James 1.2_8

Secular: ** Rebekah and the dentist

Biblical:

NIV James 1:2 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.

Personal: ** Trust in painful situations

-          Paul’s thorn

-          Christ on the cross

Bridge:

Body:

1:2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,

n      What is joy?

·         1 Not happiness – Happiness is a selfish goal!

·         2 trails are not outside the bounds of our relationship to God

·         3 Joy = relationship of trust with God

·         4 Car painted… work in process!

3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

n      Why have joy?

·         1 joy is not pleasure… its is growing

·         2 Test of true faith (authentic Profession, Genuine compassion, Deep conviction)

·         3 Grows your abilities

·         4 Perseverance = true faith

4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

n      Joy in Growing

·         1 I want to be like Jesus… takes a bit of work!

·         2 Made complete in Christ – the whole victory… no 2nd best

·         3

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.

n      Joy in God’s generosity

·         1 wisdom = understanding of God’s will and way and a healthy fear of the Lord. (Who I am and Who He is!)

·         2 Recognition to grow!

·         3

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.

n      Joy No Doubt!

·         1 Trusting even when it hurts… Financial advisor in good times….

·         2 Anchored… in hope

·         3 In line with the will of God… now that’s joy

Conclusion:

God has his hand in…

Christ is sanctifying…

Growing thru trust… even when it hurts