Turning Trials Into Triumphs
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TURNING TRIALS INTO TRIUMPHS
TURNING TRIALS INTO TRIUMPHS
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
5 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.
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.
2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
james 1:2-8
2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,
3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.
7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;
8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. 5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,
3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
5 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.
6 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.
7 For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord,
8 being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
TURNING TRIALS INTO TRIUMPHS
2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,
3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.
7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;
8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
Introduction:
Introduction:
Have you ever heard the phrase, “when life hands you a lemon, make lemonade.”
It’s easier to smile at that statement than it is to put it into practice…but the basic philosophy is sound...In fact, it’s biblical.
In fact, it’s biblical.
Throughout the Bible, you will find people who turned defeat into victory…and trial into triumph.
And James wants us to know that we can have the same experience today.
NOTE: No matter what trials we face or what difficulty we go through…through faith in Jesus, we can have victory.
In these verses, James teaches us how to turn our trials into triumphs.
But one of the first things that James does is give us some facts concerning the trials and problems of life.
1) TRIALS ARE INEVITABLE
1) TRIALS ARE INEVITABLE
2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,
2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
Notice that James says in v 2 "whenever" not "if”
James is saying that we can count on having trials/problems...
NOTE: Problems are a fact of life...
Problems are going to come into our lives...
If you’re breathing - and if you have a pulse...you’re going to have problems...
No one is immune to problems…Trials & problems are no respecter of persons...
1 “Man who is born of a woman is few of days and full of trouble.
1 “Man, who is born of woman, Is short-lived and full of turmoil.
1 “Mortals, born of woman, are of few days and full of trouble.
1 Man that is born of a woman Is of few days, and full of trouble.
job 14:1
1 “Man who is born of woman Is of few days and full of trouble.
1 “Man who is born of woman Is of few days and full of trouble.
1 Man that is born of a woman Is of few days, and full of trouble.
1 “Man born of woman is of few days and full of trouble.
33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
NOTE: As long as we live, we are going to have trials…There is no escaping the problems of life.
NOTE: As long as we live, we are going to have trials…There is no escaping the problems of life.
2) TRIALS ARE UNPREDICTABLE
2) TRIALS ARE UNPREDICTABLE
2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,
2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,
2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
Notice the word "face/fall/encounter" in v 2...
It means to fall into unexpectedly...
It refers to coming across or meeting a hazardous or negative situation by accident...
Iow's, James is telling us that trials/problems aren't planned...
They happen when we least expect them...
They catch us off guard…They catch us by surprise…
(Illus. We don't plan to get sick...or to have a flat tire...or lose our job…or be involved in an accident…these things just happen…)
NOTE: Problems don’t give us an advanced warning that they’re coming…
They come into our lives unexpectedly & uninvited...
and they are inconvenient when we fall into them...
3) TRIALS ARE VARIED
3) TRIALS ARE VARIED
Notice the words "many kinds..." (v 2)
It means various, multi-colored, or multi-faceted.
James is saying that trials come in all shapes and sizes...
Some are minor inconveniences and some are major interruptions...
Some are minor inconveniences and some are major interruptions...
James is also saying to us that trials vary in intensity...and vary in duration...
James is also saying to us that trials vary in intensity...and vary in duration...
James is letting us know that no 2 problems are the same...
BUT HOW DO WE HANDLE THE PROBLEMS OF LIFE?
HOW DO WE GET THROUGH WHAT WE'RE GOING THROUGH?
HOW DO WE TURN OUR TRIALS INTO TRIUMPHS?
James tells us there are 3 essentials to having victory in the trials of life.
1) A JOYFUL ATTITUDE (V 2)
1) A JOYFUL ATTITUDE (V 2)
2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,
2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,
2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,
2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,
2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,
Notice verse 2 - "count it all joy"
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
James says that when trials come...we need to be joyful - we need to rejoice IN our trials...
2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.
james 1:2
But let's be honest, trials are seldom met with joy...
But let's be honest, trials are seldom met with joy...
In fact, rejoicing usually isn't our first response when problems come into our lives...
In fact, rejoicing usually isn't our first response when problems come into our lives...
NOTE: Normal people don’t enjoy trials...
In fact, most of us do everything possible to avoid the trials and hardships of life.
But when trials come, we have to choose to be joyful.
But when trials come, we have to choose to be joyful.
NOTE: We can't choose what happens to us but we can choose how we respond to what happens to us.
(Ilus. Everything can be taken away from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances. — Viktor E. Frankl, Nazi Death Camp survivor)
NOTE: Attitude is everything...
And we can get through anything we have to face if we will simply have the right attitude.
Now James isn't telling us to fake it or deny reality...but he is saying that joy is possible even in the midst of trials...but it comes down to choosing to have the right attitude.
17 Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls,
18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
17 Though the fig tree should not blossom And there be no fruit on the vines, Though the yield of the olive should fail And the fields produce no food, Though the flock should be cut off from the fold And there be no cattle in the stalls,
18 Yet I will exult in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.
(Illus. Attitude Makes All the Difference
17 Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls,
18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
Jim Smith went to church on Sunday morning. He heard the organist miss a note during the prelude, and he winced. He saw a teenager talking when everybody was supposed to “bow in prayer.” He felt like the usher was watching to see what he put in the offering plate, and it made him boil. He caught the preacher making a slip of the tongue five times in the sermon by actual count. As he slipped out through the side door during the closing hymn, he muttered to himself, “Never again! What a bunch of clods and hypocrites!
17 Although the fig tree shall not blossom, Neither shall fruit be in the vines; The labour of the olive shall fail, And the fields shall yield no meat; The flock shall be cut off from the fold, And there shall be no herd in the stalls:
18 Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
17 Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls,
18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.
17 Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls—
18 Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
17 Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls—
18 Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
17 Although the fig tree shall not blossom, Neither shall fruit be in the vines; The labour of the olive shall fail, And the fields shall yield no meat; The flock shall be cut off from the fold, And there shall be no herd in the stalls:
18 Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
17 Although the fig tree shall not blossom, Neither shall fruit be in the vines; The labour of the olive shall fail, And the fields shall yield no meat; The flock shall be cut off from the fold, And there shall be no herd in the stalls:
18 Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
19 The Lord God is my strength, And he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, And he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.
Ron Jones went to church on Sunday morning. He heard the organist play an arrangement of “A Mighty Fortress,” and he was thrilled by the majesty of it. He heard a young girl take a moment in the service to speak her simple moving message of the difference her faith makes in her life. He was glad to see that his church was sharing in a special offering for the hungry children of Nigeria. He especially appreciated the sermon that Sunday—it answered a question that had bothered him for a long time. He thought, as he walked out the doors of the church, “How can a man come here and not feel the presence of God?”
Both men went to the same church on the same Sunday morning. And each one found what he was looking for.)
NOTE: You can CHOOSE to REJOICE IN your suffering or you can CHOOSE to be BITTER in your suffering...
Suffering is inevitable, but we can choose how we respond.
16 Rejoice evermore.
16 Rejoice always,
24 This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.
Attitude makes the difference.
18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
24 This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
24 This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
NOTE: If you’re going to get through your trials and suffering and hardships, you need the right attitude - You need a joyful attitude…
NOTE: If you’re going to get through your trials and suffering and hardships, you need the right attitude - You need a joyful attitude…
2) AN UNDERSTANDING MIND (V 3-4)
2) AN UNDERSTANDING MIND (V 3-4)
3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
Notice verses 3 & 4
3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
The reason we can respond with joy in the midst of trials and problems is because we know that our problems have a purpose.
The reason we can respond with joy in our trials and problems is because we know that our problems have a purpose.
NOTE: The suffering and trials of life are never wasted.
Trials come into our life to develop us…not destroy us.
God has a purpose for the problems & pressures of life…
God uses the problems & pressures of life for our good...
3 Purposes of Trials
a. Trials purify our faith
James uses the phrase "the testing of your faith..."
The word means 'testing" as in testing silver and gold…
(Illus. To purify gold…it has to go into the fire so that the impurities will come to the top so they can be removed.)
James is saying that trials have a purifying effect upon our lives…
Trials have a way of exposing things in our lives that don’t please God…
NOTE: God uses trials as a way of getting us to deal with things in our life that we don’t want to deal with...
He allows trials and problems to come into our lives to get our attention so that He can work in our lives...
b. Trials produce spiritual stability
James says that trials "produces perseverance…"
This means trials produce patience…
The word speaks of endurance or steadfastness…
It refers to someone who has the ability to endure hardship…or someone who has staying power and isn’t going to give up even when they’re facing great adversity…
(Illus. – “But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.”)
James is saying that one of the ways God makes us strong as Christians is through trials.
Someone once said, “Trials are the divine gymnasium whereby we develop our spiritual muscles.”
c. Trials produce spiritual maturity
Notice verse 4
James uses the word “mature...”
It’s a word that means, “complete or full grown.”
James is talking about spiritual maturity.
And James says, trials are a part of God's way of helping us to grow spiritually.
NOTE: Our spiritual growth doesn’t happen when everything is perfect.
We become the men/women that God wants us to be by going through the storms & valleys of life.
It’s during our times of difficulty that God shapes our character & develops us.
3) A BELIEVING HEART (V 5-8)
3) A BELIEVING HEART (V 5-8)
james 1
jame
5 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.
6 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.
7 For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord,
8 being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.
7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;
8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.
7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;
8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.
7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;
8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.
7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;
8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
5 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’re going through trials & difficulties, James says pray.
But notice what James says we should pray about - He says ask God for wisdom.
But that raises the question - Why do we need wisdom when we’re facing problems?
Why not ask for strength, or grace, or deliverance?
Here’s why we pray for wisdom - We need wisdom so we won’t waste the opportunities God is giving us to grow & mature.
NOTE: Wisdom helps us to understand how our circumstances are for our good & God’s glory.
Wisdom changes our perspective so that we can see what God is wanting to do in our lives.
But James not only tells us what to ask for…he also tells us how to ask...
James says, “when you ask, you must believe and not doubt...”
NOTE: When we pray, we are to believe...
We need to believe that God hears our prayer…but we also need to believe that God will answer our prayer.
And James make it clear that God will answer - “ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it WILL be given to you...”
Notice that James compares a doubting believer to the waves of the sea…up one minute & down the next...
NOTE: That’s how many Christians live their lives - up one minute, down the next…tossed back & forth.
And James says that person shouldn’t expect to receive anything from the Lord...
NOTE: To get through the problems & trials of life, we have to pray in faith…and we have to walk by faith & not by sight.
NOTE: The key to victory is faith in God…He responds to our faith...
To get through our trials, we must trust God & His plan...
And in order for us to get through our trials & be victorious, we must trust in God...
We can’t be double-minded & unstable...
CONCLUSION:
CONCLUSION:
God always has a purpose for our trials…we may not understand what God is doing at the time but God always has a purpose for everything that we go through.
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
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.
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
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.
28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
– “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
I don't know what you're going through but I know that you can get through it, and that everything will work together for your good.
I don't know what you're going through but I know that you can get through it, and that everything will together for your good.
We can turn our trials into triumphs if we will have A Joyful Attitude, an Understanding Mind, and A Believing Heart.
Let’s pray that God will help us have the right attitude and right perspective when trials come into our lives.