Trials are inevitable ! Trials and Wisdom Count it all joy, my brothers,[b] when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4 Anything that can happen to anybody can happen to a Christian. Just because we are living for Jesus does not mean that there is a limit to haow hard things can get Trials are inevitable !

I. II. III. 2 kinds of troubles (1:9-11) Perseverance (1:12) The Anatomy of Sin (1:13-18)

Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. James 1:13 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. James 1:17

God is perpetually , constantly , consistently good God is perpetually , constantly , consistently good . He never changes for the worse or for the better

18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.  18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth,  that we should be a kind offirstfruits of his creatures. God’s goodness is unchanging God’s goodness is undeserving God’s goodness is unending

14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. James 1:14

The Marshmallow Test

14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.  15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.  Leaning Part

Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, Tipping Point

and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death Landing Place

Leaning Part - Entertaining Desire - Suggestion Tipping point - Committing Sin - Experiment Landing Place -(spiritual) Death - Consent

16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.  17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.[d]  18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

Leaning part - Acknowledging truth - Suggestion Tipping point - Receiving Gods Gifts - Experiment Landing Place - Eternal life - Consent

WHY DO I HAVE TO PERSEVERE? DOES GOD NOT WANT ME TO BE HAPPY?

God is not in the business of Recreation God is in the business of Restauration

2 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Where will perseverance lead? What does it proof? How is it motivated?

2 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Where will perseverance lead? – Eternal Reward What does it proof? How is it motivated?

2 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Where will perseverance lead? – Eternal Reward What does it proof? – Genuine Faith How is it motivated?

2 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Where will perseverance lead? – Eternal Reward What does it proof? – Genuine Faith How is it motivated? – The love for God

Two Basic kinds of troubles

The Trouble of Lack Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, 

4 But[c] God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Ephesian 2:4-7

The Trouble of Prosperity The greatest trouble is to have no double the greatest trial is to have no trial . The greatest spiritual danger is to have no danger 10 and(let ) the rich (boast) in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away.

Keeping the Heart in the Time of Adversity The Time of Prosperity Keeping the Heart in the Time of Adversity Keeping the Heart in the Time of Zion's Troubles Keeping the Heart in Time of danger and Public Distraction Keeping the Heart in the Time of Outward Wants Keeping the Heart in the Time of Duty Keeping the Heart When We Receive Injuries And Abuses From Men Keeping the Heart When We Meet With Great Trials Keeping the Heart When the Hour of Temptation Comes Keeping the Heart in the Time of Doubting and Spiritual Darkness Keeping the Heart When Sufferings for Religion are Laid on Us Keeping the Heart When Sickness Warns of Death Approaching The greatest trouble is to have no double the greatest trial is to have no trial . The greatest spiritual danger is to have no danger

"To see a man humble in prosperity is one of the greatest rarities in the world. “ St. Bernard

 11 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.

Is what is Important Important to you ?

God Is good all the time God’s goodness is unchanging God’s goodness is undeserving God’s goodness is unending

The Anatomy of Sin Falling to Death Rising to Life The leaning Part : Entertaining Sin The tipping Point : Committing Sin The Landing Place : Spiritual Death Rising to Life The leaning Part : acknowledging truth The tipping Point : Receiving Gods gifts The Landing Place : eternal life

Leads to an eternal reward Proves genuine faith Is Motivated by the love for God

Two Basic kinds of troubles When Down – Look UP! When Riding High – BOW DOWN!