We¡¦ve been talking the last few weeks about affliction and sufferings. Let me tell you a little parable about trials. A bird was flying south for the winter. It got so cold the bird froze up and fell to the ground in a large field. While it was lying there, a cow came by and dropped some manure on it. As it lay there in the pile of manure, it began to realize how warm it was. The manure was actually thawing it out! It lay there all warm and happy, and soon began to sing for joy. A passing cat heard the little bird singing, and came to investigate. Following the sound, the cat discovered the bird under the pile of manure, and promptly dug him out¡Xand ate him. The morals of the story are:
1. Not everyone who drops manure on you is your enemy.
2. Not everyone who digs you out of a pile of manure is your friend.
3. When you¡¦re in the manure, keep your mouth shut!
I want you to understand the first of those points. Because God is going to allow you to go through some tough times in your life. You may feel like you¡¦ve just been dumped on by that cow. But you must not see God as the enemy. As distasteful as trials are, they can have a tremendous benefit. What James 1 demonstrates today: As you joyfully persevere in trials, God will transform you in this life and bless you in next.
The first thing James focuses on is¡K
I. OUR PROBLEMS: TRIALS TEST OUR FAITH (2-3)
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
A. YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE TRIALS IN YOUR LIFE
1. this passage is written to help you understand the meaning of those trials
a. how to handle them when they come
b. because (2) does not say ¡§if you face trials¡¨, but ¡§whenever¡¨
c. it says: you will ¡§face trials of many kinds¡¨
- like the little thing I saw the other day
= called ¡§how you can tell when its going to be a rotten day¡¨
1. You call Suicide Prevention and they put you on hold.
2. You see a ¡§60 Minutes¡¨ news team waiting in your office.
3. Your birthday cake collapses from the weight of the candles.
4. You turn on the news and they¡¦re showing emergency routes out of the city.
5. Your twin sister forgot your birthday.
6. Your car horn goes off accidentally and remains stuck as you follow a group of Hell¡¦s Angels on the freeway.
7. The bird singing outside your window is a buzzard.
8. Your income tax check bounces.
9. You put both contact lenses in the same eye.
10. You call your answering service and they tell you it¡¦s none of your business.
2. those trials come from many different sources
a. some trials come our way because we simply live in a fallen world
- since sin entered into this world, it doesn¡¦t work as it was designed
- there are always weeds and thorns in the garden of human experience
= Rom 8: created order has been subjected to futility/corruption¡K
= as a result of God¡¦s curse against human sin
- so we¡¦re subjected to trials because things break down
= brakes fail; buildings topple
- trials also come because the earth itself is out of control
= hurricanes, earthquakes, tornados wreak havoc
= diseases sweep through the human population
- its part of living in a fallen creation
b. some trials come to us because of the evil actions of other people
- the cause of most hunger in the world is not lack of food production
= but the unjust distribution of food by those in power
- you may lose your job because someone protected a crony
= or because a corporate president was stealing from the firm
- you may lose property because of theft or vandalism
- you may be harmed by someone¡¦s malicious act
c. some trials come to us from Satan
- as he attempts to destroy or hinder God¡¦s work in this world
- Satan has the power to afflict you: if God allows him to
d. of course: many of the trials in our lives are the consequence of our own choices and actions
3. regardless of what kind of trial it is: nothing can happen to you without God¡¦s permission
a. we¡¦re going to see: God has a purpose
- God is able to take trials of any kind, from any source¡K
= turn them to his greater objective
b. the best illustration of this is the cross of Christ
- in Acts 2:23, Peter explained the cross to the crowd in Jerusalem
¡§This man was handed over to you by God¡¦s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.¡¨
- so: wicked me were responsible for nailing Jesus to the cross
= but God was also responsible: it was his plan all along
c. likewise, even when trials come to you from Satan
- or from injustice or someone else¡¦s crime or negligence
= or even something you have brought on yourself by your own sin
- God is still able to use that for his purpose in your life
So whatever the source, trials are going to come. We get an important insight here about the significance of trials. Verses 2-3 reveals that¡K
B. TRIALS ARE A TEST OF YOUR FAITH
1. (3) equates ¡§trials¡¨ with ¡§the testing of your faith¡¨
a. actually, the Gk word for trial is the same word for temptation
- its translated into English as ¡§trial¡¨ or ¡§temptation¡¨ based on context
b. what this suggests:
- depending on our attitude, every trial is also a temptation
= every trial is an opportunity to fail / to choose wrongly
= but also an opportunity to succeed and grow
2. first of all, trials will test the reality of your faith
a. is it authentic?
- you¡¦ll find out how real / how deep it is when trials come
b. you¡¦ll see that as you watch this short video interview
- the woman¡¦s name is Shelley
= as you watch, look for how her faith was tested
VIDEO ILLUSTRATION
c. Shelley¡¦s marital trials put her faith to the test
- ¡§I was going to church,¡¨ she says. ¡§How could God let my marriage fall apart?¡¨
- ¡§Here I am a Christian, and I was considering suicide.¡¨
d. we don¡¦t know the end of the story, but it looks like she passed the test
- to fail the test: stop trusting God / turn away from him
= or to allow your suffering to lead you to sin
- to pass: by patient endurance you come through the trial¡K
= with greater maturity / stronger reliance on God than before
3. trials are also a test, not only of the reality, but of the quality of your faith
a. for example: think of the fruit of the Spirit
- the first fruit listed = love
= but how is your love going to be tested / how will it grow
= unless you are placed among unloving, unlovely people?
- then comes joy and peace
= you will find out if your joy is real when circumstances get hard
- how is patience going to be tested unless God puts you in situations that don¡¦t get resolved right away?
- goodness, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control
= you get the idea
b. how can we see where we¡¦re lacking in the quality of our faith¡K
- what is undeveloped about our walk with Christ¡K
= where we need to grow¡K
- unless we are subjected to ¡§trials of various kinds¡¨?
Along those lines, then, James encourages us to see beyond our problems to¡K
II. GOD¡¦S PURPOSE: TRIALS DEVELOP MATURITY (3-4)
3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
A. TOUGH TIMES WILL MAKE YOU MORE LIKE JESUS
1. (4) identifies the end result of trials
a. it¡¦s a two stage process
- trials themselves develop perseverance
= more on this in a minute
- when you persevere through trials, the result is a developing maturity
b. the simplest way to understand suffering is how many people see it today
- that is „³ the righteous are blessed / the wicked suffer
= that blessings / trials are both payback for good or bad actions
- so: if something goes wrong, people automatically think¡K
= I must have done something wrong
- but the biblical writers realized that the righteous often have to suffer
= and often for the very reason that they are righteous
- so: suffering is not so neat / simple
= rather than reflecting some kind of karma
= suffering often reflects a higher purpose of God
- since God can use suffering to purify and strengthen his people¡K
= trials, in a sense, are a sign of God¡¦s activity in the believer¡¦s life
c. we see the same thing in Romans 5:3-5
3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
- here we have a different author, but exactly the same theme
- we rejoice in our sufferings!
= why? because suffering produces perseverance
= and perseverance produces godly character in our lives
= leading ultimately to a greater hope!
2. so: what does it means to be ¡§mature and complete¡¨ (4)?
a. ¡§mature¡¨ „³ picture of a child growing up to adulthood
- the child is going to reach its full height
= its going to grow into its full potential
= it will become what it was created to be
- likewise: as a believer, trials will help you to grow to your full stature
= everything you were meant to be in Christ
b. ¡§complete¡¨ „³ idea that each piece is in place
- every component has been added to the whole
- thus: one whose character is fully formed in each aspect
= you don¡¦t have love, joy and peace, but lack patience
= you¡¦re not lacking in any dimension of righteousness
3. the rest of NT describes this complete maturity in terms of Jesus himself
a. Galatians 4:19 speaks of Christ being formed in you
b. Eph 4:15 talks about growing up in all things into Christ
- says that when we become mature, we attain to the whole measure of all the fullness of Christ
c. but what does that actually look like?
- it¡¦s a revolution of character that changes us
= our ideas, beliefs, intentions, feelings, habits, our relationships
c. this transformation takes place, biblically, in three key ways
- as our inner & outer life ¡V our character & lifestyle ¡V are re-oriented
- first: we live more fully in the desire for / awareness of Jesus¡¦ presence
= we come to know Jesus more fully
= cultivate a deepening intimacy with him
- 2nd: as our character changes, producing changes in attitude / conduct¡K
= we grow to be more like Jesus
= we share the heart of Christ and the mind of Christ
= as our whole life comes into union with the life of Jesus
- third: as our motivation, purpose and lifestyle all change¡K
= we become more fruitful in and for Jesus
= he touched and changed people¡¦s lives
= he was compassionate to the lowly and outcast
= he exemplified a servant heart
= and so will we¡K
d. so: what does a mature believer look like?
- what is the result of trials?
- you have the potential to know Jesus more deeply
= to become more like him
= to be increasingly fruitful for him
B. THIS IS WHY WE HAVE REASON TO REJOICE EVEN IN TRIALS
1. (2): calls us to a completely uncharacteristic response
a. not to simply endure with a stiff upper lip
b. but to ¡§consider it pure joy¡¨
2. joy is an emotion
a. how can we make our emotions respond a certain way to certain events?
- I don¡¦t think we can
- emotions come to us unbidden
b. but just as love is more than an emotion, so is joy
- love is an attitude toward others / love is sacrificial actions
= far more than just a feeling
- likewise, joy is a state of mind / an attitude
- while you may not be able to choose your initial emotional response
= you can choose your ongoing outlook
- that¡¦s what ¡§consider¡¨ means (1)
= that you consciously decide to look at the trials from a framework of great delight in God
3. why? (3): ¡§because you know¡K¡¨
a. you may be feeling sorrowful / feeling overwhelmed
- but the attitude of joy is not based on how you¡¦re feeling
b. its based on what you know
- as hard as trials are: we have confidence based on God¡¦s Word
= that they produce the wonderful benefit of maturity
- which means: being like Jesus
= that¡¦s reason for joy!
As we¡¦ve seen throughout this whole study of suffering, we see again today: the benefits of trials are not automatic. We need to look at not only our problems and God¡¦s purpose. Now we need to come back to that key word in (3-4) and think about¡K
III. OUR PERSEVERANCE: WE MUST STAND THE TEST (3-4)
3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work¡K
A. if we want the benefits that come through trials, we have to persevere
1. the word means fortitude / patient endurance
a. this is what it means to pass the test that trials represent
- that you stay with it
b. perseverance is staying power / constancy
- determination under adversity
c. as you refuse to let go or give in during the trial¡K
- no matter how slow and painful it might be
- this fortitude is formed in you through the process
2. what¡¦s important: we must not short circuit God¡¦s work
a. (4): ¡§perseverance MUST finish its work¡¨
b. if you don¡¦t hang in there, you won¡¦t see the results
B. how do we do it?
1. let¡¦s talk about what people usually do instead of persevering
a. some people commit suicide: the ultimate short-circuit of God¡¦s plans
- the action that is the most polar opposite to fortitude / endurance
b. some people flee into the artificial world of alcohol or drugs
- or other kinds of addictive behaviors
- to avoid facing up to the trial
c. some people run away from trials by quitting when things get hard
- when the relationship is tested, they quit the relationship
= when things are hard on the job, they quit the job
- some go so far as to actually pick up and move
= drop all their responsibilities and hit the road
d. instead of persevering, some people look for others to blame
- including God
e. instead of enduring, some people just give up on God
- throw away everything they have learned about him
= everything he has done in their life
2. on the other hand, people who persevere don¡¦t run away
a. you stay put, both physically and emotionally, until God is done
- you¡¦re patient with God and with his transforming process
b. according to (12): to persevere means to stand the test
- you don¡¦t give in to doubts
- you don¡¦t settle for some lesser view of God
- you don¡¦t deny your faith
As you persevere through the problems, keeping God¡¦s purpose before you, verse 12 encourages you with¡K
IV. GOD¡¦S PROMISE: HE WILL COME THROUGH (12)
12 Blessed 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.
A. GOD IS GOING TO BLESS YOU AS YOU PERSEVERE
1. you¡¦ll be blessed with the results in this life
a. the presence of Jesus
b. the character of Jesus
c. the fruitfulness of Jesus
2. but the blessing also comes in the next life
a. the one who perseveres through trial¡K
- the one who stands the test¡K
b. ¡§he will receive the crown of life¡¨
- in the Bible, the time when rewards are distributed to God¡¦s people¡K
= is at the end of the age: when Jesus comes back again
= all believers through all time are gathered before his throne
- at that time, there will be a special awards ceremony¡K
= for people who were tested by trials
= and who faced them with constancy and courage
= and did not lose their faith
3. end of (12) implies: enduring through trials is evidence of your love for God
a. it shows that you loved him more than comfort
- loved him more than an easy life
- loved him more than sin / self-justification
b. loved him enough to cling to him / not give up on him
- even when the going got tough
4. so there is a light at the end of the tunnel
a. for Xians, who live on the basis of eternity¡K
- that light is incredibly bright
= the light of God¡¦s presence and purpose
= the light of a crown of life shining before you with your name on it
b. that¡¦s good to remember
- because the tunnel can be pretty long sometimes
- and the awards ceremony can be pretty far away
c. perseverance doesn¡¦t mean you just hang on for a few minutes
- endurance implies that it might be long enough to put you to the test
d. when you are tested: you have this promise
- God has a good purpose for you in this life
- God has a wonderful crown waiting for you in the life to come
CONCLUSION
Heb 12: ¡§for the joy set before him, Jesus endured the cross¡¨. He saw beyond the trial. He passed the test. The same passage in Hebrews says: ¡§Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.¡¨ What¡¦s your trial today? What test of your faith are you facing? Will you pass the test? If you feel like you¡¦re wavering, like you might not persevere, I invite you this morning to ¡§consider Jesus.¡¨ Set your eyes on him. He endured the cross. You can make it through your trial. As we receive the Lord¡¦s Supper, ¡§consider Jesus.¡¨ Draw encouragement that, just as the cross was not an accident, neither is your trial. Just as God used the cross to accomplish a great purpose, he also has a wonderful purpose in your life. Just as God had a throne for Jesus on the other side of the trial, he has a crown for you.
These elements are for Christians. The bread stands for Jesus body broken on the cross to forgive your sins. The cup stands for his blood slipped when he died for you. If you have trusted in that sacrifice to make you right with God, then you are welcome to take these tokens of remembrance. Any time after you receive them, you are welcome to eat them, as you remember Jesus. I trust you will draw strength in the trial you are facing as you ¡§consider him.¡¨
Let¡¦s pray.
