Thrive with Joy
Notes
Transcript
Thrive with Joy
James 1:2-4, 12
INTRODUCTION
Space X wowed the world as it was the first private company to send man into space. 75,000 gallons of fuel was used to launch off the earth’s service and get them to the International Space Station.
What good is the fuel if it is never ignited with fire?
We have the potential through the Holy Spirit within us, but we must use the power. We need to thrive.
Thrive- as related to children- grow and develop well. Flourish. grow vigorously.
We thrive by living in faith.
Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
ILL- Faith and hope- chair
We desperately need strong Christians during such a time as this. AND ATTITUDE MATTERS!
READ James 1:1-4, 12
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings.
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,
for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
PRAY
Set-Up (verse 1)
James proves attitude matters.
Half-brother of Jesus
Did not boast in authority as a brother. He wasn’t an Apostle.
He calls self a servant.
Tradition says he had knees like a camel from all the time he spent on his knees in prayer.
4 Reasons We Have Joy
We are Prepared (2)
We are Prepared (2)
It’s not “if”, it’s “when”.
The struggles in today’s America should not have caught us off-guard.
2 Timothy 3:12
Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,
Philippians 1:29
For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake,
“Consider it all joy”- events are not joyful but knowing the outcome makes it joyful.
Jesus’ death
Garden and sweating blood.
He was whipped with glass and metal in straps.
Nailed to the cross -- it was not joyful or fun.
Hebrews 12:2
looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
John Wesley was a man who understood the joy in the outcome.
Sunday A.M., May 5- preached in St. Anne’s. Was asked not to come back anymore.
Sunday P.M., May 50 Preached in St. John’s. Deacons said “Get out and stay out.”
Sunday A.M., May 12- Preached in St. Jude’s. Can’t go back there either.
Sunday P.M., May 19- Preached on street- kicked off street.
Sunday A.M., May 26- Preached in meadow. Chased out of meadow as bull was turned loose during service.
Sunday A.M., June 2- preached out at the edge of town. Kicked off the highway.
Sunday P.M. June 2- Afternoon, preached in a pasture. Ten thousand people came out to hear me.
We need to stop giving up so easily. There is joy in the journey.
We are Strong (3)
We are Strong (3)
Endurance- comes through fighting through that which is hard.
ILL- running in this altitude. It will come.
APP- These tough times will have a positive result in our life.
We are Completed (4)
We are Completed (4)
Perfect= being brought to “full measure”
complete= “whole or sound”
James defines it himself, “lacking nothing”
“let”= it is up to us on how the trials is going to be used in our life.
We are Satisfied (12)
We are Satisfied (12)
We are looking in the wrong places to be satisfied.
Government/ health/ family. - these things will let you down
“Blessed”= fulfilled.
fulfillment comes in the mention of rewards.
Spiritual, eternal rewards that are much greater than anything we could possess in this world.
Crown of Life
Some say they don’t need rewards in heaven.
Others say they need a lot of rewards to not be ashamed in front of Jesus.
Revelation 4:10
the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
Biggest fear for people today= fear of death.
Philippians 1:20-21
as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
CONCLUSION
Death is a guarantee.
Hebrews 9:27
And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,
Romans 3:23
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.