The Purpose of Trials
Notes
Transcript
Introduction:
Introduction:
I want to welcome you again this morning.
First, to those joining us online, we are so thankful for our online technology that allows you to be a part of our church family today.
I also want to welcome those who may be joining us for the first time today. I hope your time with us today is encouraging and helpful, and I look forward to meeting you.
I would also say if you are new to our church today, it would be helpful for you to know that we practice a form of preaching called “Expository Preaching”.
What that means, is we believe the Bible is best taught by taking books of the Bible and then breaking them down from beginning to end, chapter by chapter, verse by verse. Our goal, to better understand not only what God’s Word says, but what it means in our lives today.
That being said, if you’re new to our church, you’ve come at great time, because last week we started a new expositional study. A study on the NT book of James.
And as I said last week, I’m super excited about this study because I believe it could be the most fruitful study we’ve ever walked through as a church.
I say that primarily because of all the letters in the NT, James is probably the most multifaceted when it comes to describing and teaching us how to practically live out our faith.
In other words, it’s a letter that on multiple levels describes what your life should look like and represent as a result of putting your faith in Jesus.
Which is of extreme importance if we want to grow in our relationship with Jesus and accomplish God’s plan and purpose in our lives.
That being said, if you missed week one, I’d encoruage you to jump on the MCF App this week and check out the introductory message.
Today however we are going to move into the main introduction of Jame’s letter. An introduction that in many ways will set the tone for everything Jame is going to say in this letter.
And to do that, he’s going to begin by answering a question that many Christians struggle with. A question that tends to confuse, complicate, and discourage the faith of many believers.
So, what’s the quesiton? Well, it’s a question that’s asked in a number of ways, but for the most part it’s asked like this:
Question - Now that I’m a Christian, why do bad things keep happening to me?
Anybody ever ask that question?
And by bad things I’m talking about the challenges, hardships, tragedies, and opposition that we continue to face even after we’ve put our faith in Jesus.
A faith that we’ve been told is supposed to result in a life of blessing and fulfilled promises.
That’s true, right? That’s what we are told.
A faith filled life where we’re told we will longer have marriage problems.
...where our finances will automatically get better.
...where our kids will begin to act like angels.
...where doubt and fear will no longer exist.
…where everything will go exactly as we hoped it would.
A life full of Christian butterflies and rainbows.
A life where the Chiefs never blow another Super Bowl opportunity.
Just making sure you are with me.
But the fact of the matter is, just because your a Christian doesn’t mean that your life is going to get easier. In fact, to some degree, it's going to get harder.
Harder as people you thought had your back begin to ridicule your faith. As they say things like, “Oh, you’re one of those Bible thumping Jesus freaks now? Good luck with that.”
Harder as your spouse walks in the door and says, “I’m done. I’ve met somebody else, I want a divorce.”
Harder as the principle calls and says, “We need to have a meeting concerning your child.”
Harder as the doctor sits across from you and says, “I’m sorry, but you have cancer.”
Harder as you don’t get the raise, the car breaks down, the rent comes due, and the kids need new shoes.
Harder as everything in your life seems to go from bad to worse.
Which then leads us back to that quesiton. A quesiton we now ask in great frustration as we cry out to God, “I thought following Jesus would make my life better. So where are you at in all of this God? Why are you allowing this to happen in my life?”
And at that point you’re kind of like Loyd in the movie Dumb and Dumber, right? You’re like:
“I’ve had it with this Jesus stuff. I’ve got no food, I’ve got no job…my pets heads are falling off! What is going on?!”
Anybody ever feel like that?
Yeah, I think we’ve all been there. And maybe that’s where some of you are today. You’re sitting in the middle of:
a hardship,
a challenge,
an uncertainty,
a depression,
a loss,
some kind of heartache,
a sickness,
Something you’d never thought you’d have to face, and you’re wondering why. Why has God allowed this to happen?
Well, if that’s you, then this message is for you today because James has an answer for that quesiton. Because just like today, Christians then were asking the same question.
And so with the time we have left today we are going to address this quesiton as James reveals to us the purpose of trials in the Christian life.
And I say Christian life because what James is going to teach us today about trials is specifically for Christians. For people who have put their faith in Jesus.
Because the truth is for the average person trials happen for a number of reasons, but for the Christian they take place for specific reasons.
And so to help us uncover this reason I have three goals today:
First, as we walk through the passage we’re going to discover what our attitude towards trials should be.
In other words, when you face the trial, what should your response be? Or another way to put it would be, “What should your perspective of the trial be?”
Second, we’re going to discover what kind of trials we should expect as a Christian.
In other words, what shouldn’t I be surprised by when it comes to trials?
And then finally, we’re going to discover what the trials are meant to produce in us.
In other words, when the trial comes, what’s its purpose? And why is it something God would allow or even want me to deal with or go through?
And my hope is after we accomplish these goals that you and I will have a better and a Biblical understanding of what the purpose of trials are in the life of a Christian.
Now, I will say this, as we look at the first two subject matters, what our attitude should be and the kind of trials we can expect, at first it’s going to be a little bit confusing and discouraging. But I would encoruage you to not lose heart, because by the time we get to the end of the message, I think your trials are going to make a lot more sense.
That being said, let’s jump back into James as we address what our response to trials should be. Beginning in verse 2 James describes it like this:
2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,
I love how James starts here. Because instead of starting with why trials happens, he starts with the attitude we should have towards trials. And James says when it comes to trials we are to count them as a JOY.
Now, when we read that, you might almost wonder if James isn’t thinking clearly. Like did he have too much wine when he wrote this? Had he not been getting enough sleep. Was he going through some kind of breakdown. Because what he just said doesn’t make any sense. Count it all joy when you face trials??!!
In fact, you might even wonder, “Maybe the word for Joy here meant something different then than it does today.
You know like the word “bad”. In the 80’s bad meant good. You know like, ‘He’s so bad”. Maybe it’s something like that. Maybe Joy means bad.
Well, based on what we learned about James last week, I don’t think he’s a drunk or depressed individual. And I hate to break it to you, but the word joy then means the same then as it does today.
In fact another way to translate this passage would be, “count it as nothing but joy.” The idea being that we would embrace our trials as something pleasant. As something enjoyable. As something helpful in our lives.
And again, that doesn’t make any sense because for most people trials and challenges are not something we enjoy or welcome into our lives. In fact, we do everything we can to avoid them.
So, “Why in the world would James tell us to count trials as joy. To look at them as something positive. To even be willing to embrace them?”
Well, one thought might be that maybe James is just referring to positive trials. Because there are positive trials we face. Trials that people embrace and even find satisfaction in?
For example, I recently watched a documentary called “Free Solo” that documents the free climb of Alex Honnold up El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. And when I say “free solo”, I’m talking about climbing it without a rope or any kind of harness. Here’s a picture of him as he climbed this 3000 foot mountain.
Picture:
Now, I don’t know about you, but that looks like a challenge or trial I’d never want to face. But for Alex Honnold he embraces it with joy. It’s a trial he welcomes into his life.
Another example would be a friend of mine who is a “professional eater” and competes every year in the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest. Her name is Larell Marie. That’s her on the left.
Picture:
And for Larell she loves the trial and challenge of eating 30-40 hotdogs all at once. Personally, that’s a trial or contest I’d never want to participate in. But she embraces it with joy. In fact one time she tried to get me to practice with her. No thanks.
My point is, maybe James is talking about trials we would personally enjoy. Something that others might find unenjoyable but they would be joyous for us. Trials we should embrace with joy when they come.
Well, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but that’s not what James is talking about either.
How do we know? We know that based on the type of trials he says we’re going to face. Because look at what he says:
2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,
James says to count it all joy when you face trials of various kinds.
The word for “various” here is translated from the Greek word “poikilos”, and it implies the idea of diversity. In other words, not just one type, but many, and of different kinds.
Which means, these aren’t just going to be specific trials we face that we would be ok with. These are going to be trials of various kinds.
Trials that will include conflict from opponents. Trials that will incite doubt and fear. Trials that will affect our bodies. Trials that will come against our relationships. Trials of various kinds.
Forest Gump would put it like this, “Trials are like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are going to get.”
And how many of you know, not all those chocolates in a box of chocolates are worth the calories?
All that to say, the trials are going to be various.
But not only will the trials be various, the trials have a certain focus.
We know this based on the word that is used for trials here. In the Greek the word is “peirasmos”.
And it’s a complex word because it has more than one implication.
First, it is meant to imply the idea of an active and extensive testing. In other words, it’s a trial that is in the process of thoroughly examining you.
That sounds fun, right? Kind of like going to the doctor for a full physical exam. Can’t wait!
So a great question would be, “What’s it trying to examine or uncover?”
That leads us to the second implication of the word, because based on the context, what it’s trying to uncover is your true character, nature, and true intentions.
In other words, it’s a set of trials that are meant to uncover and expose the inner you. Trials that are meant to expose your soul.
Which means, if we put it all together, what James is saying is, “As a Christian, you can count on various types of trials that are going to strip you bare and expose your true nature.”
And not only that, but James says when those trials come, we are to count it as all joy. We’re to be excited about it.
Now, at this point your’e probably thinking, “What has James been smoking pastor? Because that’s crazy talk! Why in the world would I want to embrace trials like that with joy?”
Thankfully, after a jarring introduction, James is about to tell us, and in telling us he’s going to give us three reasons why we should embrace such trials with joy. And I think the reasons are going to surprise you. So, to get us started, here’s the first one:
For the Christian, trials of various kinds are meant to test our faith.
James puts it like this:
3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
Notice what Jame says. He says the trials are for the testing of your faith.
Another way to say it would be, “Trials serve as a test to see if you really believe what you say you believe.”
So, a great question would be, “What exactly about my faith are the trials testing?”
Well, there could be a number of things the trials test, but here are a couple to consider.
First, trials test the depth of my trust in God.
So, for example, let’s say you go into work tomorrow, and your boss calls you into his office, and he says, “I’m sorry but we’re going to have to let you go.”
In that moment the depth of your trust in God is going to be tested. And the test is, despite the loss of your job, do you trust that God is your provider? Do you trust that God is going to take care of your needs?
This trial is going to determine that, and pretty quickly based on your response. Because if you begin to freak out and have a breakdown, it says something about your trust in God.
And please hear me, I’m not saying there’s something wrong with having an emotional response to a loss. What I’m saying though is if after the initial shock and emotion of loss, if you’re not able to find some sort of stability in your faith, then it says something about the depth of your faith. Because the test has exposed the lack of trust in God as your provider.
Now, some might say, “Ok pastor, but why would God even allow me to go through a loss like that. Isn’t that kind of cruel? Why such a terrible test?”
We’ll get to the why in a moment. What I want you to consider right now is how that trial tests what you say you believe about your trust in God.
Another test the trial might bring is a test of the genuineness of your faith.
For example, let’s say as a single Christian you are committed to the Biblical command of abstinence. And by abstinence I’m talking about abstaining from sex before marriage.
But then you start dating somebody that doesn't quite believe what you believe. And before long they are pressuring you to engage in sexual activity. And now you’re facing a temptation that is going to result in a trial as you face the testing of the genuineness of your faith.
And the question is, “Will you maintain your commitment to abstinence or will you give into the temptation of premarital sex?”
Do you see how that works? Trials test our faith in a way that puts our faith on display and ultimately determines how deep and genuine our faith really is.
Because that’s what tests do, right? I mean if you’re taking a class and you have a test, the test determines if you know the material or not. The test determines if your fully committed.
It’s the same with your faith. Trials test our faith. They test what we say we believe.
This now leads us to the why. Why would God allow such trials?
Well, some might say, “He does it to be cruel or He does it to be mean? Because after all, how could a good God allow some of the tragedies and trials that some Christians face? I mean come on pastor, how could something like cancer be embraced joyfully? That doesn’t make any sense?”
Great question. And here’s the answer. Because along with testing your faith:
2. For the Christian, trials of various kinds are meant to make us stronger.
James puts it like this:
3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
The word we need to focus in on here is the word “steadfastness”. Because James says that’s what the trial is meant to produce.
In fact, the implication here is that this is something we should automatically recognize as Christians. James says, “for you know that...” In other words this is something we should know and be fully aware of.
So, to understand it we need to know what James means by “Steadfastness”.
The word is translated from the Greek word “hypomone”, and it’s the idea of having the capacity to bear up or persevere under difficult circumstances.
Another way of saying it would be, “The ability to endure a difficult circumstance or situation”.
Or a real simple way to say it would be, “The ability to not give up or give in.”
And what we need to understand is that steadfastness is the product of being tested. And it’s not only the product, it’s an essential product and what allows us to grow as Christians and keep moving forward.
And unfortunately it’s not something we receive in full at salvation. Instead it’s something that has to be built up by trials.
Let me give you an example of what I’m talking about.
Gym Example - Let’s say you want to get in better shape physically by putting on some muscle. Let me ask you something, “Do you gain that muscle just by deciding to workout? Or do you gain muscle by just showing up at the gym?”
No, of course not. I wish it worked that way. But it doesn’t. The fact is, muscle is formed through strength training. Training that requires you to consistently lift increasing weight over a period of time.
It’s the same with your spiritual life. Spiritual maturity has to be grown. And in the gym of spiritual development, trials are the weights that God uses to grow us. And just like weights in the gym, with each added trial that you lift, you grow stronger.
Let me explain it like this. Back in 2008 I started working out with a guy named Dennis Lord, and Dennis just happened to be a former body builder.
One day we were working out and I saw a guy bench press 315 pounds, which is a lot of weight. And I said to Dennis, “I would never be able to lift that much weight.” To which Dennis said, “Brad, you let me train you and in 3 months you’ll be lifting that.” I was like, “There is no way.” Because at the time I could barely put up 225 pounds.
And so the next week he started working with me to increase my bench strength. And I have to be honest with you, there were days I didn’t want to go into the gym. I had never hurt that much in my life because Dennis was pushing me to the max. But I kept going and enduring the pain.
Amazingly about 3 months later I was able to bench press 315 pounds. And what’s even crazier is the 225 pounds I could barely do before felt light and had become my warm up.
And that’s exactly how trials work in our life. They are meant to grow us. And they’re not always fun. And sometimes they cause pain in our life. Pain that over time creates spiritual muscles that allow us to bear up under increasing challenges and pressure. To the point that over time the former trials we faced look more and more minimal.
Now, some might say, “Ok pastor, that makes sense. But what’s the purpose of the growth? Why do I need to develop these spiritual muscles?”
Well, for one, the growth is teaching you to trust God in a way you never have before. And that’s something we all need in our life.
But secondly, the trial is preparing you for the work that God wants to do in and through you. Because the stronger you are spiritually, the more God can use you for greater things.
Here’s how I like to say it:
Your trials are teaching you to trust God in a way you never have, while at the same time preparing you for a greater work of God in and through your life.
Probably one of my most favorite Bible illustrations of this is found in 1 Samuel 17 as David faces the giant Goliath.
If you’re not familiar with the story the Israelites are facing a game changing battle with an enemy called the Philistines. And everything rides on the battle between two men. One of the men is the Philistine champion named Goliath. And the other man is any brave Israelite that is willing to go out and face a 9 foot giant. But after days of being taunted by Goliath, no Israelite has been brave enough to go out and fight him.
And that’s when David comes on the scene, who at this time is probably a 16 year old boy. And after hearing what has been happening, David is moved to get involved. The writer records his words like this:
1 Samuel 17:26 (ESV)
26 And David said to the men who stood by him, “What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?”
The writer says David is hot and bothered by the utter defiance of this ungodly giant. And as a result David volunteers to go out and fight Goliath.
But from an outwardly perspective, that seems like an insane idea. In fact King Saul, who should have been the one going out, thought it was crazy. Because look at how he responds to David:
33 And Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him, for you are but a youth, and he has been a man of war from his youth.”
Saul is like, “David, are you nuts. Don’t you know who you are dealing with. That man is a warrior. He’s a killing machine. And your’e just a boy with no battle experience. There’s no way you can defeat him.”
And it’s at this point that David gets historical with Saul as he recounts prior battles he’s had. Trials so to speak. Trials that have prepared him for what he’s about to face. Trials that have prepared David for God to use him in a remarkable way. So, what were the trials? Here’s how David describes his previous trials:
34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep sheep for his father. And when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb from the flock, 35 I went after him and struck him and delivered it out of his mouth. And if he arose against me, I caught him by his beard and struck him and killed him. 36 Your servant has struck down both lions and bears, and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.” 37 And David said, “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you!”
I love that! David says, “Saul, let me tell you about some past trials I’ve faced. One time I was out watching my father’s sheep and a lion attacked. It was a scary situation. In fact, the lion came at me. But God helped me defeat and kill that lion. Saul, the same thing happened with a bear one time, and because I killed that lion, I knew I could take down that bear. And so Saul, since I’ve killed a lion, and since I’ve killed a bear, I have no doubt I can take down this uncircumcised Philistine. He shall be like one of them.”
You see what’s going on here? Because David had the trial of the lion. Because he had the trial of the bear. He is now prepared for the trial of a giant. A trial that he will pass with flying colors. A trial that will lead to the deliverance of Israel from the Philistines. A trial that will set David up to become the future king.
Because as David walked out on that battle field he walked out with the confidence of past victories. Victories that came as a result of trials. Trials that weren’t any fun. Because who wants to be attacked by a lion or a bear. But trials that prepared him for what God wanted to do in and through him. Because the writer says:
48 When the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine. 49 And David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone and slung it and struck the Philistine on his forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the ground.
David killed the giant, and now he’s one step closer to becoming king.
And what God did in and through David, he wants to do in and through you. He wants to use you to take down giants. He wants to use you to advance the kingdom. He wants to give you greater spiritual responsibility. But for that to happen, it’s going to require some trials. Trials that are intended to make you stronger.
And this is where the joy that James is talking about starts to enter in. Because the idea of God preparing us for greater works ought to excite us. The idea that God wants to make us stronger for his purposes ought to get our spiritual juices flowing.
You see the joy comes as each test is passed, which then leads to greater service and a proving that we belong to God.
Which now leads us to the final purpose for trials. Because not only do they test our faith. Not only do they make us stronger.
3. For the Christian, trials of various kinds are meant to prepare us for glory.
James puts it like this:
4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
James says we need to let stead fastness have its full effect in our lives? Why?
So that we can become perfect, complete, and lacking in nothing.
So, what does that mean? Does that mean through trials God expects us to become perfect?
Not necessarily. The word for perfect here, “teleios”, and it implies a gradual process of adding virtue upon virtue.
In other words, this is a day by day, week by week, month by month, year by year, decade by decade process of growth. As with each test we pass we become more mature in our relationship with Jesus as we are developed more and more into His image.
Which means the perfect comes as our profession of faith begins to line up more and more with our behavior so that they are inseparable, to the point that we are not lacking in anything.
And it’s this process that is preparing us to stand before God, which is faith’s goal.
And we know this is the purpose because James isn’t the only one that says it. The Apostle Peter puts it like this:
6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Peter says we are to rejoice? Why? Because the trials that are testing our faith are building us up, so that when tested by fire, we may be found to be in Christ at His revelation. A revelation that comes either at your death or His return if you are alive when that happens.
And Peter says we are to rejoice because with each trial we are becoming more of what Jesus desires us to be.
Now, some might say, “Ok pastor, that’s fine. But why would Jesus use trials to do that? Isn’t there an easier way?”
Well, if there was, I’m sure Jesus would have been the first to find it, because He’s not asking us to do anything He hasn’t already done Himself.
The writer of Hebrews puts it like this:
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 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.
The writer says, “Do you want an example of what our life is supposed to look like and how we are to view the trials we are facing? Then look to Jesus who is the author and founder of our faith. Look to the one, who with joyful expectation endured the cross knowing that the result would be his glorification. That through the suffering and the pain He would attain His rightful position.
You see, Jesus isn’t asking you to do anything He hasn’t done. Why? Because He knows what the final result for you will be. Your glorification. The final shedding of the body of sin and death.
The Apostle Paul puts it like this:
18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
He also writes in 2 Corinthians 4:17
17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,
Paul says nothing will compare with what we will receive and become in His presence.
All that to say, the trials you face in this life are preparing you not only to be used by God here, but to prepare you for the life to come.
You see church, trials are all about perspective. It’s about you and I seeing them for what they are. And if you only look at them through a temporal and wordly lens, then yes, they’re going to feel burdensome. They’re going to bring discouragement. They’re going to wear you down.
But if you look at them through an eternal and heavenly lens, then that changes everything.
Because yes cancer sucks. But what if God is using cancer to mature. What if He’s using it to teach you to be more dependent on Him? What if He’s using to deepen your faith? What if He’s using it to prepare you to minister to someone else? What if it’s preparing you for a battle that’s bigger than cancer. Something you can only fight by going through the cancer.
Please hear me, I’m not trying to minimize cancer or the pain it has caused so many. But as believers I’m challenging you to begin to look at your trials through more than one lens. To begin to consider that maybe just maybe the trial is for your good. And that through the trial you will become more of what God wants you to be. And that through the trial you will accomplish more than you could have accomplished without it.
Here’s the bottom line. The joy isn’t found in the trial. The joy is found as we consider the outcome of the trial. That at the end of this trial, you are going to be better than you were before. That at the end of this trial, you’re going to be stronger. That at the end of this trial, you are going to look more like Jesus.
Which is why James says:
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.
Let’s Pray