james: growing through trials

Growing Through TrialsGrowing Through Trials

Speaker: Doug Humphrey Senior PastorSpeaker: Doug Humphrey Senior Pastor

The Big Question in Job

“Will a person worship God

for nothing?”

Let those who suffer according to the will of God entrust their souls to a faithful creator in doing what is right.

1 Peter 4:191 Peter 4:19

God doesn’t want us to God doesn’t want us to merely merely gogo through trials. He through trials. He wants us to wants us to growgrow through through trials.trials.

1 James, a bond servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad, greetings.

2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,

3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.

4 And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

6 But let him ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.

7 For let not that man expect that he will receive anything from the Lord,

8 being a double minded man, unstable in all his ways.

12 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love him.

1. How do you grow through trials and not just go through trials?

2. What is promised to those who handle trials correctly?

I. How do you grow through trials?

• Verse 2 "consider"

• Verse 3 "knowing”

• Verse 4 "let"

• Verse 5 “ask”

Four Key WordsFour Key Words

I. How do you grow through trials?

A. Cultivate a positive attitude toward trials. (vs. 2)

2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,

I. How do you grow through trials?

A. Cultivate a positive attitude toward trials. (vs. 2)

1. Our outlook determines our outcome.

2 When all kinds of trials and temptations crowd into your lives, my brothers, don't resent them as intruders, but welcome them as friends!

(Phillips Translation)

A. Cultivate a positive attitude toward trials. (vs. 2)

1. Our outlook determines our outcome.

2. Trials are inevitable.

2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,

I. How do you grow through trials?

B. Realize that God uses trials to help you develop endurance. (vs. 3)

2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,

3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.

3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.

16 O Nebuchadnezzer, we are not worried about what will happen to us.

17 If we are thrown into the flaming furnace, our God is able to deliver us; and he will deliver us out of your hand.

18 But, if he doesn't, please understand, sir, that even then we will never, under any circumstance, serve your Gods or worship the gold statue you have erected.

Daniel 3:16-18Daniel 3:16-18

I. How do you grow through trials?

C. Cooperate with God in the process of character development. (vs. 4)

4 And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

God always builds our character before he calls us to serve...

A. Cultivate a positive attitude toward trials. (vs. 2)

B. Realize that God uses trials to develop endurance. (vs. 3)

C. Cooperate with God in the process of character development. (vs. 4)

ReviewReview

I. How do you grow through trials?

D. Pray for wisdom to deal with trials. (vv. 5-8)

5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

6 But let him ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.

7 For let not that man expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, 8 being a double minded man, unstable in all his ways.

1. We lack wisdom

Two Reasons Trials Two Reasons Trials Overwhelm UsOverwhelm Us

Wisdom: The ability to view life from God’s viewpoint.

1. We lack wisdom

2. We lack faith

Two Reasons Trials Two Reasons Trials Overwhelm UsOverwhelm Us

God will give the ability to view trials from his perspective, if we ask in faith.

II. What is promised to those who handle trials correctly? (vs. 12)

II. What is promised to those who handle trials correctly? (vs. 12)

A. Genuine happiness (12a)

12 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love him.

II. What is promised to those who handle trials correctly? (vs. 12)

A. Genuine happiness (12a)

B. Abundant Life (12b)

12 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love him.

The Victor’s Crown

Believer’s CrownsTitle Reason Reference

An imperishable crown

For leading a disciplined life

1 Corinthians 9:25

A crown of rejoicing

For evangelism and discipleship

1 Thess. 2:19

A crown of righteousness

For loving the Lord’s appearing

2 Tim. 4:8

A crown of glory For faithfully shepherding God’s flock

1 Peter 5:4

A crown of life For enduring trials

James 1:12Rev. 2:10

1. Cultivate a positive attitude toward trials. (vs. 2)

2. Realize that God uses trials to develop endurance. (vs. 3)

3. Cooperate with God in the process of character development. (vs. 4)

How To Grow How To Grow Through TrialsThrough Trials

4. Pray for wisdom to deal with trials. (vv. 5-8)

How To Grow How To Grow Through TrialsThrough Trials

Don't resent trials when they come; rather welcome them as God's instrument to develop godly character.

Application/ChallengeApplication/Challenge