James Teaches Trials and Steadfastness

James 1:2-12

REFLECTION 1: Trials should be received as God’s grace

REFLECTION 1: Trials should be received as God’s grace

James 1:2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces

steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect,

that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

REFLECTION 1: Trials should be received as God’s grace

2 Corinthians 4:17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are

seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

REFLECTION 1: Trials should be received as God’s grace

Acts 5:41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they

were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.

REFLECTION 1: Trials should be received as God’s grace

James 1:2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces

steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect,

that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

REFLECTION 1: Trials should be received as God’s grace

REFLECTION 2: Steadfastness results from faith

REFLECTION 2: Steadfastness results from faith

Excerpt from Uncle Tom’s Cabin: “Mas’r, if you was sick, or in

trouble, or dying, and I could save ye, I’d give ye my heart’s blood;

and, if taking every drop of blood in this poor old body would save your precious soul, I’d give ‘em

freely, as the Lord gave his for me. O Mas’r, don’t bring this great sin on your soul! It will hurt you more than ‘t will me! Do the worst you can, my troubles’ll be over soon;

but if you don’t repent, yours won’t never end!”

REFLECTION 2: Steadfastness results from faith

James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives

generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

REFLECTION 2: Steadfastness results from faith

REFLECTION 3: Wisdom is both promised and pursued

REFLECTION 3: Wisdom is both promised and pursued

James 1:6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who

doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not

suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in

all his ways.

REFLECTION 3: Wisdom is both promised and pursued

REFLECTION 4: Poverty and riches don’t define us

REFLECTION 4: Poverty and riches don’t define us

James 1:9 Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, 10 and the rich in

his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass

away.

REFLECTION 4: Poverty and riches don’t define us

Luke 6:20 “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of

God.”

REFLECTION 4: Poverty and riches don’t define us

1 Timothy 6:17 As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to

be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us

with everything to enjoy.

REFLECTION 4: Poverty and riches don’t define us

James 1:12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will

receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who

love him.

REFLECTION 4: Poverty and riches don’t define us