"Consider It Pure Joy"

The Valley of Blessings  •  Sermon  •  Submitted
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James 1:2–4 HCSB
Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.

That sounds familiar

Romans 5:1 ESV
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:2 ESV
Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Romans 5:3 ESV
Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,
Romans 5:4 ESV
and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,
Romans 5:5 ESV
and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

What about…?

1 Peter 4:12 ESV
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
1 Peter 4:13 ESV
But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.
1 Peter 4:14 ESV
If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.
1 Peter 4:15 ESV
But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler.
1 Peter 4:16 ESV
Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.
1 Peter 4:17 ESV
For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
1 Peter 4:18 ESV
And “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”
1 Peter 4:19 ESV
Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

It’s as if they are all using the same playbook...

John 15:18 ESV
“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.
John 15:19 ESV
If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
John 15:20 ESV
Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.
John 15:21 ESV
But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me.
John 15:22 ESV
If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin.
John 15:23 ESV
Whoever hates me hates my Father also.
John 15:24 ESV
If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father.
John 15:25 ESV
But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: ‘They hated me without a cause.’

But are they all talking about the same sort of suffering?

James, the Proverbs of the New Testament -Trials Exercise Faith Muscles;

James 1:2–4 HCSB
Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.

Wisdom is for the asking (if you take God at His word);

James 1:5–8 HCSB
Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith without doubting. For the doubter is like the surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. An indecisive man is unstable in all his ways.

Use a different standard for suffering;

James 1:9–11 HCSB
The brother of humble circumstances should boast in his exaltation, but the one who is rich should boast in his humiliation because he will pass away like a flower of the field. For the sun rises with its scorching heat and dries up the grass; its flower falls off, and its beautiful appearance is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will wither away while pursuing his activities.

Focus not on the suffering, but the blessing which comes from passing the test;

James 1:12 HCSB
A man who endures trials is blessed, because when he passes the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.

Don’t make the classic mistake;

James 1:13–15 HCSB
No one undergoing a trial should say, “I am being tempted by God.” For God is not tempted by evil, and He Himself doesn’t tempt anyone. But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desires. Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death.

But do get this right;

James 1:16–18 HCSB
Don’t be deceived, my dearly loved brothers. Every generous act and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights; with Him there is no variation or shadow cast by turning. By His own choice, He gave us a new birth by the message of truth so that we would be the firstfruits of His creatures.

One more verse...

Romans 5:1–3 ESV
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,
Romans 5:4–5 ESV
and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
Romans 5:6 ESV
For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.
Beauty for Ashes
Crystal Lewis
He gives beauty for ashes Strength for fear Gladness for mourning Peace for despair
When sorrow seems to surround you When suffering hangs heavy over your head Know that tomorrow brings Wholeness and healing God knows your need Just believe what He said
He gives beauty for ashes Strength for fear
Gladness for mourning Peace for despair
When what you’ve done keeps you from moving on When fear wants to make itself at home in your heart Know that forgiveness brings Wholeness and healing God knows your need Just believe what He said
He gives beauty for ashes Strength for fear
Gladness for mourning Peace for despair
I once was lost but God has found me Though I was bound I’ve been set free I’ve been made righteous in His sight A display of His splendor all can see
He gives beauty for ashes Strength for fear
Gladness for mourning Peace for despair
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