Sermon Tone Analysis

James 1:5-12

INTRO: Last week we discussed the attitude needed to conquer and overcome trials.

This week we are discussing the way to overcome/conquer trials and temptations.

Why? (James 1:2 “... fall into various trials,” ).

Trials and temptations are common to the believer—we are surrounded by them—day in and day out—sometimes moment to moment.

We struggle against and endless list of trials/disappointments/setbacks

pain/diseases

lust

divorce/cheating

loss

death/sickness

separation

immorality

emptiness

hurt

greed

accidents

anger

loneliness

lying

We know of the attitude which is needed, joy, and why we should joy...but we also need a way to conquer them.

Why?

Think about the worst trial you are facing—-right now, no matter what it is.

Think about the worse temptation—the one that swarms you and overcomes you, leading you to sin…and answer this question; “How’s it going doing things your way, gritting your teeth, covering it up, trying to earn, sustain, or merit your way out of whatever it is.

You need to know the truth—your way, your wisdom is futile…if you aren’t already worn out, you will be worn out…if you are not back in the same spot or worse, chances are you will be!

There is an escape, there is a way to overcome.

There is a way to assure victory and deliverance—give you rest, give you peace, and give you hope…and it’s the subject of our passage today.

(Note three points)

I. (v.

5-8) FIRST- Ask wisdom of God

Wisdom: means far more than just knowledge—far more than being an intellect, about life or some area of life

Knowledge is essentially at its core, the grasping of facts—and most people have minds full of facts:

From schools

From all walks of trade:

Knowledge is very common in this world—but when dealing with trials and temptations, something more than a head full of facts is needed…wisdom…but not our wisdom:

But not our wisdom.

Why?

Ask yourself, take an honest moment and ask yourself..in the middle of your trials/hardships/temptations, how’s it going doing things your strength and in your wisdom?

The truth is our strength fades and wears out, our wisdom is finite and limited, and ultimately doing things in our strength and wisdom:

we lean into things which will never make us whole

we mask/cover/hide the struggle we are facing

we will ultimately find ourselves right back where we started or someplace of more bondage and struggle;

***(LOT)-His wisdom led him to compromise and pitch his tent too close to the city;

Enticed/tempted by greener pastures, his wisdom led him to leave the land where God and his family were

Despite having to be rescued, his wisdom led him to stay near Sodom and Gomorrah, eventually living in Sodom and Gomorrah

Genesis 13:10-“And Lot lifted his eyes and saw all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere (before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah) like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt as you go toward Zoar.

Genesis 19:1a-“Now the two angels came to Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom.”

This carries the meaning that Lot served with the city elders, as this is where they conducted their business—which means he knew exactly what was happening in Sodom

Genesis 19:7-8-“…and said, “Please my brethren, do not do so wickedly!

See now, I have two daughters who have not known a man; let me bring them out to you, and you may do to them as you wish…”

Lot’s wife turned to salt—(looked back at the sin/evil) Lot’s incestuous circumstance with his two daughters—the birth of the Moabites/Ammonites (lifelong enemies of Israel) Lot is never heard from again after Genesis 19

***(ABRAHAM/SARAH)-

***(DAVID and BATHSHEBA)

***(ME)—the flood story and the fallout; my wisdom resulted in three things:

hide-I hide it

handle-thought I could handle it

hindered-I became hindered and handled by addiction

***(YOU)—In YOUR own wisdom strength to battle trials/temptations you will inevitably

hide

be handled

be hindered But we must understand what biblical wisdom really means, b/c having knowledge

is not enough to overcome trials/temptations

is not enough to fight and combat against trials/temptations—you are no match for the enemy, nor the powers of hell.

What wisdom means biblically?

Wisdom:

Is not having a head full of facts

Is not only seeing and knowing about life, it is seeing and knowing what to do about life

Is not only seeing and knowing the truth, it is seeing and knowing what to do with the truth

Wisdom:

Grasps/sees trials and temptations that surround your lives, sees and grasps God and man, good and evil…but it doesn’t stop there

Not only grasps these facts, wisdom knows what to do about them, and does it…knows about trials and temptations, understands their purpose, knows what to do about them, and faces them…does something about it (Cattle vs. Buffalo)

Example of Truck and tool box

Wisdom acts, conquers, and gains the victory over trials and temptations

The Source of Wisdom

What/Who is the source of wisdom

The architect and author of wisdom is God

Proverbs 3:1-6 “My son, do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands; For length of days and long life And peace they will add to you.

Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart, And so find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”

The greatest example of His wisdom and greatest benefit of His wisdom is seen in the cross—(remember wisdom not only knows/understands, wisdom does something about it…it acts)

God knew (God knows today your greatest trial is sin; not only does He know it and know what is has done (is doing) to you, He knew (knows) what to do about it; and not only does He know what to do about it—He did it

Hebrews 12:1-2 “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

This is an oft quoted scripture which teaches us about Jesus’ joy in the greatest trial in history.

But a look at the next two verses reveals just how much He endured and the length Jesus was willing to go to save you

Hebrews 12:3-4 “For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.

You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.”

God did the harder thing in sending His only begotten and beloved Son into a corrupt and sinful world; listen to what He endured (it’s not an exhaustive list and I am sure He endured more than is recorded)

Born to an unwed mother

Being born in a stable, the worst of conditions

Having his life threatened as a baby

Being the cause of unimaginable sorrow

Being moved and shifted as a baby

Being raised in a despicable place

His earthly father died during His youth

He had to support His mother, brothers, and sisters

Not having a home nor a place to lay His head down

Being hated and opposes by religionists

Being charged with insanity

Being charged with demon possession

Being opposed by His own family