Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction:

We have a number of terms that we use in the church that some call “Christianese.”

They are words unique to Christianity or words that have what some may consider a special or hidden meaning in Christian .

There is even an entry for Christianese in Wikipedia.

Here it is.

[Show Screenshot]

Examples of Christianese

What are some examples of Christianese, words we or other Christian groups use that non-Christians may not understand?

[Solicit responses]

I want to talk about a word that I think fits in this category, the word “blessing.”

The most common use of it in our society is when we say “God bless you.”

We say it for two main reasons.

One, when a person sneezes, two, when we wish someone well.

That second usage is actually quite biblical.

A Greek lexicon, which is a fancy word for dictionary, defines blessed as:

pertaining to being happy, with the implication of enjoying favorable circumstances—‘happy.’

We find this word throughout the Bible.

This is the word Jesus used in the Beatitudes where He proclaimed different reasons why people are happy.

Everyone wants to be blessed, especially by God.

We long for God to bless us with good health, with safety, with enough material possessions to enjoy life.

We also long for intangible blessings such as a loving family and friends, for acceptance and approval.

We want to blessed with a sense of fulfillment, that we are making a difference in the world.

These are all things we consider blessings.

Transition:

Today we’re going to look at a category of blessing that most of us would rather not have.

It’s a type of blessing that doesn’t fit with those I just described.

It is the blessing of trials.

The Blessing of Trials

We are in a series called Understanding Adversity.

The goal of this series is to understand the different kinds of adversity which includes

Understanding Adversity Series

1. Define each type of adversity

2. Describe the source of adversity

3. Discern the purpose of the adversity

4. Determine the right response to the adversity

Six types of Adversity

Trials

Tests

Discipline

Pruning

Persecution

Attacks

Today we are going to focus on trials.

What we are going to see today is

Bottom line: Any trial can be a blessing.

Let’s turn in our Bibles to James 1:2-12 and read what James has to say about the blessings of trials.

James 1:2-12

Here is my definition of trials taken primarily from 1 Peter 1 and James 1.

Trials are various undeserved, unexplainable external negative events all Christians need to occasionally experience that may cause mental, emotional or spiritual pain while testing our faith and can enable us grow spiritually and receive an eternal reward.

1. James starts and ends with positive statements about trials.

James 1:2, 12

Where do trials come from?

This passage doesn’t say, it assumes they are a natural part of life.

That’s consistent with what Jesus said

John 16:33

Trials are trouble but joy is a good thing.

Anyone here want more joy today?

At the end of this section we read,

A crown from Jesus is also a good thing.

I’m not sure what that’s going to be, but I want one.

You, too?

So we have a joy and a crown.

The problem for us is what is in between, trials.

A. We start with a choice.

We don’t choose to experience trials.

They happen to us all the time.

We choose how we react to it.

James says we are to choose to be joyful about experiencing trials.

Consider is 31.1 ἡγέομαι: to hold a view or have an opinion with regard to something—‘to hold a view, to have an opinion, to consider, to regard.

I saw this comic years ago and saved it because it perfectly demonstrates this point.

“You realize you’re choosing to be depressed.”

Joy isn’t automatic or is it natural.

We already know that.

By definition trials are negative experiences.

We can only be joyful when we understand what happens when we handle trials the right way.

We can be joyful when we know what the final result is going to be.

ILLUSTRATION: We do this all the time.

We exercise not because it is enjoyable but because of what we know the end result will be, better health.

[Image of people exercising]

B. We finish with a reward.

We are blessed when we go through trials the right way because we are going to get a crown in heaven.

Rewards are motivating.

I like being rewarded with a free cup of coffee or a free night in a hotel or a free airfare.

Rewards are things we look forward to having.

The next time you face a trial, which likely is today, stop and think about the reward you will get if you get through the trial the right way, the crown of life.

It’s real and you will enjoy it.

The blessings of trials are just future.

James describes

2. The present benefits of trials.

A. Trials test our faith.

Trials are external experiences.

A trial is the backache, the financial problem, the unexpected death of a loved one, being treated unfairly by a coworker, the car breaking down, losing your keys.

Every day we face trials of various kinds.

The way we internally process the trial is the test of our faith.

Trials don’t always test our faith.

If you were having breakfast this morning and spilled something on your shirt or top so that you couldn’t wear it to church.

Did it test your faith?

You may have just shrugged, changed your clothes and not thought any more about it.

However, it if were favorite and the stain ruined it, that trial might have become a test.

Trial are tests when we face a choice of trusting God or not.