Fruitful in Trials
Notes
Transcript
Living Faith
Focus on Jesus—James 1:1— James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ . . .
Seven “I AM” Statements of Jesus
John 6:35—I am the bread of life
John 8:12—I am the light of the world
John 10:9—I am the door
John 10:11—I am the Good Shepherd
John 11:25—I am the resurrection and the life
John 14:6—I am the way, and the truth, and the life.
John 15:1—I am the true Vine
Memorize—one a week—index card
James 1:1–4 — James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings. 2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
What is your aim in life? I want to be . . .
Happy, Healthy, Comfortable, Exhilarated, Successful
Influential, Wealthy, Loved
I want to be . . . perfect and complete (in Jesus)
James 1:4 — And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect (mature) and complete (whole/healthy), lacking in nothing.
PICTURE OF TOMATO PLANT
John 15:5 — I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
John 15:8 — By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. (MATURE)
In JESUS—perfect and complete, lacking in nothing
IN JESUS—ADOPT DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE
CONCERNING LIFE’S PROBLEMS
James 1:2 — Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,
COUNT IT—HEGOMAI—LEAD/GO BEFORE THE MIND---CONSIDER/DEEM—adopt different perspective
ALL JOY—PURE JOY—AN OPPRTUNITY FOR REJOICING—
WHEN YOU MEET TRIALS OF VARIOUS KINDS
The joy is not in the trial, but the opportunity to experience more of Jesus.
You don’t pursue trials to achieve this.
You don’t become a trial so someone else may.
James 1:3 —for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
FOR YOU KNOW—personal knowledge—You rejoice over what you know.
That the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
STEADFASTNESS--Hupomuna
STAYING POWER—not self-generated
2 Corinthians 12:9–10 — But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
James 1:4 —And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Two Commands
Count it all joy
Let it have it full effect
IN JESUS, DON’T GIVE UP
AND YOUR AIM FOR THE WEEK AHEAD?
PRAYER
John 6:35
Read a chapter a day.
FOUR TIMES IN THREE WEEKS—FOCUS ON JESUS
Worship update
CHOIR VIDEO