EMERGING
FROM TRIALS
James 1:9-12
Introduction: It is not your material resources that will take you through the testings of life; it is your spiritual resources. (Illus: the example of Christ (Phil.25-7). There are three works outlined in Eph.2:8-10 that are involved in a complete Christian life. (1) The work God dose for us (salvation). (2) The work God does in us (sanctification – we are His workmanship). (3) The work God does through us (service).
God
builds character before he calls to service. He must work in us before He
can work through us. Question: How can a believer conquer trials and
temptations and emerge victorious?
Notice the contrast in material resources.
A. The Poor Are Elevated (v.9)
· Rejoice not because you are poor, unhealthy, or crippled; Rejoice despite the circumstances!
· Jesus saves the lowly and promises to exalt them as kings and priests. Therefore the believer of lowly status on earth is to behave like a prince or king as a testimony to Christ and His power to change lives.
(1 Cor 6:2-3) “Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? And if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? {3} Know ye not that we shall judge angels? How much more things that pertain to this life?”
All too often this is not the case for the lowly often…
 | Allow circumstances to numb or dull their spirit and joy of life. |
| Become bitter and jealous of those who have more. |
| Develop a sense of inferiority and inadequacy and take on a withdrawn or slavish type of behavior. |
The lowly believer that will not allow
his or her status to defeat them will develop a strong spirit. They
develop such a strong spirit that with the wisdom of God they can conquer
any trial or temptation thrown against them.
B. The Rich Are Humbled (vv.10-11)
The affluent are not accepted by God because they are wealthy!
| All men approach God as nothing with nothing. Therefore they are no better off in God’s economy than the lowly. |
| All men, no matter their status, stand before God as equals. |
The affluent believer is to use his wealth to help the lost find Jesus (v.10b-11).
| Wealth in this world is a false security |
| Things done for this world are temporal (his body ages & dies). |
| The pursuits of the worldly rich fade away into nothing. |
(Psa
103:14-16) "For he knoweth our
frame; he remembereth that we are
dust. {15} As for man,
his days are as grass: as
a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
{16} For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place
thereof shall know it no more."
II. REMEMBERING THE REWARD FOR ENDURING (V.12)
We must have confidence in the master’s reward. He Shall Receive Blessing and A Crown.
A. An Unusual Truth (12a)
The person that endures temptation shall be blessed.
| This refers to this life! “Blessed” = an inward and spiritual joy and satisfaction. |
| An inner confidence and assurance that carries one though all the trials and temptations of life no matter the pain, sorrow, loss, or grief! |
(Luke 6:48) "He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock."
| “When he is tried” = when he is approved! When he has stood the test. |
B. A Unique Gift (12b)
The Crown of Life
| This crown is life – a living crown. It means more than life in eternity! |
| The crown which consists of life! |
| Faithfulness in the trial gets you more of Jesus Himself.. |
C. The Ultimate Reason (12c)
Love - the spiritual motivation behind every act.
| Love is the outcome of faith! |
| Why do we have a joyful attitude when we face trials? Because we love God! |
| Our lack of love for the Savior can keep God’s best from coming into our lives. |
| When you love someone you trust them! |
Conclusion:
All trials are not to punish us, but to prove us as God develops in
us His character.