Preached a couple of weeks ago on James 1…

There’s that somewhat shocking, disagreeable, interesting, vexing, deep, confusing, enigmatic, truthful, heart-warming, [insert adjective here] verse which goes something like…

“Consider it pure joy my brothers whenever you face trials of many kinds”

I would say this verse is a little bit challenging, to preach, and even more so to live out!

Download the MP3 here

Script here

An update from Matt Chandler, including this quote from Richard Sibbes, The Bruised Reed:

Nay, after conversion we need bruising, that reeds may know themselves to be reeds, and not oaks; even we need bruising by reason of the remainder of pride in our nature, and to bt us see that we live by mercy; and that weaker Christians may not be too much discouraged, when they see stronger ones shaken and bruised. Thus Peter was bruised when he wept bitterly. This reed, till he met with this bruise, had more wind in him than pith. ” Though all forsake thee, I will not,” &c. Matt. xxvi. 35. The people of God cannot be without these examples. The heroical deeds of those great worthies do not comfort the Church so much as their falls and bruises do.

It was discovered that Matt Chandler had a brain tumour and needed immediate surgery, that happened on Friday. It sounds like since then he’s been making good progress… but keep praying.
You can find updates from The Village Church and on Twitter.

But whatever you do, go and watch the video he recorded before surgery… Christ is All.

Good Morning etc. Today we start a new sermon series in the book of James…

…so this morning, I want to spend half our time looking at the book of James as a whole – what’s it all about? Then the rest of our time in Ch1: 1-12

Martin Luther – “Book of Straw” – not enough gospel

My hope… we would see Jesus, his grace

So what do we know about the book of James?

READ: James 1: 1

It’s an early LETTER

Written by James… an apostle, church leader in Jerusalem, and the brother of Jesus

It’s written to Jewish Christians (12 Tribes)

…who have been persecuted (scattered among the nations)
…Acts 8:1 (after Stephen)

A very PRACTICAL book

…short, punchy, to the point …often little explanation
…just do it!

BUT… we don’t do things to merit God’s love… we do because of God’s love

James 2 – “show me your faith without deeds”… faith leads to action

Famous Verse… James 1:22
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”

As church goers… We are in danger… we hear the word… but we must do what it says!

Let’s make that our prayer throughout this series on James (and any other time)… that we would HEAR the word and DO what it says.

Let’s pray that our hearts may be gripped and changed by the word!

PRAY

READ: James 1: 1-12

Were you thinking what I was thinking??
Did he just say what I think he said?

v.2 Consider it pure joy… ??

Wow!

Context: Religious persecution (v1) + Poverty (v9)

Wider Context: “Trials of many kinds” (v2)

Bereavement, Unemployment, Sickness, Loneliness

“Whenever” – expect them to come

BIG QUESTION – How do we move from trials to joy?

Follow James’ Argument…

Trials = Testing of Faith (v3)
(not Judgement for the Christian)

Testing develops Perseverance

Perseverance must finish it’s work so you may be Mature + Complete

This is Joy… being mature + complete in Christ!

But there’s a problem!!

v.4 – mature, complete, not lacking anything
…that’s joy!
But…
v.5 – If any of you lacks wisdom he should ask God

We need God’s wisdom to persevere through trials!

v.5 God gives wisdom to those who ask in Faith

What is wisdom??

Wisdom = Seeing things God’s way

Seeing… the BIG picture
God’s plan
Hope in despair
God’s sovereign hand at work

Seeing the Big picture takes us to verse 12
CROWN OF LIFE… a picture of Joy!!

I don’t know your trials…
But let’s persevere!
…and lets ask for God’s help, his wisdom
…and lets focus on the prize, the joy of knowing Christ now, and reigning with him forever!

“It is not my calling to help you to have chipper feelings while the whole of creation groans. My job is to put the kind of ballast in the belly of your boat so that when these waves crash against your life, you will not capsize but make it to the harbour of heaven – battered and wounded but full of faith and joy”

John Piper, Spectacular Sins [pg. 28]