James: Building a Faith that Works

 

"No Pain, No Gain"

James 1:1-12

July 21, 2003

 

Spiritual growth is like exercise ...

 

1.  The difficulties of life are to be faced with joy (1:1-2)

^{"James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations:  Greetings.  2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds"}

Where can this type of joy be found?

"Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength" 

Nehemiah 8:10

2.  The difficulties of life are for our good (1:3-4)

^{"3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."}

testing  è  perseverance  è maturity

garden vegetables and manure

3.  God offers assistance and blessing during our difficulties

(1:5-12)

 

^{"5If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.}

^{9The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. 10But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. 11For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business.}

^{12Blessed 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."}

 

For the committed follower:  wisdom

For the undecided person:  wisdom through salvation

 

"Come near to God and He will come near to you."

 - James 4:8