James 1:1-4

Read

vs.1

From a servant to the scattered

James went from unbelief () to servant

Camel Knees ()

God can use you in the same way; humility & obedience is key

“servant” not “brother of” <- counter cultural

vs.2

brothers/brethren - endearing; identifies himself with them

count/consider - financial term to look forward & evaluate

- account the gains and losses

Christians are to respond with joy

the disciples rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer for Christ

OUTLOOK DETERMINES OUTCOME

ATTITUDE DETERMINES ACTION

“when” not “if”

meet/encounter/fall into - to be surrounded by

“trials” - in every trial there are two things happening at the same time:

Temptation: the temptation to run out from under the trial and please our flesh and to blame God and everybody else

Test: a test to see if we will honor God by obeying His Word

vs.3

“know” - experimental knowledge

“endurance/steadfastness” - to not bail out; to go the distance

Your trials may have been designed by God.

Joseph tested 13 years in Egypt

Moses tested 80 years

A trial is not something to be tolerated but a trust to be treasured

vs. 4

“Let” - don’t give up, God is still working on you.

*riding a bicycle

“perfect” does not mean sinlessness, but reaching the end for which it is created; carry on the work to the end or completion; perfected at the end of the task

trials, testing, troubles are all way God uses you to grow closer to Him and make you into what we need to be.

conclusion

Why should we rejoice in trials?

Trials purify faith - proves faith is genuine

Trials produce patience - steadfastness

Trials perfect character - make mature, whole, no defects