Trials (Good Trouble)

Joy In Pain

CONNECTION 2020 has certainly been a trial for a lot of people (As I was thinking about it), I want to share an encouraging word today from the words of an apostle who was encouraging the early church.

· Go with me to James Chapter 1:2-4 CSB

In the book of James we see James encouraging early believers to choose a perspective of joy

If you don’t know who James is…

· He’s the half-brother of Jesus; an in your face apostle. He is no holds bar he doesn’t play. James is the apostle who said

o If you cannot control your tongue your religion is worthless (James1:26)

o Faith without works is dead (James 2:26)

o Humble yourself before God. Resist the devil and he will flee (James 4:7)

o Draw nigh unto God and He will draw nigh unto you. (James 4:8)

o Even the demons believe and tremble (James 2:17)

INSTRUCTION

James 1:2-4 CSB 2 “Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials,”

3 “because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.” 4 “And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.”

· James is encouraging the Church to have a “joy perspective” “How many of you are sports fans?”

· Steve Kerr: Joy As A Core Value

· Change the perspective of the players and the organization with joy

o Joy is powerful

Leonard’s story of joy on his trip?

One of the most difficult parts of the Christian life is the fact that becoming a disciple of Jesus does not make us immune to life’s trials. Some people ask why would a good and loving God allow us to go through such things as the death of a child, disease, injury to ourselves or our loved ones, financial hardships, Covid 19? Surely, if He loved us, He would take all these things away from us. After all, doesn’t loving us mean He wants our lives to be easy and comfortable? Well, no, it doesn’t.  So you ask what is a trial?  A trial is a divinely ordained difficulty that God causes or permits so that He may grow us and conform us into the image of his son.  Romans 8:28-29 says 28and we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to his purpose.  29 for whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his son that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Go with me to James Chapter 1:2-4 CSB “Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials,” ‭‭James‬ ‭1:2‬ ‭CSB‬‬

(FSB) 1:2 Or “nothing but joy,” or “supreme joy.” James refers to an extended state of well-being rather than an immediate feeling of happiness or pleasure.

James speaks as one among peers; he is addressing his fellow Christians.

James is speaking to the entire church rather than individual believers. He encourages a community of believers undergoing trials for their faith, not just individuals experiencing personal difficulties (e.g., vv. 16–17; 2:15–16; 4:3–6).

The word “trial” here, refers to an unwelcome or unexpected experience. James may be referring to trials in general, or to specific hardships such as persecution (2:6, 7; 4:3, 13), sickness (5:14), and poverty (vv. 9–11; 2:1–7; 5:1–6).

“because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.” ‭‭James‬ ‭1:3‬ ‭CSB‬‬

(FSB) 1:3 Expresses a growing determination in the face of adversity, based on hope. Those who suffer can express joy (v. 2) during times of trial because of their confidence in the day in which Christ will vindicate them (1 Pet 4:13).

(Marathon runner/basketball practice)

“And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.” ‭‭James‬ ‭1:4‬ ‭CSB

(FSB) 1:4 Those who are suffering should have joy (Jas 1:2) because trials serve as a path to Christian maturity. Complete and mature individuals show integrity and single-minded devotion to God; they are characterized by godliness.

James 1:5 CSB

(FSB) 1:5 Refers to the knowledge of God’s plans and purposes and the ability to live accordingly. Wise people can identify the nature and purpose of their trials and understand how to overcome them.

James describes God as the giver of wisdom (see note on Prov 2:6), which aids sufferers in their trials.

Indicates that God gives regardless of a person’s previous record (Luke 6:35).

What is Joy?

Closely related to gladness and happiness, although joy is more of a state of being than an emotion; a result of choice. One of the fruits of the spirit (Gal 5:22-23). Having joy is part of the experience of being a Christian. YOU CAN CHOOSE TO BE JOYFUL!

Rick Warren says “ Joy is the settle assurance that God is in control of all the details of my life, the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be all right, and that determined choice to praise God in every situation” Trials are an unwelcome or unexpected experience that people go through. The apostle James is an in your face apostle. He is no holds bar he doesn’t play. James May be referring to trials in general, or to specific hardships such as persecution, sickness, physical, emotional, relational, financial or COVID-19. but regardless of the form your trial takes God wants us to be joyful because one of the primary means he uses to make us like Christ is by sending trouble our way.  Hardships can transform us into something beautiful. That is cause for unspeakable joy not because of the pain but because of the purpose behind it God uses trials to develop us spiritually. The Bible clearly teaches that God loves those who are His children (Romans 8:35-39), and He “works all things together for good” for us (Romans 8:28). So that must mean that the trials and tribulations He allows in our lives are part of the working together of all things for good. Therefore, for the believer, all trials and tribulations must have a divine purpose.  2020 has certainly been a trial for a lot of people  So what is the purpose for trials? Jonathan’s story of juvenile diabetes/seizures James is calling his audience to persevere through the difficulties they are experiencing, for it will result in their spiritual maturity. So what is He trying to develop? The answer patients endurance. Patients endurance expresses a growing determination in the face of adversity, based on hope.  Those who suffer expresses joy during times of trial because of their confidence in the day in which Christ will vindicate them.  1 Peter 4:13 says instead, be very glad for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to the whole world. I like the way Dr. Tony Evans puts it he says concerning the testing of your faith.  It is one thing to tell your teacher that you know the material; it is another thing to write the correct answer on a test. Similarly, you may claim to believe and follow God, but how do you respond when he test your faith and pushes your buttons? God is working to produce endurance in you, so you let endurance have its full effect. Don’t try to short-circuit a trial but seeking to exit it to early.  God is trying to make you spiritually mature and complete. The conflict you experience in the physical world is a meme he uses to draw your attention to something in the spiritual world. God applies the island of trials to the wrinkles of our lives so that Jesus Christ looks good wearing us. The testing of our faith is not intended to determine whether a person has faith or not, it is intended to purify faith that already exists. The picture is of a person successfully carrying a heavy load for a long time. Like a muscle that becomes strong when it faces resistance, so Christians learn to remain faithful to God over the long haul only when they face difficulty. In the month of April God spoke to me and told me to fast the month of May. At the time I didn’t know what was going to go down or he just wanted me to just draw closer to him and so in the month of May I begin to fast and spend time with God and towards the end of the month in my mind and heart all (h e double hockey sticks) broke loose I became (talk about my feelings) I begin to look for answers Talk to people I respect it No I haven’t always perfected going through a trial and counting it Joy. But that’s what our heavenly father want us to do when we see ourselves in a trial or tribulation to count it all joy because this is an opportunity for us to be strengthened in our character in our endurance to run the race that is set before us in our faith in the father and in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior so that we may be just like him Pressure  Verses 2, 3, and 4 are all part of the same crucial idea. James has instructed Christians to "account" for hardships as joy, because such moments grow our faith. Even when we're heartbroken over what has happened, we can trust God to use it to make us stronger.  Why would God want us to label as "joyful" those terrible moments? Because trials test our faith. When we keep trusting God through the trials, our faith in Him grows. And, from God's perspective, our growing faith in Him is far more important than not experiencing hard things.  In fact, this verse says that perfection—complete maturity—is found only in perfect faith in God. More specifically, James uses the concept of endurance—steadfastness or perseverance—to describe the ability to trust God more and more. As a runner gains endurance by suffering through another mile, Christians also gain the ability to trust God through trials. Each experience grants us a deeper, stronger level of trust in Him. In all areas of life, growth only comes through overcoming difficulty. Spirituality is no different.  James writes that we shouldn't make the point of our lives an all-out effort to avoid trials. Instead, we should make the most of them by letting "endurance"—trusting God through another trial—create the result in us that it always does. Namely, more maturity, and more trust in God. In fact, James goes so far as to say that the one who can trust God without stopping, no matter how terrible the trial, will have arrived at perfection, complete maturity.  None of us is there, yet, but every believer in Jesus is on the way. We just need more trials to keep us growing in that direction. All trials are designed to do three things Prove your faithDevelop your faith Glorify your Savior The book of James is directed to Jewish Christians scattered among all the nations James 1:1. James was writing to his audience about a myriad of things. James talked about faith and endurance, listening and doing, James spoke about controlling your tongue, wisdom from God, drawing close to God, judging others. James even talked about social issues concerning being prejudiced towards one another.

Prove your faith Develop your faith Glorify your Savior

God has your best interest at heart.

God is faithful.

You have victory in Christ.

Count it all joy: You can still have joy in the midst of going through trials.

Culture of joy

GS Warriors top value

Change perspective

How can we access the joy of the Lord?

By putting our faith and trust in Him

“Keep you in perfect peace”

Prove your faithDevelop your faith Glorify your Savior