WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.219 Good morning, Watermark. Truly a joyous day today, and with a happy heart, I invite everybody to open 00:00:06.219 --> 00:00:11.740 up to James chapter 1, verse 9. You can follow your Bible or also read on the stage. 00:00:13.700 --> 00:00:15.740 Starting in verse 9, we read, 00:00:16.660 --> 00:00:22.760 Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, and the rich in his humiliation, 00:00:23.719 --> 00:00:27.060 because like a flower of the grass, he will pass away. 00:00:27.059 --> 00:00:35.839 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass, its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. 00:00:36.899 --> 00:00:41.840 So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits. 00:00:43.320 --> 00:00:49.599 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test, 00:00:50.000 --> 00:00:55.399 he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. 00:00:55.399 --> 00:01:01.119 Let no one say when he is tempted, I am being tempted by God. 00:01:01.859 --> 00:01:06.939 For God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 00:01:07.700 --> 00:01:13.379 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 00:01:14.340 --> 00:01:17.859 Then desire, when it has conceived, gives birth to sin. 00:01:17.859 --> 00:01:21.620 And sin, when it is fully grown, brings forth death. 00:01:22.700 --> 00:01:25.799 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers and sisters. 00:01:26.599 --> 00:01:32.539 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, 00:01:33.260 --> 00:01:37.340 with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. 00:01:37.340 --> 00:01:46.260 Of his own will, he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. 00:01:46.900 --> 00:01:48.079 This is the word of God. 00:01:48.900 --> 00:01:49.820 Great, thank you. 00:01:50.120 --> 00:01:50.380 Okay? 00:01:51.020 --> 00:01:51.840 Great, thank you. 00:01:52.140 --> 00:01:54.260 Let's pray together as we look at this passage. 00:01:54.439 --> 00:01:59.040 Heavenly Father, your word is so rich and deep and wonderful. 00:01:59.240 --> 00:02:00.100 It's amazing, God. 00:02:00.099 --> 00:02:03.799 Being written 2,000 years ago, can still speak to our own lives today. 00:02:04.539 --> 00:02:07.979 In a different city, a different culture, a different context, your word is alive. 00:02:08.120 --> 00:02:10.199 And we pray that it will be alive today. 00:02:10.859 --> 00:02:13.099 We pray that you'll speak to us and encourage us. 00:02:13.620 --> 00:02:14.740 Draw us closer to yourself. 00:02:14.859 --> 00:02:17.299 God, won't you pour faith into our hearts? 00:02:17.780 --> 00:02:20.479 May your word do the work that you want it to accomplish. 00:02:20.740 --> 00:02:21.719 And so, God, we pray. 00:02:22.299 --> 00:02:24.819 We just bring the next 30 minutes before you. 00:02:24.919 --> 00:02:26.599 Won't you speak to us, God? 00:02:27.740 --> 00:02:29.439 We want to hear the voice of heaven. 00:02:29.439 --> 00:02:31.500 Come and speak to us from your word, we pray. 00:02:32.280 --> 00:02:34.039 In your awesome and wonderful name. 00:02:34.500 --> 00:02:34.780 Amen. 00:02:36.120 --> 00:02:42.199 Well, as you heard, we're continuing to preach the book of James that we started last week. 00:02:42.439 --> 00:02:47.259 And in some ways, today is kind of part two to last week. 00:02:47.900 --> 00:02:51.840 Last week, I wasn't particularly, I wasn't sure if I was particularly clear. 00:02:52.520 --> 00:02:54.099 Hopefully, today will be a little bit clearer. 00:02:54.099 --> 00:03:01.879 But the big idea in this section of James 1 is when trials and difficulty come your way. 00:03:02.319 --> 00:03:06.579 Or another way of saying it is steadfastness under trials. 00:03:06.719 --> 00:03:12.939 How do we be the kind of people that remain steadfast when challenges and difficulties come our way? 00:03:12.939 --> 00:03:16.079 This letter is written by this guy called James. 00:03:16.199 --> 00:03:18.180 He's Jesus' half-brother. 00:03:18.680 --> 00:03:25.139 And it's written to a group of Christians who were dispersed around the Roman world because of their faith in Jesus. 00:03:25.219 --> 00:03:26.000 They were persecuted. 00:03:26.219 --> 00:03:29.479 And so, they needed to flee their homes and go and settle somewhere else. 00:03:29.479 --> 00:03:34.139 James, in the first line, he says, 00:03:34.259 --> 00:03:38.519 Count all joy when you face trials of various kinds. 00:03:39.719 --> 00:03:47.919 James is arresting the modern notion that we deserve life to be easy and comfortable and problem-free. 00:03:48.659 --> 00:03:55.120 We tend to think that difficulties and challenges are these anomalies to life that we need to get over as quickly as possible 00:03:55.120 --> 00:03:57.479 so we can get on with the rest of our life. 00:03:57.479 --> 00:03:59.459 And James arrests and says, 00:03:59.539 --> 00:04:02.919 No, trials and challenges are the normal part of life. 00:04:03.599 --> 00:04:10.039 And what we saw last week is that trials and challenges are not the great enemy to be avoided at all costs, 00:04:10.299 --> 00:04:11.659 like we so often think. 00:04:12.219 --> 00:04:16.759 Because actually, the goal of the Christian life is not comfort and ease and convenience. 00:04:17.060 --> 00:04:17.759 It's maturity. 00:04:18.599 --> 00:04:19.399 It's godliness. 00:04:20.219 --> 00:04:25.180 And these trials and challenges have a way of maturing us and growing us. 00:04:25.180 --> 00:04:29.160 They're kind of like the gym waits for your soul and your character. 00:04:29.360 --> 00:04:32.579 As you go through them, they have a way of maturing you and growing you. 00:04:33.240 --> 00:04:36.660 In fact, you almost cannot mature without going through some kind of challenges. 00:04:37.699 --> 00:04:41.160 Now, in our passage today, James continues on the same theme. 00:04:41.340 --> 00:04:48.180 And he's wanting to show how Christian faith helps us endure the trials and the challenges that we face. 00:04:48.879 --> 00:04:48.960 Okay? 00:04:48.959 --> 00:04:50.959 Look at verse 12 with me. 00:04:51.039 --> 00:04:53.000 If you've got your bulletin or your Bible, he says, 00:04:53.459 --> 00:04:57.899 Blessed is the man or the woman, the person who remains steadfast under trial. 00:04:58.120 --> 00:04:58.699 That's his theme. 00:04:59.039 --> 00:05:00.060 Steadfast under trial. 00:05:00.699 --> 00:05:03.879 But how does your Christian faith actually help that? 00:05:04.419 --> 00:05:08.859 If you're a Christian this morning, how does trust in the gospel and God help you in these trials? 00:05:09.659 --> 00:05:11.079 Well, that's what we're going to look at today. 00:05:11.079 --> 00:05:11.120 Okay? 00:05:11.719 --> 00:05:17.060 So a few weeks ago, Chris was preaching and he spoke about bouldering or rock climbing. 00:05:17.379 --> 00:05:18.519 I don't know if you remember that. 00:05:19.620 --> 00:05:26.360 When you're bouldering or you're rock climbing, you've got to make sure that you're holding onto grips properly, right? 00:05:26.599 --> 00:05:29.139 If you don't have a good grip, you're going to fall. 00:05:29.659 --> 00:05:31.099 And that could be dangerous. 00:05:31.299 --> 00:05:36.339 You've got to make sure you're holding onto grips that can sustain your weight and carry your weight. 00:05:36.339 --> 00:05:44.099 But in the section we're going to look at today, James is going to give us three kind of grips, rocks to hold onto, 00:05:44.560 --> 00:05:48.819 that will carry us and sustain us through the trials and the challenges. 00:05:49.000 --> 00:05:50.339 And you've got to know these grips. 00:05:50.419 --> 00:05:54.000 You've got to know these rocks in order to hold onto them and be carried through. 00:05:54.399 --> 00:05:54.620 Okay? 00:05:55.079 --> 00:05:55.859 So these are the three. 00:05:55.959 --> 00:06:00.019 He's going to talk about your identity, your heart, and your father. 00:06:00.659 --> 00:06:03.479 Your identity, your heart, and your father. 00:06:03.799 --> 00:06:04.639 So let's dive in. 00:06:04.639 --> 00:06:05.500 Let's look at the first one. 00:06:05.500 --> 00:06:07.860 Your identity or your Christian identity. 00:06:08.019 --> 00:06:09.379 Verse 9 to 11. 00:06:09.500 --> 00:06:11.079 Why don't we read it again together? 00:06:11.759 --> 00:06:12.360 He says this. 00:06:12.800 --> 00:06:20.439 Let the lowly brother or sister boast in their exaltation and the rich in his humiliation. 00:06:21.240 --> 00:06:24.240 Because like a flower of the grass, he will pass away. 00:06:24.980 --> 00:06:28.139 The sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass. 00:06:28.920 --> 00:06:30.899 Its flowers fall and its beauty perishes. 00:06:31.399 --> 00:06:35.160 So also will the rich person fade away in the midst of his pursuits. 00:06:35.500 --> 00:06:38.779 But blessed is the one who remains steadfast under trial. 00:06:39.519 --> 00:06:43.839 For when they have stood the test, they will receive the crown of life. 00:06:43.839 --> 00:06:52.799 As we mentioned earlier, the Christians that James is writing to are people that had to flee their homes because of persecution and difficulty and hardship. 00:06:53.939 --> 00:06:58.079 Some of us here this morning may be the children or maybe the grandchildren of immigrants. 00:06:58.319 --> 00:07:03.239 People that had to one time flee their home and settle somewhere else. 00:07:03.240 --> 00:07:07.019 Most people that are immigrants, they leave with nothing. 00:07:07.259 --> 00:07:12.980 And when they have to settle, they start out again from the bottom. 00:07:13.620 --> 00:07:20.879 Some people say, you know, they left mainland China to come to Hong Kong in the 50s or the 60s with nothing but the clothes on their back or one suitcase. 00:07:20.879 --> 00:07:26.339 James here writes, and look what he says to these Christians. 00:07:26.540 --> 00:07:29.439 He's writing to many of them that are economically poor or disadvantaged. 00:07:30.259 --> 00:07:34.240 He says, let the lowly brother or sister boast in their exaltation. 00:07:34.360 --> 00:07:36.180 So lowly here means economic lowly. 00:07:36.839 --> 00:07:38.779 Exaltation means the fact that they're privileged. 00:07:38.959 --> 00:07:40.040 They're raised up. 00:07:40.040 --> 00:07:42.200 What's he saying? 00:07:43.400 --> 00:07:49.000 He's reminding them of the fact that in one sense, they're lowly, they're disadvantaged, they are underprivileged. 00:07:49.379 --> 00:07:56.120 But in another sense, because of who they are in Christ, because of the status and their identity they're given in the gospel, 00:07:56.660 --> 00:07:58.840 actually they're mightily privileged. 00:07:59.120 --> 00:07:59.900 They're exalted. 00:08:01.100 --> 00:08:05.300 He says, he's calling them to remember who they are and what they have in Christ. 00:08:05.300 --> 00:08:16.939 So in a city like Hong Kong, which is very hierarchical based on meritocracy, for many people, your position in society determines your identity. 00:08:17.699 --> 00:08:21.139 Your economic status determines how you feel and think about yourself. 00:08:21.840 --> 00:08:26.019 Where you are on the social ladder determines how you feel about yourself. 00:08:26.740 --> 00:08:33.279 And that means we as a society tend to look down upon those that are lower down on the rungs of the socioeconomic ladder. 00:08:33.279 --> 00:08:44.980 James here reminds these Christians that though that may be true of them, they have an identity, a status, which is given to them by God in the gospel, 00:08:45.639 --> 00:08:52.259 which has mightily exalted and privileged them far above everything that society can put upon them. 00:08:53.439 --> 00:09:00.120 James reminds them that if you are in Christ, you have an identity that's not formed by society's opinions of you. 00:09:00.120 --> 00:09:05.080 It's not earned or achieved by your accomplishments or your accolades or how you've done business. 00:09:05.720 --> 00:09:10.320 It means that it's stable and steadfast and it's given to you by grace. 00:09:11.379 --> 00:09:14.600 Friends, if you are a Christian, who are you? 00:09:16.139 --> 00:09:22.120 The scripture tells us that irrespective of your economic status, your career, your job title, 00:09:22.120 --> 00:09:25.639 you are a son or a daughter of the king. 00:09:26.679 --> 00:09:30.379 You are in one sense God's immense treasured possession. 00:09:31.100 --> 00:09:33.019 You are a co-heir with Christ. 00:09:33.120 --> 00:09:36.700 And one day you will rule and reign with Christ over the new creation. 00:09:37.440 --> 00:09:38.379 In Ephesians it says, 00:09:38.879 --> 00:09:44.139 you have been seated with Christ in the heavenly places far above all rule and authority and power. 00:09:44.139 --> 00:09:47.559 I watched a video this week, I just happened, someone sent it to me, 00:09:48.000 --> 00:09:53.819 of a guy who collects cans and rubbish bottles on the streets. 00:09:53.879 --> 00:09:54.539 That's his job. 00:09:54.639 --> 00:09:55.419 He had a good job. 00:09:55.980 --> 00:09:58.299 He was involved in some terrible crime. 00:09:58.419 --> 00:10:02.799 He was smuggling people in and out of America, got caught, went to federal prison for 10 years. 00:10:03.379 --> 00:10:05.960 Now he's got this criminal record, can't get a job. 00:10:06.539 --> 00:10:07.779 And so now he's a street cleaner. 00:10:08.179 --> 00:10:09.819 But in prison he became a Christian. 00:10:09.820 --> 00:10:13.180 And in this interview he's laughing and he's smiling. 00:10:13.340 --> 00:10:15.240 He's the most joyful guy you've ever encountered. 00:10:15.400 --> 00:10:16.200 And the interviewer says, 00:10:16.760 --> 00:10:18.280 explain this to me. 00:10:18.340 --> 00:10:18.680 He says, 00:10:19.240 --> 00:10:21.260 I'm seated with Christ in the heavenly places. 00:10:21.560 --> 00:10:22.980 What more could I want in life? 00:10:23.780 --> 00:10:26.700 Here is a man who knows his identity, his status. 00:10:28.000 --> 00:10:29.520 Friends, others may look down upon you, 00:10:29.600 --> 00:10:32.280 but in the sight of the only one who really matters, 00:10:32.780 --> 00:10:37.060 you are loved and exalted and highly regarded as you could possibly be. 00:10:37.640 --> 00:10:39.340 And so look what he says in verse 12. 00:10:39.820 --> 00:10:42.300 Blessed is the one who remains steadfast under trial, 00:10:42.740 --> 00:10:45.920 for when he stood the test he will receive the crown of life. 00:10:46.540 --> 00:10:48.920 Okay, so maybe you don't have the fanciest job in the world. 00:10:49.300 --> 00:10:51.019 Maybe you don't have the best education. 00:10:51.700 --> 00:10:53.460 Maybe you don't have the best job title. 00:10:54.100 --> 00:10:55.820 But what do you have in Christ? 00:10:55.879 --> 00:10:57.060 The crown of life. 00:10:57.920 --> 00:11:01.180 We tend to think that that means this gem-studded headpiece, 00:11:01.180 --> 00:11:02.899 the kings and queens wear. 00:11:03.560 --> 00:11:05.200 I think what James is talking about is, 00:11:05.340 --> 00:11:06.160 in the Roman world, 00:11:06.159 --> 00:11:08.319 those that won an athletic contest, 00:11:08.419 --> 00:11:10.360 were given a laurel wreath, 00:11:10.759 --> 00:11:11.379 a crown, 00:11:12.319 --> 00:11:13.259 James is saying that, 00:11:13.740 --> 00:11:14.899 even though you may be lowly, 00:11:14.980 --> 00:11:16.139 economically disadvantaged, 00:11:16.519 --> 00:11:17.159 you win. 00:11:17.779 --> 00:11:18.699 You're put on the podium. 00:11:19.699 --> 00:11:20.399 You win. 00:11:21.480 --> 00:11:24.899 Friends, you may look around at those that have done very well in the world, 00:11:24.980 --> 00:11:27.059 and are very economically successful, 00:11:27.159 --> 00:11:28.740 and it looks like they don't have care in the world. 00:11:29.139 --> 00:11:30.220 They're just printing money. 00:11:31.139 --> 00:11:32.100 COVID comes along, 00:11:32.200 --> 00:11:34.060 and everyone's doing badly, 00:11:34.200 --> 00:11:34.960 but they're doing well, 00:11:35.000 --> 00:11:37.080 because they've got money to invest when the market crashes, 00:11:37.340 --> 00:11:38.639 and they make even more money. 00:11:39.000 --> 00:11:39.639 And you think, 00:11:39.700 --> 00:11:40.740 oh, this is so unfair. 00:11:41.740 --> 00:11:42.800 James reminds us, 00:11:43.259 --> 00:11:44.160 that that status, 00:11:44.340 --> 00:11:45.040 that identity, 00:11:45.660 --> 00:11:46.320 is temporary. 00:11:47.379 --> 00:11:48.680 It's like the flowers of the field. 00:11:49.920 --> 00:11:50.800 It's going to die. 00:11:51.639 --> 00:11:52.480 And soon, 00:11:52.720 --> 00:11:53.500 very soon, 00:11:53.660 --> 00:11:54.639 that identity, 00:11:54.840 --> 00:11:55.480 that status, 00:11:55.600 --> 00:11:56.519 is going to be worth nothing. 00:11:57.439 --> 00:11:58.480 But if you're in Christ, 00:11:58.579 --> 00:11:59.579 you're given a status, 00:11:59.720 --> 00:12:00.620 you're given identity, 00:12:01.639 --> 00:12:03.460 that can never be taken from you. 00:12:04.419 --> 00:12:06.220 A status that in the eyes of the only person, 00:12:06.319 --> 00:12:07.639 that ever matters and counts, 00:12:08.259 --> 00:12:09.559 you're exalted to the heavens. 00:12:10.600 --> 00:12:12.360 So rejoice in your exaltation. 00:12:13.579 --> 00:12:13.899 Now, 00:12:14.299 --> 00:12:16.340 what does that mean for those of us that are wealthy? 00:12:16.519 --> 00:12:16.879 Because, 00:12:17.539 --> 00:12:18.059 if we're honest, 00:12:18.059 --> 00:12:19.980 compared to the average person in the world, 00:12:20.799 --> 00:12:22.319 many of us here are pretty wealthy, 00:12:22.439 --> 00:12:22.679 right? 00:12:23.259 --> 00:12:24.620 Not too many of us here, 00:12:24.620 --> 00:12:26.759 are wondering where our next meal is going to come from, 00:12:26.860 --> 00:12:30.379 or how are we going to put groceries in the table next week. 00:12:30.980 --> 00:12:32.779 Most of us on the other side of the equation. 00:12:34.440 --> 00:12:35.700 In the eyes of the world, 00:12:35.799 --> 00:12:36.620 to be wealthy, 00:12:36.779 --> 00:12:38.879 is to have succeeded at the game of life. 00:12:39.720 --> 00:12:41.240 But see how the Christian gospel, 00:12:41.360 --> 00:12:43.259 actually reframes the narrative. 00:12:44.240 --> 00:12:45.700 For the rich Christian, 00:12:46.259 --> 00:12:47.720 no matter what you're standing, 00:12:47.720 --> 00:12:49.200 or position in society, 00:12:49.840 --> 00:12:51.220 whether you're CEO of the bank, 00:12:51.740 --> 00:12:52.759 partner at the law firm, 00:12:52.759 --> 00:12:57.000 vice president of your multinational conglomerate, 00:12:57.319 --> 00:12:58.939 it doesn't matter what your position is, 00:12:59.399 --> 00:13:00.799 the gospel is both exalting, 00:13:00.860 --> 00:13:01.500 as we just heard, 00:13:01.600 --> 00:13:02.860 your son and daughter of the king, 00:13:03.379 --> 00:13:05.600 but it's also profoundly humbling. 00:13:06.399 --> 00:13:07.860 Because the gospel tells us that 00:13:07.860 --> 00:13:09.960 no matter how materially wealthy you are, 00:13:10.000 --> 00:13:10.919 no matter what your status, 00:13:11.000 --> 00:13:12.220 or your position in society, 00:13:13.120 --> 00:13:15.460 actually all of us are spiritually bankrupt. 00:13:17.240 --> 00:13:18.439 The gospel tells us, 00:13:18.500 --> 00:13:20.500 no matter who you are in society, 00:13:20.500 --> 00:13:22.019 if you're a Christian, 00:13:22.139 --> 00:13:24.480 you're a sinner that's saved by grace alone, 00:13:25.279 --> 00:13:26.840 and not by your material wealth, 00:13:27.019 --> 00:13:28.399 or anything that you've done. 00:13:29.299 --> 00:13:30.600 The gospel tells us that 00:13:30.600 --> 00:13:32.340 all of us have nothing, 00:13:32.379 --> 00:13:33.320 or deserve nothing, 00:13:33.500 --> 00:13:34.879 other than judgment and hell, 00:13:35.419 --> 00:13:37.379 but God's grace gives us what we have. 00:13:38.159 --> 00:13:39.360 And so whether it's our material, 00:13:39.539 --> 00:13:40.440 our spiritual blessing, 00:13:40.580 --> 00:13:42.419 that's not given to us by our accomplishments, 00:13:42.600 --> 00:13:43.240 or our accolades, 00:13:43.320 --> 00:13:44.019 or our brilliance, 00:13:44.059 --> 00:13:44.879 or our hard work, 00:13:45.340 --> 00:13:46.659 it's God's mercy alone. 00:13:46.659 --> 00:13:49.219 We might never say it, 00:13:49.279 --> 00:13:50.419 but the mother tongue, 00:13:50.559 --> 00:13:51.519 the heart language, 00:13:51.980 --> 00:13:53.559 of almost every human being is this, 00:13:53.740 --> 00:13:55.639 God helps those who help themselves. 00:13:56.500 --> 00:13:56.559 Okay? 00:13:57.139 --> 00:13:58.159 And so we tend to think, 00:13:58.519 --> 00:13:59.019 well, you know, 00:13:59.100 --> 00:14:00.000 God's been good to me, 00:14:00.079 --> 00:14:01.719 but that's because I did a whole bunch of good things, 00:14:01.799 --> 00:14:03.459 or I'm not such a bad person really. 00:14:04.139 --> 00:14:05.419 Friends, real Christians know 00:14:05.419 --> 00:14:06.919 that everything we've been given, 00:14:07.059 --> 00:14:08.100 our position in Christ, 00:14:08.199 --> 00:14:09.179 our material wealth, 00:14:09.559 --> 00:14:10.559 our identity in Christ, 00:14:10.679 --> 00:14:11.759 God's favor and blessing, 00:14:11.939 --> 00:14:13.659 is because of the profound mercy, 00:14:13.659 --> 00:14:16.120 and kindness of God. 00:14:16.679 --> 00:14:17.679 It's His mercy alone. 00:14:19.179 --> 00:14:20.779 And so let the rich brother, 00:14:20.899 --> 00:14:23.559 those who's tempted to think highly of himself, 00:14:24.219 --> 00:14:27.019 actually meditate on his humiliation, 00:14:27.179 --> 00:14:28.779 the fact that the gospel brings you lower. 00:14:29.579 --> 00:14:31.279 Listen to how Alec Mottier describes it. 00:14:31.339 --> 00:14:31.620 He says, 00:14:32.019 --> 00:14:32.740 the gospel says, 00:14:33.039 --> 00:14:35.120 those who are lowly, 00:14:35.240 --> 00:14:36.839 and look down upon in this world, 00:14:37.360 --> 00:14:39.100 can live with a sustained awareness 00:14:39.100 --> 00:14:40.839 of the heights to which they've been lifted, 00:14:41.220 --> 00:14:43.240 and the riches they've been given in Christ. 00:14:44.039 --> 00:14:47.039 And those who have a rich supply of goods and wealth, 00:14:47.439 --> 00:14:49.379 are to constantly look at the depths, 00:14:49.620 --> 00:14:51.519 from which Christ has rescued us, 00:14:51.959 --> 00:14:53.620 where but for the grace of God, 00:14:53.879 --> 00:14:55.379 we would still languish, 00:14:55.539 --> 00:14:56.879 and to which in our own hearts, 00:14:56.939 --> 00:14:57.719 if we're honest, 00:14:58.319 --> 00:14:59.899 we know we are still prone to go. 00:15:00.939 --> 00:15:01.939 See what he's saying there? 00:15:02.980 --> 00:15:04.079 You see why James says, 00:15:04.179 --> 00:15:06.500 let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation. 00:15:06.500 --> 00:15:08.059 In Christ I have all that I need. 00:15:08.779 --> 00:15:11.379 Let the rich who's tempted to boast in his material wealth, 00:15:11.960 --> 00:15:15.299 actually dwell on his humiliation in the gospel. 00:15:16.039 --> 00:15:18.620 James is saying that when trials and challenges come your way, 00:15:18.759 --> 00:15:19.580 you must, 00:15:19.939 --> 00:15:24.039 you must be anchored and rooted in an identity, 00:15:24.299 --> 00:15:24.960 a status, 00:15:25.500 --> 00:15:27.039 that is not given to you by society, 00:15:27.240 --> 00:15:28.179 or your economic wealth, 00:15:28.279 --> 00:15:29.139 or where you live, 00:15:29.399 --> 00:15:30.419 or your passport. 00:15:30.899 --> 00:15:32.720 It must be rooted in something, 00:15:33.720 --> 00:15:35.500 someone outside of yourself, 00:15:35.500 --> 00:15:37.259 that can anchor you, 00:15:37.320 --> 00:15:38.759 and root you in the storms of life. 00:15:39.320 --> 00:15:41.120 Because if your identity and status, 00:15:41.200 --> 00:15:42.519 isn't rooted in you, 00:15:42.600 --> 00:15:43.440 and what you've accomplished, 00:15:43.539 --> 00:15:44.220 and you've achieved, 00:15:44.580 --> 00:15:46.440 that is a fragile identity. 00:15:47.360 --> 00:15:48.440 And it's just a matter of time, 00:15:48.480 --> 00:15:49.659 before it comes crumbling down. 00:15:50.799 --> 00:15:51.700 Only in Jesus, 00:15:51.840 --> 00:15:53.340 and what he says about you in the gospel, 00:15:54.000 --> 00:15:55.320 as you start to take that on, 00:15:55.360 --> 00:15:56.240 and live it out, 00:15:56.879 --> 00:15:57.820 can you have an identity, 00:15:57.820 --> 00:15:59.299 that can manage the storms, 00:15:59.419 --> 00:15:59.840 and the trials, 00:15:59.940 --> 00:16:00.919 and the challenges of life. 00:16:01.679 --> 00:16:02.320 Does that make sense? 00:16:03.139 --> 00:16:03.399 Okay. 00:16:03.399 --> 00:16:03.480 Yeah. 00:16:04.000 --> 00:16:04.439 First thing, 00:16:04.480 --> 00:16:05.019 your identity. 00:16:05.199 --> 00:16:05.779 Second thing, 00:16:06.279 --> 00:16:07.059 your own heart. 00:16:07.459 --> 00:16:08.100 Your own heart. 00:16:08.720 --> 00:16:08.959 Now, 00:16:09.100 --> 00:16:10.039 James is showing us here, 00:16:10.120 --> 00:16:11.699 that the trials that we experience, 00:16:11.840 --> 00:16:12.779 can be a blessing, 00:16:13.240 --> 00:16:14.379 because they can lead to maturity, 00:16:14.459 --> 00:16:15.000 and growth. 00:16:15.639 --> 00:16:17.220 But that's not automatic. 00:16:18.299 --> 00:16:18.980 In other words, 00:16:19.059 --> 00:16:21.240 they don't have some inherent power in them, 00:16:21.279 --> 00:16:22.799 that's automatically going to make you, 00:16:22.819 --> 00:16:23.519 a better person. 00:16:23.939 --> 00:16:25.679 It depends on your response. 00:16:26.919 --> 00:16:28.340 Every testing circumstance, 00:16:28.340 --> 00:16:29.279 we come across, 00:16:29.399 --> 00:16:30.379 requires a decision. 00:16:30.579 --> 00:16:31.840 How will I respond? 00:16:31.840 --> 00:16:33.860 Will we hold on to Christ, 00:16:34.060 --> 00:16:35.100 secure in our identity, 00:16:35.100 --> 00:16:35.680 and the gospel, 00:16:36.100 --> 00:16:37.040 and allow the trial, 00:16:37.120 --> 00:16:38.139 to do its work in us? 00:16:38.580 --> 00:16:39.899 Or will we tap out, 00:16:39.960 --> 00:16:41.320 and try and find an easy way, 00:16:41.560 --> 00:16:42.160 out of the trial? 00:16:42.780 --> 00:16:43.000 Okay. 00:16:44.040 --> 00:16:45.860 Look at verse 13 to 15. 00:16:46.100 --> 00:16:46.360 With me. 00:16:46.980 --> 00:16:47.860 James addresses, 00:16:48.040 --> 00:16:49.800 one of the biggest trials, 00:16:49.940 --> 00:16:50.940 that Christians face. 00:16:51.580 --> 00:16:52.500 You could call it, 00:16:52.580 --> 00:16:54.759 the trial beneath the trial. 00:16:55.240 --> 00:16:55.540 Okay. 00:16:55.539 --> 00:16:57.240 It's not so much, 00:16:57.319 --> 00:16:58.699 the external trial there, 00:16:59.000 --> 00:16:59.620 the economy, 00:16:59.799 --> 00:17:00.259 our boss, 00:17:00.339 --> 00:17:01.019 our parents, 00:17:01.339 --> 00:17:01.699 et cetera, 00:17:01.779 --> 00:17:02.099 et cetera. 00:17:02.500 --> 00:17:03.360 It's the trial, 00:17:03.360 --> 00:17:05.220 that's going on inside of our heart, 00:17:05.240 --> 00:17:06.279 when we experience, 00:17:06.359 --> 00:17:07.319 that outside trial. 00:17:07.980 --> 00:17:09.200 It's the battle within. 00:17:10.460 --> 00:17:11.420 We know this is part, 00:17:11.539 --> 00:17:12.220 of James' thinking, 00:17:12.359 --> 00:17:13.619 because in the Greek language, 00:17:13.859 --> 00:17:14.639 which is the language, 00:17:14.720 --> 00:17:15.359 that the New Testament, 00:17:15.460 --> 00:17:16.019 was written in, 00:17:16.460 --> 00:17:17.680 the word for trial, 00:17:17.879 --> 00:17:18.480 verse 12, 00:17:18.579 --> 00:17:19.599 is the same word, 00:17:19.680 --> 00:17:20.819 that's used for temptation, 00:17:21.059 --> 00:17:21.599 or tempted, 00:17:21.799 --> 00:17:22.899 in verse 13 and 14. 00:17:23.780 --> 00:17:24.480 So James says, 00:17:24.580 --> 00:17:24.980 verse two, 00:17:25.600 --> 00:17:26.500 consider it great joy, 00:17:26.580 --> 00:17:27.759 you'll face trials, 00:17:27.860 --> 00:17:28.600 of many kinds. 00:17:28.800 --> 00:17:29.860 Verse 13 and 14, 00:17:30.180 --> 00:17:31.220 you're going to be tempted, 00:17:31.540 --> 00:17:32.360 in many ways. 00:17:32.460 --> 00:17:33.320 It's the same word. 00:17:34.820 --> 00:17:35.860 The question is this, 00:17:35.920 --> 00:17:36.460 so in other words, 00:17:36.500 --> 00:17:37.900 the point James is making is this, 00:17:38.160 --> 00:17:39.780 we will face trials out there, 00:17:39.920 --> 00:17:40.460 no doubt, 00:17:41.100 --> 00:17:42.120 but there's this trial, 00:17:42.259 --> 00:17:42.940 in your heart, 00:17:43.040 --> 00:17:44.000 that you're going to experience, 00:17:44.060 --> 00:17:45.800 when you face the trials out there. 00:17:46.240 --> 00:17:47.300 How are you going to respond? 00:17:47.860 --> 00:17:49.280 Are you going to engage with God, 00:17:49.500 --> 00:17:51.000 or are you going to make an excuse, 00:17:51.100 --> 00:17:51.640 and run away? 00:17:52.900 --> 00:17:53.920 Robert Burns, 00:17:54.040 --> 00:17:55.200 the Scottish poet, 00:17:55.800 --> 00:17:57.200 has one option. 00:17:57.340 --> 00:17:58.440 Listen to how he suggests, 00:17:58.540 --> 00:18:00.000 we handle these trials. 00:18:00.380 --> 00:18:00.700 He says, 00:18:01.340 --> 00:18:02.000 thou knowest, 00:18:02.140 --> 00:18:03.360 that thou has formed me, 00:18:03.660 --> 00:18:05.640 with passions wild and strong, 00:18:06.220 --> 00:18:07.860 and listening to their witching voice, 00:18:08.300 --> 00:18:09.860 has often led me wrong. 00:18:10.940 --> 00:18:11.960 Robert Burns is saying, 00:18:12.040 --> 00:18:12.940 in very old language, 00:18:13.320 --> 00:18:14.920 God you put these desires in me, 00:18:15.200 --> 00:18:16.240 they're wild and strong, 00:18:16.640 --> 00:18:18.320 and God you put me in situations, 00:18:18.540 --> 00:18:19.880 I couldn't do much about it. 00:18:20.120 --> 00:18:21.320 It's not my fault, 00:18:21.319 --> 00:18:23.519 I just acted on the personality, 00:18:23.519 --> 00:18:24.500 that you gave me. 00:18:25.000 --> 00:18:25.299 God, 00:18:25.379 --> 00:18:26.559 you gave me a strong temper. 00:18:27.259 --> 00:18:27.480 God, 00:18:27.539 --> 00:18:28.919 you made me a passionate man. 00:18:29.399 --> 00:18:30.399 What was I meant to do, 00:18:30.439 --> 00:18:32.179 when my kids pushed my buttons, 00:18:32.359 --> 00:18:33.740 or when my boss, 00:18:34.279 --> 00:18:34.639 you know, 00:18:34.700 --> 00:18:35.759 did whatever they did? 00:18:36.740 --> 00:18:37.139 God, 00:18:37.200 --> 00:18:37.859 it's your fault. 00:18:38.939 --> 00:18:39.720 We could say, 00:18:40.220 --> 00:18:40.679 listen God, 00:18:40.759 --> 00:18:41.619 you are sovereign, 00:18:42.379 --> 00:18:44.259 you allow everything to happen, 00:18:44.419 --> 00:18:45.779 you put me in that situation. 00:18:46.379 --> 00:18:46.599 God, 00:18:46.599 --> 00:18:48.019 if you hadn't brought that person, 00:18:48.019 --> 00:18:48.939 across my path, 00:18:49.219 --> 00:18:50.579 if you hadn't allowed that to happen, 00:18:50.679 --> 00:18:52.240 I wouldn't have responded like this. 00:18:53.439 --> 00:18:53.539 Yeah? 00:18:54.599 --> 00:18:55.240 But really, 00:18:55.339 --> 00:18:56.259 that's just an excuse, 00:18:56.379 --> 00:18:56.779 isn't it? 00:18:59.459 --> 00:18:59.939 Look what, 00:19:00.980 --> 00:19:02.039 let me go here. 00:19:02.219 --> 00:19:03.359 When I was growing up, 00:19:04.419 --> 00:19:05.980 I loved cricket. 00:19:06.579 --> 00:19:08.379 I know cricket's not such a big thing in Hong Kong, 00:19:08.480 --> 00:19:09.519 but I loved cricket. 00:19:10.059 --> 00:19:11.659 I knew everything there was to know about, 00:19:11.699 --> 00:19:12.319 every player, 00:19:12.480 --> 00:19:13.319 I loved watching cricket. 00:19:13.319 --> 00:19:15.059 In 1993, 00:19:15.419 --> 00:19:16.119 the South African, 00:19:16.299 --> 00:19:17.960 the captain of the South African cricket team, 00:19:18.039 --> 00:19:19.139 his name was Hansi Kroenier, 00:19:19.559 --> 00:19:20.700 really well respected, 00:19:21.000 --> 00:19:21.579 good guy, 00:19:21.740 --> 00:19:22.460 Christian man, 00:19:23.159 --> 00:19:24.099 he was caught cheating. 00:19:24.859 --> 00:19:25.659 And what happened was, 00:19:25.720 --> 00:19:26.839 he took bribe money, 00:19:26.939 --> 00:19:28.059 hundreds of thousands of dollars, 00:19:28.700 --> 00:19:30.460 to lose certain matches, 00:19:30.599 --> 00:19:31.679 or to go out early, 00:19:31.759 --> 00:19:32.619 or to drop catches, 00:19:32.740 --> 00:19:33.079 et cetera. 00:19:33.720 --> 00:19:34.960 And so these betting companies, 00:19:35.099 --> 00:19:36.619 if they knew the outcome of the game, 00:19:36.759 --> 00:19:37.559 they could bet, 00:19:37.679 --> 00:19:38.379 hedge their bets, 00:19:38.700 --> 00:19:39.519 make tons of money, 00:19:39.579 --> 00:19:40.399 because they knew the outcome. 00:19:41.139 --> 00:19:42.579 So Hansi Kroenier takes this money, 00:19:42.579 --> 00:19:43.939 loses a couple of games, 00:19:44.000 --> 00:19:44.599 and he's caught. 00:19:45.339 --> 00:19:46.619 And at first he denies it, 00:19:47.039 --> 00:19:47.500 not me, 00:19:47.599 --> 00:19:48.980 but then eventually he owns up, 00:19:49.039 --> 00:19:49.859 and he confesses. 00:19:50.720 --> 00:19:51.619 But what is startling, 00:19:51.679 --> 00:19:52.879 was the nature of his confession. 00:19:53.039 --> 00:19:53.919 Listen to what he says. 00:19:54.779 --> 00:19:55.299 He says, 00:19:56.159 --> 00:19:58.199 in a moment of stupidity and weakness, 00:19:58.699 --> 00:20:00.319 I allowed Satan and the world, 00:20:00.439 --> 00:20:02.000 to dictate the terms to me. 00:20:03.059 --> 00:20:03.740 See what he's saying? 00:20:04.599 --> 00:20:04.879 He's saying, 00:20:04.960 --> 00:20:05.759 I was put in a corner, 00:20:06.539 --> 00:20:08.439 Satan made me do it. 00:20:08.579 --> 00:20:10.419 The devil made me do it. 00:20:11.160 --> 00:20:12.360 They dictated the terms, 00:20:12.460 --> 00:20:13.160 what could I do? 00:20:13.680 --> 00:20:13.860 Right? 00:20:15.480 --> 00:20:15.779 Friends, 00:20:16.120 --> 00:20:17.340 maybe you've experienced this. 00:20:17.480 --> 00:20:18.660 Someone treats you badly, 00:20:19.200 --> 00:20:20.840 maybe they say some horrible things, 00:20:20.860 --> 00:20:21.820 or they lose their temper, 00:20:21.940 --> 00:20:23.779 or they send you a nasty text message, 00:20:24.360 --> 00:20:25.519 and then a few days later, 00:20:25.640 --> 00:20:26.620 you run into them. 00:20:26.980 --> 00:20:27.880 And it's a bit awkward, 00:20:28.039 --> 00:20:28.700 but then they say, 00:20:29.180 --> 00:20:29.279 hey, 00:20:29.300 --> 00:20:30.920 I'm really sorry about what I said, 00:20:31.160 --> 00:20:33.120 but I've been under such pressure at work, 00:20:33.420 --> 00:20:34.420 it's just been so intense, 00:20:34.460 --> 00:20:35.039 I'm really sorry. 00:20:35.660 --> 00:20:36.539 Or maybe they say, 00:20:36.940 --> 00:20:38.320 I'm sorry what I said the other night, 00:20:38.319 --> 00:20:39.220 I was really drunk, 00:20:39.279 --> 00:20:40.000 I didn't mean it. 00:20:40.139 --> 00:20:40.319 Right? 00:20:41.119 --> 00:20:41.500 Or, 00:20:41.599 --> 00:20:42.599 I'm sorry about that thing, 00:20:42.720 --> 00:20:44.679 but the devil made me do it. 00:20:44.700 --> 00:20:46.559 I've been under spiritual attack at the moment. 00:20:48.399 --> 00:20:49.740 Look at what James says. 00:20:50.799 --> 00:20:51.419 James says, 00:20:51.500 --> 00:20:52.059 verse 13, 00:20:52.599 --> 00:20:54.039 let no one say when he's tempted, 00:20:54.259 --> 00:20:55.659 I'm being tempted by God. 00:20:56.279 --> 00:20:57.980 For God cannot be tempted with evil, 00:20:58.099 --> 00:20:59.639 and he himself tempts no one. 00:21:00.299 --> 00:21:00.599 He's saying, 00:21:00.679 --> 00:21:01.299 by nature, 00:21:01.839 --> 00:21:04.799 God is never party to evil and wickedness. 00:21:04.799 --> 00:21:07.399 God doesn't bring temptation our way 00:21:07.399 --> 00:21:08.359 just to trip us up 00:21:08.359 --> 00:21:09.619 and see how we'll handle it. 00:21:10.180 --> 00:21:10.799 Verse 14, 00:21:11.299 --> 00:21:12.740 but each person is tempted 00:21:12.740 --> 00:21:14.359 when he's lured and enticed 00:21:14.359 --> 00:21:16.259 by his own evil desires. 00:21:17.460 --> 00:21:18.619 James is reminding us here 00:21:18.619 --> 00:21:20.759 that the real source for our bad decisions 00:21:20.759 --> 00:21:21.740 and our bad words 00:21:21.740 --> 00:21:22.579 and our bad actions 00:21:22.579 --> 00:21:23.559 and our sinful behavior 00:21:23.559 --> 00:21:25.859 is not just the circumstances 00:21:25.859 --> 00:21:26.980 that brought it about, 00:21:27.659 --> 00:21:28.819 it's not just the pressure 00:21:28.819 --> 00:21:29.899 we face from outside, 00:21:30.099 --> 00:21:31.980 it's something that's going on inside of us. 00:21:32.619 --> 00:21:33.799 It's our own hearts. 00:21:34.799 --> 00:21:36.940 It's actually what's going inside of me, 00:21:37.099 --> 00:21:38.139 and the circumstances 00:21:38.139 --> 00:21:39.759 just bring that to the surface. 00:21:40.339 --> 00:21:42.299 But they're not the occasion for my sin, 00:21:42.680 --> 00:21:43.879 they just reveal it. 00:21:44.619 --> 00:21:44.839 So, 00:21:45.240 --> 00:21:46.619 Tim Keller's got this great analogy. 00:21:46.779 --> 00:21:48.480 He says it's like taking an exam. 00:21:48.740 --> 00:21:48.899 Now, 00:21:49.079 --> 00:21:50.099 I know as Hong Kongers, 00:21:50.440 --> 00:21:51.700 you're all very studious, 00:21:51.960 --> 00:21:53.099 and you work very hard, 00:21:53.200 --> 00:21:54.940 and nobody has ever failed an exam, 00:21:55.119 --> 00:21:55.379 right? 00:21:56.139 --> 00:21:56.579 But, 00:21:56.799 --> 00:21:57.599 a long time ago, 00:21:57.659 --> 00:21:58.720 I wasn't a Hong Konger, 00:21:59.059 --> 00:22:00.639 and I was a terrible student, 00:22:01.259 --> 00:22:01.720 and I, 00:22:02.180 --> 00:22:03.740 the worst student you could imagine. 00:22:03.740 --> 00:22:04.680 And, 00:22:04.799 --> 00:22:04.980 I, 00:22:04.980 --> 00:22:08.279 I don't know how I passed university, 00:22:08.420 --> 00:22:08.839 but I did. 00:22:09.299 --> 00:22:09.980 Very close, 00:22:10.220 --> 00:22:10.779 but I did. 00:22:10.900 --> 00:22:11.799 Didn't fail the course. 00:22:14.000 --> 00:22:14.920 I'm not lying. 00:22:15.220 --> 00:22:15.599 That's, 00:22:16.680 --> 00:22:18.720 in case you think God is trying to strike me dead 00:22:18.720 --> 00:22:19.440 for lying to you, 00:22:19.559 --> 00:22:19.839 it's, 00:22:19.920 --> 00:22:20.420 it's true. 00:22:21.960 --> 00:22:24.000 What does every student say 00:22:24.000 --> 00:22:25.319 when they fail an exam? 00:22:25.620 --> 00:22:26.359 And their parents say, 00:22:26.420 --> 00:22:26.960 what happened? 00:22:27.079 --> 00:22:27.779 How did you fail? 00:22:28.579 --> 00:22:29.039 They say, 00:22:29.240 --> 00:22:30.720 it's not my fault. 00:22:31.319 --> 00:22:32.579 The exam was so hard. 00:22:33.119 --> 00:22:33.440 Or, 00:22:33.899 --> 00:22:35.160 the lecturer never told me 00:22:35.160 --> 00:22:36.839 that material was gonna be in there. 00:22:37.399 --> 00:22:37.819 Or, 00:22:38.200 --> 00:22:40.000 they changed the syllabus. 00:22:40.339 --> 00:22:40.460 Or, 00:22:41.319 --> 00:22:42.480 my friend told me 00:22:42.480 --> 00:22:43.740 we didn't have to study this, 00:22:43.779 --> 00:22:44.019 right? 00:22:44.799 --> 00:22:45.980 It's not my fault, 00:22:46.059 --> 00:22:47.399 it's somebody else's fault. 00:22:48.339 --> 00:22:49.500 But what's the real reason 00:22:49.500 --> 00:22:50.619 for my failing an exam? 00:22:51.420 --> 00:22:52.379 It's not the lecturer, 00:22:52.600 --> 00:22:53.520 it's not my friend, 00:22:53.760 --> 00:22:54.760 it's not the typhoon, 00:22:54.880 --> 00:22:55.240 it's actually, 00:22:55.340 --> 00:22:56.400 I didn't know the material. 00:22:57.020 --> 00:22:58.380 I bunked too many lessons, 00:22:58.600 --> 00:22:59.660 or I procrastinated, 00:22:59.840 --> 00:23:01.140 or I didn't study hard enough. 00:23:01.740 --> 00:23:02.320 It's me. 00:23:02.900 --> 00:23:05.100 The exam wasn't the reason I failed, 00:23:05.200 --> 00:23:07.480 the exam just revealed the reason. 00:23:08.000 --> 00:23:09.240 The real reason was me. 00:23:09.980 --> 00:23:11.420 The exam was the occasion 00:23:11.420 --> 00:23:12.920 that revealed what was inside, 00:23:12.920 --> 00:23:14.140 but the reason I failed 00:23:14.140 --> 00:23:15.120 was because of me. 00:23:16.040 --> 00:23:17.280 James is saying the same thing. 00:23:17.380 --> 00:23:18.500 We can blame God and say, 00:23:18.580 --> 00:23:18.780 God, 00:23:18.840 --> 00:23:20.040 you put me in this situation. 00:23:20.420 --> 00:23:20.600 God, 00:23:20.680 --> 00:23:21.680 my boss is like this, 00:23:21.680 --> 00:23:22.880 the economy's like this. 00:23:23.200 --> 00:23:24.299 That's why I freaked out. 00:23:24.380 --> 00:23:25.320 I had too many beers. 00:23:25.720 --> 00:23:25.980 No, no, 00:23:26.060 --> 00:23:27.700 but what is inside of you? 00:23:28.279 --> 00:23:29.440 That may be the occasion 00:23:29.440 --> 00:23:31.360 that reveals what's in my heart. 00:23:32.720 --> 00:23:33.120 Friends, 00:23:33.180 --> 00:23:34.220 one of the greatest trials 00:23:34.220 --> 00:23:35.200 that you will ever face 00:23:35.200 --> 00:23:35.740 and I face 00:23:35.740 --> 00:23:36.440 is the challenge 00:23:36.440 --> 00:23:37.340 to reckon honesty 00:23:37.340 --> 00:23:38.100 with our hearts. 00:23:38.900 --> 00:23:40.279 God will allow circumstances 00:23:40.279 --> 00:23:41.140 to come our way 00:23:41.140 --> 00:23:42.259 that will expose us 00:23:42.259 --> 00:23:42.720 and reveal 00:23:42.720 --> 00:23:43.700 and show us there, 00:23:44.140 --> 00:23:45.140 and when that happens, 00:23:45.240 --> 00:23:46.080 how are we going to respond? 00:23:46.940 --> 00:23:47.980 Are we going to make excuses, 00:23:48.500 --> 00:23:49.120 get defensive, 00:23:49.799 --> 00:23:50.519 blame others? 00:23:51.200 --> 00:23:51.900 Why are you going to face 00:23:51.900 --> 00:23:52.440 the trial? 00:23:52.639 --> 00:23:54.139 Face the trial beneath the trial. 00:23:54.379 --> 00:23:55.420 Face what's in your heart, 00:23:55.980 --> 00:23:56.839 your own sinful nature 00:23:56.839 --> 00:23:57.799 and bring it before God. 00:23:58.639 --> 00:23:58.920 Friends, 00:23:58.980 --> 00:23:59.619 it may be true 00:23:59.619 --> 00:24:00.859 that your boss is a psychopath. 00:24:01.259 --> 00:24:01.539 Okay, 00:24:01.900 --> 00:24:02.440 that's true, 00:24:03.160 --> 00:24:04.559 but what's in your heart? 00:24:04.619 --> 00:24:05.500 How are you responding? 00:24:06.500 --> 00:24:07.220 It may be true 00:24:07.220 --> 00:24:07.879 that your family 00:24:07.879 --> 00:24:08.680 is overbearing. 00:24:08.900 --> 00:24:09.079 Okay, 00:24:09.160 --> 00:24:09.579 that's true, 00:24:09.619 --> 00:24:10.740 but what's in your heart? 00:24:11.220 --> 00:24:12.299 How are you responding? 00:24:13.299 --> 00:24:13.940 It may be true 00:24:13.940 --> 00:24:14.859 that your family member 00:24:14.859 --> 00:24:15.500 or your colleague 00:24:15.500 --> 00:24:16.559 or your CG member 00:24:16.559 --> 00:24:17.440 drives you mad. 00:24:17.440 --> 00:24:18.200 Okay, 00:24:18.940 --> 00:24:19.380 that's true, 00:24:19.460 --> 00:24:20.380 but what's in your heart? 00:24:20.460 --> 00:24:21.480 How are you responding? 00:24:22.820 --> 00:24:23.960 Maybe the economy turns, 00:24:24.059 --> 00:24:25.140 you lose a ton of money. 00:24:25.500 --> 00:24:25.620 Hey, 00:24:25.660 --> 00:24:26.500 that's really difficult, 00:24:27.299 --> 00:24:28.360 but what's in your heart? 00:24:28.960 --> 00:24:30.240 How are you responding? 00:24:31.240 --> 00:24:32.220 If you want to become 00:24:32.220 --> 00:24:33.120 a mature Christian, 00:24:33.340 --> 00:24:34.460 Christ-like and character, 00:24:34.940 --> 00:24:35.720 if you're going to grow 00:24:35.720 --> 00:24:36.320 in godliness, 00:24:36.940 --> 00:24:39.100 you have to grapple 00:24:39.100 --> 00:24:39.920 with our hearts 00:24:39.920 --> 00:24:41.660 and engage with the trial 00:24:41.660 --> 00:24:42.620 beneath the trial 00:24:42.620 --> 00:24:44.019 and engage with God. 00:24:44.019 --> 00:24:45.240 We've got to turn with God 00:24:45.240 --> 00:24:45.759 and be honest 00:24:45.759 --> 00:24:46.680 about our sinful nature 00:24:46.680 --> 00:24:48.819 because it's infinitely easier 00:24:48.819 --> 00:24:49.960 to blame all sorts 00:24:49.960 --> 00:24:50.519 of other people, 00:24:50.700 --> 00:24:51.859 our circumstances, 00:24:52.019 --> 00:24:53.059 the devil or God, 00:24:53.480 --> 00:24:54.619 rather than admit 00:24:54.619 --> 00:24:55.960 the uncomfortable truth 00:24:55.960 --> 00:24:57.740 that my sinful behavior 00:24:57.740 --> 00:24:58.480 is my own, 00:24:59.359 --> 00:25:00.660 that I am my own worst enemy. 00:25:01.400 --> 00:25:01.980 Let no one say 00:25:01.980 --> 00:25:02.539 when he's tempted, 00:25:02.639 --> 00:25:03.779 I'm being tempted by God, 00:25:03.879 --> 00:25:05.039 the devil made me do it. 00:25:05.660 --> 00:25:05.960 No friends, 00:25:06.039 --> 00:25:07.079 each person is tempted 00:25:07.079 --> 00:25:08.400 when he's lured and enticed 00:25:08.400 --> 00:25:09.940 by his own desire. 00:25:11.019 --> 00:25:11.240 Now, 00:25:11.319 --> 00:25:12.160 last thing on this point, 00:25:12.160 --> 00:25:13.279 we may say, 00:25:13.680 --> 00:25:13.940 okay, 00:25:14.019 --> 00:25:14.759 what's the big deal 00:25:14.759 --> 00:25:15.620 of temptation, right? 00:25:16.019 --> 00:25:16.860 Sometimes I'm tempted 00:25:16.860 --> 00:25:17.380 to lie, 00:25:17.940 --> 00:25:18.960 tempted to look at porn, 00:25:19.560 --> 00:25:20.180 tempted to, 00:25:20.640 --> 00:25:22.320 I'm a chronic people pleaser, 00:25:22.440 --> 00:25:22.640 right? 00:25:22.720 --> 00:25:22.960 Okay, 00:25:23.019 --> 00:25:23.800 I went away 00:25:23.800 --> 00:25:24.320 with my girlfriend. 00:25:24.460 --> 00:25:24.560 Okay, 00:25:24.560 --> 00:25:25.360 what's the big deal? 00:25:26.019 --> 00:25:26.680 Look what he says 00:25:26.680 --> 00:25:28.220 in verse 15. 00:25:29.779 --> 00:25:30.259 Desire, 00:25:30.980 --> 00:25:32.700 when it is conceived, 00:25:32.840 --> 00:25:33.800 gives birth to sin, 00:25:34.380 --> 00:25:34.940 and sin, 00:25:35.040 --> 00:25:35.940 when it's fully grown, 00:25:36.100 --> 00:25:37.300 gives birth to death. 00:25:38.200 --> 00:25:38.640 Listen to how 00:25:38.640 --> 00:25:39.840 Sam Albury explained this. 00:25:39.840 --> 00:25:40.680 I can't say it 00:25:40.680 --> 00:25:41.200 better than him. 00:25:41.860 --> 00:25:42.120 He says, 00:25:42.160 --> 00:25:43.480 sometimes we like to think 00:25:43.480 --> 00:25:44.640 that giving into sin 00:25:44.640 --> 00:25:45.980 is a way of getting it 00:25:45.980 --> 00:25:46.820 out of our system. 00:25:47.380 --> 00:25:48.480 That if we give into it, 00:25:48.519 --> 00:25:49.259 it'll go away 00:25:49.259 --> 00:25:50.160 and it'll leave us alone. 00:25:51.080 --> 00:25:51.900 James shows us 00:25:51.900 --> 00:25:52.900 just how deceptive 00:25:52.900 --> 00:25:53.720 our thinking is. 00:25:54.360 --> 00:25:55.220 Acting on temptation 00:25:55.220 --> 00:25:55.740 to sin 00:25:55.740 --> 00:25:57.019 is never the end, 00:25:57.120 --> 00:25:58.300 rather it's the beginning 00:25:58.300 --> 00:26:00.200 that begins to cultivate it. 00:26:01.600 --> 00:26:02.400 Great point. 00:26:03.300 --> 00:26:03.560 Friends, 00:26:03.640 --> 00:26:04.120 if you're going 00:26:04.120 --> 00:26:05.000 through some trial, 00:26:07.000 --> 00:26:08.180 if you're going to come 00:26:08.180 --> 00:26:09.160 through the trials of life 00:26:09.160 --> 00:26:10.019 and more refined, 00:26:10.180 --> 00:26:10.820 more godly, 00:26:11.000 --> 00:26:11.560 more mature, 00:26:11.559 --> 00:26:12.339 a better person, 00:26:12.879 --> 00:26:14.259 you need to reckon 00:26:14.259 --> 00:26:15.179 with our sinful nature, 00:26:15.299 --> 00:26:15.960 with our hearts, 00:26:16.079 --> 00:26:16.480 the lures 00:26:16.480 --> 00:26:17.379 and the temptations. 00:26:18.159 --> 00:26:19.259 We need to turn to God 00:26:19.259 --> 00:26:19.500 and say, 00:26:19.579 --> 00:26:19.839 God, 00:26:19.960 --> 00:26:20.619 you've allowed 00:26:20.619 --> 00:26:21.599 the circumstance to come, 00:26:21.659 --> 00:26:22.299 but my heart 00:26:22.299 --> 00:26:22.720 is tempted 00:26:22.720 --> 00:26:23.859 to run off these things. 00:26:24.519 --> 00:26:24.759 God, 00:26:24.839 --> 00:26:25.480 come and help me. 00:26:26.000 --> 00:26:26.960 I want to be like you. 00:26:26.980 --> 00:26:27.619 I want to know you. 00:26:28.319 --> 00:26:28.539 Okay. 00:26:29.919 --> 00:26:30.779 Our own heart. 00:26:30.899 --> 00:26:31.059 So, 00:26:31.200 --> 00:26:31.759 James has given us 00:26:31.759 --> 00:26:32.879 two grips to hold on to. 00:26:33.240 --> 00:26:33.899 Your identity, 00:26:34.119 --> 00:26:34.740 your own heart. 00:26:34.879 --> 00:26:35.720 Look at the third thing, 00:26:35.919 --> 00:26:36.460 your father. 00:26:37.240 --> 00:26:37.839 Your father. 00:26:38.619 --> 00:26:39.480 James says that 00:26:39.480 --> 00:26:41.139 if you're going to 00:26:41.139 --> 00:26:41.899 handle the trials 00:26:41.899 --> 00:26:42.439 and the challenges 00:26:42.439 --> 00:26:42.839 that come, 00:26:42.939 --> 00:26:43.939 you've got to know 00:26:43.939 --> 00:26:45.159 deeply and profoundly 00:26:45.159 --> 00:26:46.459 the nature of God, 00:26:47.119 --> 00:26:47.779 who he is. 00:26:48.279 --> 00:26:49.500 When trials and temptations 00:26:49.500 --> 00:26:50.119 come our way, 00:26:50.240 --> 00:26:51.059 one of our tendencies 00:26:51.059 --> 00:26:51.919 is to forget 00:26:51.919 --> 00:26:53.339 our own sinful hearts. 00:26:54.059 --> 00:26:54.919 The other tendency 00:26:54.919 --> 00:26:55.559 is to forget 00:26:55.559 --> 00:26:56.359 who God is. 00:26:56.980 --> 00:26:57.939 But look at what he says here. 00:26:58.000 --> 00:26:58.619 You must know 00:26:58.619 --> 00:26:59.659 how gracious God is. 00:26:59.720 --> 00:27:00.220 Verse 16. 00:27:00.740 --> 00:27:01.579 Do not be deceived, 00:27:01.720 --> 00:27:02.619 my beloved brothers. 00:27:02.879 --> 00:27:05.059 Every good and every perfect gift 00:27:05.059 --> 00:27:05.819 is from above. 00:27:06.319 --> 00:27:06.960 Coming down 00:27:06.960 --> 00:27:08.099 from the Father of lights 00:27:08.099 --> 00:27:08.859 with whom there is 00:27:08.859 --> 00:27:09.659 no variation 00:27:09.659 --> 00:27:10.359 or shadow 00:27:10.359 --> 00:27:11.339 due to change. 00:27:11.960 --> 00:27:12.679 Of his own will, 00:27:12.799 --> 00:27:13.879 he brought us forth 00:27:13.879 --> 00:27:14.960 by the word of truth 00:27:14.960 --> 00:27:15.899 that we should be 00:27:15.899 --> 00:27:17.039 a kind of first fruits 00:27:17.039 --> 00:27:17.879 of his creatures. 00:27:19.279 --> 00:27:20.000 Remember James' 00:27:20.119 --> 00:27:20.859 big idea here. 00:27:20.980 --> 00:27:21.919 His big idea is 00:27:21.919 --> 00:27:23.700 steadfastness under trial. 00:27:24.839 --> 00:27:25.859 Navigating the challenges 00:27:25.859 --> 00:27:26.480 of life. 00:27:27.059 --> 00:27:28.039 And the way he's helping us 00:27:28.039 --> 00:27:28.859 do this is to see 00:27:28.859 --> 00:27:30.079 how our Christian faith 00:27:30.079 --> 00:27:31.139 helps you go through 00:27:31.139 --> 00:27:32.059 the trials of life. 00:27:32.779 --> 00:27:33.819 And here he tells us 00:27:33.819 --> 00:27:34.579 you've got to know 00:27:34.579 --> 00:27:35.980 who God is. 00:27:36.519 --> 00:27:37.399 And who is God? 00:27:37.919 --> 00:27:38.720 He's a gracious 00:27:38.720 --> 00:27:40.659 and generous Father. 00:27:41.939 --> 00:27:42.359 Now, 00:27:42.720 --> 00:27:43.720 I know 00:27:43.720 --> 00:27:45.559 that for some of us here, 00:27:46.159 --> 00:27:46.559 well let me say, 00:27:46.639 --> 00:27:47.539 for all of us here, 00:27:47.700 --> 00:27:48.399 we were born 00:27:48.399 --> 00:27:50.279 to less than perfect fathers. 00:27:50.679 --> 00:27:51.919 There is no perfect father. 00:27:53.139 --> 00:27:54.240 Some of our fathers 00:27:54.240 --> 00:27:55.299 were worse than others. 00:27:56.159 --> 00:27:56.980 Some of us may have 00:27:56.980 --> 00:27:57.839 never even known 00:27:57.839 --> 00:27:58.359 our fathers. 00:27:59.480 --> 00:27:59.939 Some of us, 00:27:59.980 --> 00:28:01.079 our fathers abandoned us 00:28:01.079 --> 00:28:01.720 when we were young. 00:28:01.720 --> 00:28:04.400 And hearing that God 00:28:04.400 --> 00:28:05.019 is a father 00:28:05.019 --> 00:28:05.880 is sometimes 00:28:05.880 --> 00:28:07.000 not good news. 00:28:07.059 --> 00:28:07.839 It can come across 00:28:07.839 --> 00:28:08.480 as bad news. 00:28:08.579 --> 00:28:09.500 That can be really hard 00:28:09.500 --> 00:28:10.039 to accept. 00:28:11.319 --> 00:28:12.039 James here wants 00:28:12.039 --> 00:28:12.920 to tell us a little bit 00:28:12.920 --> 00:28:13.680 about who God is 00:28:13.680 --> 00:28:14.559 and his father heart. 00:28:15.360 --> 00:28:16.600 He says a couple of things. 00:28:17.680 --> 00:28:18.079 Firstly, 00:28:18.220 --> 00:28:18.539 he says 00:28:18.539 --> 00:28:20.299 he's the father of lights. 00:28:20.500 --> 00:28:21.140 That means he's 00:28:21.140 --> 00:28:22.420 the father of the stars. 00:28:23.460 --> 00:28:24.160 James is saying 00:28:24.160 --> 00:28:25.100 that this father, 00:28:25.220 --> 00:28:25.740 this God, 00:28:25.839 --> 00:28:26.700 is the creator 00:28:26.700 --> 00:28:27.440 of the universe. 00:28:27.579 --> 00:28:27.960 He's the one 00:28:27.960 --> 00:28:28.720 who's omnipotent 00:28:28.720 --> 00:28:29.279 omnipotent 00:28:29.279 --> 00:28:30.279 and omniscient. 00:28:30.440 --> 00:28:31.140 He knows all things. 00:28:31.240 --> 00:28:31.860 He's all powerful. 00:28:32.620 --> 00:28:32.839 Friends, 00:28:32.900 --> 00:28:33.680 I don't really understand 00:28:33.680 --> 00:28:34.600 how the universe works. 00:28:34.700 --> 00:28:35.980 Does anybody really understand? 00:28:36.900 --> 00:28:37.660 But God does. 00:28:38.180 --> 00:28:39.380 He knows what's way beyond 00:28:39.380 --> 00:28:40.700 the furthest reaches 00:28:40.700 --> 00:28:42.059 of the best telescopes. 00:28:42.759 --> 00:28:43.259 He knows what's 00:28:43.259 --> 00:28:43.839 on the other side 00:28:43.839 --> 00:28:44.480 of black holes. 00:28:45.720 --> 00:28:46.299 Charles Spurgeon 00:28:46.299 --> 00:28:46.880 said this, 00:28:47.480 --> 00:28:48.319 he who hung 00:28:48.319 --> 00:28:49.380 the stars in space 00:28:49.380 --> 00:28:50.539 and calls them by name 00:28:50.539 --> 00:28:51.700 is in no danger 00:28:51.700 --> 00:28:52.200 of forgetting 00:28:52.200 --> 00:28:53.000 his own children. 00:28:54.539 --> 00:28:54.799 Friends, 00:28:54.839 --> 00:28:55.559 if God knows 00:28:55.559 --> 00:28:56.180 the stars 00:28:56.180 --> 00:28:56.759 and the galaxies 00:28:56.759 --> 00:28:57.380 that are hundreds 00:28:57.380 --> 00:28:57.880 of billions 00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:58.640 of miles away, 00:28:59.140 --> 00:28:59.800 you can bet 00:28:59.800 --> 00:29:00.860 he knows everything 00:29:00.860 --> 00:29:01.440 that's going on 00:29:01.440 --> 00:29:01.860 about you. 00:29:02.640 --> 00:29:03.700 Your earthly father, 00:29:03.840 --> 00:29:04.880 your physical father, 00:29:05.320 --> 00:29:06.240 he doesn't know everything. 00:29:07.120 --> 00:29:08.300 He's not omnipotent. 00:29:08.800 --> 00:29:09.620 He's not strong enough 00:29:09.620 --> 00:29:10.500 to handle the trials 00:29:10.500 --> 00:29:11.020 and the challenges 00:29:11.020 --> 00:29:11.700 that you face. 00:29:12.460 --> 00:29:13.300 You've got a father 00:29:13.300 --> 00:29:13.820 who is. 00:29:14.740 --> 00:29:15.600 He's the creator 00:29:15.600 --> 00:29:16.700 of the entire universe. 00:29:17.840 --> 00:29:18.720 One of the problems 00:29:18.720 --> 00:29:19.520 with trials is that 00:29:19.520 --> 00:29:19.960 as we said 00:29:19.960 --> 00:29:20.640 a few weeks ago, 00:29:20.780 --> 00:29:21.820 they can exasperate 00:29:21.820 --> 00:29:22.300 our loneliness. 00:29:22.680 --> 00:29:23.160 We feel like 00:29:23.160 --> 00:29:23.940 no one understands. 00:29:24.760 --> 00:29:25.160 No one knows 00:29:25.160 --> 00:29:25.880 what I'm going through. 00:29:26.820 --> 00:29:27.800 We're in it alone. 00:29:28.880 --> 00:29:29.200 Friends, 00:29:29.240 --> 00:29:30.000 if you're a Christian, 00:29:30.100 --> 00:29:30.560 it's not true. 00:29:31.420 --> 00:29:32.420 You've got a father 00:29:32.420 --> 00:29:32.940 in heaven 00:29:32.940 --> 00:29:34.160 that created the universe 00:29:34.160 --> 00:29:34.740 and he knows 00:29:34.740 --> 00:29:36.080 every detail of your life. 00:29:36.940 --> 00:29:37.640 He knows your struggles. 00:29:37.760 --> 00:29:38.480 He knows your challenges. 00:29:38.640 --> 00:29:39.320 He knows your pain. 00:29:39.980 --> 00:29:40.700 He knows your fears 00:29:40.700 --> 00:29:41.160 and your worries. 00:29:41.260 --> 00:29:41.800 He knows that you're 00:29:41.800 --> 00:29:42.040 going to move 00:29:42.040 --> 00:29:42.660 to another country 00:29:42.660 --> 00:29:43.180 and you're anxious 00:29:43.180 --> 00:29:43.700 about it. 00:29:44.860 --> 00:29:45.640 In verse 5, 00:29:45.700 --> 00:29:46.180 we looked at this 00:29:46.180 --> 00:29:46.620 last week. 00:29:46.760 --> 00:29:46.980 It says, 00:29:47.100 --> 00:29:47.500 James says, 00:29:47.640 --> 00:29:48.620 if anyone lacks wisdom, 00:29:48.720 --> 00:29:49.540 let him ask God 00:29:49.540 --> 00:29:50.580 who gives generously 00:29:50.580 --> 00:29:51.260 to all. 00:29:52.020 --> 00:29:52.680 God doesn't just 00:29:52.680 --> 00:29:53.140 give wisdom. 00:29:53.260 --> 00:29:53.740 He gives us 00:29:53.740 --> 00:29:54.560 every gift 00:29:54.560 --> 00:29:55.100 that we need. 00:29:55.180 --> 00:29:56.020 Look at how he says this. 00:29:56.619 --> 00:29:56.859 He says, 00:29:57.220 --> 00:29:58.420 every good and perfect gift 00:29:58.420 --> 00:29:59.500 comes from above, 00:29:59.980 --> 00:30:00.539 coming down 00:30:00.539 --> 00:30:01.440 from the Father of lights. 00:30:01.619 --> 00:30:02.819 God knows exactly 00:30:02.819 --> 00:30:03.480 what you need 00:30:03.480 --> 00:30:04.440 to face this trial 00:30:04.440 --> 00:30:05.019 and this challenge 00:30:05.019 --> 00:30:06.240 and he'll give you 00:30:06.240 --> 00:30:06.859 the resources 00:30:06.859 --> 00:30:07.920 if you'll look to him. 00:30:09.200 --> 00:30:09.500 Friends, 00:30:09.559 --> 00:30:10.220 when trials come, 00:30:10.279 --> 00:30:10.960 it's easy to think, 00:30:11.099 --> 00:30:11.960 God is tempting me. 00:30:12.059 --> 00:30:12.879 God is testing me. 00:30:12.980 --> 00:30:13.779 God's brought this thing 00:30:13.779 --> 00:30:15.180 my way to trip me up, 00:30:15.240 --> 00:30:16.500 to see how strong I am, 00:30:16.859 --> 00:30:18.019 to see whether I'm weak. 00:30:18.740 --> 00:30:19.420 No, he doesn't. 00:30:19.420 --> 00:30:20.940 He gives you the gifts 00:30:20.940 --> 00:30:21.559 and the grace 00:30:21.559 --> 00:30:22.960 to handle the trials of life. 00:30:23.799 --> 00:30:25.100 God is so gracious. 00:30:25.920 --> 00:30:27.160 Look at what else James says. 00:30:27.240 --> 00:30:27.539 He says, 00:30:27.620 --> 00:30:27.920 with him, 00:30:28.019 --> 00:30:28.980 there's no variation 00:30:28.980 --> 00:30:30.559 or shadow due to change. 00:30:31.400 --> 00:30:32.420 God has not changed. 00:30:32.480 --> 00:30:33.240 He's not shifty. 00:30:34.220 --> 00:30:35.259 God made the stars 00:30:35.259 --> 00:30:35.860 and the moon 00:30:35.860 --> 00:30:36.640 and the sky, 00:30:36.960 --> 00:30:38.120 but he's very different 00:30:38.120 --> 00:30:39.059 to them in one way. 00:30:39.740 --> 00:30:41.000 He does not move 00:30:41.000 --> 00:30:42.200 and he has no shadows. 00:30:43.360 --> 00:30:43.660 Friends, 00:30:45.140 --> 00:30:46.259 the one translation says, 00:30:46.259 --> 00:30:47.160 our heavenly Father 00:30:47.160 --> 00:30:48.000 does not change 00:30:48.000 --> 00:30:48.940 like shifting shadows. 00:30:48.940 --> 00:30:51.180 He's not one moment sunshine, 00:30:51.440 --> 00:30:53.080 the next moment darkness. 00:30:54.059 --> 00:30:54.920 And unlike so many 00:30:54.920 --> 00:30:55.900 of our earthly fathers, 00:30:56.080 --> 00:30:57.559 he's not one moment commitment, 00:30:58.080 --> 00:30:59.320 the next moment abandonment. 00:31:00.080 --> 00:31:01.340 God's love and commitment 00:31:01.340 --> 00:31:02.960 does not wax and wane 00:31:02.960 --> 00:31:04.180 like the phases of the moon. 00:31:05.019 --> 00:31:05.940 There's no shadow 00:31:05.940 --> 00:31:07.039 or variation to him. 00:31:07.100 --> 00:31:08.160 He never changes. 00:31:09.080 --> 00:31:10.880 He is absolutely consistent 00:31:10.880 --> 00:31:12.480 and patient and gracious 00:31:12.480 --> 00:31:14.340 day in, day out, 00:31:14.500 --> 00:31:15.460 week in, week out, 00:31:15.460 --> 00:31:17.100 year in, year out. 00:31:17.099 --> 00:31:19.459 In the last few years, 00:31:19.959 --> 00:31:20.659 we've all probably 00:31:20.659 --> 00:31:21.379 been devastated 00:31:21.379 --> 00:31:22.939 by the news articles 00:31:22.939 --> 00:31:24.519 about these Christian leaders 00:31:24.519 --> 00:31:25.919 that have fallen terribly, right? 00:31:26.579 --> 00:31:27.199 On stage, 00:31:27.279 --> 00:31:27.879 they're one thing, 00:31:27.959 --> 00:31:28.819 they're great leaders, 00:31:28.919 --> 00:31:30.159 lead these amazing ministries, 00:31:30.500 --> 00:31:31.259 but at home, 00:31:31.359 --> 00:31:32.459 there's another side thing, 00:31:32.500 --> 00:31:33.619 or there's a private aspect 00:31:33.619 --> 00:31:34.000 of their life 00:31:34.000 --> 00:31:34.980 that nobody knows about. 00:31:35.559 --> 00:31:36.599 And then they get exposed 00:31:36.599 --> 00:31:37.859 and we all are horrified 00:31:37.859 --> 00:31:38.639 that this happens. 00:31:39.779 --> 00:31:40.639 A few years ago, 00:31:40.939 --> 00:31:41.639 Sam Albury, 00:31:41.799 --> 00:31:42.599 who I quoted earlier, 00:31:42.699 --> 00:31:44.399 worked with such a leader. 00:31:45.019 --> 00:31:46.079 He worked in an organization 00:31:46.079 --> 00:31:46.980 and this leader 00:31:46.980 --> 00:31:48.819 was very, very famous, 00:31:49.000 --> 00:31:49.839 well known for years 00:31:49.839 --> 00:31:50.419 and years and years. 00:31:50.859 --> 00:31:51.879 And after he died, 00:31:51.980 --> 00:31:53.519 there was a whole shadow side 00:31:53.519 --> 00:31:53.960 to his life 00:31:53.960 --> 00:31:54.899 that nobody knew about 00:31:54.899 --> 00:31:55.639 that was exposed. 00:31:56.740 --> 00:31:57.279 And Sam Albury, 00:31:57.480 --> 00:31:59.000 this man was his boss, 00:31:59.720 --> 00:32:00.599 mentor in some ways, 00:32:00.679 --> 00:32:01.399 somebody he looked up to 00:32:01.399 --> 00:32:01.980 and respected. 00:32:02.659 --> 00:32:03.859 And he had to grapple 00:32:03.859 --> 00:32:04.319 with the fact 00:32:04.319 --> 00:32:05.319 that here was this person 00:32:05.319 --> 00:32:06.159 who was a fraud. 00:32:06.359 --> 00:32:07.460 There was another side to him 00:32:07.460 --> 00:32:08.500 that nobody knew about, 00:32:09.139 --> 00:32:09.659 a darkness. 00:32:10.899 --> 00:32:11.679 I listened to an interview 00:32:11.679 --> 00:32:12.960 of Sam Albury soon after that 00:32:12.960 --> 00:32:13.880 and he writes this. 00:32:13.940 --> 00:32:14.299 He says, 00:32:15.120 --> 00:32:15.900 as Christians, 00:32:16.079 --> 00:32:17.660 our faith must be in Christ. 00:32:18.500 --> 00:32:19.660 People will let us down 00:32:19.660 --> 00:32:21.160 but Christ will never. 00:32:21.880 --> 00:32:22.920 You'll never find 00:32:22.920 --> 00:32:24.279 an ugly side to Jesus 00:32:24.279 --> 00:32:25.180 that has been hidden 00:32:25.180 --> 00:32:25.840 all along. 00:32:27.700 --> 00:32:28.380 That line is amazing. 00:32:28.460 --> 00:32:29.440 You'll never find 00:32:29.440 --> 00:32:30.940 a dark side to God 00:32:30.940 --> 00:32:31.759 that has been hiding 00:32:31.759 --> 00:32:32.259 all along. 00:32:32.360 --> 00:32:33.340 You think you can trust him 00:32:33.340 --> 00:32:34.720 and suddenly behind the scenes 00:32:34.720 --> 00:32:35.720 there's another side to him 00:32:35.720 --> 00:32:36.440 that you didn't know. 00:32:37.980 --> 00:32:38.360 Friends, 00:32:38.480 --> 00:32:39.480 this God is faithful 00:32:39.480 --> 00:32:40.019 and consistent. 00:32:40.180 --> 00:32:41.180 Then look at the last thing. 00:32:41.759 --> 00:32:42.600 He is so gracious. 00:32:42.759 --> 00:32:43.200 Verse 18, 00:32:43.299 --> 00:32:43.580 he says, 00:32:43.960 --> 00:32:44.880 by his own will 00:32:44.880 --> 00:32:46.140 he brought us forth 00:32:46.140 --> 00:32:47.019 by the word of truth. 00:32:47.140 --> 00:32:47.519 That means 00:32:47.519 --> 00:32:49.039 he brought us salvation. 00:32:49.920 --> 00:32:50.100 Friends, 00:32:50.120 --> 00:32:50.720 if you're a Christian 00:32:50.720 --> 00:32:51.380 here this morning, 00:32:51.880 --> 00:32:52.860 that's not because 00:32:52.860 --> 00:32:54.580 you were so good 00:32:54.580 --> 00:32:55.400 that God looked at you 00:32:55.400 --> 00:32:55.740 and thought, 00:32:55.980 --> 00:32:56.200 okay, 00:32:56.259 --> 00:32:57.220 I guess they've earned it. 00:32:57.960 --> 00:32:58.200 Friends, 00:32:58.240 --> 00:32:59.100 it was his will, 00:32:59.279 --> 00:32:59.980 his initiative. 00:33:00.180 --> 00:33:00.960 He took the initiative. 00:33:01.060 --> 00:33:01.799 When you were lost 00:33:01.799 --> 00:33:02.380 in your sin, 00:33:02.740 --> 00:33:04.160 when you had nothing to give, 00:33:04.660 --> 00:33:06.140 God by his own initiative 00:33:06.140 --> 00:33:07.240 poured out his grace 00:33:07.240 --> 00:33:08.279 to draw you in 00:33:08.279 --> 00:33:09.220 that you might know him. 00:33:09.860 --> 00:33:10.920 Of his own will, 00:33:10.920 --> 00:33:11.820 he caused us 00:33:11.820 --> 00:33:12.580 to be born again 00:33:12.580 --> 00:33:13.940 by his word of truth. 00:33:15.140 --> 00:33:16.300 Such amazing grace. 00:33:17.240 --> 00:33:17.460 Friends, 00:33:17.519 --> 00:33:18.980 some of you have met my dad. 00:33:19.180 --> 00:33:20.000 He's preached here 00:33:20.000 --> 00:33:20.519 once or twice 00:33:20.519 --> 00:33:21.080 at the watermark. 00:33:21.720 --> 00:33:22.519 I want to tell you, 00:33:22.580 --> 00:33:23.440 I have the best dad 00:33:23.440 --> 00:33:24.259 in the whole world. 00:33:25.220 --> 00:33:25.740 Many of you 00:33:25.740 --> 00:33:26.560 have got good dads. 00:33:27.080 --> 00:33:27.960 My dad's the best. 00:33:29.400 --> 00:33:30.480 He is the greatest father 00:33:30.480 --> 00:33:31.220 in the whole world. 00:33:31.759 --> 00:33:32.039 Honestly, 00:33:32.180 --> 00:33:33.600 he is always loving, 00:33:33.840 --> 00:33:34.620 always gracious, 00:33:34.900 --> 00:33:36.080 overflowing with hope, 00:33:36.240 --> 00:33:37.279 always encouraging. 00:33:37.279 --> 00:33:39.700 As I've got older, 00:33:39.899 --> 00:33:40.819 and I guess as I've become 00:33:40.819 --> 00:33:41.779 more and more of a father, 00:33:41.899 --> 00:33:43.200 as my kids have grown up, 00:33:43.259 --> 00:33:43.879 I've realized, 00:33:44.099 --> 00:33:44.899 my dad is great, 00:33:45.579 --> 00:33:46.399 but he's fallible. 00:33:47.200 --> 00:33:48.160 He's getting old. 00:33:49.119 --> 00:33:50.339 He's not omnipotent. 00:33:51.000 --> 00:33:52.059 He can't help me 00:33:52.059 --> 00:33:52.960 in many of the trials 00:33:52.960 --> 00:33:53.539 and the challenges 00:33:53.539 --> 00:33:54.220 that I face. 00:33:54.279 --> 00:33:55.180 He lives on the other side 00:33:55.180 --> 00:33:55.579 of the world. 00:33:56.299 --> 00:33:57.379 He can't be there for me. 00:33:58.259 --> 00:33:59.500 But there is a father 00:33:59.500 --> 00:34:00.180 that I have, 00:34:00.240 --> 00:34:00.940 and if you're a Christian, 00:34:01.059 --> 00:34:01.480 there's a father 00:34:01.480 --> 00:34:02.279 that you have, 00:34:02.980 --> 00:34:03.859 that is consistent, 00:34:04.599 --> 00:34:05.500 that is omnipotent, 00:34:05.500 --> 00:34:06.519 omniscient. 00:34:06.660 --> 00:34:07.759 He knows everything about you. 00:34:08.179 --> 00:34:08.880 He's there for you 00:34:08.880 --> 00:34:10.380 and you can bank your life on him. 00:34:10.500 --> 00:34:11.480 And when the trials 00:34:11.480 --> 00:34:12.079 and the challenges 00:34:12.079 --> 00:34:13.340 and the storms of life come, 00:34:13.900 --> 00:34:16.139 you can hold onto him, 00:34:17.000 --> 00:34:18.059 the father of lights. 00:34:19.460 --> 00:34:19.739 Friends, 00:34:19.780 --> 00:34:20.519 here's my question. 00:34:21.139 --> 00:34:22.659 Do you know him? 00:34:24.340 --> 00:34:25.460 Do you know him? 00:34:26.260 --> 00:34:27.760 Not just philosophically, 00:34:28.219 --> 00:34:29.619 not just theologically, 00:34:30.519 --> 00:34:31.800 not just in your head. 00:34:32.639 --> 00:34:33.699 Do you know him? 00:34:33.699 --> 00:34:33.839 Do you know him? 00:34:34.839 --> 00:34:36.059 Do you know his grace? 00:34:36.980 --> 00:34:38.480 Do you know his immense love? 00:34:39.399 --> 00:34:40.619 Do you know his compassion? 00:34:41.799 --> 00:34:42.480 Do you know what it means 00:34:42.480 --> 00:34:43.679 to draw near to him 00:34:43.679 --> 00:34:44.359 in the trials 00:34:44.359 --> 00:34:45.339 and the storms of life? 00:34:46.139 --> 00:34:46.919 Have you experienced 00:34:46.919 --> 00:34:47.619 his strength 00:34:47.619 --> 00:34:48.500 and his tenderness? 00:34:49.819 --> 00:34:50.079 Friends, 00:34:50.179 --> 00:34:51.179 do you love him? 00:34:53.039 --> 00:34:53.980 If you don't, 00:34:54.039 --> 00:34:55.399 you may not be a Christian at all. 00:34:57.279 --> 00:34:58.279 But that's okay. 00:34:59.599 --> 00:35:00.939 Jesus Christ came. 00:35:00.940 --> 00:35:02.420 God so loved the world 00:35:02.420 --> 00:35:03.639 that he gave his only son 00:35:03.639 --> 00:35:04.619 that you might know him 00:35:04.619 --> 00:35:06.500 and experience him like that. 00:35:07.880 --> 00:35:08.260 Friends, 00:35:08.320 --> 00:35:09.380 we will all face trials. 00:35:09.740 --> 00:35:10.700 If you don't believe me, 00:35:11.400 --> 00:35:11.960 believe James, 00:35:12.039 --> 00:35:12.639 the man who saw 00:35:12.639 --> 00:35:13.260 his older brother 00:35:13.260 --> 00:35:14.440 being crucified on the cross 00:35:14.440 --> 00:35:14.900 and who saw 00:35:14.900 --> 00:35:15.820 his whole congregation 00:35:15.820 --> 00:35:16.539 being dispersed 00:35:16.539 --> 00:35:17.500 because of persecution. 00:35:18.220 --> 00:35:19.320 You will face trials. 00:35:19.960 --> 00:35:21.000 And when you face those trials, 00:35:21.079 --> 00:35:21.920 what are you going to hold onto? 00:35:22.760 --> 00:35:23.880 What grips do you have 00:35:23.880 --> 00:35:25.380 that's going to carry your weight? 00:35:25.380 --> 00:35:27.800 What is your worldview? 00:35:27.980 --> 00:35:29.019 Is it going to carry your weight? 00:35:29.820 --> 00:35:30.760 James here gives us 00:35:30.760 --> 00:35:31.760 three things to hold onto. 00:35:32.440 --> 00:35:33.800 That in Jesus Christ, 00:35:33.920 --> 00:35:34.660 we have an identity 00:35:34.660 --> 00:35:35.680 which is not achieved 00:35:35.680 --> 00:35:36.160 or earned 00:35:36.160 --> 00:35:37.280 or given by society 00:35:37.280 --> 00:35:37.920 or our status 00:35:37.920 --> 00:35:39.000 or our economic condition. 00:35:39.420 --> 00:35:40.180 It's an identity 00:35:40.180 --> 00:35:41.160 that is rock solid, 00:35:41.340 --> 00:35:41.980 rooted in heaven 00:35:41.980 --> 00:35:42.680 because it's given 00:35:42.680 --> 00:35:43.800 by grace and Jesus. 00:35:44.820 --> 00:35:46.920 Jesus Christ helps us 00:35:46.920 --> 00:35:47.420 to reckon 00:35:47.420 --> 00:35:48.740 with the trial of our own hearts, 00:35:48.800 --> 00:35:49.579 our sinful nature. 00:35:50.180 --> 00:35:50.680 And he says that 00:35:50.680 --> 00:35:51.500 if you come to me, 00:35:51.559 --> 00:35:52.440 I will redeem you, 00:35:52.500 --> 00:35:53.200 I'll change you, 00:35:53.260 --> 00:35:54.200 I'll purify you, 00:35:54.199 --> 00:35:55.439 and I'll give you grace. 00:35:56.179 --> 00:35:56.960 And Jesus Christ 00:35:56.960 --> 00:35:57.759 gives us access 00:35:57.759 --> 00:35:58.460 to a father 00:35:58.460 --> 00:35:59.480 that is unchanging 00:35:59.480 --> 00:36:00.759 and immensely gracious 00:36:00.759 --> 00:36:01.359 who gives us 00:36:01.359 --> 00:36:02.299 everything we need 00:36:02.299 --> 00:36:03.639 for life and godliness 00:36:03.639 --> 00:36:04.699 and trials and challenges. 00:36:05.639 --> 00:36:06.839 Let's come to him now. 00:36:07.739 --> 00:36:08.219 Let's pray. 00:36:11.980 --> 00:36:12.679 Father God, 00:36:12.960 --> 00:36:14.199 your word is so glorious 00:36:14.199 --> 00:36:14.960 and so beautiful. 00:36:16.179 --> 00:36:16.399 Father, 00:36:16.439 --> 00:36:17.319 I know that many of us 00:36:17.319 --> 00:36:18.480 maybe are facing trials 00:36:18.480 --> 00:36:19.259 at the moment. 00:36:19.599 --> 00:36:20.960 Maybe we feel alone in it. 00:36:21.019 --> 00:36:22.359 We feel like nobody understands. 00:36:23.339 --> 00:36:24.000 We feel like life 00:36:24.000 --> 00:36:24.539 is so hard. 00:36:24.719 --> 00:36:24.960 God, 00:36:25.039 --> 00:36:25.659 in your word, 00:36:25.780 --> 00:36:27.219 you give us innumerable 00:36:27.219 --> 00:36:29.139 rocks to hold on to. 00:36:29.219 --> 00:36:30.219 Thank you for these three 00:36:30.219 --> 00:36:30.760 this morning. 00:36:31.639 --> 00:36:32.360 Who you are, 00:36:33.179 --> 00:36:33.900 who we are, 00:36:33.960 --> 00:36:34.940 and who we are in you. 00:36:35.780 --> 00:36:36.360 The gospel, 00:36:36.559 --> 00:36:37.159 our own hearts, 00:36:37.239 --> 00:36:38.900 and our new identity in you. 00:36:39.039 --> 00:36:39.340 God, 00:36:39.440 --> 00:36:40.679 we thank you. 00:36:40.780 --> 00:36:41.219 Thank you, 00:36:41.280 --> 00:36:41.579 thank you, 00:36:41.639 --> 00:36:41.920 thank you. 00:36:41.980 --> 00:36:42.159 God, 00:36:42.219 --> 00:36:43.219 I pray that we will 00:36:43.219 --> 00:36:44.219 come to you. 00:36:44.280 --> 00:36:45.039 Won't you help us 00:36:45.039 --> 00:36:45.920 to come to you now? 00:36:46.800 --> 00:36:47.000 God, 00:36:47.039 --> 00:36:47.539 for those of us 00:36:47.539 --> 00:36:48.159 that aren't Christians 00:36:48.159 --> 00:36:48.599 this morning, 00:36:48.719 --> 00:36:49.159 help us, 00:36:49.260 --> 00:36:49.380 God, 00:36:49.440 --> 00:36:51.039 to truly come to you 00:36:51.039 --> 00:36:52.000 and open up our lives. 00:36:52.059 --> 00:36:53.039 Won't you pour faith 00:36:53.039 --> 00:36:53.619 in our hearts 00:36:53.619 --> 00:36:55.079 to believe that it's real. 00:36:55.759 --> 00:36:56.000 You, 00:36:56.119 --> 00:36:56.320 Jesus, 00:36:56.460 --> 00:36:57.380 died and rose again 00:36:57.380 --> 00:36:58.440 that we may know you 00:36:58.440 --> 00:36:59.659 and have this hope, 00:37:00.300 --> 00:37:01.099 this hope that will never 00:37:01.099 --> 00:37:01.500 perish, 00:37:01.699 --> 00:37:01.920 spoil, 00:37:02.079 --> 00:37:02.380 or fade. 00:37:03.219 --> 00:37:03.460 God, 00:37:03.539 --> 00:37:05.019 come and cause friends 00:37:05.019 --> 00:37:06.400 to be born again, 00:37:06.460 --> 00:37:06.800 I pray. 00:37:07.420 --> 00:37:08.300 Help us to hand over 00:37:08.300 --> 00:37:09.039 our lives to you. 00:37:09.840 --> 00:37:10.460 And for those of us 00:37:10.460 --> 00:37:11.079 that are Christians, 00:37:11.239 --> 00:37:11.360 God, 00:37:11.420 --> 00:37:12.179 help us this week 00:37:12.179 --> 00:37:13.320 to trust you, 00:37:13.960 --> 00:37:14.820 to not tap out, 00:37:14.900 --> 00:37:15.940 to not avoid the trials 00:37:15.940 --> 00:37:16.460 too easily, 00:37:16.579 --> 00:37:17.500 to not find excuses, 00:37:17.500 --> 00:37:19.019 but to push through 00:37:19.019 --> 00:37:19.480 the trials 00:37:19.480 --> 00:37:20.340 holding on to you. 00:37:21.019 --> 00:37:21.420 God, 00:37:21.460 --> 00:37:21.800 I pray, 00:37:21.900 --> 00:37:22.760 help us to do this. 00:37:23.320 --> 00:37:23.920 In your name, 00:37:24.699 --> 00:37:25.019 amen. 00:37:25.019 --> 00:37:25.199 Amen. 00:37:25.199 --> 00:37:55.179 Thank you.