Living out Faith, Wisdom from the Book of James.
Stand with me and hold up your Bible and repeat after me,
This is my Bible.
I am what it says I am.
I can do what it says I can do.
I am going to learn how to be what it says I can be.
Today I will learn more of the word of God.
The indestructible, never ending, living word Of God.
I will never be the same.
I will never be the same.
In Jesus Name
Amen?
Before you sit down, say good morning to your brothers and sisters.
"Living Out Faith: Wisdom from the Book of James"
Today, we’re diving into the profound and practical teachings of the book of James.
James, the brother of Jesus, wrote this letter to challenge us not just to believe in Jesus but to live out our faith in every aspect of our lives.
Faith isn’t just a matter of the heart or head; it’s meant to be active, visible, and transformative.
James doesn’t offer us an easy path. Instead, he urges us to face trials with joy, live out our faith through works, and remain patient as we trust in God’s timing. His words are timeless and speak powerfully to our lives today.
Let’s start by reading a few key passages from James:
Turn with me to the Book of James and say, “Amen” when you are there.
Let us read together.
James 1:2-4:
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
James 2:14-17:
"What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, 'Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."
James 5:7-8:
"Be patient then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near."
1. Embracing Trials with Joy:
James begins with a radical statement: “Consider it pure joy when you face trials.” This may seem counterintuitive. Who enjoys suffering or hardship?
Yet, James tells us that when our faith is tested, it produces something valuable—perseverance. And perseverance leads to maturity.
Let me share a story about a man named Greg. A few years ago, Greg faced a major health crisis. Doctors gave him difficult news—he would need surgery that carried serious risks. The future seemed uncertain, and fear threatened to take root in his heart.
But Greg chose to trust God. He found joy in knowing that even though he was walking through the valley, God was with him. His faith deepened as he leaned on God’s promises. The surgery was successful, and Greg came out of it not only physically healed but spiritually strengthened. He could say, “I consider it joy, because I’ve seen God work in my life like never before.”
James reminds us that trials aren’t just obstacles; they are opportunities to grow. What we face today can shape us into the people God has called us to be tomorrow.
2. Faith in Action:
In James 2, we hear a challenging message: “Faith without works is dead.”
True faith doesn’t just believe in God; it acts on that belief.
It reaches out to help those in need, serves the vulnerable, and shows compassion to others. Faith is active and must be demonstrated through our lives.
I think of a woman named Maria. Maria was struggling with a job loss and financial difficulties, yet she never hesitated to help her neighbors. She would give what little she had to someone in need, whether it was a meal for a hungry friend or clothes for a family in need.
One day, Maria was talking to a coworker who noticed her generosity. She asked, “Maria, how can you keep giving so much when you're barely getting by yourself?” Maria smiled and said, “Because I believe that God will provide for me just like He provides for others. I don’t give out of my abundance; I give out of my faith that God’s love is endless.”
Maria’s faith in action is a beautiful example of what James talks about. When we show the love of Christ through tangible acts, our faith becomes alive and visible to the world around us.
3. Patience in Waiting:
Finally, James calls us to patience. “Be patient until the Lord’s coming,” he writes. Just as a farmer waits for the rains to bring forth a harvest, we must wait with hope and trust in God’s timing. Waiting is hard, especially in a world that demands instant results.
But James encourages us to stand firm and trust that God’s plans are always perfect.
Let me share a powerful story of waiting and trusting.
A woman named Alice had been praying for her son, Daniel, for years. Daniel had strayed from the faith, and every conversation with him seemed to lead nowhere. Alice remained steadfast in prayer, refusing to give up on him. After a decade of prayer and patience, one day, Daniel called his mom. He said, “Mom, I don’t know what’s happened, but I feel like I need to come back to God. Will you pray with me?”
Alice was overwhelmed with joy. Her patience had been rewarded, and her faith had carried her through years of uncertainty.
James teaches us that waiting is not wasted. God’s timing is perfect, and though we may not see the fruits of our labor immediately, He is working all things for good.
Patience, as James reminds us, is a mark of a mature faith.
James calls us to live out our faith in a way that goes beyond just believing in God. It’s about persevering through trials, acting in love, and trusting God’s timing. These aren’t easy calls, but they are essential for growing into the people God created us to be.
Our faith should be evident in how we handle challenges, how we serve others, and how we wait with patience.
Altar Call:
Today, I want to invite you to respond to the call of James.
Perhaps you’re facing a trial and need God’s strength to find joy in the midst of it.
Maybe your faith feels stagnant, and you know God is calling you to step out in action, to love others the way He loves you.
Or maybe you’re waiting for God to move in your life, and you need the patience to trust that He’s working in His perfect timing.
Whatever it is, I invite you to come forward.
Let this moment be a chance to lay down your burdens, your doubts, your fears, and surrender them to God. Ask Him to strengthen your faith, to empower your works, and to grant you patience as you wait on His will.
As the worship team leads us, I invite you to come forward for prayer, to stand in faith, and to receive God’s grace.
Closing Prayer:
Father, we thank You for the wisdom and challenge we find in the book of James. We confess that living out our faith is not always easy, but we trust that You are with us through every trial, every act of service, and every moment of waiting. Help us to persevere, to love others as You love us, and to wait patiently for Your perfect timing. May our lives reflect Your glory in every way. In Jesus' name, Amen.
