야고보서 시리즈

야고보서 1

A FAITH THAT ISN'T TROUBLED BY TROUBLES

Responding to the Coronavirus Crisis

A Faith That Works When Life Doesn’t – Part 2

“James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ: To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations. Greetings!” James 1:1

“When all kinds of trials crowd into your lives, don’t resent them as intruders, but welcome them as friends! Realize they come to test your faith, and to produce in you the quality of endurance. But let the process go on until that endurance is fully developed, and you will become a person of mature character and integrity with no weak spots.” James 1:2-6 (Ph)

4 FACTS TO REMEMBER ABOUT DIFFICULTIES

1. PROBLEMS ARE INEVITABLE!

“WHEN all kinds of trials crowd into your lives…” James 1:2a

2. PROBLEMS ARE VARIABLE!

“When ALL KINDS of trials crowd into your lives…” James 1:2a

3. PROBLEMS ARE UNPREDITABLE!

“When all kinds of trials CROWD INTO your lives…as INTRUDERS…”

James 1:2b

4. PROBLEMS ARE PURPOSEFUL!

“Realize that they come…to produce in you…” James 1:2c

3 PURPOSES OF DIFFICULTIES

James 1:3-4

· Problems TEST MY FAITH

“Realize they come to test your faith…” James 1:3a (Ph)

· Problems DEVELOP MY ENDURANCE

“…and to produce in you the quality of endurance.” James 1:3b (Ph)

· Problems MATURE my CHARACTER

“But let the process go on until that endurance is fully developed and you will become a person of mature character and integrity with no weak spots!” James 1:4 (Ph)

HOW SHOULD I RESPOND TO DIFFICULTIES?

1. REJOICE IN THE PROBLEM

We don’t rejoice FOR the problem, but IN the problem.

We know God can bring good out of bad!

“Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials…” James 1:1 (NIV)

2. REQUEST: ASK GOD FOR WISDOM!

“If, in the process, any of you doesn’t know how to meet any particular problem, you only have to ask God -- who gives generously to all men without making them feel guilty -- and you may be sure that the necessary wisdom will be given to you.”

James 1:7 (Ph)

3. RELAX & TRUST GOD!

“But you must ask in sincere faith, without secret doubts.”

James 1:8 (Ph)

4. REMEMBER GOD’S PROMISE!

“Blessed is the PERSON who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12 (NIV)

야고보서 2

A FAITH THAT MAKES TOUGH CHOICES EASIER

A Faith That Works When Life Doesn’t - Part 3

Our Journey Together Though the Coronavirus Crisis

7 reactions TO A CRISIS

1 Denial “It’s not my problem. It may not even be real.”

2 DismisSAL “It’s real, but no big deal. It’ll end fast & won’t last!”

3 DEFIANCE “I refuse to let this limit my freedom! I’m healthy!”

4 Delayed ACCEPTANCE “OK, it IS a big deal & it WILL affect me.”

5 disRuptION

“My life just turned upside down & I must make some tough choices!”

6 Distress “It’s going to last a long time & change everything.”

7 DETERMINATION “With God’s grace we’ll get through this together!”

HOW DOES TRUSTING GOD MAKE TOUGH CHOICES EASIER?

James 1:5-8

1. WHEN I TRUST GOD, HE GIVES ME HIS WISDOM!

“If any of you lack wisdom, you should pray and ask God, because he gives it generously to anyone who asks! He never resents your asking. God loves to help you and he’ll give you the wisdom you need. Just ask!” James 1:5

“Those who become wise will be happy; wisdom is the key to a blessed life.”

Proverbs 3:18 (TEV)

“Getting wisdom is the most important thing you can get in life.” Proverbs 4:7

“Wisdom is good for the soul. If you get wisdom, you’ll have a bright and secure future.” Proverbs 24:14 (TEV)

HOW DO I GET THE WISDOM I NEED?

A. PUT GOD FIRST IN MY LIFE!

“Reverence for the Lord is the foundation of all true wisdom. The rewards of wisdom are given to anyone who listens and obeys God.”

Psalm 111:10

“Honoring God and being humble leads to wisdom and wisdom will bring honor to you.” Proverbs 15:33

B. PRACTICE GOD’S WORD IN MY LIFE!

Jesus: “Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” John 13:17

“God’s way is always perfect, and God’s word is always true.”

2 Samuel 22:31

“If you look intently into God’s perfect Word that gives you freedom, and you continue to do this, not forgetting what you’ve learned, and then you put it into practice in your life, you will be blessed in everything you do!”

James 1:25

C. GET SOME GODLY PEOPLE INTO MY LIFE!

“If you keep company with wise people, you’ll become wise! But if you hang out with foolish people, you’ll suffer from making bad choices.”

Proverbs 13:20

2. WHEN I TRUST GOD, he FREES Me FROM Second

GUESsING

“Anyone with God’s wisdom will know what makes good sense, but foolish can never make up their minds.” Proverbs 17:24

“When you ask God for wisdom, you must believe and expect God to answer because anyone who starts doubting is like a wave in the sea that is blown and tossed around by the ever-changing winds. You won’t get God’s wisdom if you’re double-minded, always wavering back and forth. That only makes you unstable and insecure in everything you do.” James 1:6-8

3. WHEN I TRUST GOD, HE ACTS ON MY BEHALF

Jesus said, “According to your faith it will be done to you!” Matthew 9:29

4. WHEN I TRUST GOD, HE useS EVEN my mistakes!

“We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those of us who love Him and are called to live His purpose for us.” Romans 8:28

NEXT STEPS

1. We recommit our lives to Jesus Christ

Tell me your decision! [e-mail]

2. We express our gratitude to God through our giving.

https://saddleback.com/give

3. We discuss what we learn with a group of friends

https://saddleback.com/connect/smallgroups

4. We stay connected & help others during this crisis

https://saddleback.com/coronaresponse