WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:16.839 Now please turn back to the letter of James. Page 1011. Let's pray one more time as we come to God's word. Let's pray one more time as we come to God's word. Let's pray. 00:00:20.839 --> 00:00:28.859 Father speak in these moments we pray. Do that work in our hearts by your Holy Spirit that we need. 00:00:30.820 --> 00:00:39.000 And change us to be more like your son because we ask it in his name. Amen. 00:00:41.219 --> 00:00:46.679 Graham Linehan, the comedian, you might know his work, most famous work is Father Ted. 00:00:47.379 --> 00:00:54.840 He was cancelled recently by the comedy community that he belonged to for taking a stand against the trans issue. 00:00:54.840 --> 00:01:09.620 And for Graham Linehan, his refusal to back down on the simple point that children should not be mutilated for ideological reasons cost him his marriage, his professional reputation, and his livelihood. 00:01:09.620 --> 00:01:14.600 Now Linehan is an atheist so we view the world in very different ways. 00:01:15.579 --> 00:01:22.120 But for his resolve to stand against the madness of the culture on this point, I admire him. 00:01:22.120 --> 00:01:35.200 But as I was listening to an interview with him recently, I was kind of struck or it occurred to me that his case poses a challenge and raises a question. 00:01:35.200 --> 00:01:39.620 A challenge and a question for the church in these days in which we live. 00:01:40.900 --> 00:01:46.859 The challenge comes in his willingness to stand up at huge personal cost. 00:01:47.719 --> 00:01:50.740 He lost his marriage, his livelihood, and his professional reputation. 00:01:51.859 --> 00:01:59.500 And he did that because he believes that there are things that are right and things that are wrong and things that are true and things that aren't true. 00:01:59.500 --> 00:02:01.859 And it struck me. 00:02:02.500 --> 00:02:04.739 Am I prepared to be so courageous? 00:02:05.560 --> 00:02:08.539 Are we prepared to be so courageous? 00:02:08.680 --> 00:02:09.379 It's a challenge. 00:02:10.419 --> 00:02:19.439 The question that his case raises is, well, as the church of Jesus Christ, how should we live? 00:02:21.139 --> 00:02:26.500 As the people of God, how should we live in a culture that does this kind of thing? 00:02:26.500 --> 00:02:31.780 In a culture that is shaped and informed in this way? 00:02:33.500 --> 00:02:39.620 Aaron Wren is an American social commentator who you can come across online, AaronWren.com. 00:02:39.740 --> 00:02:49.259 He has observed how the church has been received, particularly in the American context, but in Western culture, how the church has been received over the last several decades. 00:02:49.259 --> 00:02:54.539 And he has developed this way of thinking about the church and the culture. 00:02:54.959 --> 00:02:59.539 And he describes it as a positive, a neutral, and a negative world. 00:03:00.500 --> 00:03:06.180 So the positive, he thinks there was a time when being a Christian was viewed in the culture as a positive thing. 00:03:06.180 --> 00:03:12.439 In so far as if you put, I belong to a church on your CV, that would be of benefit to you. 00:03:12.520 --> 00:03:13.599 That would be viewed positively. 00:03:13.760 --> 00:03:17.500 If you wrote church elder on your CV, well, they would take you very seriously. 00:03:17.960 --> 00:03:19.300 That was the positive world. 00:03:19.819 --> 00:03:20.800 Then there was a shift. 00:03:21.520 --> 00:03:25.800 The neutral world was a time when being a Christian was viewed as neither here nor there. 00:03:26.180 --> 00:03:29.240 That was okay for you if that's what you're into, but it's not for me. 00:03:29.560 --> 00:03:30.700 It might be church for you. 00:03:30.699 --> 00:03:31.839 It's golf for me. 00:03:31.939 --> 00:03:32.919 It might be church for you. 00:03:33.000 --> 00:03:36.979 It might be new atheism for me, whatever it is. 00:03:38.560 --> 00:03:40.759 But most importantly, actually, that was fine. 00:03:41.199 --> 00:03:42.159 We could agree to differ. 00:03:42.299 --> 00:03:43.119 We could have arguments. 00:03:43.339 --> 00:03:43.959 We could disagree. 00:03:44.299 --> 00:03:46.379 But we would all largely get along. 00:03:46.459 --> 00:03:47.519 That was the neutral world. 00:03:48.939 --> 00:03:52.679 But Ren talks about the shift that has happened more recently. 00:03:52.819 --> 00:03:57.539 Now, he's writing in an American context, and he ties it to particular points in American history recently. 00:03:57.539 --> 00:04:02.000 But I think the way of viewing things works really well for all of us. 00:04:03.299 --> 00:04:06.019 The negative world is where we are now. 00:04:06.239 --> 00:04:07.439 There's been another shift. 00:04:08.079 --> 00:04:12.280 And what that means is that being a Christian puts you at a cultural disadvantage. 00:04:13.479 --> 00:04:15.859 We're no longer viewed just as a bit dumb. 00:04:16.259 --> 00:04:16.959 We're dangerous. 00:04:17.819 --> 00:04:19.120 We're no longer thick. 00:04:19.420 --> 00:04:20.300 We are a threat. 00:04:21.560 --> 00:04:24.420 And where there's a danger and where there's a threat, what happens? 00:04:24.539 --> 00:04:26.199 Well, that needs to be driven out. 00:04:26.199 --> 00:04:27.939 And so there's hostility. 00:04:28.379 --> 00:04:34.240 We face, in our day, hostility like we haven't experienced for over a century in this country. 00:04:35.199 --> 00:04:39.659 You are more likely than ever, more likely than ever probably in the last century, 00:04:39.899 --> 00:04:43.740 to be ostracized by your friendship group and dubbed as a bigot 00:04:43.740 --> 00:04:50.579 because your allegiance to the Lord Jesus Christ won't allow you to cheer along at the things that the culture cheers along at. 00:04:50.579 --> 00:04:56.579 Because you can't endorse what the Lord Jesus refuses to endorse. 00:04:57.539 --> 00:04:59.339 Because you won't do that, you're a bigot. 00:04:59.339 --> 00:05:05.739 You're more likely than ever to find yourself in a disciplinary hearing at work or perhaps even to lose your job 00:05:05.739 --> 00:05:11.779 because your allegiance to truth means that you won't play along with the lie around, for example, 00:05:11.939 --> 00:05:13.199 what is a man and what is a woman. 00:05:13.199 --> 00:05:20.399 I was talking to somebody just last night who, in their job, if they are to be promoted to the next level, 00:05:20.519 --> 00:05:25.199 they have to not just kind of accept that this is part of the work, 00:05:26.060 --> 00:05:31.339 but they have to endorse a particular policy that as a Christian they're not able to endorse. 00:05:31.959 --> 00:05:33.459 So there is a ceiling now. 00:05:33.519 --> 00:05:38.939 If you're going to be a faithful Christian, in his industry there is a ceiling over which you can't climb. 00:05:38.939 --> 00:05:47.019 And you will be inevitably vilified for holding the view and refusing to endorse that. 00:05:48.240 --> 00:05:50.719 Persecution, rejection, struggles. 00:05:51.560 --> 00:05:53.040 This is the negative world. 00:05:54.980 --> 00:06:02.839 And the letter of James, to say written by the apostle, was written to Christians in such a world. 00:06:02.839 --> 00:06:09.119 Verse 1, when he defines his audience as the 12 tribes in the dispersion, 00:06:09.819 --> 00:06:14.259 he is writing to Jewish Christians who are mentioned in Acts, 00:06:14.579 --> 00:06:18.500 just after the martyrdom of Stephen in Acts chapter 7. 00:06:18.599 --> 00:06:24.979 So in Acts 8 chapter 1, Acts 8 chapter 4, Acts 11, he talks about those who were dispersed. 00:06:27.199 --> 00:06:32.659 They were pushed off into exile around the time because they were followers of Jesus. 00:06:33.599 --> 00:06:35.619 They're among the first converts to Christianity. 00:06:35.879 --> 00:06:40.039 James refers to them, you see down in verse 18 here, as firstfruits. 00:06:40.259 --> 00:06:44.479 The word that he uses there is the same word the apostle Paul uses in Romans 16, 00:06:44.819 --> 00:06:46.679 and again in 1 Corinthians 16, 00:06:47.000 --> 00:06:50.439 to refer to the first group of believers in a particular area. 00:06:51.819 --> 00:06:57.120 These are amongst the very first believers in the Lord Jesus Christ in the history of the church. 00:06:57.120 --> 00:07:02.139 And they are driven out of Jerusalem by the overzealous Jewish religious establishment 00:07:02.139 --> 00:07:04.639 simply because they follow Christ. 00:07:05.259 --> 00:07:11.939 They left their homes, their work, and their communities under pressure from a religio-political system 00:07:11.939 --> 00:07:17.060 intent on bringing them back to Judaism by any means possible, 00:07:17.060 --> 00:07:23.019 including things like killing others like Stephen, 00:07:24.019 --> 00:07:27.120 kind of violence and torture that saw him killed. 00:07:27.639 --> 00:07:31.600 And James writes to address the problems that have arisen because of this pressure, 00:07:31.920 --> 00:07:33.220 because of this opposition. 00:07:33.220 --> 00:07:37.500 Pressure and opposition bring out the worst in us. 00:07:39.040 --> 00:07:41.760 On the one hand, or they can bring out the worst in us. 00:07:41.800 --> 00:07:45.480 On the one hand, it can make us fight in the wrong kind of way. 00:07:45.480 --> 00:07:49.740 So our anger at injustice, our frustration at abuse, 00:07:49.939 --> 00:07:53.140 sort of thing that is happening here in chapter 1, verse 19, 00:07:53.360 --> 00:07:56.040 can lead us to respond in kind. 00:07:56.240 --> 00:07:59.860 So we pursue life on the same terms as our opponents. 00:08:00.720 --> 00:08:05.060 We operate by the same values, chapter 2 in James. 00:08:05.240 --> 00:08:09.319 When we are criticized, chapter 3, we fight back with a tongue lashing of our own. 00:08:10.620 --> 00:08:12.360 And this includes chapters 4 and 5, 00:08:12.360 --> 00:08:16.939 turning on our allies who we don't think are really engaged in the fight the way they should be. 00:08:17.300 --> 00:08:20.460 Because they don't see things the way we do, we turn on them. 00:08:21.180 --> 00:08:23.939 Question their commitment, question their faithfulness. 00:08:25.080 --> 00:08:29.379 So on the one hand, pressure can make us fight in the wrong way. 00:08:29.460 --> 00:08:32.720 On the other hand, there is a temptation to completely capitulate, 00:08:33.340 --> 00:08:37.379 to roll over because of fear or because simply we don't want the hassle. 00:08:37.379 --> 00:08:44.519 To say chapter 2, James chapter 2, what's going on there is to say that we still believe, 00:08:44.740 --> 00:08:46.460 but we step back from the fight. 00:08:47.559 --> 00:08:52.200 To still believe, but become indistinct from the world around us. 00:08:52.240 --> 00:08:53.700 Because it's too awkward. 00:08:54.139 --> 00:08:55.799 We don't want the hassle or we're scared. 00:08:57.139 --> 00:09:01.379 Or we care about certain things so much that we're prepared to step back from faithfulness. 00:09:01.379 --> 00:09:04.679 We say we still believe, we still go through the motions, 00:09:04.799 --> 00:09:08.860 we might have a very kind of somewhat consistent private faith, 00:09:08.980 --> 00:09:11.939 but we're unprepared to take the stand that we need to. 00:09:13.539 --> 00:09:16.980 When James talks in chapter 1, verse 27, have a look down there, 00:09:17.279 --> 00:09:22.779 verse 27, he talks about being unstained by the world. 00:09:22.779 --> 00:09:27.459 What he's saying is we can't imbibe the same mindset as the culture. 00:09:27.819 --> 00:09:30.039 A culture in the context that he's talking about here, 00:09:30.120 --> 00:09:32.240 where it's okay to ignore widows and orphans, 00:09:32.459 --> 00:09:35.299 to see them as an inconvenience rather than a responsibility. 00:09:36.480 --> 00:09:39.740 Where lines are drawn between the wealthy and the poor. 00:09:40.339 --> 00:09:42.639 Chapter 2, it runs all the way through the letter actually. 00:09:43.059 --> 00:09:44.919 And where selfishness rules the day. 00:09:45.819 --> 00:09:51.519 To be unstained by the world is to take a different mindset to those kind of values. 00:09:52.779 --> 00:09:56.600 So for James' hearers, this letter is a call to obedience 00:09:56.600 --> 00:09:58.459 in the face of a kind of opposition 00:09:58.459 --> 00:10:01.899 that is drawing them into destructive ways of thinking and acting. 00:10:02.579 --> 00:10:04.600 They need to decide which way they'll go. 00:10:05.659 --> 00:10:06.699 And so do we. 00:10:08.620 --> 00:10:10.159 Now we might wish it was otherwise, 00:10:10.419 --> 00:10:11.659 but depending on our personality, 00:10:11.879 --> 00:10:15.199 this is how we instinctively react, isn't it? 00:10:15.240 --> 00:10:19.039 We fight like the culture, or we blend in with the culture. 00:10:20.159 --> 00:10:22.500 Think about the way things went down during COVID. 00:10:23.259 --> 00:10:25.759 The church was under pressure in a really pronounced way. 00:10:25.860 --> 00:10:27.379 The state told us we couldn't meet. 00:10:27.639 --> 00:10:28.819 Many thought we could meet. 00:10:29.059 --> 00:10:30.240 Many thought we shouldn't meet. 00:10:30.759 --> 00:10:32.220 How those two groups behaved, 00:10:32.360 --> 00:10:35.819 and how they treated each other particularly within church fellowships, 00:10:35.819 --> 00:10:37.819 was not the church's finest hour. 00:10:37.820 --> 00:10:43.720 So how do we respond to the growing tide of opposition? 00:10:44.780 --> 00:10:47.400 When you do experience this kind of rejection, 00:10:47.540 --> 00:10:51.040 the rejection of those around you that costs you something more than just your pride. 00:10:51.680 --> 00:10:53.900 It's no longer the case that we're just a bit offended, 00:10:53.960 --> 00:10:56.140 or we feel a bit rebuffed by others, 00:10:56.160 --> 00:10:57.900 but actually it costs us more than that. 00:10:58.240 --> 00:11:00.980 What happens when the state is reaching into your business? 00:11:00.980 --> 00:11:05.000 It's this great behemoth that has established itself as both Lord, 00:11:05.120 --> 00:11:06.519 that is, you must obey, 00:11:06.759 --> 00:11:07.480 and Savior. 00:11:07.700 --> 00:11:09.820 When you get into trouble, we're the ones that will help you. 00:11:10.500 --> 00:11:12.080 When we live in that context, 00:11:12.139 --> 00:11:13.039 how do we respond? 00:11:13.039 --> 00:11:18.219 What do we do with the anger that we feel towards legalized abortion, 00:11:18.639 --> 00:11:22.039 or our despair in the face of... 00:11:22.039 --> 00:11:34.839 What do we do when we despair in the face of the mutilation of children 00:11:34.839 --> 00:11:36.879 who are confused about their gender? 00:11:36.879 --> 00:11:43.799 These are relevant questions. 00:11:45.360 --> 00:11:45.559 So, 00:11:46.559 --> 00:11:49.500 we need this letter 00:11:49.500 --> 00:11:53.860 to remind us what it means to live in exile. 00:11:56.179 --> 00:11:57.580 We need to be reminded 00:11:57.580 --> 00:12:01.100 what it means to live faithfully in exile. 00:12:03.320 --> 00:12:04.720 And James begins, 00:12:04.720 --> 00:12:07.040 he begins his instruction by calling us 00:12:07.040 --> 00:12:09.160 to settle in our hearts and minds 00:12:09.160 --> 00:12:10.620 three convictions 00:12:10.620 --> 00:12:12.100 that need to frame 00:12:12.100 --> 00:12:13.120 how we think 00:12:13.120 --> 00:12:14.100 and how we act 00:12:14.100 --> 00:12:15.560 in the negative world. 00:12:15.960 --> 00:12:16.759 Three convictions 00:12:16.759 --> 00:12:18.420 that need to frame 00:12:18.420 --> 00:12:19.420 how we think and act 00:12:19.420 --> 00:12:20.440 in the negative world, 00:12:20.580 --> 00:12:22.700 and these convictions will underpin 00:12:22.700 --> 00:12:24.639 almost everything else he says 00:12:24.639 --> 00:12:25.540 in the letter. 00:12:26.080 --> 00:12:26.519 Joy, 00:12:27.399 --> 00:12:27.879 dependence, 00:12:28.580 --> 00:12:29.120 and faith. 00:12:29.779 --> 00:12:30.720 Dependence and faith 00:12:30.720 --> 00:12:31.300 sound similar. 00:12:31.420 --> 00:12:32.800 I hope the distinction will become clear 00:12:32.800 --> 00:12:33.440 as we go through. 00:12:33.440 --> 00:12:33.940 Joy, 00:12:34.320 --> 00:12:34.820 dependence, 00:12:35.520 --> 00:12:36.140 and faith. 00:12:37.120 --> 00:12:38.160 If we get these in place, 00:12:38.220 --> 00:12:39.800 they'll help us with much of everything else 00:12:39.800 --> 00:12:41.960 that James has to say. 00:12:42.280 --> 00:12:43.020 Point number one, 00:12:43.700 --> 00:12:44.060 joy. 00:12:44.540 --> 00:12:44.940 He says, 00:12:45.040 --> 00:12:46.240 rejoice in trials 00:12:46.240 --> 00:12:49.380 because of what they are achieving. 00:12:50.760 --> 00:12:51.480 Verse two, 00:12:51.560 --> 00:12:53.100 count it all joy, 00:12:53.380 --> 00:12:53.920 my brothers, 00:12:54.420 --> 00:12:56.640 when you meet trials of various kinds. 00:12:57.400 --> 00:12:59.340 For you know that the testing of your faith 00:12:59.340 --> 00:13:00.760 produces steadfastness. 00:13:00.759 --> 00:13:03.279 And let steadfastness have its full effect 00:13:03.279 --> 00:13:04.419 that you may be perfect 00:13:04.419 --> 00:13:05.480 and complete, 00:13:05.919 --> 00:13:07.179 lacking in nothing. 00:13:11.659 --> 00:13:12.220 Remember, 00:13:12.299 --> 00:13:13.340 he's saying this to people 00:13:13.340 --> 00:13:14.779 who have lost everything. 00:13:15.539 --> 00:13:16.840 Those are the kind of trials 00:13:16.840 --> 00:13:17.919 that he's talking about. 00:13:18.399 --> 00:13:20.720 He's not specific about the nature of the trials. 00:13:21.080 --> 00:13:21.919 They are various. 00:13:21.919 --> 00:13:23.699 And he doesn't suggest 00:13:23.699 --> 00:13:24.659 that we rejoice 00:13:24.659 --> 00:13:27.500 in the actual suffering itself. 00:13:28.019 --> 00:13:29.199 Rejection and persecution 00:13:29.199 --> 00:13:30.240 aren't themselves 00:13:30.240 --> 00:13:31.419 things to enjoy. 00:13:32.199 --> 00:13:33.740 We don't experience rejection 00:13:33.740 --> 00:13:34.519 and suffering 00:13:34.519 --> 00:13:35.039 and think, 00:13:35.339 --> 00:13:35.539 ha, 00:13:35.740 --> 00:13:36.219 wonderful. 00:13:37.479 --> 00:13:38.699 But they are, 00:13:38.879 --> 00:13:39.620 James' hearers, 00:13:39.759 --> 00:13:40.519 are to rejoice 00:13:40.519 --> 00:13:41.419 in the process 00:13:41.419 --> 00:13:42.639 of suffering trials 00:13:42.639 --> 00:13:43.459 and testing 00:13:43.459 --> 00:13:45.240 because of what that process 00:13:45.240 --> 00:13:46.099 is accomplishing. 00:13:46.100 --> 00:13:48.899 James doesn't want his hearers 00:13:48.899 --> 00:13:50.259 to walk into the fire, 00:13:50.879 --> 00:13:52.379 but he does want them 00:13:52.379 --> 00:13:52.940 to rejoice 00:13:52.940 --> 00:13:54.279 when they feel its flames 00:13:54.279 --> 00:13:56.560 because under God, 00:13:57.399 --> 00:13:59.379 these trials are taking them 00:13:59.379 --> 00:14:00.200 to a destination. 00:14:00.420 --> 00:14:00.920 Verse 3, 00:14:01.220 --> 00:14:02.519 for you know that the testing 00:14:02.519 --> 00:14:03.159 of your faith 00:14:03.159 --> 00:14:05.379 produces steadfastness. 00:14:07.060 --> 00:14:08.379 Spiritual steadfastness 00:14:08.379 --> 00:14:09.279 is what we all need. 00:14:10.200 --> 00:14:10.680 Endurance. 00:14:11.460 --> 00:14:13.379 The word has the connotations 00:14:13.379 --> 00:14:14.159 of perseverance, 00:14:14.399 --> 00:14:15.539 spiritual toughness. 00:14:16.019 --> 00:14:17.500 This is what is required 00:14:17.500 --> 00:14:18.939 if we will faithfully serve God 00:14:18.939 --> 00:14:19.860 all the way to the end 00:14:19.860 --> 00:14:20.939 in a culture like ours. 00:14:22.100 --> 00:14:23.519 How do we get that toughness? 00:14:24.120 --> 00:14:25.139 We get that toughness 00:14:25.139 --> 00:14:26.500 by being put through trials 00:14:26.500 --> 00:14:27.679 and prevailing. 00:14:29.600 --> 00:14:30.000 Now, 00:14:30.039 --> 00:14:31.259 we understand what this is like 00:14:31.259 --> 00:14:33.120 in the physical realm. 00:14:33.299 --> 00:14:34.419 If you're going to get fitter 00:14:34.419 --> 00:14:35.659 or you're going to get stronger, 00:14:35.899 --> 00:14:36.879 you need to do things 00:14:36.879 --> 00:14:37.500 that are difficult. 00:14:37.820 --> 00:14:38.700 You need to do things 00:14:38.700 --> 00:14:39.440 that are a trial. 00:14:39.740 --> 00:14:40.919 Things that you feel at first 00:14:40.919 --> 00:14:42.059 that you can't accomplish. 00:14:42.059 --> 00:14:43.799 whether it's lifting weights 00:14:43.799 --> 00:14:44.699 or going for a walk 00:14:44.699 --> 00:14:45.519 or going for a run 00:14:45.519 --> 00:14:46.659 or whatever it might be. 00:14:46.799 --> 00:14:47.559 At the start, 00:14:47.659 --> 00:14:48.419 you feel weak 00:14:48.419 --> 00:14:49.539 and it's painful. 00:14:51.239 --> 00:14:52.219 But it's the process 00:14:52.219 --> 00:14:53.259 that makes you grow. 00:14:55.079 --> 00:14:56.479 And if you're going to grow, 00:14:56.739 --> 00:14:57.679 if you're going to get stronger, 00:14:57.799 --> 00:14:58.659 you're going to get fit, 00:14:58.719 --> 00:14:59.819 there is no other way 00:14:59.819 --> 00:15:00.319 to get there 00:15:00.319 --> 00:15:01.259 and there's no shortcut. 00:15:03.519 --> 00:15:05.439 Our trials make us feel weak. 00:15:07.279 --> 00:15:08.619 Our trials are painful. 00:15:08.620 --> 00:15:11.799 But if we receive them from God 00:15:11.799 --> 00:15:13.560 as his means of growing us up, 00:15:14.100 --> 00:15:16.019 we can rejoice 00:15:16.019 --> 00:15:17.620 that we're actually getting stronger. 00:15:20.519 --> 00:15:23.080 And it's that kind of spiritual strength 00:15:23.080 --> 00:15:24.080 that will lead us to maturity. 00:15:24.259 --> 00:15:24.639 Verse 4, 00:15:24.720 --> 00:15:26.580 and let steadfastness have its full effect 00:15:26.580 --> 00:15:27.580 that you may be perfect. 00:15:28.179 --> 00:15:30.060 The word literally means mature 00:15:30.060 --> 00:15:31.720 and complete, 00:15:32.360 --> 00:15:33.279 lacking in nothing. 00:15:33.279 --> 00:15:37.039 Trials create steadfastness 00:15:37.039 --> 00:15:38.500 and steadfastness in turn 00:15:38.500 --> 00:15:39.959 creates maturity. 00:15:41.299 --> 00:15:42.519 I was saying to the children 00:15:42.519 --> 00:15:44.799 before in their bit 00:15:44.799 --> 00:15:46.419 of Sunday school this morning, 00:15:46.579 --> 00:15:48.639 it's the same with anything we do 00:15:48.639 --> 00:15:49.879 that we need to learn 00:15:49.879 --> 00:15:50.639 in order to grow. 00:15:51.120 --> 00:15:52.100 Think about when you were learning 00:15:52.100 --> 00:15:52.559 to write, 00:15:52.720 --> 00:15:53.559 holding a pen, 00:15:53.939 --> 00:15:54.919 drawing the letters. 00:15:55.100 --> 00:15:56.259 It was really tedious. 00:15:56.539 --> 00:15:57.459 It was really difficult. 00:15:57.600 --> 00:15:58.620 Your hand got sore. 00:15:59.199 --> 00:16:00.919 But what invariably happens 00:16:00.919 --> 00:16:01.519 over time, 00:16:01.579 --> 00:16:02.860 you go through that process, 00:16:02.860 --> 00:16:05.080 and it's no longer a struggle. 00:16:05.200 --> 00:16:06.120 You're much more competent. 00:16:06.399 --> 00:16:07.519 You're mature 00:16:07.519 --> 00:16:09.019 and able to write. 00:16:12.320 --> 00:16:15.560 That is what the process accomplishes. 00:16:16.980 --> 00:16:17.659 And this is what, 00:16:17.779 --> 00:16:20.000 this maturity is what James' hearers, 00:16:20.080 --> 00:16:21.340 what all of us are going to need, 00:16:21.639 --> 00:16:22.419 we're going to be effective 00:16:22.419 --> 00:16:23.460 as agents of Christ 00:16:23.460 --> 00:16:24.720 in his coming kingdom. 00:16:27.259 --> 00:16:28.180 So trials, 00:16:28.740 --> 00:16:30.700 I don't know what you're going through 00:16:30.700 --> 00:16:31.240 at the moment. 00:16:32.860 --> 00:16:33.980 This may be very relevant 00:16:33.980 --> 00:16:34.940 for you right now, 00:16:35.159 --> 00:16:37.120 but it's important to say 00:16:37.120 --> 00:16:38.980 that trials are not a sign 00:16:38.980 --> 00:16:41.279 that God is annoyed with you 00:16:41.279 --> 00:16:42.639 or that he's picking on you. 00:16:44.060 --> 00:16:45.080 Quite the opposite. 00:16:45.740 --> 00:16:46.060 In fact, 00:16:46.120 --> 00:16:47.120 one of the striking things 00:16:47.120 --> 00:16:47.879 about this letter 00:16:47.879 --> 00:16:48.840 is how much James 00:16:48.840 --> 00:16:50.019 is simply echoing 00:16:50.019 --> 00:16:51.259 the words of Jesus. 00:16:51.840 --> 00:16:52.820 I've chosen this series 00:16:52.820 --> 00:16:54.060 to follow the Sermon on the Mount 00:16:54.060 --> 00:16:54.720 for this reason. 00:16:54.720 --> 00:16:55.980 So remember, 00:16:56.300 --> 00:16:57.240 Matthew chapter 5, 00:16:57.240 --> 00:16:58.100 blessed are you 00:16:58.100 --> 00:16:59.259 when others revile you 00:16:59.259 --> 00:17:00.100 and persecute you 00:17:00.100 --> 00:17:01.560 and utter all kinds of evil 00:17:01.560 --> 00:17:02.540 against you falsely 00:17:02.540 --> 00:17:03.580 on my account. 00:17:04.600 --> 00:17:05.120 Rejoice 00:17:05.120 --> 00:17:06.519 and be glad 00:17:06.519 --> 00:17:07.940 for your reward 00:17:07.940 --> 00:17:08.740 is great in heaven 00:17:08.740 --> 00:17:10.059 for so they persecuted 00:17:10.059 --> 00:17:10.559 the prophets 00:17:10.559 --> 00:17:12.360 who were before you. 00:17:14.220 --> 00:17:15.420 Rejoice in trials 00:17:15.420 --> 00:17:16.339 because this is the way 00:17:16.339 --> 00:17:17.460 that it has always been, 00:17:18.019 --> 00:17:18.700 James is saying. 00:17:20.000 --> 00:17:20.500 And he isn't, 00:17:20.759 --> 00:17:21.759 by quoting Jesus here, 00:17:21.799 --> 00:17:22.500 he isn't just trying 00:17:22.500 --> 00:17:23.200 to give authority 00:17:23.200 --> 00:17:24.059 to what he's saying. 00:17:24.340 --> 00:17:25.799 He's also calling to mind 00:17:25.799 --> 00:17:27.120 the first command 00:17:27.120 --> 00:17:27.740 that Jesus gives 00:17:27.740 --> 00:17:28.279 to anyone 00:17:28.279 --> 00:17:29.559 who will be his disciple. 00:17:29.940 --> 00:17:30.380 Do you remember? 00:17:31.220 --> 00:17:31.740 If anyone 00:17:31.740 --> 00:17:33.100 will come after me, 00:17:33.420 --> 00:17:34.660 let him deny himself 00:17:34.660 --> 00:17:36.200 and take up his cross 00:17:36.200 --> 00:17:37.080 and follow me. 00:17:38.680 --> 00:17:39.960 Discipleship 101 00:17:39.960 --> 00:17:41.799 is the suffering 00:17:41.799 --> 00:17:43.000 of the cross-shaped path 00:17:43.000 --> 00:17:43.880 that Jesus walked. 00:17:44.880 --> 00:17:45.840 It is the path 00:17:45.840 --> 00:17:46.799 of mockery 00:17:46.799 --> 00:17:47.779 and rejection 00:17:47.779 --> 00:17:48.880 and suffering 00:17:48.880 --> 00:17:50.920 because that is the path 00:17:50.920 --> 00:17:52.160 that Jesus walked. 00:17:53.200 --> 00:17:54.000 And that is exactly 00:17:54.000 --> 00:17:54.500 the path 00:17:54.500 --> 00:17:55.539 that James' hearers 00:17:55.539 --> 00:17:56.860 are experiencing. 00:17:57.799 --> 00:17:58.920 This is 00:17:58.920 --> 00:18:00.580 the Christian life. 00:18:03.080 --> 00:18:04.460 And it's the Christian life 00:18:04.460 --> 00:18:05.900 because it was Christ's life. 00:18:06.059 --> 00:18:07.779 So Hebrews chapter 2 verse 10, 00:18:08.140 --> 00:18:08.819 For it was fitting 00:18:08.819 --> 00:18:09.840 that he, God, 00:18:10.100 --> 00:18:10.940 for whom and by whom 00:18:10.940 --> 00:18:11.740 all things exist, 00:18:12.000 --> 00:18:13.200 in bringing many sons 00:18:13.200 --> 00:18:13.700 to glory, 00:18:13.840 --> 00:18:14.799 should make the founder 00:18:14.799 --> 00:18:16.259 of their salvation perfect. 00:18:16.600 --> 00:18:16.980 How? 00:18:17.740 --> 00:18:18.640 Through suffering. 00:18:20.200 --> 00:18:21.559 Hebrews 5 verse 8, 00:18:21.559 --> 00:18:22.859 Although he was a son, 00:18:23.200 --> 00:18:23.759 the Lord Jesus, 00:18:23.859 --> 00:18:24.619 he learned obedience 00:18:24.619 --> 00:18:25.599 through what he suffered. 00:18:25.919 --> 00:18:26.940 And being made perfect, 00:18:27.079 --> 00:18:27.559 being matured, 00:18:28.399 --> 00:18:29.339 he was designed, 00:18:29.619 --> 00:18:30.460 designated by God, 00:18:30.500 --> 00:18:31.059 a high priest 00:18:31.059 --> 00:18:31.859 after the order 00:18:31.859 --> 00:18:33.339 of Melchizedek. 00:18:35.500 --> 00:18:36.519 Trials are the means 00:18:36.519 --> 00:18:37.720 God uses to mature, 00:18:37.839 --> 00:18:39.579 to perfect all his children. 00:18:40.200 --> 00:18:41.579 As it was for Christ, 00:18:41.740 --> 00:18:43.460 so it is for us. 00:18:43.980 --> 00:18:45.539 Trials are how he gets us 00:18:45.539 --> 00:18:46.819 off our training wheels 00:18:46.819 --> 00:18:47.859 into maturity 00:18:47.859 --> 00:18:49.059 and onto completeness, 00:18:49.059 --> 00:18:49.579 to glory. 00:18:49.579 --> 00:18:53.879 And it has to be this way. 00:18:54.659 --> 00:18:55.899 It has to be this way 00:18:55.899 --> 00:18:57.240 because it was that way 00:18:57.240 --> 00:18:58.119 for Jesus. 00:18:58.460 --> 00:19:00.119 If we want the resurrection glory, 00:19:00.259 --> 00:19:00.839 we have to go 00:19:00.839 --> 00:19:01.659 the way of the cross. 00:19:01.859 --> 00:19:03.879 If we want vindication on life, 00:19:04.019 --> 00:19:04.980 we have to go 00:19:04.980 --> 00:19:06.159 the way of humiliation 00:19:06.159 --> 00:19:06.819 and death. 00:19:08.720 --> 00:19:09.919 The one inevitably 00:19:09.919 --> 00:19:11.679 precedes the other. 00:19:13.019 --> 00:19:14.539 And this is why 00:19:14.539 --> 00:19:15.500 we don't despair 00:19:15.500 --> 00:19:17.519 in the negative world. 00:19:17.519 --> 00:19:19.859 Look, 00:19:19.900 --> 00:19:20.440 if this world 00:19:20.440 --> 00:19:21.319 is all there is 00:19:21.319 --> 00:19:22.940 and we aren't 00:19:22.940 --> 00:19:23.639 in the hands 00:19:23.639 --> 00:19:24.740 of a sovereign God 00:19:24.740 --> 00:19:25.740 who is our loving 00:19:25.740 --> 00:19:26.519 Heavenly Father, 00:19:26.639 --> 00:19:27.680 then all the apocalyptic 00:19:27.680 --> 00:19:29.079 rhetoric that permeates 00:19:29.079 --> 00:19:29.539 our culture 00:19:29.539 --> 00:19:30.879 is completely understandable. 00:19:32.559 --> 00:19:33.680 The nihilism 00:19:33.680 --> 00:19:34.339 that I hear 00:19:34.339 --> 00:19:35.559 in lots of social commentary 00:19:35.559 --> 00:19:36.420 makes sense 00:19:36.420 --> 00:19:37.359 in the negative world 00:19:37.359 --> 00:19:38.039 without God. 00:19:38.879 --> 00:19:39.859 But that's not 00:19:39.859 --> 00:19:40.440 our posture 00:19:40.440 --> 00:19:41.180 as the church. 00:19:41.180 --> 00:19:44.240 That is not 00:19:44.240 --> 00:19:44.740 the posture 00:19:44.740 --> 00:19:45.320 of followers 00:19:45.320 --> 00:19:46.500 of the Lord Jesus Christ 00:19:46.500 --> 00:19:47.480 because our trials 00:19:47.480 --> 00:19:48.360 have a goal. 00:19:49.880 --> 00:19:50.860 They come in all 00:19:50.860 --> 00:19:51.799 shapes and sizes. 00:19:52.220 --> 00:19:52.860 The way we get 00:19:52.860 --> 00:19:53.600 misrepresented, 00:19:53.759 --> 00:19:54.920 the lies and the abuse, 00:19:55.039 --> 00:19:55.680 the exclusion 00:19:55.680 --> 00:19:56.539 and the injustice, 00:19:56.920 --> 00:19:57.720 the state sticking 00:19:57.720 --> 00:19:59.080 its nose into our families, 00:19:59.340 --> 00:20:00.279 the torpedoing 00:20:00.279 --> 00:20:01.519 of our career ambitions, 00:20:02.120 --> 00:20:02.840 and the damage 00:20:02.840 --> 00:20:04.500 that the stress 00:20:04.500 --> 00:20:05.019 of all of that 00:20:05.019 --> 00:20:06.539 does to our physical 00:20:06.539 --> 00:20:07.519 and emotional health. 00:20:07.519 --> 00:20:09.319 all of those trials, 00:20:09.480 --> 00:20:10.480 in all of this, 00:20:10.799 --> 00:20:12.240 God is refining us 00:20:12.240 --> 00:20:14.039 and he's strengthening us 00:20:14.039 --> 00:20:15.440 and he's growing us up 00:20:15.440 --> 00:20:16.279 on our way to glory 00:20:16.279 --> 00:20:17.700 and that's why we rejoice. 00:20:18.099 --> 00:20:19.299 Yes, we feel weak. 00:20:20.519 --> 00:20:21.660 Yes, we feel like 00:20:21.660 --> 00:20:22.599 it's hopeless. 00:20:23.980 --> 00:20:24.980 But it's not. 00:20:27.599 --> 00:20:28.599 It's like 00:20:28.599 --> 00:20:31.200 when you've been able 00:20:31.200 --> 00:20:32.420 to lift a certain weight 00:20:32.420 --> 00:20:33.240 on the bench press 00:20:33.240 --> 00:20:34.480 for however long 00:20:34.480 --> 00:20:34.879 it's been 00:20:34.879 --> 00:20:36.139 and you put more weight on 00:20:36.139 --> 00:20:36.579 and you think, 00:20:36.680 --> 00:20:37.480 oh, I've got weaker. 00:20:38.319 --> 00:20:39.000 But gradually 00:20:39.000 --> 00:20:39.879 you're able to lift it, 00:20:39.940 --> 00:20:40.799 you get stronger. 00:20:42.440 --> 00:20:43.660 God is refining us 00:20:43.660 --> 00:20:44.519 and strengthening us 00:20:44.519 --> 00:20:45.660 and he's growing us up 00:20:45.660 --> 00:20:47.379 as he gets us to glory. 00:20:51.879 --> 00:20:52.559 Rejoice because 00:20:52.559 --> 00:20:53.819 of what your trials 00:20:53.819 --> 00:20:55.339 are accomplishing. 00:20:56.700 --> 00:20:57.420 But of course, 00:20:57.500 --> 00:20:58.180 this response 00:20:58.180 --> 00:20:59.220 doesn't come naturally 00:20:59.220 --> 00:20:59.859 to us. 00:21:01.119 --> 00:21:01.519 In fact, 00:21:01.559 --> 00:21:02.440 it sounds a bit crazy 00:21:02.440 --> 00:21:03.680 to talk about joy 00:21:03.680 --> 00:21:04.440 in that context 00:21:04.440 --> 00:21:04.940 which is why 00:21:04.940 --> 00:21:05.920 we need to read on. 00:21:06.019 --> 00:21:06.579 What do we do 00:21:06.579 --> 00:21:07.579 and we can't rejoice? 00:21:07.779 --> 00:21:08.240 Well, here's 00:21:08.240 --> 00:21:09.399 our second point. 00:21:10.059 --> 00:21:10.539 Depend. 00:21:11.359 --> 00:21:11.799 Depend. 00:21:12.119 --> 00:21:12.799 Go to God 00:21:12.799 --> 00:21:13.539 for wisdom 00:21:13.539 --> 00:21:15.159 to see trials 00:21:15.159 --> 00:21:15.819 this way. 00:21:18.059 --> 00:21:18.839 Verse 5, 00:21:18.839 --> 00:21:19.419 if any of you 00:21:19.419 --> 00:21:19.980 lacks wisdom, 00:21:19.980 --> 00:21:20.819 let him ask God 00:21:20.819 --> 00:21:21.619 who gives generously 00:21:21.619 --> 00:21:23.039 to all without reproach 00:21:23.039 --> 00:21:25.339 and it will be given him. 00:21:27.159 --> 00:21:28.339 Now, you'll know this verse 00:21:28.339 --> 00:21:31.319 because anytime you're not sure 00:21:31.319 --> 00:21:32.039 what to do in life, 00:21:32.139 --> 00:21:33.000 some well-meaning soul 00:21:33.000 --> 00:21:34.220 will have reminded you of it. 00:21:34.799 --> 00:21:35.459 Ask for wisdom. 00:21:36.339 --> 00:21:37.039 God will give it. 00:21:38.240 --> 00:21:39.199 This verse isn't 00:21:39.199 --> 00:21:40.079 about asking God 00:21:40.079 --> 00:21:40.599 for guidance 00:21:40.599 --> 00:21:41.859 about how to make plans 00:21:41.859 --> 00:21:44.179 or about how to navigate 00:21:44.180 --> 00:21:45.960 a tricky life situation. 00:21:46.500 --> 00:21:47.539 It is about asking 00:21:47.539 --> 00:21:48.299 for the ability 00:21:48.299 --> 00:21:49.900 to see your circumstances 00:21:49.900 --> 00:21:50.560 accurately 00:21:50.560 --> 00:21:54.080 and to keep trusting God 00:21:54.080 --> 00:21:55.039 with joy 00:21:55.039 --> 00:21:56.220 in whatever trials 00:21:56.220 --> 00:21:56.840 you're facing. 00:21:58.640 --> 00:21:59.960 James is very practical. 00:22:00.660 --> 00:22:01.380 He knows 00:22:01.380 --> 00:22:02.580 that you'll only be able 00:22:02.580 --> 00:22:03.160 to do this 00:22:03.160 --> 00:22:04.180 if the Lord enables you. 00:22:04.259 --> 00:22:04.860 There is something 00:22:04.860 --> 00:22:06.120 unnatural 00:22:06.120 --> 00:22:07.539 about rejoicing 00:22:07.539 --> 00:22:08.420 in hardship 00:22:08.420 --> 00:22:09.640 and in trials. 00:22:09.640 --> 00:22:12.700 So we need God 00:22:12.700 --> 00:22:14.020 to give us wisdom 00:22:14.020 --> 00:22:15.080 that we might see 00:22:15.080 --> 00:22:16.700 our circumstances 00:22:16.700 --> 00:22:17.700 and see not just 00:22:17.700 --> 00:22:18.440 our circumstances 00:22:18.440 --> 00:22:19.360 but the whole picture, 00:22:19.520 --> 00:22:20.480 the whole world 00:22:20.480 --> 00:22:21.220 that we might have 00:22:21.220 --> 00:22:22.100 our worldview 00:22:22.100 --> 00:22:23.500 framed by God. 00:22:26.860 --> 00:22:27.960 When did you last 00:22:27.960 --> 00:22:29.420 ask the Lord 00:22:29.420 --> 00:22:29.960 for wisdom 00:22:29.960 --> 00:22:31.140 in this way? 00:22:31.860 --> 00:22:33.140 When trials close in 00:22:33.140 --> 00:22:33.820 when we're suffering 00:22:33.820 --> 00:22:34.840 we usually cry out 00:22:34.840 --> 00:22:35.780 to God for grace 00:22:35.780 --> 00:22:36.920 maybe or mercy 00:22:36.920 --> 00:22:38.800 but when did you last 00:22:38.800 --> 00:22:39.360 ask him 00:22:39.359 --> 00:22:40.559 for wisdom? 00:22:41.979 --> 00:22:42.979 Not knowledge 00:22:42.979 --> 00:22:44.379 or intelligence 00:22:44.379 --> 00:22:45.779 or the ability 00:22:45.779 --> 00:22:46.479 to understand 00:22:46.479 --> 00:22:47.159 more theology. 00:22:47.299 --> 00:22:48.139 Those are all good things 00:22:48.139 --> 00:22:48.699 of course. 00:22:50.039 --> 00:22:51.039 Not an end 00:22:51.039 --> 00:22:51.679 to trials. 00:22:52.559 --> 00:22:53.859 Not asking God 00:22:53.859 --> 00:22:54.539 for a life 00:22:54.539 --> 00:22:55.679 of comfort. 00:22:57.019 --> 00:22:58.000 When did you last 00:22:58.000 --> 00:22:58.439 ask him 00:22:58.439 --> 00:22:59.319 for wisdom? 00:22:59.679 --> 00:23:00.299 It is a prayer 00:23:00.299 --> 00:23:00.819 did you see 00:23:00.819 --> 00:23:01.559 that he promises 00:23:01.559 --> 00:23:02.179 to answer? 00:23:02.399 --> 00:23:03.699 It will be given. 00:23:05.319 --> 00:23:06.019 And did you notice 00:23:06.019 --> 00:23:06.599 as well 00:23:06.599 --> 00:23:08.099 he gives it generously. 00:23:09.359 --> 00:23:12.059 And we need to see 00:23:12.059 --> 00:23:12.659 that when we ask 00:23:12.659 --> 00:23:13.059 for wisdom 00:23:13.059 --> 00:23:13.559 we're asking 00:23:13.559 --> 00:23:14.059 for something 00:23:14.059 --> 00:23:15.139 very practical. 00:23:16.059 --> 00:23:16.919 And I don't just mean 00:23:16.919 --> 00:23:18.939 I know the old trope 00:23:18.939 --> 00:23:20.939 knowledge is knowing 00:23:20.939 --> 00:23:21.819 a tomato is a fruit 00:23:21.819 --> 00:23:22.559 wisdom is knowing 00:23:22.559 --> 00:23:23.059 not to put it 00:23:23.059 --> 00:23:23.619 in a fruit salad. 00:23:23.779 --> 00:23:24.159 Ha ha. 00:23:24.319 --> 00:23:24.679 I know. 00:23:24.819 --> 00:23:25.579 I understand that. 00:23:25.699 --> 00:23:26.359 Very practical. 00:23:26.359 --> 00:23:26.859 No. 00:23:27.000 --> 00:23:27.939 What he's doing here 00:23:27.939 --> 00:23:29.079 remember his audience. 00:23:30.359 --> 00:23:31.019 James' audience 00:23:31.019 --> 00:23:32.139 is from a Jewish background 00:23:32.139 --> 00:23:33.379 and in Jewish mind 00:23:33.379 --> 00:23:34.119 wisdom 00:23:34.119 --> 00:23:35.299 meant the sort of 00:23:35.299 --> 00:23:36.379 practical righteousness 00:23:36.379 --> 00:23:38.059 that God required 00:23:38.059 --> 00:23:39.039 for everyday life. 00:23:39.740 --> 00:23:40.659 Which is why we have 00:23:40.659 --> 00:23:41.459 the book of Proverbs 00:23:41.459 --> 00:23:42.019 for example. 00:23:42.139 --> 00:23:42.699 That kind of 00:23:42.699 --> 00:23:44.359 very practical righteousness 00:23:44.359 --> 00:23:45.719 for everyday life. 00:23:46.379 --> 00:23:47.399 Wisdom is a life 00:23:47.399 --> 00:23:48.479 lived God's way. 00:23:48.859 --> 00:23:49.579 A life lived 00:23:49.579 --> 00:23:50.599 according to God's 00:23:50.599 --> 00:23:51.479 purpose and will. 00:23:52.359 --> 00:23:53.319 A life lived 00:23:53.319 --> 00:23:54.240 to please him. 00:23:54.240 --> 00:23:56.599 And the ability 00:23:56.599 --> 00:23:57.460 to do that 00:23:57.460 --> 00:23:58.839 is what we ask for 00:23:58.839 --> 00:23:59.519 when we ask 00:23:59.519 --> 00:24:00.400 for wisdom. 00:24:02.920 --> 00:24:03.980 When you're being 00:24:03.980 --> 00:24:05.259 squeezed 00:24:05.259 --> 00:24:06.059 by the culture 00:24:06.059 --> 00:24:07.519 this is actually 00:24:07.519 --> 00:24:08.240 what you need. 00:24:08.700 --> 00:24:09.440 When there are 00:24:09.440 --> 00:24:10.240 tough ethical 00:24:10.240 --> 00:24:11.519 decisions to be made 00:24:11.519 --> 00:24:12.500 so when you have 00:24:12.500 --> 00:24:14.240 competing demands 00:24:14.240 --> 00:24:14.779 as it were 00:24:14.779 --> 00:24:15.660 that are upon you 00:24:15.660 --> 00:24:16.180 as a Christian 00:24:16.180 --> 00:24:16.920 so on the one hand 00:24:16.920 --> 00:24:17.720 you're called to provide 00:24:17.720 --> 00:24:18.400 for your family 00:24:18.400 --> 00:24:19.680 and on the other hand 00:24:19.680 --> 00:24:20.740 you're called to not 00:24:20.740 --> 00:24:21.740 glorify God 00:24:21.740 --> 00:24:23.000 and not glorify 00:24:23.000 --> 00:24:24.220 those things 00:24:24.220 --> 00:24:24.940 that God says 00:24:24.940 --> 00:24:26.079 you can't glorify 00:24:26.079 --> 00:24:28.039 you know 00:24:28.039 --> 00:24:29.740 there's a tough 00:24:29.740 --> 00:24:30.519 ethical decision 00:24:30.519 --> 00:24:31.420 to be made there 00:24:31.420 --> 00:24:32.660 you need wisdom. 00:24:33.100 --> 00:24:34.180 You need wisdom 00:24:34.180 --> 00:24:34.960 in order to do 00:24:34.960 --> 00:24:35.500 the right thing 00:24:35.500 --> 00:24:36.279 in order to live 00:24:36.279 --> 00:24:37.220 obediently. 00:24:39.160 --> 00:24:40.059 When you're praying 00:24:40.059 --> 00:24:40.519 for someone 00:24:40.519 --> 00:24:41.140 who's struggling 00:24:41.140 --> 00:24:42.019 this is what 00:24:42.019 --> 00:24:42.620 you should ask 00:24:42.620 --> 00:24:43.079 for them. 00:24:43.880 --> 00:24:44.880 When you're supporting 00:24:44.880 --> 00:24:45.480 someone through 00:24:45.480 --> 00:24:46.180 hard times 00:24:46.180 --> 00:24:47.000 this is where 00:24:47.000 --> 00:24:48.240 you should point them. 00:24:48.720 --> 00:24:49.539 When life 00:24:49.539 --> 00:24:50.339 is harder 00:24:50.339 --> 00:24:51.140 than hard 00:24:51.140 --> 00:24:52.940 ask God 00:24:52.940 --> 00:24:53.860 for wisdom 00:24:53.860 --> 00:24:55.140 for the ability 00:24:55.140 --> 00:24:55.840 as John Calvin 00:24:55.840 --> 00:24:56.160 says 00:24:56.160 --> 00:24:57.300 to submit to him 00:24:57.300 --> 00:24:58.060 in the endurance 00:24:58.060 --> 00:24:58.720 of evils 00:24:58.720 --> 00:24:59.780 under a due 00:24:59.780 --> 00:25:00.300 conviction 00:25:00.300 --> 00:25:01.060 that he so 00:25:01.060 --> 00:25:02.500 orders all things 00:25:02.500 --> 00:25:03.580 as to promote 00:25:03.580 --> 00:25:05.140 our salvation. 00:25:06.000 --> 00:25:07.080 Calvin is saying 00:25:07.080 --> 00:25:07.400 is 00:25:07.400 --> 00:25:09.120 you're asking him 00:25:09.120 --> 00:25:09.759 that you 00:25:09.759 --> 00:25:11.460 can submit to God 00:25:11.460 --> 00:25:12.060 in and through 00:25:12.060 --> 00:25:12.960 this whole situation 00:25:12.960 --> 00:25:13.480 trusting 00:25:13.480 --> 00:25:14.560 that the trials 00:25:14.560 --> 00:25:15.120 that you're going 00:25:15.120 --> 00:25:15.380 through 00:25:15.380 --> 00:25:16.580 are growing you up. 00:25:16.579 --> 00:25:19.079 they are his means 00:25:19.079 --> 00:25:19.619 of getting you 00:25:19.619 --> 00:25:20.059 to glory. 00:25:22.119 --> 00:25:22.819 John Newton 00:25:22.819 --> 00:25:23.419 said everything 00:25:23.419 --> 00:25:24.039 is needful 00:25:24.039 --> 00:25:24.740 that he sends 00:25:24.740 --> 00:25:25.960 nothing can be 00:25:25.960 --> 00:25:26.339 needful 00:25:26.339 --> 00:25:27.299 that he withholds. 00:25:27.899 --> 00:25:28.799 When we pray 00:25:28.799 --> 00:25:29.379 for wisdom 00:25:29.379 --> 00:25:30.779 we are asking 00:25:30.779 --> 00:25:31.799 to be able 00:25:31.799 --> 00:25:32.699 to say that 00:25:32.699 --> 00:25:33.779 of our trials 00:25:33.779 --> 00:25:34.779 and do it 00:25:34.779 --> 00:25:35.399 with conviction. 00:25:36.500 --> 00:25:36.759 Nothing 00:25:36.759 --> 00:25:37.859 is 00:25:37.859 --> 00:25:38.339 everything 00:25:38.339 --> 00:25:39.059 is needful 00:25:39.059 --> 00:25:39.779 that he sends. 00:25:39.919 --> 00:25:40.439 That trial 00:25:40.439 --> 00:25:40.879 that has come 00:25:40.879 --> 00:25:41.500 into your life 00:25:41.500 --> 00:25:42.159 that opposition 00:25:42.159 --> 00:25:43.000 that persecution 00:25:43.000 --> 00:25:44.199 the Lord 00:25:44.199 --> 00:25:45.199 thinks you need it. 00:25:46.579 --> 00:25:47.159 The infinitely 00:25:47.159 --> 00:25:47.819 wise God 00:25:47.819 --> 00:25:48.240 thinks that 00:25:48.240 --> 00:25:48.859 you need it 00:25:48.859 --> 00:25:49.859 in order 00:25:49.859 --> 00:25:51.099 to make you 00:25:51.099 --> 00:25:51.379 holy. 00:25:52.759 --> 00:25:53.539 And those things 00:25:53.539 --> 00:25:54.000 that he keeps 00:25:54.000 --> 00:25:54.319 from you 00:25:54.319 --> 00:25:54.779 that you think 00:25:54.779 --> 00:25:55.240 you want 00:25:55.240 --> 00:25:58.480 nothing can be 00:25:58.480 --> 00:25:58.799 needful 00:25:58.799 --> 00:25:59.699 that he withholds. 00:26:00.439 --> 00:26:01.059 He deems that 00:26:01.059 --> 00:26:01.559 at the moment 00:26:01.559 --> 00:26:02.579 you don't need it. 00:26:04.879 --> 00:26:05.740 And so when we 00:26:05.740 --> 00:26:06.339 ask for wisdom 00:26:06.339 --> 00:26:07.000 we are asking 00:26:07.000 --> 00:26:08.000 to be able 00:26:08.000 --> 00:26:08.939 to say that 00:26:08.939 --> 00:26:10.119 of our trials. 00:26:12.759 --> 00:26:13.399 You say 00:26:13.399 --> 00:26:13.659 no 00:26:13.659 --> 00:26:14.339 no 00:26:14.339 --> 00:26:15.379 can't do that. 00:26:15.380 --> 00:26:16.380 I can't 00:26:16.380 --> 00:26:16.840 do that 00:26:16.840 --> 00:26:17.480 and 00:26:17.480 --> 00:26:18.840 I'm angry 00:26:18.840 --> 00:26:19.540 actually 00:26:19.540 --> 00:26:20.100 with him 00:26:20.100 --> 00:26:21.260 that he's 00:26:21.260 --> 00:26:21.820 put me here. 00:26:24.200 --> 00:26:24.840 Well you're 00:26:24.840 --> 00:26:25.380 right in one 00:26:25.380 --> 00:26:25.700 sense 00:26:25.700 --> 00:26:26.960 you can't 00:26:26.960 --> 00:26:27.500 rejoice in 00:26:27.500 --> 00:26:27.980 trials in 00:26:27.980 --> 00:26:28.260 your own 00:26:28.260 --> 00:26:28.640 strength 00:26:28.640 --> 00:26:30.200 but if we 00:26:30.200 --> 00:26:30.760 ask God 00:26:30.760 --> 00:26:31.440 he gives us 00:26:31.440 --> 00:26:32.040 what we need 00:26:32.040 --> 00:26:32.540 and he gives 00:26:32.540 --> 00:26:33.280 it generously. 00:26:34.860 --> 00:26:35.620 So let's 00:26:35.620 --> 00:26:35.960 ask him 00:26:35.960 --> 00:26:36.240 for what 00:26:36.240 --> 00:26:36.780 he's promised. 00:26:38.280 --> 00:26:38.760 Whatever 00:26:38.760 --> 00:26:39.220 opposition 00:26:39.220 --> 00:26:39.920 you're facing 00:26:39.920 --> 00:26:41.720 simply because 00:26:41.720 --> 00:26:42.080 you're a 00:26:42.080 --> 00:26:42.400 Christian 00:26:42.400 --> 00:26:44.340 ask God 00:26:44.339 --> 00:26:44.839 for wisdom 00:26:44.839 --> 00:26:46.000 he has 00:26:46.000 --> 00:26:46.299 promised 00:26:46.299 --> 00:26:46.639 that he'll 00:26:46.639 --> 00:26:47.019 give it. 00:26:48.240 --> 00:26:48.720 But there 00:26:48.720 --> 00:26:48.939 is a 00:26:48.939 --> 00:26:49.299 condition 00:26:49.299 --> 00:26:49.579 do you 00:26:49.579 --> 00:26:49.980 see that? 00:26:50.379 --> 00:26:51.059 Verse 6 00:26:51.059 --> 00:26:52.779 there is a 00:26:52.779 --> 00:26:53.119 condition 00:26:53.119 --> 00:26:53.679 and here's 00:26:53.679 --> 00:26:54.299 our third 00:26:54.299 --> 00:26:54.819 conviction 00:26:54.819 --> 00:26:57.079 but let him 00:26:57.079 --> 00:26:57.779 ask in faith 00:26:57.779 --> 00:26:58.159 with no 00:26:58.159 --> 00:26:58.559 doubting 00:26:58.559 --> 00:26:59.179 for the one 00:26:59.179 --> 00:26:59.579 who doubts 00:26:59.579 --> 00:26:59.980 is like a 00:26:59.980 --> 00:27:00.419 wave of the 00:27:00.419 --> 00:27:00.839 sea that is 00:27:00.839 --> 00:27:01.319 driven and 00:27:01.319 --> 00:27:01.720 tossed by 00:27:01.720 --> 00:27:02.039 the wind 00:27:02.039 --> 00:27:02.379 for that 00:27:02.379 --> 00:27:03.259 person must 00:27:03.259 --> 00:27:03.819 not suppose 00:27:03.819 --> 00:27:04.299 that he will 00:27:04.299 --> 00:27:05.000 receive anything 00:27:05.000 --> 00:27:05.419 from the 00:27:05.419 --> 00:27:05.659 Lord 00:27:05.659 --> 00:27:06.539 he is a 00:27:06.539 --> 00:27:07.039 double minded 00:27:07.039 --> 00:27:07.779 man unstable 00:27:07.779 --> 00:27:08.399 in all his 00:27:08.399 --> 00:27:08.799 ways. 00:27:09.699 --> 00:27:10.000 Point number 00:27:10.000 --> 00:27:10.579 three we need 00:27:10.579 --> 00:27:11.019 faith. 00:27:12.099 --> 00:27:12.500 We need to 00:27:12.500 --> 00:27:13.480 genuinely trust 00:27:13.480 --> 00:27:13.839 God. 00:27:14.339 --> 00:27:15.839 Remember 00:27:15.839 --> 00:27:16.500 Jesus Matthew 00:27:16.500 --> 00:27:17.000 21 00:27:17.000 --> 00:27:17.419 21 00:27:17.419 --> 00:27:17.939 if you have 00:27:17.939 --> 00:27:18.319 faith and 00:27:18.319 --> 00:27:18.639 do not 00:27:18.639 --> 00:27:19.019 doubt you 00:27:19.019 --> 00:27:19.720 will receive 00:27:19.720 --> 00:27:20.359 whatever you 00:27:20.359 --> 00:27:21.059 ask for in 00:27:21.059 --> 00:27:21.359 prayer. 00:27:23.459 --> 00:27:24.179 Asking for 00:27:24.179 --> 00:27:25.179 wisdom requires 00:27:25.179 --> 00:27:25.779 us to have 00:27:25.779 --> 00:27:26.459 faith that God 00:27:26.459 --> 00:27:26.839 knows what 00:27:26.839 --> 00:27:27.279 he's doing 00:27:27.279 --> 00:27:28.799 that his 00:27:28.799 --> 00:27:29.359 promises are 00:27:29.359 --> 00:27:30.619 true that he 00:27:30.619 --> 00:27:31.359 is making us 00:27:31.359 --> 00:27:32.419 steadfast and 00:27:32.419 --> 00:27:33.179 this is what we 00:27:33.179 --> 00:27:34.019 actually need. 00:27:34.799 --> 00:27:35.559 In our trials 00:27:35.559 --> 00:27:36.159 there is a big 00:27:36.159 --> 00:27:36.759 difference between 00:27:36.759 --> 00:27:37.459 asking God 00:27:37.459 --> 00:27:38.240 please take this 00:27:38.240 --> 00:27:39.019 struggle away I 00:27:39.019 --> 00:27:40.179 don't want it and 00:27:40.179 --> 00:27:41.179 please give me 00:27:41.179 --> 00:27:41.980 wisdom to endure 00:27:41.980 --> 00:27:42.480 in faith. 00:27:42.480 --> 00:27:45.160 one is about 00:27:45.160 --> 00:27:45.640 your personal 00:27:45.640 --> 00:27:46.240 comfort the 00:27:46.240 --> 00:27:46.779 other is 00:27:46.779 --> 00:27:47.559 acknowledging God's 00:27:47.559 --> 00:27:48.099 providence and 00:27:48.099 --> 00:27:48.779 the trial is a 00:27:48.779 --> 00:27:49.480 necessary and 00:27:49.480 --> 00:27:50.140 good thing for 00:27:50.140 --> 00:27:50.360 you. 00:27:51.819 --> 00:27:52.759 One has you at 00:27:52.759 --> 00:27:53.360 the center the 00:27:53.360 --> 00:27:54.539 other has God 00:27:54.539 --> 00:27:55.140 at the center. 00:27:55.140 --> 00:27:57.460 And if we ask 00:27:57.460 --> 00:27:58.240 for wisdom when we 00:27:58.240 --> 00:27:59.160 really want comfort 00:27:59.160 --> 00:28:00.420 if we ask for 00:28:00.420 --> 00:28:01.120 wisdom we don't 00:28:01.120 --> 00:28:01.840 really think that 00:28:01.840 --> 00:28:02.380 that's what we 00:28:02.380 --> 00:28:03.560 need we're not 00:28:03.560 --> 00:28:04.140 going to get it. 00:28:05.660 --> 00:28:06.620 So the trials 00:28:06.620 --> 00:28:07.420 won't achieve 00:28:07.420 --> 00:28:08.700 their aim and 00:28:08.700 --> 00:28:09.520 we end up stuck 00:28:09.520 --> 00:28:10.720 and that's when 00:28:10.720 --> 00:28:11.640 bitterness sets in 00:28:11.640 --> 00:28:12.160 and resentment 00:28:12.160 --> 00:28:13.300 and we spiral. 00:28:15.700 --> 00:28:16.440 James's imagery 00:28:16.440 --> 00:28:17.280 here describes us 00:28:17.280 --> 00:28:18.220 as double-minded 00:28:18.220 --> 00:28:19.040 now he'll revisit 00:28:19.040 --> 00:28:19.920 this idea later 00:28:19.920 --> 00:28:20.820 and so will we 00:28:20.820 --> 00:28:21.440 Lord willing. 00:28:21.920 --> 00:28:22.520 He's saying we're 00:28:22.520 --> 00:28:23.220 blown all over the 00:28:23.220 --> 00:28:23.540 place. 00:28:23.539 --> 00:28:24.839 When we don't 00:28:24.839 --> 00:28:25.379 have the wisdom 00:28:25.379 --> 00:28:26.139 that we need 00:28:26.139 --> 00:28:27.259 we're blown all 00:28:27.259 --> 00:28:27.879 over the place 00:28:27.879 --> 00:28:29.359 looking two ways 00:28:29.359 --> 00:28:29.740 at once. 00:28:29.839 --> 00:28:30.480 The double-minded 00:28:30.480 --> 00:28:31.460 person literally 00:28:31.460 --> 00:28:32.859 two-souled 00:28:32.859 --> 00:28:34.700 person one that 00:28:34.700 --> 00:28:35.279 trusts God and 00:28:35.279 --> 00:28:35.920 one that doesn't 00:28:35.920 --> 00:28:36.639 John Bunyan 00:28:36.639 --> 00:28:38.000 Pilgrim's Progress 00:28:38.000 --> 00:28:38.799 describes this 00:28:38.799 --> 00:28:39.240 person as 00:28:39.240 --> 00:28:40.240 Mr. Facing 00:28:40.240 --> 00:28:40.980 Both Ways. 00:28:43.059 --> 00:28:44.180 If our trials 00:28:44.180 --> 00:28:45.000 don't push us 00:28:45.000 --> 00:28:45.799 to rest on the 00:28:45.799 --> 00:28:46.779 truth on the 00:28:46.779 --> 00:28:47.700 promises of God 00:28:47.700 --> 00:28:48.420 there will be no 00:28:48.420 --> 00:28:49.279 calmness in our 00:28:49.279 --> 00:28:50.539 soul and no 00:28:50.539 --> 00:28:51.759 life of joy. 00:28:51.759 --> 00:28:55.279 James isn't 00:28:55.279 --> 00:28:56.299 demanding perfect 00:28:56.299 --> 00:28:56.740 faith. 00:28:56.900 --> 00:28:57.420 There's no such 00:28:57.420 --> 00:28:57.740 thing. 00:28:59.440 --> 00:29:00.019 Neither is he 00:29:00.019 --> 00:29:00.720 dismissing the 00:29:00.720 --> 00:29:01.259 person who is 00:29:01.259 --> 00:29:02.319 genuinely wrestling 00:29:02.319 --> 00:29:02.940 with doubt. 00:29:04.039 --> 00:29:05.059 He's not seeking 00:29:05.059 --> 00:29:05.900 to say it's all 00:29:05.900 --> 00:29:06.779 easy and this is a 00:29:06.779 --> 00:29:07.759 simple formula that 00:29:07.759 --> 00:29:08.440 you follow on 00:29:08.440 --> 00:29:09.319 happy days. 00:29:11.259 --> 00:29:12.140 He is simply 00:29:12.140 --> 00:29:13.000 warning the person 00:29:13.000 --> 00:29:13.799 who doesn't really 00:29:13.799 --> 00:29:14.400 think that they 00:29:14.400 --> 00:29:15.700 need wisdom or 00:29:15.700 --> 00:29:16.339 the person that 00:29:16.339 --> 00:29:17.059 doesn't believe that 00:29:17.059 --> 00:29:17.879 God is good and 00:29:17.879 --> 00:29:18.460 can be trusted 00:29:18.460 --> 00:29:18.920 through their 00:29:18.920 --> 00:29:19.379 trials. 00:29:19.380 --> 00:29:23.820 It's easy to 00:29:23.820 --> 00:29:24.320 say the right 00:29:24.320 --> 00:29:26.200 things even in 00:29:26.200 --> 00:29:26.960 some cases to 00:29:26.960 --> 00:29:27.580 pray the right 00:29:27.580 --> 00:29:28.300 words but for 00:29:28.300 --> 00:29:29.000 our hearts to 00:29:29.000 --> 00:29:30.180 be divided to 00:29:30.180 --> 00:29:31.660 face two ways. 00:29:33.540 --> 00:29:34.400 It's easy for 00:29:34.400 --> 00:29:35.100 our desire for 00:29:35.100 --> 00:29:35.820 comfort to be in 00:29:35.820 --> 00:29:36.640 the driving seat to 00:29:36.640 --> 00:29:37.400 the degree that we 00:29:37.400 --> 00:29:38.340 back off from the 00:29:38.340 --> 00:29:39.420 faithfulness that 00:29:39.420 --> 00:29:40.380 God calls us to 00:29:40.380 --> 00:29:41.180 because it is too 00:29:41.180 --> 00:29:41.580 hard. 00:29:43.680 --> 00:29:44.460 We need to be 00:29:44.460 --> 00:29:44.860 honest with 00:29:44.860 --> 00:29:45.340 ourselves. 00:29:46.360 --> 00:29:46.980 Perhaps we need 00:29:46.980 --> 00:29:47.660 to repent when 00:29:47.660 --> 00:29:48.480 this is the case 00:29:48.480 --> 00:29:49.559 and to ask the 00:29:49.559 --> 00:29:50.240 Lord for wisdom. 00:29:51.640 --> 00:29:52.579 He delights to 00:29:52.579 --> 00:29:52.880 give it. 00:29:53.960 --> 00:29:54.940 And do you see 00:29:54.940 --> 00:29:55.579 he delights to 00:29:55.579 --> 00:29:56.700 give it by the 00:29:56.700 --> 00:29:57.319 bucket load. 00:29:57.519 --> 00:29:58.539 One theologian 00:29:58.539 --> 00:29:59.039 says this, 00:29:59.140 --> 00:29:59.740 God's picture 00:29:59.740 --> 00:30:00.339 brimming with 00:30:00.339 --> 00:30:01.180 wisdom is tilted 00:30:01.180 --> 00:30:01.839 over us. 00:30:02.360 --> 00:30:02.960 He is the God 00:30:02.960 --> 00:30:03.839 who continuously 00:30:03.839 --> 00:30:05.220 gives and he is 00:30:05.220 --> 00:30:06.700 waiting for us to 00:30:06.700 --> 00:30:07.140 ask. 00:30:07.599 --> 00:30:08.799 He gives it with 00:30:08.799 --> 00:30:10.059 ladles like all of 00:30:10.059 --> 00:30:10.599 his blessings. 00:30:10.860 --> 00:30:11.200 Not with 00:30:11.200 --> 00:30:12.339 teaspoons but with 00:30:12.339 --> 00:30:13.259 bucket loads. 00:30:14.759 --> 00:30:15.460 So ask him. 00:30:16.779 --> 00:30:17.799 Depend on him. 00:30:17.799 --> 00:30:19.680 in total faith that 00:30:19.680 --> 00:30:21.019 he will supply what 00:30:21.019 --> 00:30:22.019 you need to grow 00:30:22.019 --> 00:30:23.000 you to maturity and 00:30:23.000 --> 00:30:24.000 to get you to 00:30:24.000 --> 00:30:24.440 glory. 00:30:25.659 --> 00:30:26.839 Then the trials of 00:30:26.839 --> 00:30:27.579 the negative world 00:30:27.579 --> 00:30:28.339 will achieve what 00:30:28.339 --> 00:30:29.180 God intends. 00:30:30.579 --> 00:30:31.740 And you can rejoice 00:30:31.740 --> 00:30:34.039 as you grow on and 00:30:34.039 --> 00:30:35.379 on and on to 00:30:35.379 --> 00:30:35.940 maturity. 00:30:37.399 --> 00:30:37.899 Joy, 00:30:38.559 --> 00:30:39.139 dependence, 00:30:39.839 --> 00:30:40.379 and faith. 00:30:41.159 --> 00:30:41.539 Let's pray 00:30:41.539 --> 00:30:41.839 together. 00:30:42.279 --> 00:30:42.279 00:30:42.279 --> 00:30:42.279 00:30:42.279 --> 00:30:42.279 00:30:42.279 --> 00:30:42.279 00:30:42.279 --> 00:30:42.279 00:30:42.279 --> 00:30:42.279 00:30:42.279 --> 00:30:42.279 00:30:42.279 --> 00:30:42.279 00:30:42.279 --> 00:30:42.279 00:30:42.279 --> 00:30:42.279 00:30:42.279 --> 00:30:42.279 00:30:42.279 --> 00:30:42.279 00:30:42.279 --> 00:30:42.279 00:30:42.279 --> 00:30:42.279 00:30:42.279 --> 00:30:42.279 00:30:42.279 --> 00:30:42.279 00:30:42.279 --> 00:30:42.279 00:30:42.279 --> 00:30:42.279 00:30:42.279 --> 00:30:42.279 00:30:42.279 --> 00:30:42.279 00:30:42.279 --> 00:30:42.279 00:30:42.279 --> 00:30:42.279 00:30:42.279 --> 00:30:42.279 00:30:42.279 --> 00:30:42.279 00:30:42.279 --> 00:30:42.279 00:30:42.279 --> 00:30:42.279 00:30:42.279 --> 00:30:42.279 00:30:42.279 --> 00:30:42.279 00:30:42.279 --> 00:30:42.279 00:30:42.279 --> 00:30:42.279 00:30:42.279 --> 00:30:42.279 00:30:42.279 --> 00:30:42.279 00:30:42.279 --> 00:30:42.279 00:30:42.279 --> 00:30:42.279 00:30:42.279 --> 00:30:42.279 00:30:42.279 --> 00:30:42.279 00:30:42.279 --> 00:31:12.259 Thank you.