Applying James 1:2-4 Will Help You to Have Faith in Your Trials When life gives you a lemon make lemonade! Instead of being a victim of your circumstances, become a victor. Throughout the Bible are people of faith who endured through their trials and overcame. You can overcome whatever you face if you apply God’s word to your life!

Consider it Joyful when you Encounter Trials Trials occur in all of our lives. (John 16:33) Trials of health. (surgery, disease, cancer) Trials in your family. (parents, spouse, kids) Trials in your job. (boss, customer, boredom) Trials (heat, accidents, disappointment, death) Trials because you are a Christian. How do you respond when it happens? Do you consider it joyful?

Consider it Joyful when you Encounter Trials The apostles did after they were flogged for preaching Christ. “So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name. And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.” (Acts 5:41-42)

Consider it Joyful when you Encounter Trials The apostle Paul did as he was facing death. “But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all. You too, I urge you, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me.” (Philippians 2:17-18)

Consider it Joyful when you Encounter Trials “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory & of God rests on you” (1 Peter 4:12-14) Don’t be surprised. Rejoice, you are blessed!

The World Teaches that You can only be Joyful When Pursuing Pleasure “They count it a pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are stains and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions, as they carouse with you, having eyes full of adultery that never cease from sin, enticing unstable souls, having a heart trained in greed, accursed children…” (2 Peter 2:13-14) False teachers entice people into sin by promising them freedom to pursue a sinful lifestyle of sexual immorality, gambling, drinking, etc. instead of abstinence and overcoming their trials with faith.

If You Seek Pleasures in the Time of Testing You Will Fall Away "Those on the rocky soil are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no firm root; they believe for a while, and in time of temptation fall away. "The seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with worries and riches and pleasures of this life, & bring no fruit to maturity. (Lk. 8:13-14) It is an enticement to follow the world who tell you what you want to hear, rather than what you need to help you overcome your trials.

Consider it Joyful when you Encounter Trials When you suffer for doing what is right, instead of complaining, being angry, or worried, be joyful because God has promised to deliver you from it. “The Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment” (2 Pet. 2:9) Instead of being enticed by the false teachers, follow the examples of Noah and Lot whom the Lord rescued while punishing the evildoers.

Consider it Joyful when you Encounter Trials So thank God for your trials! When you overcome a trial, God will give you the strength to overcome the next one. (Ex. of David recorded in 1 Samuel 17: from killing the lion and the bear to fearlessly killing the giant Goliath) But you may ask how is it possible to rejoice?

Faith Tested Produces Endurance Trials test our faith, but are designed to bring out the best in us. “In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:6-7)

Faith Tested Produces Endurance …as fire purifies gold. …as a student masters his subject. …as training prepares a player for the season. Testing works for us, not against us. Just as weights must be tested to find out its weak point, our faith is tested so that we might endure. Jesus overcame! (Matthew 4:4)

Faith Tested Produces Endurance “Since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Hebrews 12:1-3) Your faith will endure if you fix your eyes on Jesus!

Faith Tested Produces Endurance “And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope” (Romans 5:3-4) It is not a passive acceptance of our circumstances but a persistent determination to be faithful no matter what! As we persevere through the trial it will prove our character and strengthen our hope.

Let Endurance Perfect Your Faith “And let endurance have its perfect result that you may perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:4) Too often, we want to get our trials over ASAP. Instead of rebelling, complaining, or murmuring about it, realize that it is happening for your benefit! When endurance has time to work, we will mature in our faith.

Let Endurance Perfect Your Faith “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.” (James 1:17) “But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.” (James 1:25) If we see God’s word as the law of liberty, we will do what He says, we will be blessed, and we will not fall away but have eternal life.

Let Endurance Perfect Your Faith “We count those blessed who endured. You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord's dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful.” (James 5:11) James uses Job as an example for Christians to endure as his faith was perfected through suffering. In the end, he realized that the Lord was compassionate and merciful and we should also.

Conclusion We all face trials. Do you consider it joyful when they occur…...or do you complain about them,...or do you seek after pleasure? Are you allowing them to strengthen your faith…...or just trying to avoid them?

Conclusion Are you fixing your eyes on Jesus to help you to endure…...or growing weary in well-doing? “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him” (James 1:12)