The Book of James 1:9-12

Introduction

What a beautiful morning everyone. Just like every other day, this is such a great day to worship the Lord. If you remember last week we got started in the book of James. We went through verses 1-8 and learned what our identity should be in Christ. We should be a servant, more along the lines of a bondslave. And if you remember a bondslave is a person who has willingly given up all personal rights to serve another master. We learned that true faith would be tested in the fire, knowledge would be given to us if asked humbly. And one of the most important things we covered was not being a double minded man. We cant serve two masters. This week i want to go through verses 9-12. I want to take this book and break it down so we can try to understand every verse. And as long as yall plan on keeping me around for a bit I figured it wouldn’t hurt to be a little methodical about going through this book. There are great messages to be preached from this book with the help of the Holy Spirit. I want to stick to the same method as last week. I will have four sections, three of which we will look at the verses and the 4th section will be going in a little deeper to verse 11. Then we will have our conclusion and invitation. But first and foremost We will be taking these verses and seeing what they mean and how they pertain to us today. So if your turned in your copy of Gods word to the book of James, lets read James 1:9-12

James 1:9–12 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. 12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

With this being read lets get into section 1 which covers verse 9 and that i have titled

Section 1: The Lowly Brother Should Boast (James 1:9)

“Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation.” (James 1:9, ESV)

James opens this portion of his letter by drawing our attention to someone he calls the “lowly brother.” And folks, that word “lowly” is not just a description of someone’s financial status. It’s not just about being slap broke or struggling to pay the bills—though it absolutely includes that and a lot more. The word lowly here is tapeinos in the Greek, and it refers to someone of humble circumstances. Someone who has no clout in the world. No power. No prestige. No influence. They might not have a voice in the world, but they do have a place in the kingdom of God if they are born again. The Greek word literally means low, lowly, or humble

This could be the poor. It could be the outcast. It could be someone who is constantly overlooked. It could be the faithful, quiet Christian who serves behind the scenes and never gets nor ever wants the spotlight. It’s the single mother trying to raise her kids in the Lord, knowing it is a constant struggle in todays world where it seems everyone wants to indoctrinate your children with what is literally an abomination in the Lords eyes. It’s the man working long 12-15 hour days and still struggling to make ends meet, but who faithfully devotes his life to God, still finding time to spend with God no matter how tired he is. It’s the elderly saint who the world says is past their usefulness but who still prays faithfully every night for the church and the souls of the lost. It’s the teenager who doesn’t fit in with the crowd but is holding on to Jesus with everything they’ve got, not caring what is said to or about them. That’s the lowly brother.

And what does James tell him to do?

He says, “Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation.”

Now if we’re being honest here—this should sound very backwards to us. Doesn’t Paul in Ephesians 2:8-9 say

Ephesians 2:8–9 ESV

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

And We all know what the world says. They want you to basically worship self, they say “Be proud when you’ve made it. When you’ve got money, when people know your name, when you’ve finally gained status.” But James says the poor man—the man without status, wealth, or fame—he’s the one who should boast. Why though? What is the reason someone like that can boast? Because in Christ Jesus, he has been exalted. We know by Gods promises that one day He will raise us up. Exalted has 2 different meanings in the dictionary, 1 says its someone placed at a high or powerful level; or held in high regard. And the second definition says someone in a state of extreme happiness.. Now i may not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but just by looking at these definitions of exalted, why wouldn’t we boast? If there was ever a reason to boast folks this is it. Its because Christ has saved us and gave us life.

This is the radical upside-down nature of the gospel. Jesus came preaching a kingdom where the last would be first, where the meek would inherit the earth, and where the poor in spirit are the ones who receive the kingdom of heaven like Jesus says in Matthew 5:3–5.

And this is exactly what James is tapping into. The lowly brother may not have much in this world, but in Christ, he has everything. He may be poor in the bank, but he is rich in grace. He may be unknown by man, but he is known by God. He may be low in the eyes of this world, but he is seated with Christ in the heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6).

Folks, I want to say this as clearly as I can: Your worth is not determined by what’s in your wallet or in your driveway, or in your jewelry box. It’s determined by who you belong to. And if you belong to Jesus, then you are royalty. You are a son or daughter of the King. And that’s something worth boasting about—not in arrogance, but in holy confidence.

When James says “boast,” he’s not telling us to brag the way the world brags. This isn’t about flaunting anything. It’s about rejoicing. It’s about holding your head up, even when life has beaten you down, and saying, “I am loved by God. I am redeemed. I am chosen. I am His.”

Let me give you just a small example. Think about Mary, the mother of Jesus. When she was chosen by God, she was just a young, poor girl from a nothing, nowhere town. She had no status. She had no wealth. She had no reason to be honored in the eyes of the world. But what did she say in her song of praise? In Luke 1:48–49, she says:

“For He has looked on the humble estate of His servant… for He who is mighty has done great things for me.”

That’s the heart James is encouraging. That’s the lowly brother rejoicing in his exaltation. Mary knew her low position, but she also knew the greatness of the God who had chosen her. And im here to tell you this morning that God has chosen you. Like Paul explains in Ephesians 1, Christ chose us in Him before the foundation of the World. And thats a truth you can hold onto.

So let me ask you this morning: Are you feeling low today? Do you feel like your life doesn’t measure up to others? Do you feel unnoticed, unimportant, or forgotten? Let James remind you—you have something to boast in. Not because of what you’ve earned, but because of what Christ has done for you.

And let me say this too: the church needs lowly brothers and sisters who know they’ve been exalted by God. Because when the world sees someone with nothing and still walking in joy, still serving with passion, still standing firm in faith—that’s a testimony the world can’t explain. This can only be explained by the grace of God, and That kind of faith, is powerful.

The rich and powerful might look impressive for a time, but their glory fades. We’ll see that in the next verse. But the one who knows they are exalted by grace—they are rich in a way money could never buy.

This brings us to section 2 verses 10-11

Section 2: The Rich should also boast in His Humiliation (James 1:10–11)

“And the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. 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.” (James 1:10–11, ESV)

In verse 9, James told the lowly brother to boast in his exaltation. Now he turns to the opposite end of the social spectrum. And he says something just as shocking: “The rich [should boast] in his humiliation.”

Now, what does that mean exactly? James is doing something powerful here—he’s leveling the playing field. In the eyes of the world, there are two kinds of people: the poor and the rich. But in the eyes of God, we all stand on the same ground at the foot of the cross.

The poor believer can rejoice because he has been lifted up in Christ. But the rich believer? He rejoices because he has been brought low—humbled by the truth that all his wealth, all his status, and all his worldly success ultimately mean nothing before a holy God.

That’s a hard truth in our world today. Everything around us tells us that success equals significance. The more you have, the more you matter. The more influence you wield, the more valuable you are. But James pulls back the curtain and reminds us that riches are temporary. Like a flower in the grass, they’re here one day and gone the next. And when you really think about it, its not ours anyway. It all belongs to the Lord, we are just mere stewards.

Here James is echoing imagery straight out of the Old Testament. In Isaiah 40:6–8, it says:

“All flesh is grass, and all its beauty is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of the Lord blows on it… but the word of our God will stand forever.”

In other words, the riches of this world will pass away. Your bank account can’t follow you into eternity. Think about it, have you ever seen a u-haul following a hearse? Your title, your achievements, your possessions—they will all fade. But the Word of God? That endures. The soul? That endures. The crown of life that God gives? That’s what lasts for eternity.

So James says, “Let the rich man boast in his humiliation.” Why? Because coming to Christ requires every one of us—even the wealthy, even the successful—to lay it all down. It means realizing that everything you trusted in, everything you took pride in, everything you thought made you “somebody”—it all crumbles and falls apart at the foot of the cross.

And that humbling? That’s a gift. Because it strips away the illusion that we can save ourselves.

Let me be clear—James is not condemning wealth in itself. The Bible doesn’t say money is the root of all evil. It says the love of money is (1 Timothy 6:10). There were wealthy believers in the early church. Joseph of Arimathea, who gave Jesus his tomb, was rich. Lydia in Acts 16 was a businesswoman who supported the church. The issue isn’t what’s in your hand—it’s what’s in your heart.

But James is giving a warning here: don’t trust in riches. Don’t define yourself by what you have. Don’t get caught up in the chase for more.

Look again at verse 11:

“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.”

Notice what James is saying—the rich man fades in the midst of his pursuits. That means he’s still chasing, still climbing, still working—but his time runs out. He’s gone before he knows it. The riches didn’t save him. They couldn’t stop the sun from rising and the flower from falling.

And if we’re honest, that’s exactly what we see all around us today. People chasing success, chasing money, chasing approval, trying to find worth in what they have or do. And yet, at the end of it all, it still fades. And we need more people chasing after God if you want my opinion.

So let me ask you, church—what are you boasting in?

Are you trusting in your salary, your savings, your status? Or are you trusting in the Savior?

If God has blessed you financially, praise Him. But don’t let that blessing become a burden that blinds you. The only thing that will last is what’s done for Christ, everything else will be burned up..

So whether you’re the lowly brother or the rich brother, James is calling us all to the same place: to boast in Jesus. To find our identity, not in our circumstances, but in our salvation.

Section 3: Steadfast Under Trial (James 1:12)

“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12, ESV)

So up until this point in the chapter, James has been walking us through some deep and sometimes difficult truths—about identity, about trials, about how both the lowly and the rich are to see themselves in the light of God’s kingdom. But now, in verse 12, he delivers a powerful encouragement: “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial.”

That word “blessed” here—it’s the same word Jesus used over and over again in the Beatitudes (Matthew 5). It doesn’t just mean happy, like a fleeting feeling. It means favored by God. It speaks of a deep joy, a settled assurance, a life that is approved and upheld by the Lord. This is the kind of person God smiles on.

And who does James say is blessed? Not the one who avoids trials. Not the one with the easiest life. But the one who remains steadfast under trial.

That word “steadfast” means to endure, to hold fast, to remain. It's not flashy. It’s not dramatic. It’s just faithful. Steady. Firm. Unshaken. Not because the trial isn’t real, but because the foundation is stronger than the storm.

Let me ask you this morning: Are you going through something? A trial, a hardship, a season of testing? If we are honest with ourselves we are all going through something.

Maybe it’s financial stress. Maybe it’s health issues. Maybe it’s grief, anxiety, or family struggles. Maybe you’re just tired—spiritually, emotionally, physically.

James says, “Hold on. Stay steady. Stay faithful. Because there’s a blessing on the other side of this trial.”

And what is that blessing? “When he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life.”

That’s not just poetic language. That’s a promise. A crown—not of gold, but of eternal life. James is painting a picture of a faithful believer who, through all the fire, all the pain, all the loss and struggle, refused to let go of Jesus. And in the end, they are crowned—not by men, but by God.

And let me tell you: God doesn’t hand out plastic trophies. Moth nor rust can destroy it.

The “crown of life” is eternal glory. It’s heaven. It’s reward. It’s hearing those words every believer longs to hear: “Well done, good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 25:21)

And notice who it’s promised to—“those who love Him.”

That’s what drives our endurance to finish the race—not duty, not pride, but love. We don’t stay faithful through trials because we’re strong. We stay faithful because we love the One who is. We love Him because He first loved us. And that love empowers us to keep going when everything else in life says to give up.

Let’s get practical here. How do you remain steadfast when life hits hard? First,

You stay in the Word even when you don’t feel like it.

You keep praying, even when it feels like heaven is silent.

You show up to church, even when your heart is heavy.

You lean on the body of Christ, not isolate yourself.

You remind yourself daily that this life is not all there is.

Let me be honest: you might not always feel like a conqueror. Some days, all you can do is stand. But Paul tells us in Ephesians 6 that after we’ve done everything—just stand. Because our endurance is not proof of our strength, it’s proof of our faith in the One who holds us.

Some of you today are walking through a storm and wondering if it’s worth it. James says—yes, it is. Because God sees. God knows. And He has a crown ready for you on the other side.

You may not be rich in the world’s eyes. You may not be known by anyone down here but relatives. But if you endure, if you love Him, if you remain steadfast—you are blessed, and you are headed for glory.

Don’t give up. Don’t give in. Stand firm. Because the crown of life is coming.

And this bring us to section 4

Section 4: The Danger of Chasing What Fades (James 1:11)

“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.” (James 1:11, ESV)

I am going back to verse 11 again specifically to talk about the warning given to us here. James gives us a vivid image in verse 11—a scorching sun rising over a field, burning away the grass, causing the flowers to wilt and die. It’s poetic, but it’s also powerful. He’s describing something fragile, fleeting, temporary. Something that can look beautiful for a moment—but quickly passes away.

And what is he comparing it to?

The rich man fading away in the midst of his pursuits.

Let that phrase settle in: “in the midst of his pursuits.”

James is warning us here—not just about being rich, but about being consumed with the pursuit of riches. About chasing after things that don’t last. About spending your life running after success, approval, possessions, pleasure… only to wake up one day and realize it’s all gone. That you’ve spent your strength on things that cannot save you.

Church, this verse hits hard, because it confronts the values of our culture head-on. We are constantly being told to hustle, to keep on chasing, to make a name for ourselves, to get more, buy more, achieve more. And the tragedy James points out is this: the rich man doesn’t fade away after he’s done chasing—he fades away while he’s still running. While he’s in the middle of the pursuit. The world calls it ambition. James calls it a warning.

You see, the rich man that James is describing is not just financially wealthy—he’s spiritually distracted. His attention is on the wrong prize. His life is full, but his heart is empty. He’s focused on the temporary, and he’s neglecting the eternal.

We need to remember what Jesus said in Matthew 6:19–21:

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven… For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Where is your treasure? What are you pursuing?

Because what you pursue will shape your priorities, and your priorities will shape your life. If your heart is set on the things of this world—comfort, wealth, praise, success—then your joy will rise and fall with how much of those things you gain or lose. And sooner or later, those things will pass away. The scorching heat will come. The beauty will fade.

But if your heart is set on the Lord—if your pursuit is His kingdom, His righteousness, His glory—then you will be standing on a foundation that can’t be burned up, broken down, or blown away.

Let me speak directly to someone today: don’t waste your life chasing what won’t last. Don’t get so busy building your life that you forget the One who gave it to you in the first place. Don’t trade eternal reward for temporary applause.

James is reminding us of something we all know deep down: life is short. The sun rises. The heat comes. The grass withers. The flowers fall. That’s not just poetic imagery—it’s reality. You can’t stop time. You can’t control how long you’ll live. But you can decide what you live for.

And James is calling us to live for what matters most: Jesus.

So let’s tie all this together: the poor man boasts in his exaltation. The rich man boasts in his humiliation. The one who endures through trial is blessed. And the one who lives for this world fades away.

Two paths. Two pursuits. Two destinations.

Which one are you on?

Conclusion: Living for What Lasts

And as we bring this message to a close, I want us to pause and think about what James has shown us through these few short verses. The world tells us that greatness is found in what we have, but God says it’s found in who we belong to. The world celebrates those who rise to the top, but God exalts those who humble themselves before Him. The world says, “Look out for number one,” but the Word says, “Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Me.”

James doesn’t just give us theology—he gives us perspective. He reminds us that both the lowly and the rich, both the overlooked and the powerful, both the one who’s struggling and the one who seems to have it all—each of us stands equal before the cross. And the only thing that truly matters is what we’ve done with Jesus.

Maybe today you feel like that “lowly brother.” You’re worn out, stretched thin, feeling like you don’t have much to offer. But you are a child of God and you are exalted in Christ. You are loved, chosen, and valuable in His eyes. Heaven knows your name, and that’s worth far more than anything this world could ever give.

Or maybe you’ve been blessed with much in this life. You’ve worked hard, built a good life, and been successful. Praise God for that. But James would remind you—don’t let what you have blind you to who you need. Every blessing we enjoy is from His hand, and every treasure here is temporary. The flower fades, but the Word of our God stands forever.

And for all of us—rich or poor, young or old, strong or weary—the call is the same: remain steadfast under trial. Hold firm when the heat comes. Keep your eyes on the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him. Because at the end of this road, there’s a reward waiting that will make every hardship, every sleepless night, every tear you’ve cried, worth it all.

When you see Jesus face to face, you won’t be thinking about the possessions you lost, the opportunities that slipped away, or the people who misunderstood you. You’ll be overwhelmed by the One who loved you enough to redeem you. You’ll receive that crown of life—not because you were perfect, but because you persevered in faith, trusting the One who was.

So folks, let’s live for what lasts. Let’s not waste our energy chasing what will fade with the rising of the sun. Let’s invest our lives in what will still matter a thousand years from now—our love for Christ, our service to His people, and our faithfulness to His Word.

If we can boast in anything, let it be this: that Jesus Christ has saved us, sustained us, and set before us a hope that will never fade.

Invitation: A Call to the Faithful

Now as we move into this time of invitation and even if your already saved, I’ll never stop urging you to come to Him, to come to this alter and talk to God or to stand in the comfort of your pew and rededicate your life to Christ.

Maybe you’ve been growing weary in the trials. Maybe you’ve been tempted to give in or give up. Maybe you’ve been distracted by pursuits that don’t satisfy. James would tell you: stand firm. Come back to the place of steadfastness. Come back to the feet of the One who crowned you with His mercy before you ever earned a thing.

This altar is open for those who just want to kneel before the Lord and say, “Father, help me to live for what lasts. Help me to boast only in You. Help me to endure with joy until I see You face to face.”

Maybe you’ve been chasing after the temporary—working yourself to death trying to hold onto things that were never meant to last. Today’s the day to lay them down. To let go of what fades and take hold of what’s eternal.

Or maybe you’ve simply been tired, worn down by trials that seem to never end. You’ve prayed, you’ve served, you’ve believed—and you’re still waiting for the breakthrough. Let me remind you: your endurance is not in vain. God sees you. God knows. And He has promised a crown of life to those who love Him.

So I’m inviting you, church—come pray. Come recommit. Come refocus. Don’t let this moment pass by. Let God strengthen you, renew your heart, and remind you who you are in Him.

You are not forgotten. You are not finished. You are not defeated. You are exalted, chosen, loved, and blessed.

So come, and let’s worship the One who is the giver of life!