Turning Trials Into Triumphs
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Transcript of Turning Trials Into Triumphs
The Book of James
“An epistle of straw”
New Series – ‘Developing a faith that works’
Today
‘Turning trials into triumphs’
James 1:1-18
‘Turning trials into triumphs’
Who was James?
One of several half-brothers of Christ (Matt 13:55)
Didn’t believe in Jesus initially (John 7:5)
Saw the resurrected Christ (1 Cor 15:7)
Became part of the Apostolic group (Acts 1:14)
and prominent in the Jerusalem church (Acts 15:13)
‘Turning trials into triumphs’
Who were his readers?
‘the 12 tribes scattered among the nations’
James 1:1
Jewish Christians who had been dispersed due to persecution
‘Turning trials into triumphs’
Why was he writing?
to people who had already chosen to follow Jesus Christ and were now
asking the question
“How do we live now that we are saved?”
‘Turning trials into triumphs’
How to handle trials from without (1:1-12)
How to handle temptations from within (1:13-18)
Face your trials with joy
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face
trials of many kinds
James 1:2
How to handle trials
when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy – NLT
How to handle trials
When all kinds of trials and temptations crowd into your lives … don’t resent them as
intruders, but welcome them as friends!
J B Phillips
Expect trials ‘whenever’ not ‘if’
Face your trials with joy
Expect different sorts of trials ‘many coloured/variegated’
Consider it pure joy when …
Face your trials with joy
Realise God is at work through your trials
because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete …
James 1:3-4
How to handle trials
Our faith will always be tested
Realise God is at work through your trials
You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish
what is now being done, the saving of many lives
Gen 50:20
Testing of our faith produces perseverance
Realise God is at work through your trials
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those
who love God and are called according to his purpose for them
Rom 8:28 NLT
Ask God for wisdom
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you
James 1:5
How to handle trials
Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding
Prov 3:13
Wisdom in Proverbs
Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom
Prov 4:7
for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her
Prov 8:11
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom
Prov 9:10
Wisdom in Proverbs
Ask God for wisdom
But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a
wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is
double-minded and unstable in all they do James 1:6-8
How to handle trials
Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive
the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him
James 1:12
• Ask God for wisdom
• Face our trials with joy • He is at work through our trials