The Source of Our Victory

Our president has referred to the virus that our world has been facing as the “invisible enemy”. This is not an old concept. The church has been facing an invisible enemy within its entire history.

How many of you have found yourself confused in these days?

Last week, I talk about the power of doubt that keeps the church from living in its full potential.

As we meet today, I want to tell you that I have no doubts in you. I believe in the the people of FBC Jayton. The Lord has made our body stronger and pointed us to what matters most.

May we never take one another the concept of being together for granted. May we know that God has blessed us with one another for the purpose of giving Him glory throughout all of the earth.

James has taught the church what it means to seek victory by enduring trials. The way in which we live victoriously is how we ask God to give us wisdom the same way that King Solomon did.

The goal for every Christian is to grow towards a form of maturity. We can’t all be on the JV team. We have to grow so that people will know how to follow leadership towards the high ground that God has called for people.

James has been talking to Christians about becoming mature, perfect, and complete.

You may be saying, “Well how can I because of the position that I’m in? I don’t have time to serve God or grow in Him because I work 80 hours a week. That’s only for people to have the time and money.”

You have a vantage point in this world and your situation has lent to your opinions and ways of life. The purpose of growing in Christ is letting Him teach you how to live according to His standard and not yours.

My decisions in life would be different if Jesus were not in it. That’s for sure! He has and is continuing to teach me that my natural instincts are not the place to go. There is a way and a source in which I find victory in everyday life and I am required to align my concepts to His and follow His example.

How do we remind ourselves the source of our victory when we face the trials in life?

Read James 1:9-18

1. There is Victory for Every Follower No Matter Their Background.

Remember, there were members of the Jerusalem church who were living in poverty. This was one of the great trials that the people were facing.

Poverty directly corresponds with suffering. In their suffering, James encouraged the people to boast that continuing to follow the ways of Christ would result in future glorification. Not in arrogance but thankfulness.

There weren’t just poor people. There were also people of wealth in Jerusalem who had turned to the Way. Whether James was talking about people in their church or those outside, he explained that wealth could not last.

The imagery of the “flower of the grass” comes from Isaiah 40:6-7. He likens the destruction of riches to grass that withers in the heat.

Every activity of man on earth will eventually disappear.

Praying the other night about everything that feels like it is changing. “Embrace the change and trust me”.

When God was inspiring scripture in the hearts of the people writing, He wrote knowing that every reader would encounter the word from different vantage points.

Our background is important but it does not define how we come to God. He can lift up the poor and humble the rich to know and understand that He is Lord.

We can make excuses and say why we aren’t living victoriously but God has done everything possible for man to win.

Have your difficult circumstances kept you from knowing victory?

Have been blessed with so much “stuff” that you struggle with choosing God in victory?

Either way, we must find His joy by putting aside what is happening to us on earth.

2. The Victory Inherits the Kingdom.

The Jewish people did not read verse 12 and think of winning a prize in sports. They viewed sporting events in a negative light.

Think of the story about Jacob working for Laban in order to marry his daughter Rachel.

In his dedication to the family, Jacob earned the right to marry his daughter and partake of the family wealth.

Livestock and possessions.

After Jacob met the test, he was given the reward that was promised.

The word for “crown” in verse 12 refers to a royal crown of “life”. The only true life. Once the believer has passed the difficult test, they will experience a full life in the kingdom of God.

Growing up with a castle mentality and not realizing it.

Our view that we have of the kingdom of God must change or we won’t know the power that we have.

3. Wisdom Points to Victory.

James cautions Christians against interpreting temptation of their sinful desires as a test from God. Humans alone are responsible for choosing to sin.

“enticed” - The Greek word deleazo. Describes drawing in an unsuspecting victim with an attractive bait or lure.

Desire is conceived when a person yields to temptation, which results in the “birth” of sin. As sin matures, this ultimately leads to God’s judgment of death.

God does not tempt people to do evil. He allows Satan to tempt us but He does not do any of the tempting.

There is a difference between a test from God and a temptation to sin.

Testing is for the purpose of growth.

Temptation is for the purpose of setting people back.

Every good gift comes from God who never changes. He made man and has offered the gospel message for all to hear. As God was offered the first fruits of sacrifice from the Jews, He offered salvation to the Jews first.

Pinocchio - Jimminy Cricket told him that whenever he needed help, just give a little whistle when he needed help. Everything that his father and Jimminy offered was for his good. Other people just distracted him and caused problems.

If we could simply understand what God has set aside for us when we listen to His voice alone, our lives would all change.