Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction|

Attention:

Let me ask you a question this morning: “what is the worst day of school besides the first day of school?”

It’s test day.

For the high school student, you work the entire year to take one test that determines whether you pass your grade or fail your grade.

For the college student, you work an entire semester to take one exam or write one final paper that determines whether you pass your classes or fail your class.

In both situations, you study for hours and hours to make a worth grade that reflects your character and work ethic.

Did you know that we experience tests in the Christian life?

While these tests do not provide us with a passing or failing grade, these tests are sent into our lives to prove the authenticity and maturity of our faith in Jesus Christ.

Additionally, did you know that God has a purpose for these times of testing?

While God doesn’t give us a paper to write or a physical test to take, he does allow us to go through times of trial to test our faith.

In our time together this morning, I want to show how you can rejoice in your trials!

Background:

James is writing to a group of Christians that are going through times of suffering and trials.

These believers are cultural outcasts in their society.

Need Element:

Everyone goes through trials.

Like, trials and tribulations are no respecter of persons.

Concerning times of examination and testing, you have three stages: 1) you are fixing to enter into a trial; 2) you are currently in a trial; or 3) you are coming out of a test.

Regardless of your stage this morning, God wants you to rejoice in your examination.

God wants us to develop his perspective concerning trials.

Textual Idea:

James reminded his readers that God had a purpose for their trials.

Therefore, they needed to develop a joyful perspective concerning their tests.

Big Idea:

This morning, God wants us to rejoice in our trials.

Interrogative:

Why should we rejoice in our trials?

Outline|

I. We can rejoice in our trials because God uses trials to help us mature in our faith (vv.

2-4)

Explanation:

James begins his letter by imploring his readers to consider trails as joyful.

The word count carries the idea of thinking about something intently.

You might say it this way: “when you encounter various/multifaceted trials, you must consider it all joy” (Greek).

One writer says that “joy may be defined as a settled contentment in every situation or an unnatural reaction of deep steady, and unadulterated thankful trust in God.”

The word trials suggest a time of testing or examination.

We need to remember that a trial is something that threatens our faithfulness to Christ.

These trials might include conflicts from opponents, doubts, fears, physical illness, financial reversal, the death of a loved one.

However, we need to remind ourselves that God allows these multifaceted tests to enter our lives to prove the genuineness of our faith.

James provides the reason for the rejoicing: “knowing this, that the testing of our faith produces endurance and let endurance have her perfecting work” (Greek).

The word patience means endurance.

God uses trials to test our faith to help us develop spiritual endurance.

The idea of endurance denotes an inward fortitude that produces an ability to withstand hardships or stress.

We can rejoice in trials because God is helping us develop in our faith.

The purpose of our perfecting work is seen in the final portion of verse 4. James says: “so that you may be developed and complete [and] lacking nothing” (Greek).

He provides a threefold spiritual purpose for trials: 1) trials produces endurance; 2) trials produce maturity; and 3) trials creates wholeness.

For this reason, we can rejoice in our trials because they help us grow and mature in our faith.

While the trials are not easy, we can celebrate because God is helping mature our faith!

Illustration:

When American Airlines trains their pilots, they first seek to prove them by use of a simulator.

The simulator is designed to present the pilot with a variety of potential problems so that he will be able to handle any emergency in the future.

First, the pilot is tested with simple challenges, which eventually build up to catastrophic situations.

The pilots are given more difficult problems only after they have mastered the previous ones.

The result is that when the pilots have completed their courses, they are prepared to handle any challenge that comes their way.

This is similar to God’s method of working with us.

God teaches us how to handle the problems of life, but never gives us more than we can handle.

He shows us through each situation so that we can be fully prepared and mature people, ready to handle any challenge in life that might come our way.

Argumentation:

Why does God allow times of testing?

Peter reminds us that every trial has a purpose:

Peter says: “In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (, ESV).

Application:

We can rejoice in trials because they are helping us mature in our faith.

We must change our perspective of our tests.

During times of testing, we must view our situation from God’s point of view and purpose—spiritual development and maturity.

Instead of complaining about our trials, I want to encourage you to praise God’s purpose and plan.

Instead of being pessimistic about our trials, we must turn our tests into a time of praise for God’s work in us and through us.

As one translation says: “So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing” (, NLT).

God wants you to remember that He has a purpose for your pain, a reason for your struggle, and a reward for your faithfulness.

So, trust Him and don’t give up! 

II.

We can rejoice in our trials because trials drive us to ask God for wisdom with a steadfast faith (vv.

5-8)

Explanation:

Because tests are not meant to hurt us but to help us, we need to develop wisdom concerning our trials.

James says: “if any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God” (Greek).

Wisdom is “the ability to make sound judgments and speak the right words [based upon God’s word].”

While the phrase, if any of you lacks wisdom, seems ambiguous, we must remember that context helps us in understanding the author’s train of thought.

In context, James is referencing trials.

You might say it this way: “if any of you lack wisdom [concerning the testing of your faith], let him ask God. . .

and He will give it to you.”

We need to recognize our need for wisdom amid trials and the process of Spiritual maturity.

I want you to notice two facts about seeking wisdom through prayer.

When we pray, we must rest in the faithfulness of God (vv.

5).

God gives us wisdom because of his character—“who gives to all sincerely and without reproach” (Greek).

The word liberally suggests being straightforward, open, or above board.

Because God is open to our needs and prayers (), he answers our prayer with straightforwardness.

The phrase upbraideth not denotes the idea of blaming someone or heaping insults upon someone.

God does not blame us or find fault with our request for wisdom.

Instead, He answers our prayer by giving us wisdom.

When we pray, we must pray with trust and faith (vv.

6-8).

The phrase nothing wavering carries the idea of doing something without doubting.

James uses an analogy of a faith that doubts—the waves of the sea.

The ocean is ALWAYS shifting and changing.

The ocean is driven by the wind.

The word wavereth suggests doubting within oneself.

You could say it this way: “for the one who doubts in himself is like a wave of the sea driven and blown here and thereby the wind” (Greek).

Don’s miss this, when you have doubts concerning the reliability of God, you will be driven to trust your human understanding and wisdom.

When this happens, this “man must not think in himself that he will not receive anything from the Lord because he is a double-minded man and unstable in all of his ways” (Greek).

The idea of a double-minded man is one who is uncertain about a truth.

We have a definite truth about prayer—an unsure person will not receive anything from the Lord!