Fruitful in Trials

Living Faith

Focus on Jesus—James 1:1— James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ . . .

Seven “I AM” Statements of Jesus

John 6:35—I am the bread of life

John 8:12—I am the light of the world

John 10:9—I am the door

John 10:11—I am the Good Shepherd

John 11:25—I am the resurrection and the life

John 14:6—I am the way, and the truth, and the life.

John 15:1—I am the true Vine

Memorize—one a week—index card

James 1:1–4 — James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings. 2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

What is your aim in life? I want to be . . .

Happy, Healthy, Comfortable, Exhilarated, Successful

Influential, Wealthy, Loved

I want to be . . . perfect and complete (in Jesus)

James 1:4 — And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect (mature) and complete (whole/healthy), lacking in nothing.

PICTURE OF TOMATO PLANT

John 15:5 — I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

John 15:8 — By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. (MATURE)

In JESUS—perfect and complete, lacking in nothing

IN JESUS—ADOPT DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE

CONCERNING LIFE’S PROBLEMS

James 1:2 — Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,

COUNT IT—HEGOMAI—LEAD/GO BEFORE THE MIND---CONSIDER/DEEM—adopt different perspective

ALL JOY—PURE JOY—AN OPPRTUNITY FOR REJOICING—

WHEN YOU MEET TRIALS OF VARIOUS KINDS

The joy is not in the trial, but the opportunity to experience more of Jesus.

You don’t pursue trials to achieve this.

You don’t become a trial so someone else may.

James 1:3 —for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.

FOR YOU KNOW—personal knowledge—You rejoice over what you know.

That the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.

STEADFASTNESS--Hupomuna

STAYING POWER—not self-generated

2 Corinthians 12:9–10 — But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

James 1:4 —And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Two Commands

Count it all joy

Let it have it full effect

IN JESUS, DON’T GIVE UP

AND YOUR AIM FOR THE WEEK AHEAD?

PRAYER

John 6:35

Read a chapter a day.

FOUR TIMES IN THREE WEEKS—FOCUS ON JESUS

Worship update

CHOIR VIDEO