NO! NOT AGAIN!

James 1:1-8

INTRODUCTION: The book of James was written by James, the son of Joseph whose mother was Mary. He was the half-brother of our Lord Jesus Christ. Both Jesus and James had the same mother but different fathers. James was born the natural way, with a human father and mother. Jesus was born miraculously of a human mother and His Father was God: Matthew 1:18-25. Many thought that Joseph was Jesus’ father also but they were wrong: Matthew 13:53-58. James knew the difference when he wrote the book of James he called himself a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ: James 1:1.

I. THESE HAVE COME!

James starts his letter by saying something very strange, at least very strange to newly saved Christians: James 1:2-4. Have you ever asked the Lord to make you more patient? What is it about patience that the Lord seems to send you more trials instead of filling your heart with patience? Galatians 5:22-23. Where does patience come from? Romans 5:3-5. The apostle Paul also spoke about this strange way our Lord gives us more patience: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10. Have you grown in your walk with the Lord that you actually rejoice in the trial of life He allows into your life? The apostle Peter also spoke of the important role of trials in the life of a Christian: 1 Peter 1:3-7. If you are in some trials right now, is your eye only on the problems or have you learned to look to the Lord for His blessings from your trials?

II. WHAT SHOULD OUR ATTITUDE BE IN TRIALS?

Let’s look at how some who have gone before us have handled their trials in a way that blessed them and at others whose trials have caused them great pain and no gain. Joseph who was sold by his brothers into slavery and falsely accused by his master’s wife of rape and then thrown into jail: Genesis 50:19-21. Moses was a strong and godly leader, but he was continually resisted at every turn by strong opposition: Numbers 20:7-13. Paul and Silas were whipped for testifying about Jesus Christ: Acts 16:22-34. Whipped, yet singing at midnight. Is that how you count it joy when you fall into various trials? For most of us the answer would be no!

III. WHAT ARE SOME COMMON TRIALS WE FACE TODAY?

Being ridiculed for Christ’s sake is very common today. If you do not receive at least some ridicule for your stand for Christ you are probably not a very vocal or active believer: 2 Timothy 3:12. Losing your job when you need it and want it. Being lied about by others. Physical and emotional sickness and pain. Political and religious persecution. All these are common trials for those who will be active in their faith walk with Jesus Christ: Hebrews 12:11. Somehow each of us must learn to concentrate on the later on. We need to believe that our Lord as our Good Shepherd is leading us in paths of righteousness for His Names sake. We must remember that if we continue to obey and trust our Lord in our trials, He will work them for our good: Romans 8:28. Learn God’s ways so that you won’t waste your sorrows. Philippians 2:13. Sorrow, suffering, trials, and tribulations of life are wisely designed by our God to grow us into being like our Lord: Romans 8:28-29. Today’s trials counted joy may become tomorrow’s strength. Today’s trials may lead to tomorrow’s crown: Romans 8:18-25. Let me ask you: “Are you learning to count the trials of this life all joy? Are you learning to wait on the Lord and to honestly expect God to work in your trials His good pleasing and perfect will?