January 19, 2025 | Dave McGinley
Passage: James 1:1-18
MESSAGE NOTES
Richard Caemmerer – “That remains to be seen”
Count it all joy, my brothers and sisters when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4
Goal of Trials - Path through Trials - Resources God Uses in Trials
Count it all joy, my brothers and sisters when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4
GOAL OF TRIALS
1. Produce steadfastness or endurance
Endurance in Greek: ‘hyponmeno’
a commander in battle - “Endure! Don’t jump ship!”
2. Produce wholeness
And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:4
PATH THROUGH TRIALS
Count it all joy, my brothers and sisters when you meet trials of various kinds, James 1:2
In the world you will have tribulation. John 16:33a
But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. James 1:14-15
Temptation and trial bring us to the end of ourselves…. Christianity does not provide the reason for each experience of pain, but it does provide deep resources for actually facing suffering with hope and courage rather than bitterness and despair. - Tim Keller “The Reason for God”
RESOURCES GOD USES IN TRIALS
1. Prayer for wisdom
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. James 1:5
2. Look to the Future
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12
3. Friend in trials
Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2
Series Information
