Time to Wise Up

1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching Faith, Lack Of

Faith, Lack of

A man was walking along a narrow path, not paying much attention to where he was going. Suddenly he slipped over the edge of a cliff. As he fell, he grabbed a branch growing from the side of the cliff. Realizing that he couldn’t hang on for long, he called for help.

Man: Is anybody up there?

Voice: Yes, I’m here!

Man: Who’s that?

Voice: The Lord.

Man: Lord, help me!

Voice: Do you trust me?

Man: I trust you completely, Lord.

Voice: Good. Let go of the branch.

Man: What???

Voice: I said, “Let go of the branch.”

Man: [After a long pause] Is anybody else up there?464

James 1:1–11 ESV

1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings. 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. 9 Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, 10 and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. 11 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.

James

Author

a “bondservant” of God and Christ (1:1)

the half-brother of Jesus

leader of the Jerusalem church

one of several brothers of Jesus and likely the oldest

he did not believe Jesus at first; Challenged him ()

John

John 7:2–5 ESV

2 Now the Jews’ Feast of Booths was at hand. 3 So his brothers said to him, “Leave here and go to Judea, that your disciples also may see the works you are doing. 4 For no one works in secret if he seeks to be known openly. If you do these things, show yourself to the world.” 5 For not even his brothers believed in him.

Paul called him a “pillar” of the church ()

Galatians 2:9 ESV

9 and when James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.

was a leader in the Council of Jerusalem ()

Acts 15:13 ESV

13 After they finished speaking, James replied, “Brothers, listen to me.

martyred in AD 62

Areas of Interest

Areas of Special Interest in James:

Riches

Tongue

Impartiality

Doing Good

Self-Control

Key Words

Brothers - 15 times

brothers - 15 times

2. tongue faith - 16 times

3. impartiality believe - 3 times

Faith - 16 times

4. doing good works - 10 times

5. self-control trials/temptation

Believe - 3 times

Works - 10 times

perfect

Trials/Temptations

Perseverance

Perfect

Recipients

As the leader of the Jerusalem church, James wrote as PASTOR to instruct and encourage his dispersed people in the face of their difficulties.

Read James 1:1-11

Considering our text (), Why do you believe God uses suffering and trials to make us “complete” and “lacking nothing”?

Considering our text (), Why does God use suffering and trials to make us complete and lacking nothing?

An example of lack of faith in God

1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching Faith, Lack Of

Faith, Lack of

A man was walking along a narrow path, not paying much attention to where he was going. Suddenly he slipped over the edge of a cliff. As he fell, he grabbed a branch growing from the side of the cliff. Realizing that he couldn’t hang on for long, he called for help.

Man: Is anybody up there?

Voice: Yes, I’m here!

Man: Who’s that?

Voice: The Lord.

Man: Lord, help me!

Voice: Do you trust me?

Man: I trust you completely, Lord.

Voice: Good. Let go of the branch.

Man: What???

Voice: I said, “Let go of the branch.”

Man: [After a long pause] Is anybody else up there?464

1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching Faith, Lack Of

Faith, Lack of

A man was walking along a narrow path, not paying much attention to where he was going. Suddenly he slipped over the edge of a cliff. As he fell, he grabbed a branch growing from the side of the cliff. Realizing that he couldn’t hang on for long, he called for help.

Man: Is anybody up there?

Voice: Yes, I’m here!

Man: Who’s that?

Voice: The Lord.

Man: Lord, help me!

Voice: Do you trust me?

Man: I trust you completely, Lord.

Voice: Good. Let go of the branch.

Man: What???

Voice: I said, “Let go of the branch.”

Man: [After a long pause] Is anybody else up there?464

I. Remember that trials have a purpose. (1:1-4)

to instruct and encourage his dispersed people in the face of their difficulties.

I. Remember that trials have a purpose. 1:1-4

James: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary Chapter 2: From Trouble to Triumph—Part 1 (James 1:2–3)

To test the genuineness of a diamond, jewelers often place it in clear water, which causes a real diamond to sparkle with special brilliance. An imitation stone, on the other hand, will have almost no sparkle at all. When the two are placed side by side, even an untrained eye can easily tell the difference.

Holman New Testament Commentary: Hebrews & James 2. Outer Trials (vv. 2–12)

Trials are of many kinds, but believers can triumph over them. Verse 2 presents a command concerning trials: consider it pure joy, … whenever you face trials of many kinds. This does not suggest that we should seek out trials.

1. They are unavoidable. 1:1-2

1. They are unavoidable. 1:1-2

In a similar way, even the world can often notice the marked differences between genuine Christians and those who merely profess faith in Christ.

As with jewels, there is a noticeable difference in radiance, especially when people are undergoing difficult times.

Many people have great confidence in their faith until it is severely tested by hardships and disappointments. How a person handles trouble will reveal whether his faith is living or dead, genuine or imitation, saving or nonsaving.

John F. MacArthur Jr., James, MacArthur New Testament Commentary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1998), 15.1. They are unavoidable. 1:1-2

1. They are unavoidable. (v1-2)

2. They are valuable. 1:3-4

James: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary Chapter 2: From Trouble to Triumph—Part 1 (James 1:2–3)

Everyone who lives in this world endures some measure of trouble. That is the consequence of the Fall, the natural result of sinful human nature and of a world and society corrupted by iniquity.

James: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary Chapter 2: From Trouble to Triumph—Part 1 (James 1:2–3)

Everyone who lives in this world endures some measure of trouble. That is the consequence of the Fall, the natural result of sinful human nature and of a world and society corrupted by iniquity.

James: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary Chapter 2: From Trouble to Triumph—Part 1 (James 1:2–3)

Everyone who lives in this world endures some measure of trouble. That is the consequence of the Fall, the natural result of sinful human nature and of a world and society corrupted by iniquity.

James: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary Chapter 2: From Trouble to Triumph—Part 1 (James 1:2–3)

Solomon wrote despairingly, “I hated life, for the work which had been done under the sun was grievous to me; because everything is futility and striving after wind.… Because all of [a man’s] days his task is painful and grievous; even at night his mind does not rest” (Eccles. 2:17, 23)

James: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary Chapter 2: From Trouble to Triumph—Part 1 (James 1:2–3)

Solomon wrote despairingly, “I hated life, for the work which had been done under the sun was grievous to me; because everything is futility and striving after wind.… Because all of [a man’s] days his task is painful and grievous; even at night his mind does not rest” (Eccles. 2:17, 23)

James: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary Chapter 2: From Trouble to Triumph—Part 1 (James 1:2–3)

Everyone who lives in this world endures some measure of trouble. That is the consequence of the Fall, the natural result of sinful human nature and of a world and society corrupted by iniquity.

Everyone who lives in this world will face some kind of trouble.

Job

Joseph

Moses

David

Paul

Timothy

The Twelve

Even Jesus himself

“We should “Count it all joy”

2. They are valuable. (v3-4)

Scripture indicates at least 8 purposes for the Lord allowing trials to come in our lives.

To test the strength of our faith ()

Exodus

Exodus 16:4 ESV

4 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not.

To humble us ()

2 Corinthians 12:7 ESV

7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited.

To curb our dependence on worldly things ()

John 6:5–6 ESV

5 Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” 6 He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do.

To call us to eternal and heavenly hope ()

Philippians 1:23–24 ESV

23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.

To reveal what we really love ()

Luke 14:26 ESV

26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.

To teach us to value God’s blessings ()

Ps 63:3-7

Psalm 63:3–7 ESV

3 Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. 4 So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands. 5 My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips, 6 when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; 7 for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.

To develop enduring strength for greater usefulness ()

2 Corinthians 12:10 ESV

10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

To enable us to better help others in their trials ()

a. Let trials strengthen you to endure. 1:3

a. Let trials strengthen you to endure. 1:3

Luke 22:

Luke 22:31–32 ESV

31 “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, 32 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”

b. Let trials help you mature. 1:4

b. Let trials help you mature. 1:4

II. Remember that trials should bring us to prayer. (1:5-8)

“I’m not afraid of the devil. He can’t handle the One to whom I’m joined.” A. W. Tozer

Read more: https://www.christianquotes.info/top-quotes/20-encouraging-quotes-trials-struggles/#ixzz5eiUnsdIn

What does wisdom have to do with facing trials?

“The unspiritual man does not receive the gifts (literally “things”) of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned” Wayne Grudem

“The unspiritual man does not receive the gifts (literally “things”) of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned”

Wayne A. Grudem, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine (Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; Zondervan Pub. House, 2004), 107.

1. Ask for wisdom from the Father.(v5)

Whats the only way out of a trial? Through it! Humble submission to God.

Job: Eliphaz, one of Job’s friends, declared wisely,

Job 5:8–11 ESV

8 “As for me, I would seek God, and to God would I commit my cause, 9 who does great things and unsearchable, marvelous things without number: 10 he gives rain on the earth and sends waters on the fields; 11 he sets on high those who are lowly, and those who mourn are lifted to safety.

David: He grew from the trials and troubles that afflicted him in his life.

He testified in prayer,

Psalm 131:1–2 ESV

1 O Lord, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. 2 But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me.

Jeremiah: Moab was a pagan nation southeast of Israel, and he wrote about their spoiled easy existence.

Jeremiah 48:11 ESV

11 “Moab has been at ease from his youth and has settled on his dregs; he has not been emptied from vessel to vessel, nor has he gone into exile; so his taste remains in him, and his scent is not changed.

2. Ask for wisdom in faith. (v6-8)

Holman New Testament Commentary: Hebrews & James 2. Outer Trials (vv. 2–12)

Whoever asks God for wisdom must believe and not doubt. Faith is a complete commitment to God in trusting obedience. Two reasons to encourage faith are presented. First, a doubting person is spiritually unstable like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. Our prayers for wisdom must not alternate between faith and unbelief. We must endure in the confidence that God will answer our request according to his will.

This is not “easy-believism” or “faith by purchase”

This is a matured faith that has trusted God in the past and will do so with unwavering consistency in the future.

The reason we (men) have such a hard time of believing with faith is because we stick our heads in the sand like Adam. We pretend everything is fine.

We attach our allegiances to the things of this world. Politics, Finances, Power,

What does have to do with the theme of enduring trials?

III. Remember that trials put things in perspective. (1:9-11)

The ESV Study Bible Chapter 1

Both poverty and riches bring enormous pressure on a person to focus on the world rather than on Christ.

James wanted the poor to

1. God will exalt the humble. (v9)

James wanted poor people to find delight in their spiritual position in God’s kingdom and avoid the temptation to complain about what they do not have.

Depression, resentment, and selfish ambition may easily characterize their lives.

Instead, they should glory in the position that God has elevated them as believers. Because of Christ, they have a prominent seat at the table of the King.

2. God will humble the exalted. (v10-11)

James then turns to wealthy people. The rich person faces the strong temptation of glorying in wealth.

In one sense the possession of wealth is a test because:

It gives a false sense of security

Tempts people to rejoice in earthly possessions

James points out that being “secure” in wealth similar to a blooming wild plant that ends up fading in the hot sun after it displays its beauty.

IV. Life Application

We will all face seasons of suffering--believers and unbelievers.

James

Yet, none of us will experience the full weight of suffering as Jesus experienced it. He experienced suffering so that He could ultimately redeem our suffering.

Through Christ suffering can actually become a means to joy.

Your response to trials reveals where your heart is.

What will endurance produce in a joyful disciple? (1:4)

In what ways do we express doubt in God? What causes this doubt? What can you do to put away these doubts?

What are the only requirements to receive the wisdom of God? (1:5:6)

Look at . What key words warn us about how not to seek God’s wisdom?

What does have to do with the theme of enduring trials?