2
(Slide 1) Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you
face trials of many kinds, James 1:2 Pray with Me.
(Pare down) In 1979 First Chapter in the book of James became very real to me. I
know I’m getting old, and some of you were not even born yet. However, it is a
year that stands out in my mind. I had surrendered to the call of ministry when I
was 16 and a Jr. in H.S. I was doing my best to live close to God during my senior
year of HS. Upon graduation I was floating high, living for Christ and being an
active teenager in my Church. One summer evening, My family had all eaten
supper together and had all left home to different places. I went over to a friend’s
house to visit. Upon hearing a siren and fire truck pass at the end of the block, we
decided to follow and see what was happening. Small town USA> Well the fire
truck turned down my street, hey cool, and then it stopped at my house! Not so
cool! I ran to the door just in time for a fireman to grabbed me and pull me back,
but I explained I had just bought a brand new guitar and I needed to get it out.
(Tell further story)
Church Spit
Hurricane Fredrick
I had two Choices: In fact we all have two choices when tough time come…we can
be Bitter or we can Allow these trial to make us Better.
God uses the bitter in our like to make us better and eventually to be our best. To
make us like Chocolate Cake.
(Slide 2) Why do we have troubles and trials in life? That is an age old question.
Let’s take a serious look at this question. Jesus says: John 16:33- 33 “I have told you
these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take
heart! I have overcome the world.” 1
1. (Slide 2a) We have trouble/trials because of Sin in the world
1
The New International Version. 2011 (Jn 16:33). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
a. Matthew 5:45- 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes
his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the
unrighteous.2
2. (Slide 2b) We have trouble/trials because of other peoples Sin
a. Drunk Drivers/ Terrorist/Criminals
3. (Slide 2c) We have trouble/trials because of our own Sin
a. God forgives Sin but doesn’t always take away the consequences of
our Sin. We see this in the story of Abraham. The story of Sampson,
and the story of David
4. (Slide 2d) We have trouble/trials because of God Allows it.
a. For our Good and sometimes for our discipline.
John 9:1-3- As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him,
“Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”
3
“Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works
of God might be displayed in him. 3
Job 1:selected- 12-22- 20 At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then
he fell to the ground in worship 21 and said:
“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
and naked I will depart. v
The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away;
may the name of the LORD be praised.”
22
In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing. 4
Hebrews 12:4-11,- 5 And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that
addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says,
“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,
and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,
2
The New International Version. 2011 (Mt 5:44–45). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
3
The New International Version. 2011 (Jn 9:1–3). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
4
The New International Version. 2011 (Job 1:20–22). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
6
because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” r
7
Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not
disciplined by their father? 8 If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—
then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. 9 Moreover, we have all had
human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we
submit to the Father of spirits and live! 10 They disciplined us for a little while as they thought
best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. 11 No
discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of
righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. 5
Quoting: Psalms 94:12
This is the one we have the toughest time dealing with. Why would
a loving God allow his children all this pain and suffering. Let us
look for the answer in James.
(Slide 3) James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
The human author of this epistle is not easily identified. The New Testament mentions at least
four men named James: (1) the son of Zebedee and brother of John (Mark 1:19), (2) the son
of Alphaeus (Mark 3:18), (3) the father of Judas (not Iscariot; Luke 6:16), and (4) the half
brother of the Lord (Gal. 1:19). Which one wrote the epistle? 6 The strongest evidence for the
authorship of the Epistle of James clearly favors the half brother of Christ. 7
James is probably the earliest of the writings of the New Testament 8
The purpose of this potent letter is to exhort the early believers to Christian maturity and
holiness of life. This letter deals more with the practice of the Christian faith than with its
precepts. James told his readers how to achieve spiritual maturity through a confident stand,
compassionate service, careful speech, contrite submission, and concerned sharing. He dealt
5
The New International Version. 2011 (Heb 12:5–11). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
6
Blue, J. R. (1985). James. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), . Vol. 2: The Bible Knowledge
Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck, Ed.) (814–815). Wheaton, IL:
Victor Books.
7
Blue, J. R. (1985). James. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), . Vol. 2: The Bible Knowledge
Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck, Ed.) (814–816). Wheaton, IL:
Victor Books.
8
Blue, J. R. (1985). James. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), . Vol. 2: The Bible Knowledge
Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck, Ed.) (816). Wheaton, IL: Victor
Books.
with every area of a Christian’s life: what he is, what he does, what he says, what he feels, and
what he has.
To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations:
Greetings. 9
Clearly addressed to “the 12 tribes scattered among the nations” (James 1:1), this letter has a
marked Jewish flavor.
The technical term “scattered” (diaspora) occurs in only two other places in the New
Testament (John 7:35; 1 Peter 1:1). It refers to the Jew Christians who were scattered among
the Gentiles as their ancestors had been in the days of the Captivity. 10Clearly Christians were
among Hostile people. Similarly the way we are today.
2
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials
of many kinds, (Trials are anything but Joyful…When the Dr say the ugly word
Cancer..When the police call in the middle of the night to say your child has been in an
accident….whatever the circumstance….there is no joy in trials.
3
because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
Hey God I’d rather not have to persevere through this…
4
Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and
complete, not lacking anything. If that what it takes to make me mature then leave
me out.
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 doubleminded and unstable in all they do. It’s like asking for patience…you better look
out. These are going to come your way to test you. And do you really believe what you say
you do?
9
The New International Version. 2011 (Jas 1). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
10
Blue, J. R. (1985). James. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An
Exposition of the Scriptures (J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck, Ed.) (Jas 1:1). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
9
Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high
position. Those going through these trials 10 But the rich (also translated worldly)
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. The things in
this life are only temporal…they do not last. Matthew 6:19-21
(Slide 4)
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. 11 Like a victory wreath given to athletes that
win on earth for honor... this crown however is given in victory for enduring the life
challenges with the reward of Eternal life spoke of in 1 Cor.9:25.
We now understand why we have trouble/ Trials. We know why James
was writing to these Christians spread all over the known world. What
do we do with this information in light of what we have just learned?
(Slide 5a) First we must understand that when you’re going through
such events in your life Nothing will separate us from the Love of God:
(Slide 5b) Romans 8:37 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through
him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,
neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else
in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12
(Slide 5C) Turn to Jesus for rest and Comfort in times of trouble: Rest(Slide 5d) Matthew 11:28,
28
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I
will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in
heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” 13
29
11
The New International Version. 2011 (Jas 1:2–12). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
12
The New International Version. 2011 (Ro 8:37–39). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
13
The New International Version. 2011 (Mt 11:28–30). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
(Slide 5e) 2 Cor. 1:4, 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the
Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that
we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 5 For just
as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.
6
If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your
comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. 7 And our
hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share
in our comfort.14
(Slide 5f) Psalms 46 1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
2
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart
of the sea,
10
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; 15
(Slide 5g) Isaiah 43
But now, this is what the LORD says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
2
When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
3
For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; 16
(Slide 6) Life is like Chocolate Cake. Each ingredient by itself taste
terrible- Cocoa is bitter, raw eggs are slimy, baking flour is awful, oil is
oily! All these ingredients alone make nothing and do not taste well. But
add all these ingredients together, mix them up, beat them together and
after they are put into the heat-Fire- and Wala – (Slide 7)Chocolate
Cake.
14
The New International Version. 2011 (2 Co 1:3–7). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
15
The New International Version. 2011 (Ps 46:1–10). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
16
The New International Version. 2011 (Is 43:1–3). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
How can we become Chocolate Cake in our life? It has been said that
life circumstances can make you bitter or better. God allows trails
(circumstances) in this life time to make you who He wants you to be.
(Slide 8) He sends tests and allows obstacles into our life as a way to
better our life. Are these type things fun? No they are not. But the reality
of these trials, tests, tribulations, outright pains that James says count as
joy- is that they make us a better person and a better Christian for the
cause of Christ.
Bow your heads with me as our musicians begin to play.
Today do you feel piled on? Today are you bitter or better, are you
allowing God to work His perfect will in you. It’s like watching a parade
through a knot hole in the fence…you can only see what is right in front
of you. God however can look over the fence and see the whole parade.
Today the decision is yours. To accept God’s peace in the trials of life
or to live deep down inside that bitterness that eats away at the core of
who we are. For some here the decision might be to accept Jesus so you
too can experience peace, the peace that passes all understanding. Others
might be here that need a loving support of this Church, now is that time
to join.
I am not the baker of your life; Christ is….He is the perfect perfector of
our faith.
Let us pray.