Devoted To Standing Firm

Devoted to Standing Firm

James 1:2-4

With God’s help, we can be steadfast, staying the course no matter what.

SLIDE #1

INTRODUCTION

• It is so good to be back together today!

• How many of you are enjoying the current situation we all find ourselves?

• How many of you sit at home and eagerly wait for trials to come to you?

• How many of you have had an easy life with no trials, temptations?

• Have you ever wanted to leave your relationship with God because life seems too difficult?

• Have you ever wonder where was God while you were in the middle of the storm?

• Today we begin a new series entitled, Devoted: Obedience in the Same Direction.

• This four-week series addresses the importance of faithfulness to God, even when we are bombarded with other options.

• How can we be steadfast, committed, and live with integrity and devotion when each day offers us a plethora of choices?

• When trials come upon us, many of us have trouble committing to a worldview, to other people, to the Christian faith, and even to our families and a local church.

• We like having the freedom to choose our own way and adjust as we go.

• But the Bible has much to say about staying faithful over time, no matter what comes, with God’s help.

• I do not think anyone of us likes facing trials.

• I believe conventional world wisdom would tell us to avoid trials at all costs; however, today, we will examine three things that will help us to face the trials we are hit with in a way that will help us to see something positive, which will help to strengthen our faith.

• In the world we reside, we will be hit from all directions at times with trials, the question we have to answer is, HOW WILL WE DEAL WITH THE TRIALS and WILL WE LET THE TRIALS BREAK US OR MAKE US STRONGER.

• During this series, we will spend time in James 1. I love the book of James; it is easy to read, practical, as well as profound.

• Big Idea of the Message: With God’s help we can be steadfast, staying the course no matter what.

• Let’s turn to James 1; we will begin in verse 2.

SLIDE #2

Bible Verse

James 1:2 (CSB)

2Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials,

SLIDE #3

• The ability to being devoted to standing firm requires…

1. I. The proper attitude in the midst of your trials.

Explanation

• Ok, I have heard enough count it JOY when I face various TRIALS? Argh!

• Not only does James tell us to face trials, but we are to consider it GREAT joy whenever we experience various trials!

• This verse challenges the conventional wisdom of the world.

• The world tells us there is no value in suffering, so, therefore, pain is to be avoided at all costs.

• We are told that only pleasure can bring happiness.

• As Christians, we need to understand that suffering through various trials is a part of life.

• We have all seen things that make us shake our heads; we have all probably experienced something that could cause us to wonder if there is a God out there who cares for me.

• One thing that verse two does not tell us to do is to look for trouble or seek out trials so we can go through them.

• The phrasing in the Greek shows us that James says the brothers fall into trials.

• They do not seek them, but they come. To be human is to suffer.

• These trials are not chosen but fall upon the believers unexpectedly.

• These are the unavoidable difficulties of life. Falling into trials is like falling among robbers, as did the traveler in Luke 10:30.

• Interestingly, James commands us to consider it great joy when the trials come to us.

• The word WHENEVER doesn’t allow much room for doubt.

• We are urged to be joyful not IF we face trials, but WHENEVER.

• Trials, problems, situations can be joy-robbers if we lack the proper attitude. Later in the chapter (1:13–15),

• James deals more directly with temptations that are self-inflicted. But there will be times when, no matter where we turn, we encounter trials.

• Christians are called to stand face to face with the trials that come to us.

• When you think about it, we know trials are coming, so in a way, what James tells us does make some sense.

• How do you make it through a difficult time in life?

• Our attitude is vital in one being able to be able to stand in the face of trials and stay devoted to standing firm in our faith.