WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.540 Amen. Amen. You may be seated. Children, we are ready for Children's Church at this time. 00:00:06.540 --> 00:00:18.740 And thank you so much, praise team, for leading us so well in worship as we remember and we reflect on how good the Father's love is for us, what Jesus did on the cross. 00:00:18.920 --> 00:00:22.960 What a great way to begin diving into God's Word. 00:00:23.039 --> 00:00:28.079 And I just want to say again how amazing job Clay did last week bringing God's Word. 00:00:28.179 --> 00:00:30.780 I'm thankful that he was able to do that. 00:00:30.780 --> 00:00:35.380 And just what a great way to close out our summer in the Psalm series. 00:00:35.380 --> 00:00:41.480 And many of you since then have come to me and said, well, we've heard Clay preach and sing. 00:00:42.240 --> 00:00:45.020 We've heard Evan preach and sing. 00:00:45.680 --> 00:00:47.140 When are we going to hear you sing? 00:00:47.380 --> 00:00:50.020 And the answer is never, ever. 00:00:50.359 --> 00:00:54.000 And that's why I stand right here on the front row because this speaker is blaring at me. 00:00:54.040 --> 00:00:55.260 I can't even hear myself sing. 00:00:55.640 --> 00:01:03.920 In fact, I had a, I think I told you this, Clay, I had a nightmare a few weeks ago that Clay came to me and he just said, my voice is gone. 00:01:03.920 --> 00:01:07.320 I'm going to need you to lead in worship today. 00:01:07.540 --> 00:01:08.480 This is a true story. 00:01:08.620 --> 00:01:09.320 And I told him, I said, no. 00:01:09.780 --> 00:01:11.019 I said, it's not going to happen. 00:01:11.140 --> 00:01:12.460 We'll just not sing this way. 00:01:12.500 --> 00:01:13.500 It's not going to happen. 00:01:13.540 --> 00:01:20.480 But I am thankful for your heart and the way that you lead us each week, Clay, and leading us so well last week. 00:01:21.079 --> 00:01:25.320 In fact, somebody came up, actually it was Isaac came up to me after the service. 00:01:25.319 --> 00:01:27.339 And I took this as a compliment at the beginning. 00:01:27.479 --> 00:01:31.459 He goes, you know, I could really tell that Clay has been taking notes from you. 00:01:31.799 --> 00:01:32.559 And I said, really? 00:01:32.719 --> 00:01:33.399 And he said, yeah. 00:01:33.819 --> 00:01:35.099 He went five minutes over. 00:01:35.319 --> 00:01:37.599 And I said, oh, you're funny, Isaac. 00:01:37.759 --> 00:01:40.679 I thought that was going to be a compliment at first. 00:01:40.759 --> 00:01:47.060 But no, today we are going to be starting a new series that I have been looking forward to for quite some time. 00:01:47.299 --> 00:01:50.319 A series where we walk through the book of James. 00:01:50.319 --> 00:01:54.459 And hopefully you had a chance to grab a journal on your way in. 00:01:54.599 --> 00:01:55.959 If we ran out, that's okay. 00:01:56.019 --> 00:01:57.439 We'll have more next week. 00:01:57.500 --> 00:01:59.219 We've got a few more that will be coming in this week. 00:01:59.259 --> 00:02:09.159 But hopefully you'll have an opportunity to grab a journal or at least take notes as we follow along going through this book over the next couple months or so. 00:02:09.579 --> 00:02:12.060 But James is an interesting book of the Bible. 00:02:12.259 --> 00:02:18.759 Throughout church history, many well-known theologians, including Martin Luther, took issue with some parts of James. 00:02:18.759 --> 00:02:22.340 In fact, Martin Luther called it an epistle of straw. 00:02:22.759 --> 00:02:25.579 He really didn't care for this book very much. 00:02:25.659 --> 00:02:28.359 But it's been criticized for different reasons. 00:02:28.639 --> 00:02:31.479 Some criticize its infrequent references to Jesus. 00:02:31.979 --> 00:02:32.500 And it's true. 00:02:32.560 --> 00:02:36.359 It only refers to Jesus by name two times in the book of James. 00:02:36.459 --> 00:02:39.579 We'll get to one of those times today as he introduces the book. 00:02:39.840 --> 00:02:42.319 And then the other time is in chapter 2, verse 1. 00:02:42.579 --> 00:02:47.459 And so, yes, he only specifically refers to Jesus by name a couple of times. 00:02:47.460 --> 00:02:51.520 But I would argue that Jesus is all throughout this book. 00:02:52.000 --> 00:02:55.580 But others have mentioned that it doesn't flow very well. 00:02:55.640 --> 00:02:56.600 It seems choppy. 00:02:56.840 --> 00:02:58.879 It seems difficult to find the structure. 00:02:59.420 --> 00:03:02.760 I mean, it seems like James is jumping around all over the place. 00:03:03.140 --> 00:03:09.360 And then probably the biggest critique of all is when people say that James contradicts Paul. 00:03:09.860 --> 00:03:12.040 You know, Paul talks about that we're saved by our faith. 00:03:12.039 --> 00:03:16.340 And then James all of a sudden is talking about faith and works and how those things go together. 00:03:16.620 --> 00:03:20.340 And at first reading, some say that they contradict each other. 00:03:21.039 --> 00:03:26.840 Well, it's my hope and prayer that as we study this Bible, that first you'll understand why we study it. 00:03:26.879 --> 00:03:29.000 Why we study it in the first place. 00:03:29.000 --> 00:03:35.500 And I would argue that hopefully by the end of our series that you will argue this same thing as well. 00:03:35.560 --> 00:03:40.240 That all of those things that we just talked about really are not points at all. 00:03:40.560 --> 00:03:42.180 They really don't hold water. 00:03:42.280 --> 00:03:44.419 These critiques are not valid. 00:03:44.539 --> 00:03:49.620 In fact, James has long been one of my favorite books of the Bible. 00:03:49.620 --> 00:03:56.659 I can remember in college I told a pastor of mine that was discipling me working through. 00:03:56.740 --> 00:03:57.560 I said, you know what? 00:03:57.580 --> 00:04:02.340 Over the next couple of weeks I'm going to memorize the whole book of James because I like it so much. 00:04:02.960 --> 00:04:05.219 He's like, well, let's set some better goals. 00:04:05.300 --> 00:04:06.800 Okay, let's set some more realistic goals. 00:04:06.900 --> 00:04:09.319 Needless to say, I did not memorize the whole book of James. 00:04:09.319 --> 00:04:20.439 But it's been one of those books that has been so influential in my life that I've really looked forward to taking time and studying it, studying through with it as a church. 00:04:20.819 --> 00:04:31.079 And if you're still looking for even more reasons to study this wonderful book, in preparing this week, David Platt gave two really great reasons to study this book. 00:04:31.379 --> 00:04:36.560 He said to begin with, the first reason is to examine the relationship between faith and works. 00:04:36.560 --> 00:04:48.579 When you look at this relatively short book of the Bible, what you'll notice is that James refers to faith 14 different times in these few chapters that we find in the book of James. 00:04:48.660 --> 00:04:51.959 He refers to faith 14 different times specifically. 00:04:52.519 --> 00:04:56.459 And again, I would argue that faith is an overarching theme throughout this entire book. 00:04:56.459 --> 00:05:00.699 And then he also mentions the relationship that is here. 00:05:00.779 --> 00:05:09.659 Out of the 108 verses the book of James has, there's 59 different commands that we find in these 108 verses. 00:05:10.180 --> 00:05:14.399 You see, obedience is everywhere when you look at this book of the Bible. 00:05:15.039 --> 00:05:17.159 Genuine faith acts. 00:05:17.399 --> 00:05:18.459 Genuine faith works. 00:05:19.159 --> 00:05:21.459 And we see that as we study this book. 00:05:21.459 --> 00:05:31.359 But also in addition to seeing that relationship, another benefit of studying this is to explore the impact of our faith on life in our current context in this city. 00:05:31.419 --> 00:05:36.199 But also how that faith plays out as we look at the context outside of this. 00:05:36.439 --> 00:05:43.060 And as we look at the context outside of just our city here and thinking about how we interact with this world. 00:05:43.060 --> 00:05:49.859 How we think about missions both here, right outside these doors, but also throughout the world. 00:05:49.860 --> 00:05:56.860 This letter, James addresses many areas of life in which our faith should practically impact everything. 00:05:57.460 --> 00:06:12.319 From trials, to poverty, to riches, to materialism, to favoritism, to social justice, the tongue, worldliness, boasting, making plans, praying, and what you do when you're sick among many other things. 00:06:12.319 --> 00:06:18.279 You know, I mentioned earlier how some will argue that it feels like James is jumping around all over the place. 00:06:18.360 --> 00:06:22.259 And it almost seems hard to follow the train of thought that goes throughout it. 00:06:22.800 --> 00:06:32.759 But he returns repeatedly to how faith impacts not only the details of our lives, but also the lives of people around us. 00:06:32.860 --> 00:06:35.420 Both locally and globally. 00:06:35.420 --> 00:06:37.240 Platt notes, he says, 00:06:37.240 --> 00:07:05.379 Faith moves Christians to lead Bible studies in workplaces and neighborhoods, help addicts in rehabilitation centers, serve food in homeless shelters, teach orphans in learning centers, care for widows in retirement homes, provide hospice care for the elderly, train men and women in job skills, tutor men and women in reading, rock sick babies in hospital, help patients in AIDS clinics, teach English to internationals, and the list goes on. 00:07:05.379 --> 00:07:06.759 And on and on and on and on. 00:07:06.759 --> 00:07:15.480 Faith moves Christians to take steps of radical obedience to make the gospel known all around the world. 00:07:16.000 --> 00:07:17.740 So why study the book of James? 00:07:18.240 --> 00:07:27.980 Because when we study and apply this book to our lives, we will be forced to think how we live our lives and what we're giving our lives to. 00:07:27.980 --> 00:07:35.960 You can't read this book without reflecting on your own life and thinking about how this is challenging you in your walk with Christ. 00:07:36.100 --> 00:07:42.420 So this is the wonderful reason that we study this book in a direct way without holding back any punches. 00:07:43.200 --> 00:07:48.680 James will challenge us to live the lives Jesus has called us to live. 00:07:49.300 --> 00:07:56.600 To be sure, the dominant theme of James as we work our way through it is a true faith in Christ is a faith that works. 00:07:56.600 --> 00:08:00.920 Another way of saying it is living out your faith. 00:08:01.120 --> 00:08:05.700 That's going to be the dominant theme that we work through as we walk through this book. 00:08:05.900 --> 00:08:14.740 In other words, you can't call Jesus Lord of your life if you're not willing to let him be the one who is calling the shots. 00:08:15.480 --> 00:08:19.980 This week, we're going to be looking at the first eight verses of James chapter one. 00:08:19.980 --> 00:08:24.700 So if you have a copy of God's Word or if you're able to grab one of those journals on your way in, 00:08:24.759 --> 00:08:29.040 I would encourage you to follow along as we read these first eight verses together. 00:08:29.160 --> 00:08:30.060 It says this, 00:08:30.060 --> 00:09:00.039 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God. 00:09:00.059 --> 00:09:28.139 As I was preparing this week, at the beginning of the week, 00:09:28.139 --> 00:09:31.659 I had every intention of working through 18 verses this week. 00:09:31.659 --> 00:09:35.500 But as we began working our way through and as I began preparing this, 00:09:35.659 --> 00:09:38.620 I got to thinking, you know, a more manageable number might be eight. 00:09:38.980 --> 00:09:45.620 Because there's so many things that we can find in this that need more attention than just a passing thought 00:09:45.620 --> 00:09:48.220 or a glance as we walk our way through it. 00:09:48.259 --> 00:09:55.759 And so what we're going to be doing is over the next few months is trying to follow James' example of how he teaches through this. 00:09:55.759 --> 00:09:58.620 He keeps it simple and he keeps it direct. 00:09:59.120 --> 00:10:02.980 And it's my prayer that as we work through this book over the next couple months, 00:10:03.080 --> 00:10:09.519 that this will be simple statements that are both direct and applicable to our lives. 00:10:09.960 --> 00:10:14.799 This morning, I want us to see three things that believers are called to do. 00:10:15.120 --> 00:10:19.860 To begin with, I want us to see that we are called to be a servant of God. 00:10:19.860 --> 00:10:22.500 We are called to be a servant of God. 00:10:22.580 --> 00:10:26.060 This is the example that James gives us right out of the gates. 00:10:26.539 --> 00:10:26.840 He says, 00:10:27.220 --> 00:10:32.220 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ to the 12 tribes in the dispersion. 00:10:32.600 --> 00:10:33.080 Greetings. 00:10:33.800 --> 00:10:37.600 You see, in this introduction, we are told a few things of significance. 00:10:38.080 --> 00:10:41.100 To begin with, we're told who is writing this book. 00:10:41.500 --> 00:10:43.620 It's James, the half-brother of Jesus. 00:10:43.620 --> 00:10:49.980 And we're also told that he calls himself a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:10:50.759 --> 00:10:58.159 You see, understanding who is writing this allows us to go back to Scripture and get a better picture of who James is. 00:10:58.639 --> 00:11:04.840 We're told in John chapter 7 that none of Jesus' brothers believed that he was the Son of God. 00:11:05.139 --> 00:11:10.620 We're told that none of his believers at the beginning of Jesus' ministry believed that he was the Son of God. 00:11:10.659 --> 00:11:12.019 Now, this makes sense to us, right? 00:11:12.019 --> 00:11:13.639 Who in here has an older sibling? 00:11:15.220 --> 00:11:18.639 Okay, can you imagine that they came to you and said, 00:11:18.759 --> 00:11:20.120 All right, listen, I just want to sit you down. 00:11:20.159 --> 00:11:21.519 I want to tell you something really important. 00:11:22.079 --> 00:11:24.100 I want to let you know that I'm God. 00:11:24.559 --> 00:11:27.000 And my brother is sitting here on the second row, my older brother. 00:11:27.360 --> 00:11:30.000 And if he ever told me that, I would probably say, 00:11:30.100 --> 00:11:32.879 Look, I know that you believe that, but there's no way. 00:11:33.299 --> 00:11:33.960 There's no way. 00:11:34.019 --> 00:11:36.460 I've seen the way you smell when you wake up in the mornings, okay? 00:11:36.659 --> 00:11:38.360 I've seen all of these things. 00:11:38.360 --> 00:11:42.700 And I'm sure Jesus' brothers, when he was sharing these things with them, 00:11:42.759 --> 00:11:44.419 nobody wanted to believe this because they're like, 00:11:44.480 --> 00:11:45.300 Look, you're a carpenter. 00:11:45.899 --> 00:11:47.120 You're just like our dad. 00:11:47.159 --> 00:11:48.539 I saw you work in the shop. 00:11:48.600 --> 00:11:49.039 You smell. 00:11:49.279 --> 00:11:51.480 I saw the way that you looked when you woke up in the mornings. 00:11:51.539 --> 00:11:52.379 It was a little scary. 00:11:53.879 --> 00:11:54.980 There's no way. 00:11:55.100 --> 00:11:59.100 And so I'm sure that you can understand that they wouldn't believe this, 00:11:59.100 --> 00:12:06.820 that it would probably take something significant for James to believe that his brother Jesus is the Son of God. 00:12:06.940 --> 00:12:09.820 It would probably take something like a resurrection. 00:12:11.180 --> 00:12:15.259 It would probably take something pretty miraculous like that, which is exactly what happened. 00:12:15.360 --> 00:12:17.420 In fact, when you look at 1 Corinthians 15, 00:12:17.840 --> 00:12:22.340 it tells us that Jesus appeared to his brother after the resurrection. 00:12:22.340 --> 00:12:28.300 And from then on, James went on to be a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:12:28.860 --> 00:12:33.500 In fact, he's mentioned alongside Peter and John as pillars of the church. 00:12:34.160 --> 00:12:38.740 He is presiding over the Jerusalem council that you read about in Acts chapter 15. 00:12:38.899 --> 00:12:44.040 One of the most significant events in the book of Acts, he is presiding over this council. 00:12:44.519 --> 00:12:46.600 He not only becomes a follower of Jesus, 00:12:46.600 --> 00:12:50.340 but he becomes one of the strongest leaders in the movement of God 00:12:50.340 --> 00:12:53.920 that takes place immediately after Jesus' ascension. 00:12:54.639 --> 00:12:57.220 Not only does he become a follower of Jesus, 00:12:57.279 --> 00:13:00.379 but he becomes one of the strongest leaders in the church. 00:13:00.899 --> 00:13:03.300 And as remarkable as these things are, 00:13:03.379 --> 00:13:08.340 there's something else that stands out even more than these things. 00:13:09.180 --> 00:13:10.940 And that's the nickname of James, 00:13:11.000 --> 00:13:14.660 or at least what church history has referred to him as. 00:13:14.659 --> 00:13:17.379 He was called Old Camel Knees. 00:13:18.079 --> 00:13:19.159 Old Camel Knees. 00:13:19.360 --> 00:13:22.719 And I could probably give you, unless you've heard this before, 00:13:22.779 --> 00:13:24.199 I could probably give you a hundred guesses, 00:13:24.299 --> 00:13:28.079 and you'd never guess why James was called Old Camel Knees. 00:13:28.539 --> 00:13:29.219 I want to say this. 00:13:29.240 --> 00:13:30.459 Next time you see a camel, 00:13:31.159 --> 00:13:34.419 which I realize for many of you may be never in your life, 00:13:34.639 --> 00:13:36.120 but if you ever do see a camel, 00:13:36.199 --> 00:13:38.120 I want you to take a moment, look at its knees. 00:13:38.779 --> 00:13:40.240 Maybe if you see a picture of it, 00:13:40.279 --> 00:13:42.059 maybe if you can look one up, 00:13:42.120 --> 00:13:42.740 take a picture of it, 00:13:42.740 --> 00:13:46.220 and what you'll see is camels have the most calloused, 00:13:46.659 --> 00:13:47.980 hard knees that you've ever seen. 00:13:48.440 --> 00:13:50.480 Because if you see a camel get up and down, 00:13:50.700 --> 00:13:53.500 you'll see that it gets up onto its knees to begin with, 00:13:53.519 --> 00:13:54.740 and gets down onto its knees, 00:13:54.980 --> 00:13:56.960 and that's how it gets up and down. 00:13:56.960 --> 00:13:58.820 It uses those knees significantly, 00:13:59.000 --> 00:14:02.360 and it has these big calluses that are on its knees. 00:14:02.720 --> 00:14:05.120 And what I love about this is it reminds us 00:14:05.120 --> 00:14:08.120 of why it is that James was given this name. 00:14:08.519 --> 00:14:09.659 James was given this name 00:14:09.659 --> 00:14:12.500 because of his constant kneeling in prayer. 00:14:13.299 --> 00:14:15.000 James was known around, 00:14:15.480 --> 00:14:19.219 everybody knew James as a man of constant prayer. 00:14:19.839 --> 00:14:21.559 And so this, I guess, 00:14:21.699 --> 00:14:23.959 joking way of calling him old camel knees 00:14:23.959 --> 00:14:27.639 was a way of showing that he spent significant time 00:14:27.639 --> 00:14:30.000 kneeling in prayer before God. 00:14:30.000 --> 00:14:33.340 Even as one of the pillars of the early church, 00:14:33.440 --> 00:14:36.620 one of the leaders in this remarkable movement of God, 00:14:36.980 --> 00:14:40.019 James shows us where his strength comes from. 00:14:40.600 --> 00:14:42.679 James shows us his dependence on God 00:14:42.679 --> 00:14:44.320 with his devotion to prayer, 00:14:44.419 --> 00:14:47.159 which is one of the things that prayer does. 00:14:47.919 --> 00:14:48.840 Have you ever thought about that? 00:14:48.919 --> 00:14:49.600 Why pray? 00:14:49.879 --> 00:14:51.360 Well, one of the things that prayer does 00:14:51.360 --> 00:14:54.440 is it shows in a very real and practical way 00:14:54.440 --> 00:14:56.179 our dependence on God 00:14:56.179 --> 00:14:58.360 in our most difficult situations of life. 00:14:58.360 --> 00:15:03.259 prayer expresses our total desperation for God. 00:15:04.120 --> 00:15:05.279 When do you pray most? 00:15:06.320 --> 00:15:07.980 You pray most when you're most desperate. 00:15:08.940 --> 00:15:10.980 Whether that's the loss of a job, 00:15:11.279 --> 00:15:12.500 the loss of a loved one, 00:15:12.580 --> 00:15:13.779 a difficult diagnosis, 00:15:14.259 --> 00:15:15.840 in that desperation, 00:15:16.500 --> 00:15:17.680 in those moments, 00:15:17.820 --> 00:15:19.259 you become a prayer warrior 00:15:19.259 --> 00:15:22.320 because you are desperate for God to work. 00:15:22.740 --> 00:15:25.200 Prayer shows our dependence on God 00:15:25.200 --> 00:15:27.159 in our life each and every day. 00:15:27.159 --> 00:15:29.179 And I would argue that many times 00:15:29.179 --> 00:15:31.579 prayer does not play a central role 00:15:31.579 --> 00:15:32.740 in the life of the believer 00:15:32.740 --> 00:15:34.860 or the church for that matter 00:15:34.860 --> 00:15:37.620 because we aren't attempting anything 00:15:37.620 --> 00:15:38.959 that requires prayer. 00:15:39.779 --> 00:15:41.620 I would argue that we don't pray 00:15:41.620 --> 00:15:43.419 because we're not trying to do anything 00:15:43.419 --> 00:15:45.639 that requires prayer. 00:15:45.639 --> 00:15:47.039 We're not attempting anything 00:15:47.039 --> 00:15:47.679 where we're saying, 00:15:47.799 --> 00:15:49.340 God, I need you to work 00:15:49.340 --> 00:15:51.220 otherwise this is not going to work. 00:15:51.699 --> 00:15:52.699 We're not doing anything 00:15:52.699 --> 00:15:53.299 where we're saying, 00:15:53.379 --> 00:15:56.039 God, I'm going to depend on you in this 00:15:56.039 --> 00:15:58.000 because I know on my own strength 00:15:58.000 --> 00:16:00.360 that I will never be able to do this. 00:16:01.220 --> 00:16:03.759 And so we must live lives 00:16:03.759 --> 00:16:05.439 that depend on prayer. 00:16:05.759 --> 00:16:07.580 And I think that's what you begin seeing 00:16:07.580 --> 00:16:09.120 in James' life. 00:16:09.679 --> 00:16:11.360 He underwent much persecution. 00:16:11.519 --> 00:16:13.200 He is able to see a lot of, 00:16:13.319 --> 00:16:14.460 there's a lot of good things 00:16:14.460 --> 00:16:15.580 and there was a lot of bad things 00:16:15.580 --> 00:16:16.280 that was going on. 00:16:16.639 --> 00:16:19.580 But in the midst of all of those things, 00:16:20.379 --> 00:16:23.379 James was dependent on prayer. 00:16:24.139 --> 00:16:24.980 He was dependent on his, 00:16:25.080 --> 00:16:25.860 my hope and prayer 00:16:25.860 --> 00:16:27.139 that we as a church 00:16:27.139 --> 00:16:29.860 are so hungry to see God move 00:16:29.860 --> 00:16:31.340 that we are so committed 00:16:31.340 --> 00:16:33.320 to following God's call on our lives 00:16:33.320 --> 00:16:34.920 to make his name known 00:16:34.920 --> 00:16:37.700 that we must pray to God 00:16:37.700 --> 00:16:38.879 in desperation 00:16:38.879 --> 00:16:41.019 to help us to fulfill the call 00:16:41.019 --> 00:16:43.000 to make his name known. 00:16:43.279 --> 00:16:44.960 As the early church was growing, 00:16:45.059 --> 00:16:47.500 as James was settling into his role 00:16:47.500 --> 00:16:49.019 as the leader of the church 00:16:49.019 --> 00:16:49.799 there in Jerusalem, 00:16:50.039 --> 00:16:52.699 he remained on his knees in prayer 00:16:52.699 --> 00:16:53.860 because he knew 00:16:53.860 --> 00:16:56.039 where to go for strength. 00:16:56.819 --> 00:16:58.159 Martin Luther is reported 00:16:58.159 --> 00:16:58.759 to have said 00:16:58.759 --> 00:17:00.139 that one time reflecting 00:17:00.139 --> 00:17:02.720 on a very demanding day, 00:17:02.799 --> 00:17:04.099 he was reflecting on 00:17:04.099 --> 00:17:05.480 all the things 00:17:05.480 --> 00:17:06.480 that he had to get accomplished 00:17:06.480 --> 00:17:06.960 that day 00:17:06.960 --> 00:17:07.480 and it was just 00:17:07.480 --> 00:17:09.180 a very demanding day 00:17:09.180 --> 00:17:10.720 and he was said to said this. 00:17:11.400 --> 00:17:11.779 He says, 00:17:11.920 --> 00:17:13.980 I have so much to do today 00:17:13.980 --> 00:17:15.700 that I must spend 00:17:15.700 --> 00:17:17.480 the first three hours in prayer. 00:17:18.579 --> 00:17:19.900 Is that how we view prayer? 00:17:20.860 --> 00:17:22.759 I've got so much going on 00:17:22.759 --> 00:17:24.200 that I need to pray. 00:17:25.099 --> 00:17:26.039 Or do we view prayer, 00:17:26.099 --> 00:17:27.360 I've got so much going on 00:17:27.360 --> 00:17:28.259 that I don't have time 00:17:28.259 --> 00:17:29.180 for this right now. 00:17:29.779 --> 00:17:30.759 I've got so much 00:17:30.759 --> 00:17:31.339 that's going on, 00:17:31.420 --> 00:17:33.019 I'm dealing with so many things 00:17:33.019 --> 00:17:33.380 that I just, 00:17:33.539 --> 00:17:35.220 I don't have time for that now 00:17:35.220 --> 00:17:36.360 so I'm just going to push it off 00:17:36.359 --> 00:17:37.059 to the side. 00:17:38.059 --> 00:17:39.419 Or are we so dependent 00:17:39.419 --> 00:17:39.859 on prayer 00:17:39.859 --> 00:17:40.439 that we're saying, 00:17:40.539 --> 00:17:43.259 God, I've got so much going on 00:17:43.259 --> 00:17:45.659 that I must pray now. 00:17:46.319 --> 00:17:47.779 I must come before you 00:17:47.779 --> 00:17:50.479 because I need your help in this. 00:17:50.639 --> 00:17:51.619 As we recognize 00:17:51.619 --> 00:17:52.479 that we are called 00:17:52.479 --> 00:17:53.740 to be servants of God, 00:17:54.000 --> 00:17:55.000 let us do so 00:17:55.000 --> 00:17:57.500 with a deep commitment to prayer. 00:17:57.959 --> 00:17:59.139 I think we will realize 00:17:59.139 --> 00:18:00.159 that this is essential 00:18:00.159 --> 00:18:02.079 to our living out our faith. 00:18:02.139 --> 00:18:02.699 But the next thing 00:18:02.699 --> 00:18:03.359 that I want us to see 00:18:03.359 --> 00:18:04.399 that we're called to do here 00:18:04.399 --> 00:18:05.599 is that we are called 00:18:05.599 --> 00:18:06.639 to be intentional 00:18:06.639 --> 00:18:08.559 in how we view trials. 00:18:09.039 --> 00:18:10.639 We're called to be intentional 00:18:10.639 --> 00:18:12.779 in how we view the trials 00:18:12.779 --> 00:18:14.299 that come in this life. 00:18:14.619 --> 00:18:15.639 Verses 2 through 4 00:18:15.639 --> 00:18:16.939 are some of the most well-known 00:18:16.939 --> 00:18:17.619 in this book 00:18:17.619 --> 00:18:18.439 and it says this, 00:18:18.759 --> 00:18:19.000 it says, 00:18:19.099 --> 00:18:19.980 count it all joy, 00:18:20.039 --> 00:18:20.480 my brothers, 00:18:20.539 --> 00:18:22.079 when you meet trials 00:18:22.079 --> 00:18:23.199 of various kinds 00:18:23.199 --> 00:18:23.819 for you know 00:18:23.819 --> 00:18:25.399 that the testing of your faith 00:18:25.399 --> 00:18:27.480 produces steadfastness 00:18:27.480 --> 00:18:29.240 and let steadfastness 00:18:29.240 --> 00:18:30.219 have its full effect 00:18:30.219 --> 00:18:31.339 that you may be perfect 00:18:31.339 --> 00:18:32.279 and complete, 00:18:32.879 --> 00:18:34.719 lacking in nothing. 00:18:34.720 --> 00:18:37.759 Most New Testament letters, 00:18:38.720 --> 00:18:40.380 after the initial introduction, 00:18:40.700 --> 00:18:42.680 they have a warm little greeting there. 00:18:42.799 --> 00:18:44.079 After you realize 00:18:44.079 --> 00:18:45.559 that Paul is writing this letter, 00:18:45.880 --> 00:18:47.380 most of his letters start with, 00:18:47.460 --> 00:18:48.680 I'm so thankful for you, 00:18:48.759 --> 00:18:49.660 it lifts my spirit 00:18:49.660 --> 00:18:50.460 when I think about you. 00:18:50.640 --> 00:18:52.360 Now there's a few exceptions to that, 00:18:52.600 --> 00:18:53.860 but most of these letters, 00:18:53.940 --> 00:18:55.059 they follow this pattern 00:18:55.059 --> 00:18:55.500 of like, 00:18:55.559 --> 00:18:56.839 hey, this is Paul writing 00:18:56.839 --> 00:18:58.920 and let me just welcome you 00:18:58.920 --> 00:19:00.559 and I'm so grateful for you, 00:19:00.640 --> 00:19:01.799 let me have a word of encouragement. 00:19:01.799 --> 00:19:02.839 James is like, 00:19:02.919 --> 00:19:03.779 alright, I'm James, 00:19:04.099 --> 00:19:05.000 servant of God, 00:19:05.279 --> 00:19:06.599 let's get right into it. 00:19:07.000 --> 00:19:08.519 And he gets right into it 00:19:08.519 --> 00:19:11.339 by diving into these trials. 00:19:11.500 --> 00:19:13.759 He jumps right into exhortation. 00:19:14.200 --> 00:19:14.819 Douglas Moo, 00:19:14.899 --> 00:19:15.879 he notes, 00:19:15.960 --> 00:19:16.259 he says, 00:19:16.359 --> 00:19:17.759 by placing trials 00:19:17.759 --> 00:19:19.359 in the position of prominence 00:19:19.359 --> 00:19:20.039 in this letter, 00:19:20.460 --> 00:19:21.299 James suggests 00:19:21.299 --> 00:19:22.980 that the tough times 00:19:22.980 --> 00:19:24.539 the believers were facing 00:19:24.539 --> 00:19:25.859 were a key reason 00:19:25.859 --> 00:19:27.519 for his writing to them. 00:19:27.740 --> 00:19:29.419 By placing it right here 00:19:29.419 --> 00:19:30.039 at the beginning, 00:19:30.039 --> 00:19:31.539 he's saying that this is going 00:19:31.539 --> 00:19:32.700 to be something important. 00:19:33.220 --> 00:19:34.579 And we do this all the time today. 00:19:34.579 --> 00:19:36.740 When we send text or emails, 00:19:37.019 --> 00:19:38.319 if we're sending an email 00:19:38.319 --> 00:19:38.720 to somebody 00:19:38.720 --> 00:19:39.359 where there's something 00:19:39.359 --> 00:19:40.359 really important 00:19:40.359 --> 00:19:41.720 that we want them to know, 00:19:41.899 --> 00:19:42.899 we're going to put it 00:19:42.899 --> 00:19:43.559 at the beginning. 00:19:44.019 --> 00:19:45.440 If it's going to be a long email, 00:19:45.519 --> 00:19:46.740 but there's one thing 00:19:46.740 --> 00:19:48.319 that we want to make sure 00:19:48.319 --> 00:19:49.139 that they get, 00:19:49.200 --> 00:19:49.819 we're going to put it 00:19:49.819 --> 00:19:50.740 right at the beginning. 00:19:50.980 --> 00:19:51.720 We're not going to try 00:19:51.720 --> 00:19:54.019 to bury it in a long email, 00:19:54.019 --> 00:19:55.000 but we're going to say it 00:19:55.000 --> 00:19:56.039 right out of the gates. 00:19:56.599 --> 00:19:57.180 And James, 00:19:57.259 --> 00:19:58.279 right out of the gates, 00:19:58.359 --> 00:19:58.659 is saying, 00:19:58.660 --> 00:19:59.880 hey, these things 00:19:59.880 --> 00:20:00.960 that you're going through, 00:20:01.380 --> 00:20:01.740 remember, 00:20:01.860 --> 00:20:02.880 let's put some perspective 00:20:02.880 --> 00:20:03.540 on them. 00:20:04.000 --> 00:20:05.180 Remember where you're looking 00:20:05.180 --> 00:20:05.519 in them. 00:20:05.640 --> 00:20:06.580 See these trials 00:20:06.580 --> 00:20:07.940 as beneficial 00:20:07.940 --> 00:20:09.660 to your walk with Christ. 00:20:10.220 --> 00:20:10.540 Moon knows, 00:20:10.580 --> 00:20:10.820 he says, 00:20:10.900 --> 00:20:12.420 the purpose can be accomplished 00:20:12.420 --> 00:20:14.440 only if they respond 00:20:14.440 --> 00:20:16.019 in the right way 00:20:16.019 --> 00:20:17.620 to their problems. 00:20:18.320 --> 00:20:19.440 But what problems 00:20:19.440 --> 00:20:20.940 is James referring to here? 00:20:21.100 --> 00:20:22.140 What trials 00:20:22.140 --> 00:20:23.519 are these people going through 00:20:23.519 --> 00:20:25.000 that he's referring to here? 00:20:25.279 --> 00:20:26.080 And as you look 00:20:26.080 --> 00:20:26.519 at the letter, 00:20:26.759 --> 00:20:27.380 you can see 00:20:27.380 --> 00:20:28.520 any number of things. 00:20:28.640 --> 00:20:29.780 Poverty is most likely 00:20:29.780 --> 00:20:30.400 on the list 00:20:30.400 --> 00:20:31.780 because of how often 00:20:31.780 --> 00:20:32.540 it gets addressed 00:20:32.540 --> 00:20:33.420 throughout this letter. 00:20:33.840 --> 00:20:34.880 But by stressing 00:20:34.880 --> 00:20:35.960 that these trials 00:20:35.960 --> 00:20:38.180 were of various kinds, 00:20:38.420 --> 00:20:40.000 of different kinds, 00:20:40.060 --> 00:20:41.240 he cast an intentionally 00:20:41.240 --> 00:20:42.500 wide net to say 00:20:42.500 --> 00:20:44.220 that all of these things 00:20:44.220 --> 00:20:45.960 that you're going through 00:20:45.960 --> 00:20:47.720 can serve a purpose 00:20:47.720 --> 00:20:48.540 in your walk 00:20:48.540 --> 00:20:49.720 with Christ. 00:20:50.660 --> 00:20:51.800 James intentionally 00:20:51.800 --> 00:20:52.300 does this, 00:20:52.360 --> 00:20:54.000 including the many kinds 00:20:54.000 --> 00:20:54.460 of suffering 00:20:54.460 --> 00:20:55.720 that Christians undergo 00:20:55.720 --> 00:20:56.740 in this fallen world. 00:20:57.400 --> 00:20:57.920 Sickness, 00:20:58.079 --> 00:20:58.519 loneliness, 00:20:58.860 --> 00:20:59.339 bereavement, 00:20:59.460 --> 00:21:00.059 disappointment. 00:21:00.579 --> 00:21:00.960 He says, 00:21:01.039 --> 00:21:02.519 consider it all joy 00:21:02.519 --> 00:21:03.400 when you go through 00:21:03.400 --> 00:21:03.940 these things 00:21:03.940 --> 00:21:05.079 because they have 00:21:05.079 --> 00:21:05.920 the ability 00:21:05.920 --> 00:21:07.900 to produce 00:21:07.900 --> 00:21:09.279 something in you. 00:21:10.360 --> 00:21:10.720 Now, 00:21:10.779 --> 00:21:11.600 before we get too far 00:21:11.600 --> 00:21:11.799 on this, 00:21:11.819 --> 00:21:12.839 I want to make sure 00:21:12.839 --> 00:21:13.940 that you understand 00:21:13.940 --> 00:21:14.740 what this passage 00:21:14.740 --> 00:21:16.200 is not saying. 00:21:16.500 --> 00:21:17.480 It's not saying 00:21:17.480 --> 00:21:18.279 that in the middle 00:21:18.279 --> 00:21:19.160 of a trial 00:21:19.160 --> 00:21:20.539 that joy 00:21:20.539 --> 00:21:21.480 and excitement 00:21:21.480 --> 00:21:23.160 are the only emotions 00:21:23.160 --> 00:21:23.860 that we're going 00:21:23.859 --> 00:21:24.619 to be feeling. 00:21:25.519 --> 00:21:26.139 For example, 00:21:26.299 --> 00:21:27.899 Jesus at Lazarus' tomb 00:21:27.899 --> 00:21:29.319 didn't walk around 00:21:29.319 --> 00:21:29.859 telling people 00:21:29.859 --> 00:21:30.439 they just need 00:21:30.439 --> 00:21:31.579 to feel better. 00:21:31.740 --> 00:21:31.919 You just, 00:21:32.059 --> 00:21:32.240 you know, 00:21:32.259 --> 00:21:32.979 he saw everybody 00:21:32.979 --> 00:21:33.719 crying there 00:21:33.719 --> 00:21:34.740 at this tomb of Lazarus. 00:21:34.779 --> 00:21:35.339 He didn't walk around 00:21:35.339 --> 00:21:35.559 and say, 00:21:35.939 --> 00:21:36.179 God, 00:21:36.299 --> 00:21:36.740 stop. 00:21:36.819 --> 00:21:38.039 Just consider this joy, 00:21:38.139 --> 00:21:38.419 okay? 00:21:38.740 --> 00:21:39.479 Stop with us. 00:21:39.539 --> 00:21:40.339 Stop with all the crying. 00:21:40.439 --> 00:21:41.079 Stop doing this. 00:21:41.139 --> 00:21:42.539 Just consider it all joy, 00:21:42.619 --> 00:21:42.899 okay? 00:21:43.039 --> 00:21:44.199 He didn't do that. 00:21:44.479 --> 00:21:45.279 What did Jesus do 00:21:45.279 --> 00:21:45.959 at the tomb there? 00:21:47.059 --> 00:21:47.699 He wept. 00:21:48.519 --> 00:21:49.979 He cried with them. 00:21:50.259 --> 00:21:51.019 As believers, 00:21:51.219 --> 00:21:52.599 we experience many emotions 00:21:52.599 --> 00:21:54.519 and sometimes sorrow 00:21:54.519 --> 00:21:57.000 and joy go hand in hand. 00:21:57.359 --> 00:21:58.619 So don't read this 00:21:58.619 --> 00:21:58.959 and think, 00:21:59.079 --> 00:21:59.139 well, 00:21:59.159 --> 00:22:00.240 I'm really struggling 00:22:00.240 --> 00:22:01.659 with this trial right now. 00:22:01.939 --> 00:22:03.139 I'm really struggling 00:22:03.139 --> 00:22:04.240 with what I'm going through, 00:22:04.319 --> 00:22:06.639 so I must be some subpar Christian 00:22:06.639 --> 00:22:08.219 because I can't consider it 00:22:08.219 --> 00:22:09.519 pure joy right now. 00:22:10.240 --> 00:22:10.799 No. 00:22:11.279 --> 00:22:11.959 But also, 00:22:12.059 --> 00:22:13.939 as you walk with people 00:22:13.939 --> 00:22:14.679 who are going through 00:22:14.679 --> 00:22:15.699 a difficult trial, 00:22:16.139 --> 00:22:18.519 don't use this verse lightly. 00:22:19.339 --> 00:22:21.119 Don't use this verse lightly. 00:22:21.119 --> 00:22:22.339 the right thing 00:22:22.339 --> 00:22:24.079 at the wrong time 00:22:24.079 --> 00:22:25.739 can sometimes be harmful. 00:22:26.799 --> 00:22:27.699 No one was better 00:22:27.699 --> 00:22:28.679 at mourning with those 00:22:28.679 --> 00:22:29.279 who mourn 00:22:29.279 --> 00:22:30.679 and weeping with those 00:22:30.679 --> 00:22:31.199 who weep 00:22:31.199 --> 00:22:32.139 than Jesus. 00:22:33.039 --> 00:22:34.379 So let me encourage you. 00:22:34.899 --> 00:22:35.779 Be like Jesus. 00:22:37.039 --> 00:22:38.299 And in the midst of trials, 00:22:38.659 --> 00:22:39.339 help others 00:22:39.339 --> 00:22:41.159 keep their eyes fixed 00:22:41.159 --> 00:22:41.979 on Him. 00:22:42.719 --> 00:22:44.079 Help others see Jesus 00:22:44.079 --> 00:22:45.539 clearly through those. 00:22:45.619 --> 00:22:46.759 But we do clearly see 00:22:46.759 --> 00:22:47.419 from this passage 00:22:47.419 --> 00:22:48.219 that trials 00:22:48.219 --> 00:22:49.699 have the ability 00:22:49.700 --> 00:22:51.000 to produce something 00:22:51.000 --> 00:22:52.400 great in you. 00:22:52.900 --> 00:22:53.640 If I were to say 00:22:53.640 --> 00:22:54.700 who in here wants their life 00:22:54.700 --> 00:22:55.759 to look more like Jesus, 00:22:55.880 --> 00:22:56.819 I would hope 00:22:56.819 --> 00:22:57.319 that all of us 00:22:57.319 --> 00:22:57.900 would raise our hands 00:22:57.900 --> 00:22:58.059 and say, 00:22:58.120 --> 00:22:58.960 yes, I want my life 00:22:58.960 --> 00:23:00.080 to look more like Jesus. 00:23:00.539 --> 00:23:01.019 But then I said, 00:23:01.059 --> 00:23:01.200 all right, 00:23:01.240 --> 00:23:01.819 well come over here, 00:23:01.880 --> 00:23:02.420 let's sign up 00:23:02.420 --> 00:23:03.420 for more trials 00:23:03.420 --> 00:23:04.100 in your life. 00:23:04.299 --> 00:23:04.880 Let's sign up 00:23:04.880 --> 00:23:06.140 for just as many trials 00:23:06.140 --> 00:23:06.960 as you can possibly 00:23:06.960 --> 00:23:07.660 get in your life. 00:23:07.920 --> 00:23:08.400 I would hope 00:23:08.400 --> 00:23:08.980 that not everybody 00:23:08.980 --> 00:23:09.880 would just come right over here 00:23:09.880 --> 00:23:10.440 and start signing up 00:23:10.440 --> 00:23:10.539 and say, 00:23:10.620 --> 00:23:11.799 yes, give me more trials. 00:23:12.200 --> 00:23:12.980 Give me more hardships. 00:23:13.120 --> 00:23:14.340 Give me more difficult things. 00:23:14.339 --> 00:23:15.839 But those trials 00:23:15.839 --> 00:23:17.319 in our life 00:23:17.319 --> 00:23:19.179 can produce something in us 00:23:19.179 --> 00:23:21.019 that God can use 00:23:21.019 --> 00:23:22.000 in a great way. 00:23:22.679 --> 00:23:23.459 The truth is 00:23:23.459 --> 00:23:24.939 what we do with trials, 00:23:25.099 --> 00:23:26.359 how we view them 00:23:26.359 --> 00:23:27.599 is essential to them 00:23:27.599 --> 00:23:30.319 producing this deeper faith in us. 00:23:30.379 --> 00:23:30.579 You see, 00:23:30.659 --> 00:23:32.179 trials don't automatically 00:23:32.179 --> 00:23:35.059 produce steadfast faith in us. 00:23:35.399 --> 00:23:36.379 It's not a nice, 00:23:36.559 --> 00:23:37.279 clean equation 00:23:37.279 --> 00:23:38.039 like in algebra 00:23:38.039 --> 00:23:39.699 where you can plug in two things 00:23:39.699 --> 00:23:40.659 and then you get a product. 00:23:40.779 --> 00:23:41.259 It's not there 00:23:41.259 --> 00:23:41.759 you can just say, 00:23:41.799 --> 00:23:42.119 you know what, 00:23:42.379 --> 00:23:43.240 give me more trials, 00:23:43.240 --> 00:23:43.940 give me more trials, 00:23:44.019 --> 00:23:44.599 give me more trials 00:23:44.599 --> 00:23:45.539 and that's automatically 00:23:45.539 --> 00:23:46.380 going to be 00:23:46.380 --> 00:23:48.180 a deeper faith in Christ. 00:23:49.099 --> 00:23:49.599 J.D. Greer, 00:23:49.660 --> 00:23:50.259 I believe it was, 00:23:50.279 --> 00:23:50.799 who was speaking 00:23:50.799 --> 00:23:51.859 on this passage, 00:23:51.960 --> 00:23:52.279 he says, 00:23:52.559 --> 00:23:53.759 these trials are oftentimes 00:23:53.759 --> 00:23:54.700 like a foot 00:23:54.700 --> 00:23:56.000 that's poised in the air. 00:23:56.519 --> 00:23:56.680 He says, 00:23:56.779 --> 00:23:57.839 they can either help you 00:23:57.839 --> 00:23:58.799 to step forward 00:23:58.799 --> 00:23:59.660 in your faith 00:23:59.660 --> 00:24:00.980 or they can lead you 00:24:00.980 --> 00:24:02.420 to go further back in it. 00:24:03.039 --> 00:24:04.500 But seeing these trials, 00:24:04.720 --> 00:24:05.839 keeping our eyes 00:24:05.839 --> 00:24:07.299 fixed on Jesus 00:24:07.299 --> 00:24:08.740 in the midst of them 00:24:08.740 --> 00:24:10.900 allows us to grow 00:24:10.900 --> 00:24:12.680 in this walk with Christ. 00:24:12.680 --> 00:24:13.940 But what do, 00:24:14.539 --> 00:24:15.360 but what you do 00:24:15.360 --> 00:24:16.500 with them matters 00:24:16.500 --> 00:24:17.620 because your faith 00:24:17.620 --> 00:24:19.380 is what is under attack. 00:24:20.299 --> 00:24:21.180 Charles Spurgeon 00:24:21.180 --> 00:24:22.120 beautifully reflects 00:24:22.120 --> 00:24:22.680 on this passage 00:24:22.680 --> 00:24:23.279 when he says, 00:24:23.680 --> 00:24:25.000 note the essential point 00:24:25.000 --> 00:24:25.840 that is assailed 00:24:25.840 --> 00:24:27.180 by temptation. 00:24:27.940 --> 00:24:28.560 Your faith 00:24:28.560 --> 00:24:29.180 is the target 00:24:29.180 --> 00:24:30.340 that all the arrows 00:24:30.340 --> 00:24:31.940 are shot at. 00:24:32.580 --> 00:24:33.940 Faith is vital 00:24:33.940 --> 00:24:34.660 to salvation 00:24:34.660 --> 00:24:35.620 as the heart is 00:24:35.620 --> 00:24:36.220 to the body. 00:24:36.640 --> 00:24:36.840 Therefore, 00:24:37.000 --> 00:24:37.700 the javelins 00:24:37.700 --> 00:24:38.460 of the enemy 00:24:38.460 --> 00:24:40.720 are mainly aimed 00:24:40.720 --> 00:24:42.340 at this essential grace. 00:24:42.339 --> 00:24:43.399 Your faith 00:24:43.399 --> 00:24:44.399 is peculiarly 00:24:44.399 --> 00:24:45.079 obnoxious 00:24:45.079 --> 00:24:45.720 to Satan 00:24:45.720 --> 00:24:46.740 and the world. 00:24:47.119 --> 00:24:48.480 If you had no faith, 00:24:48.579 --> 00:24:49.279 they would not be 00:24:49.279 --> 00:24:49.859 your enemies. 00:24:50.859 --> 00:24:51.599 Faith is that 00:24:51.599 --> 00:24:52.879 blessed grace 00:24:52.879 --> 00:24:53.980 that is most 00:24:53.980 --> 00:24:54.899 pleasing to God 00:24:54.899 --> 00:24:55.579 and therefore 00:24:55.579 --> 00:24:57.139 most displeasing 00:24:57.139 --> 00:24:57.859 to the devil. 00:24:58.379 --> 00:24:59.000 By faith, 00:24:59.079 --> 00:25:00.659 God is greatly glorified 00:25:00.659 --> 00:25:01.579 and by faith, 00:25:01.740 --> 00:25:03.439 Satan is greatly annoyed. 00:25:04.019 --> 00:25:05.339 He rages at faith 00:25:05.339 --> 00:25:06.459 because he sees 00:25:06.459 --> 00:25:07.179 in it 00:25:07.179 --> 00:25:08.819 his own defeat 00:25:08.819 --> 00:25:10.099 and the victory 00:25:10.099 --> 00:25:11.799 of grace. 00:25:13.279 --> 00:25:14.679 But when we remain 00:25:14.679 --> 00:25:15.200 faithful, 00:25:15.759 --> 00:25:16.460 when we keep 00:25:16.460 --> 00:25:17.759 our eyes fixed 00:25:17.759 --> 00:25:18.559 on Jesus 00:25:18.559 --> 00:25:19.200 in the middle 00:25:19.200 --> 00:25:19.659 of the storm, 00:25:19.720 --> 00:25:20.279 it produces 00:25:20.279 --> 00:25:21.939 something amazing 00:25:21.939 --> 00:25:22.539 in us. 00:25:22.960 --> 00:25:23.240 You see, 00:25:23.299 --> 00:25:24.079 the byproduct 00:25:24.079 --> 00:25:24.939 of believing 00:25:24.939 --> 00:25:25.939 in the promise 00:25:25.939 --> 00:25:26.679 of God 00:25:26.679 --> 00:25:28.200 even when it's 00:25:28.200 --> 00:25:28.619 difficult 00:25:28.619 --> 00:25:29.399 is joy. 00:25:30.059 --> 00:25:31.759 Joy is the byproduct 00:25:31.759 --> 00:25:32.619 of believing 00:25:32.619 --> 00:25:33.480 in the promises 00:25:33.480 --> 00:25:34.099 of God 00:25:34.099 --> 00:25:35.339 even when it is 00:25:35.339 --> 00:25:36.519 difficult to do so. 00:25:37.400 --> 00:25:37.559 Now, 00:25:37.599 --> 00:25:38.059 I don't know 00:25:38.059 --> 00:25:39.359 what each of you 00:25:39.359 --> 00:25:40.039 are going through 00:25:40.039 --> 00:25:40.579 right now, 00:25:40.639 --> 00:25:41.259 but my guess 00:25:41.259 --> 00:25:42.240 is that in the room 00:25:42.240 --> 00:25:43.000 this size, 00:25:43.500 --> 00:25:44.220 many of you 00:25:44.220 --> 00:25:44.720 are dealing 00:25:44.720 --> 00:25:45.279 with some very 00:25:45.279 --> 00:25:46.319 difficult things. 00:25:47.339 --> 00:25:48.180 Many of you 00:25:48.180 --> 00:25:50.420 are maybe dealing 00:25:50.420 --> 00:25:50.859 with things 00:25:50.859 --> 00:25:51.559 that no one else 00:25:51.559 --> 00:25:52.059 knows about, 00:25:52.139 --> 00:25:53.079 but let me encourage 00:25:53.079 --> 00:25:53.980 you to keep 00:25:53.980 --> 00:25:55.519 your eyes on Jesus. 00:25:56.259 --> 00:25:57.240 1 Peter 5, 00:25:57.339 --> 00:25:57.920 6, and 7 00:25:57.920 --> 00:25:58.379 says this, 00:25:58.460 --> 00:25:59.500 Humble yourselves, 00:26:00.220 --> 00:26:00.740 therefore under 00:26:00.740 --> 00:26:01.839 the mighty hand of God, 00:26:02.240 --> 00:26:02.759 so that at the 00:26:02.759 --> 00:26:03.639 proper time 00:26:03.639 --> 00:26:04.779 he may exalt you, 00:26:04.900 --> 00:26:05.859 casting all of your 00:26:05.859 --> 00:26:06.500 anxieties on you, 00:26:06.519 --> 00:26:09.119 because he cares 00:26:09.119 --> 00:26:09.799 for you. 00:26:10.220 --> 00:26:11.299 Who cares for you? 00:26:12.639 --> 00:26:14.160 Jesus cares for you. 00:26:14.779 --> 00:26:16.119 The he in that 00:26:16.119 --> 00:26:16.400 statement, 00:26:16.480 --> 00:26:17.379 because he cares 00:26:17.379 --> 00:26:17.680 for you, 00:26:17.799 --> 00:26:18.759 is central to 00:26:18.759 --> 00:26:19.539 understanding how 00:26:19.539 --> 00:26:20.480 this provides 00:26:20.480 --> 00:26:21.579 comfort to us. 00:26:22.119 --> 00:26:22.379 You say, 00:26:22.480 --> 00:26:23.359 I could get up here 00:26:23.359 --> 00:26:23.559 and say, 00:26:23.639 --> 00:26:24.319 cast all of your 00:26:24.319 --> 00:26:25.079 anxieties on me 00:26:25.079 --> 00:26:26.160 because I care for you, 00:26:26.220 --> 00:26:27.119 and the truth is, 00:26:27.200 --> 00:26:28.539 I do care very deeply 00:26:28.539 --> 00:26:29.400 for each and every 00:26:29.400 --> 00:26:30.099 one of you, 00:26:30.440 --> 00:26:31.420 but you casting 00:26:31.420 --> 00:26:32.279 your anxieties on me 00:26:32.279 --> 00:26:33.039 is not going to 00:26:33.039 --> 00:26:34.079 help you a whole lot 00:26:34.079 --> 00:26:34.720 because there's not 00:26:34.720 --> 00:26:36.160 a lot that I can do 00:26:36.160 --> 00:26:37.320 about those things, 00:26:38.120 --> 00:26:39.160 but Jesus is saying, 00:26:39.340 --> 00:26:40.820 but Peter's saying here 00:26:40.820 --> 00:26:42.540 that cast your anxieties 00:26:42.540 --> 00:26:42.940 on him, 00:26:43.040 --> 00:26:43.759 cast your anxieties 00:26:43.759 --> 00:26:44.500 on Jesus 00:26:44.500 --> 00:26:45.880 because he cares 00:26:45.880 --> 00:26:46.480 for you. 00:26:47.040 --> 00:26:48.100 The one who spoke 00:26:48.100 --> 00:26:49.440 the world into existence, 00:26:49.580 --> 00:26:50.400 the one who freely 00:26:50.400 --> 00:26:52.240 laid down his life 00:26:52.240 --> 00:26:53.360 to give you life, 00:26:53.759 --> 00:26:54.420 he's the one 00:26:54.420 --> 00:26:55.380 that cares for you, 00:26:55.580 --> 00:26:57.000 and so keep your eyes 00:26:57.000 --> 00:26:57.779 fixed on him 00:26:57.779 --> 00:26:59.360 and let that produce 00:26:59.360 --> 00:26:59.920 in you 00:26:59.920 --> 00:27:00.880 this endurance 00:27:00.880 --> 00:27:02.100 that nothing else can 00:27:02.100 --> 00:27:02.580 in the midst 00:27:02.580 --> 00:27:03.420 of those trials. 00:27:03.420 --> 00:27:04.740 But the final thing 00:27:04.740 --> 00:27:05.620 that I want us to see 00:27:05.620 --> 00:27:06.440 this morning is this, 00:27:06.480 --> 00:27:07.440 that we are called 00:27:07.440 --> 00:27:08.960 to be consistent 00:27:08.960 --> 00:27:10.560 in where we look 00:27:10.560 --> 00:27:11.320 for wisdom. 00:27:11.840 --> 00:27:12.500 We're called to be 00:27:12.500 --> 00:27:13.400 consistent in where 00:27:13.400 --> 00:27:14.300 we look for wisdom. 00:27:14.700 --> 00:27:15.320 If any of you 00:27:15.320 --> 00:27:16.180 lacks wisdom, 00:27:16.300 --> 00:27:17.100 let him ask God 00:27:17.100 --> 00:27:18.080 who gives generously 00:27:18.080 --> 00:27:19.680 to all without reproach, 00:27:19.960 --> 00:27:21.019 and it will be given 00:27:21.019 --> 00:27:21.660 to him. 00:27:21.840 --> 00:27:23.360 But let him ask 00:27:23.360 --> 00:27:24.560 in faith. 00:27:24.960 --> 00:27:25.900 With no doubting, 00:27:25.900 --> 00:27:26.860 for the one who doubts 00:27:26.860 --> 00:27:27.740 is like a wave 00:27:27.740 --> 00:27:28.279 of the sea 00:27:28.279 --> 00:27:29.019 that is driven 00:27:29.019 --> 00:27:29.519 and tossed 00:27:29.519 --> 00:27:30.259 by the wind. 00:27:30.259 --> 00:27:31.460 For that person 00:27:31.460 --> 00:27:32.640 must not suppose 00:27:32.640 --> 00:27:33.539 that he will receive 00:27:33.539 --> 00:27:35.160 anything from the Lord. 00:27:35.259 --> 00:27:36.879 He is a double-minded man, 00:27:37.339 --> 00:27:39.379 unstable in all his ways. 00:27:39.980 --> 00:27:41.599 James went from saying 00:27:41.599 --> 00:27:43.180 that you may lack nothing 00:27:43.180 --> 00:27:45.019 to saying if you lack wisdom, 00:27:45.279 --> 00:27:46.279 then ask God. 00:27:46.339 --> 00:27:47.440 The implication is clear here. 00:27:47.539 --> 00:27:48.400 Wisdom is something 00:27:48.400 --> 00:27:49.759 that we are going to struggle 00:27:49.759 --> 00:27:50.660 with in this life. 00:27:51.240 --> 00:27:51.920 Wisdom is something 00:27:51.920 --> 00:27:53.119 that we're going to need 00:27:53.119 --> 00:27:54.900 constantly in our lives 00:27:54.900 --> 00:27:56.680 to give our lives perspective, 00:27:56.799 --> 00:27:57.599 to understand 00:27:57.599 --> 00:27:58.640 what we're going through 00:27:58.640 --> 00:27:59.400 in this life. 00:27:59.400 --> 00:28:00.420 And James, 00:28:00.500 --> 00:28:01.700 in his very direct 00:28:01.700 --> 00:28:02.440 and clear way, 00:28:02.840 --> 00:28:03.900 gives us an imperative 00:28:03.900 --> 00:28:05.340 of what to do 00:28:05.340 --> 00:28:06.200 when we realize 00:28:06.200 --> 00:28:07.140 that we are lacking 00:28:07.140 --> 00:28:07.960 in wisdom. 00:28:08.780 --> 00:28:09.800 In those moments 00:28:09.800 --> 00:28:10.640 where you feel like 00:28:10.640 --> 00:28:11.660 you are lacking wisdom, 00:28:11.780 --> 00:28:12.980 where you're lacking perspective, 00:28:13.380 --> 00:28:13.860 James says, 00:28:14.000 --> 00:28:14.880 do what I do. 00:28:15.440 --> 00:28:15.700 Pray. 00:28:16.500 --> 00:28:17.640 Get on your knees 00:28:17.640 --> 00:28:18.820 and ask God 00:28:18.820 --> 00:28:20.600 who gives generously, 00:28:21.160 --> 00:28:23.019 who gives to us 00:28:23.019 --> 00:28:24.340 what it is that we need. 00:28:24.380 --> 00:28:25.380 He's a good father 00:28:25.380 --> 00:28:26.800 that doesn't just give us 00:28:26.800 --> 00:28:28.060 everything that we want. 00:28:28.059 --> 00:28:29.500 He's not a genie in a bottle, 00:28:29.839 --> 00:28:31.200 but he is a good father 00:28:31.200 --> 00:28:33.359 that gives us what we need. 00:28:33.619 --> 00:28:34.139 But he says, 00:28:34.259 --> 00:28:34.619 he says, 00:28:34.740 --> 00:28:35.759 ask in a way 00:28:35.759 --> 00:28:37.940 that is in faith 00:28:37.940 --> 00:28:39.419 without any doubting. 00:28:39.619 --> 00:28:40.519 Now, this doesn't mean 00:28:40.519 --> 00:28:41.339 that we're going to go 00:28:41.339 --> 00:28:42.159 through this life 00:28:42.159 --> 00:28:42.799 and just be able 00:28:42.799 --> 00:28:44.940 to have no doubts 00:28:44.940 --> 00:28:46.279 in anything 00:28:46.279 --> 00:28:47.579 that we ask of God. 00:28:48.139 --> 00:28:48.839 That's something 00:28:48.839 --> 00:28:49.619 that I would struggle 00:28:49.619 --> 00:28:50.639 with very much. 00:28:51.339 --> 00:28:52.099 But he's saying 00:28:52.099 --> 00:28:53.359 to be consistent 00:28:53.359 --> 00:28:54.919 in your walk with God, 00:28:54.920 --> 00:28:56.160 to be consistent 00:28:56.160 --> 00:28:57.420 in how you ask 00:28:57.420 --> 00:28:58.900 for these things. 00:28:59.800 --> 00:29:00.900 Moo was, again, 00:29:00.980 --> 00:29:01.720 very helpful here. 00:29:01.800 --> 00:29:02.000 He says, 00:29:02.100 --> 00:29:03.460 James is not claiming 00:29:03.460 --> 00:29:04.480 that prayers 00:29:04.480 --> 00:29:05.900 will never be answered 00:29:05.900 --> 00:29:06.940 where any degree 00:29:06.940 --> 00:29:08.000 of doubt exists. 00:29:08.400 --> 00:29:09.400 For some degree 00:29:09.400 --> 00:29:09.860 of doubt, 00:29:09.900 --> 00:29:10.519 on at least 00:29:10.519 --> 00:29:11.340 some occasions, 00:29:11.480 --> 00:29:12.720 is probably inevitable 00:29:12.720 --> 00:29:14.360 in our present state 00:29:14.360 --> 00:29:14.960 of weakness. 00:29:15.240 --> 00:29:15.779 Rather, 00:29:16.300 --> 00:29:17.060 he wants us 00:29:17.060 --> 00:29:17.800 to understand 00:29:17.800 --> 00:29:19.080 that God responds 00:29:19.080 --> 00:29:19.820 to us 00:29:19.819 --> 00:29:22.099 only when our lives 00:29:22.099 --> 00:29:24.579 reflect a basic consistency 00:29:24.579 --> 00:29:26.399 of purpose and intent, 00:29:26.799 --> 00:29:28.799 a spiritual integrity. 00:29:29.720 --> 00:29:30.460 In other words, 00:29:30.519 --> 00:29:31.899 our prayers are answered 00:29:31.899 --> 00:29:33.460 when we consistently 00:29:33.460 --> 00:29:34.639 and faithfully 00:29:34.639 --> 00:29:35.480 look to God 00:29:35.480 --> 00:29:36.659 for those answers. 00:29:36.839 --> 00:29:38.659 We're not double-minded in it. 00:29:38.700 --> 00:29:39.859 It says that we're not 00:29:39.859 --> 00:29:41.519 looking in different places. 00:29:41.639 --> 00:29:42.179 We're not coming 00:29:42.179 --> 00:29:42.519 and saying, 00:29:42.579 --> 00:29:42.799 God, 00:29:42.960 --> 00:29:44.500 I want you to share 00:29:44.500 --> 00:29:45.079 with me your wisdom. 00:29:45.220 --> 00:29:45.980 I don't know what to do 00:29:45.980 --> 00:29:46.599 in this situation, 00:29:46.700 --> 00:29:47.559 so I'm asking you 00:29:47.559 --> 00:29:48.639 what I should do. 00:29:48.640 --> 00:29:49.940 And you do this on Sunday 00:29:49.940 --> 00:29:50.680 and then on Monday 00:29:50.680 --> 00:29:51.640 you go and you just, 00:29:51.920 --> 00:29:52.840 you put it in a Google search. 00:29:52.900 --> 00:29:53.480 What should I do 00:29:53.480 --> 00:29:54.180 in this situation? 00:29:54.180 --> 00:29:55.380 Or you ask your friends 00:29:55.380 --> 00:29:56.940 who aren't believers, 00:29:57.100 --> 00:29:57.940 who may not have 00:29:57.940 --> 00:29:59.220 your best interest in mind. 00:29:59.400 --> 00:29:59.820 And you're saying, 00:29:59.900 --> 00:30:00.560 what should I do? 00:30:00.700 --> 00:30:01.540 What does God say? 00:30:01.580 --> 00:30:02.240 What does the world say? 00:30:02.259 --> 00:30:03.500 We're going back and forth 00:30:03.500 --> 00:30:03.960 and God, 00:30:04.320 --> 00:30:05.300 and what James is saying 00:30:05.300 --> 00:30:05.620 is here, 00:30:05.740 --> 00:30:06.500 God wants us 00:30:06.500 --> 00:30:08.120 to be single-minded 00:30:08.120 --> 00:30:10.820 in our asking for wisdom. 00:30:11.520 --> 00:30:12.300 Single-minded 00:30:12.300 --> 00:30:13.300 in our devotion to Him. 00:30:13.320 --> 00:30:13.420 Now, 00:30:13.440 --> 00:30:14.020 this doesn't mean 00:30:14.020 --> 00:30:14.860 that we don't read 00:30:14.860 --> 00:30:16.240 good Christian books. 00:30:16.720 --> 00:30:17.400 It doesn't mean 00:30:17.400 --> 00:30:18.220 that we don't go 00:30:18.220 --> 00:30:19.120 to our friends 00:30:19.120 --> 00:30:20.759 who love Jesus 00:30:20.759 --> 00:30:22.500 and have our best interest 00:30:22.500 --> 00:30:22.839 in mind 00:30:22.839 --> 00:30:24.640 and have what God says 00:30:24.640 --> 00:30:25.000 in mind. 00:30:25.039 --> 00:30:25.660 It doesn't mean 00:30:25.660 --> 00:30:26.319 that we don't go 00:30:26.319 --> 00:30:27.400 to counselors 00:30:27.400 --> 00:30:28.519 who love Christ 00:30:28.519 --> 00:30:29.420 and follow Him 00:30:29.420 --> 00:30:30.420 in their lives, 00:30:30.420 --> 00:30:31.940 but it does mean 00:30:31.940 --> 00:30:32.839 that we're not looking 00:30:32.839 --> 00:30:33.559 to this world 00:30:33.559 --> 00:30:34.000 for wisdom. 00:30:34.100 --> 00:30:35.279 We're single-minded 00:30:35.279 --> 00:30:36.480 in our devotion 00:30:36.480 --> 00:30:38.039 and focus on God. 00:30:38.440 --> 00:30:38.980 And he says, 00:30:39.100 --> 00:30:39.740 that person 00:30:39.740 --> 00:30:40.940 is the one who asks 00:30:40.940 --> 00:30:42.059 and it will be given 00:30:42.059 --> 00:30:42.600 to them. 00:30:42.880 --> 00:30:43.579 That's the one 00:30:43.579 --> 00:30:44.519 who will be given 00:30:44.519 --> 00:30:45.339 wisdom. 00:30:45.339 --> 00:30:47.339 We must dig 00:30:47.339 --> 00:30:47.980 our heels in 00:30:47.980 --> 00:30:48.240 and say, 00:30:48.559 --> 00:30:50.019 I am following God. 00:30:50.199 --> 00:30:51.119 No more praying 00:30:51.119 --> 00:30:52.259 for wisdom on Sunday 00:30:52.259 --> 00:30:53.259 and looking to the world 00:30:53.259 --> 00:30:54.119 for it on Monday. 00:30:54.500 --> 00:30:55.539 I'm going to have 00:30:55.539 --> 00:30:56.879 a spiritual integrity 00:30:56.879 --> 00:30:58.819 that is consistently 00:30:58.819 --> 00:31:00.039 looking to God 00:31:00.039 --> 00:31:00.939 for strength 00:31:00.939 --> 00:31:01.740 and purpose 00:31:01.740 --> 00:31:02.579 in trials 00:31:02.579 --> 00:31:04.000 and looks only 00:31:04.000 --> 00:31:04.519 to Him 00:31:04.519 --> 00:31:05.119 for wisdom 00:31:05.119 --> 00:31:06.720 in this life. 00:31:07.359 --> 00:31:07.679 You see, 00:31:07.740 --> 00:31:08.919 much of this passage 00:31:08.919 --> 00:31:10.819 today is wisdom 00:31:10.819 --> 00:31:11.539 for the believer. 00:31:12.159 --> 00:31:13.019 For those of us 00:31:13.019 --> 00:31:13.619 who have given 00:31:13.619 --> 00:31:14.799 our life to Jesus, 00:31:15.420 --> 00:31:16.180 for us, 00:31:16.299 --> 00:31:17.220 there is a hope 00:31:17.220 --> 00:31:17.879 and a purpose 00:31:17.879 --> 00:31:18.759 in these words. 00:31:18.879 --> 00:31:19.240 For us, 00:31:19.299 --> 00:31:20.339 there is a challenge 00:31:20.339 --> 00:31:21.420 in this book 00:31:21.420 --> 00:31:22.279 for wisdom 00:31:22.279 --> 00:31:24.099 and to look to God 00:31:24.099 --> 00:31:24.859 for hope 00:31:24.859 --> 00:31:25.339 in the midst 00:31:25.339 --> 00:31:26.079 of trials. 00:31:27.079 --> 00:31:27.940 But I want each 00:31:27.940 --> 00:31:28.539 of you to know 00:31:28.539 --> 00:31:29.660 that this good news 00:31:29.660 --> 00:31:30.319 that we're talking 00:31:30.319 --> 00:31:31.119 about today 00:31:31.119 --> 00:31:32.680 is available 00:31:32.680 --> 00:31:33.420 to anyone. 00:31:34.000 --> 00:31:34.759 It's available 00:31:34.759 --> 00:31:35.379 for anyone 00:31:35.379 --> 00:31:36.619 that sees Jesus 00:31:36.619 --> 00:31:37.720 as their only hope 00:31:37.720 --> 00:31:38.259 in life. 00:31:39.240 --> 00:31:40.319 Not the one 00:31:40.319 --> 00:31:40.799 that says, 00:31:41.119 --> 00:31:41.779 I want to sprinkle 00:31:41.779 --> 00:31:42.319 a little bit 00:31:42.319 --> 00:31:42.759 of Jesus 00:31:42.759 --> 00:31:43.559 on my life. 00:31:43.799 --> 00:31:44.299 Not the one 00:31:44.299 --> 00:31:44.639 that says, 00:31:44.720 --> 00:31:44.839 yeah, 00:31:44.879 --> 00:31:45.220 I'll take 00:31:45.220 --> 00:31:45.740 a little bit 00:31:45.740 --> 00:31:46.139 of that. 00:31:46.359 --> 00:31:47.159 I want to continue 00:31:47.159 --> 00:31:48.000 living my life 00:31:48.000 --> 00:31:48.720 the way I am, 00:31:48.799 --> 00:31:49.460 but yeah, 00:31:49.579 --> 00:31:50.119 why not add 00:31:50.119 --> 00:31:50.579 a little bit 00:31:50.579 --> 00:31:51.399 of Jesus to it? 00:31:51.419 --> 00:31:51.599 No, 00:31:51.700 --> 00:31:52.599 not that person, 00:31:52.919 --> 00:31:53.500 but the one 00:31:53.500 --> 00:31:53.919 who says, 00:31:54.000 --> 00:31:54.319 you know what, 00:31:54.399 --> 00:31:56.279 Jesus is my only hope. 00:31:56.679 --> 00:31:58.000 I'm giving my life 00:31:58.000 --> 00:31:59.259 fully to Him. 00:31:59.460 --> 00:32:00.319 I'm making Him 00:32:00.319 --> 00:32:02.319 Lord of my life. 00:32:02.559 --> 00:32:02.960 Everything, 00:32:03.079 --> 00:32:04.200 my only hope 00:32:04.200 --> 00:32:04.960 is in Him. 00:32:05.220 --> 00:32:06.399 I have no hope 00:32:06.399 --> 00:32:07.399 apart from Jesus. 00:32:07.740 --> 00:32:08.819 And if you're here today 00:32:08.819 --> 00:32:09.659 and you've never 00:32:09.659 --> 00:32:10.740 placed your faith 00:32:10.740 --> 00:32:11.700 and your trust 00:32:11.700 --> 00:32:12.359 in Jesus 00:32:12.359 --> 00:32:13.420 and asked Him 00:32:13.420 --> 00:32:14.180 to be the Lord 00:32:14.180 --> 00:32:15.000 of your life, 00:32:15.480 --> 00:32:16.539 then let today 00:32:16.539 --> 00:32:17.059 be the day 00:32:17.059 --> 00:32:17.839 that you do that. 00:32:18.740 --> 00:32:19.980 Let this message 00:32:19.980 --> 00:32:20.799 of dependence, 00:32:21.339 --> 00:32:21.680 hope, 00:32:21.880 --> 00:32:22.299 and wisdom 00:32:22.299 --> 00:32:23.180 be a message 00:32:23.180 --> 00:32:25.099 that can apply 00:32:25.099 --> 00:32:26.359 to you as well. 00:32:27.019 --> 00:32:27.539 And so wherever 00:32:27.539 --> 00:32:29.079 you find yourself today, 00:32:29.339 --> 00:32:30.339 maybe it's a believer 00:32:30.339 --> 00:32:31.880 who has been a believer 00:32:31.880 --> 00:32:32.440 for many, 00:32:32.599 --> 00:32:33.259 many years, 00:32:33.620 --> 00:32:34.579 let this message, 00:32:34.740 --> 00:32:35.180 let this passage 00:32:35.180 --> 00:32:36.880 be a word 00:32:36.880 --> 00:32:37.519 of encouragement 00:32:37.519 --> 00:32:38.180 to you 00:32:38.180 --> 00:32:41.000 to depend on God 00:32:41.000 --> 00:32:41.940 for everything, 00:32:42.039 --> 00:32:42.740 to go to Him 00:32:42.740 --> 00:32:43.039 in prayer, 00:32:43.120 --> 00:32:44.039 to live lives 00:32:44.039 --> 00:32:45.080 where we are dependent 00:32:45.080 --> 00:32:46.039 on Him to work 00:32:46.039 --> 00:32:46.940 and to move, 00:32:47.539 --> 00:32:48.480 a life where you 00:32:48.480 --> 00:32:49.960 are constantly 00:32:49.960 --> 00:32:50.980 looking to Him 00:32:50.980 --> 00:32:51.519 in the midst 00:32:51.519 --> 00:32:52.440 of those trials, 00:32:52.860 --> 00:32:53.720 a life where you're 00:32:53.720 --> 00:32:54.820 consistently going 00:32:54.820 --> 00:32:55.420 to Him 00:32:55.420 --> 00:32:57.519 to ask for wisdom. 00:32:58.560 --> 00:32:59.460 If you've been 00:32:59.460 --> 00:32:59.980 a follower 00:32:59.980 --> 00:33:02.140 for your whole life 00:33:02.140 --> 00:33:03.519 or just a little while, 00:33:03.620 --> 00:33:04.820 let that apply to you. 00:33:05.460 --> 00:33:06.599 But maybe you're here today 00:33:06.599 --> 00:33:08.299 and this hope 00:33:08.299 --> 00:33:08.859 that we see 00:33:08.859 --> 00:33:09.700 in this passage 00:33:09.700 --> 00:33:10.879 is not hope 00:33:10.879 --> 00:33:11.579 for you yet. 00:33:12.379 --> 00:33:13.480 Let today be the day 00:33:13.480 --> 00:33:14.000 that you say, 00:33:14.099 --> 00:33:14.399 Jesus, 00:33:14.679 --> 00:33:16.220 I need you. 00:33:16.779 --> 00:33:18.119 More than anything else, 00:33:18.279 --> 00:33:19.419 I need you 00:33:19.419 --> 00:33:20.299 to be the Lord 00:33:20.299 --> 00:33:21.079 of my life. 00:33:21.619 --> 00:33:22.919 And I want to follow you 00:33:22.919 --> 00:33:24.439 from this day forward. 00:33:24.919 --> 00:33:25.319 Father, 00:33:25.399 --> 00:33:26.559 I thank you so very much 00:33:26.559 --> 00:33:28.419 for your word. 00:33:28.519 --> 00:33:28.859 I thank you 00:33:28.859 --> 00:33:29.759 for the book of James, 00:33:29.919 --> 00:33:31.359 the book 00:33:31.359 --> 00:33:32.279 that bears 00:33:32.279 --> 00:33:33.980 your half-brother's name. 00:33:34.059 --> 00:33:34.139 Lord, 00:33:34.139 --> 00:33:34.700 I thank you 00:33:34.700 --> 00:33:35.600 for that relationship 00:33:35.600 --> 00:33:36.519 that you had with Him 00:33:36.519 --> 00:33:37.180 for many years 00:33:37.180 --> 00:33:38.640 that has shaped 00:33:38.640 --> 00:33:39.480 and molded Him 00:33:39.480 --> 00:33:40.740 to be the one 00:33:40.740 --> 00:33:41.720 to write this book 00:33:41.720 --> 00:33:42.860 for us today. 00:33:43.620 --> 00:33:43.880 And so, 00:33:43.980 --> 00:33:44.080 Lord, 00:33:44.120 --> 00:33:45.380 I pray that as we work 00:33:45.380 --> 00:33:45.940 our way through 00:33:45.940 --> 00:33:46.740 this great book 00:33:46.740 --> 00:33:48.440 that it will not just 00:33:48.440 --> 00:33:49.660 be words on a page, 00:33:50.080 --> 00:33:51.259 but it will be wisdom 00:33:51.259 --> 00:33:51.980 and guidance 00:33:51.980 --> 00:33:52.799 and direction 00:33:52.799 --> 00:33:53.720 that we apply 00:33:53.720 --> 00:33:54.740 to our lives 00:33:54.740 --> 00:33:56.080 that point us 00:33:56.080 --> 00:33:56.620 to you 00:33:56.620 --> 00:33:57.840 as our only source 00:33:57.840 --> 00:33:58.279 of hope 00:33:58.279 --> 00:33:59.080 in this life. 00:34:00.240 --> 00:34:00.519 And so, 00:34:00.700 --> 00:34:00.819 Lord, 00:34:00.900 --> 00:34:01.340 I pray 00:34:01.339 --> 00:34:02.459 that if there's 00:34:02.459 --> 00:34:03.379 somebody here today 00:34:03.379 --> 00:34:04.919 that's never placed 00:34:04.919 --> 00:34:05.539 their faith 00:34:05.539 --> 00:34:06.159 and their trust 00:34:06.159 --> 00:34:06.639 in you 00:34:06.639 --> 00:34:07.740 that today 00:34:07.740 --> 00:34:09.000 would be the day 00:34:09.000 --> 00:34:10.139 they go from death 00:34:10.139 --> 00:34:10.739 to life. 00:34:11.519 --> 00:34:11.599 Lord, 00:34:11.699 --> 00:34:12.699 give them the boldness 00:34:12.699 --> 00:34:13.239 and courage 00:34:13.239 --> 00:34:14.659 to come find somebody. 00:34:15.159 --> 00:34:15.539 To say, 00:34:15.659 --> 00:34:16.940 I need Jesus. 00:34:17.440 --> 00:34:18.539 I need you to tell me 00:34:18.539 --> 00:34:19.920 how to have Him 00:34:19.920 --> 00:34:20.860 in my life. 00:34:21.819 --> 00:34:22.259 But, 00:34:22.319 --> 00:34:22.400 Lord, 00:34:22.460 --> 00:34:23.099 I also pray 00:34:23.099 --> 00:34:24.099 that for all of us 00:34:24.099 --> 00:34:25.619 that maybe have been 00:34:25.619 --> 00:34:26.039 doing this 00:34:26.039 --> 00:34:27.239 for a very long time, 00:34:27.239 --> 00:34:28.799 that we wouldn't 00:34:28.799 --> 00:34:29.679 just see this 00:34:29.679 --> 00:34:30.659 as another punch 00:34:30.659 --> 00:34:31.219 on the card, 00:34:31.639 --> 00:34:32.899 another trip to church, 00:34:33.199 --> 00:34:33.979 but that we would 00:34:33.979 --> 00:34:34.719 see this 00:34:34.719 --> 00:34:35.379 as a time 00:34:35.379 --> 00:34:36.079 going deep 00:34:36.079 --> 00:34:36.799 in Your Word 00:34:36.799 --> 00:34:38.339 and that Your Word 00:34:38.339 --> 00:34:40.019 applies to us today. 00:34:40.639 --> 00:34:40.859 So, 00:34:40.979 --> 00:34:41.119 Lord, 00:34:41.219 --> 00:34:42.079 give us the strength 00:34:42.079 --> 00:34:42.679 and boldness 00:34:42.679 --> 00:34:43.699 to follow You 00:34:43.699 --> 00:34:45.119 no matter what it is 00:34:45.119 --> 00:34:46.279 that You're calling us to do. 00:34:46.659 --> 00:34:47.659 We ask all these things 00:34:47.659 --> 00:34:48.500 in Jesus' name. 00:34:48.899 --> 00:34:49.199 Amen. 00:34:49.939 --> 00:34:50.599 We're going to invite you 00:34:50.599 --> 00:34:50.979 to stand. 00:34:51.059 --> 00:34:51.519 We're going to sing 00:34:51.519 --> 00:34:52.519 a song of invitation. 00:34:52.699 --> 00:34:53.619 If God is speaking 00:34:53.619 --> 00:34:54.479 to you this morning, 00:34:54.959 --> 00:34:55.639 won't you respond 00:34:55.639 --> 00:34:56.539 as we stand together 00:34:56.539 --> 00:34:57.320 and sing?