1 Tested Faith
Put On Your Grown-Up Faith • Sermon • Submitted
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· 7 viewsBig Idea: Endure trials, grow up in faith, and receive the reward of life
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Introduction
Introduction
Living a life of authentic and practical faith. Growing to maturity
Themes Faith, Trials, Temptation, Humility, Prayer, and having a practical, active faith.
Read James 1:1-12
1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations:
Greetings.
v.1 James = ½ brother of Jesus – did not believe until after resurrection. Became leader of church in Jerusalem after Peter.
James = ½ brother of Jesus – did not believe until after resurrection. Became leader of church in Jerusalem after Peter.
Doulos = servant, slave. Someone bound to work for /serve another. Can be by choice. Paul also.
Writing to believing Jews scattered during the persecution. Peter also wrote to scattered Jews.
Persecution for faith. Trials caused by being displaced. Think of China, Indonesia, Middle East, Africa, etc. Persecution is worse and more violent now than ever.
What do we know of persecution in America?
How can we be praying for our brothers and sisters around the world?
Pure Joy
Pure Joy
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
Pure Joy
v.2 Now, based on the understanding of the trials faced by Christians –
Now, based on the understanding of the trials faced by Christians –
Pure Joy – to be treated like Jesus. To be counted worthy to suffer
Pure Joy to face many kinds of trials – not just persecution but anything that hits us hard and shakes our faith, our understanding of God.
Not if you face – whenever, when, Jesus said you WILL suffer, you WILL be hated.
Causes of suffering – sometimes we bring it on ourselves, disobey, poor life choices, etc. Sometimes God allows suffering to redirect us from sin or our own way. Sometimes because we identify with Christ. Sometimes it is just for the strengthening of faith. Always to bring glory to God.
Don’t be caught off guard, surprised. Instead, be ready. Understand how to deal with trials.
3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
Pure Joy – knowing that our faith has an opportunity to grow and be strengthened.
Pure Joy – knowing that our faith has an opportunity to grow and be strengthened.
“no pain, no gain” workout at the gym.
Testing produces perseverance –
36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.
what is promised? We’ll see near the end...
- what is God’s will and what is promised? We’ll see near the end...
v.4 the result of continued testing and building faith callouses is maturity. Completeness. No lack. ()
4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
v.4 the result of continued testing and building faith callouses is maturity. Completeness. No lack. ()
Trials and testing of faith not just persecution. V.2 many kinds. Loss of loved one. Health challenges. Relationship challenges. All of these require faith, help, wisdom.
Wisdom Needed
Wisdom Needed
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.
v.5 if you lack wisdom… who doesn’t lack wisdom? This is an every day prayer.
v.5 if you lack wisdom… who doesn’t lack wisdom? This is an every day prayer.
If you lack wisdom ask God – There are prayers that God loves for you to ask – salvation, wisdom, unity
3 indeed, if you call out for insight
and cry aloud for understanding,
4 and if you look for it as for silver
and search for it as for hidden treasure,
5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord
and find the knowledge of God.
6 For the Lord gives wisdom;
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
knowledge = what we take in, understanding = what we put out, wisdom produces practical action
Wisdom is not just knowledge, but the application of what we know and experience.
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.
God gives wisdom generously, doesn’t find fault (rebuke)
God gives wisdom generously, doesn’t find fault (rebuke)
Asking for other things – are we asking with pure motives or selfishly? Remember Solomon asked for wisdom.
Ask for wisdom in dealing with the trial, not just for the trial to go away.
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.
v.6 if you ask for wisdom don’t doubt. Ask in faith. Ask believing that God will absolutely give it.
v.6 if you ask for wisdom don’t doubt. Ask in faith. Ask believing that God will absolutely give it.
Doubt is like sitting in the ocean and being knocked over by every wave that comes by.
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.
:7-8Doubt is double mindedness. Think one thing and do another. Being uncertain. Divided heart. Unstable.
Doubt is double mindedness. Think one thing and do another. Being uncertain. Divided heart. Unstable.
Don’t expect to receive if you doubt or are uncertain.
What can you do if you find yourself doubting? Ask for faith. Ask for wisdom.
Crown of Life
Crown of Life
9 Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position.
v.9 understand our position and circumstances. Give God praise and glory for it.
v.9 understand our position and circumstances. Give God praise and glory for it.
Take pride or boast = give glory to God for and be confident in circumstance.
Humble, poor, lowly = will be exalted/lifted to higher position. Thank God for the blessings to come.
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.
10 But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower.
Rich, high circumstance, privileged = will be brought low, humbled. Thank God for current blessings and use them wisely to bless others.
Rich, high circumstance, privileged = will be brought low, humbled. Thank God for current blessings and use them wisely to bless others.
Rich, high circumstance, privileged = will be brought low, humbled. Thank God for current blessings and use them wisely to bless others.
vv.9-11 comparison and contrast. Poor to rich. Humble to exalted. Compare rich to wild flower. Rich will wither in vain pursuits.
Both of these are referring to results of persecution and trials.
So, trials allow the poor to remember they are rich in Christ and the rich to remember to trust in God only and not in their current position or wealth.
Remember – what is promised? Here we are told = The prize, the crown, the reward.
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.
Blessing pronounced – blessed is the one
Receive the crown, the prize, the reward
Trophy
25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.
25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.
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.
Blessing pronounced – blessed is the one
Conclusion
Conclusion
Example of Greg Hodnett? Suddenly gone.
Whenever this life is done, we stand before Jesus. Well done… you stood the test, you kept the faith, you asked for wisdom, you win the prize.
Promised to whom? Who do good? Who don’t sin? Who behave?
NO. Who love Him.
9 However, as it is written:
“What no eye has seen,
what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived”—
the things God has prepared for those who love him—
Big Idea: Endure trials, grow up in faith, and receive the reward of life
Big Idea: Endure trials, grow up in faith, and receive the reward of life
Endure trials, grow up in faith, and receive the reward of life
What About You?
What About You?
What trials are you facing?
Have you considered them and become filled with pure joy?
Do you love God? Have you asked for wisdom?
There is a prize waiting. Let’s hold fast to Jesus, trust him, grow in faith, receive that prize.