The Book of James: 1:2-12

Vertical! I am so excited to be here with you today. Last week, I was out of the country all weekend and woke up feeling sick on Tuesday. So I asked Patrick to help me fill in. So today, we will pick up on the book of James. I am so excited to walk with you through this book. One of the main reasons I love going through a whole book of the Bible is that it reminds us that words, phrases, and paragraphs have a meaning in context.

We need to learn to read the whole counsel of God, so that we begin to form the correct perspective of who God is. Speaking of perspective here is my main point for today:

Main Point: When challenges come in life, we need a change in perspective. We need an eternal perspective.

Let’s go ahead and read James 1:2-12 and we’ll come back and see some principles that I believe are important for us today.

James 1:2–12 NIV

2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do. 9 Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. 10 But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. 11 For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business. 12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

Did you know that the book of James is known as the Proverbs of the New Testament. Almost in every verse James hits different important topics but the more that I read, study and hear others go over this passage, the more that I see a connection between these seemly different topics. I hope that I can help you make that connection today.

But again, we are talking about perspective. So here is principle number 1

You can shift your perspective about the attitude to which you face challenges (2-4)

James 1:2-4 “2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

Read the first 4 words in this passage: consider it pure joy...

For fun, I google pure joy and found this pictures (Show a few pic)

As you can tell the idea that google has of pure joy seems to involve food, smiles, nice locations and open arms! I think we can all agree that the idea of joy is this state of enjoyment and satisfaction yet James throws a curve ball when he writes what we should consider joy- “whenever you face trials of many kinds” (Jam 1:2)

James is asking his reader to consider shifting the normal perspective of hating and avoiding challenges in life.

James says something we all know, yet we don’t want it to be true.

Without pain, there is no gain. “because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” Produces endurance and the power to withstand stress.

Our decision to trust in God through the challenges produce growth as mature and complete Christians.

2 Cor 5:18-21 “18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

Students, do you want to find fulfillment in life? You will need to walk through challenges that will help you be mature and complete.

You can shift your perspective about what you need faced with challenges (5-8)

James 1:5-8 “5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.”

I love the phrase, “if you lack wisdom, You should ask God.” However, it is clear that many of us do not seek God through the challenges.

James is encouraging his audience to shift their idea of what is needed when facing challenges.

James is simply saying, when you face trials, do not google it- ask God for wisdom. Don’t quit, ask God for wisdom. Don’t find a shortcut, ask God for wisdom.

Why wisdom? Because when we are faced with trials and challenges, our emotions are not reliable.

God promises to give us wisdom when seeking to follow His will. This is not a hidden game that wants to keep you guessing.

God wants to give you wisdom to continue to honor Him and bring Him glory- this verse is not about asking God for anything but for specific wisdom

It’s possible to go through the motions (prayer) without an expectation that God will actually come through and guide you through the tough times.

Student, the Christian walk is not always about the easier road (less homework, more sleep, more money or better parents, better home situation, no sickness, being liked by everyone, feeling like you fit in)

Many times the Christian walk is about having the wisdom “doing the hard things” and walk through the hard times that will help you grow.

I have 3 free books- only grab it if you are going to read it. “Do hard things.”

You can shift your perspective to an eternal perspective (9-12)

James 1:9-12 “9 Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. 10 But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. 11 For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business. 12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”

Here is where we will conclude. Students, I do not think its possible in the long term to “consider all joy...” unless you have shifted to an eternal perspective.

Your decisions today matter for eternity. We all have the same destiny

It is not about financial security or perfection

Piñata illustration

It is about understanding that when your eternal perspective is the primary lens through which you see life, you will be able to begin to understand the many blessing God has gifted you with and the many opportunities to glorify Him in the good times and the tough times.