WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.839 Please take a seat and let's pray together. 00:00:06.780 --> 00:00:09.439 Father God, we are so thankful for this time. 00:00:09.839 --> 00:00:13.019 We're so thankful for this time to gather around your word. 00:00:13.740 --> 00:00:17.120 And Lord, our greatest need is that you would send your spirit, 00:00:18.019 --> 00:00:19.859 that he might make these words alive, 00:00:19.960 --> 00:00:24.219 that he might do his work of exalting the Lord Jesus in this place, 00:00:24.600 --> 00:00:27.820 in our lives, and as we go out into your world. 00:00:27.820 --> 00:00:30.600 So Father, bless us and help us. 00:00:31.019 --> 00:00:33.119 Father, teach us and instruct us. 00:00:33.420 --> 00:00:36.920 In the glorious name of your Son Jesus we pray. Amen. 00:00:37.960 --> 00:00:42.960 So today we are starting a brand new series in the book of James. 00:00:43.520 --> 00:00:51.820 And I am so excited, I've even made you a limited edition one-off bookmark to accompany the series. 00:00:52.299 --> 00:00:54.100 David's going to put them round. 00:00:54.100 --> 00:00:59.539 And I have to say, over the last three weeks, as I have looked at this book, 00:00:59.700 --> 00:01:04.320 I have got more and more excited about opening it up for us this morning. 00:01:05.079 --> 00:01:07.439 We've called the series Faith Works. 00:01:07.820 --> 00:01:10.579 And I want to tell you why we've called it that. 00:01:10.719 --> 00:01:16.099 God, in his word, in the book of James, puts his finger on areas of our lives. 00:01:17.180 --> 00:01:18.900 And he starts to press them. 00:01:18.900 --> 00:01:25.480 And I have to say, this book is decidedly uncomfortable when we get underneath the skin. 00:01:26.260 --> 00:01:28.780 So why do we call it Faith Works? 00:01:29.260 --> 00:01:34.480 Well, firstly, we'll see throughout James that there's a lot that he says about faith, 00:01:34.680 --> 00:01:36.719 and a lot that he says about works. 00:01:36.980 --> 00:01:40.800 In fact, he mentions faith 38 times in the book, 00:01:40.799 --> 00:01:50.079 and he mentions works 59 times in the book, 59 times out of 108 verses he tells us to do something. 00:01:50.819 --> 00:01:56.259 So this book is going to tell us a lot about the relationship between faith and works, 00:01:56.299 --> 00:01:58.659 and that's important for us to know. 00:01:59.539 --> 00:02:03.959 Secondly, faith works, as in faith, brings success. 00:02:03.959 --> 00:02:10.799 We're going to see that faith succeeds and is fruitful and profitable to us. 00:02:11.719 --> 00:02:16.000 So in chapter 1, verse 12, he says, 00:02:16.359 --> 00:02:18.719 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial, 00:02:18.840 --> 00:02:24.879 because faith, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life. 00:02:25.539 --> 00:02:27.000 That faith works. 00:02:27.000 --> 00:02:33.719 Or chapter 5, verse 15, the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well. 00:02:33.840 --> 00:02:35.659 The Lord will raise them up. 00:02:35.939 --> 00:02:38.379 So we'll see that faith works. 00:02:38.659 --> 00:02:42.900 That in the end, faith will bring about success. 00:02:44.620 --> 00:02:49.039 And thirdly, faith works, as in faith must work. 00:02:49.360 --> 00:02:50.939 It must do something. 00:02:51.099 --> 00:02:53.639 We can't just have abstract faith. 00:02:53.639 --> 00:02:58.879 We can't just put faith in a compartment of our lives and do nothing with it. 00:02:59.379 --> 00:03:02.759 James is explicit that faith must work. 00:03:03.339 --> 00:03:09.559 James is addressing the tendency we have to say that faith alone means faith alone, 00:03:10.079 --> 00:03:13.579 and therefore relegates Christian living of no importance at all. 00:03:14.379 --> 00:03:16.899 And James says Christian living is absolutely vital. 00:03:16.900 --> 00:03:23.500 And a faith that doesn't work will be a useless faith that will never work. 00:03:24.240 --> 00:03:27.780 So please turn with me to James chapter 1, verse 1. 00:03:27.840 --> 00:03:31.460 You'll find it just after Hebrews, towards the end of the New Testament. 00:03:33.140 --> 00:03:36.219 And let me read for us when you are. 00:03:36.640 --> 00:03:37.860 Did everyone get a bookmark? 00:03:39.159 --> 00:03:39.640 No? 00:03:39.639 --> 00:03:46.199 It's all right, there'll be some on eBay later, I'm sure, and we'll print some more for next week. 00:03:46.259 --> 00:03:47.119 Let me read this. 00:03:48.439 --> 00:03:52.659 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:03:53.359 --> 00:03:57.599 to the twelve tribes scattered among the nations, greetings. 00:03:58.859 --> 00:04:00.019 Stop there one second. 00:04:01.179 --> 00:04:05.099 First thing that would be good to know of letter written by James is, 00:04:05.419 --> 00:04:06.959 who is James? 00:04:06.960 --> 00:04:09.180 That would be helpful, wouldn't it? 00:04:09.620 --> 00:04:11.659 It's always nice to know who your letter is from. 00:04:12.920 --> 00:04:16.300 And in the New Testament, there are four people named James. 00:04:16.620 --> 00:04:20.660 And in fact, three of them are mentioned in Acts chapter 1, verse 13. 00:04:21.860 --> 00:04:25.420 And I want to tell you why it's not any of these Jameses. 00:04:25.660 --> 00:04:27.759 So we have Judas, son of James. 00:04:28.280 --> 00:04:31.900 So James has a son called Judas, who's one of the twelve apostles. 00:04:31.900 --> 00:04:34.980 But really, James there is just a footnote. 00:04:34.980 --> 00:04:41.480 He's just a footnote included to differentiate Judas, son of James, from Judas Iscariot. 00:04:42.379 --> 00:04:46.379 He's very much a footnote. 00:04:46.460 --> 00:04:51.460 And then we have a guy called James, son of Alphaeus, who is one of the apostles. 00:04:51.840 --> 00:04:53.500 But he's a very minor apostle. 00:04:54.200 --> 00:05:02.400 He's only actually mentioned in the lists of apostles when they are listed, perhaps in Mark chapter 4. 00:05:02.399 --> 00:05:09.639 However, he is called James the Lesser on one occasion towards the end of Mark's gospel. 00:05:10.139 --> 00:05:21.019 But we pretty much know that around Acts chapter 9, James, son of Alphaeus, or James the Lesser, moves to Egypt to proclaim the gospel to the Egyptians. 00:05:21.019 --> 00:05:26.019 And is martyred in around 43 AD by beheading. 00:05:26.859 --> 00:05:28.740 So it seems very unlikely that it's him. 00:05:29.659 --> 00:05:35.519 And then there's James, son of Zebedee, the brother of John, one half of the sons of Thunder. 00:05:35.879 --> 00:05:37.279 Now this guy's a big player. 00:05:37.939 --> 00:05:40.279 This guy is one of Jesus' inner circle. 00:05:40.799 --> 00:05:45.859 He's one of the guys in the room when Jairus' daughter is raised to life. 00:05:45.860 --> 00:05:51.540 He would be a prime candidate to write a book of the New Testament. 00:05:52.220 --> 00:05:53.600 There's only one slight problem. 00:05:54.720 --> 00:05:59.100 That in Acts chapter 12, verse 2, Herod Agrippa cuts his head off. 00:05:59.660 --> 00:06:01.340 And that's in around 44 AD. 00:06:01.900 --> 00:06:07.819 And we're pretty sure that the book of James is written about 55 AD, meaning that he's been dead 11 years. 00:06:08.160 --> 00:06:12.240 And I don't know about you, but to write a letter when you're dead seems quite difficult. 00:06:12.240 --> 00:06:14.939 That leaves one candidate. 00:06:15.560 --> 00:06:17.699 James, the brother of Jesus. 00:06:17.879 --> 00:06:20.960 The half-brother, if you like, of Jesus. 00:06:21.620 --> 00:06:26.600 We're told multiple times in the Gospels that Jesus has a brother called James. 00:06:27.280 --> 00:06:30.980 Mark chapter 6, verse 3, talks explicitly about him. 00:06:31.100 --> 00:06:34.819 Are not his sisters and his brother James here? 00:06:35.480 --> 00:06:39.120 We're also told in the Gospels that James doesn't believe in Jesus. 00:06:39.120 --> 00:06:47.439 In John chapter 7, verse 5, we're told explicitly that his brothers did not believe in him. 00:06:48.280 --> 00:06:56.959 However, Paul tells us explicitly in 1 Corinthians 15, verse 7, that after Jesus' resurrection, he appears to James. 00:06:57.040 --> 00:06:58.680 That is, James, his brother. 00:06:59.379 --> 00:07:02.980 And it seems that this has a remarkable effect on James' life. 00:07:03.240 --> 00:07:06.660 As it would if your brother that you'd seen crucified met you. 00:07:06.660 --> 00:07:12.920 James then takes a prominent position in the Jerusalem church. 00:07:13.740 --> 00:07:18.580 He is the chairman of the Council of Jerusalem in Acts chapter 15. 00:07:19.600 --> 00:07:27.920 He is the one who does the official greeting of the Apostle Paul when he finally arrives in Jerusalem in Acts 21. 00:07:27.920 --> 00:07:33.560 Therefore, I am almost certain that James is written by this James. 00:07:33.660 --> 00:07:35.819 James, Jesus' brother. 00:07:35.920 --> 00:07:39.160 That's what the wide consensus of church history has set. 00:07:39.520 --> 00:07:43.840 If you have a different opinion, then we can wrestle in the foyer afterwards. 00:07:45.439 --> 00:07:48.319 And I think that helps us explain this introduction. 00:07:49.000 --> 00:07:52.920 Because James is the pastor of this mega church in Jerusalem. 00:07:52.920 --> 00:07:56.879 He has lots of congregants, lots of friends. 00:07:57.020 --> 00:08:02.460 But the problem happens when Stephen is martyred in Acts chapter 7. 00:08:03.020 --> 00:08:05.740 And this gets everyone to leave Jerusalem. 00:08:05.900 --> 00:08:07.740 This church empties. 00:08:08.860 --> 00:08:16.980 And everyone goes out into a society outside of Jerusalem that is largely hostile to the gospel. 00:08:16.980 --> 00:08:24.660 And therefore, James, the loving pastor, writes to his former congregants. 00:08:25.319 --> 00:08:31.439 And he writes them encouraging them to live consistent Christian lives in the face of a hostile world. 00:08:32.600 --> 00:08:34.300 It's very easy, isn't it? 00:08:34.759 --> 00:08:38.480 When society is hostile, you can do one of two things. 00:08:39.320 --> 00:08:46.500 You can either completely compromise and become like that society in order that you don't get persecuted because you don't stand out. 00:08:46.980 --> 00:08:50.159 Or you can kind of mothball your Christian faith. 00:08:50.500 --> 00:08:52.639 You can kind of put your Christian faith on lockdown. 00:08:53.259 --> 00:08:56.440 Meaning that you just keep it to yourself and you live it out in the quiet. 00:08:57.340 --> 00:09:01.920 And therefore, when you're in society, you don't come in the crosshairs of society. 00:09:02.680 --> 00:09:06.980 And James writes and says explicitly to his people, his former congregation, 00:09:07.600 --> 00:09:08.240 Don't do that. 00:09:08.720 --> 00:09:09.620 Don't do that. 00:09:10.259 --> 00:09:13.600 In the midst of a hostile world, don't compromise. 00:09:13.600 --> 00:09:17.560 And this brings the mega theme of the letter. 00:09:19.120 --> 00:09:26.500 You see, the problem with James, if we're not careful, it can seem like James has taken a lot of blog posts 00:09:26.500 --> 00:09:33.879 and put them together and collated them and just distributed them to his former church members. 00:09:34.560 --> 00:09:40.060 Because it's kind of a weird letter because he addresses a lot of little things all the way through. 00:09:40.059 --> 00:09:43.319 One minute he's talking about favoritism. 00:09:43.599 --> 00:09:49.399 The next minute he's talking about trials, hearing and doing God's word, finance, prayer, 00:09:49.779 --> 00:09:54.639 how we use our words, our attitude towards charity, and on and on and on and on. 00:09:54.979 --> 00:09:59.199 And if we're not careful, it can seem like he's just plucking topics out of the air. 00:09:59.659 --> 00:10:02.259 Oh, I want to talk a little bit about this, a little bit of that. 00:10:02.259 --> 00:10:06.939 And it becomes a bit like a buffet that you just take what you want from. 00:10:07.679 --> 00:10:13.840 However, as we get below the surface of the letter, we see that actually there is this glorious mega theme 00:10:13.840 --> 00:10:20.659 lying in the background, which is so applicable to who we are in the society that we live in. 00:10:21.179 --> 00:10:22.200 So please have James ready. 00:10:22.299 --> 00:10:26.399 Just flick with me and you'll see this theme start to emerge gloriously. 00:10:26.399 --> 00:10:29.539 So chapter 1 verse 8, he says, 00:10:29.639 --> 00:10:33.860 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do. 00:10:34.000 --> 00:10:35.439 Double-minded. 00:10:36.240 --> 00:10:37.840 Chapter 1 verse 22, 00:10:38.600 --> 00:10:42.379 Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourself. 00:10:43.240 --> 00:10:44.299 Do what it says. 00:10:45.740 --> 00:10:47.600 Chapter 1 verse 26, 00:10:47.600 --> 00:10:54.639 Those who consider themselves right are religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongue deceive themselves 00:10:54.639 --> 00:10:57.560 and their religion is worthless. 00:10:58.040 --> 00:11:03.440 So even by the end of chapter 1, we've got this theme of double-mindedness, self-deception. 00:11:05.040 --> 00:11:06.940 Thinking one thing and doing another. 00:11:07.580 --> 00:11:10.300 Being one thing in public and another in private. 00:11:11.000 --> 00:11:12.800 To be double-minded. 00:11:12.800 --> 00:11:16.820 To literally be this new word that James invents, two souls. 00:11:17.600 --> 00:11:20.800 To be this kind of split personality. 00:11:22.080 --> 00:11:23.200 Chapter 2 verse 4, 00:11:23.460 --> 00:11:25.600 Have you not discriminated amongst yourself? 00:11:25.700 --> 00:11:28.240 Or literally, have you not discriminated against yourself? 00:11:29.120 --> 00:11:30.960 Have you not been one thing and then another? 00:11:31.759 --> 00:11:34.240 Have you got this split personality? 00:11:35.519 --> 00:11:36.820 Chapter 3 verse 9, 00:11:36.820 --> 00:11:43.240 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father and with it curse human beings. 00:11:43.540 --> 00:11:45.660 Same person, two different things. 00:11:45.779 --> 00:11:47.519 There's two-souledness. 00:11:48.180 --> 00:11:52.360 And I guess this really comes to a four in chapter 4 verse 4. 00:11:53.460 --> 00:11:55.420 You adulterous people, 00:11:56.300 --> 00:11:59.639 Don't you know that friendship with the world means enmity with God? 00:12:00.240 --> 00:12:05.740 Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. 00:12:05.740 --> 00:12:09.259 You adulterous people, you people that are two-faced. 00:12:09.759 --> 00:12:13.919 You people that are loving God, but literally having an affair with the world. 00:12:14.440 --> 00:12:17.159 You people that in every way are two-souled. 00:12:17.700 --> 00:12:18.960 Double-minded. 00:12:18.960 --> 00:12:32.320 If anyone then, chapter 4 verse 17, 00:12:32.320 --> 00:12:35.500 knows the good they ought to do and doesn't do it. 00:12:35.500 --> 00:12:37.500 It is sin for them. 00:12:37.500 --> 00:12:48.019 So we see that lying behind all of these practical instructions is this clarion call to live a consistent Christian life. 00:12:48.019 --> 00:12:51.319 To let the gospel permeate all of your life. 00:12:51.319 --> 00:12:54.159 To live the gospel Sunday through to Sunday. 00:12:54.600 --> 00:12:58.980 Not be one thing on Sunday and something else Monday through to Saturday. 00:12:59.720 --> 00:13:04.179 To be Jesus's and all Jesus's. 00:13:04.179 --> 00:13:09.979 This is a real issue for us, isn't it? 00:13:10.639 --> 00:13:19.099 The temptation is that we can be friends of God on Sunday and try and be friends of the world at work during the week. 00:13:19.959 --> 00:13:23.500 That we can say, Jesus, all for Jesus on Sunday. 00:13:25.779 --> 00:13:31.500 And in our week at home, how much of that really plays out. 00:13:31.500 --> 00:13:35.539 This book is going to be great medicine for us. 00:13:35.759 --> 00:13:40.460 In our westernized, individualistic, compartmentalized lives. 00:13:40.779 --> 00:13:45.259 To make sure that God has us and he has us all. 00:13:45.340 --> 00:13:49.120 To make sure that we're not those adulterous people. 00:13:50.720 --> 00:13:58.159 James is saying that a veneer of gospel respectability will not cover our fickle hearts. 00:13:58.919 --> 00:14:01.340 James is saying, don't be duplicitous. 00:14:01.500 --> 00:14:04.059 Two-faced, double-minded, two-souled. 00:14:04.519 --> 00:14:08.580 He says, don't be a self-deceived, hypocritical charlatan. 00:14:09.379 --> 00:14:17.279 My favorite Arabic proverb says, to kiss someone on one cheek and to slap them on the other. 00:14:18.039 --> 00:14:19.899 And James is saying, don't do that with God. 00:14:20.779 --> 00:14:22.340 I say it's my favorite Arabic proverb. 00:14:22.659 --> 00:14:24.179 It's my only Arabic proverb. 00:14:24.179 --> 00:14:26.939 So by default, it is my favorite. 00:14:27.019 --> 00:14:28.359 So just take two minutes. 00:14:29.479 --> 00:14:34.620 Firstly, discuss with your neighbor how much this double-mindedness affects your own life. 00:14:35.039 --> 00:14:39.500 And then, if it doesn't, maybe discuss some of the other things that you know about James. 00:14:39.579 --> 00:14:40.419 Take two minutes. 00:14:40.959 --> 00:14:45.039 And then, ever so quickly, we'll get through the rest of our portion of scripture for today. 00:14:45.039 --> 00:14:48.500 Feel free to mingle. 00:14:57.599 --> 00:14:58.039 Brilliant. 00:14:58.219 --> 00:15:01.099 Well, I hope you had some fruitful discussion. 00:15:01.100 --> 00:15:07.600 And even though we're containing them now, don't feel you can't continue to chat over coffee and a cake later. 00:15:08.700 --> 00:15:13.100 So, let's turn to James chapter 1 and verse 2. 00:15:14.460 --> 00:15:15.759 Let me give you the big theme. 00:15:17.060 --> 00:15:20.759 Trials and temptations are inevitable in our lives. 00:15:21.220 --> 00:15:27.560 And God intends both of them to deepen our faith and purify our hearts. 00:15:27.779 --> 00:15:30.960 Trials and temptations are inevitable in our lives. 00:15:31.100 --> 00:15:36.940 And God intends both of them to deepen our faith and purify our hearts. 00:15:37.940 --> 00:15:47.379 The first thing James says is there are two ingredients needed to keep going and keep growing in the Christian life. 00:15:48.840 --> 00:15:50.120 Chapter 1, verse 2. 00:15:50.220 --> 00:15:55.899 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds. 00:15:56.460 --> 00:16:00.240 Because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 00:16:01.100 --> 00:16:03.620 Let perseverance finish its work. 00:16:03.940 --> 00:16:06.700 So that you may be mature and complete. 00:16:07.139 --> 00:16:09.180 Not lacking anything. 00:16:09.940 --> 00:16:18.620 You don't need to be a Christian for very long before you realize that the gospel is an hermetically sealed existence. 00:16:18.940 --> 00:16:21.259 That brings immunity from suffering. 00:16:21.259 --> 00:16:26.639 You soon realize that Jesus isn't a get out of suffering freak heart. 00:16:27.600 --> 00:16:30.799 So what do you do when it is really hard? 00:16:31.480 --> 00:16:36.860 What do you do when the bottom falls out of your world and the walls cave in around you? 00:16:36.860 --> 00:16:40.539 What do you do amidst the trials of life? 00:16:41.419 --> 00:16:47.159 Well, James chapter 1, verse 2 seems utterly bizarre if we're honest, doesn't it? 00:16:48.019 --> 00:16:49.200 Chapter 1, verse 2. 00:16:49.279 --> 00:16:55.840 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds. 00:16:55.840 --> 00:16:58.460 We don't consider trials joyful. 00:16:58.460 --> 00:17:05.180 In fact, one of the things that makes them trials is that they suck joy out of our lives. 00:17:06.440 --> 00:17:13.799 Consider it pure joy when the doctor confirms the suspected diagnosis is true. 00:17:14.880 --> 00:17:21.680 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, when they're hostile to you at work. 00:17:21.680 --> 00:17:29.180 Consider it pure joy when your husband is impossible to live with anymore. 00:17:30.400 --> 00:17:35.840 Consider it pure joy when your P45 is slid across the desk to you. 00:17:37.200 --> 00:17:42.400 Consider it pure joy when your mortgage company repossess your house. 00:17:43.799 --> 00:17:47.560 I mean, this seems like a ridiculous bit of advice. 00:17:48.460 --> 00:17:51.259 It seems like a ridiculous instruction. 00:17:52.480 --> 00:17:57.720 Consider it pure joy when you face trials of many kinds. 00:17:57.799 --> 00:18:00.740 We need to be very careful with this bit of wisdom. 00:18:01.140 --> 00:18:07.840 Just because James writes it first doesn't mean that we should say it first when we're ministering to people going through trials. 00:18:07.839 --> 00:18:22.459 If my wife comes in from work upset and uptight and says her boss is implacable, her colleagues unhelpful, her plans unproductive, her workload unmanageable, and her efforts unappreciated. 00:18:22.460 --> 00:18:28.480 I guarantee if I say consider it pure joy when you face trials of many kinds. 00:18:28.480 --> 00:18:29.779 Quick, let's hold hands. 00:18:29.779 --> 00:18:30.420 Sing after me. 00:18:30.480 --> 00:18:32.920 I've got that joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart. 00:18:33.839 --> 00:18:35.180 I'm going to get a slap. 00:18:35.180 --> 00:18:40.360 James is not giving us glib psychology. 00:18:40.359 --> 00:18:44.559 He's not saying you just need to rise above your situation. 00:18:44.919 --> 00:18:46.859 He is giving us profound theology. 00:18:47.859 --> 00:18:53.419 Saying God is working out his plans for your life even in this. 00:18:53.420 --> 00:19:07.200 James gives us a perspective that will guarantee that not one tear, one drop of blood, or one ounce of sweat will be wasted in the eternal sanctifying good purposes of God. 00:19:07.759 --> 00:19:10.539 He says you need two ingredients when you face trials. 00:19:11.539 --> 00:19:13.740 Number one, you need perseverance. 00:19:13.740 --> 00:19:23.680 James says our God is so sovereign that he uses trials to cultivate perseverance in our lives. 00:19:24.779 --> 00:19:32.359 He uses the hard knocks and the persistent bumps to work out his plan for you and for me. 00:19:33.700 --> 00:19:39.740 When tested, if our faith is worth anything, it makes us cling tighter to Jesus. 00:19:39.740 --> 00:19:44.220 In order that we might get through this and every storm. 00:19:45.160 --> 00:19:49.420 When our faith is tested and we hold on, it is refined. 00:19:50.640 --> 00:19:54.180 And we cultivate this resolute dependence on Christ. 00:19:54.440 --> 00:19:56.559 I don't understand what's going on. 00:19:56.759 --> 00:19:59.740 I don't know how I'm going to get through what's going on, but I trust you. 00:20:00.720 --> 00:20:01.720 I trust you. 00:20:03.779 --> 00:20:06.960 We foster this idea that God is in control. 00:20:06.960 --> 00:20:13.000 No matter what it looks like in our situation, that God knows what he's doing. 00:20:13.259 --> 00:20:16.840 Even though it looks like it's all becoming undone. 00:20:17.620 --> 00:20:24.100 Richard Wurmbrandt, the guy who suffered incredibly in the Soviet Union for declaring Christ, he said, 00:20:24.460 --> 00:20:26.299 True Christians are like nails. 00:20:26.940 --> 00:20:29.940 The harder you hit them, the deeper they go. 00:20:30.759 --> 00:20:34.500 Corrie Ten Boom, another person who knew what it was to suffer. 00:20:34.500 --> 00:20:42.759 She wrote, you may never know Jesus is all that you need until Jesus is all that you have. 00:20:43.420 --> 00:20:44.539 See the process? 00:20:46.079 --> 00:20:49.319 Faith in trials produces perseverance. 00:20:50.240 --> 00:20:52.680 And perseverance must finish its work. 00:20:53.200 --> 00:20:54.500 Perseverance is active. 00:20:55.680 --> 00:20:57.059 And see what it results in. 00:20:57.059 --> 00:21:05.679 It results in maturity of faith and completeness in Christ, not lacking anything. 00:21:07.019 --> 00:21:13.039 Trials are a great catalyst, if not the greatest catalyst in the process of our sanctification. 00:21:14.039 --> 00:21:22.099 They are the sharp chisel in the hand of a sovereign God, fashioning us into the likeness of his son, Jesus. 00:21:22.099 --> 00:21:27.619 Drop down as well to verse 12, and you'll see the result of these trials. 00:21:28.759 --> 00:21:33.559 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial, because having stood the test, 00:21:33.980 --> 00:21:40.480 that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. 00:21:40.480 --> 00:21:49.180 James writes, for those who keep going, for those who persevere, for those who are sanctified, 00:21:49.579 --> 00:21:53.759 and continuing to be sanctified, we receive a crown of life. 00:21:56.039 --> 00:21:59.180 For everyone who loves God. 00:22:01.400 --> 00:22:03.759 Trials are common to everyone. 00:22:03.759 --> 00:22:10.660 For the unbeliever, these trials are nothing but meaningless hurdles in the futility of life. 00:22:11.799 --> 00:22:15.700 But for the person who believes in Jesus and loves God, 00:22:15.900 --> 00:22:20.819 they are a purposeful period that prepares us for eternal life. 00:22:21.640 --> 00:22:23.680 Which we receive through the gospel. 00:22:24.579 --> 00:22:28.059 This word crown of life is eternal life. 00:22:28.059 --> 00:22:33.079 And the Lord Jesus has an absolute monopoly on eternal life. 00:22:33.659 --> 00:22:36.720 If you are here today, and you are not a Christian, 00:22:37.059 --> 00:22:39.619 no, we just don't do this to fill up our Sunday morning. 00:22:40.740 --> 00:22:44.039 We don't do this because it gets us anything from God. 00:22:44.220 --> 00:22:49.539 We do it because we've already got everything from God in Jesus' eternal life. 00:22:49.879 --> 00:22:53.379 And there is nothing more important than eternal life. 00:22:53.380 --> 00:22:59.080 Because for all of us, the destination we're heading to is when the heart monitor goes flat 00:22:59.080 --> 00:23:01.140 and our physical lungs deflate. 00:23:01.980 --> 00:23:04.740 And at that point, our only hope is Jesus. 00:23:05.860 --> 00:23:11.020 That what he did for us in the gospel gives us, by grace, eternal life. 00:23:11.080 --> 00:23:17.160 We will receive a crown of life from the only one who has crowns of life to give out. 00:23:17.160 --> 00:23:22.900 See then, that we persevere because it does us good in the present, 00:23:23.019 --> 00:23:28.660 but because we have this glorious future of living with God forever. 00:23:29.880 --> 00:23:32.440 But see, there's a second ingredient we need. 00:23:32.920 --> 00:23:34.480 We need wisdom. 00:23:35.980 --> 00:23:36.720 Verse 5. 00:23:37.860 --> 00:23:43.100 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault, 00:23:43.440 --> 00:23:44.860 and it will be given to you. 00:23:44.859 --> 00:23:47.839 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, 00:23:48.159 --> 00:23:50.539 because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, 00:23:50.939 --> 00:23:52.500 blown and tossed by the wind. 00:23:52.559 --> 00:23:56.079 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 00:23:56.639 --> 00:24:00.899 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do. 00:24:01.419 --> 00:24:04.379 This verse is not a verse primarily about guidance. 00:24:05.539 --> 00:24:08.279 This verse is about wisdom in the trials. 00:24:09.519 --> 00:24:14.219 This verse is a prayer that we pray when we're struggling and we're suffering. 00:24:14.220 --> 00:24:19.079 And James says, when you don't know why what is happening is happening, 00:24:19.200 --> 00:24:21.960 you're to cry to God and say, I don't understand. 00:24:23.500 --> 00:24:25.819 What are you trying to teach me through this? 00:24:26.120 --> 00:24:29.059 How am I going to get through what I'm going through? 00:24:30.140 --> 00:24:34.480 What am I to learn about you in the midst of this? 00:24:34.559 --> 00:24:38.220 How can I go through this in a way that brings you glory? 00:24:38.220 --> 00:24:38.779 Glory. 00:24:41.259 --> 00:24:42.600 Isn't it incredible? 00:24:43.380 --> 00:24:49.059 Isn't it encouraging to learn that God isn't disappointed in us when we don't get it? 00:24:49.900 --> 00:24:52.299 He's not annoyed at us when we struggle. 00:24:53.660 --> 00:24:55.860 He says, when you're struggling, ask. 00:24:56.660 --> 00:24:57.660 And I give wisdom. 00:24:57.660 --> 00:25:03.140 When you don't understand, ask for me to give understanding and I give it. 00:25:05.240 --> 00:25:06.140 That's encouraging. 00:25:07.100 --> 00:25:10.340 He's not like my maths teacher when we were doing simultaneous equations. 00:25:11.259 --> 00:25:13.180 And I'd say, Mr. Rimmer, I don't understand. 00:25:14.320 --> 00:25:17.740 And he would say, well, you better work it out yourself by tomorrow because we've got a test. 00:25:17.740 --> 00:25:23.920 God says, I give wisdom when you struggle. 00:25:24.000 --> 00:25:24.640 Are you struggling? 00:25:25.700 --> 00:25:27.000 Don't know how you're going to get through? 00:25:28.240 --> 00:25:29.240 Ask for wisdom. 00:25:30.579 --> 00:25:33.359 God says, I give it without finding fault. 00:25:35.380 --> 00:25:36.920 And I give it generously. 00:25:39.900 --> 00:25:44.019 But see, he's not just giving advice. 00:25:44.960 --> 00:25:46.259 He's giving instruction. 00:25:46.259 --> 00:25:51.200 He's not just giving an opinion that you might choose to take or not. 00:25:51.500 --> 00:25:55.640 He's saying, when I give my wisdom, that is the wisdom you're to employ in your life. 00:25:56.680 --> 00:25:59.000 He's not offering reasonable advice. 00:25:59.440 --> 00:26:02.680 He's asking us to respond to his infinite wisdom. 00:26:03.599 --> 00:26:08.180 Because when you ask, and he answers, you're to do. 00:26:10.099 --> 00:26:15.299 So there's a broken relationship in your life that's raw, festering and painful. 00:26:16.259 --> 00:26:18.440 And you don't know how to proceed and move forward. 00:26:19.799 --> 00:26:21.920 So you pray and ask the Lord for wisdom. 00:26:22.960 --> 00:26:26.039 You read his word and you find his wisdom. 00:26:26.200 --> 00:26:30.579 You console others and they too confirm the wisdom that you suspect. 00:26:30.579 --> 00:26:36.539 That you're to forgive and reconcile with the person with whom there's a problem. 00:26:39.179 --> 00:26:44.240 But you and your pride-filled arrogance decide that that's not the way I'm going to go. 00:26:44.399 --> 00:26:48.960 Actually, I'm going to harbor a grudge and disassociate from the offending party. 00:26:48.960 --> 00:26:52.460 James says you're like a wave of the sea. 00:26:53.079 --> 00:26:56.059 Blown and tossed in every direction by the wind. 00:26:57.759 --> 00:27:00.420 James says you won't receive anything because you're double-minded. 00:27:01.460 --> 00:27:03.500 You say, God, you've got wisdom to give. 00:27:03.840 --> 00:27:05.920 And when he gives it, you go, actually, I'm going to do this. 00:27:06.680 --> 00:27:07.400 Double-minded. 00:27:07.400 --> 00:27:10.060 God says, I give wisdom. 00:27:11.060 --> 00:27:13.120 And you're to take that wisdom. 00:27:14.360 --> 00:27:21.800 James says, get through trials with faithful perseverance through God's imparted wisdom and the hope of future glory. 00:27:21.799 --> 00:27:27.659 So many of us, I waste my trials. 00:27:29.379 --> 00:27:32.599 Because we so often just pray, Lord, I want to escape. 00:27:33.419 --> 00:27:35.599 Lord, I just want it to go away. 00:27:36.639 --> 00:27:37.960 How much better it would be. 00:27:38.139 --> 00:27:39.960 Pray, God, give me wisdom. 00:27:40.919 --> 00:27:44.259 Teach me more about your goodness and your grace and your faithfulness. 00:27:44.740 --> 00:27:51.019 God, empower me to go through this hard road in a way that brings you glory. 00:27:51.019 --> 00:27:55.920 In a way that's tangibly different to everyone around. 00:27:57.259 --> 00:28:00.019 And then he gives us two examples of trials. 00:28:01.500 --> 00:28:01.960 Verse 9. 00:28:02.079 --> 00:28:06.519 Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. 00:28:07.819 --> 00:28:13.180 But the rich should take pride in their humiliation, since they will pass away like a wild flower. 00:28:13.480 --> 00:28:16.359 For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant. 00:28:16.500 --> 00:28:19.279 Its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. 00:28:19.279 --> 00:28:24.099 In the same way, the rich will fade away, even while they go about their business. 00:28:25.099 --> 00:28:28.319 I wonder when I said trials at the beginning, what you thought of. 00:28:31.660 --> 00:28:33.180 James gives us two examples. 00:28:33.319 --> 00:28:34.319 The first is poverty. 00:28:35.259 --> 00:28:42.379 And I guess many of us would see poverty as a trial when the two ends don't meet at the end of the week. 00:28:42.380 --> 00:28:48.040 And James says, take pride in your high position. 00:28:49.200 --> 00:28:58.120 That you've got this brilliant opportunity, this glorious privilege to show faith in God. 00:28:59.340 --> 00:29:01.620 To declare your dependence on God. 00:29:01.700 --> 00:29:04.260 God, the bills are rising. 00:29:04.740 --> 00:29:07.100 The wages are staying the same or going down. 00:29:07.320 --> 00:29:08.320 And I need your help. 00:29:08.319 --> 00:29:13.679 A glorious opportunity to show faith in the midst of a trial. 00:29:15.579 --> 00:29:18.619 But I wonder how many of us saw riches as a trial. 00:29:20.960 --> 00:29:22.460 Because that's what James says. 00:29:24.240 --> 00:29:27.419 But the rich should take pride in their humiliation. 00:29:27.419 --> 00:29:29.439 If I asked you which was a greater trial. 00:29:30.259 --> 00:29:33.960 To gain 20,000 pounds or lose 20,000 pounds. 00:29:33.960 --> 00:29:37.180 We'd all say to lose 20,000 pounds. 00:29:38.620 --> 00:29:41.900 But I think James says riches are actually a bigger trial. 00:29:42.840 --> 00:29:45.799 Because he devotes a lot more verses to talking about them. 00:29:50.220 --> 00:29:55.980 He says riches can so easily become our security. 00:29:56.819 --> 00:29:57.819 And our safe haven. 00:29:58.400 --> 00:30:01.480 A bank balance can so often become our hope. 00:30:01.920 --> 00:30:03.240 And our focus. 00:30:03.960 --> 00:30:08.960 Our wealth, possessions and quality of life so readily become our God. 00:30:09.740 --> 00:30:13.819 And we're so willing to sacrifice anything that we may have them. 00:30:15.620 --> 00:30:18.539 James says always remember the riches are fleeting. 00:30:18.980 --> 00:30:20.440 Wealth fluctuates. 00:30:20.940 --> 00:30:21.799 And it fades. 00:30:22.539 --> 00:30:25.200 Always remember that at the end of the chess game. 00:30:25.420 --> 00:30:27.700 All the pieces go back in the same box. 00:30:27.700 --> 00:30:33.380 And what you have in life will be worthless in eternity. 00:30:34.960 --> 00:30:35.880 George Muller. 00:30:36.380 --> 00:30:41.079 The man who started so many orphanages and looked after orphans. 00:30:41.700 --> 00:30:42.940 He was asked. 00:30:43.620 --> 00:30:48.340 Is it easier to trust God when you have no money or you have 300 pounds? 00:30:48.339 --> 00:30:52.619 And he says it's much easier to trust God when there's nothing in the bank. 00:30:53.159 --> 00:30:57.759 Because when I have 300 pounds my faith is in the 300 pounds. 00:30:58.699 --> 00:31:00.399 It's the great leveler of the gospel. 00:31:01.480 --> 00:31:05.079 The gospel levels everyone that we all come to God by grace. 00:31:05.779 --> 00:31:06.879 The richer bought low. 00:31:07.000 --> 00:31:08.379 The humbler bought high. 00:31:08.599 --> 00:31:10.000 Because it's in Jesus. 00:31:10.000 --> 00:31:17.240 The one who was rich became poor so that through his poverty we might become rich. 00:31:18.119 --> 00:31:20.200 Don't be blinded by the material. 00:31:22.579 --> 00:31:25.619 And forsake God in the pursuit of temporal worthless gain. 00:31:26.180 --> 00:31:27.880 Don't be double sold. 00:31:29.420 --> 00:31:31.480 Don't say Jesus you're all I need. 00:31:31.740 --> 00:31:34.579 And Monday to Saturday spend all of your life. 00:31:34.579 --> 00:31:38.099 Trying to increase your position in life. 00:31:39.359 --> 00:31:41.960 We all know two-facedness in this area. 00:31:43.259 --> 00:31:47.359 Our minds are full of gadgets and cars and food and scatter cushions. 00:31:47.779 --> 00:31:48.919 Holiday destinations. 00:31:48.920 --> 00:31:53.759 And James tells us to hold all of this so loosely. 00:31:54.759 --> 00:31:58.680 And to keep steadfast sincere faith in Christ. 00:31:59.120 --> 00:32:04.820 Not allowing our affections to be diverted by anything else. 00:32:06.060 --> 00:32:07.920 He says if you are yourself deceived. 00:32:09.060 --> 00:32:12.840 You're double minded to face duplicitous. 00:32:13.880 --> 00:32:14.920 So comfortable. 00:32:14.920 --> 00:32:19.480 People say I love James. 00:32:20.500 --> 00:32:23.140 And that just says you haven't really understood James. 00:32:23.240 --> 00:32:24.220 Because he's uncomfortable. 00:32:27.500 --> 00:32:30.480 I wonder if God is testing the western world with riches. 00:32:30.840 --> 00:32:32.900 I wonder if that's the trial we're all to go through. 00:32:33.500 --> 00:32:35.400 Because just because of where we live. 00:32:35.500 --> 00:32:38.360 We are in the top 4% of the world's wealth. 00:32:40.200 --> 00:32:43.200 And I wonder how many of us are persevering in that trial. 00:32:43.200 --> 00:32:46.680 Or whether we've just been distracted and deflected. 00:32:47.200 --> 00:32:50.779 And our affections which should be all gods. 00:32:51.080 --> 00:32:52.620 All focused on the Lord Jesus. 00:32:54.259 --> 00:32:59.140 Are actually just deflected towards the things of this world. 00:32:59.140 --> 00:33:06.259 James tells us despite doing our best to keep up appearances. 00:33:06.460 --> 00:33:07.800 We aren't getting away with it. 00:33:08.840 --> 00:33:13.700 God is all seeing and knows all of our idolatrous adultery. 00:33:14.700 --> 00:33:18.780 He knows when our love is diverted away from his all satisfying son. 00:33:19.340 --> 00:33:23.660 And our trust is not placed in his all conquering gospel. 00:33:23.660 --> 00:33:27.840 James talks endlessly about double mindedness. 00:33:28.620 --> 00:33:30.200 He says don't be double minded. 00:33:31.640 --> 00:33:32.500 And you know what? 00:33:32.540 --> 00:33:36.920 There's one person we can look to who is the ultimate example of single mindedness. 00:33:37.680 --> 00:33:41.460 We read of the Lord Jesus who set his face like flint. 00:33:42.160 --> 00:33:45.180 To go to Jerusalem to endure the cross. 00:33:45.180 --> 00:33:50.120 We read of Jesus who didn't just say no greater love as any man than this. 00:33:50.180 --> 00:33:52.380 That he lay down his life for his friends. 00:33:53.500 --> 00:33:56.980 But he lays his life down and is nailed to the cross. 00:33:57.019 --> 00:34:00.420 In order that he dies the most brutal death conceivable. 00:34:01.660 --> 00:34:03.220 And why does he do that? 00:34:03.220 --> 00:34:06.940 So that we don't need to be double minded anymore. 00:34:07.339 --> 00:34:10.599 So that we can be forgiven of our double mindedness. 00:34:11.380 --> 00:34:15.280 Because where we are so double minded he is absolutely single minded. 00:34:16.199 --> 00:34:18.720 And where we got deflected and diverted. 00:34:18.900 --> 00:34:20.400 Where we tripped and where we stumbled. 00:34:20.860 --> 00:34:22.119 Where we gave up. 00:34:23.079 --> 00:34:23.940 He didn't. 00:34:25.240 --> 00:34:29.179 And that in the glorious gospel we get accredited. 00:34:29.500 --> 00:34:32.960 We get given his single mindedness. 00:34:34.179 --> 00:34:37.899 James doesn't really talk about the cross all that much. 00:34:38.759 --> 00:34:41.399 He mentions Jesus in passing. 00:34:41.919 --> 00:34:44.179 But when you get below the surface it's everywhere. 00:34:44.739 --> 00:34:51.319 Because the only answer to our double minded lives is Jesus' single minded life. 00:34:52.179 --> 00:34:53.779 Jesus is absolutely myopic. 00:34:54.919 --> 00:34:59.319 He says my only joy is to do the will of the father who sent me. 00:35:00.579 --> 00:35:03.159 He lived absolute obedience. 00:35:03.219 --> 00:35:07.639 So that we who are disobedient might have hope. 00:35:08.339 --> 00:35:10.599 We're going to pick up the rest next week. 00:35:10.679 --> 00:35:11.759 But let me pray. 00:35:12.799 --> 00:35:14.179 And then we'll... 00:35:14.179 --> 00:35:17.779 Let's pray. 00:35:21.779 --> 00:35:27.960 Throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. 00:35:27.960 --> 00:35:32.500 And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 00:35:32.500 --> 00:35:34.579 Fixing our eyes on Jesus. 00:35:34.579 --> 00:35:36.920 The pioneer and perfecter of our faith. 00:35:36.920 --> 00:35:40.220 Who for the joy set before him. 00:35:40.220 --> 00:35:42.920 He endured the cross. 00:35:43.320 --> 00:35:43.980 Christ, 00:35:43.980 --> 00:35:44.180 Where in Christ, 00:35:44.260 --> 00:35:45.019 ius, 00:35:45.099 --> 00:35:46.659 qualcosa. 00:35:46.880 --> 00:35:52.400 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners. 00:35:52.820 --> 00:35:55.460 So that you will not grow weary and lose heart. 00:35:56.119 --> 00:36:00.320 In your struggle against sin, you have not resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 00:36:00.320 --> 00:36:03.120 strengthen your feeble arms 00:36:03.120 --> 00:36:06.880 and strengthen your weak knees 00:36:06.880 --> 00:36:09.480 Father God we thank you so much 00:36:09.480 --> 00:36:11.260 for your word to us this morning 00:36:11.260 --> 00:36:13.940 Father God I want to pray 00:36:13.940 --> 00:36:15.320 for my friends in this room 00:36:15.320 --> 00:36:17.120 who are going through trials 00:36:17.120 --> 00:36:19.420 Father I want to pray 00:36:19.420 --> 00:36:21.460 that you would give them your wisdom 00:36:21.460 --> 00:36:23.680 Father that this suffering 00:36:23.680 --> 00:36:25.160 would not be wasted 00:36:25.160 --> 00:36:26.700 but in the fullness of time 00:36:26.700 --> 00:36:29.480 perseverance would finish its work 00:36:29.480 --> 00:36:31.820 and they would know maturity of faith 00:36:31.820 --> 00:36:33.260 and completeness in Christ 00:36:33.260 --> 00:36:34.719 not lacking anything 00:36:34.719 --> 00:36:36.539 Father may the testimony 00:36:36.539 --> 00:36:38.420 written over their lives be 00:36:38.420 --> 00:36:40.179 I would never have chosen it 00:36:40.179 --> 00:36:42.079 but now having gone through it 00:36:42.079 --> 00:36:43.960 I wouldn't swap it for anything 00:36:43.960 --> 00:36:46.240 Father God for those of us 00:36:46.240 --> 00:36:48.159 who are experiencing plain sailing 00:36:48.159 --> 00:36:50.000 would we build up strength 00:36:50.000 --> 00:36:51.400 and dependence on you 00:36:51.400 --> 00:36:53.679 when it's easy 00:36:53.679 --> 00:36:55.639 that we might have faith that endures 00:36:55.639 --> 00:36:56.880 when it's tough 00:36:56.880 --> 00:37:00.660 Father in our material lives 00:37:00.660 --> 00:37:02.420 Father would we have 00:37:02.420 --> 00:37:04.300 an undivided focus on you 00:37:04.300 --> 00:37:05.920 and wouldn't get distracted 00:37:05.920 --> 00:37:07.140 by the things of the world 00:37:07.140 --> 00:37:08.820 which are fading away 00:37:08.820 --> 00:37:10.900 and Father God 00:37:10.900 --> 00:37:12.099 would you give us hearts 00:37:12.099 --> 00:37:14.920 that are so inclined to your son 00:37:14.920 --> 00:37:16.500 that he would capture 00:37:16.500 --> 00:37:17.820 our every thought 00:37:17.820 --> 00:37:19.380 that he would captivate 00:37:19.380 --> 00:37:20.519 all of our hearts 00:37:20.519 --> 00:37:21.820 and that we would live 00:37:21.820 --> 00:37:24.640 all of life solely focused on him 00:37:24.639 --> 00:37:26.099 in a way that will make 00:37:26.099 --> 00:37:27.179 a tangible difference 00:37:27.179 --> 00:37:28.019 in our work 00:37:28.019 --> 00:37:28.920 in our spending 00:37:28.920 --> 00:37:30.239 in our recreation 00:37:30.239 --> 00:37:31.679 in our families 00:37:31.679 --> 00:37:32.759 Father God 00:37:32.759 --> 00:37:34.099 we want to be Jesus's 00:37:34.099 --> 00:37:35.460 and Jesus's alone 00:37:35.460 --> 00:37:37.019 and so Lord 00:37:37.019 --> 00:37:37.839 would you come 00:37:37.839 --> 00:37:39.219 and by your spirit 00:37:39.219 --> 00:37:41.179 take our divided hearts 00:37:41.179 --> 00:37:43.219 and make them consistently 00:37:43.219 --> 00:37:44.759 undivided 00:37:44.759 --> 00:37:45.980 with affection 00:37:45.980 --> 00:37:48.079 for the one who loved us 00:37:48.079 --> 00:37:49.980 and gave himself for us 00:37:49.980 --> 00:37:51.099 Father God 00:37:51.099 --> 00:37:52.019 bless our time 00:37:52.019 --> 00:37:53.480 bless our conversation 00:37:53.480 --> 00:37:55.079 after this service 00:37:55.079 --> 00:37:56.360 that we wouldn't be 00:37:56.360 --> 00:37:57.000 double minded 00:37:57.000 --> 00:37:58.820 but we would be 00:37:58.820 --> 00:38:00.099 wholly yours 00:38:00.099 --> 00:38:01.159 and therefore 00:38:01.159 --> 00:38:01.920 holy 00:38:01.920 --> 00:38:03.900 because you are holy 00:38:03.900 --> 00:38:05.179 bless us 00:38:05.179 --> 00:38:06.159 in the name of your son 00:38:06.159 --> 00:38:06.679 we pray 00:38:06.679 --> 00:38:07.599 Amen