James 1:1-4 - Joyfully Tried
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Introduction:
Did you grow up with a sibling that seemed to never get in trouble? They seemed to always obey and make good decisions, yet you seemed to always make the wrong one?
I am pretty sure that is how James felt growing up.
James was the biological son of Joseph and Mary and the half-brother of Jesus. I say half-brother because Joseph was not Jesus’s biological father. God made Jesus in Mary’s womb apart from Joseph (Luke 1:35).
Yet, Mary and Joseph went on to have other children. The Scriptures teach us that His brothers were Judas also called Jude, James, and Joseph also called Joses (See Matthew 13:55). He also had at least two unnamed sisters (Matthew 13:56).
We can imagine that this created quite a unique relationship between Jesus and His brothers. How hard it must have been to grow up with a sibling who was truly perfect! You might have thought your sibling was obedient - but Jesus far surpassed anything you could imagine!
The relationship between James and Jesus was obviously strained as we see in John 7:3-5…
So his brothers said to him, “Leave here and go to Judea, that your disciples also may see the works you are doing. For no one works in secret if he seeks to be known openly. If you do these things, show yourself to the world.” For not even his brothers believed in him.
John clearly lets us know that His brothers did not believe in Him. In fact, they even appear to be taunting Jesus. In Mark 3:21, we are told that His family thinks that Jesus is actually out of his mind!
So what happened to James that would change him so much as to become a follower of Jesus and even go so far as to write a book of the New Testament?
To answer this we need to look at 1 Corinthians 15:7:
Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.
Paul tells us that James was among the first people that Jesus appeared to after rising from the dead!
It is likely that this special appearance led to the conversion of James, and it appears that he never again doubted the truth of Jesus thereafter. In fact, according to the Jewish historian Josephus, James would go on to be martyred for his faith somewhere between AD 62-64.
With that in mind, let’s dive into the first four verses of this great book by Jesus’s half-brother.
Read Full Scripture:
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings. Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Prayer
Before jumping into our three points today, let’s start with verse 1 again as we see James’s greeting…
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings.
Here James is elevating Jesus Christ with God. He sees his half-brother as truly the Son of God - namely God-made-flesh. And he calls himself a servant - literally a bondservant - of his brother. A bondservant was someone who willingly laid aside his own will for another. He would dedicate his entire life to the service of someone else.
James had done this. He had given up the reigns of his own life. He had been converted after seeing the truth of Jesus.
And we actually learn in the book of Acts that he had even gone so far as to take leadership of the church in Jerusalem.
In Acts 12:17, Paul, after being miraculously released from prison, asks that James and the others be told about his escape. And in Acts 15:13-21, James - a pillar of the church in Jerusalem - leads the Jerusalem Council which determines that Gentile believers need not follow the Mosaic Law in regards to cleanliness, sacrifices, and circumcision.
Later in Acts 21:18, we are told that Paul visited James and the other elders - showing James’ leadership among the other elders in the Jerusalem church.
James’ influence is seen even further as Paul appears to name drop him in Galatians 2:9 to give him some credibility among the saints earlier in his ministry.
Knowing James’ leadership of the church in Jerusalem helps us understand when we see that he writes to the twelve tribes in the Dispersion.
If you recall in Acts 7, Stephen is stoned. Moving forward to Acts 8:1-3, we see Saul of Tarsus - later referred to as the Apostle Paul after he was converted - ravaging the church through persecution against the church in Jerusalem.
We are told in Acts 8:1 that many in the church of Jerusalem were scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria other than the apostles.
So now we see James’ pastor’s heart. He writes to some of his former church members who had been dispersed. He wants them to continue growing in the faith and their relationship with the Lord Jesus. He sends them greetings as he begins this important and impactful letter.
And in these first few verses, he wants to remind them how to respond to trials.
Though this book was initially written to the dispersed Jewish converts of the first century, we know that it applies very much to us today as well. Knowing this, James first teaches us that…
Scripture References: Luke 1:35, Matthew 13:55-56, John 7:3-5, Mark 3:21, 1 Corinthians 15:7, Acts 12:17, Acts 15:13-21, Acts 21:18, Galatians 2:9, Acts 7, Acts 8:1-3
I. As We Face Trials… We Should Rejoice Under Pressure (2)
I. As We Face Trials… We Should Rejoice Under Pressure (2)
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,
As we will see, James is not one to beat around the bush. He gets right to the point in this book. His words hit fast, and they hit hard.
And verse two starts off with a bang.
Count it all joy, my brothers… one would expect that James would end with a reflection on something that most of us would automatically consider enjoyable after a statement like that, right? Perhaps he was going to talk about the wonderful relationship that we have with God in Christ Jesus because of the atoning sacrifice of Christ on the cross. Perhaps he is going to discuss other blessings that we might receive from the Lord. Yet, instead of positive things that we might assume he is going to mention, he tells his readers to count it all joy when they meet trials. That seems odd doesn’t it! Most of us probably don’t see the struggles of our lives as times of joy, do we?
However, looking back at the first word of verse 2, James uses the Greek word translated count here which is an imperative meaning consider. It is something that requires conscious effort. One must exert effort to count it all joy. James is letting his readers know that trials won’t bring joy naturally. It takes effort and intentionality to count them as joy.
We will see imperative commands throughout this book.
An imperative command is something that you must do. There is no room for discussion - it is an absolute command. In fact, James makes some 54 imperatives in these 5 chapters of his book!
He averages more than 10 per chapter!
Moving forward we see that we are to count it all joy when we meet trials… Note that the word ‘if’ is not placed here - instead he says ‘when.’
He had obviously remembered Jesus’s teaching in John 16:33:
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
In this world you will have tribulation… Jesus also tells us that we will be persecuted at times in John 15:20. And in 2 Timothy 3:12, the Apostle Paul says:
Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,
We need to take a step back and understand that the trials we go through are either being allowed by God or being sent by God. Either way they are going to be used to grow us in our faith. We need not run from them. Instead we need to choose joy in the midst of them.
Continuing forward in verse 2 we see that we will meet trials. What does this mean? The word translated meet here can also mean encounter or fall into. It is the same Greek word that is used in Luke 10:30 when describing the man who fell among robbers in the parable of the Good Samaritan. You don’t have to go looking for trials - they will find you!
But what does James mean by these trials of various kinds that will come our way? What exactly is a trial?
A trial is a time of difficulty and testing in one’s life.
The word itself is more neutral and can be positive or negative depending on how it is used.
James, however, makes it clear that he is referring to times of hardship and difficulty.
And there are various kinds of trials that we go through.
We may suffer trials of persecution, temptation, or bodily suffering. We may suffer trials of financial struggles, relational struggles, or work struggles.
Friends, what trial or trials are you facing right now? What difficulties are you facing right now? Do you have health problems? Do you have family problems? Do you have financial problems? Are you being persecuted for the faith?
As we mentioned before, there are two common unhealthy ways we can respond to trials.
During these times of trials, we can be tempted to despair - meaning that we become hopeless and faithless.
Or we can become tempted to despise God for allowing us to be tested. We can struggle with being faithful to Him and trusting Him through our trial.
Church, may we choose joy in the midst of suffering and pain and trials.
As Warren Wiersbe stated:
“Outlook determines outcome and attitude determines action.”
Warren Wiersbe
If we live our lives expecting trials to come - and if we know that God is going to use all of them and everything we experience for His glory and our good - we can joyously endure the trials that come our way because we know God will carry us through them and grow us through them (Romans 8:28).
I am sure that many of you have relationships in your life that have strengthened because of a shared trial. I think of my marriage to my wife. We have faced many shared trials and struggles throughout our marriage. However, God has used each of these to unite us even closer together to one another and to Him.
Trials can drive you closer to the Lord or drive you further from Him. The choice is yours.
I pray that each of you choose to run to your Heavenly Father when trials come. Allow these trials to bring you joy as you see the Lord using them to grow you in your faith and relationship with Him.
As we face trials, may we rejoice under the pressure, and next we learn that…
Scripture References: John 16:33, John 15:20, 2 Timothy 3:12, Luke 10:30, Romans 8:28
II. As We Face Trials… We Should Remain with Steady Perseverance (3)
II. As We Face Trials… We Should Remain with Steady Perseverance (3)
for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
Now James expounds upon this understanding of trials. Not only should we seek joy in the midst of trials, but we should also grow more firmly in our faith because of them.
James wants us to know that trials are given not as times of cursing - but instead as times of blessing and growth.
An athlete doesn’t get faster without pushing through adversity. A student doesn’t learn without countless hours of study and effort. In the same way, we won’t get stronger and more holy from a life of ease.
A trial is actually an opportunity to grow closer to God.
It is an opportunity for one’s faith to be tested and grow. It develops steadfastness and perseverance in the life of a believer.
We discussed perseverance in our last sermon in the book of Hebrews.
We learned about how to be empowered to face suffering. We were told to embrace the power of prayer - embrace the power of God’s presence - and embrace the power of God’s people.
When we endure and persevere, God will grow us in the faith.
The word translated steadfastness here is often translated patience. Yet in context, it means endurance. It is the biproduct of patience. Those who patiently endure trials will remain steadfast in the future when the next trial comes.
Friends, one does not grow in steadfastness and endurance simply by reading a book or listening to a sermon though it is important to do both. However…
Knowing what is right is different than doing what is right.
We must start with our knowledge of the Word of God. We must glean wisdom from it and grow in our understanding of it through the power of the Holy Spirit.
However, our faith is proven true when we endure the fires of trials. A believer is shown to be a true believer as he passes through the fires of adversity. You are able to see what is inside the heart of a man when he is tried by the fires of affliction.
Anyone can claim Christ when things are easy. But only true believers remain steadfast under trial.
With that in mind, may we joyfully embrace trials that come our way - knowing that the fires of affliction will actually produce in us true endurance.
Instead of running from the difficulties that come our way - embrace them. Count them a blessing from the Lord.
Listen to how the disciples responded to trials and persecution in Acts 5:41:
Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.
After being arrested and flogged and ordered to stop preaching in the name of Jesus, they rejoiced!
And listen to Paul and Silas in Acts 16:25:
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them,
After being severely beaten and thrown into prison, they responded by prayer and singing of hymns to God.
Instead of worry they expressed worship!
The trials that we face are given to us to show the authenticity of our faith. These trials burn off the impurities within us and conform us more into the image of our Savior.
Isaiah 48:10 states:
Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tried you in the furnace of affliction.
Sometimes we need that furnace of affliction to help us grow in our likeness of Christ.
In fact, the word ‘know’ in verse 3 is ginōskō (ee-noce-ko) and carries with it an idea that goes beyond the understanding of our mind. It is not only a fact to be known, it is a fact that has been experienced. It is experiential knowledge.
The butterfly emerging from its chrysalis beautifully illustrates our need for the furnace of affliction and trial. If you free a butterfly from its chrysalis, it will never fly as it should. By removing this time of trial in the early life of a butterfly, you destroy its life. This struggle is necessary for its development. The struggle forces fluid into its wings and builds its muscle enough to soar once it is released. By attempting to skip this struggle, the butterfly never fully develops.
In a similar way, without trials in our lives, our faith will never grow. Our strength will never increase. We need to wrestle against the powers of darkness with Christ empowering us (Ephesians 6:12). We need to run with endurance the race set before us (Hebrews 12:1). We need to see the trials of our lives as a gift from God to help us grow.
If we want to grow in our faith, we must joyfully remain with steady perseverance and endurance. And finally…
Scripture References: Acts 5:41, Acts 16:25, Isaiah 48:10, Ephesians 6:12, Hebrews 12:1
III. As We Face Trials… We Should Realize God’s Purpose (4)
III. As We Face Trials… We Should Realize God’s Purpose (4)
And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Endurance or steadfastness through trials has an effect on us.
James teaches us about two positive effects for believers who endure trials.
1 - They Become Mature
Interestingly, most translations translate this first Greek word here as perfect. The Greek word teleios (tell-ee-ose) can be translated as perfect and is translated as such some 11 times in the New Testament. However, it can also be translated mature - which it is some 9 times in the New Testament.
Mature seems to fit the context here moreso.
This word refers to attaining a goal or rightful purpose. It speaks of becoming a person of integrity with a single-minded devotion to God.
As we suffer trials, we become more singularly purposed. The things of this world start to fade, and we can become more heavenly minded.
The Bible gives many aspects of the character and actions of a mature believer. Consider a handful of these…
Mature believers don’t behave childishly (1Corinthians 13:11).
Mature believers are discerning and always learning (Hebrews 5:12-14).
Mature believers are people of action (James 1:22).
Mature believers stand firm on the truth of God’s Word (Ephesians 4:14).
Mature believers are rooted and planted in God (Psalm 1:3).
Mature believers are full of wisdom (Colossians 1:28).
Do these verses describe you? Have you allowed the trials of your life to produce this type of fruit in you? If not, may you repent and ask God to grow you through all of the trials you experience. Ask God to give you joy in the midst of these trials and to help you remain steadfast as you endure them. Ask Him to refine you and conform you more into the image of Christ. Ask Him to help you see His purpose even in the midst of your pain.
Next we see that those who joyfully endure trials…
2 - They Become Complete
The Greek word translated complete carries the idea of being made whole. James even clarifies this with the phrase lacking nothing at the end of verse 4. He wants us to know that those who endure trials are mature and complete.
Those who are joyfully steadfast in trials lack nothing when it comes to spiritual importance. They have all they need in Christ. They have learned the secret of contentment that Paul speaks of in Philippians 4. They know that the things of this world will not bring them true joy or make them complete. They know that no philosophy or teaching in this world can bring them to complete maturity apart from the Word of God (Colossians 2:8).
We must not see the trials in our lives as burdens to bypass but instead as blessings that build us up in Christ.
Trees and bushes don’t grow correctly unless they are pruned. If we want to develop and mature and become complete, we must be willing to undergo the fiery trials of this life.
I love the natural illustration that the Lord has given us in regard to the oyster.
When a foreign object such as a piece of sand, a piece of shell, or even a parasite makes its way into the mantle of the oyster, the oyster responds by protecting itself with thousands of microscopic layers of a material made up of calcium carbonate and protein.
Over several months to even years, these layers build up and eventually smooth out forming a pearl.
Friends, may our trials create the same in us. As we experience and endure trials joyfully, may we allow the Lord to respond in us and through us to these trials by giving us layers of faith, hope, and love. May we allow Him to keep growing a pearl of righteousness within us.
The oyster shows us that this is not the common response though. Interestingly, pearls are not very common in the wild. Only 1 in 10,000 wild oysters actually produce a pearl. And if we look around, Christian maturity and wholeness in Christ isn’t all that common as well.
Church:
May our trials not make us bitter but instead make us better. May they not make us mindless but instead make us mature.
Despite the difficulties that you might face in this life, know that God is creating something beautiful in you. The afflictions that you face are for your good. They are there to help you grow in holiness.
As we go through these trials, may we recognize God’s purpose in them. He desires our spiritual growth. He wants to see us become more holy for He is holy. God does nothing without purpose.
If you are facing a difficult trial today, spend some time asking God what He would have you to learn from it. Ask Him to grow you in the midst of the affliction. Instead of spending all of your efforts to remove yourself from the trial, spend some time seeking to find out what the Lord wants to teach you in the middle of it.
Scripture References: Philippians 4, Colossians 2:8, Romans 8:28
Conclusion:
As we come to a close, we have seen James give us a difficult challenge from even the first verses of this wonderful book. Much of this first chapter will be spent on focusing on ourselves and our own holiness or lack thereof. Moving into the end of chapter 1 and throughout the rest of the book, we will see that the book of James is all about relationships. He will challenge us to practice what we preach.
The order of this book is important.
We cannot outwardly practice what God is not inwardly producing within us.
If we want to be mature believers, we must be allowing the Lord to produce righteousness within us so that we can practice it.
Friends, as we face trials, may we rejoice under pressure, remain with steady perseverance, and realize God’s purpose.
He wants to work everything out for our good (Romans 8:28). Trust His sovereign plan and purpose of suffering. Keep the faith in the midst of affliction. And watch the Lord grow you into the man or woman of God He has created you to be.
