perfection.
The purpose of a trial is Endurance!
What does that mean?
Endurance consists of two parts: to be under and to remain.
Think of an umbrella: as we practice endurance and stay under it, we are protected from the worst effects of a trial.
But if we choose to step out from underneath, the storm of the trial will hit us with full force.
James is telling us to consider the facts, remember God’s protection, and recognize that trials will come in our lives.
So, learn to remain under God’s protection. Practice and develop endurance.
When we practice endurance, not only do we receive protection, but we also grow in our maturity.
Verse four shows us the result of our trials.
Result of Trials
Result of Trials
And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Trials met with endurance lead to maturity.
It has been said that God is more interested in our character than in our comfort.
For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.
Notice that the words "perfect" and "complete" both imply a process that requires time.
Caterpillar in a cocoon illustration.
Thankfully, God doesn’t leave us alone in our trials to endure them by ourselves.
“I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,”
All of us, when facing a trial, are vulnerable to being swept up by our feelings.
The problem with feelings is that they are unpredictable, and if we have been wronged, we are often tempted to say something we shouldn’t.
We have experienced some trials lately, but I want to share one I went through seven years ago.
Many of you know my first wife passed away from cancer. I will admit that my initial reaction was not good.
However, several months later, I met Mary Frances, who asked me a very pointed question: Is God a good God or not?
There was a lot of wisdom in that question. I responded—Yes, God is good.
It didn’t change the situation, but it started to change my outlook on life and helped me see what God was teaching me.
But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
Wisdom is to be asked for
Wisdom is to be asked for
What kind of wisdom is James referring to here?
It is not just general knowledge
It is not a one-time event
Spurgeon put it this way: “Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom.”
One of my professors mentioned this when discussing this verse and said, “Wisdom is the ability to apply knowledge to experience!”
What James is highlighting here is that experiencing trials is part of practicing endurance under God’s umbrella, seek wisdom.
Wisdom helps us understand the truths of God’s word and does not depend on our feelings.
It guides us to use the right words at the right times when interacting with different people.
Wisdom also assists us in making the right decisions during times of distress.
Wisdom is Dependence
Wisdom is Dependence
But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.
For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord,
being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
James explains that since we rely on God for wisdom, part of that wisdom involves trusting that He will give us the understanding we need for each particular trial.
Several years ago, Carrie Underwood sang a song called “Jesus Take The Wheel.” That’s wisdom in action.
But verses 6-8 show us saying, "Okay Jesus, I got this, let me take the wheel."
Before long, we’re heading straight for a cliff or crashing into a wall.
When we depend on our own wisdom during trials, we are bound to fail.
Examples of Wisdom
Examples of Wisdom
But the brother of humble circumstances is to glory in his high position;
and the rich man is to glory in his humiliation, because like flowering grass he will pass away.
For the sun rises with a scorching wind and withers the grass; and its flower falls off and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed; so too the rich man in the midst of his pursuits will fade away.
I love these examples of wisdom shared with us. We often compare our trials and circumstances to others, but each situation is unique and requires total dependence on God.
In closing, let me ask you:
Are you going through trials in your life today?
Are you searching for the silver lining amid the trial?
James tells us that trials are meant to produce endurance.
They are meant to teach us total and complete dependence on Him.
They are designed to shape us into the image of Christ.
They are designed to help us grow in wisdom.
Earlier, we sang the song “It is well with my Soul.”
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come
Let this blest assurance control
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate
And hath shed His own blood for my soul
It is well (it is well)
With my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul
Rest assured, no matter the trial or circumstance, you are not alone. Jesus is holding that umbrella and inviting us to stay under it with Him.
Let’s pray.
