The Perfect Storm:
Quick, get the Umbrella
Opening Illustration:
In October of 1991, the "Andrea Gail" left Gloucester, Mass. and headed for the fishing grounds of the North Atlantic. Two weeks later, an event took place that had never occurred in recorded history. A storm stronger than any in recorded history hit the coast off of Gloucester, Massachusetts. This "Perfect Storm" — so called because it was three storms combined into one — created an almost apocalyptic situation in the Atlantic Ocean, where boats encountered waves of 100 feet (30 meters) — the equivalent of a ten-story building. These storms are some of the strongest and most terrifying manifestations of nature’s strength.
We hear about hurricanes a lot this time of year because hurricane season starts June 1st – Today – and runs through the end of November.
A hurricane is defined as a violent warm core tropical storm and has a minimum wind speed of 74mph. It rotates in a counter-clockwise spiraling position around a region of low pressure which is called the eye or center.
Usually only 3-5 hurricanes hit land in the US every three years. Unfortunately in 2004, 5 hurricanes hit the United States killing 36 people and causing over 42 billion dollars worth of damage.
Hurricane Alex hit South Carolina in early August. Charley ripped through western Florida just a few days later. On August 28th, (TS) Gaston rumbled through Charleston, S. Carolina. On September 5th the east coast of Florida got hit by hurricane Frances. Not even two weeks later, a fifth hurricane, Ivan, hit the Gulf cost of Alabama. The sixth and final hurricane of that season was the biggest and baddest of them all – hurricane Jeanne. Jeanne hit on September 26th at the same spot Francis hit just 3 weeks prior.
2005 was even worse! Look at the records that were set (refer to slide).
-Dennis: July 10, Florida, cat3, 42 dead, $4b in damages
- Katrina: August 28-29, cat3, Louisiana & Mississippi, 1,836 dead, $84b in damages
- Rita: September 24, Louisiana/Texas border, cat3, 7 dead, $11.3 in damages
- Wilma: Oct. 24, Florida, cat3, 23 dead, $30b in damages
2006 was a below normal year. Not a single hurricane touched land in the US. Only two tropical storms bugged us all season.
- TS Alberto: June 16, Florida, no deaths, $420K
- Hurricane Ernesto: Aug 30 (FL) & Sept. 1 (NC), was a hurricane briefly but at landfall on Florida & North Carolina it was a TS.
So what’s the big deal with hurricanes? What’s your point? How does this effect me here in New Castle, PA?
The point is, storms come and go. Whether it’s the perfect storm of 1991 off the coast of Massachusetts, or the storm of your parents going through a divorce, or failing 9th grade, or the storm of being tempted to have sex before marriage – we all go through storms.
Storms are a part of life, just like hurricanes are a part of nature. Some years we may not have any that hit our shores – like last year. Other years may be record breaking – like in 2005!
The fact of the matter is – you and I will both go through storms. Not only will they differ in longevity and location, but they will vary in intensity. Ernesto only hit us as a TS, but Katrina made it to a 5 before devastating Louisiana.
So if we all are going to have storms in life, shouldn’t we do something about it? Can we prevent them? Can we survive through them? How much damage will they cause? Will there be any loss of life?
These are the questions that the book of James answers for us. The book of James was written to the Christian Jews that were scattered all over the Greek Roman Empire. As I’m sure you are already aware, the church has problems just like any other organization. The church had some storms of it’s own that needed to be dealt with, and James was the man of the hour.
The Jewish Christians were facing temptation to sin, catering to the rich, being robbed by the rich, competing for offices, struggling with Worldliness, and straying away from the Lord, as well as failing to live by what they professed to believe.
Who was James – The half-brother of Jesus.
What would it be like to be the brother of Christ?
Illustration: I have a lot of brothers…
John 7:5 says that Jesus’ brothers did not believe at first.
Acts 1:14, however states that James was praying in the upper room with the other disciples awaiting the outpouring of the Spirit.
So what happened? 1 Corinthians 15:7 indicates that Jesus appeared to James after his resurrection.
Acts 15 shows us that he became the leader of the Christian Church of his day.
Tonight we are going to look at the first 18 verses of James chapter 1. We’ve called it, “Quick, go get the umbrella” because James is trying to get them prepared for the storm.
When you know it’s going to rain – the weatherman has made his prediction and you see the clouds in the sky – you reach for your umbrella in a state of preparedness. James is telling us the same here – get the umbrella.
James 1:1-18
1James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations:
Greetings.
2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.
9The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. 10But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. 11For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business.
12Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
13When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
16Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers. 17Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
1. Having the Right Attitude
Outlook determines outcome, and attitude determines action!
It doesn’t say “if tests and challenges come your way” but “WHEN” they come your way. Christianity isn’t a cake-walk. Stepping out into your ministry will not be a cake-walk. It takes a real man and a real woman to live as a victorious Christian.
1 Peter 4:12 – “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trials you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.”
How can we be joyful when we are tested? When James said, “Consider it pure joy”, that means that we must evaluate our trials in light of what God is doing in us.
Our values determine our evaluation.
Comfort – Character
Present – future
Physical – spiritual
Job 23:10 “But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as Gold.”
Outlook determines outcome; to end with joy, begin with joy!
2. Rain has a Purpose Too
How was Abraham’s faith tested? He was asked to offer up first born and only son that he had waited for 25 years.
Faith will always be tested in order to bring about greater faith. God tests us to bring out the best! He never tempts us, only allows us to be tested. It’s not a sin to be tempted. Even Jesus was tempted. It’s what we do with temptation that makes a difference. Satan tempts us to bring out the worst.
1 Peter 1:7 “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than gold which perishes even though refined by fire may be proven genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus is revealed.”
Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good”.
Romans 5:3-4 “We glory in tribulation also; knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope.”
Patience is not passive acceptance of our situation. Patience is courageous perseverance in the face of suffering and difficulty.
Were talking about maturity. Rain brings growth – maturity!
God had a purpose in the trials of Abraham, Joseph, Moses, David, and even Jesus. His purpose is to bring about a greater good.
Ok PR, I get the fact that rain has a purpose - my trials work patience and all, but why? Why now? Why this? What does it all mean? Couldn’t God have done it a different way? I’m frustrated now. I just want to give up and throw in the towel!
I think we’ve all been there, right? We’re trying to have the right attitude knowing that outlook determines outcome. We realize that rain does have it’s purpose…
Now our challenge is to…
3. Surrender, but don’t give up.
What is usually the first thing we think of when we hear the word “surrender”? To us it usually refers to waving the white flag of defeat. “I give up, you win. I quit.”
James, however, is trying to get us to understand that surrendering doesn’t mean we quit. Surrendering doesn’t mean we’ve been defeated and the battle is over.
“If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get His help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought” (Jn. 1:5-6a)
In other words, WHEN the trials come and the storm overwhelms you…WHEN the waves crash in your face and your confused about it fits into God’s plan and purpose for your life – Don’t give up – Don’t quit! Surrender to God.
Are you confused about why God has allowed certain challenges to come your way? Surrender and ask Him? Are you questioning how your trials fit into God’s grand scheme of things and how it fits with your “purpose” in life? Surrender and ask Him for help.
There are three key areas that we need to surrender.
Surrender to what God has done for you – giving his Son Jesus Christ – salvation.
Surrender to what God wants to do in you. “For we are God’s workmanship” (Eph. 2:10). He wants you to become like Jesus. He wants to make you into a man or woman of God, but you must surrender to it.
Surrender to what God wants to do through you. We were “created to do good works” – service, ministry.
For you to accept what he has done for you, you must surrender your will. For God to work in you to become like Christ you must surrender your will. For God to work through you in ministry, you must surrender your will to Him. Surrender, but don’t give up!
The key to true surrender is faith. In order for you to truly surrender and put your life in the hands of God, you need to trust that He’ll take care of you. You need to believe that he has good intentions for everything that comes your way. You can’t say you believe and then live in doubt. That’s what James calls a “double minded man”.
4. Riding the Wave will only make you Sick
Illustration: Have you ever been seasick?
The greatest enemy to faith is unbelief. Why did Peter sink when he was walking on water toward Jesus in Matthew 14:22-33? He took his eyes off of Jesus. What happens when we take our eyes off of Jesus? Our faith diminishes and we end up in sin. Don’t live like a cork on the wave.
Saying you have faith and walking in unbelief is being double minded. In an instant, Peter became double minded. Peter saw the waves, his faith crashed, he sank like a rock.
To first step out of the boat took a ton of faith! Can you imagine that?
Illustration: Man’s first walk on the moon. July 20th, 1969, Neil Armstrong took man’s first step on the moon. This is said to be the single greatest technological achievement of all time. That “small step” took a lot of faith – faith in technology and those who created it.
Peter, with his first “small step” out of that boat, displayed his faith in Jesus. Let’s read the account in Matthew 14:24-31 in the Message.
“Meanwhile, the boat was far out to sea when the wind came up against them and they were battered by the waves. At about 4 o’clock in the morning, Jesus came toward them walking on the water. They were scared out of their wits. “A ghost!” they said, crying in terror.
But Jesus was quick to comfort them. “Courage, it’s me. Don’t be afraid.”
Peter, suddenly bold, said, “Master, if it’s really you, call to me to come to you on the water.”
He said, “Come ahead.”
Jumping out of the boat, Peter walked on the water to Jesus. But when he looked down at the waves churning beneath his feet, he lost his nerve and started to sink. He cried, “Master, save me.”
Jesus didn’t hesitate. He reached down and grabbed his hand. The he said, “Faint-heart, what got into you?”
For that first step, Peter mustered all the faith he had and jumped out of the boat. Many of us we have done the same thing. We’ve jumped out of the boat of unbelief and said “Jesus I trust you – I believe in what you did on the cross for me – I believe you died for my sin, and raised from the dead three days later – I believe you’re preparing a place in heaven for me and you want me to be with you for all of eternity.”
We have taken that first step out of the boat. The problem for some of us though, like Peter, is that once we get out of the boat we lack the faith to continue.
Here are a few things that might happen.
a. We get out of the boat, but never move ahead
b. We get out of the boat, and try to stand alone
c. We get out of the boat, and take our eyes off of Jesus.
d. We get out of the boat, and doubt that Jesus has a purpose for the storm or that He can really take care of us in the midst of the storm.
I’m not quit sure what got into Peter that caused him to loose his faith and sink. James calls it being “double-minded” and “unstable” (v8).
We can’t ride the wave students. It will only get us sick and lead us to sin.
5. Can you Pass the Test
Illustration: I remember being in high school and waiting until 5 minutes before a class to study for a test. Have you been there, done that?
The tests of life are not ones that you can cram for five minutes before they come. The storms of life aren’t usually announced either. Often they come out of nowhere and catch us by surprise.
Then the questions that must be answered are “Can you pass the test? Can you stand up through the storm? Will your ship stay afloat?”
James 1:12 says, “Anyone who meets a testing challenge head-on and manages to stick it out is mighty fortunate. For such a persons loyally in love with God, the reward is life and more life.”
Closing Challenge:
1. How is your attitude concerning the storms in your life? What needs to change in my outlook to better my outcome?
2. Where is your faith being tested? What do you think is the purpose of your testing?
3. Is there an area of your life that you need to surrender?
4. Are you sick from ridding the waves? What are you doing to ensure that you’ll continue to walk on water?
5. Is there an area in which you are NOT passing the test? What can you do to better prepare for the next test or storm?
