James 1
Let Perseverance Finish Its Work
May 24, 2020
James was the half-brother of Jesus.
The book of James is the oldest of the 27 New Testament books.
James did not believe Jesus was the Messiah until after the resurrection.
He became the leader of the persecuted church of Jerusalem.
He pastored them during really tough time.
Legend has it that he had thick callouses on his knees from constant prayer.
James is a very practical book – “Do this, but don’t do this”
True faith is a faith that works!
James 1:2-4 NIV
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Joy and Trials can coexist.
Joy – Greek and Hebrew “calm delight, cheerfulness”
In the 3rd Century, Cyprian of Carthage, who had lived thru a pandemic:
“It’s a bad world, an incredibly bad world. But I have discovered in the midst of it a quiet and holy people who have learned a great secret. They have found a joy that is a thousand times better than any pleasure of our sinful life. They are despised and persecuted, but they care not. They have overcome the world. They are Christians – and I am one of them.”
Testing produces perseverance.
Perseverance – staying power, heroic endurance, toughness
There’s only one way to get in shape – Eat right and exercise
I read a recent study that said Amish people are unusually healthy compared to other Americans. They eat what they produce, they work all day, and they don’t smoke or drink.
Hebrews 12:1-2a NIV
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”
God’s looking for someone to finish the test.
The saints before us finished well, now it’s our turn to run to the finish line.
What’s waiting for us at the finish line?
V.4 - Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Story of standing near my mom while she cooked.
The meal is finished when the cooking is complete.
The Table:
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus until it’s finished.
