Tested for Triumph

Coach Grace in biology - “The only thing’s guaranteed in this life are death and taxes.”

Well, isn’t that a bit forward? Living in a culture that demands comfort and security is difficult whenever life throws every curveball, slider, and screwball in our direction at ever turn.

Right now, we are living through the “in your face” era. Everyone is throwing information and threats in our face through our televisions and social media. We don’t have to go very far to learn what someone thinks or believes about important and unimportant subjects.

Many of you may ask, “Why do you listen then?”

Sometimes, you simply don’t have a choice. You can’t look away from every problem. We don’t have to deal with everyone else’s issues, but we cannot deny our own.

That would be like looking away from a dragon. You may not see the beast, but you can feel its breath on your neck to know that your problems are there.

We need an “in your face” message to understand the “in your face” era that we find ourselves in.

The Book of James is the perfect place to draw our attention.

James, the brother of Jesus Christ was an apostle who never named himself as one. He served as the pastor of the church in Jerusalem. His life was spent converting Jews to “the way” (another term for Christianity early on.)

He had doubts in the divinity of his earthly brother Jesus during His 3 year ministry on earth but eventually came to faith.

James brought a message for Christians to live in victory every day of their lives.

When circumstances attempt to thwart our relationship with Jesus, we can place our trust in Him. He was living in a time when the persecution of Christians was at an apex, and wanted believers to learn how to combat the schemes of the enemy.

We have to learn that while problems are coming towards our life, we don’t have to allow these issues to claim victory over us and our families. Believers have the ability to overcome by the blood of Jesus.

I want to spend the next stretch of weeks learning how to have faith every day.

You and I have a responsibility to allow our strength in Christ to shine on this earth.

How is that made possible? Through a study in the book of James, we are going to learn many ways to do so.

READ JAMES 1:1-4

In verse 1, we see two amazing notes of interest.

When James himself “a servant of God, and of the Lord Jesus Christ”. This is the only time in scripture where we see a sentence referenced in this way.

James is implying absolute obedience, humility, and loyalty by making this statement. If anyone had the ability to take away from the divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ, James would have been able to do so. Instead, he stands on the message of Christ and makes his beliefs in the Lord clear. Not only would he obey him, he would be a servant (slave) to his Father in Heaven and his Savior. James implied that he no self interest when serving the church.

While James had the distinction of apostle, but instead called himself a hired servant to God. He had a humble means of viewing his life as a Christian leader.

He wrote a message to the “twelve tribes” dispersed. The nations of Israel had been scattered all across Palestine several times in their history, and yet James with a new covenant perspective wrote to all of them. The form in which he did so if found in the meaning of his introductory word.

“Greetings” - Besides Acts 23:26, this particular greeting occurs in the New Testament only in James’ letter.

(chairein) - “Joy be with you” Whiles James was writing from a difficult place of persecution, he wrote with intent to spread joy among the believers.

Joy is the bridge from verse 1 to verse 2.

1. Trials aren’t the end of the story…

James was aware of the various problems that Christians were facing at the time of the letter. The word for “experience” in Greek is a plural verb which means that he wasn’t talking to individual believers but to the church as a whole. This was just believers going through personal difficulties.

There were unwanted or unexpected experiences the people were living through.

Persecution, sickness, and poverty.

James never suggested to his readers that Christianity would be an easy way for them. He warned that temptations would come in the form of trials.

Not the type of temptation that would entice people to sin, but a true test with the goal of strengthening and purifying.

James wanted the church to meet moments that tested their faith with joy.

Not fleeting joy that is moved up and down like the waves in the sea, but a joy that is eternal.

Carol Summers - “Don’t look at me like I’m dying! This is the best thing that has ever happened to me.”

What do you expect the Christian life to look like?

Many get confused, upset, and desperate whenever situations arise that force the church to have faith as if something unexpected has happened.

When situations hit you, your family, your place of business, or your organization, how do we often respond?

I don’t expect the world to understand how to handle difficult days. The world is trained to focus on the present only and on people only.

My confusion is when Christians encounter trials in a way that the world would. It doesn’t make sense. Our God never intended for us to freak out and throw up our hands.

We are called to be people of joy because we know that Jesus has given us everything we need to endure whatever obstacle He would place in our path.

We are called to be teammates and work together in our various spiritual gifts to live the every day life as believers.

Difficult situations are not the end. They are the beginning of a process that God has designed for His people.

2. Testing Stretches Faith for the Long Haul.

While the Jersualem church was growing, they were also facing a time of testing. Government authorities had their eye on the churches activities and the early Christians were still facing scrutiny from the Jewish leaders who had placed Jesus on the cross.

While these trials were bringing unexpected difficulties, James understood the bigger purpose.

The key to facing their trials was in building their endurance.

A growing determination in the face of adversity, based on hope.

Hope - (hupomone) - Not simply the ability to bear difficult times; but the ability to turn them to greatness and to glory.

William Barclay -

The Letters of James and Peter The Result of Testing (James 1:2–4 Contd)

The thing which amazed the non-Christians in the centuries of Christian persecution was that the martyrs did not die grimly, they died singing. One smiled in the flames; they asked him what he found to smile at there. ‘I saw the glory of God,’ he said, ‘and was glad.’ Hupomonē is the quality which makes people able not simply to suffer things but to overcome them. The effect of testing borne in the right way is strength to bear still more and to conquer in still harder battles.

In other words, the power of the Christians was not in their ability to bear problems by white knuckling everything. They had hope in God bringing redemption to their lives. Their belief in Him was strong!

“Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His face always. Remember the wondrous works He has done, His wonders, and the judgments He has pronounced, you offspring of Abraham His servant, Jacob’s descendants—His chosen ones. He is the Lord our God; His judgments govern the whole earth. He remembers His covenant forever, the promise he ordained for a thousand generations—...” Psalm 105:4-8

Cowtown half-marathon - The Big Bridge!!!

Why did I run hundreds of miles? So I could run that difficult mile and a half. There is something to be said about stretching periods. We don’t like them while they are happening but we find ourselves thankful that we were in them when we need endurance.

The Christian life is impossible if we aren’t able to stand the tests that arrive in our life. We are not in a sprint. We are on a journey that will take us through narrow roads, inclines, declines over long distances. There are hills, valleys, mountains, and every type of weather you can think of. You will walk through storms and stillness. It’s all part of one big story.

In order to carry on, you must have the endurance that the Lord provides you through times of testing. His goal is to make you triumphant. You cannot triumph over nothing. There must be an adversary.

Are you sitting in the middle of a situation right now that is testing you?

Here is what God wants you to know:

You still belong to Him. - This test wasn’t designed to take you away from God. He loves you and hasn’t gone anywhere. You still have access to Him in prayer and meditation. The scriptures are available and Jesus is your advocate. The Holy Spirit is your guide.

You can and you will make it through. - This situation will change for the better. The light at the end of the tunnel may seem further than you wish but you’ve got to keep walking with Him.

Now is not the time to give up. We must buckle down and keep believing in His promises. This is going to take us somewhere glorious!

3. Endurance Leads to Perfect Completion.

If the Jerusalem church would continue down the path they were on, they would become stronger than they were before the testing.

“Full Effect” would result from their continual endurance to trust God and walk with Him.

Their suffering would not lead to death but to something positive.

Mature and Complete - They would become complete and mature individuals who knew how to show integrity and single-minded devotion to God; they are characterized by godliness.

They weren’t meant to avoid conflict but to endure through the conflict.

What can the enemy do to a Christian that has already experienced the worst?

JM making it through cancer. “I’m still standing”.

The moments that make the biggest difference in our lives are not the peaceful moments, but the moments when our faith is tested and God shows up to remind us that He is still in charge.

Peter and John were flogged by the Sanhedrin in Acts 5 for sharing the name of Jesus to people. Verse 41 says, “…they went out from the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to be treated shamefully on behalf of the Name.”

They weren’t rejoicing like crazy people who liked to be beaten with sticks. They were resolved to understand that suffering for Jesus would lead to a better understanding of Him. They saw the big picture.

You and I have the potential to grow in our faith every day. We must be willing to endure through the difficult times knowing that we are facing an adventure filled life. We are on a journey with our God who has promised to bless on on earth and more importantly in Heaven.

Are you reminding yourself daily where you are going in Christ?

The scriptures will remind you.

Do you set aside personal time to talk with God and listen to Him?

He will tell you how to make it through this trial.

Do you talk with others who are going where you are going?

The church is supposed a group of people you endure with.

Hebrews 10:24-25

Our test is where we triumph through Christ.