WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.540 These Jewish Christians who have fled persecution and are scattered all over the world. 00:00:06.339 --> 00:00:08.060 ! They are no longer living in their homes. 00:00:08.060 --> 00:00:11.700 They've been displaced as strangers and sojourners in foreign lands. 00:00:12.759 --> 00:00:13.640 ! 00:00:13.640 --> 00:00:15.800 In an earthly sense, they have lost everything. 00:00:16.059 --> 00:00:19.640 They've been relocated, separated from family, likely, and friends, livelihood. 00:00:21.120 --> 00:00:22.679 They are looking for work. 00:00:22.820 --> 00:00:24.820 All the issues of displacement. 00:00:24.820 --> 00:00:34.120 But James begins his epistle by explaining to these scattered Christians how they should respond to such difficulties. 00:00:35.600 --> 00:00:37.899 And this leads us to the second point, point number two. 00:00:38.659 --> 00:00:42.320 True believers embrace their trials with all joy. 00:00:43.179 --> 00:00:44.140 So verse two reads, 00:00:44.260 --> 00:00:50.280 Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of various kinds. 00:00:50.280 --> 00:00:57.960 Now the emphasis of verse two is not on trials, but on our response to such trials. 00:00:58.799 --> 00:01:04.540 But before we can really appreciate what James is saying, we have to understand what a trial actually is. 00:01:05.640 --> 00:01:09.620 Some interpret this as both difficulties and as temptations. 00:01:10.359 --> 00:01:12.219 But this is extremely dangerous. 00:01:12.219 --> 00:01:18.219 So the semantic range for the grammar term of this word can allow for temptation. 00:01:18.400 --> 00:01:21.379 In this context, it clearly does not. 00:01:22.239 --> 00:01:25.719 So whether intentional or not, if someone holds this interpretation, 00:01:25.879 --> 00:01:28.920 in other words, if they're saying this could mean temptation as well, 00:01:29.759 --> 00:01:34.099 they would essentially be saying that we need to rejoice over our temptation. 00:01:34.400 --> 00:01:36.019 And I just can't imagine that. 00:01:36.460 --> 00:01:38.019 Oh, I'm angry and I want to kill my brother. 00:01:38.159 --> 00:01:38.599 Rejoice! 00:01:38.599 --> 00:01:41.939 You know, like, that's not what James is saying. 00:01:42.359 --> 00:01:42.439 Right? 00:01:42.519 --> 00:01:43.839 That would be absurd. 00:01:45.219 --> 00:01:48.140 James has in mind difficulties alone. 00:01:49.140 --> 00:01:52.679 So difficulties or trials are various in their kinds, as James states. 00:01:52.819 --> 00:01:58.840 A trial could be a disease, a financial burden, a bad government, a difficult person, a terrible parent, 00:01:59.500 --> 00:02:02.399 a natural disaster, and so on and so on. 00:02:03.560 --> 00:02:04.539 Those are trials. 00:02:04.540 --> 00:02:10.460 Think about Job when he lost his family in a day, his livelihood, his wealth, everything stripped from him. 00:02:11.020 --> 00:02:12.800 Those are trials. 00:02:14.140 --> 00:02:17.740 But James commands an interesting response to such circumstances. 00:02:18.860 --> 00:02:23.420 He tells us we are to respond to difficulties, to trials with all joy. 00:02:24.680 --> 00:02:27.000 In verse 1, James says greetings to his audience. 00:02:27.140 --> 00:02:30.540 And the Greek word here is karein, which literally means rejoice or to rejoice. 00:02:30.539 --> 00:02:35.060 So he's already hinted at what he's going to tell them in verse 2. 00:02:35.139 --> 00:02:39.319 He's going to tell them to rejoice in the midst of their trials. 00:02:41.019 --> 00:02:44.000 And that word consider, he says consider it all joy. 00:02:44.500 --> 00:02:47.500 That word is in the imperative case, meaning it's a command. 00:02:48.159 --> 00:02:49.379 He's not asking them. 00:02:50.439 --> 00:02:51.840 It is a commandment. 00:02:51.879 --> 00:02:57.539 A commandment that has the same authority, weightiness, and importance as obeying any other commandment. 00:02:57.539 --> 00:03:02.139 Now what does all joy mean in this text? 00:03:02.659 --> 00:03:05.319 Am I supposed to smile when tragedy strikes my family? 00:03:05.419 --> 00:03:06.579 Is that what James is saying? 00:03:08.019 --> 00:03:14.599 And the Greek word for all in this text likely carries the idea of intensely rather than exclusively. 00:03:15.560 --> 00:03:19.879 Meaning James is not saying we are only to respond to trials with joy. 00:03:20.280 --> 00:03:22.199 That we can only express joy at trials. 00:03:22.199 --> 00:03:28.359 He's saying that we are to intensely express joy during trials at the very least. 00:03:29.259 --> 00:03:30.439 So what does that look like? 00:03:30.939 --> 00:03:35.659 As I read earlier in Luke's gospel, Christ prayed for the cup to be removed. 00:03:35.759 --> 00:03:38.679 Again, a technical expression referring to the wrath of God. 00:03:38.780 --> 00:03:44.280 He said, let the wrath of God be removed from me so that I might not have to endure it. 00:03:45.419 --> 00:03:49.019 And recall he did so literally sweating drops of blood. 00:03:49.020 --> 00:03:54.620 But this was not a small thing that he was about to endure and he understood that. 00:03:56.160 --> 00:03:58.180 Nonetheless, he did endure the cross. 00:03:58.320 --> 00:04:04.480 And the author of Hebrews gives us an interesting insight into Christ's thinking during that day of days. 00:04:04.580 --> 00:04:06.540 He says in Hebrews 12 verse 2, 00:04:06.539 --> 00:04:27.839 So notice how Jesus did not just have the anticipation of intense joy, but he also despised the shame. 00:04:27.839 --> 00:04:46.439 He did have an intense joy, but nonetheless, because he looked, excuse me, he did have an intense joy, not because he looked forward to the pain, the wrath, or separation from the father, but because of the prize that awaited him, sitting at the right hand of the father with his bride ransomed. 00:04:46.439 --> 00:04:55.839 So I want to suggest, then, that in a scenario where tragedy strikes our family, we are right to mourn the loss, or any trial. 00:04:55.939 --> 00:05:04.600 We are right to mourn the loss, to despise the shame, so to speak, or to react in certain ways that we wouldn't normally associate with joy. 00:05:04.600 --> 00:05:19.620 Even so, alongside those various reactions, we are right to find joy in God in the midst of those moments, taking comfort in the future grace that he has for us in glorification. 00:05:20.400 --> 00:05:21.780 And we'll see more of that in a moment. 00:05:22.420 --> 00:05:33.020 It's good to say now, though, with certainty that joy is not our exclusive response to trials, but it is a mandatory response we are to have by faith. 00:05:33.019 --> 00:05:41.620 Practically, then, we embrace trials by prayer, by fasting, by reading the word of God, and putting our trust in its promises. 00:05:42.500 --> 00:05:51.459 Only in this way is it possible to endure trials with the joy of the Spirit, by walking in the Spirit, as Paul commands us. 00:05:53.519 --> 00:05:57.159 So we are commanded to count trials as all joy, but why? 00:05:57.839 --> 00:06:02.219 On what basis are we able to count trials all joy? 00:06:03.019 --> 00:06:07.500 And this leads to our third point, found in verses 3 through 4. 00:06:08.240 --> 00:06:12.500 Point number 3, we must be useful to God. 00:06:13.779 --> 00:06:14.859 So again, James writes, 00:06:14.979 --> 00:06:19.159 For you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 00:06:20.039 --> 00:06:27.000 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. 00:06:27.000 --> 00:06:37.920 So James tells us we are able to count our trials with all joy because we know that the testing of our faith produces steadfastness. 00:06:37.920 --> 00:06:46.840 And to clarify, James is not talking about faith in the sense of our genuine salvation. 00:06:47.439 --> 00:06:50.120 After all, James is writing to true believers. 00:06:50.700 --> 00:06:55.560 What he is addressing is the perfection of our faith, meaning our sanctification. 00:06:55.560 --> 00:07:03.100 We know that trials test our faith, and God uses trials to grow spiritual maturity in us. 00:07:04.100 --> 00:07:08.480 And I want us all to appreciate the logical consistency of the Bible in this regard. 00:07:09.280 --> 00:07:10.920 Psalm 25, verse 9 says, 00:07:10.920 --> 00:07:16.139 God leads the humble in justice, and he teaches the humble his ways. 00:07:17.579 --> 00:07:24.060 Trials can accomplish a number of things in our lives, but they always, at the very least, humble us. 00:07:25.560 --> 00:07:29.060 Whether you face sickness, the loss of a loved one, financial insecurity, 00:07:29.699 --> 00:07:36.439 all these circumstances remind us that we are not in control, nor are we self-dependent. 00:07:38.019 --> 00:07:43.040 Some of you may know, some of you may not, but when I was seven, I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. 00:07:43.920 --> 00:07:53.579 As a result, I experienced a lot of pain loss, dehydration, a lot of pain, weight loss, constant urge to use the restroom. 00:07:53.579 --> 00:07:59.180 And to combat that, I took medicines that caused sleep issues and depressions, 00:07:59.579 --> 00:08:03.899 and I took those medications in heavier doses than normal for most people, 00:08:04.079 --> 00:08:08.439 and for much longer periods of time than doctors would normally recommend. 00:08:09.740 --> 00:08:15.339 And at age 14, I had my colon removed because I wanted to be rid of this disease. 00:08:15.339 --> 00:08:23.119 And as a result of that, I had an ileostomy bag for almost two years before I was able to return to normalcy. 00:08:24.479 --> 00:08:29.560 My medical history kept me from joining the military, which was my lifelong dream as a kid. 00:08:30.419 --> 00:08:34.919 I had a brother in the Air Force and a brother in the Army, so I was going to be a real man and join the Navy. 00:08:36.699 --> 00:08:39.279 And that's more a joke against my brothers, just to be clear. 00:08:39.279 --> 00:08:45.539 But I'll tell you, as a kid, I was committed to beating colitis. 00:08:45.699 --> 00:08:50.139 I wasn't going to let it keep me down or get in the way of my life. 00:08:50.759 --> 00:08:52.480 I had big plans when I was a teenager. 00:08:53.959 --> 00:08:55.720 Now, I want you all to listen very carefully, though. 00:08:55.759 --> 00:08:59.000 That was my plan, but that is not how it went. 00:08:59.000 --> 00:09:07.500 By the age of 13, I had been considering suicide as a serious option for a few years. 00:09:09.399 --> 00:09:14.279 I was brought very low, and I was beaten down by my disease, my trial. 00:09:15.480 --> 00:09:17.320 And it wasn't just my disease. 00:09:18.899 --> 00:09:25.059 I was questioning God, and I didn't know how a good and holy God could let this happen to me. 00:09:29.000 --> 00:09:33.419 At the same time, I was realizing what a wicked person I was. 00:09:33.620 --> 00:09:36.519 I wasn't saved at the time, but I didn't realize that. 00:09:38.600 --> 00:09:43.799 It was not until my greatest trial of having an ileosomy bag as a freshman in high school 00:09:43.799 --> 00:09:47.940 that I began to seriously explore the Bible in my faith. 00:09:49.320 --> 00:09:54.080 And I knew at this point I wasn't saved, but I didn't know how to get saved. 00:09:54.080 --> 00:10:00.320 For me, it was a matter of just praying the prayer, but I had already tried that, and it just didn't work. 00:10:02.360 --> 00:10:06.060 And I will never forget meditating over the command to love the Lord our God 00:10:06.060 --> 00:10:09.500 with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength, 00:10:09.600 --> 00:10:15.840 and realizing I had never done that obediently in an ounce with a single one of those categories. 00:10:16.780 --> 00:10:18.400 I failed in all of them. 00:10:18.399 --> 00:10:23.379 More importantly, I felt helpless to serve him in any capacity 00:10:23.379 --> 00:10:27.519 because of my physical, spiritual, mental, and emotional state. 00:10:28.740 --> 00:10:31.539 It was a real piece of work, and I knew it. 00:10:33.000 --> 00:10:35.159 But that is when it happened. 00:10:36.139 --> 00:10:40.500 I grew in my understanding of God's grace for undeserving sinners like myself, 00:10:40.500 --> 00:10:45.379 and I had many conversations with my dad about what I was learning and realizing. 00:10:45.379 --> 00:10:50.840 In fact, my dad often turned to James 1, 1 through 4, 00:10:50.919 --> 00:10:55.139 to talk to me about how God uses trials for our good, 00:10:55.840 --> 00:10:58.580 and that we should count it all joy, 00:10:58.700 --> 00:11:03.580 knowing that God is producing a better and more sure and a more fruitful faith. 00:11:05.580 --> 00:11:09.539 And it was at that time that I was convicted of my sin by the Holy Spirit, 00:11:09.720 --> 00:11:12.679 working through the Word, which my dad was faithful to share with me, 00:11:12.679 --> 00:11:16.959 and I repented and placed saving faith in Jesus Christ, 00:11:17.039 --> 00:11:21.679 not by my doing, but by his grace, he began that work in me. 00:11:22.739 --> 00:11:23.719 And don't miss that. 00:11:23.779 --> 00:11:30.739 My very moment of salvation was brought after God had used a trial to humble me, 00:11:31.539 --> 00:11:33.959 a trial that lasted almost a decade. 00:11:34.419 --> 00:11:37.699 I was humbled, and at that time, God taught me. 00:11:37.700 --> 00:11:40.460 He humbled me, which was his grace toward me, 00:11:40.520 --> 00:11:42.740 and then he taught me, which was more grace toward me, 00:11:43.140 --> 00:11:46.780 and then he saved me, which was all the more grace toward me, 00:11:46.800 --> 00:11:48.060 and I could go on and on. 00:11:48.160 --> 00:11:50.940 And I know for many of you it's a similar story. 00:11:52.879 --> 00:11:56.980 He lavishes grace upon those whom he saves, Ephesians 1, 8. 00:11:58.140 --> 00:12:00.940 And I'll tell you, I learned during those years, not perfectly, 00:12:01.180 --> 00:12:05.480 but I learned during those years to count my afflictions as all joy. 00:12:05.480 --> 00:12:09.620 I could tell you stories of how, as a teenager in high school, 00:12:09.779 --> 00:12:11.720 with a colostomy bag keeping me from sleeping, 00:12:12.460 --> 00:12:15.080 that I sang hymns to myself going to bed, 00:12:15.139 --> 00:12:18.700 or how I rushed home from school because I was excited to read my Bible, 00:12:18.860 --> 00:12:21.460 or how I threw things out that distracted me from the Lord 00:12:21.460 --> 00:12:26.420 because I realized the joy to be found in worshiping him and obeying him. 00:12:28.180 --> 00:12:30.300 And yes, I still cried at times. 00:12:30.360 --> 00:12:31.300 I still got frustrated. 00:12:32.519 --> 00:12:34.940 I was still disheartened with my difficulties. 00:12:35.480 --> 00:12:36.060 My trial. 00:12:36.440 --> 00:12:39.580 But I was always able to keep my eyes ahead on the Lord 00:12:39.580 --> 00:12:42.220 because of this passage and others like it, 00:12:43.080 --> 00:12:47.720 because I knew God was transforming me in the midst of that trial. 00:12:49.320 --> 00:12:52.519 Now just imagine the reason for hope that James is giving 00:12:52.519 --> 00:12:56.240 to these dispersed Jewish Christians and their affliction. 00:12:56.240 --> 00:13:00.340 He's not denying the hardship of the difficulty. 00:13:00.340 --> 00:13:03.940 He is not ignoring the severity of their circumstance. 00:13:04.940 --> 00:13:08.100 He is not even telling them to get over it. 00:13:09.139 --> 00:13:16.980 But he does command them to have joy because they know God will accomplish much greater things with them 00:13:16.980 --> 00:13:20.419 through this trial, mainly their sanctification. 00:13:20.419 --> 00:13:23.459 It is a chain effect. 00:13:24.299 --> 00:13:26.519 James says that trials produce steadfastness, 00:13:27.099 --> 00:13:29.079 and steadfastness has its own effect. 00:13:30.039 --> 00:13:33.479 Verse 4, perfection and wholeness take place. 00:13:33.480 --> 00:13:37.120 So it is important to realize here, 00:13:38.120 --> 00:13:42.300 James is not talking about a sinless perfection in this life that we will obtain. 00:13:43.340 --> 00:13:47.560 After all, in James 5, 16, he acknowledges that believers still sin 00:13:47.560 --> 00:13:50.159 and need to seek repentance and forgiveness. 00:13:50.159 --> 00:13:55.879 But he is still talking about true perfection nonetheless. 00:13:57.879 --> 00:14:02.259 Now some interpret this word in light of its usage in the Greek Old Testament, 00:14:02.419 --> 00:14:05.620 which carries the idea of maturity, that it would produce maturity in you. 00:14:06.779 --> 00:14:11.279 They would say then that James is saying trials produce maturity, 00:14:11.399 --> 00:14:12.360 which they certainly do. 00:14:13.159 --> 00:14:16.399 And let me be clear, this is a very viable interpretation. 00:14:16.779 --> 00:14:19.419 There's a lot of merit for this view, and I very well could be wrong. 00:14:20.819 --> 00:14:25.719 Still though, I actually do interpret this as true moral perfection. 00:14:26.319 --> 00:14:29.179 That is how the Greeks use this word in moral philosophy. 00:14:29.339 --> 00:14:32.620 And more significantly, Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount 00:14:32.620 --> 00:14:35.679 taught us to be perfect in the Sermon on the Mount. 00:14:35.799 --> 00:14:37.860 He used the same word in Matthew 5, 48. 00:14:38.000 --> 00:14:43.399 Jesus says, therefore you must be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect. 00:14:43.399 --> 00:14:49.399 So notice for Jesus, being perfect, or the Greek word teleos, 00:14:49.600 --> 00:14:51.980 is equated to God the Father. 00:14:52.659 --> 00:14:54.079 So God is not merely mature. 00:14:54.199 --> 00:14:56.259 He is perfect in every respect. 00:14:56.259 --> 00:14:59.620 And even if you take this word as meaning mature, 00:15:00.080 --> 00:15:02.700 then Jesus is saying be perfectly mature, 00:15:02.700 --> 00:15:05.600 because God is not adequately mature. 00:15:05.740 --> 00:15:07.399 He is perfect in all things. 00:15:07.539 --> 00:15:13.960 Be teleos, be perfect, as your heavenly Father is teleos, perfect. 00:15:13.960 --> 00:15:21.560 So James must have Jesus' teaching in mind from the Sermon on the Mount as he writes this. 00:15:22.400 --> 00:15:23.480 And this is not surprising. 00:15:23.620 --> 00:15:27.340 James' entire epistle is very similar to the Sermon on the Mount. 00:15:27.340 --> 00:15:31.040 In fact, many scholars think it is a commentary on the Sermon on the Mount, 00:15:31.120 --> 00:15:32.660 but I'll geek about that with you later. 00:15:34.320 --> 00:15:36.700 But how is this all going to come together? 00:15:37.560 --> 00:15:40.879 How can James tell believers to repent if they are in sin 00:15:40.879 --> 00:15:42.580 and yet talk about this perfection? 00:15:44.200 --> 00:15:47.139 And again, I think it is true moral perfection that he's talking about, 00:15:47.220 --> 00:15:50.379 but that moral perfection that we'll experience once we die, 00:15:50.379 --> 00:15:54.940 once we are with Christ in heaven or when Christ returns. 00:15:57.340 --> 00:16:01.600 In other words, he's not saying we'll experience this sinless perfection in this life, 00:16:01.700 --> 00:16:05.379 but that we will grow in obedience as a result of trials 00:16:05.379 --> 00:16:09.680 until that work is finished, until we die or Christ returns. 00:16:11.780 --> 00:16:14.540 Now, some of you might hear that and be tempted to think, 00:16:14.660 --> 00:16:15.980 well, that's a rotten deal. 00:16:16.100 --> 00:16:20.320 I suffer through trials in order to learn to be more submissive to another. 00:16:20.320 --> 00:16:21.560 That sounds rough. 00:16:22.860 --> 00:16:26.680 But that is an unbiblical view of obedience, 00:16:26.679 --> 00:16:31.699 an unbiblical view of God's law and what it means to grow in obedience. 00:16:33.579 --> 00:16:37.699 A good biblical perspective on the law and obedience to us as believers 00:16:37.699 --> 00:16:41.319 can be found in Psalm 119, verse 17 through 24. 00:16:41.500 --> 00:16:42.439 The psalmist writes, 00:16:43.819 --> 00:16:48.439 Deal bountifully with your servant that I may live and keep your word. 00:16:49.399 --> 00:16:53.740 Open my eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of your law. 00:16:53.740 --> 00:16:57.120 I am a sojourner on the earth. 00:16:57.700 --> 00:17:00.240 Hide not your commandments from me. 00:17:01.299 --> 00:17:06.120 My soul is consumed with longing for your rules at all times. 00:17:07.599 --> 00:17:11.940 You rebuke the insolent, the cursed ones who wander from your commandments. 00:17:13.279 --> 00:17:15.700 Take away from me scorn and contempt, 00:17:16.240 --> 00:17:18.559 for I have kept your testimonies. 00:17:18.559 --> 00:17:22.000 Even though princes sit plotting against me, 00:17:22.059 --> 00:17:24.619 your servant will meditate on your statutes, 00:17:24.980 --> 00:17:27.659 your testimonies, meaning your laws. 00:17:28.500 --> 00:17:30.679 Your laws are my delight. 00:17:31.500 --> 00:17:32.480 They are my counselors. 00:17:32.480 --> 00:17:39.799 So notice, 00:17:40.660 --> 00:17:43.759 the psalmist views the law as wondrous, delightful, 00:17:43.980 --> 00:17:45.079 as a counselor, 00:17:45.220 --> 00:17:47.920 and the psalmist wants to obey them and to know them. 00:17:49.500 --> 00:17:52.680 This psalmist would embrace trials with all joy 00:17:52.680 --> 00:17:57.099 because he would understand that trials lead to the very thing he's asking God for, 00:17:57.480 --> 00:17:57.980 obedience. 00:17:57.980 --> 00:18:02.079 And going back to that initial question, 00:18:02.180 --> 00:18:05.099 on what basis do we rejoice in the midst of trial? 00:18:06.240 --> 00:18:10.079 I want to add more specifically that we count trials as all joy 00:18:10.079 --> 00:18:12.420 because trials lead to obedience, 00:18:12.640 --> 00:18:16.680 and obeying the Lord is the means by which we enjoy God. 00:18:18.440 --> 00:18:23.120 Here the apostle Peter writing about this to believers being massacred by Emperor Nero. 00:18:23.299 --> 00:18:25.759 So Peter writing to other persecuted Christians. 00:18:25.759 --> 00:18:28.440 He writes in 1 Peter 1, 6-9, 00:18:29.160 --> 00:18:30.740 In this, meaning suffering, 00:18:30.859 --> 00:18:33.299 in suffering you rejoice, 00:18:34.039 --> 00:18:36.319 though now for a little while, if necessary, 00:18:37.000 --> 00:18:39.039 you have been grieved by various trials, 00:18:39.460 --> 00:18:42.539 so that the tested genuineness of your faith, 00:18:43.119 --> 00:18:45.059 more precious than gold that perishes, 00:18:45.220 --> 00:18:46.960 though it is tested by fire, 00:18:48.240 --> 00:18:49.299 may be found, and catch this, 00:18:49.359 --> 00:18:51.000 may be found to result, 00:18:51.000 --> 00:18:52.279 so this trial and this joy, 00:18:52.279 --> 00:18:58.119 they result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 00:19:00.400 --> 00:19:02.940 Though you have not seen him, you love him. 00:19:03.339 --> 00:19:04.660 Though you do not now see him, 00:19:04.740 --> 00:19:09.359 you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 00:19:10.119 --> 00:19:11.940 obtaining the outcome of your faith, 00:19:12.759 --> 00:19:14.759 the salvation of your souls. 00:19:14.759 --> 00:19:18.980 Again, Peter, along with James, 00:19:19.480 --> 00:19:24.220 is saying that our very obedience is the means by which we enjoy God. 00:19:25.039 --> 00:19:29.019 This is the resultant joy of going through a trial. 00:19:29.180 --> 00:19:33.940 It all results in the praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 00:19:33.940 --> 00:19:38.360 So we want to live, then, in a spirit of obedience, 00:19:38.539 --> 00:19:39.820 even in the midst of trials. 00:19:41.120 --> 00:19:45.980 It is our joy knowing that God will use trials to produce fruit in our lives, 00:19:46.019 --> 00:19:48.200 to make us more like him so that we may, 00:19:48.600 --> 00:19:50.480 verse 4, lack nothing. 00:19:52.340 --> 00:19:54.860 God wants us to grow in obedience and lack nothing 00:19:54.860 --> 00:19:57.299 so that we can be useful to him, 00:19:57.360 --> 00:19:58.759 even in this life. 00:19:59.720 --> 00:20:03.120 Again, Peter writes in 2 Peter, chapter 1, verses 3 through 8, 00:20:03.119 --> 00:20:04.359 He says, 00:20:04.359 --> 00:20:08.279 His divine power has granted to us all things 00:20:08.279 --> 00:20:10.639 that pertain to life and godliness 00:20:10.639 --> 00:20:14.979 through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 00:20:15.279 --> 00:20:19.439 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, 00:20:19.899 --> 00:20:24.119 so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, 00:20:24.819 --> 00:20:29.019 having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. 00:20:30.119 --> 00:20:30.859 Verse 5, 00:20:30.859 --> 00:20:33.099 For this very reason, 00:20:34.099 --> 00:20:39.259 make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue or faith with obedience, 00:20:40.139 --> 00:20:43.019 and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, 00:20:43.359 --> 00:20:45.039 and self-control with steadfastness, 00:20:45.099 --> 00:20:46.619 and steadfastness with godliness, 00:20:47.099 --> 00:20:49.519 and godliness with brotherly affection, 00:20:49.799 --> 00:20:52.679 and brotherly affection with love. 00:20:53.240 --> 00:20:54.579 And here's the key verse, verse 8, 00:20:54.579 --> 00:20:57.740 For if these qualities are yours, 00:20:58.039 --> 00:20:58.899 and are increasing, 00:20:59.099 --> 00:20:59.740 and you're growing, 00:20:59.899 --> 00:21:01.399 you're becoming more perfect, 00:21:01.539 --> 00:21:03.619 more whole in these things, 00:21:04.359 --> 00:21:06.879 they keep you from being ineffective 00:21:06.879 --> 00:21:11.419 or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:21:11.420 --> 00:21:15.300 So in application of that third point, 00:21:16.300 --> 00:21:20.100 let us pray that we would be useful to God with the expectation of trials, 00:21:20.240 --> 00:21:21.440 that verse 2 implies. 00:21:21.820 --> 00:21:22.539 They will come. 00:21:22.600 --> 00:21:22.880 He says, 00:21:22.980 --> 00:21:24.160 When trials come. 00:21:25.460 --> 00:21:28.160 And we should desire to walk through them by faith, 00:21:28.880 --> 00:21:31.000 knowing the result. 00:21:31.000 --> 00:21:34.279 In closing, 00:21:34.400 --> 00:21:38.180 I want to offer a few brief applications in light of our scripture this morning. 00:21:39.660 --> 00:21:40.900 Application number one, 00:21:41.980 --> 00:21:44.880 James is not a systematic theology. 00:21:46.240 --> 00:21:47.640 And what I mean by this is, 00:21:47.759 --> 00:21:52.660 we often approach epistles as if they're merely theology of the apostles 00:21:52.660 --> 00:21:56.460 presented in some sort of abstract, systematic, detached way. 00:21:57.420 --> 00:21:58.259 And don't get me wrong, 00:21:58.259 --> 00:22:02.440 the epistles are full of wonderful, rich, deep theological truth 00:22:02.440 --> 00:22:03.819 and reflection and teachings. 00:22:04.900 --> 00:22:07.000 But they are so much more. 00:22:07.420 --> 00:22:10.059 I prefer to think of them as applied theology. 00:22:11.059 --> 00:22:14.099 So notice James is applying his high theology, 00:22:14.220 --> 00:22:16.759 this deep, deep, wonderful theology, 00:22:17.440 --> 00:22:20.859 with great intentionality, firmness, delicacy, love, 00:22:20.960 --> 00:22:23.500 and compassion in the manner of his writing. 00:22:24.379 --> 00:22:24.700 He says, 00:22:24.700 --> 00:22:27.000 Consider it all joy, my brothers. 00:22:27.000 --> 00:22:30.519 He's writing to brothers and sisters in the faith. 00:22:31.880 --> 00:22:34.059 So we too then should show great, 00:22:34.240 --> 00:22:36.420 a great deal of care and concern 00:22:36.420 --> 00:22:39.299 by the way we approach our brothers and sisters 00:22:39.299 --> 00:22:41.740 when they are going through trials. 00:22:42.700 --> 00:22:45.660 It's easy for us to overlook others' trials at times, 00:22:45.720 --> 00:22:48.599 especially if their trial seems small to us. 00:22:49.099 --> 00:22:52.180 Not everything is on the same level as death or cancer 00:22:52.180 --> 00:22:54.579 or some other significant trial that you can think of. 00:22:54.579 --> 00:22:56.639 But nonetheless, 00:22:56.939 --> 00:22:58.859 someone is going through something. 00:22:59.539 --> 00:23:00.119 But nonetheless, 00:23:00.279 --> 00:23:01.460 when someone is going through something 00:23:01.460 --> 00:23:02.799 that we think of as lighter, 00:23:03.460 --> 00:23:06.399 that person is still going through something. 00:23:07.699 --> 00:23:10.259 And that trial may be overwhelming to you, 00:23:10.359 --> 00:23:11.699 to them and not to you, 00:23:11.759 --> 00:23:13.899 because they might not have the faith 00:23:13.899 --> 00:23:16.199 or the theological depth that you have. 00:23:17.460 --> 00:23:20.099 Let's have compassion on that person. 00:23:20.099 --> 00:23:23.299 How easy would it have been for Christ to dismiss 00:23:23.299 --> 00:23:26.480 all of our concerns in light of what he went through, 00:23:26.659 --> 00:23:29.719 and yet he is a high priest who sympathizes 00:23:29.719 --> 00:23:31.519 with our every weakness. 00:23:34.599 --> 00:23:37.240 So let's show love to our brothers and sisters in this way. 00:23:37.559 --> 00:23:38.819 And application number two, 00:23:39.939 --> 00:23:42.259 learn to love God's law. 00:23:42.259 --> 00:23:46.539 How often have we heard preachers in our time 00:23:46.539 --> 00:23:48.099 and in our country talk about the law 00:23:48.099 --> 00:23:50.259 as though it were a bad thing. 00:23:51.559 --> 00:23:52.379 And it's true, 00:23:52.460 --> 00:23:54.140 the law cannot save us. 00:23:54.200 --> 00:23:56.099 Only Christ can save us by grace. 00:23:57.259 --> 00:23:58.160 But even so, 00:23:58.279 --> 00:23:59.980 both the Old and the New Testament 00:23:59.980 --> 00:24:02.180 speak very highly of the law, 00:24:02.740 --> 00:24:03.460 including Paul. 00:24:04.599 --> 00:24:05.940 The writers of the Bible 00:24:05.940 --> 00:24:07.879 unanimously love the law. 00:24:07.960 --> 00:24:08.460 And why? 00:24:08.460 --> 00:24:12.220 Because it reveals the character of God. 00:24:13.819 --> 00:24:14.299 Specifically, 00:24:14.460 --> 00:24:17.200 I'd encourage you to go and read Psalm 119 on your own. 00:24:17.799 --> 00:24:19.240 It's the longest chapter in the Bible, 00:24:19.640 --> 00:24:21.220 and one of its main themes 00:24:21.220 --> 00:24:23.980 is an expression of love for God's law. 00:24:24.620 --> 00:24:25.079 And why? 00:24:25.220 --> 00:24:26.000 Because, again, 00:24:26.360 --> 00:24:28.299 it reveals God. 00:24:28.539 --> 00:24:30.319 It is who he is. 00:24:32.240 --> 00:24:33.480 And this is important, 00:24:33.840 --> 00:24:37.140 because if we do not put on the mind of Christ for the law, 00:24:37.140 --> 00:24:40.720 then we will not be able to endure trials with all joy. 00:24:41.800 --> 00:24:42.700 To do so, 00:24:42.759 --> 00:24:44.900 we have to have that expectation of obedience. 00:24:45.080 --> 00:24:48.759 Our joy has to be in living rightly before God. 00:24:49.660 --> 00:24:51.480 So this is intimately connected 00:24:51.480 --> 00:24:54.440 to embracing trials with all joy. 00:24:56.040 --> 00:24:57.040 Now, before we pray, 00:24:57.080 --> 00:25:00.400 I want to close us with looking at James 1, verse 12. 00:25:01.320 --> 00:25:03.140 I'm going to read it without explanation. 00:25:03.860 --> 00:25:05.080 It will be preached on later, 00:25:05.079 --> 00:25:07.799 but this was James' encouragement 00:25:07.799 --> 00:25:09.960 to his brothers and sisters in the faith. 00:25:11.039 --> 00:25:12.619 And so it still stands as an encouragement 00:25:12.619 --> 00:25:14.319 for every believer of every age 00:25:14.319 --> 00:25:15.960 in the midst of trials. 00:25:16.839 --> 00:25:18.639 So he's writing to these dispersed, 00:25:18.819 --> 00:25:20.859 displaced Jewish Christians, 00:25:20.960 --> 00:25:22.199 these persecuted Christians. 00:25:23.139 --> 00:25:24.139 And he writes, 00:25:24.140 --> 00:25:28.160 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial. 00:25:28.900 --> 00:25:30.800 For when he has stood the test, 00:25:30.960 --> 00:25:32.920 he will receive the crown of life. 00:25:33.000 --> 00:25:35.160 He will receive salvation, 00:25:35.600 --> 00:25:39.120 which God has promised to those who love him. 00:25:40.280 --> 00:25:40.900 Let's pray. 00:25:40.900 --> 00:25:40.900 00:25:40.900 --> 00:25:40.900 00:25:40.900 --> 00:25:40.900 00:25:40.900 --> 00:25:40.900 00:25:40.900 --> 00:25:40.900