Sermon: “Trials are…” (James 1: 1-12)
1James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ - to the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: greetings.
James addresses people who have been driven (scattered) from their homes – hated by Gentiles because of their Jewish roots and hated by Jews because they were followers of Christ – they had nothing but trials since they became disciples…
WE must expect to be jostled by trials along the way…
There are some very dark hues in the rainbow – we will have to live in the darker blues as well as in the brighter orange.
Trials are inevitable; they are normal; they are necessary; they are leading somewhere – never wasted!
COUNT (CONSIDER) IT ALL JOY WHEN YOU MEET VARIOUS TRIALS!! (AV “Temptations”)
Trials – sickness, poverty, loss, persecution, even plagues – why?! We ask…Natural reaction: this is a calamity or a curse! God’s punishing me; it should not be like this; these trials have come because I have done something wrong. (No, not always)
Escaping trials – now that’s what we normally think of as a reason for joy!
1But now, this is what the Lord says—he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. 3 For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour…5 do not be afraid, for I am with you; (Isaiah 43)
WHEN, WHEN, WHEN…when you face trials, not ‘if’ or ‘just-in-case’ – but trials are inevitable (1. TRIALS ARE NORMAL INEVITABLE). When God’s people set out on their journeys they were left in no doubt that the terrain AHEAD OF THEM would sometimes be rough.
Illustration: “The Road Less Travelled” (M. Scott-Peck) – a book which a friend gave me; the first line is, “Life is difficult” – as if I needed to be reminded!
Trials are the normal experience of the people of God; they are normative for Christians…
Many are the afflictions of the righteous (Psalm 34); you must face many hardships in order to enter the kingdom of God (Paul); if you are serious about being my disciple in the world - in the world you will face many tribulations, Jesus said. You may face persecution or injustice for my names sake…
(TRIALS ARE NORMAL) - YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH IT!
BUT that’s not the end of the story, because…3 …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.
FOR YOU KNOW – from personal experience, says James…Testing – under testing metal is strengthened and proved genuine when it has passed through the fire. So it is with faith. Christian life is a test of spiritual mettle. Job (7:17) – every moment of his life was a test, like being put under the microscope…
'These (fiery trials) have come so that your faith — of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire — may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed' (1 Peter 1:7).
Trials build the muscle of our faith and enable us to run with greater endurance the marathon that is the Christian life. Though terrible at the time, you know through experience that (2. TRIALS HAVE A GOOD PURPOSE - NECESSARY)…you are here to tell the story!
Without trials we would be complacent; we would (like most people & us, at times) simply trust in our human wisdom and strength or money. Without the trial of hot summer and harsh winter the tree would be stunted, unfruitful and even die. Trials in life can lead some to turn away from God or they can force us to rely on God…trials strengthen us (our faith).
I remember how my Dad used to proudly say that he went to university (The University of Life) – and the collegiate colours were black and blue! Untested faith is not faith at all… trials are NECESSARY…
We will need perseverance (endurance, steadfastness) but that’s not enough - we will also need wisdom, God’s wisdom…
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
In what you are going through (here, persecution) – you will need wisdom, because we all lack wisdom.
‘If you don’t know what you’re doing, PRAY to the FATHER!’ (EP Msg) Often we face trials and the last thing we do is pray! We seek wisdom but we forget to seek Him who is the fount of all wisdom and the great giver generously of all good gifts!
“Are there trials and temptations?” (Yes, of course) “Take it to the LORD in prayer…” “Is there trouble anywhere?” (Oh, yes!)
6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
We must expect trials, yes; but we must also expect God will come through and that we will come through with him. Hear (again) the promise of God through Isaiah: 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. 3 For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour…
5 do not be afraid, for I am with you!!
What’s the point of suffering all the testing, tempering & training, trials and temptations? James tells us:
12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
(3. YOUR TRIALS ARE ALWAYS GOING SOMEWHERE – NEVER WASTED)
When they feel like giving up serious competitive athletes see the finish line; sportsmen visualize the prize; women in labour enjoy the child after the pains of labour:
Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. (Consider it pure joy!)
The farmer ploughs and sows and that’s hard work – but the yield of fruit is the reward that keeps him going…
Moses tells the people that the LORD: He led you through the vast and dreadful wilderness, that thirsty and waterless land, with its venomous snakes and scorpions. He brought you water out of hard rock. 16 He gave you manna to eat in the wilderness, something your ancestors had never known, to humble and test you so that in the end it might go well with you…
12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. (James 5)
Although we are in a spiritual battle, the enemy has no authority over the believer in Christ. We have the VICTORY through JESUS CHRIST! God has given us His Word to guide us, His Holy Spirit to enable us, and the privilege of carrying to Him anywhere, at any time, everything in prayer. He has also assured us that no trial will test us beyond our ability to bear it, and “he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it” (1 Co 10:13)
Trials are inevitable; they are normal; they are necessary; they are leading somewhere – never wasted! “We should never be discouraged!” “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no imagination conceived that which God has in store for them that love him!” MFR