Trials

1. Trials are coming.

‘Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ' James 1:2-3 NIV

Not all trials are the same, nor are all of them seen by people around us.

-Its what we do during the trial that matters.

What trials are you facing right now? What trials have you faced?

Have you rejoiced because of your trials?

How would you respond to someone who tells you that good can come from the trials which you are experiencing?

Why should we rejoice? -Produces perseverance, patience, endurance, steadfastness

understanding perseverance: In the classical greek this word was used to describe what soldiers were expected to do on the front lines under pressure, to persevere “stand their ground” “endure the attack”

AS believers, WHEN we are faced with trials (not if but WHEN) we need to be like the roman soldiers and stand our ground, persevere.

But there is good news, we don’t have to persevere on our own, as in any army, we have each other to stand with us. Galatians 6:2 'Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. '

As in any army we need to stand together, and realize that we are not alone, on top of our brothers, we also have Jesus with us. we can trust that the trials we are facing, we are not facing alone.

One thing that the Lord has spoken to me over this last year is this: It’s what we do in the trial that matters. Do we give up or do we dig in?

This last year has been what is called “A Dark night of the soul” for me, but if I would have given up, thrown in the towel, because things got difficult, I would miss out on what God has for me down the road. Do I know what is next, NO, but God does. My only job is to persevere, stand my ground, and not flee.

And here’s the thing about perseverence

2. Perseverance takes time

James 1:4 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Lets look at another verse that is similar to James 1:4, Romans 5:3-5

3Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

Most things that are worth having in this life don’t come easy. A happy marriage…WORK, a successful career…WORK, a good reputation…WORK

But most importantly a strong spiritual life takes WORK, it takes perseverance.

When we persevere, character is revealed, and out of character comes our hope. It is because of our trials that we can see that GOD can and will bring us through ANYTHING, as long as we trust him.

Our hope in Jesus will never disappoint, he endured suffering (persevered through suffering) for US, and was glorified, and now WE have the honor to share in his sufferings through the trials that we face.

Joseph is a perfect example of this. He had trial on top of trial, betrayed by his brothers when they sold him into slavery, lied about by his masters wife, and forgotten by his fellow inmates that he helped, but God used it all for the plan that HE HAD, to bring salvation from hunger to not only his chosen people, but for the whole world.

It is tempting to “jump ship” or “flee the battle” when things get tough, but it is in those times where we NEED TO stand firm, to endure. Because the endurance during the “dark night of the soul” leads to maturity and completeness, it gives us a new perspective when other battles come.

Romans 8:28 “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

A few months ago a friend of mine approached me at the farmers market and we got to talking about trials in our lives. He brought up this verse and asked me what is the most misunderstood part of this verse. I wasn’t sure so I asked him. Before I tell you what he told me, what do you think?

He told me the most missed part of this verse, and probably the most important, is the phrase “And we know…” this phrase speaks to the suffering and trials that Paul and other believers went through. They knew that by persevering “standing their ground” that God would work their hardships out for his good.

The good news is, we arent left on the battlefield alone, God has given us tools to help us persevere.

3. God gives us the tools we need to do so.

James 1:5-8 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

When we persevere, character is revealed, and out of character comes our hope. It is because of our trials that we can see that GOD can and will bring us through ANYTHING, as long as we trust him.

So what are the tools he gives us?

1. Wisdom—Divine wisdom is pure, peace -loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

With wisdom we see how our trials mere with God’s plan. Wisdom gives us the longview, or in other words the mile high view.

To get wisdom it’s very simple (yet difficult at the same time) all we have to do is Ask, why? 1. Because he is a giving God. 2. He Gives Generously

Matthew 7:7-11 7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

Jesus made it clear that the father is generous. 3. He does not find fault—He does not hold our unworthiness against us, he doesn’t expect us to be perfect when we ask. 4. He promises to answer those seeking wisdom.

This is such a huge tool for perseverance because as we see in Proverbs 9:10-12

10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. 11 For through wisdom your days will be many, and years will be added to your life. 12 If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.

When we have the fear of the Lord, we will be bold in the face of our trials, because we understand that HE is bigger than our biggest giants.

2. the second tool is Faith in James 1 vs 6-8 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

The wisdom that God gives us will help with our faith—we need to know that God is there for us, and that he wants to advance his kingdom through our trials.

Look at David and Goliath for example.

David Feared the Lord above the Giant, he had wisdom in what to do, and faith that God would come through for him as he approached Goliath on the battle field. As a result God brought victory that day to Israel through a little shepherd boy, all because he had wisdom and faith as he faced his biggest trial yet.

This wasn’t his first trial though, in 1 Samuel 17 we see this discussion with King Saul.

34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, 35 I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. 36 Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. 37 The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.”

When you face trials, remember David, remember Joseph, Daniel, Esther, Paul, Peter, John the Baptist, etc. You are just one in the long line of heros of the faith who has been tested and remember James 1 vs 2-3

‘Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ' James 1:2-3 NIV

I want to challenge you as a church…to stand with each other through trials…we have a bad habit in the church world to turn on each other when we get wounded, but instead we need to tend to each others wounds, and help them get back into the battle.

I want to leave you with this

4. Reward for Persevering

James 1:12

12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.