James 1 – Joy when it hurts!
audio is at
http://www.jubilee-church.org/sermons/james1.htm
Discussion Questions
What compelling examples of Christian perseverance/steadfastness have you seen in others under extreme trial?
What lessons has anyone here learnt in difficulty?
Can you believe in a sovereign God who allowed the events of September 11th to occur? Is the alternative, that God doesn’t know the future too horrible to consider?
What is it about trust that is most clearly demonstrated when we suffer?
Can anyone share how they knew supernatural joy at times of great difficulty?
How should we approach it when we ourselves or others face problems?
What do James 1:2 and Romans 8:28 have to say to us when we face difficulties- how can we live this out as a church? (NB make the point we cannot do it alone!)
Detailed Sermon Notes
Introduction James – epistle of straw or a solid word from God?
Introduction
In the church we often react to extremes by swinging to another end. Many believers were so eager to please God and be ‘holy’ they added various laws to the gospel and banned even the hint of sin. Soon legalism prevailed and some became so isolated from the world and any sense of fun or joy that they became poor ambassadors for the God who said ‘I have come that you might have life to the full’. (Jn 10:10 ) Full of condemnation and fear of Gods wrath the gospel itself became lost.
At many times in church history, God has raised people up to preach the gospel that alone in any message can put an Auca Indian who murdered a group of missionarys next to one of those missionary’s son in a tour as reconciled brothers!
We have a glorious gospel of grace. Sadly that can be twisted into a travesty where Jesus no longer saves us from our sins he saves us in our sin. James is not ignorant of grace as some suppose him. He simply looks at the same truth that Paul does from the other side!
If ever the church needed awakening to what difference the gospel should make in our lives, it certainly does now! In James, we see that difference clearly and we will not go from a good look in the mirror of this book with all its earthy reality without being seriously changed. Warning, this book could seriously damage your sin life!
James is in fact a solid earthy book that has much to teach us about life.
Chapter One - The steadfastness God desires
- far from being made of straw this passage speaks to us of stability
v2 stability of joy in all circumstances – Christians are intended to be happy whatever the circumstances ‘The whole tendency of our holy faith is to elevate and to encourage. Grace breeds no sorrow, except the healthy sorrow which comes with saving repentance and leads to the joy of pardon: it comes not to make men miserable, but to wipe all tears from their eyes’ Spurgeon
but bad things WILL happen-
In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”[1] (Jn 16:33) Jesus always keeps his promises!!!
Some here today may be facing terrible troubles, and nothing in this verse is intended to pretend we can simply smile plastically through them and ignore them! Those of us who are not facing troubles at the moment are just in a gap between problems! Jesus said each day has enough trouble of its own!
Our nation faces an uncertain future on the anniversary of an event that changed the face of world terrorism in an instant, and on the eve of ever more likely war. Who knows what horrors will be inflicted on us, or we will inflict on others?
But we can find joy in the middle of them in amazing ways- It is possible to experience two emotions at once! This may sound crazy but it isnt- what about the mother sad at loosing a daughter but thrilled at her getting married. Personally I experienced this when I looked at my son for the first time a couple of weeks after the death of my best friends newborn baby. Sorrow and joy. 2 Corinthains 6.10 puts it ’sorrowful, yet always rejoicing’.
Even our sorrows are to be considered ‘all joy’ = ‘as if every possible delight were crowded into it.’ Spurgeon
How can we know joy- by thinking right. Troubles either ours or others are actually excellent opportunities for our faith to be demonstrated for what it is!
Satan challenged God about Job “Does Job fear God for nothing?” Job 1:9. It is in suffering the loss of other things dear to us, that we find out is God as dear to us as we think he is, is our faith or trust in him as real as we proclaim. Will we believe Romans 8:28 ‘And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.’ [2] when our child is dying?
Do we really believe in a sovereign God who is eternally in charge of the universe? Is he Powerful enough to control events? Is he wise enough to decide what is best for his people? Is he loving enough to order our lives in a way that is for our good? He was no more shocked by the events of September 11 than he was by the schemes of the Jewish authorities to kill Jesus or the plans of Josephs brothers to get rid of him. We believe God turned evil events round for good in the past, will we dare to believe he is doing the same thing when we cannot see it!?! We know this has occurred in the bible, in church history and dare I say it in the history of our country. They say a change in weather is all that stood between us and invasion in the war.
Steadfastness or perseverance as the NIV translates it is a mark of the mature Christian, we continue to grow in it IF we respond to situations as God intends us to. Ask any mature Christian you admire how he or she got to the place in God they are now, they will all say it was through persevering under trial.
Steadfastness is “an unruffled expectancy of God’s salvation” (word commentary)
Of course not everyone who faces trials become mature, it is no automatic process. We are not simply the product of our circumstances; we are the product of how we choose to respond to our circumstances. A difficulty can just as easily turn you into someone who is angry and bitter towards God as someone who is more trusting of him. Will what you are facing drive you away or towards God it is your choice. For some of us we need to repent of attitudes we have had in the past.
V5 STEADFASTNESS means Joy in all circumstances, but it also means WISDOM
Ie how to apply our knowledge to our situations, how should I act here and now, how can I remain joyful, how should I behave.
When we are not thrown by situations no matter what they are, it is a good testimony to the steadfastness and maturity of our faith. God has wisdom to give us- both supernaturally and in this word if we will just accept it!!
Notice that faith and doubt here are about our relationship with God and his ability to give us the ability to face our situation. This is NOT the kind of so called faith that believes we shouldn’t face our circumstances and if our faith is strong enough God will answer all our prayers and lead us to a trouble free life. Wisdom is easy when you are not facing a problem.
Other peoples problems are great opportunities for us to share the wisdom God has given us.
V9 Steadfastness whether doing well or not, whether poor or rich. We are not steadfast in ourselves- we will all fade away rich and poor alike. IF we want stability in life it is not in trusting in our own resources and abilities.
We do not have faith only for this life, ultimately we are rescued from our troubles by death which leads to the glorious crown of life Jesus is storing for us!
If we succeed in loving God and having joyful trust in him whatever our circumstances our welcome into heaven will be great!!!
Steadfastness under temptation
Our attitude to temptation is different to testing- God is not the authour of our temptation to sin, and we cant blame the devil too readily either. IT is our evil desires that will lead us astray. The steadfast Christian does not trifle with temptation and see how far he can go to resist it, he RUNS away!
Why can we be steadfast?
V 16 because God is!!!
He sovereignly brought us forth- not born of our own decision but of God.
The image this chapter portrays is a million miles away from the worlds view, we must stand out as totally different!!
