How to Be Real in Negative Circumstances

Dr. George Bannister
Woodville Baptist Church
Being Real in an Autimated World • Sermon • Submitted 7 years ago
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﻿TEXT: James 1:1-8
ETS: James challenges believers to profit from their trials. 
ESS:  Believers can prover the reality of their christianity in the midst of their trials.
OSS:Believers will seek Christ in their trials.
PQ: How can I prove myself to be real?
UW: steps
TOPIC: “How to be Real in Negative Circumstances”

INTRODUCTION:





I- SURRENDER YOUR ALL UNDER THE LORDSHIP OF CHRIST 	
	(James 1:1).
	A- Allow Him to use your individual personality.
		1- God made you who you are. (Psa. 100:3; 139:14)
			a- With unique abilities and gifts.(1 Cor. 12:4-7)
			b- With a unique personality.
			c- With unique physical traits.
		2- He can and will use you as you are.
			* He used James, Peter, John, and Paul, etc.
	B- Allow Him to be Lord of your life.
		1-Allowing Jesus to be Lord of your life means accepting your rightful role.
			a- A bondservant: don’t belong to self.
				1) All areas of life belong to Him.
		2- Allowing Jesus to be Lord of your life means accepting His rightful role in your
 life.
			a- He is Lord.
				1) Must ask Him before acting.
				2) Must obey His commands.

II- APPROACH YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES WITH A JOYFUL OUTLOOK (James 1:2-4).
	A- Approach your negative circumstances with an attitude of joy.
		1- Joy is the product of living a Spirit-Filled life.
			(Galatians 5:22-23)
		2- Joy is not hinged to circumstances.(Jn. 15:11; 16:21-22)
			* The disciples (Acts 13:50-52)
			a- It is possible to have joy in negative circumstances 					because of the presence of the Holy Spirit.
			b- He promised never to leave you (Heb. 13:5)
	B- Recognize the process that is at work in the difficult circumstances.
		1- God is always at work in you and in your circumstances. 
			(2 Cor. 4:17; Phil. 2:13)
		2- Note how He works:
			a- Testing (negative circumstances) produces patience (endurance).
			b- Enduring negative circumstances while walking in the Spirit produces maturity (perfect work) = completeness (Christlikeness).

III- SEEK GOD’S WISDOM IN YOUR DEALING WITH YOUR _CIRCUMSTANCES (James 1:5-8).
	A- God’s wisdom is available to you.
		1- Sometimes we don’t know how to handle negative circumstances.
			* The early church
		2- God stands ready to impart His wisdom to us.
			a- Gives it liberally.
			b- Does not reproach us for our lack of wisdom.
				1) God’s wisdom is not earthly wisdom. (1 Cor. 3:19)
	B- God’s wisdom must be appropriated by faith.
		1- Ask God in faith.
		2- Don’t doubt what God says will work.
		3- Don’t vascillate...OBEY!
			a- To vascillate produces an unstable life.
			b- If we ask, and don’t obey...God’s blessings won’t come.

CONCLUSION:
	
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