1. Genuine Gifts James 1

2. I. Variety Of Trials, 2

3. Falling into trials...  When we ‘encounter,’ ‘face,’ ‘become involved in’ trials. Lk.10:30

4. Falling into trials...  When we ‘encounter,’ ‘face,’ ‘become involved in’ trials. Lk.10:30  Various trials – different situations 1. Pilgrims, 1:1: scattered, Ac.15:23;18:2 2. Poverty, 1:9-11; 2:6, 15-17; 5:1-5 3. Persecution, 2:6-7 4. Passion, 3:13-4:1-4 5. Pain, 5:14

5. Gifts in disguise Trial 1) Test (trial): lift this weight 2) Tempt: dare to shoplift Test 1 Test: attempt to learn the nature or char. of someth. Gn.22; Ja.1:2-4 Temptation 2 Temptation: attempt to make one do something wrong, entice to sin, Ja.1:13-14

6. I. Variety Of Trials, 2 II. View Of Trials, 2-3

7. “When trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy” NOT joy in the trial itself, but an oppor- tunity to grow stronger 1 Mt.6:13, self-distrust; cause for fear and caution 2 Jn.16:21-22, rejoice over baby, not pain 3 Hb.12:10, 11, first grief, then fruit. Hb.10:39

8. “Testing of your faith” ‘Attempt to learn genuineness of some- thing by testing 1 Pt.1:6-7 Gold: fire burns away dross. Goldsmith sees image of his face. Gold: fire burns away dross. Goldsmith sees image of his face. Faith: trials remove impurities. Father sees image of Christ in us. Faith: trials remove impurities. Father sees image of Christ in us. FruitGemsFurniture

9. Wrong reactions to trials: make us bitter, not better  Complain. 1 Co.10:10  Cower. Ja.5:19-20. 2 Tim.1:15 [16-18]  Cease. Ja.5:17-18, strength → downfall Moses: meekest – Nu.20 Solomon: wisest – 1 K.11 David: God’s heart – 1 Sm.16 Peter: bravest – Mt.26 Samson: strongest – Jg.16

10. I. Variety Of Trials, 2 III. Value Of Trials, 3 II. View Of Trials, 2-3

11. Trials bless Endurance, 1:3-4 Quality that enabled person to stay on his feet when facing a storm Tested faith leaves the believer stronger than ever. Mt.10:22

12. Trials bless Endurance, 1:3-4 Perfection, 1:4 Mature Time required for plant to yield fruit When faith is tested, endurance has opportunity to grow. 2 Tim.2:3-4 Life is like photography. You use the negatives to develop

13. Trials bless Endurance, 1:3-4 Perfection, 1:4 Completion, 1:4 Lacking in no grace that ought to be in a Christian Integrity; single-minded devotion to God. Ac.3:16

14. Trials bless Endurance, 1:3-4 Perfection, 1:4 Completion, 1:4 Needing nothing, 1:4 RYR fell short, Lk.18:22 Abraham did not (Gn.12, 13, 15, 22) No complaining, quitting, or running away. Ja.2:21-23

15. The mature Christian sees beyond the pain of the trial to the results  This vision enables him to...  Peter: Jn.21:15-17 – Ac.5:41-42  Paul: Ac.16 – Ph.4:4 EndureMature Be savedSave others 2 Co.4:17