Turning Trials Into Triumphs

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SERMON OUTLINES

Book of James

Turning Trials Into Triumphs - Jam.1:2-12

Written by Gerry

James 1:2-12

By way of introduction to the Book of James, let me give you a few insights.

The author was James, Jesus half-brother. The Holy Spirit prompted and supervised James writing of this letter; the outcome was that He was pleased with every word.

He wrote this letter to Christian Jews that had fled Jerusalem because of their faith. Acts 8:1,4 "On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. (4) Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went." Read James 1:1,2

James wrote to a people who were walking through tremendous trials:

To Jews - rejected by gentiles
To Christian Jews - rejected by their own countrymen
To those living in poverty - everyone had a new beginning in a new county

James wrote to them because they had a need for a "real faith!" Something that worked. They had been thrust into the real-world, now, how should they live?

James has 108 verses, 54 are imperatives relating to the subject, "How to live!" His first challenge to them is to "Turn Your Trials Into Triumphs!"

I like how Chuck Swindoll describes a Mature (Grown-up-believer). "A grown-up believer displays wisdom, self-discipline, and commitment to a consistent walk with Christ. He or she is determined to obey God regardless of the cost and to seek regular nourishment from His Word. Also, the mature Christian strives to reach out and care for others, whether they be friend of foe, believer or unbeliever. Such an individual willingly shoulders his or her responsibilities with a contagiously positive attitude." Charles Swindoll.

Perhaps you've seen the bumper sticker that reads: "When life hands you a lemon, make lemon-ade!" Easier to say than practice. But, it's Biblical. Through faith in Christ, we can experience victory, no matter what trial comes our way.

If you are going to turn trials into triumphs, we must obey 4 imperatives:

Count (2), Know (3), Let (4,9-11), Ask (5-8)

1. CONSIDER - A Joyful Attitude (1:2)

Expect trials to happen. It says here, "Consider it pure joy, whenever.." not "if". They're coming your way, that is if they've not already arrived.

They're not all alike either. Trials are like variegated wool. God arranges and mixes the colors and experiences of life. The final product is a beautiful thing for His glory.

Which thread / experience do you want? My nephew, Terrance, found out Tuesday that he has cancer. Sick kids on Mon. A lot of tears. Many people here have challenges trials.

When I watch Heidi knit, I always notice the back side. Not that beautiful. A lot of loose, dangling ends. Now, I've learned never to judge her workmanship from the backside. In the same way, when trials come into our life, we often look at them from the wrong side of life. All the loose ends. Only the Lord sees the finished pattern. Let's not judge Him or His work from what we see today. His work is not finished yet!

It says we should consider, evaluate. When we face the trials of life, we must evaluate them in the light of what God is doing for us. Look at the dangling strands, and ask what beautiful things will God make of this. You can see the Joy in a Christian when they live that way. Just before the Days went to Calgary, I was there. There were tears; there was joy. There is no joy for those without Christ. Dangling ends show shattered lives. It needn't be that way. Evaluate.

2. KNOW - an Understanding Mind - (1:3)

What do Christians know that makes it easier to face trials?

a. Faith is always tested. God develops our faith. Stretches it and make it stronger. If God allows a test into our life, it always brings out the best when we trust Him.

b. Testing works for us, not against us. 1 Pet.1:7, "That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth." Rm.8:28, "And w know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him."

c. Trials, rightly used, help us to mature. What does God want to produce in our lives? Patience, endurance, perseverance.

Get something straight. Patience is not a passive acceptance of circumstances. It's the courageous perseverance in the face of suffering and difficulty. God wants to make us patient because that is the key to every other blessing. When we run ahead of God, His blessings are missed.

Abraham ran ahead of God, married Hagar. (great sorrow into his home)

Moses ran ahead of God, murdered a man. 40 year school of patience

Peter almost killed a man in the garden (during Jesus arrest).

God uses challenges and trials in our lives to develop patience. Knowing this we can face trial joyfully.

3. LET - A Surrendered Will (1:4, 9-11)

God cannot build our character, develop patience, without our cooperation.

When His children resists Him, He disciplines them into submission.(Jonah)

When we submit to Him, He can accomplish His task.

Psalm 131, My heart is not proud, O Lord, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me.

But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me.

A difficult stage of maturing is weaning. I'm sure it is very hard for a child. It has to happen in order for a child to grow up. Sometimes God has to wean His children away from their childish toys and immature attitudes. The trials of our faith are like God's ironing. When the heat of trials are applied to our lives the wrinkles of spiritual immaturity begin to be smoothed out.

Wilson Johnson, founder of Holiday Inn motels. "When I was forty years old I worked in a sawmill. One morning the boss told me I was fired. Depressed and discourage, I felt like the world had caved in. My wife asked what I would do. "I'm going to mortgage our home and go into the building business. First, was construction of two small buildings. Within five years I was a millionaire. At the time it happened, I didn't understand why I was fired. Later, I saw that it was God's unerring and wondrous plan to get me into the way of his choosing." Surrender to God is the key.

4. ASK - A Believing Heart (1:5-8)

When you're going through a trial, what should you pray for? WISDOM. What's wisdom? The right use of knowledge.

Do you know that we waste trials? A trial is of God to mature us as believers, strengthen our faith, make us more of what he wants us to be. A trial comes our way, and we worry, fret, run away. Some even turn to alcohol.

It says, "If we lack wisdom" - count on it - you lack wisdom.

James not only tells us what to pray for, he describes how to pray. Ask In Faith. We don't have to be afraid, for God is anxious to answer. The greatest enemy to answered prayer is unbelief.

Heidi & I went with friends to Manitoulin Island, in Lake Huron. 2 hour ferry ride. (BC Ferries). Ship became victim of a storm. 40 foot swells. Ship went up and down. James compares some Christians to that. Like a cork in waves. Up one minute and down the next. The mature Christian is steady. Season in and out. Trial or free of trial.

I believe in prayer. One of the most aggressive actions an individual can take. As believer's, we must pray. As a Church, we must pray!

James 2:12 There is a reward awaiting the one that endures trial, for here and after. Here I think it refers in part to a fullness of life in Christ. A closer fellowship with Jesus Christ.

How can we turn trials into triumphs? Through Jesus Christ. God can and does take trials and uses them for good.

I know some of your trials; I'm certain I don't know all of them.

I invite you to accept the challenge of the Holy Spirit through James.