WEBVTT

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 Thanks, Connor. Good morning, everyone.

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 So if you'd like to open up your Bibles on page, if you've got the church Bibles, on page 1213,

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 we're going to be looking at James chapter 1, verses 1 to 8.

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 And that's James chapter 1, verses 1 to 8.

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 And as you open up your Bibles, I'm going to read from the original scroll.

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 So if you're all following with me, I'm going to read like a letter would be read.

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 I might have somebody holding it down there for me and I might read.

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 But anyway, this is the way we're going to do it.

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 So, James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,

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 to the twelve tribes scattered among the nations, greetings.

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 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,

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 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.

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 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

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 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God,

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 who gives generously to all without finding fault, and this will be given to you.

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 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt,

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 because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

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 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.

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 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

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 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

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 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

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 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

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 This letter starts like so many other letters.

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 The author stating who he is and who he's writing to.

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 So right at the beginning, we can see that this letter is from James,

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 a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.

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 And it's written to the twelve tribes, the scattered.

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 Just as the children of Israel were dispersed throughout the world in their exile,

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 so also believers in Christ now at the time of writing are scattered,

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 waiting for God to gather them home to himself.

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 We too today are also part of the scattered,

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 so this letter is for us as well.

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 James is a very practical book.

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 He doesn't go deep into doctrine,

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 but he assumes that as believers, as followers of Jesus,

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 that we know what it is to know Jesus, to be followers.

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 And so this book is very practical.

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 This is written to us so that we know how we take,

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 how we know what we take,

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 what we know of Jesus, we take in our heads,

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 and we put into our lives,

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 being doers of the word.

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 And that's what we're going to try and explain today

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 and over these following weeks,

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 as we look at the practical wisdom

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 to help us live as Christians.

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 So it is to us,

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 we have been called as God's people.

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 We're called now to persevere,

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 to have joy in trials.

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 Consider with me a young couple

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 in their early stages of attraction to each other.

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 They believe that theirs will be

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 a lifelong partnership that will last forever.

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 They are made for each other

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 and nothing will ever come between them.

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 Of course, at this stage in their relationship,

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 they have every reason to believe this,

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 but it's only a matter of opinion, isn't it?

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 It's their opinion,

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 and one which has no substance yet,

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 even if they are unwilling to admit it.

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 In time, their belief will be tested.

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 There will be attractive temptations

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 from other possible partners in the future.

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 They will discover each other's likes and dislikes,

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 which may not be so easy to accept or to adjust to.

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 Perhaps there will be an unwelcome

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 or an antagonistic reaction

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 from one of the parents involved,

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 which just makes the relationship at times awkward

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 and a bit difficult.

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 However, if these times of testing are endured,

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 the relationship starts to become more durable.

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 And as time goes by,

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 the conviction within them to marry

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 becomes stronger and more settled.

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 This same process carries on into their marriage,

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 having promised to forsake

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 all other partnerships for life

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 and in the course of their life together,

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 maybe by the experience of fighting off temptations

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 or of dogged determination

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 to save their marriage in times of coolness,

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 or just the shoulder-to-shoulder

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 facing and bearing of the difficulties of life.

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 Their minds become more and more determined

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 or redirected away from the thought of fidelity.

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 What began as a tentative belief

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 ends as a fixed, unchangeable constant in life.

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 The same can be said for the Christians

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 undergoing trials.

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 James says,

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 for you know the testing of your faith

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 produces perseverance

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 or steadfastness,

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 as other translations put it.

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 In the book of James,

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 he refers to very ordinary struggles.

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 As you quickly scan through the book,

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 a few will pop up.

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 There's lack of faith.

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 There's doubt and double-mindedness.

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 There's confusion,

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 the need for wisdom,

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 the love of money turning their heads from God,

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 temptations of their own evil desires,

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 anger, apathy,

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 relational issues like fighting and quarreling,

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 killing and coveting,

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 pride.

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 They were struggling with slander.

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 Some workers were not being paid for their work,

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 so there was extortion on one hand

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 and poverty on the other,

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 leading to anger and arguments.

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 The call is still to rejoice

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 or to consider it joy.

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 What are we going to preach to ourselves

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 when we face trials?

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 What are we going to say to each other

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 when these things happen to us?

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 How are we going to disciple ourselves

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 or our children or each other?

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 James makes it clear in verse 2

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 to count it all joy.

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 But how do we do that?

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 How do you even feel when I say

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 consider it all joy

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 when you face all types of trials?

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 When you consider all that you're going through,

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 if someone really knew

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 what you were going through,

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 they wouldn't say count it all joy, surely.

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 In fact, if they did,

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 it would sound quite trite actually, wouldn't it?

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 What does James know about trials anyway?

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 Well, James knew suffering.

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 James was the half-brother of Jesus,

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 so he saw all that Jesus went through

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 up to and including

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 death on the cross.

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 James was the leader

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 of the early church in Jerusalem,

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 so he would have watched

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 and seen some of his own church members

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 being persecuted for following Jesus.

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 He was under pressure

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 from the religious leaders in Jerusalem

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 for following Jesus,

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 and he was even pressurized

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 to try and renounce

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 his faith in Jesus.

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 And we know this

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 because James was stoned to death

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 by scribes and Pharisees

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 for refusing to do this.

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 That's how committed he was to Jesus.

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 It's safe to say that James

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 has known suffering,

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 and so he can say this.

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 He's not saying that trials

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 are joyful things

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 in and of themselves.

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 It's not like,

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 well, I've just lost my job

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 and my mortgage is in arrears.

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 My wife crashed the car,

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 wrote it off,

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 and now she's facing

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 a long road back to recovery.

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 Not to mention,

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 my dog had to be put down last week

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 due to a horrible infection.

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 Oh, and did I mention

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 that my mother is suffering from cancer?

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 And it's really not looking good.

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 But you know what?

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 It's all joy.

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 It's great.

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 No.

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 That's not what he's saying.

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 And on the day

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 when I'm feeling down

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 and low about all these things

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 that are happening to me,

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 I just put on my happy face

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 and I grin and I bear it.

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 No, that's not what he's saying,

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 either.

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 Horrible things happen.

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 We do face trials.

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 And the Bible is full of compassion

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 for us when we do that.

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 When life is hard.

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 Ecclesiastes chapter 3

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 says that there is a time

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 for everything.

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 Verse 4 specifically says

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 that there is a time to weep

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 and a time to laugh,

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 a time to mourn

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 and a time to dance.

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 It's okay to find life hard.

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 Think about Jesus.

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 He wept

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 when he heard

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 that his friend

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 Lazarus

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 had died.

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 Paul instructs us

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 to weep

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 with those who weep.

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 scripture says that there is sadness

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 and hurt

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 and pain.

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 It doesn't minimize it.

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 But yet James

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 still instructs us

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 to consider these trials

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 joy.

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 To consider.

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 It's more about

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 thinking and feeling.

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 The question for us is

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 how do we regard trials?

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 How do we

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 think about trials?

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 How do we consider

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 trials?

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 Do we see them

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 as a burden

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 and an inconvenience?

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 Or as something

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 that is part of life?

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 But which God

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 can use

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 to shape

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 and form us?

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 As we consider

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 our trials

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 we should have a perspective

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 which looks

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 beyond the present

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 to the future.

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 Pure joy

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 is not necessarily

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 a present happiness

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 but joy

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 in anticipation

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 of God's future

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 for us.

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 These very trials

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 and the testing

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 of our faith

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 produce perseverance

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 or as other translations

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 put it

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 steadfastness.

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 Like the couple

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 we were thinking of

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 a minute ago

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 over years of courtship

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 and marriage

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 times of testing

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 lead to an unshakable

00:11:57.620 --> 00:11:58.199
 commitment

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 to each other.

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 Isn't that what we want

00:12:02.240 --> 00:12:02.740
 with Jesus?

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 Consider it pure joy

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 my brothers and sisters

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 whenever you face

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 trials

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 of many kinds

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 because you know

00:12:15.540 --> 00:12:16.279
 that the testing

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 of your faith

00:12:17.040 --> 00:12:18.720
 produces perseverance.

00:12:20.800 --> 00:12:22.040
 Jesus in Luke

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 chapter 8

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 15

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 when describing

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 the seeds

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 falling on

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 four types of soil

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 says that

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 the seed that falls

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 on good soil

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 stands for those

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 with a noble

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 and a good heart

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 who hear the word

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 retain it

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 and by

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 persevering

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 produce a crop.

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 Again

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 Jesus says

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 in Luke 21

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 when talking

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 about the end

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 of the age

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 starting in verse 17

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 it says

00:12:48.140 --> 00:12:49.860
 all men will hate you

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 because of me

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 but not a hair

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 of your head

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 will perish.

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 By standing firm

00:12:56.740 --> 00:12:58.900
 you will gain life.

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 It is

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 when we persevere

00:13:04.020 --> 00:13:05.280
 that the fruit comes.

00:13:05.279 --> 00:13:07.980
 trials in life

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 are a test.

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 They test

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 our humility

00:13:11.220 --> 00:13:11.899
 don't they?

00:13:12.600 --> 00:13:13.139
 They test

00:13:13.139 --> 00:13:13.819
 whether or not

00:13:13.819 --> 00:13:14.799
 we think more

00:13:14.799 --> 00:13:15.799
 highly of ourselves

00:13:15.799 --> 00:13:16.620
 than we ought

00:13:16.620 --> 00:13:17.159
 to think.

00:13:17.980 --> 00:13:18.519
 They test

00:13:18.519 --> 00:13:19.179
 whether we have

00:13:19.179 --> 00:13:19.980
 some imaginary

00:13:19.980 --> 00:13:20.559
 idea

00:13:20.559 --> 00:13:21.899
 that we're so good

00:13:21.899 --> 00:13:22.600
 God should never

00:13:22.600 --> 00:13:23.480
 have to test us.

00:13:25.419 --> 00:13:26.639
 Trials also test

00:13:26.639 --> 00:13:27.120
 our love

00:13:27.120 --> 00:13:28.179
 for worldly things.

00:13:28.980 --> 00:13:29.480
 They test

00:13:29.480 --> 00:13:30.059
 whether or not

00:13:30.059 --> 00:13:30.819
 we are succumbing

00:13:30.819 --> 00:13:31.879
 to earthly treasure.

00:13:31.879 --> 00:13:34.340
 when earthly things

00:13:34.340 --> 00:13:34.919
 are ripped out

00:13:34.919 --> 00:13:35.559
 of our grasp

00:13:35.559 --> 00:13:36.279
 we find out

00:13:36.279 --> 00:13:36.980
 whether or not

00:13:36.980 --> 00:13:38.100
 we are worldly

00:13:38.100 --> 00:13:38.639
 or not.

00:13:40.639 --> 00:13:41.840
 Tests in life

00:13:41.840 --> 00:13:43.240
 suffering

00:13:43.240 --> 00:13:44.299
 pain

00:13:44.299 --> 00:13:45.139
 and sorrow

00:13:45.139 --> 00:13:45.899
 loss

00:13:45.899 --> 00:13:47.340
 they also test

00:13:47.340 --> 00:13:48.419
 whether or not

00:13:48.419 --> 00:13:49.820
 we are heavenly minded

00:13:49.820 --> 00:13:51.659
 whether or not

00:13:51.659 --> 00:13:52.539
 we really live

00:13:52.539 --> 00:13:53.439
 with an eternal

00:13:53.439 --> 00:13:54.120
 perspective

00:13:54.120 --> 00:13:56.320
 and trials in life

00:13:56.320 --> 00:13:57.059
 also test

00:13:57.059 --> 00:13:58.200
 what we really love.

00:13:58.200 --> 00:14:02.379
 all of these things

00:14:02.379 --> 00:14:03.320
 test the strength

00:14:03.320 --> 00:14:04.300
 and the character

00:14:04.300 --> 00:14:05.040
 of our faith.

00:14:05.460 --> 00:14:05.840
 They test

00:14:05.840 --> 00:14:06.480
 our humility

00:14:06.480 --> 00:14:07.780
 whether we can

00:14:07.780 --> 00:14:08.580
 take suffering

00:14:08.580 --> 00:14:09.040
 willingly

00:14:09.040 --> 00:14:10.580
 because we know

00:14:10.580 --> 00:14:11.180
 that we deserve

00:14:11.180 --> 00:14:11.800
 nothing more.

00:14:12.879 --> 00:14:13.620
 Think of Jesus

00:14:13.620 --> 00:14:14.940
 without sin

00:14:14.940 --> 00:14:16.820
 the perfect man

00:14:16.820 --> 00:14:18.080
 who went around

00:14:18.080 --> 00:14:18.840
 helping people

00:14:18.840 --> 00:14:19.500
 all the time

00:14:19.500 --> 00:14:20.280
 but yes

00:14:20.280 --> 00:14:21.520
 he suffered horribly

00:14:21.520 --> 00:14:23.560
 and he definitely

00:14:23.560 --> 00:14:24.520
 didn't deserve it.

00:14:26.120 --> 00:14:27.180
 So it's not about

00:14:27.180 --> 00:14:27.960
 what we deserve

00:14:27.960 --> 00:14:29.879
 trials test

00:14:29.879 --> 00:14:30.660
 whether we have

00:14:30.660 --> 00:14:31.540
 our affections

00:14:31.540 --> 00:14:32.600
 set on things

00:14:32.600 --> 00:14:33.139
 above

00:14:33.139 --> 00:14:34.560
 or here.

00:14:34.960 --> 00:14:35.500
 They test

00:14:35.500 --> 00:14:36.660
 what we really love.

00:14:37.259 --> 00:14:37.940
 Look at the testing

00:14:37.940 --> 00:14:38.879
 of Abraham.

00:14:39.680 --> 00:14:40.340
 Was there anything

00:14:40.340 --> 00:14:41.320
 dearer to Abraham

00:14:41.320 --> 00:14:42.080
 than Isaac?

00:14:43.120 --> 00:14:43.740
 Yes

00:14:43.740 --> 00:14:45.259
 God was

00:14:45.259 --> 00:14:47.060
 and the test

00:14:47.060 --> 00:14:47.620
 revealed

00:14:47.620 --> 00:14:48.340
 who Abraham

00:14:48.340 --> 00:14:49.200
 loved most.

00:14:50.060 --> 00:14:51.000
 He loved Isaac

00:14:51.000 --> 00:14:52.200
 Genesis 22

00:14:52.200 --> 00:14:52.860
 says that

00:14:52.860 --> 00:14:53.879
 but he loved

00:14:53.879 --> 00:14:54.379
 God

00:14:54.379 --> 00:14:55.000
 more.

00:14:55.000 --> 00:14:59.580
 verse 3

00:14:59.580 --> 00:15:01.519
 you know

00:15:01.519 --> 00:15:02.240
 that the testing

00:15:02.240 --> 00:15:03.019
 of your faith

00:15:03.019 --> 00:15:04.080
 produces

00:15:04.080 --> 00:15:04.799
 perseverance.

00:15:07.100 --> 00:15:07.740
 Understand

00:15:07.740 --> 00:15:08.360
 what God

00:15:08.360 --> 00:15:08.820
 is doing.

00:15:09.379 --> 00:15:10.320
 He's making

00:15:10.320 --> 00:15:11.080
 you stronger.

00:15:11.700 --> 00:15:12.940
 He's producing

00:15:12.940 --> 00:15:13.740
 perseverance.

00:15:14.679 --> 00:15:15.600
 He's making

00:15:15.600 --> 00:15:16.139
 you more

00:15:16.139 --> 00:15:16.740
 formidable

00:15:16.740 --> 00:15:17.940
 strengthening

00:15:17.940 --> 00:15:18.679
 your faith

00:15:18.679 --> 00:15:19.080
 and your

00:15:19.080 --> 00:15:19.840
 usefulness.

00:15:20.539 --> 00:15:21.379
 Just like

00:15:21.379 --> 00:15:22.039
 gold is

00:15:22.039 --> 00:15:22.639
 purified

00:15:22.639 --> 00:15:23.419
 or refined

00:15:23.419 --> 00:15:24.019
 in the fire

00:15:24.019 --> 00:15:25.360
 we are being

00:15:25.360 --> 00:15:26.379
 made more

00:15:26.379 --> 00:15:27.139
 Christ-like

00:15:27.139 --> 00:15:28.219
 as we mature.

00:15:29.579 --> 00:15:30.459
 One person

00:15:30.459 --> 00:15:31.059
 has described

00:15:31.059 --> 00:15:31.719
 it like this

00:15:31.719 --> 00:15:33.059
 trials are

00:15:33.059 --> 00:15:33.819
 employed by

00:15:33.819 --> 00:15:34.240
 God

00:15:34.240 --> 00:15:35.620
 to give us

00:15:35.620 --> 00:15:36.419
 what we most

00:15:36.419 --> 00:15:36.839
 want.

00:15:38.419 --> 00:15:39.199
 Trials are

00:15:39.199 --> 00:15:39.959
 employed by

00:15:39.959 --> 00:15:40.679
 God to give us

00:15:40.679 --> 00:15:41.319
 what we most

00:15:41.319 --> 00:15:42.259
 want and

00:15:42.259 --> 00:15:43.240
 if we are

00:15:43.240 --> 00:15:43.719
 Christians

00:15:43.719 --> 00:15:45.379
 that is not

00:15:45.379 --> 00:15:45.839
 comfort

00:15:45.839 --> 00:15:47.939
 but conformity

00:15:47.940 --> 00:15:49.080
 to Christ.

00:15:50.320 --> 00:15:50.940
 Being

00:15:50.940 --> 00:15:51.680
 conformed

00:15:51.680 --> 00:15:52.220
 to Christ

00:15:52.220 --> 00:15:52.700
 is worth

00:15:52.700 --> 00:15:53.900
 so much

00:15:53.900 --> 00:15:54.340
 more

00:15:54.340 --> 00:15:55.480
 than comfort.

00:15:57.160 --> 00:15:57.980
 For the

00:15:57.980 --> 00:15:58.400
 believer

00:15:58.400 --> 00:15:59.340
 this idea

00:15:59.340 --> 00:15:59.960
 of being

00:15:59.960 --> 00:16:00.660
 matured

00:16:00.660 --> 00:16:01.260
 is good

00:16:01.260 --> 00:16:01.720
 news

00:16:01.720 --> 00:16:02.300
 as we

00:16:02.300 --> 00:16:02.940
 look forward

00:16:02.940 --> 00:16:03.300
 to the

00:16:03.300 --> 00:16:03.700
 day when

00:16:03.700 --> 00:16:04.240
 the trials

00:16:04.240 --> 00:16:04.800
 will end

00:16:04.800 --> 00:16:05.600
 and we

00:16:05.600 --> 00:16:06.200
 are presented

00:16:06.200 --> 00:16:06.940
 as perfect

00:16:06.940 --> 00:16:07.640
 in the

00:16:07.640 --> 00:16:08.300
 new creation.

00:16:08.299 --> 00:16:12.219
 what do

00:16:12.219 --> 00:16:12.799
 you most

00:16:12.799 --> 00:16:13.199
 want?

00:16:14.379 --> 00:16:15.139
 Do you

00:16:15.139 --> 00:16:15.359
 want

00:16:15.359 --> 00:16:16.039
 comfort

00:16:16.039 --> 00:16:17.899
 or

00:16:17.899 --> 00:16:18.759
 conformity

00:16:18.759 --> 00:16:19.399
 to Christ?

00:16:24.240 --> 00:16:25.179
 Call to

00:16:25.179 --> 00:16:25.679
 maturity.

00:16:26.899 --> 00:16:27.979
 Verse 4

00:16:27.979 --> 00:16:29.899
 Let

00:16:29.899 --> 00:16:30.519
 perseverance

00:16:30.519 --> 00:16:31.779
 finish its

00:16:31.779 --> 00:16:32.759
 work so

00:16:32.759 --> 00:16:33.039
 that you

00:16:33.039 --> 00:16:33.359
 may be

00:16:33.359 --> 00:16:34.199
 mature and

00:16:34.199 --> 00:16:34.779
 complete

00:16:34.779 --> 00:16:36.000
 not lacking

00:16:36.000 --> 00:16:36.559
 anything.

00:16:36.559 --> 00:16:38.939
 The

00:16:38.939 --> 00:16:39.239
 Greek

00:16:39.239 --> 00:16:39.479
 for

00:16:39.479 --> 00:16:39.799
 mature

00:16:39.799 --> 00:16:40.019
 is

00:16:40.019 --> 00:16:40.299
 also

00:16:40.299 --> 00:16:40.859
 translated

00:16:40.859 --> 00:16:41.179
 as

00:16:41.179 --> 00:16:41.859
 perfect.

00:16:43.259 --> 00:16:43.679
 This

00:16:43.679 --> 00:16:44.000
 is the

00:16:44.000 --> 00:16:44.299
 virtue

00:16:44.299 --> 00:16:44.579
 that

00:16:44.579 --> 00:16:44.899
 Noah

00:16:44.899 --> 00:16:45.679
 exhibited

00:16:45.679 --> 00:16:46.059
 when

00:16:46.059 --> 00:16:46.879
 he

00:16:46.879 --> 00:16:47.099
 was

00:16:47.099 --> 00:16:47.559
 described

00:16:47.559 --> 00:16:47.919
 as

00:16:47.919 --> 00:16:48.679
 blameless.

00:16:49.819 --> 00:16:50.079
 This

00:16:50.079 --> 00:16:50.439
 is what

00:16:50.439 --> 00:16:50.759
 Jesus

00:16:50.759 --> 00:16:51.299
 intends

00:16:51.299 --> 00:16:51.739
 when he

00:16:51.739 --> 00:16:52.319
 calls his

00:16:52.319 --> 00:16:52.699
 followers

00:16:52.699 --> 00:16:53.339
 to be

00:16:53.339 --> 00:16:54.419
 perfect

00:16:54.419 --> 00:16:54.919
 therefore

00:16:54.919 --> 00:16:55.519
 as your

00:16:55.519 --> 00:16:55.859
 heavenly

00:16:55.859 --> 00:16:56.299
 father

00:16:56.299 --> 00:16:56.539
 is

00:16:56.539 --> 00:16:57.000
 perfect.

00:16:59.199 --> 00:16:59.879
 It

00:16:59.879 --> 00:17:00.259
 suggests

00:17:00.259 --> 00:17:00.639
 that we

00:17:00.639 --> 00:17:01.000
 are to

00:17:01.000 --> 00:17:01.459
 have a

00:17:01.459 --> 00:17:01.939
 character

00:17:01.939 --> 00:17:02.619
 like

00:17:02.619 --> 00:17:03.239
 God's.

00:17:04.119 --> 00:17:04.359
 This

00:17:04.359 --> 00:17:04.819
 type of

00:17:04.819 --> 00:17:05.220
 maturity

00:17:05.220 --> 00:17:05.980
 is produced

00:17:05.980 --> 00:17:06.599
 by holding

00:17:06.599 --> 00:17:07.319
 fast to

00:17:07.319 --> 00:17:08.099
 faith in

00:17:08.099 --> 00:17:08.500
 Christ

00:17:08.500 --> 00:17:09.380
 while in

00:17:09.380 --> 00:17:09.839
 the fire

00:17:09.839 --> 00:17:10.039
 of

00:17:10.039 --> 00:17:10.620
 persecution.

00:17:11.839 --> 00:17:12.039
 The

00:17:12.039 --> 00:17:12.599
 impurities

00:17:12.599 --> 00:17:13.380
 in one's

00:17:13.380 --> 00:17:13.880
 character

00:17:13.880 --> 00:17:14.559
 will be

00:17:14.559 --> 00:17:15.180
 burnt off

00:17:15.180 --> 00:17:15.519
 in that

00:17:15.519 --> 00:17:15.819
 fire.

00:17:16.640 --> 00:17:17.160
 The end

00:17:17.160 --> 00:17:17.539
 result

00:17:17.539 --> 00:17:17.940
 will be

00:17:17.940 --> 00:17:18.539
 not just

00:17:18.539 --> 00:17:19.120
 maturity

00:17:19.120 --> 00:17:19.660
 but

00:17:19.660 --> 00:17:20.579
 completeness

00:17:20.579 --> 00:17:21.059
 or

00:17:21.059 --> 00:17:21.799
 wholeness

00:17:21.799 --> 00:17:23.339
 which means

00:17:23.339 --> 00:17:23.799
 that not a

00:17:23.799 --> 00:17:24.620
 single part

00:17:24.620 --> 00:17:25.279
 of a

00:17:25.279 --> 00:17:25.759
 God-like

00:17:25.759 --> 00:17:26.240
 character

00:17:26.240 --> 00:17:26.620
 will be

00:17:26.620 --> 00:17:27.019
 missing

00:17:27.019 --> 00:17:28.019
 or lacking

00:17:28.019 --> 00:17:28.680
 in us.

00:17:30.860 --> 00:17:31.799
 If this

00:17:31.799 --> 00:17:32.120
 is the

00:17:32.120 --> 00:17:32.700
 end result

00:17:32.700 --> 00:17:34.120
 of the

00:17:34.120 --> 00:17:34.680
 trials

00:17:34.680 --> 00:17:35.960
 difficult

00:17:35.960 --> 00:17:36.420
 as they

00:17:36.420 --> 00:17:36.880
 may be

00:17:36.880 --> 00:17:37.620
 there is

00:17:37.620 --> 00:17:38.039
 indeed

00:17:38.039 --> 00:17:38.460
 something

00:17:38.460 --> 00:17:39.160
 to rejoice

00:17:39.160 --> 00:17:39.519
 about.

00:17:41.440 --> 00:17:42.259
 We are

00:17:42.259 --> 00:17:42.740
 being made

00:17:42.740 --> 00:17:43.500
 whole and

00:17:43.500 --> 00:17:44.180
 complete and

00:17:44.180 --> 00:17:44.580
 mature

00:17:44.580 --> 00:17:45.660
 not lacking

00:17:45.660 --> 00:17:46.160
 anything.

00:17:47.319 --> 00:17:47.980
 Here James

00:17:47.980 --> 00:17:48.720
 invites us to

00:17:48.720 --> 00:17:49.480
 picture ourselves

00:17:49.480 --> 00:17:50.160
 in a state of

00:17:50.160 --> 00:17:51.220
 spiritual maturity

00:17:51.220 --> 00:17:52.620
 where we are

00:17:52.620 --> 00:17:53.400
 rid of the

00:17:53.400 --> 00:17:53.819
 jealousy

00:17:53.819 --> 00:17:55.620
 or impatience

00:17:55.620 --> 00:17:56.700
 or bitterness

00:17:56.700 --> 00:17:58.240
 or selfishness

00:17:58.240 --> 00:17:59.240
 or anything

00:17:59.240 --> 00:18:00.339
 that now

00:18:00.339 --> 00:18:01.140
 spoil the

00:18:01.140 --> 00:18:01.819
 wholeness of

00:18:01.819 --> 00:18:02.440
 our fellowship

00:18:02.440 --> 00:18:03.140
 with God.

00:18:05.079 --> 00:18:06.000
 Do you

00:18:06.000 --> 00:18:06.759
 hunger and

00:18:06.759 --> 00:18:07.380
 thirst for

00:18:07.380 --> 00:18:07.880
 righteousness

00:18:07.880 --> 00:18:10.079
 being made

00:18:10.079 --> 00:18:10.660
 right with

00:18:10.660 --> 00:18:11.039
 God?

00:18:11.480 --> 00:18:12.319
 If you

00:18:12.319 --> 00:18:13.000
 long to be

00:18:13.000 --> 00:18:13.500
 the person

00:18:13.500 --> 00:18:13.940
 that God

00:18:13.940 --> 00:18:14.620
 desires you

00:18:14.620 --> 00:18:15.000
 to be

00:18:15.000 --> 00:18:16.640
 you now

00:18:16.640 --> 00:18:17.359
 have reason

00:18:17.359 --> 00:18:18.079
 for considering

00:18:18.079 --> 00:18:19.079
 it pure joy

00:18:19.079 --> 00:18:20.160
 whenever you

00:18:20.160 --> 00:18:20.980
 face trials

00:18:20.980 --> 00:18:21.460
 of many

00:18:21.460 --> 00:18:22.000
 kinds.

00:18:23.599 --> 00:18:24.660
 The trials

00:18:24.660 --> 00:18:25.079
 can be

00:18:25.079 --> 00:18:25.720
 opportunities

00:18:25.720 --> 00:18:26.500
 for testing

00:18:26.500 --> 00:18:27.660
 to develop

00:18:27.660 --> 00:18:28.019
 in you

00:18:28.019 --> 00:18:28.799
 the perseverance

00:18:28.799 --> 00:18:29.980
 which when

00:18:29.980 --> 00:18:30.480
 it finishes

00:18:30.480 --> 00:18:31.119
 its work

00:18:31.119 --> 00:18:32.000
 will leave

00:18:32.000 --> 00:18:32.700
 you mature

00:18:32.700 --> 00:18:33.359
 in Christ.

00:18:37.619 --> 00:18:38.259
 Skip

00:18:38.259 --> 00:18:38.839
 ahead to

00:18:38.839 --> 00:18:40.059
 verse 12.

00:18:41.559 --> 00:18:42.259
 Blessed is

00:18:42.259 --> 00:18:42.599
 the one

00:18:42.599 --> 00:18:43.619
 who perseveres

00:18:43.619 --> 00:18:44.740
 under trial

00:18:44.740 --> 00:18:46.639
 because having

00:18:46.639 --> 00:18:47.639
 stood the test

00:18:47.639 --> 00:18:48.319
 that person

00:18:48.319 --> 00:18:48.900
 will receive

00:18:48.900 --> 00:18:49.539
 the crown

00:18:49.539 --> 00:18:50.079
 of life

00:18:50.079 --> 00:18:50.960
 that the

00:18:50.960 --> 00:18:51.379
 Lord has

00:18:51.379 --> 00:18:52.079
 promised to

00:18:52.079 --> 00:18:52.500
 those who

00:18:52.500 --> 00:18:52.960
 love him.

00:18:54.139 --> 00:18:54.779
 As we are

00:18:54.779 --> 00:18:55.579
 made mature

00:18:55.579 --> 00:18:56.779
 or perfect

00:18:56.779 --> 00:18:57.779
 through perseverance

00:18:57.779 --> 00:18:58.920
 we will

00:18:58.920 --> 00:18:59.700
 receive the

00:18:59.700 --> 00:19:00.259
 crown of

00:19:00.259 --> 00:19:01.539
 life which

00:19:01.539 --> 00:19:02.599
 the Lord

00:19:02.599 --> 00:19:03.059
 will give

00:19:03.059 --> 00:19:03.619
 to those

00:19:03.619 --> 00:19:04.299
 that love

00:19:04.299 --> 00:19:04.559
 him.

00:19:05.859 --> 00:19:06.519
 There are

00:19:06.519 --> 00:19:07.099
 people who

00:19:07.099 --> 00:19:07.420
 come,

00:19:08.119 --> 00:19:08.680
 you see

00:19:08.680 --> 00:19:08.980
 them and

00:19:08.980 --> 00:19:09.339
 I see

00:19:09.339 --> 00:19:09.559
 them,

00:19:10.240 --> 00:19:10.740
 they come

00:19:10.740 --> 00:19:11.059
 to the

00:19:11.059 --> 00:19:11.399
 church,

00:19:12.059 --> 00:19:12.920
 they profess

00:19:12.920 --> 00:19:13.319
 faith,

00:19:14.579 --> 00:19:15.119
 they might

00:19:15.119 --> 00:19:15.480
 even get

00:19:15.480 --> 00:19:15.879
 baptized,

00:19:16.720 --> 00:19:17.660
 but then

00:19:17.660 --> 00:19:18.259
 trouble comes

00:19:18.259 --> 00:19:18.639
 into their

00:19:18.639 --> 00:19:19.119
 life and

00:19:19.119 --> 00:19:19.559
 they're gone

00:19:19.559 --> 00:19:20.559
 and they

00:19:20.559 --> 00:19:20.879
 may never

00:19:20.879 --> 00:19:21.440
 come back.

00:19:21.440 --> 00:19:23.660
 maybe they

00:19:23.660 --> 00:19:24.100
 got burned

00:19:24.100 --> 00:19:24.360
 in a

00:19:24.360 --> 00:19:24.840
 relationship

00:19:24.840 --> 00:19:26.980
 or maybe

00:19:26.980 --> 00:19:27.920
 they came

00:19:27.920 --> 00:19:28.460
 along and

00:19:28.460 --> 00:19:29.559
 they had

00:19:29.559 --> 00:19:30.259
 to go

00:19:30.259 --> 00:19:30.840
 through some

00:19:30.840 --> 00:19:31.220
 struggle.

00:19:32.019 --> 00:19:32.320
 A dear

00:19:32.320 --> 00:19:32.940
 friend or

00:19:32.940 --> 00:19:33.720
 family member

00:19:33.720 --> 00:19:35.539
 died and

00:19:35.539 --> 00:19:35.960
 it was just

00:19:35.960 --> 00:19:36.440
 too much for

00:19:36.440 --> 00:19:36.720
 them to

00:19:36.720 --> 00:19:37.820
 bear and

00:19:37.820 --> 00:19:38.340
 they walked

00:19:38.340 --> 00:19:39.019
 away and

00:19:39.019 --> 00:19:39.820
 maybe shook

00:19:39.820 --> 00:19:40.460
 a fist at

00:19:40.460 --> 00:19:40.860
 God on

00:19:40.860 --> 00:19:41.200
 their way

00:19:41.200 --> 00:19:42.220
 out and

00:19:42.220 --> 00:19:42.559
 that was

00:19:42.559 --> 00:19:42.880
 this.

00:19:45.240 --> 00:19:45.700
 You see

00:19:45.700 --> 00:19:46.320
 perseverance

00:19:46.320 --> 00:19:47.600
 through trial

00:19:47.600 --> 00:19:48.480
 is the

00:19:48.480 --> 00:19:48.980
 proof of

00:19:48.980 --> 00:19:49.340
 living,

00:19:49.980 --> 00:19:50.480
 mature

00:19:50.480 --> 00:19:51.339
 faith.

00:19:56.299 --> 00:19:56.759
 We've

00:19:56.759 --> 00:19:57.039
 heard the

00:19:57.039 --> 00:19:57.500
 call to

00:19:57.500 --> 00:19:58.039
 persevere

00:19:58.039 --> 00:19:59.360
 and the

00:19:59.360 --> 00:19:59.740
 call to

00:19:59.740 --> 00:20:00.279
 maturity.

00:20:01.700 --> 00:20:02.339
 Next we

00:20:02.339 --> 00:20:02.740
 hear the

00:20:02.740 --> 00:20:03.380
 call to

00:20:03.380 --> 00:20:03.740
 prayer.

00:20:08.220 --> 00:20:08.700
 Looking

00:20:08.700 --> 00:20:09.400
 forward we

00:20:09.400 --> 00:20:09.839
 can see

00:20:09.839 --> 00:20:10.160
 that the

00:20:10.160 --> 00:20:10.500
 day is

00:20:10.500 --> 00:20:12.279
 coming once

00:20:12.279 --> 00:20:12.579
 we have

00:20:12.579 --> 00:20:13.339
 persevered and

00:20:13.339 --> 00:20:13.680
 when we

00:20:13.680 --> 00:20:14.279
 will become

00:20:14.279 --> 00:20:14.759
 mature,

00:20:15.680 --> 00:20:16.220
 lacking in

00:20:16.220 --> 00:20:16.500
 nothing,

00:20:17.099 --> 00:20:17.680
 but for

00:20:17.680 --> 00:20:18.799
 now we

00:20:18.799 --> 00:20:19.279
 all know

00:20:19.279 --> 00:20:19.900
 that there

00:20:19.900 --> 00:20:20.460
 are things

00:20:20.460 --> 00:20:21.000
 we lack.

00:20:22.039 --> 00:20:22.559
 Or more

00:20:22.559 --> 00:20:23.079
 specifically,

00:20:23.259 --> 00:20:23.620
 one thing

00:20:23.620 --> 00:20:24.200
 in particular

00:20:24.200 --> 00:20:24.920
 we lack.

00:20:27.620 --> 00:20:28.259
 Maybe you

00:20:28.259 --> 00:20:28.779
 can't quite

00:20:28.779 --> 00:20:29.500
 see life the

00:20:29.500 --> 00:20:29.799
 way I'm

00:20:29.799 --> 00:20:30.559
 describing it

00:20:30.559 --> 00:20:31.480
 or that

00:20:31.480 --> 00:20:32.039
 James is

00:20:32.039 --> 00:20:32.840
 describing it.

00:20:33.900 --> 00:20:34.500
 That we

00:20:34.500 --> 00:20:34.819
 should be

00:20:34.819 --> 00:20:35.440
 joyful in

00:20:35.440 --> 00:20:35.920
 trials.

00:20:37.039 --> 00:20:37.500
 Maybe that's

00:20:37.500 --> 00:20:37.860
 something you

00:20:37.860 --> 00:20:38.259
 can't quite

00:20:38.259 --> 00:20:38.640
 get your

00:20:38.640 --> 00:20:39.079
 head around.

00:20:40.660 --> 00:20:41.380
 Maybe things

00:20:41.380 --> 00:20:41.740
 are so

00:20:41.740 --> 00:20:42.340
 difficult for

00:20:42.340 --> 00:20:43.059
 you in

00:20:43.059 --> 00:20:43.860
 some situation

00:20:43.860 --> 00:20:44.440
 and all

00:20:44.440 --> 00:20:44.840
 you can see

00:20:44.840 --> 00:20:45.460
 is a mess

00:20:45.460 --> 00:20:46.400
 with no

00:20:46.400 --> 00:20:46.960
 possible

00:20:46.960 --> 00:20:47.500
 purpose,

00:20:47.500 --> 00:20:49.140
 with no

00:20:49.140 --> 00:20:49.680
 opportunity

00:20:49.680 --> 00:20:50.160
 to see

00:20:50.160 --> 00:20:50.559
 how this

00:20:50.559 --> 00:20:51.079
 situation

00:20:51.079 --> 00:20:51.519
 could be

00:20:51.519 --> 00:20:51.980
 resolved,

00:20:52.460 --> 00:20:52.980
 let alone

00:20:52.980 --> 00:20:53.519
 lead to

00:20:53.519 --> 00:20:54.140
 maturity.

00:20:55.880 --> 00:20:56.319
 Well,

00:20:56.339 --> 00:20:56.680
 if that's

00:20:56.680 --> 00:20:57.180
 the case,

00:20:57.660 --> 00:20:58.200
 you need

00:20:58.200 --> 00:20:58.559
 wisdom.

00:20:59.420 --> 00:21:00.000
 We need

00:21:00.000 --> 00:21:00.599
 wisdom to

00:21:00.599 --> 00:21:01.019
 see that

00:21:01.019 --> 00:21:01.539
 all of

00:21:01.539 --> 00:21:02.079
 life is

00:21:02.079 --> 00:21:02.380
 somehow

00:21:02.380 --> 00:21:03.599
 serving the

00:21:03.599 --> 00:21:04.319
 purposes of

00:21:04.319 --> 00:21:04.619
 God.

00:21:07.079 --> 00:21:07.940
 Or perhaps

00:21:07.940 --> 00:21:08.339
 you do

00:21:08.339 --> 00:21:09.440
 see that

00:21:09.440 --> 00:21:09.759
 in all

00:21:09.759 --> 00:21:10.420
 things the

00:21:10.420 --> 00:21:10.720
 Lord's

00:21:10.720 --> 00:21:13.160
 hand is

00:21:13.160 --> 00:21:13.619
 at work

00:21:13.619 --> 00:21:14.959
 in you

00:21:14.959 --> 00:21:15.219
 through

00:21:15.219 --> 00:21:15.639
 certain

00:21:15.639 --> 00:21:16.079
 pressures

00:21:16.079 --> 00:21:16.899
 or trials.

00:21:17.759 --> 00:21:17.899
 And in

00:21:17.899 --> 00:21:18.419
 that time,

00:21:19.259 --> 00:21:22.059
 that will

00:21:22.059 --> 00:21:22.479
 make you

00:21:22.479 --> 00:21:22.859
 mature.

00:21:23.639 --> 00:21:24.039
 But in

00:21:24.039 --> 00:21:24.379
 the midst

00:21:24.379 --> 00:21:24.719
 of all

00:21:24.719 --> 00:21:25.079
 of that,

00:21:25.159 --> 00:21:25.719
 you still

00:21:25.719 --> 00:21:26.179
 don't know

00:21:26.179 --> 00:21:26.579
 which way

00:21:26.579 --> 00:21:27.000
 to turn.

00:21:27.139 --> 00:21:27.599
 There's a

00:21:27.599 --> 00:21:28.000
 fork in

00:21:28.000 --> 00:21:28.339
 the road

00:21:28.339 --> 00:21:28.639
 and you

00:21:28.639 --> 00:21:28.939
 don't know

00:21:28.939 --> 00:21:29.379
 which path

00:21:29.379 --> 00:21:29.739
 to take.

00:21:30.039 --> 00:21:30.379
 You're

00:21:30.379 --> 00:21:30.939
 prepared to

00:21:30.939 --> 00:21:31.439
 persevere,

00:21:31.619 --> 00:21:32.239
 but you

00:21:32.239 --> 00:21:33.079
 don't know

00:21:33.079 --> 00:21:33.879
 the Lord's

00:21:33.879 --> 00:21:34.500
 will in

00:21:34.500 --> 00:21:35.199
 that circumstance.

00:21:36.879 --> 00:21:37.500
 In that

00:21:37.500 --> 00:21:37.839
 case,

00:21:37.959 --> 00:21:38.259
 you need

00:21:38.259 --> 00:21:38.879
 wisdom too.

00:21:41.879 --> 00:21:42.839
 Brian O'Driscoll,

00:21:42.839 --> 00:21:43.659
 the rugby

00:21:43.659 --> 00:21:44.059
 player,

00:21:44.279 --> 00:21:45.099
 famously said

00:21:45.099 --> 00:21:45.419
 in a

00:21:45.419 --> 00:21:45.919
 post-match

00:21:45.919 --> 00:21:46.319
 interview,

00:21:46.980 --> 00:21:48.259
 knowledge is

00:21:48.259 --> 00:21:48.819
 knowing that

00:21:48.819 --> 00:21:49.279
 a tomato

00:21:49.279 --> 00:21:49.879
 is a fruit.

00:21:52.579 --> 00:21:53.799
 Wisdom is

00:21:53.799 --> 00:21:54.220
 knowing that

00:21:54.220 --> 00:21:54.559
 you don't

00:21:54.559 --> 00:21:54.939
 put it in

00:21:54.939 --> 00:21:55.179
 a fruit

00:21:55.179 --> 00:21:55.459
 salad.

00:21:57.679 --> 00:21:58.199
 It's

00:21:58.199 --> 00:21:58.419
 funny,

00:21:58.659 --> 00:21:59.019
 but it's

00:21:59.019 --> 00:21:59.240
 true.

00:22:01.459 --> 00:22:02.139
 If we

00:22:02.139 --> 00:22:04.419
 say about

00:22:04.419 --> 00:22:05.199
 someone that

00:22:05.199 --> 00:22:06.019
 they know

00:22:06.019 --> 00:22:06.619
 the Bible

00:22:06.619 --> 00:22:07.319
 really well,

00:22:08.259 --> 00:22:08.859
 all we have

00:22:08.859 --> 00:22:09.199
 done is

00:22:09.199 --> 00:22:09.899
 describe how

00:22:09.899 --> 00:22:10.299
 knowledgeable

00:22:10.299 --> 00:22:10.839
 they are.

00:22:12.019 --> 00:22:12.459
 But if

00:22:12.460 --> 00:22:12.920
 that same

00:22:12.920 --> 00:22:13.640
 person knows

00:22:13.640 --> 00:22:14.079
 how to

00:22:14.079 --> 00:22:14.799
 use the

00:22:14.799 --> 00:22:15.720
 Bible to

00:22:15.720 --> 00:22:16.240
 understand

00:22:16.240 --> 00:22:17.539
 life and

00:22:17.539 --> 00:22:18.440
 to understand

00:22:18.440 --> 00:22:18.880
 the world

00:22:18.880 --> 00:22:19.539
 around them,

00:22:20.259 --> 00:22:20.700
 if they're

00:22:20.700 --> 00:22:21.019
 able to

00:22:21.019 --> 00:22:21.539
 use the

00:22:21.539 --> 00:22:22.019
 Bible to

00:22:22.019 --> 00:22:23.160
 guide their

00:22:23.160 --> 00:22:23.920
 behaviour and

00:22:23.920 --> 00:22:24.559
 the behaviour

00:22:24.559 --> 00:22:25.220
 of others,

00:22:25.640 --> 00:22:26.259
 then the

00:22:26.259 --> 00:22:26.960
 knowledge that

00:22:26.960 --> 00:22:27.620
 they have of

00:22:27.620 --> 00:22:28.039
 the Bible

00:22:28.039 --> 00:22:28.759
 has passed

00:22:28.759 --> 00:22:29.799
 over into

00:22:29.799 --> 00:22:30.279
 wisdom.

00:22:32.720 --> 00:22:33.640
 The wise

00:22:33.640 --> 00:22:34.500
 person will

00:22:34.500 --> 00:22:35.019
 then be able

00:22:35.019 --> 00:22:35.740
 to see life

00:22:35.740 --> 00:22:36.220
 as James

00:22:36.220 --> 00:22:36.940
 describes it

00:22:36.940 --> 00:22:37.299
 in verse

00:22:37.299 --> 00:22:37.980
 2-4,

00:22:38.360 --> 00:22:39.019
 and be able

00:22:39.019 --> 00:22:39.400
 to make

00:22:39.400 --> 00:22:39.940
 personal

00:22:39.940 --> 00:22:40.720
 decisions with

00:22:40.720 --> 00:22:41.100
 the view

00:22:41.100 --> 00:22:41.880
 to being

00:22:41.880 --> 00:22:42.339
 made

00:22:42.339 --> 00:22:42.900
 mature.

00:22:43.960 --> 00:22:44.799
 We need

00:22:44.799 --> 00:22:45.380
 wisdom to

00:22:45.380 --> 00:22:45.759
 see that

00:22:45.759 --> 00:22:46.200
 all of

00:22:46.200 --> 00:22:47.000
 life is

00:22:47.000 --> 00:22:47.640
 serving the

00:22:47.640 --> 00:22:48.360
 purposes of

00:22:48.360 --> 00:22:48.799
 the Lord.

00:22:50.059 --> 00:22:50.839
 Verse 5,

00:22:51.920 --> 00:22:52.539
 if any of

00:22:52.539 --> 00:22:52.940
 you lacks

00:22:52.940 --> 00:22:53.360
 wisdom,

00:22:53.779 --> 00:22:54.079
 you should

00:22:54.079 --> 00:22:54.920
 ask God,

00:22:55.180 --> 00:22:55.660
 who gives

00:22:55.660 --> 00:22:56.460
 generously to

00:22:56.460 --> 00:22:57.380
 all without

00:22:57.380 --> 00:22:58.279
 finding fault,

00:22:58.380 --> 00:22:58.720
 and it will

00:22:58.720 --> 00:22:59.259
 be given to

00:22:59.259 --> 00:22:59.440
 you.

00:23:01.539 --> 00:23:02.240
 We are

00:23:02.240 --> 00:23:03.100
 told to

00:23:03.100 --> 00:23:04.000
 ask for

00:23:04.000 --> 00:23:04.220
 it.

00:23:06.519 --> 00:23:07.180
 We don't

00:23:07.180 --> 00:23:07.420
 go to

00:23:07.420 --> 00:23:08.039
 college for

00:23:08.039 --> 00:23:08.160
 it.

00:23:08.160 --> 00:23:08.540
 we are

00:23:08.540 --> 00:23:09.240
 told just

00:23:09.240 --> 00:23:09.920
 to ask

00:23:09.920 --> 00:23:10.440
 for it.

00:23:10.779 --> 00:23:11.180
 In fact,

00:23:11.259 --> 00:23:11.519
 we are

00:23:11.519 --> 00:23:11.960
 promised

00:23:11.960 --> 00:23:12.279
 it if

00:23:12.279 --> 00:23:12.640
 we do

00:23:12.640 --> 00:23:13.060
 ask.

00:23:15.700 --> 00:23:16.360
 We are

00:23:16.360 --> 00:23:16.660
 promised

00:23:16.660 --> 00:23:17.320
 that when

00:23:17.320 --> 00:23:17.920
 we ask

00:23:17.920 --> 00:23:18.420
 for wisdom

00:23:18.420 --> 00:23:19.080
 in faith,

00:23:19.160 --> 00:23:19.460
 that we

00:23:19.460 --> 00:23:20.120
 will receive

00:23:20.120 --> 00:23:20.860
 it with

00:23:20.860 --> 00:23:21.519
 abundance,

00:23:22.019 --> 00:23:23.200
 because God

00:23:23.200 --> 00:23:23.620
 gives

00:23:23.620 --> 00:23:24.220
 generously.

00:23:25.519 --> 00:23:26.160
 As we

00:23:26.160 --> 00:23:26.600
 think about

00:23:26.600 --> 00:23:26.980
 our own

00:23:26.980 --> 00:23:27.580
 trials and

00:23:27.580 --> 00:23:28.120
 times of

00:23:28.120 --> 00:23:28.500
 testing,

00:23:29.019 --> 00:23:29.779
 sometimes we

00:23:29.779 --> 00:23:30.220
 can see

00:23:30.220 --> 00:23:30.820
 no way

00:23:30.820 --> 00:23:31.080
 out.

00:23:32.080 --> 00:23:32.600
 We know

00:23:32.600 --> 00:23:32.880
 that the

00:23:32.880 --> 00:23:33.160
 problem

00:23:33.160 --> 00:23:33.840
 facing us

00:23:33.840 --> 00:23:34.259
 is just

00:23:34.259 --> 00:23:35.000
 too big

00:23:35.000 --> 00:23:35.700
 to overcome,

00:23:35.700 --> 00:23:37.059
 or the

00:23:37.059 --> 00:23:37.620
 temptation

00:23:37.620 --> 00:23:38.360
 that we

00:23:38.360 --> 00:23:38.700
 struggle

00:23:38.700 --> 00:23:39.160
 with just

00:23:39.160 --> 00:23:39.740
 keeps coming

00:23:39.740 --> 00:23:40.259
 back and

00:23:40.259 --> 00:23:40.880
 we can't

00:23:40.880 --> 00:23:41.220
 resist.

00:23:42.860 --> 00:23:43.660
 Or the

00:23:43.660 --> 00:23:44.420
 person who

00:23:44.420 --> 00:23:45.100
 we can't

00:23:45.100 --> 00:23:45.660
 get through

00:23:45.660 --> 00:23:46.700
 to is

00:23:46.700 --> 00:23:47.480
 just so

00:23:47.480 --> 00:23:48.340
 hard-hearted

00:23:48.340 --> 00:23:49.340
 that we

00:23:49.340 --> 00:23:50.120
 can't see

00:23:50.120 --> 00:23:50.740
 how they

00:23:50.740 --> 00:23:51.440
 could possibly

00:23:51.440 --> 00:23:51.900
 soften.

00:23:53.900 --> 00:23:54.900
 We can't

00:23:54.900 --> 00:23:55.819
 possibly see

00:23:55.819 --> 00:23:56.519
 how God

00:23:56.519 --> 00:23:57.100
 could act

00:23:57.100 --> 00:23:58.000
 in this

00:23:58.000 --> 00:23:58.620
 situation.

00:23:58.619 --> 00:24:01.339
 if any

00:24:01.339 --> 00:24:01.699
 of you

00:24:01.699 --> 00:24:02.039
 lacks

00:24:02.039 --> 00:24:02.479
 wisdom,

00:24:02.899 --> 00:24:03.579
 you should

00:24:03.579 --> 00:24:04.619
 ask God,

00:24:05.299 --> 00:24:06.539
 because God

00:24:06.539 --> 00:24:07.679
 gives generously.

00:24:10.119 --> 00:24:10.819
 We can

00:24:10.819 --> 00:24:11.339
 easily fall

00:24:11.339 --> 00:24:11.759
 into one

00:24:11.759 --> 00:24:12.339
 of two

00:24:12.339 --> 00:24:12.859
 categories

00:24:12.859 --> 00:24:16.219
 when we

00:24:16.219 --> 00:24:16.939
 face trials.

00:24:17.639 --> 00:24:18.099
 We are

00:24:18.099 --> 00:24:18.500
 either very

00:24:18.500 --> 00:24:19.479
 quick to

00:24:19.479 --> 00:24:19.919
 talk to

00:24:19.919 --> 00:24:20.379
 God about

00:24:20.379 --> 00:24:20.979
 our problems

00:24:20.979 --> 00:24:21.879
 and pray

00:24:21.879 --> 00:24:22.659
 about things,

00:24:23.119 --> 00:24:23.979
 but then we

00:24:23.979 --> 00:24:24.659
 are slow

00:24:24.659 --> 00:24:25.500
 to share

00:24:25.500 --> 00:24:26.059
 our burdens

00:24:26.059 --> 00:24:26.699
 with others.

00:24:26.700 --> 00:24:28.460
 very often

00:24:28.460 --> 00:24:29.819
 God uses

00:24:29.819 --> 00:24:30.640
 people

00:24:30.640 --> 00:24:33.259
 to share

00:24:33.259 --> 00:24:33.819
 his wisdom

00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:34.460
 with us.

00:24:36.220 --> 00:24:36.740
 Alternatively,

00:24:37.200 --> 00:24:37.799
 when we

00:24:37.799 --> 00:24:38.299
 come across

00:24:38.299 --> 00:24:38.779
 a problem,

00:24:38.920 --> 00:24:39.240
 we can

00:24:39.240 --> 00:24:39.680
 talk to

00:24:39.680 --> 00:24:40.039
 everyone

00:24:40.039 --> 00:24:40.580
 about it,

00:24:41.200 --> 00:24:41.840
 worrying

00:24:41.840 --> 00:24:42.299
 about it

00:24:42.299 --> 00:24:42.660
 late at

00:24:42.660 --> 00:24:42.860
 night,

00:24:42.960 --> 00:24:43.380
 but we're

00:24:43.380 --> 00:24:45.039
 slow to

00:24:45.039 --> 00:24:45.500
 talk to

00:24:45.500 --> 00:24:46.059
 God about

00:24:46.059 --> 00:24:46.380
 it,

00:24:46.900 --> 00:24:47.559
 and that

00:24:47.559 --> 00:24:48.019
 is just

00:24:48.019 --> 00:24:48.539
 exhausting.

00:24:49.819 --> 00:24:50.539
 We should

00:24:50.539 --> 00:24:51.059
 be quick

00:24:51.059 --> 00:24:51.819
 to bring

00:24:51.819 --> 00:24:52.080
 it to

00:24:52.080 --> 00:24:52.539
 God in

00:24:52.539 --> 00:24:52.880
 prayer.

00:24:53.460 --> 00:24:53.740
 Seek

00:24:53.740 --> 00:24:54.240
 him and

00:24:54.240 --> 00:24:54.960
 his wisdom

00:24:54.960 --> 00:24:55.779
 and it

00:24:55.779 --> 00:24:56.100
 will be

00:24:56.099 --> 00:24:56.599
 given to

00:24:56.599 --> 00:24:56.859
 you.

00:25:00.579 --> 00:25:01.240
 There is

00:25:01.240 --> 00:25:01.379
 that

00:25:01.379 --> 00:25:01.899
 qualification

00:25:01.899 --> 00:25:02.859
 of asking

00:25:02.859 --> 00:25:03.439
 in faith

00:25:03.439 --> 00:25:03.719
 though,

00:25:03.799 --> 00:25:04.139
 isn't there?

00:25:05.279 --> 00:25:05.779
 And let's

00:25:05.779 --> 00:25:06.159
 face it,

00:25:06.199 --> 00:25:06.439
 we can

00:25:06.439 --> 00:25:06.939
 all struggle

00:25:06.939 --> 00:25:07.419
 with that.

00:25:08.319 --> 00:25:09.139
 We lack

00:25:09.139 --> 00:25:09.579
 faith.

00:25:10.179 --> 00:25:10.980
 We can't

00:25:10.980 --> 00:25:11.500
 see a way

00:25:11.500 --> 00:25:12.139
 out or

00:25:12.139 --> 00:25:12.480
 a way

00:25:12.480 --> 00:25:12.839
 ahead.

00:25:15.079 --> 00:25:15.599
 Well,

00:25:15.639 --> 00:25:16.039
 at those

00:25:16.039 --> 00:25:16.319
 times,

00:25:16.439 --> 00:25:16.819
 we need

00:25:16.819 --> 00:25:17.240
 to take

00:25:17.240 --> 00:25:17.559
 a step

00:25:17.559 --> 00:25:18.500
 back and

00:25:18.500 --> 00:25:18.779
 say,

00:25:19.219 --> 00:25:19.480
 Lord,

00:25:19.719 --> 00:25:20.399
 help my

00:25:20.399 --> 00:25:21.079
 unbelief.

00:25:22.099 --> 00:25:22.619
 That in

00:25:22.619 --> 00:25:23.219
 itself is

00:25:23.219 --> 00:25:23.659
 an act

00:25:23.659 --> 00:25:24.139
 of faith,

00:25:24.140 --> 00:25:25.480
 throwing

00:25:25.480 --> 00:25:26.000
 ourselves

00:25:26.000 --> 00:25:26.340
 in

00:25:26.340 --> 00:25:26.759
 God's

00:25:26.759 --> 00:25:27.020
 hands

00:25:27.020 --> 00:25:27.220
 at

00:25:27.220 --> 00:25:27.440
 his

00:25:27.440 --> 00:25:27.840
 mercy,

00:25:28.340 --> 00:25:29.080
 and

00:25:29.080 --> 00:25:29.480
 then we

00:25:29.480 --> 00:25:29.640
 can

00:25:29.640 --> 00:25:29.960
 ask

00:25:29.960 --> 00:25:30.120
 for

00:25:30.120 --> 00:25:30.300
 the

00:25:30.300 --> 00:25:30.560
 wisdom

00:25:30.560 --> 00:25:30.800
 we

00:25:30.800 --> 00:25:31.020
 need

00:25:31.020 --> 00:25:31.180
 to

00:25:31.180 --> 00:25:31.480
 face

00:25:31.480 --> 00:25:31.800
 whatever

00:25:31.800 --> 00:25:32.000
 the

00:25:32.000 --> 00:25:32.259
 trial

00:25:32.259 --> 00:25:32.640
 before

00:25:32.640 --> 00:25:32.880
 us

00:25:32.880 --> 00:25:33.180
 is.

00:25:37.259 --> 00:25:37.920
 We do

00:25:37.920 --> 00:25:38.180
 need to

00:25:38.180 --> 00:25:38.620
 be careful

00:25:38.620 --> 00:25:39.340
 how we

00:25:39.340 --> 00:25:39.700
 ask,

00:25:39.780 --> 00:25:39.920
 though,

00:25:40.280 --> 00:25:40.900
 because it

00:25:40.900 --> 00:25:41.540
 is possible

00:25:41.540 --> 00:25:42.120
 to ask

00:25:42.120 --> 00:25:42.680
 for something

00:25:42.680 --> 00:25:43.280
 with wrong

00:25:43.280 --> 00:25:43.740
 motives.

00:25:43.740 --> 00:25:46.180
 maybe when

00:25:46.180 --> 00:25:46.740
 we're asking

00:25:46.740 --> 00:25:47.680
 God for

00:25:47.680 --> 00:25:48.019
 something,

00:25:48.180 --> 00:25:48.420
 we are

00:25:48.420 --> 00:25:48.940
 really just

00:25:48.940 --> 00:25:49.500
 wanting our

00:25:49.500 --> 00:25:50.059
 comforts

00:25:50.059 --> 00:25:50.299
 back,

00:25:50.380 --> 00:25:50.740
 aren't we?

00:25:51.779 --> 00:25:52.279
 Or maybe

00:25:52.279 --> 00:25:52.660
 we just

00:25:52.660 --> 00:25:53.120
 want to

00:25:53.120 --> 00:25:53.579
 get what

00:25:53.579 --> 00:25:54.140
 we want.

00:25:56.059 --> 00:25:56.579
 Our

00:25:56.579 --> 00:25:56.859
 prayer,

00:25:56.980 --> 00:25:57.460
 ultimately,

00:25:57.880 --> 00:25:58.380
 if it is

00:25:58.380 --> 00:25:59.019
 for wisdom,

00:25:59.539 --> 00:25:59.940
 will be

00:25:59.940 --> 00:26:00.440
 that our

00:26:00.440 --> 00:26:00.940
 motives

00:26:00.940 --> 00:26:01.519
 become

00:26:01.519 --> 00:26:02.559
 kingdom

00:26:02.559 --> 00:26:03.059
 motives.

00:26:04.019 --> 00:26:04.539
 What is

00:26:04.539 --> 00:26:05.039
 best for

00:26:05.039 --> 00:26:05.620
 the kingdom

00:26:05.620 --> 00:26:06.420
 of God?

00:26:07.740 --> 00:26:08.440
 As we

00:26:08.440 --> 00:26:09.160
 mature and

00:26:09.160 --> 00:26:09.700
 are shaped

00:26:09.700 --> 00:26:10.380
 and molded

00:26:10.380 --> 00:26:10.940
 into Christ

00:26:10.940 --> 00:26:11.480
 likeness,

00:26:11.759 --> 00:26:12.640
 our desires

00:26:12.640 --> 00:26:13.700
 become God's

00:26:13.700 --> 00:26:14.200
 desires,

00:26:14.580 --> 00:26:15.120
 so our

00:26:15.120 --> 00:26:15.580
 motives

00:26:15.580 --> 00:26:16.380
 become

00:26:16.380 --> 00:26:16.960
 purer.

00:26:19.039 --> 00:26:19.759
 So even

00:26:19.759 --> 00:26:20.140
 as we

00:26:20.140 --> 00:26:20.380
 pray,

00:26:20.480 --> 00:26:20.940
 we call

00:26:20.940 --> 00:26:21.240
 out to

00:26:21.240 --> 00:26:21.680
 God with

00:26:21.680 --> 00:26:22.080
 right

00:26:22.080 --> 00:26:22.559
 motives

00:26:22.559 --> 00:26:23.440
 to give

00:26:23.440 --> 00:26:23.880
 us the

00:26:23.880 --> 00:26:24.100
 right

00:26:24.100 --> 00:26:24.700
 motivation.

00:26:26.080 --> 00:26:26.519
 We've

00:26:26.519 --> 00:26:26.759
 already

00:26:26.759 --> 00:26:27.519
 seen that

00:26:27.519 --> 00:26:28.019
 God is a

00:26:28.019 --> 00:26:28.340
 generous

00:26:28.340 --> 00:26:28.680
 giver.

00:26:30.380 --> 00:26:31.019
 When we

00:26:31.019 --> 00:26:31.400
 ask for

00:26:31.400 --> 00:26:31.660
 wisdom,

00:26:31.779 --> 00:26:32.100
 he doesn't

00:26:32.100 --> 00:26:32.299
 think,

00:26:32.400 --> 00:26:32.559
 what?

00:26:32.779 --> 00:26:33.360
 You again?

00:26:34.259 --> 00:26:34.880
 What did

00:26:34.880 --> 00:26:35.140
 you do

00:26:35.140 --> 00:26:35.380
 with the

00:26:35.380 --> 00:26:35.640
 thing I

00:26:35.640 --> 00:26:35.960
 gave you

00:26:35.960 --> 00:26:36.340
 the last

00:26:36.340 --> 00:26:36.580
 time?

00:26:36.860 --> 00:26:37.500
 I'm not

00:26:37.500 --> 00:26:38.080
 giving you

00:26:38.080 --> 00:26:38.519
 any more

00:26:38.519 --> 00:26:39.100
 until you

00:26:39.100 --> 00:26:39.420
 show me

00:26:39.420 --> 00:26:39.900
 results.

00:26:40.700 --> 00:26:41.140
 That's not

00:26:41.140 --> 00:26:41.400
 the way

00:26:41.400 --> 00:26:41.759
 it works.

00:26:41.880 --> 00:26:42.360
 God is a

00:26:42.360 --> 00:26:42.700
 generous

00:26:42.700 --> 00:26:43.059
 giver.

00:26:43.059 --> 00:26:43.859
 He gives

00:26:43.859 --> 00:26:44.440
 to all

00:26:44.440 --> 00:26:45.099
 who ask

00:26:45.099 --> 00:26:45.720
 in faith.

00:26:52.059 --> 00:26:52.539
 Finally,

00:26:52.720 --> 00:26:53.059
 we hear

00:26:53.059 --> 00:26:53.619
 the call

00:26:53.619 --> 00:26:54.339
 to believe

00:26:54.339 --> 00:26:55.299
 and not

00:26:55.299 --> 00:26:55.659
 doubt.

00:26:59.000 --> 00:26:59.480
 James

00:26:59.480 --> 00:27:00.579
 seems to

00:27:00.579 --> 00:27:01.159
 skip ahead

00:27:01.159 --> 00:27:01.599
 in verse

00:27:01.599 --> 00:27:01.980
 6.

00:27:02.700 --> 00:27:03.079
 Let's

00:27:03.079 --> 00:27:03.460
 read that

00:27:03.460 --> 00:27:03.779
 actually.

00:27:03.779 --> 00:27:25.899
 James

00:27:25.899 --> 00:27:26.440
 seems to

00:27:26.440 --> 00:27:26.960
 skip ahead

00:27:26.960 --> 00:27:27.299
 in verse

00:27:27.299 --> 00:27:28.200
 6 because

00:27:28.200 --> 00:27:29.080
 what follows

00:27:29.080 --> 00:27:29.400
 isn't

00:27:29.400 --> 00:27:29.940
 clear as

00:27:29.940 --> 00:27:30.200
 to whether

00:27:30.200 --> 00:27:30.500
 he's

00:27:30.500 --> 00:27:30.759
 still

00:27:30.759 --> 00:27:31.220
 talking

00:27:31.220 --> 00:27:31.799
 about

00:27:31.799 --> 00:27:32.319
 asking

00:27:32.319 --> 00:27:32.539
 for

00:27:32.539 --> 00:27:32.840
 wisdom

00:27:32.840 --> 00:27:34.200
 but

00:27:34.200 --> 00:27:34.700
 focuses

00:27:34.700 --> 00:27:35.160
 more

00:27:35.160 --> 00:27:35.360
 on

00:27:35.360 --> 00:27:35.840
 faith

00:27:35.840 --> 00:27:36.019
 and

00:27:36.019 --> 00:27:36.360
 prayer

00:27:36.360 --> 00:27:36.680
 and

00:27:36.680 --> 00:27:37.440
 how

00:27:37.440 --> 00:27:37.660
 we

00:27:37.660 --> 00:27:37.980
 pray.

00:27:37.980 --> 00:27:40.299
 그대로

00:27:40.299 --> 00:27:41.259
 Chris

00:27:41.259 --> 00:27:57.740
 he souha

00:27:57.740 --> 00:27:58.880
 șoc

00:27:58.880 --> 00:27:59.519
 we

00:27:59.519 --> 00:27:59.860
 ask.

00:27:59.859 --> 00:28:04.639
 And then verse 6 raises the question of our sincerity in asking.

00:28:06.000 --> 00:28:10.139
 Do we want to mature with God?

00:28:10.699 --> 00:28:14.240
 Do we really want to mature with God?

00:28:15.899 --> 00:28:21.339
 Are we totally committed to his way of seeing things and his ambitions for our future?

00:28:21.979 --> 00:28:25.339
 Or are we keeping a door open for the world?

00:28:26.279 --> 00:28:29.459
 Are we trying to have a foot in each camp?

00:28:30.859 --> 00:28:35.339
 God's mind is clear, but we can be double-minded.

00:28:37.639 --> 00:28:43.539
 Faith in verse 6 is our absolute confidence that he will give what we ask.

00:28:44.479 --> 00:28:50.799
 Doubting is our own inner uncertainty about whether we really want him to give or not.

00:28:52.399 --> 00:28:58.979
 Doubting isn't about whether God will answer, nor is the doubter the person who struggles with faith.

00:28:58.980 --> 00:29:02.819
 Doubting is the opposite of Deuteronomy 6.5.

00:29:03.660 --> 00:29:10.240
 Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.

00:29:10.240 --> 00:29:18.779
 James is not saying that our prayers will be answered only if we have a perfect faith that never entertains any kind of doubt.

00:29:19.720 --> 00:29:23.700
 He condemns the believer who is trying to serve two masters at the same time.

00:29:23.700 --> 00:29:33.180
 This doubter is the person who is not wholly committed to God, but plays it safe by praying, just in case.

00:29:33.779 --> 00:29:39.980
 They are interested in advancement in the world, but want to enjoy some blessings now and go to heaven when they die.

00:29:39.980 --> 00:29:43.400
 Well, James says that they won't get wisdom.

00:29:44.500 --> 00:29:47.039
 In fact, it says that they will receive nothing from God.

00:29:47.039 --> 00:29:57.599
 As we come towards the end, this letter is intended for us to read.

00:29:58.519 --> 00:30:04.240
 It is written in a style similar to Proverbs, where it flows from one piece of wisdom to the next.

00:30:04.240 --> 00:30:08.640
 We've seen a few of them already today.

00:30:12.640 --> 00:30:16.819
 And as we continue to read the letter together over the next number of weeks,

00:30:17.079 --> 00:30:22.059
 some of these things today will be expanded on, and others will be explained from fresh.

00:30:22.059 --> 00:30:30.799
 But for today, I want us to remember that we are to consider our trials joyfully.

00:30:32.879 --> 00:30:34.319
 Not because they are joyful,

00:30:37.319 --> 00:30:41.940
 but because as they test us, they make us persevere.

00:30:43.379 --> 00:30:46.639
 And like any good relationship that undergoes testing,

00:30:46.740 --> 00:30:51.579
 the result will be maturity and completeness and wholeness.

00:30:53.019 --> 00:30:55.639
 If we lack these things, which we do,

00:30:56.159 --> 00:31:00.679
 we must ask God for wisdom and be prepared to receive it.

00:31:02.659 --> 00:31:05.480
 And also to get our lives in line with his will,

00:31:06.279 --> 00:31:07.740
 having kingdom motives.

00:31:10.119 --> 00:31:11.419
 Not to be double-minded,

00:31:11.879 --> 00:31:15.119
 not to be wanting to have a foot in both camps of the world and heaven,

00:31:15.419 --> 00:31:19.399
 not to be like a wave so we are blown and tossed by the wind.

00:31:19.400 --> 00:31:25.140
 The heart of this letter is that James wants us to be deep,

00:31:25.680 --> 00:31:31.060
 sincere, consistent, faithful followers of Christ.

00:31:31.059 --> 00:31:36.619
 The heart of this letter is that James wants us to be deep,

00:31:37.159 --> 00:31:41.700
 sincere, consistent, faithful followers of Christ.

00:31:42.419 --> 00:31:44.899
 Like that marriage we spoke about at the beginning,

00:31:45.379 --> 00:31:48.019
 that they are fully and wholly committed to each other.

00:31:49.519 --> 00:31:51.200
 James wants us to be deep,

00:31:51.619 --> 00:31:55.599
 sincere, consistent, faithful followers of Christ.

00:31:55.599 --> 00:31:58.719
 Let's pray.

00:31:58.719 --> 00:31:58.759
 Let's pray.

00:32:07.459 --> 00:32:08.519
 Heavenly Father,

00:32:09.259 --> 00:32:13.959
 I pray that our heart would be your heart,

00:32:14.319 --> 00:32:21.179
 and that same heart that James has for us to be faithful followers of Christ

00:32:21.180 --> 00:32:24.680
 would be our heart's desire as well.

00:32:27.320 --> 00:32:32.560
 We realize that there is much this morning which is difficult to get our heads around.

00:32:33.720 --> 00:32:35.880
 Very often we long for comfort,

00:32:36.420 --> 00:32:40.740
 and we kick against conformity as we battle with selfishness.

00:32:40.740 --> 00:32:43.359
 Lord, we need your wisdom,

00:32:43.359 --> 00:32:45.640
 and we need faith.

00:32:46.519 --> 00:32:50.259
 Thank you that you are faithful and generous,

00:32:50.700 --> 00:32:53.740
 and you give to all who ask in faith.

00:32:54.539 --> 00:32:58.420
 Thank you too that even faith comes as a good gift from you.

00:32:59.480 --> 00:33:03.940
 Please give us humble hearts so that we can ask for faith,

00:33:04.620 --> 00:33:06.799
 wisdom, and the hope of eternity.

00:33:06.799 --> 00:33:10.980
 Trusting in the complete work of Christ on the cross,

00:33:11.159 --> 00:33:13.599
 who has broken down the veil to you,

00:33:13.940 --> 00:33:15.819
 that we have access to you.

00:33:17.859 --> 00:33:21.180
 Please give us a right attitude for the kingdom.

00:33:21.599 --> 00:33:24.500
 Bring our motives under your motives,

00:33:24.779 --> 00:33:27.759
 so we are motivated to see all of life

00:33:27.759 --> 00:33:32.680
 as your plan to bring us and others to yourself.

00:33:32.680 --> 00:33:36.580
 We pray this in Jesus' name.

00:33:37.840 --> 00:33:38.200
 Amen.