"THE TESTING OF FAITH"
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JAMES 1:1-18
ETS: James affirms the fact that Christian faith is tested to verify its validity.
ESS: Our faith will be tested to verify its validity.
(Chapter One - The Examination of Faith)
Faith is tested by:
I. THE TEST OF TIME (1:1)
Acts 8:1-4 (15 to 20 years ago) these people withstood the test of time. When God is at work and there is no visible manifestation - you don’t see or feel faith (the norm in life). If we are to survive the test of time, then we must have a (they were not at 1st Baptist of Jerusalem any longer):
A. Spiritual relationship with God. "James" half-brother
Galatians 1:19 But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord’s brother.
See Matt. 3:9, 12:48 and Mark 6:3. Earthly ties are secondary to our relationship with God. At one time, James was a skeptic and doubter (Jn. 7:3-5); however, James got saved (I Cor. 15:1-7).
The practical aspect that can be drawn from this is: Over 18 to 30 years James lived in the same house with the Son of God and was still lost. We shouldn’t feel guilty about our lost loved ones. In addition to having a spiritual relationship with the Lord, we must have a:
B. Servant relationship with God "a servant"
(James didn’t say, "James the half-brother of Jesus!")
"Servant" 1401 doulos - doo’-los : one who gives himself up to another’s will those whose service is used by Christ in extending and advancing his cause among men. Devoted to another to the disregard of one’s own interests.
C. Sincere relationship with the Lord "scattered abroad" if you aren’t sincere, then you won’t make it when you’re all alone. It is a matter of priority: having a sincere spiritual relationship with God is how to pass the test of time.
II. THE TEST OF TRIALS (1:2-11)
The natural consequences of man’s fallen state and creation’s curse (Gen. 3:17, Rom. 8:18-23) is trouble--II Cor. 4:8-10
Job 14:1 Man [that is] born of a woman [is] of few days, and full of trouble.
J.M. "If your Christianity is genuine, it must show up in trouble. If it’s no good for trouble, then it’s no good. If its only good for when you don’t need it, then you don’t need it."
Treasure in Tragedy
A Christian man lost his home and mill when a flood washed them away. He was broken- hearted and discouraged as he stood surveying his loss. Just then he saw a glittering object that had been uncovered by the waters. It was gold! The disaster he thought had made him a beggar had actually made him wealthy. So, too, the Lord often works through our troubles to strip away certain cherished possessions to show us the better treasures of His love and power. How thankful we should be that in every storm of affliction we have the assurance that the Lord has a good purpose in view! See: Jer 29:11; Rom 8:28; Phil 3:7-8
A. The Nature of Trials (1:2) These are:
1. unavoidable "when" ho ton = "whenever"
2. unbeknown (unperceived) "fall into" to fall into something that is all around, be surrounded with no clear escape, a pit with walls.
3. unpredictable "diverse temptations" pi-ras-mos = a putting to proof, experience, adversity, all kinds of trouble.
B. The Christian Reaction to trials (1:2-12) our part in faith: Jn. 8:31, I Cor. 15:1- 2, Col. 1:21-23, Heb. 3:14, Heb. 4:14, 6:12, 10:39.
The exercising of perseverance comes by the energizing of the Holy Spirit I Cor. 10:13, I Peter 1:5 "kept" 5432 frou-reh-o to be a watcher in advance, to mount guard (post spies at gates Heb. 1:14)
C. We are to react with a:
1. Joyful Prospective (1:2) count 2233 hayg-eh-om-ahee consider joy 5479 Khar-ah = calm delight. How can we react this way? Knowledge (v-3 knowing this) with wisdom (applying what you know).
a. By perceiving its value - what good is it? What does it produce? or should I say, "What does God want it to produce?
(1). Spiritual Maturity (1:4,6) perfect 5046: tel-I-os the root word of finished -the same basic phrase Jesus used when He said, "It if finished". Spiritual maturity is channeled through (1:4) patience 5281: hoop-om-on-ay = the quality that does not surrender to circumstances or succumb under trial, endurance.
(2). Single Mindedness (1:8)
(3). Significant Meaning (1:9-11)
What Matters Most In Life?
Do you know who in 1923 was:
1. President of the largest steel company?
2. President of the largest gas company?
3. President of the New York Stock Exchange?
4. Greatest wheat speculator?
5. President of the Bank of International Settlement?
6. Great Bear of Wall Street?
These men should have been considered some of the World’s most successful men. At least they found the secret of making money.
Now more than 55 years later, do you know what has become of these men?
1. The President of the largest steel company, Charles Schwab, died a pauper.
2. The President of the largest gas company, Edward Hopson, is insane.
3. The President of the N.Y.S.E., Richard Whitney, was released from prison to die at home.
4. The greatest wheat speculator, Arthur Cooger, died abroad, penniless.
5. The President of the Bank of International Settlement shot himself.
6. The Great Bear of Wall Street, Cosabee Rivermore, died of suicide.
b. By perceiving your victory v-12
Smoke Signal: The only survivor of a shipwreck washed up on a small uninhabited island. He cried out to God to save him, and every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming.
Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a rough hut and put his few possessions in it. But then one day, after hunting for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, the smoke rolling up to the sky. The worst had happened; he was stung with grief.
Early the next day, though, a ship drew near the island and rescued him.
"How did you know I was here?" he asked the crew.
We saw your smoke signal," they replied.
Though it may not seem so now, your present difficulty may be instrumental to your future happiness.
John Yates, Falls Church, Virginia, quoted in Leadership, Winter Quarter, 1992, p. 57
(an attitude of gratitude) see I Cor.10:13; 1:12 Blessed 3107 mak-ar’-ee-os: supremely blest,fortunate, well off, happy. 1:12 Endureth 5278 have fortitude, perseverance, bear trials, to stay without collapsing. What a joy to pass the test!
2. Submissive Will (1:4) "let" no rebellion
3. Prayerful Concern (1:6) "ask"
4. Genuine Love (1:12) "them that love Him"
III. THE TEST OF TEMPTATION 1:13-18
4 things that are brought to mind concerning the test of temptation we see (an):
A. AFFIRMATION (1;13) What is affirmed? several facts:
1. It is wrong to blame God for temptation "Let no man say"
2. Temptation can’t be avoided in this life "when"
3. God is not the source of temptation.
B. ANALYSIS (1:14-15) Temptation is analyzed by showing the development (process) it begins with:
1. Desire (guard at the level of the emotions) I Jn. 2:16 (Sales - car running 150) (a hunting term - to be led to a baited trap, drawn away)
lust: 1939 - to set the heart upon and long for that which is forbidden (the condition of the heart). Judas - money, Diotrophes - pre- eminence
2. Deception (mind) (fishing term - a baited hook)
"enticed" Rom. 7:15, 24 & f.f. (unprotected, uncontrolled, unyielded mind). This is when you believe it will be what you want fulfilling, satisfying and you convince yourself you have a right to it.
3. Decision (will) [Split Second] you make the move in your mind.
4. Disobedience (behavior - the actual act)
5. Death (child birthing terminology) this is what is produced. Sin is a killer. (See 2 Corinthians 10:4-5)
C. APPEAL (1:16)
1. Stop! "Do not"
2. Wake up "err"
3. Consider the consequences "err"
4. You are a Christian (like Christ) "brethren"
D. ASSURANCE (1:17-18) 1 Corinthians 10:13; 2 Peter 2:9 (of God’s goodness and providence)
We can be assured because God’s gifts are:
1. Sufficient "every good and perfect gift"
2. Substantiated "creator of all good" "Father of Lights" the Milky Way Galaxy, in which our planet orbits, contains a million suns brighter than earth’s sun. At the speed of light (186,000 miles per second) it would take about 100,000 years just to cross the Milky Way and it is only one galaxy among millions.
3. Sure (dependable) "no variableness"
Heb. 13:8 "Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and today, and forever."
God’s gifts are always better than Satan’s bargains. Satan never gives gifts, you end up paying dearly for them. See Psalm 37:4-5, Matt. 7:7-11
Why go after baited hook and traps to be satisfied when God produces nothing but good for you?
