Growing in the Midst of Trials
Part 2
James 1:9-18
9 Now the believer of humble means should take pride in his high position. 10 But the rich person’s pride should be in his humiliation, because he will pass away like a wildflower in the meadow.
11 For the sun rises with its heat and dries up the meadow; the petal of the flower falls off and its beauty is lost forever. So also the rich person in the midst of his pursuits will wither away.
12 Happy is the one who endures testing, because when he has proven to be genuine, he will receive the crown of life that God promised to those who love him.
13 Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God," for God cannot be tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each one is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desires.
15 Then when desire conceives, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is full grown, it gives birth to death. 16 Do not be led astray, my dear brothers and sisters.
17 All generous giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or the slightest hint of change.18 By his sovereign plan he gave us birth through the message of truth, that we would be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
Introduction
-- The original audience were
---- Experiencing economic, social, religious trials
---- Poor working class
-- Last Sunday,
---- Be joyful (v.2)
---- Be patient (vv.3-4)
---- Be wise (v. 5)
---- Be faithful (vv. 6-8)
1. Be real
-- Verses 9-11
-- Let the poor Christian exalt in “high position”
-- Christ became poor for us so we can be rich in Him
-- Let the rich humble himself
-- Like a flower, he will fade away
-- He will pass away in the midst of his pursuit
-- Ecclesiastes 12:13
2. Be victorious
-- Verse 12
-- We are experiencing trials to pass the test
-- We need to endure the test
-- The prize: The crown of life
---- “stephanos” -- a wreath
---- Promised to those who love him.
---- Those who love him will endure.
---- Illustration: Ben Affleck in Pearl Harbor
3. Be aware
-- Verses 13-15
-- God cannot tempt us
-- God is holy
-- Yielding to temptation is sin
-- Lured and enticed by our own desires
-- Satan tempts us too
---- Acknowledge your own addictions
---- Acknowledge your wicked desires
4. Be expecting
-- Verses 16-18
-- Every perfect gift come from God
-- God does not change
---- He is a good God.
---- By His sovereign plan
---- He gave us salvation
---- Save from eternal wrath (as opposed from trials
