James One Message 7
Notes
Transcript
James One Message 7
Approved
Approved
James 1:12
James 1:12 (LEB) — 12 Blessed is the person who endures testing, because when he is approved he will receive the crown of life that he has promised to those who love him.
Approved
“Always nice to be approved”
I don’t carry a lot of cash.
Every time I run my debit card the window in the flashes APPROVED.
I respond with “It’s always nice to be approved”
Because a time or two it read DECLINED!
We are looking for a different kind of approval.
An approval that brings the “The Crown of Life”.
What do we know?
What do we know?
James has been teaching believers how to respond to trials.
Trials produce endurance (steadfastness) (vv. 2-4)
Trials require wisdom (vv. 5-8)
Trials humble both rich and poor (vv. 9-11)
Trials level the playing field.
Not a person in this room that has not gone through some type of trial.
James is going to give some encouragement and show us the power that trials can bring to our lives.
I want nothing more than to go to the next level in my Christian walk.
2 Timothy 2:15 (LEB) — 15 Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, a worker having no need to be ashamed, guiding the word of truth along a straight path.
Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, a worker having no need to be ashamed, guiding the word of truth along a straight path.
Are you with me.
The Blessing of Steadfastness.
The Blessing of Steadfastness.
“Blessed is the person who endures testing”
I’ve already said we will have trials…
How can trials be a blessing?
“God’s blessing is not the absence of trials but His presence in them.”
It is His presence we most desire.
What it means to be steadfast.
To endure: to face and withstand with courage.
Not complaining – not quitting – not abandoning your faith.
Faithfulness is measured not by how we start, but by how we finish.
The Reason for Tests.
The Reason for Tests.
“for when he has stood the test”
James 1:12 (ESV) — 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.
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.
What is that reason?
Trials Reveal Genuine Faith.
1 Peter 1:6–7 (NLT) — 6 So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. 7 These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.
So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while.
These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.
Sometimes you will face situations that are bigger than you and are making you feel as if you have no answers or resources to continue on.
Everything in you says, “Give up!” But don’t do it.
You are in the midst of a faith test.
God isn’t punishing you and He hasn’t forgotten you.
He is growing you and maturing you.
He is doing this for something much greater than yourself.
God tests us to strengthen, not destroy us.
The sponge
When life is comfortable, it is easy to talk about faith.
But when life squeezes us through disappointment, sickness, loss, or hardship, what comes out reveals what has been filling our hearts all along.
Trials don’t create our faith; they reveal it.
The Promise of the Crown
The Promise of the Crown
“when he is approved he will receive the crown of life”
This is a future reward
Not earned by works.
Given through the testing of faith.
Revelation 2:10 (NLT) — 10 Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer. The devil will throw some of you into prison to test you. You will suffer for ten days. But if you remain faithful even when facing death, I will give you the crown of life.
Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer. The devil will throw some of you into prison to test you. You will suffer for ten days. But if you remain faithful even when facing death, I will give you the crown of life.
The crown represents victory
Earthly crowns fade. (fame, success, possessions)
The crown of life is eternal.
Given through the testing of our faith.
Our Motivation
Our Motivation
Why not give up?
A huge motivating factor.
LOVE
LOVE
God purses a love relationship with that is real and personal.
Your motivation is your love for Him.
“that he has promised to those who love him.”
Love sustains steadfastness.
Duty grows weary.
Love keeps going
Love keeps going
When the trial comes.
Remember the blessing
Trust God’s purpose
Look toward the reward
Keep your love fixed on Jesus
Keep your love fixed on Jesus
