Triumph Through Trials (Part 3)

You may remember that one of the purposes of James is to offer instruction to the Christians who were experiencing trials. James gives the suffering Christians a realistic perspective on life and trial.

But, in this passage, James gives the suffering Christians a realistic perspective on life as it is.

Back in verses 2-4, James teaches us the types of trials, the attitude of trials, and the advantage of trials. Last week, in verses 5-8, James talked about obtaining wisdom in the midst of trial. To receive wisdom, we need to ask God in faith.

Big Idea: To triumph through trials, you must have God’s eternal perspective on the poor and rich.

If you remember back in verse 5, if we lack wisdom, then we are to ask God, right?

Here’s God’s wisdom that James is going to teach us. James is going to be dealing with the things that do not last forever, and the things that do last forever. And until you learn what is temporary and what is permanent, you will struggle to triumph through trials.

Whether poor or rich, if you get caught in trying to find significance and richness in this world, then you will miss out on God’s true blessings for your life and you will be foolish instead of wise. And so...

Big Idea: To triumph through trials, you need God’s eternal perspective on life.

You must see life as temporary

From God’s perspective, this life is temporary. Therefore:

This life is temporary. Therefore:

Life is temporary. Therefore:

1. Poor Christians must boast in their eternal richness in Christ. (v.9)

You must see your insignificance as temporary (v.9)

James begins addressing to the Christians who are lowly. James seems to be making a reference to the socio-economical status of this brother. Christians living in the Roman Empire were predominantly poor.

In , Luke tells us that there was a famine that happened.

Being poor is extremely difficult. You usually lack money, food, clothings, and a home to live. Not only that, you’re usually looked down upon and marginalized in society.

Acts 11:28 ESV

And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius).

A famine simply means that there was an extreme lack of resources and food in an area. And this famine happened sometime in AD 45-46, After the famine, James wrote his letter.

But, being a poor Christian is not the same as the way we see poor people in society. In the New Testament, these Christians learn to serve each other, provide for each others needs, and still offered whatever money is left to help other believers.

Paul also tells us that he brought gifts to help aid the Christians in Jerusalem.

So, James commands the poor Christian to boast in his exaltation. You might be wondering, “Wait, Tommy, why is James commanding the Christians to boast? I thought boasting was a sin, right? In fact, doesn’t say boasting is evil?”

According to the Bible, what is boasting?

Boasting - to speak with pride or to take pride in something.

There are two ways to view boasting in the Bible: negative and positive.

The Bible views boasting negatively.

Negatively:

Pride and boasting are generally a sin. It is usually in the context of being prideful of self and bragging upon your life.

The Bible views boasting positively:

Positively:

There is a pride and boasting that honours God. It is usually in the context of trusting God, knowing Him and what He has done.

Jeremiah 9:23–24 ESV

Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”

In this case, James is talking about a positive boasting. The object of boasting is in his exaltation. And the word exaltation literally means “high position.”

James 4:10 ESV

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

James talks about God exalting those who are humble. It is God who exalts and lifts up the lowly, poor, humble, and insignificant to a high position.

What does “exaltation” or “high position” mean?

explains what this means.

James 2:5–6 ESV

Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court?

explains what this exaltation means.

James 2:5 ESV

Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?

I won’t explain too much on what “rich in faith” and “heirs of the kingdom” mean, but all you need to know about this “exaltation” is that those who are Christians have been adopted into the family of God, they are a holy nation, God has written their names in heaven. and they will receive the crown of life. All those things are found in a saving relationship with Jesus Christ.

You might not be financially poor, but you can be spiritually poor (if you own an iPhone X then you are not financially poor).

You may not be financially poor.

The bad news is that sinners are spiritually poor, sinful and have fallen short of the glory of God. The spiritually poor are those who are heading towards destruction, hell, and damnation. If you’re not a follower of Christ, then you need to know that you are spiritually bankrupt. You have absolutely nothing in you that can buy your way to heaven. Therefore...

The good news is that God sent His Son Jesus Christ to save sinners by dying on the cross for the forgiveness of sin. I believe the whole Bible, including this passage, points us to Jesus Christ one way or another, to reveal to us the love that He demonstrates to poor filthy sinners.

2 Corinthians 8:9 ESV

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.

Jesus Christ, who was infinitely rich, became poor and so that by His poverty, sinners who were spiritually bankrupt and poor would become spiritually rich. This richness is not talking about worldly wealth and possessions. It’s talking about the blessing of salvation. It’s the blessing of having a relationship with God. Christ offers Himself to you as spiritual richness, but the question is: do you want Him?

But, Jesus Christ, who was infinitely rich, became poor and so that by His poverty, sinners who were spiritually bankrupt and poor would become spiritually rich. This richness is not talking about worldly wealth and possessions. It’s talking about the blessing of salvation. It’s the blessing of having a relationship with God. Christ offers Himself to you as spiritual richness, but the question is: do you want Him?

Do you recognize that you’re spiritually bankrupt without Jesus?

Matthew 5:3 ESV

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

The world and all the riches will pass away. But in Jesus Christ, salvation is permanent and cannot fade away. Therefore, James is commanding the poor Christians to boast in their exaltation because they are not to set their eyes on worldly goods, but to set their eyes on God where eternal richness is in Christ.

Now, you might not be financially poor (because if you own an iPhone X that you’re definitely not poor).

James is commanding the poor Christians to boast in their exaltation because they are not to set their eyes on worldly goods, but to set their eyes on God. The world and all the riches will pass away. But in Jesus Christ, salvation is permanent and cannot fade away.

So, don’t lost focus on Jesus who saved you from sin, hell, and from the wrath of God.

Now that James have spoken to the poor Christians, he’s now going to talk to the rich Christians. From God’s perspective, life is temporary. Therefore...

2. Rich Christians must boast in their spiritual humility before Christ because their eternal richness is in Christ (v.10-11)

You must see your significance as temporary (v.10a)

The Bible has much to say about the rich. Jesus spoke about earthly possessions and money in the gospels. In James, it seems like there is a lot of rebuking against the rich.

But, before we condemn the rich, there were wealthy people who followed God, such as King David, Solomon, and Abraham. Our society often say that “money is the root of all evil.” But, that’s not true. The Bible tells us this:

1 Timothy 6:10 ESV

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

It’s not wrong to have money, but it is a sin to be greedy and it is a sin to use your money to show off your wealthy possessions.

Verse 10 is actually a difficult interpretation. Bible scholars disagree over whether the rich mentioned here is a believer or an unbeliever. And both sides make strong arguments, but I think this verse is talking about rich Christians.

By the world’s standard, Canadians and Americans are probably the richest people in the world. Even if you’re working right now and are getting paid minimum wage, you earn a lot more than an average worker in other countries. When I was in Poland for a missions trip, to my surprise, buying a box of pizza or going to KFC was considered a luxury.

When I was in Poland for a missions trip, to my surprise, buying a box of pizza or going to KFC was considered a luxury.

James instructs and commands the rich Christians to boast in their humiliation. Humiliation is not an appealing word, but the word could also mean “humility or humbleness.”

Humiliation - the act of putting someone into a lower position

What does “boasting in his humiliation” mean?

Instead of boasting in their wealth and possessions, the rich Christians are to boast in their humility before God and not to depend on their wealth.

Philippians 2:5–8 ESV

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

It is usually difficult for rich people to follow Christ because it may mean sacrifice on their part.

It is usually difficult for rich people to follow Christ because it may mean sacrifice on their part. The Bible tells us about the responsibilities of rich Christians.

1 Timothy 6:10 ESV

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

Paul gave instructions to young Timothy regarding the rich Christians.

1 Timothy 6:17–19 ESV

As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

Rich Christians are given the responsibility to use their wealth to do God’s work. Instead of keeping the money and possessions to themselves, they are to be generous in their giving and learn to share their resources with others because their identity and dependence is not found in money, but in their eternal richness in Jesus Christ.

James gives us a reason why the rich must boast in their humility before God by drawing an illustration in verses 10b-11a. James compares the rich with the grass and flower.

Spring comes and all the world looks beautiful with all blossom flowers and grass. But, fall and winter will come. They will fade away, perish, wither, and be ruined.

Isaiah 40:6–8 ESV

A voice says, “Cry!” And I said, “What shall I cry?” All flesh is grass, and all its beauty is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of the Lord blows on it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.

Spring comes and all the world looks beautiful with all blossom flowers and grass. But, fall and winter will come. They will fade away, perish, wither, and be ruined.

My best friend went to Israel during summer, and he told me that it was at least 40 degree celsius. It was like a desert wasteland. And James is telling us the sun’s burning heat is hot enough to suddenly wither the grass and flower.

Similarly, the rich man will fade away in the midsts of his pursuits or in the midst of his business trip. Here’s what James is telling us about life: in the midst of doing business, this person can suddenly die.

James 4:13–14 ESV

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.

James 4:13

Here’s the reality and wisdom we can learn from the Bible: whether you’re filthy rich or poor, our lives on earth are temporary because we will all one day die. Our lives can suddenly be taken away from us. We do not always like to talk about death, but let that truth stick to you.

The lesson that James wants us to learn from the plants is that nothing lasts forever.

Here’s the reality: whether if you’re filthy rich or poor, our lives on earth are temporary because we will all one day die. I know we do not always like to talk about death, but let that reality stick to you.

Hebrews 9:27 ESV

And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,

The Bible tells us that we only have this life to live. The Bible never teaches about the reincarnation, and it never teaches us that we die and that’s it. After we die, we will enter into judgment.

When we die, we cannot take our possessions with us. In fact, they will perish and fade away. And when we die and meet God face to face, He will judge the living and the dead.

REFLECTION: what kind of life are you living for knowing that you will face death?

Reali

Listen to the words of Jesus:

Matthew 16:24–26 ESV

Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?

Maybe you’re not financially poor, but maybe you’re dealing with feeling lowly and insignificant in life. You just don’t seem to fit in with society. Some of you might not be popular or never be popular. Some of you might be struggling with your education, and you might be feeling ashamed about it.

Whether if you’re poor or rich, Jesus is saying that if you pursue the world’s goods, then you have given up your soul, meaning you are pursuing spiritual death and hell and separation from God. But, if you give us pursuing the world’s goods and follow Jesus, then you will indeed find life, meaning, and purpose.

Jesus calls you to repent of your sins, to forsake your selfish desires and the world, and to embrace Christ, trust Christ, follow Christ, love Christ and obey Christ because of what He has done for you through his death on the cross and resurrection.

1 John 2:15–17 ESV

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

Do you want to live forever in heaven with God? This leads me to point #3. From God’s perspective, life is temporary. Therefore...

3. Both poor and rich Christians must persevere through the trials of life (12a).

Trials will test the poor and rich Christians’ faith (12a)

In the midst of suffering and hardship, the poor and rich Christians are to endure trials until the end. There are definitely challenges to being poor and rich for Christians.

Proverbs 30:7–9 ESV

Two things I ask of you; deny them not to me before I die: Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full and deny you and say, “Who is the Lord?” or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God.

You must see your trials as temporary (v.12a)

The danger of being rich is to that you rely on yourself more possessions instead of God. The danger of being poor is to complain, steal, and curse God. Don’t fall into both extreme. Instead, you are to persevere and endure in your Christian faith.

You must see your trials as temporary (v.12a)

The danger of being poor is to complain, steal, and curse God.

By doing so, you are blessed. In other words, you have God’s favour on your side, and you will learn to count it all joy in following Jesus, knowing that God has a purpose for you. From God’s perspective, life is temporary. Therefore...

4. Triumphant Christians will receive their everlasting reward from God (12b).

If you are blessed by God, you are to persevere because you will receive the crown of life after being approved, refined, or tested. This is the promise given by God to those who love Him! He will reward you!

And usually, this reward is in the context of perseverance in the Christian life and doing ministry.

2 Timothy 4:8 ESV

Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

Revelation 2:10 ESV

Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.

We do not exactly know what this reward would look like, but it’s definitely something that is far beyond our imagination. It’s something that we need to look forward to as we endure. But followers of Jesus will definitely spend in eternity with God forever and ever. So, we need that eternal perspective. And finally, from God’s perspective, life is temporary. Therefore...

5. Love God (v.12c).

It is love that will last forever. As Christians, it is our love for God that enables us and motivates us to persevere through trials. You see, if you endure suffering as a Christian and not give us, it may reveal who you truly love. This crown of life is promised by God to those who love Him. I hope you truly love God because He first loved you.

Do you see the exchange here? Think about this: It’s like Bill Gates, the CEO of Microsoft, going down to East Hastings and told all the homeless people this, “I’m going to become completely poor so that you can have all my wealth.” Think about that. Usually no one in their right minds would do such a thing.

Are you living for worldly goods? Are you living for wealthiness? Are you living for popularity at school?

Related Media

Related Sermons