WEBVTT 00:00:00.380 --> 00:00:05.360 We are starting a new series, and we're going to do the Bible reading in a few minutes' time. 00:00:05.960 --> 00:00:09.339 We're starting a new preaching series. We're going to be going through the book of James. 00:00:09.880 --> 00:00:14.000 And the book of James is this really interesting little book of the Bible. 00:00:14.160 --> 00:00:15.839 It's right at the back of your Bible. 00:00:16.559 --> 00:00:18.980 And just because it's little doesn't mean it's unimportant. 00:00:19.760 --> 00:00:22.900 The book of James is fascinating for a couple of reasons. 00:00:23.660 --> 00:00:28.140 It's one of the books of the Bible that Christians, most Christians, really enjoy, 00:00:28.140 --> 00:00:30.620 and pastors really struggle with. 00:00:31.480 --> 00:00:32.679 And the reason is this. 00:00:32.980 --> 00:00:36.320 It's so practical and concise. 00:00:36.960 --> 00:00:41.399 And pastors really struggle with this because, you know, we like theological arguments 00:00:41.399 --> 00:00:46.219 and digging into Greek and our ivory tower study stuff. 00:00:46.620 --> 00:00:48.799 And James isn't really interested in any of that. 00:00:49.359 --> 00:00:51.799 He is very practical and to the point. 00:00:52.460 --> 00:00:56.719 One of the most famous sentences in the book of James is found at the end of the first chapter. 00:00:56.719 --> 00:01:01.359 So he says, don't merely listen to God's word and deceive yourself. 00:01:01.780 --> 00:01:02.619 Do what it says. 00:01:03.320 --> 00:01:04.159 Very to the point. 00:01:04.340 --> 00:01:04.980 Very wonderful. 00:01:05.739 --> 00:01:08.579 So the book of James is a great book in that way. 00:01:09.219 --> 00:01:15.140 It's also very interesting because James is the brother of Jesus Christ. 00:01:15.799 --> 00:01:16.500 His younger brother. 00:01:16.840 --> 00:01:18.400 And technically his half-brother. 00:01:18.539 --> 00:01:19.900 He had the same mom, different dad. 00:01:20.439 --> 00:01:22.239 They would have grown up in the same house together. 00:01:22.819 --> 00:01:24.700 Sat at the same dining room table together. 00:01:24.700 --> 00:01:26.600 He would have watched Jesus growing up. 00:01:27.460 --> 00:01:32.980 And what's interesting is James no doubt realized there's something special about Jesus. 00:01:33.439 --> 00:01:36.280 But James didn't believe that Jesus was the Christ. 00:01:37.439 --> 00:01:43.260 And so even when Jesus is an adult, John's gospel tells us that his brothers didn't believe 00:01:43.260 --> 00:01:45.400 what everybody else was saying about Jesus. 00:01:46.520 --> 00:01:49.180 And yet later on, James did come to believe. 00:01:49.180 --> 00:01:56.780 And it's amazing how he writes about, he calls him our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:01:57.340 --> 00:01:59.840 Our glorious Lord Jesus Christ. 00:02:00.000 --> 00:02:06.580 As the result of seeing Christ rising from the dead, James came to believe that Jesus really 00:02:06.580 --> 00:02:07.500 is who he said he was. 00:02:08.819 --> 00:02:11.379 I, by the way, I have this wonderful older brother. 00:02:11.500 --> 00:02:12.159 His name's Simon. 00:02:12.159 --> 00:02:13.919 He's also a pastor. 00:02:14.020 --> 00:02:14.780 He lives in Singapore. 00:02:15.379 --> 00:02:19.460 He's two years older than me and I really look up to him and respect him in many, many 00:02:19.460 --> 00:02:19.840 ways. 00:02:20.500 --> 00:02:22.800 But I've never called him Lord Simon. 00:02:23.240 --> 00:02:26.599 Or the glorious Lord Simon Murphy. 00:02:27.859 --> 00:02:32.500 But James came to see that his brother really was who he claimed to be. 00:02:32.500 --> 00:02:37.300 And so he writes here in the first verse, a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:02:37.300 --> 00:02:40.340 And later on, our glorious Lord Jesus Christ. 00:02:40.880 --> 00:02:46.680 It's wonderful that this man who was once filled with doubts and skepticism, later on 00:02:46.680 --> 00:02:48.200 came to write a book of the Bible. 00:02:49.040 --> 00:02:53.980 And we see that, as we read the book of Acts, we actually see that James came to be the leader 00:02:53.980 --> 00:02:59.080 of the church in Jerusalem, which was one of the biggest churches in the first century. 00:03:00.100 --> 00:03:04.360 In chapter 15 of Acts, he is the chairman of this very important council. 00:03:04.360 --> 00:03:08.220 And so James is this really important figure in the early church. 00:03:08.300 --> 00:03:09.460 He's the brother of Jesus. 00:03:09.660 --> 00:03:11.240 He's the leader of the church in Jerusalem. 00:03:11.620 --> 00:03:13.640 He's one of the key leaders. 00:03:14.420 --> 00:03:20.060 And yet, if you look at verse 1, how he describes himself, he says, James, merely a servant of 00:03:20.060 --> 00:03:22.500 God and a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:03:23.300 --> 00:03:28.160 This man who has this remarkable CV, brother of Jesus, leader of the church, just sees himself 00:03:28.160 --> 00:03:29.740 as this humble servant. 00:03:29.740 --> 00:03:35.040 And then maybe the last thing to say by way of introduction is, who is James writing to? 00:03:35.580 --> 00:03:39.860 Well, he says he's writing to the 12 tribes of the dispersion. 00:03:40.400 --> 00:03:46.420 In the Old Testament, the nation of Israel, God's people, were made up of 12 tribes, 12 clans. 00:03:46.560 --> 00:03:48.860 It was a way of describing God's people. 00:03:49.600 --> 00:03:54.740 And in Acts chapter 8, we see that God's people in Jerusalem, the Christians, encounter persecution 00:03:54.740 --> 00:03:55.740 and difficulty. 00:03:56.780 --> 00:03:58.439 And so they flee out of Jerusalem. 00:03:58.600 --> 00:04:00.960 They go and live all over kind of the Roman Empire. 00:04:01.520 --> 00:04:07.560 But James, who was this pastor in Jerusalem, still carries these men and women on his heart. 00:04:07.980 --> 00:04:10.860 Even though they're no longer part of his church, he loves them. 00:04:11.140 --> 00:04:12.260 He wants to know how they're doing. 00:04:12.700 --> 00:04:15.660 He's concerned about the fact that they're facing these trials. 00:04:15.659 --> 00:04:22.659 And so he writes to these Christian Jews all over the Roman Empire to encourage them, to 00:04:22.659 --> 00:04:24.399 encourage them in their faith. 00:04:25.259 --> 00:04:27.819 This is what the book of James is about. 00:04:27.980 --> 00:04:32.920 It's written by this humble pastor to these Christians that are going through a difficult 00:04:32.920 --> 00:04:39.339 time, who are facing these various trials, to encourage them to keep on going when life 00:04:39.339 --> 00:04:39.879 is hard. 00:04:40.439 --> 00:04:42.939 And so on that note, let's listen to the reading from this morning. 00:04:42.939 --> 00:04:46.899 And Karen is going to come and read James chapter 1, verses 1 to 8. 00:04:47.019 --> 00:04:47.699 Let's listen up. 00:04:49.540 --> 00:04:52.379 Lord, please speak to us from the book of James. 00:04:52.620 --> 00:05:00.740 This is chapter 1, starting in verse 1, we read, James, a servant of God and of the Lord 00:05:00.740 --> 00:05:06.639 Jesus Christ, to the 12 tribes in the dispersion, greetings. 00:05:06.639 --> 00:05:15.699 Count it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know 00:05:15.699 --> 00:05:19.919 that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 00:05:20.560 --> 00:05:27.259 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking 00:05:27.259 --> 00:05:27.959 in nothing. 00:05:27.959 --> 00:05:36.259 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, 00:05:36.479 --> 00:05:37.899 and it will be given him. 00:05:38.319 --> 00:05:41.500 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting. 00:05:41.899 --> 00:05:46.859 For the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 00:05:47.399 --> 00:05:51.759 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord. 00:05:52.240 --> 00:05:56.519 He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. 00:05:56.519 --> 00:05:58.259 This is the word of God. 00:05:59.120 --> 00:06:00.120 Great, thanks, Karen. 00:06:00.519 --> 00:06:03.299 Let me pray for us, and let's ask God to speak to us. 00:06:03.560 --> 00:06:07.259 As Karen prayed, Lord, we want you to speak to us. 00:06:07.799 --> 00:06:10.639 We want to hear your wisdom for real life. 00:06:11.019 --> 00:06:15.759 This week, God, as we go into the great city of Hong Kong, we want our eyes fixed on you, 00:06:15.839 --> 00:06:15.959 God. 00:06:16.000 --> 00:06:17.680 We're going to face various trials. 00:06:17.919 --> 00:06:22.399 Lord, we want to experience and encounter your grace. 00:06:23.379 --> 00:06:25.479 And so, God, won't you encourage us from your word? 00:06:25.480 --> 00:06:28.920 Won't you speak to us from James' words to us? 00:06:28.980 --> 00:06:32.180 May we hear not just James' message, but your word to us today. 00:06:32.780 --> 00:06:34.259 We pray this in your great name. 00:06:34.819 --> 00:06:35.100 Amen. 00:06:36.319 --> 00:06:40.720 Okay, so this passage today, nice and short, is broken up into two sections, 00:06:41.319 --> 00:06:44.480 verses 2 to 4 and verses 5 to 8. 00:06:44.980 --> 00:06:46.640 And the two big ideas are this. 00:06:46.639 --> 00:06:52.259 When life is hard, okay, I know that's not really a full sentence, but when life is hard, 00:06:52.979 --> 00:06:56.500 to seek the wisdom of the gracious God. 00:06:56.860 --> 00:07:00.339 When life is hard, seek the wisdom of the gracious God. 00:07:00.979 --> 00:07:03.279 So let's look at what James says just here. 00:07:03.639 --> 00:07:04.939 Firstly, when life is hard. 00:07:05.379 --> 00:07:11.079 I'm sure you probably don't need too much convincing that life is hard. 00:07:11.079 --> 00:07:12.579 It's testing. 00:07:13.139 --> 00:07:13.959 It's challenging. 00:07:14.759 --> 00:07:24.019 If anyone doubted the reality of that, COVID-19 just reminded us of the reality that life is not always a bed of roses. 00:07:24.819 --> 00:07:29.560 But the danger, of course, is that sometimes we think, oh, COVID was this wild anomaly, 00:07:29.759 --> 00:07:31.860 a once-in-a-century anomaly. 00:07:31.860 --> 00:07:39.120 Now that we got through that, let's just get back to the good old days, and life will continue wonderfully. 00:07:40.240 --> 00:07:48.520 But the reality is that even before COVID, and certainly post-COVID, life is full of trials, full of difficulty, full of challenges. 00:07:49.379 --> 00:07:51.040 And so look at how James says this. 00:07:51.120 --> 00:07:52.139 He says in verse 2, 00:07:52.580 --> 00:08:01.840 James is writing to these Christians, not because he thinks they might be a good one. 00:08:01.860 --> 00:08:06.100 He might possibly, on a bad day, have experienced some trial. 00:08:06.439 --> 00:08:08.100 But because he knows they will. 00:08:08.879 --> 00:08:10.900 He says when you encounter trials. 00:08:11.080 --> 00:08:12.480 Not if that may happen. 00:08:12.580 --> 00:08:12.800 When. 00:08:12.900 --> 00:08:14.100 It's going to happen. 00:08:15.340 --> 00:08:17.199 We are a very young church. 00:08:17.819 --> 00:08:21.780 35% of Watermark is between the age of 20 and 29 years old. 00:08:22.639 --> 00:08:28.040 And let me just say to those of us that are younger in our years, and especially if you're a high schooler, 00:08:28.040 --> 00:08:31.879 the world tells you that the world is your oyster. 00:08:32.620 --> 00:08:35.539 And you can do anything you want, and be anything you want. 00:08:36.139 --> 00:08:40.180 And just look inside yourself, and you can fulfill any dream you want. 00:08:41.039 --> 00:08:43.899 Friends, let me tell you, life is full of challenges. 00:08:44.639 --> 00:08:46.100 It is hard. 00:08:46.100 --> 00:08:50.740 And so let me encourage you, don't believe the Instagram life. 00:08:51.519 --> 00:08:53.240 That is not real life. 00:08:54.060 --> 00:08:56.480 You know, sometimes I meet up with people, and someone will say, 00:08:56.560 --> 00:08:58.159 I'm going through a really difficult time. 00:08:58.659 --> 00:08:59.860 Really, really struggling. 00:09:00.659 --> 00:09:01.600 Life is hard. 00:09:02.460 --> 00:09:04.100 I wake up full of anxiety. 00:09:05.440 --> 00:09:08.320 Sometimes the dark cloud hangs over me. 00:09:08.320 --> 00:09:15.540 And yet, when I see the Instagram account there, in Bali, you know, with a cocktail in their hand and an infinity pool, 00:09:16.100 --> 00:09:17.340 I think life couldn't get better. 00:09:18.220 --> 00:09:20.660 Friends, Instagram is not real life. 00:09:20.760 --> 00:09:21.740 That's called a holiday. 00:09:22.760 --> 00:09:28.320 Real life is the baby not sleeping throughout the entire night, crying all night long. 00:09:28.980 --> 00:09:31.960 Real life is getting a miserable teacher at school. 00:09:32.700 --> 00:09:35.180 Real life is having your girlfriend break up with you. 00:09:35.179 --> 00:09:40.839 Real life is not getting that promotion or having that psycho boss that makes your life difficult. 00:09:41.839 --> 00:09:46.379 Real life is getting cancer or moving to another country that you don't want to move to. 00:09:47.699 --> 00:09:49.419 Life is full of disappointments. 00:09:50.259 --> 00:09:53.279 And a hundred times a day, we're told in our culture and our society, 00:09:53.879 --> 00:09:56.799 that just look within yourself to be what you want to be. 00:09:57.299 --> 00:09:58.019 Fulfill your dreams. 00:09:58.120 --> 00:09:59.099 Do whatever you want. 00:09:59.859 --> 00:10:00.859 Friends, don't believe it. 00:10:00.939 --> 00:10:02.299 Life is full of trials. 00:10:02.759 --> 00:10:03.679 Various trials. 00:10:03.679 --> 00:10:13.439 And when these trials come, James wants to tell us that the Christian worldview tells us not merely to respond just passively, 00:10:14.219 --> 00:10:20.339 not to respond emotionally, but to think about it, to engage with it. 00:10:20.959 --> 00:10:21.899 Look at what he says here. 00:10:22.000 --> 00:10:27.759 He says, count it all joy or consider it all joy when you face these trials. 00:10:27.759 --> 00:10:32.799 Now, James is not saying, you just lost your job. 00:10:33.100 --> 00:10:34.759 Your wife's about to give birth to twins. 00:10:34.879 --> 00:10:36.000 Your cell phone just broke. 00:10:36.419 --> 00:10:36.819 Yeah! 00:10:37.259 --> 00:10:37.939 What a joy! 00:10:39.039 --> 00:10:40.080 Life couldn't get better. 00:10:40.220 --> 00:10:41.460 No, no, he's not saying that. 00:10:42.080 --> 00:10:46.980 He's not saying, enjoy the trials, or look forward to suffering, 00:10:46.980 --> 00:10:53.680 or make, you know, cause the person in your CG to suffer, because that's a good thing. 00:10:54.899 --> 00:11:02.200 He's saying, rather than responding emotionally or stoically, engage with it. 00:11:02.879 --> 00:11:03.800 Think about it. 00:11:04.800 --> 00:11:05.600 Consider it. 00:11:06.680 --> 00:11:11.379 Consider how God might want to use this trial in your life for your good. 00:11:11.379 --> 00:11:16.419 You see, what do we tend to do when life is hard? 00:11:17.340 --> 00:11:20.000 One of the temptations is, as I said, to respond emotionally. 00:11:20.200 --> 00:11:22.179 We can say, God, why is this happening to me? 00:11:22.899 --> 00:11:24.080 How can you let this happen? 00:11:24.799 --> 00:11:26.039 I don't deserve this. 00:11:26.759 --> 00:11:27.539 Woe is me! 00:11:28.879 --> 00:11:31.240 Or, we can respond stoically. 00:11:31.240 --> 00:11:36.940 We can disengage and numb ourselves through escapist behavior. 00:11:37.639 --> 00:11:40.580 We can binge on Netflix, or binge on social media, 00:11:40.580 --> 00:11:41.980 or food, 00:11:42.680 --> 00:11:44.759 or work out at the gym twice as hard, 00:11:45.160 --> 00:11:46.920 or dial into our work, 00:11:47.500 --> 00:11:49.200 as a way of escaping the reality, 00:11:49.440 --> 00:11:51.660 and the pain, and the difficulty of life. 00:11:52.940 --> 00:11:54.180 But James says something else here. 00:11:54.259 --> 00:11:57.080 He says, no, no, make a deliberate and a conscious decision. 00:11:57.080 --> 00:11:58.780 Not to feel sorry for yourself. 00:11:59.540 --> 00:12:03.040 Not to just seek the comfort in Netflix or social media. 00:12:03.220 --> 00:12:07.360 But actually, engage with the God who is allowing this to come your way. 00:12:07.360 --> 00:12:13.080 And seek the comfort and the joy that God will bring as He works in you and through you in this trial. 00:12:14.139 --> 00:12:19.500 This week, I was listening to a podcast of somebody that I really look up to and respect. 00:12:20.279 --> 00:12:25.259 And he was talking about the fact that 10 years ago, he was diagnosed with cancer. 00:12:25.259 --> 00:12:30.659 And at the same time, his wife went through major, major health trials. 00:12:30.799 --> 00:12:31.559 Many surgeries. 00:12:32.299 --> 00:12:36.799 And for a couple of years, both husband and wife were battling these major trials. 00:12:37.620 --> 00:12:39.480 He is a pastor, or was a pastor. 00:12:40.019 --> 00:12:43.899 And at the same time as all this was going on, there were difficulties at his church. 00:12:44.460 --> 00:12:45.600 There was a bit of division. 00:12:45.919 --> 00:12:47.639 The staff weren't quite aligned. 00:12:47.639 --> 00:12:52.379 And he said, for about three years, he really wondered, God, I don't know if I can do this anymore. 00:12:52.899 --> 00:12:54.500 Maybe I need to find another job. 00:12:54.960 --> 00:12:56.259 I'm not cut out for this. 00:12:57.379 --> 00:13:01.840 And yet, he said, I learned some things about God, and I learned some things about myself. 00:13:01.980 --> 00:13:04.799 And in that period, I learned how to pray. 00:13:05.879 --> 00:13:07.699 And then at the end of the interview, he says this. 00:13:07.779 --> 00:13:11.899 He says, as hard as that time was, it was completely worth it. 00:13:12.460 --> 00:13:13.740 I wouldn't change it for anything. 00:13:13.740 --> 00:13:18.440 I was diagnosed with cancer, my wife going through trials, work difficulty. 00:13:18.860 --> 00:13:20.259 I wouldn't change it for anything. 00:13:20.860 --> 00:13:22.700 Because I discovered some things about God. 00:13:23.720 --> 00:13:27.100 Friends, when God brings trials and challenges, and they'll come, 00:13:28.240 --> 00:13:30.200 don't run away from it. 00:13:30.320 --> 00:13:31.620 Don't feel sorry for yourself. 00:13:32.620 --> 00:13:36.200 Engage the God who wants to do something in you and through you. 00:13:37.240 --> 00:13:39.919 Seek out the good that God wants to do in your life. 00:13:40.259 --> 00:13:41.740 And that's what he says in verse 3. 00:13:41.740 --> 00:13:44.379 Now here, James has a very specific outcome. 00:13:44.480 --> 00:13:45.299 Look what he says here. 00:13:45.419 --> 00:13:45.680 He says, 00:13:46.120 --> 00:13:49.680 Count it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you meet trials of various kinds. 00:13:50.440 --> 00:13:55.600 For you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness, 00:13:56.379 --> 00:13:59.620 resoluteness, endurance, stamina to keep going. 00:14:01.779 --> 00:14:04.440 And let steadfastness have its full effect, 00:14:04.779 --> 00:14:08.700 that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. 00:14:08.700 --> 00:14:14.600 So James tells us that when, not if, trials and difficulty come our way, 00:14:15.560 --> 00:14:18.700 when life is hard, we have a choice how to respond. 00:14:19.420 --> 00:14:22.160 We can either get bitter and defensive. 00:14:22.800 --> 00:14:24.759 We can feel sorry for ourselves and ask, 00:14:24.920 --> 00:14:25.640 Why me, Lord? 00:14:26.400 --> 00:14:27.360 We can get angry. 00:14:27.920 --> 00:14:29.180 We can blame others. 00:14:29.980 --> 00:14:31.680 We can retreat into a cocoon. 00:14:32.340 --> 00:14:34.220 We can engage in escapist behavior. 00:14:34.220 --> 00:14:38.320 But all of those will short circuit the process, 00:14:38.580 --> 00:14:40.560 the work that God wants to do in your life. 00:14:41.120 --> 00:14:44.080 To shape you and mature you and grow you 00:14:44.080 --> 00:14:46.399 to the kind of person that he wants you to become. 00:14:47.100 --> 00:14:49.399 To develop a steadfastness, 00:14:49.899 --> 00:14:50.500 a resilience, 00:14:51.320 --> 00:14:52.060 an endurance, 00:14:52.680 --> 00:14:56.060 that is necessary to become a mature and wise person. 00:14:56.979 --> 00:14:57.519 And so he says, 00:14:57.959 --> 00:15:00.459 Let steadfastness have its effect in you. 00:15:00.759 --> 00:15:02.559 Let it do its work in you. 00:15:03.119 --> 00:15:05.500 Don't bail out and short circuit the process. 00:15:06.219 --> 00:15:09.500 Let it do its work in you to make you a wise and mature person. 00:15:11.199 --> 00:15:13.219 Friends, God tells us that often, 00:15:13.399 --> 00:15:16.679 one of the only ways that we grow up and mature in life 00:15:16.679 --> 00:15:19.199 is by going through and engaging 00:15:19.199 --> 00:15:22.199 with the difficulties and the trials that he brings. 00:15:22.200 --> 00:15:24.000 And so that's why he says, 00:15:24.360 --> 00:15:25.280 Submit to the process. 00:15:25.580 --> 00:15:26.240 Yield yourself. 00:15:26.420 --> 00:15:27.980 Let God do his work in you. 00:15:28.920 --> 00:15:30.860 Kind of like when you go to a physio. 00:15:30.960 --> 00:15:32.879 I don't know how many physios we have in Watermark. 00:15:33.000 --> 00:15:35.020 I know Mandy, one or two. 00:15:35.500 --> 00:15:36.680 But when you go to a physio, 00:15:37.200 --> 00:15:39.320 sometimes you're lying there and you're feeling like, 00:15:39.740 --> 00:15:41.160 What on earth have I done? 00:15:41.640 --> 00:15:44.720 Why am I letting this person abuse me? 00:15:45.020 --> 00:15:46.379 And you cringe and you think, 00:15:46.620 --> 00:15:48.460 How much longer can this take, right? 00:15:48.480 --> 00:15:49.060 It's painful. 00:15:49.059 --> 00:15:55.279 But as you submit to the physio's strength and work, 00:15:55.500 --> 00:15:56.359 what are they doing? 00:15:57.139 --> 00:16:01.079 They're bringing an element of healing and health 00:16:01.079 --> 00:16:04.399 to an area of weakness or insufficiency in your body. 00:16:05.059 --> 00:16:09.579 As you submit to the painful process of them working on you, 00:16:10.139 --> 00:16:12.759 actually healing and growth comes. 00:16:13.679 --> 00:16:14.839 Friends, that's what God says here. 00:16:14.899 --> 00:16:15.079 He says, 00:16:15.079 --> 00:16:17.919 Don't resist God's physio work in your life. 00:16:17.919 --> 00:16:20.099 When trials and difficulty come, 00:16:20.500 --> 00:16:21.419 don't play the victim. 00:16:21.779 --> 00:16:22.179 Don't say, 00:16:22.339 --> 00:16:23.079 Why me, God? 00:16:23.719 --> 00:16:25.079 Don't run away and avoid it. 00:16:25.199 --> 00:16:26.779 Submit yourself to his work 00:16:26.779 --> 00:16:29.620 and let him grow you through the process. 00:16:30.379 --> 00:16:32.439 When life is hard, 00:16:33.159 --> 00:16:34.879 engage with God's process. 00:16:36.379 --> 00:16:39.240 Now, all that I think is good and true. 00:16:39.659 --> 00:16:41.659 And I think that's why it's in God's word. 00:16:42.299 --> 00:16:43.919 But there are two problems with this. 00:16:43.919 --> 00:16:46.479 I don't know if you experience any problems with this. 00:16:46.539 --> 00:16:48.000 I find two problems with this. 00:16:48.579 --> 00:16:49.479 The first one is, 00:16:49.819 --> 00:16:51.659 it can sound very much like, 00:16:52.099 --> 00:16:54.339 When life is hard, keep calm and carry on. 00:16:54.860 --> 00:16:55.000 Right? 00:16:55.419 --> 00:16:57.839 Or it can sound like, 00:16:57.919 --> 00:16:59.679 What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. 00:17:01.120 --> 00:17:02.539 And if that's the case, 00:17:03.159 --> 00:17:06.920 then where does Jesus Christ come to this? 00:17:07.840 --> 00:17:09.580 What's the point of a Christian worldview? 00:17:09.779 --> 00:17:11.360 Why not just be secular and say, 00:17:11.640 --> 00:17:12.740 Keep calm and carry on. 00:17:13.180 --> 00:17:14.960 What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger. 00:17:16.000 --> 00:17:18.259 The other problem I have with what James says here 00:17:18.259 --> 00:17:20.800 is that when we go through these trials, 00:17:21.000 --> 00:17:22.480 one of the challenges is, 00:17:23.200 --> 00:17:23.560 you can, 00:17:24.840 --> 00:17:26.519 it can be really hard to process. 00:17:27.100 --> 00:17:28.000 It can be confusing. 00:17:28.240 --> 00:17:30.360 You can feel like you're lost in a mist 00:17:30.359 --> 00:17:32.599 and you don't know the way out. 00:17:33.279 --> 00:17:35.599 Sometimes the very problem that trials bring 00:17:35.599 --> 00:17:37.240 is that you can't think straight. 00:17:38.179 --> 00:17:39.679 I actually had this recently. 00:17:39.899 --> 00:17:40.119 I was, 00:17:40.799 --> 00:17:41.459 not too long ago, 00:17:41.479 --> 00:17:42.619 I was going through a difficult time. 00:17:43.359 --> 00:17:45.159 Weighed really heavily on my heart. 00:17:46.240 --> 00:17:46.899 I was a bit, 00:17:47.159 --> 00:17:48.819 I felt like I was in a bit of a slump, 00:17:48.959 --> 00:17:50.740 both emotionally and even spiritually. 00:17:51.699 --> 00:17:53.539 And I didn't know how to handle it. 00:17:53.539 --> 00:17:55.799 But part of what was so confusing 00:17:55.799 --> 00:17:58.500 was that I felt so guilty about it. 00:17:58.980 --> 00:18:00.200 I felt so confused about it. 00:18:00.259 --> 00:18:00.519 I felt, 00:18:01.019 --> 00:18:01.119 God, 00:18:01.159 --> 00:18:01.759 I'm a pastor. 00:18:01.960 --> 00:18:03.220 I'm not meant to feel like this. 00:18:03.799 --> 00:18:05.879 I'm meant to give my own heart wise counsel. 00:18:06.480 --> 00:18:07.920 I'm meant to quote some Bible verse. 00:18:08.480 --> 00:18:08.619 God, 00:18:08.700 --> 00:18:09.899 I shouldn't feel like this. 00:18:10.759 --> 00:18:12.619 And I felt confused about the fact 00:18:12.619 --> 00:18:14.720 that I wasn't in a great space. 00:18:15.559 --> 00:18:17.299 And so there was kind of this double confusion. 00:18:17.859 --> 00:18:19.859 Not only was I unsure about 00:18:19.859 --> 00:18:21.339 what was going on in my life, 00:18:21.379 --> 00:18:21.879 in my heart, 00:18:21.880 --> 00:18:23.560 I then felt guilty and confused 00:18:23.560 --> 00:18:24.540 about the situation. 00:18:25.500 --> 00:18:27.680 I wonder if you can relate to that. 00:18:28.760 --> 00:18:29.880 And so how do we handle it? 00:18:30.540 --> 00:18:32.060 Where do we find the tools, 00:18:32.240 --> 00:18:32.840 the wisdom, 00:18:33.460 --> 00:18:36.240 to navigate the trials 00:18:36.240 --> 00:18:37.840 and the challenges that we face? 00:18:39.180 --> 00:18:39.760 And once again, 00:18:39.860 --> 00:18:41.100 this is where James' wisdom 00:18:41.100 --> 00:18:43.020 is so different from modern culture. 00:18:43.880 --> 00:18:44.140 You see, 00:18:44.260 --> 00:18:45.260 modern culture says, 00:18:45.600 --> 00:18:46.760 just be true to yourself. 00:18:47.480 --> 00:18:48.880 Just look inside your heart 00:18:48.880 --> 00:18:51.460 and do what you feel is good. 00:18:51.460 --> 00:18:51.960 All right. 00:18:52.819 --> 00:18:54.279 One culture tells us to 00:18:54.279 --> 00:18:56.460 just be true to your own desires. 00:18:57.220 --> 00:18:58.460 But that seems to me 00:18:58.460 --> 00:19:00.059 to be no less confusing 00:19:00.059 --> 00:19:01.940 than just keep calm and carry on. 00:19:02.480 --> 00:19:04.039 That doesn't seem to really help 00:19:04.039 --> 00:19:05.799 in the trials and the difficulty. 00:19:06.900 --> 00:19:07.340 Friends, 00:19:07.400 --> 00:19:08.039 when you're lost, 00:19:08.140 --> 00:19:09.000 what do you need? 00:19:09.660 --> 00:19:10.519 You need somebody 00:19:10.519 --> 00:19:11.759 who knows the way 00:19:11.759 --> 00:19:12.960 that can lead you out. 00:19:13.039 --> 00:19:13.720 You need somebody 00:19:13.720 --> 00:19:14.880 who knows 00:19:14.880 --> 00:19:15.960 how to get you 00:19:15.960 --> 00:19:16.740 where you need to be. 00:19:17.539 --> 00:19:18.460 When you're lost, 00:19:18.539 --> 00:19:19.200 you need more 00:19:19.200 --> 00:19:20.240 than just keep calm 00:19:20.240 --> 00:19:21.019 and carry on. 00:19:21.779 --> 00:19:22.460 You need more 00:19:22.460 --> 00:19:23.700 than just what doesn't kill you 00:19:23.700 --> 00:19:24.539 makes you stronger. 00:19:24.960 --> 00:19:25.960 You need the wisdom 00:19:25.960 --> 00:19:26.559 of somebody 00:19:26.559 --> 00:19:27.860 who knows how to guide you 00:19:27.860 --> 00:19:29.200 out of the confusion 00:19:29.200 --> 00:19:31.380 into clarity. 00:19:33.660 --> 00:19:34.840 James says that 00:19:34.840 --> 00:19:35.960 in the trials 00:19:35.960 --> 00:19:37.279 and the difficulties of life, 00:19:37.340 --> 00:19:37.860 and particularly 00:19:37.860 --> 00:19:38.819 when you feel lost 00:19:38.819 --> 00:19:39.600 and confused 00:19:39.600 --> 00:19:40.140 and not sure 00:19:40.140 --> 00:19:40.940 which way to go, 00:19:41.700 --> 00:19:42.620 look at what we should do. 00:19:42.680 --> 00:19:43.779 Look at verse five. 00:19:44.620 --> 00:19:45.279 Verse five, 00:19:45.279 --> 00:19:46.980 if any of you lacks wisdom, 00:19:47.519 --> 00:19:49.420 let him ask God 00:19:49.420 --> 00:19:51.799 and it will be given to him. 00:19:53.460 --> 00:19:53.960 Friends, 00:19:54.000 --> 00:19:55.220 are you in a difficult season 00:19:55.220 --> 00:19:55.799 at the moment? 00:19:56.839 --> 00:19:58.819 Are you lost, 00:19:59.039 --> 00:19:59.599 confused? 00:20:00.299 --> 00:20:01.859 Are you facing some trial 00:20:01.859 --> 00:20:03.379 that is overwhelming? 00:20:04.539 --> 00:20:06.119 What are you turning to 00:20:06.119 --> 00:20:06.819 in this season? 00:20:07.960 --> 00:20:09.539 Who are you turning to 00:20:09.539 --> 00:20:10.319 in this season? 00:20:10.319 --> 00:20:13.419 If any of you lacks wisdom, 00:20:14.099 --> 00:20:15.599 let him ask God. 00:20:16.700 --> 00:20:17.819 But what does that 00:20:17.819 --> 00:20:18.500 actually mean? 00:20:18.619 --> 00:20:18.779 I mean, 00:20:18.799 --> 00:20:19.379 does that mean 00:20:19.379 --> 00:20:20.000 God, 00:20:20.059 --> 00:20:21.119 I've got this deal 00:20:21.119 --> 00:20:21.819 on the table, 00:20:22.099 --> 00:20:22.740 I don't know 00:20:22.740 --> 00:20:23.379 which way to go. 00:20:23.480 --> 00:20:24.159 Go option A 00:20:24.159 --> 00:20:24.799 or option B. 00:20:24.899 --> 00:20:25.099 God, 00:20:25.200 --> 00:20:25.960 give me your answer. 00:20:26.619 --> 00:20:26.939 And God, 00:20:27.039 --> 00:20:27.179 you know, 00:20:27.240 --> 00:20:28.700 the option B 00:20:28.700 --> 00:20:29.659 just kind of highlights 00:20:29.659 --> 00:20:30.359 on the screen, 00:20:30.500 --> 00:20:30.779 right? 00:20:31.240 --> 00:20:31.899 Or maybe, 00:20:32.460 --> 00:20:32.659 God, 00:20:32.720 --> 00:20:33.500 I've got a university 00:20:33.500 --> 00:20:33.980 to choose. 00:20:34.079 --> 00:20:35.099 Should I go to HKU 00:20:35.099 --> 00:20:36.179 or CUHK? 00:20:36.819 --> 00:20:37.839 And suddenly, 00:20:37.939 --> 00:20:38.759 an angel appears 00:20:38.759 --> 00:20:39.819 at the end of your bed 00:20:39.819 --> 00:20:40.139 and says, 00:20:40.240 --> 00:20:41.220 go HKU. 00:20:41.799 --> 00:20:42.700 Is that what he means? 00:20:42.759 --> 00:20:42.899 You know, 00:20:42.939 --> 00:20:43.899 if anyone lacks wisdom, 00:20:44.000 --> 00:20:44.500 ask God 00:20:44.500 --> 00:20:45.619 and God will give it to you. 00:20:46.500 --> 00:20:46.859 Well, 00:20:46.879 --> 00:20:47.779 I don't think that's the way 00:20:47.779 --> 00:20:48.500 that God works. 00:20:48.599 --> 00:20:49.559 Certainly not in my life. 00:20:49.619 --> 00:20:50.279 I don't know if any of you 00:20:50.279 --> 00:20:51.419 have had that. 00:20:52.000 --> 00:20:53.500 Sometimes God speaks directly. 00:20:53.960 --> 00:20:54.859 We mentioned this earlier 00:20:54.859 --> 00:20:55.879 a few weeks ago. 00:20:55.960 --> 00:20:57.059 God can speak in dreams. 00:20:57.519 --> 00:20:58.679 He can speak a hundred ways. 00:20:59.359 --> 00:21:01.259 But seldom is God's answer, 00:21:01.619 --> 00:21:02.720 seldom is God's wisdom 00:21:02.720 --> 00:21:06.000 just a direct piece of information. 00:21:06.279 --> 00:21:06.779 Do A, 00:21:06.779 --> 00:21:07.419 not B. 00:21:08.319 --> 00:21:08.639 In fact, 00:21:08.640 --> 00:21:09.240 in the Bible, 00:21:09.560 --> 00:21:10.840 wisdom is not just 00:21:10.840 --> 00:21:12.320 knowledge or information. 00:21:12.960 --> 00:21:13.480 It's something 00:21:13.480 --> 00:21:14.259 altogether different. 00:21:14.400 --> 00:21:15.200 In the Bible, 00:21:16.600 --> 00:21:17.880 wisdom is not simply 00:21:17.880 --> 00:21:20.380 having the intellectual smarts, 00:21:20.759 --> 00:21:22.000 having street knowledge, 00:21:22.640 --> 00:21:23.520 or being savvy. 00:21:24.700 --> 00:21:26.200 Wisdom is a character trait 00:21:26.200 --> 00:21:27.120 that has developed 00:21:27.120 --> 00:21:28.580 or grown within you 00:21:28.580 --> 00:21:29.560 as a result of 00:21:29.560 --> 00:21:30.620 walking with God, 00:21:31.340 --> 00:21:32.560 thinking carefully 00:21:32.560 --> 00:21:33.640 about His will 00:21:33.640 --> 00:21:34.620 and His ways. 00:21:34.619 --> 00:21:38.599 Wisdom is a character trait 00:21:38.599 --> 00:21:39.379 that's developed 00:21:39.379 --> 00:21:40.579 or grown within you 00:21:40.579 --> 00:21:41.799 over a period of time 00:21:41.799 --> 00:21:43.739 after thinking carefully 00:21:43.739 --> 00:21:44.399 about God 00:21:44.399 --> 00:21:45.159 and His will 00:21:45.159 --> 00:21:46.479 and His ways. 00:21:47.259 --> 00:21:48.379 If you've got a Bible, 00:21:48.559 --> 00:21:49.779 flip over the page 00:21:49.779 --> 00:21:50.939 to James chapter 3 00:21:50.939 --> 00:21:51.399 with me. 00:21:51.459 --> 00:21:52.079 I want to show you. 00:21:52.739 --> 00:21:53.739 Look at how James 00:21:53.739 --> 00:21:54.599 thinks about wisdom. 00:21:54.759 --> 00:21:56.159 Look at verse 13. 00:21:57.439 --> 00:21:57.939 James says, 00:21:57.940 --> 00:21:58.860 Who is wise 00:21:58.860 --> 00:21:59.600 and understanding 00:21:59.600 --> 00:22:00.259 amongst you? 00:22:01.019 --> 00:22:01.960 By His good conduct, 00:22:02.059 --> 00:22:03.400 let Him show His works 00:22:03.400 --> 00:22:04.480 in the meekness of wisdom. 00:22:04.539 --> 00:22:04.940 In other words, 00:22:05.320 --> 00:22:06.180 let Him show 00:22:06.180 --> 00:22:07.779 what wisdom looks like. 00:22:07.840 --> 00:22:09.019 Let Him show the fruit of it. 00:22:09.500 --> 00:22:10.180 Verse 14. 00:22:10.860 --> 00:22:11.759 Because if you have 00:22:11.759 --> 00:22:12.620 bitter jealousy 00:22:12.620 --> 00:22:13.720 and selfish ambition 00:22:13.720 --> 00:22:14.480 in your hearts, 00:22:14.960 --> 00:22:16.500 do not boast about this. 00:22:17.059 --> 00:22:18.240 This is not the wisdom 00:22:18.240 --> 00:22:19.380 that comes from above. 00:22:19.820 --> 00:22:21.080 No, this is earthly wisdom. 00:22:21.180 --> 00:22:22.279 This is unspiritual, 00:22:22.420 --> 00:22:23.420 even demonic. 00:22:24.279 --> 00:22:25.100 For where jealousy 00:22:25.100 --> 00:22:26.580 and selfish ambition exist, 00:22:26.980 --> 00:22:27.980 there will be disorder 00:22:27.980 --> 00:22:28.940 and all sorts 00:22:28.940 --> 00:22:29.880 of vile practices. 00:22:30.940 --> 00:22:31.580 But the wisdom 00:22:31.580 --> 00:22:32.800 that comes from above, 00:22:33.400 --> 00:22:34.259 the wisdom that you need 00:22:34.259 --> 00:22:35.400 in trials and challenges, 00:22:36.160 --> 00:22:37.039 though this is different. 00:22:37.600 --> 00:22:38.500 The wisdom from above 00:22:38.500 --> 00:22:39.460 is pure. 00:22:40.140 --> 00:22:41.000 It's peaceable. 00:22:41.640 --> 00:22:42.539 It's gentle. 00:22:42.700 --> 00:22:43.680 It's open to reason. 00:22:44.240 --> 00:22:45.180 It's full of mercy 00:22:45.180 --> 00:22:45.900 and good fruits. 00:22:45.900 --> 00:22:46.880 It's impartial. 00:22:47.340 --> 00:22:48.620 It's sincere. 00:22:49.460 --> 00:22:50.340 And a harvest 00:22:50.340 --> 00:22:51.380 of righteousness 00:22:51.380 --> 00:22:52.539 is produced. 00:22:53.420 --> 00:22:55.320 Friends, 00:22:55.440 --> 00:22:56.740 James is telling us here 00:22:56.740 --> 00:22:58.140 that he's saying 00:22:58.140 --> 00:22:59.100 when you go through 00:22:59.100 --> 00:23:00.140 trials and difficulties, 00:23:00.140 --> 00:23:01.300 we need a wisdom 00:23:01.300 --> 00:23:02.400 that's going to guide us. 00:23:03.060 --> 00:23:03.800 But it's a unique 00:23:03.800 --> 00:23:04.519 kind of wisdom. 00:23:04.640 --> 00:23:05.759 It's not just the wisdom 00:23:05.759 --> 00:23:06.680 that's going to help you 00:23:06.680 --> 00:23:07.700 get ahead in life. 00:23:08.400 --> 00:23:09.560 It's not just the kind 00:23:09.560 --> 00:23:10.300 of wisdom that 00:23:10.300 --> 00:23:11.279 is going to make you 00:23:11.279 --> 00:23:12.300 look after yourself 00:23:12.300 --> 00:23:13.759 or progress your career. 00:23:14.800 --> 00:23:16.100 There are many people 00:23:16.100 --> 00:23:17.460 that are very smart, 00:23:17.640 --> 00:23:18.460 very savvy, 00:23:19.340 --> 00:23:20.820 very streetwise, 00:23:20.920 --> 00:23:21.960 that know how to get ahead 00:23:21.960 --> 00:23:22.620 in their careers, 00:23:22.619 --> 00:23:23.619 know how to look 00:23:23.619 --> 00:23:24.459 after themselves, 00:23:25.059 --> 00:23:26.679 know how to look 00:23:26.679 --> 00:23:27.579 after themselves. 00:23:28.119 --> 00:23:29.599 But what's the consequence 00:23:29.599 --> 00:23:30.639 of that kind of wisdom, 00:23:30.739 --> 00:23:31.799 that kind of street smart? 00:23:32.779 --> 00:23:33.559 It's often broken 00:23:33.559 --> 00:23:34.519 relationships, right? 00:23:35.459 --> 00:23:36.359 It's people walking 00:23:36.359 --> 00:23:37.179 over one another. 00:23:37.899 --> 00:23:38.599 It's a trail 00:23:38.599 --> 00:23:39.239 of destruction. 00:23:39.399 --> 00:23:40.759 It's what James calls here 00:23:40.759 --> 00:23:42.279 selfish ambition 00:23:42.279 --> 00:23:43.019 and jealousy, 00:23:43.919 --> 00:23:44.579 brokenness. 00:23:46.019 --> 00:23:46.500 James says 00:23:46.500 --> 00:23:47.539 that's not the kind 00:23:47.539 --> 00:23:48.619 of wisdom we need 00:23:48.619 --> 00:23:49.919 when life is hard. 00:23:49.920 --> 00:23:51.900 there's another kind 00:23:51.900 --> 00:23:52.380 of wisdom. 00:23:53.500 --> 00:23:54.120 And surprise, 00:23:54.300 --> 00:23:54.740 surprise, 00:23:55.100 --> 00:23:55.840 it turns out 00:23:55.840 --> 00:23:56.580 that this wisdom 00:23:56.580 --> 00:23:57.740 looks a lot like Jesus. 00:23:58.840 --> 00:24:00.019 Look at how he describes it. 00:24:00.600 --> 00:24:01.279 It's pure. 00:24:01.940 --> 00:24:03.000 It's full of peace. 00:24:03.560 --> 00:24:04.539 It's gentle. 00:24:05.200 --> 00:24:06.360 It's open to reason. 00:24:07.080 --> 00:24:08.360 It's full of mercy. 00:24:08.359 --> 00:24:11.740 It's the wisdom 00:24:11.740 --> 00:24:13.000 that comes from 00:24:13.000 --> 00:24:14.019 knowing him 00:24:14.019 --> 00:24:15.299 and walking with him 00:24:15.299 --> 00:24:17.240 and having your life 00:24:17.240 --> 00:24:18.259 shaped by him 00:24:18.259 --> 00:24:19.899 is the wisdom 00:24:19.899 --> 00:24:20.619 that will get you 00:24:20.619 --> 00:24:21.539 through the trials 00:24:21.539 --> 00:24:22.259 and the challenges 00:24:22.259 --> 00:24:22.919 of life 00:24:22.919 --> 00:24:25.740 without the trail 00:24:25.740 --> 00:24:26.419 of destruction 00:24:26.419 --> 00:24:27.219 behind you. 00:24:28.219 --> 00:24:28.779 James says 00:24:28.779 --> 00:24:29.299 that if anyone 00:24:29.299 --> 00:24:30.079 lacks wisdom 00:24:30.079 --> 00:24:31.399 and will know it 00:24:31.399 --> 00:24:32.459 by the fruits 00:24:32.459 --> 00:24:33.039 of their lives, 00:24:33.279 --> 00:24:34.099 broken relationships, 00:24:34.399 --> 00:24:35.099 broken homes, 00:24:35.359 --> 00:24:36.039 broken marriages, 00:24:36.039 --> 00:24:38.619 maybe it's because 00:24:38.619 --> 00:24:39.559 we've been living life 00:24:39.559 --> 00:24:40.460 on our own terms. 00:24:41.480 --> 00:24:42.460 Having never come 00:24:42.460 --> 00:24:42.920 to Jesus 00:24:42.920 --> 00:24:43.440 to ask him 00:24:43.440 --> 00:24:44.180 to lead us 00:24:44.180 --> 00:24:45.659 and guide us. 00:24:46.399 --> 00:24:46.920 Never having 00:24:46.920 --> 00:24:47.859 had our lives 00:24:47.859 --> 00:24:48.799 shaped by him. 00:24:49.839 --> 00:24:50.759 If any of you 00:24:50.759 --> 00:24:51.619 lacks wisdom, 00:24:51.920 --> 00:24:53.379 ask God for it. 00:24:53.960 --> 00:24:54.559 Let your life 00:24:54.559 --> 00:24:55.680 be shaped by God. 00:24:55.980 --> 00:24:56.680 That doesn't mean 00:24:56.680 --> 00:24:57.960 ask God to bail you 00:24:57.960 --> 00:24:58.680 out of this difficult 00:24:58.680 --> 00:24:59.259 situation 00:24:59.259 --> 00:25:00.039 and solve all your 00:25:00.039 --> 00:25:00.399 problems. 00:25:01.180 --> 00:25:02.259 It means ask God 00:25:02.259 --> 00:25:03.399 to have his way 00:25:03.399 --> 00:25:04.159 in your life. 00:25:06.039 --> 00:25:08.319 Why should we do that? 00:25:09.839 --> 00:25:10.720 Why should we come 00:25:10.720 --> 00:25:11.200 to God? 00:25:12.420 --> 00:25:13.460 Well, in verse 6, 00:25:13.500 --> 00:25:14.299 James gives us 00:25:14.299 --> 00:25:14.819 a reason. 00:25:15.000 --> 00:25:15.720 Every reason 00:25:15.720 --> 00:25:17.180 to let God 00:25:17.180 --> 00:25:18.079 shape our lives 00:25:18.079 --> 00:25:18.740 and lead him. 00:25:19.599 --> 00:25:19.859 Friends, 00:25:19.940 --> 00:25:21.019 maybe you're here 00:25:21.019 --> 00:25:21.339 this morning, 00:25:21.399 --> 00:25:22.079 you're not a Christian. 00:25:23.119 --> 00:25:24.299 I'm trying to urge you 00:25:24.299 --> 00:25:26.299 that you cannot 00:25:26.299 --> 00:25:27.460 get through life 00:25:27.460 --> 00:25:28.839 on your terms. 00:25:29.680 --> 00:25:30.599 When trials 00:25:30.599 --> 00:25:31.720 and challenges come, 00:25:32.420 --> 00:25:33.359 you need your life 00:25:33.359 --> 00:25:33.899 to be shaped 00:25:33.899 --> 00:25:34.440 by Jesus. 00:25:34.440 --> 00:25:36.460 But why Jesus? 00:25:36.580 --> 00:25:37.440 What's so special 00:25:37.440 --> 00:25:37.900 about him? 00:25:39.220 --> 00:25:40.140 Well, look at 00:25:40.140 --> 00:25:40.700 what he says. 00:25:42.100 --> 00:25:43.500 James here reminds us 00:25:43.500 --> 00:25:44.100 of the nature 00:25:44.100 --> 00:25:44.820 and the character 00:25:44.820 --> 00:25:45.320 of Jesus. 00:25:45.460 --> 00:25:46.080 Look at what he says. 00:25:46.620 --> 00:25:47.160 If any of you 00:25:47.160 --> 00:25:47.799 lacks wisdom, 00:25:47.940 --> 00:25:48.660 let him ask God. 00:25:48.860 --> 00:25:49.860 Let him come to God, 00:25:50.360 --> 00:25:51.380 asking God to have 00:25:51.380 --> 00:25:52.259 his way in his life. 00:25:52.340 --> 00:25:53.180 Let him ask God 00:25:53.180 --> 00:25:54.480 and look at how 00:25:54.480 --> 00:25:55.519 he describes God. 00:25:55.660 --> 00:25:56.559 God who gives 00:25:56.559 --> 00:25:57.420 generously. 00:25:58.920 --> 00:25:59.299 This God 00:25:59.299 --> 00:26:00.320 is not stingy. 00:26:01.700 --> 00:26:02.299 He never says, 00:26:02.440 --> 00:26:02.900 that's enough, 00:26:02.900 --> 00:26:03.560 I think you've had 00:26:03.560 --> 00:26:04.500 enough good things 00:26:04.500 --> 00:26:05.280 for one year. 00:26:05.880 --> 00:26:06.840 Time to suffer, 00:26:06.980 --> 00:26:07.200 right? 00:26:08.259 --> 00:26:09.340 I was just thinking, 00:26:09.860 --> 00:26:10.620 when I was preparing 00:26:10.620 --> 00:26:12.060 this brief confession, 00:26:12.620 --> 00:26:14.380 I was eating a chocolate 00:26:14.380 --> 00:26:15.100 at the time. 00:26:16.019 --> 00:26:16.780 And I was just thinking 00:26:16.780 --> 00:26:17.460 about how I treat 00:26:17.460 --> 00:26:18.400 my kids when they 00:26:18.400 --> 00:26:19.759 ask for chocolate 00:26:19.759 --> 00:26:20.440 or ice cream, 00:26:20.519 --> 00:26:20.740 right? 00:26:21.300 --> 00:26:22.060 Very stingy. 00:26:22.560 --> 00:26:23.060 That's enough, 00:26:23.120 --> 00:26:23.519 that's enough. 00:26:24.120 --> 00:26:24.700 I think you've had 00:26:24.700 --> 00:26:25.400 enough for one day. 00:26:26.660 --> 00:26:28.000 I'll say things like, 00:26:28.460 --> 00:26:29.640 no more, 00:26:29.740 --> 00:26:29.920 okay? 00:26:29.920 --> 00:26:32.500 God is not like that 00:26:32.500 --> 00:26:33.460 with his good gifts. 00:26:34.200 --> 00:26:34.620 I don't know if you 00:26:34.620 --> 00:26:35.519 remember the story 00:26:35.519 --> 00:26:36.240 Oliver Twist, 00:26:36.380 --> 00:26:36.500 right? 00:26:36.560 --> 00:26:37.720 Very famous Oliver Twist 00:26:37.720 --> 00:26:38.880 written by Charles Dickens. 00:26:39.640 --> 00:26:40.940 Oliver Twist is this orphan. 00:26:41.580 --> 00:26:42.140 He's growing up 00:26:42.140 --> 00:26:42.820 in an orphanage 00:26:42.820 --> 00:26:43.940 and they're given 00:26:43.940 --> 00:26:45.080 this measly bowl 00:26:45.080 --> 00:26:46.259 of food 00:26:46.259 --> 00:26:47.539 each mealtime 00:26:47.539 --> 00:26:48.539 and they're always 00:26:48.539 --> 00:26:49.019 grumbling, 00:26:49.200 --> 00:26:49.700 complaining because 00:26:49.700 --> 00:26:50.140 they're hungry 00:26:50.140 --> 00:26:51.860 and one day his friends 00:26:51.860 --> 00:26:52.900 dare him to go 00:26:52.900 --> 00:26:53.620 to the master 00:26:53.620 --> 00:26:55.019 and ask for some more. 00:26:55.740 --> 00:26:56.259 And Oliver Twist 00:26:56.259 --> 00:26:57.279 goes up to the master 00:26:57.279 --> 00:26:59.220 and the whole orphanage 00:26:59.220 --> 00:27:00.680 is in silence. 00:27:00.980 --> 00:27:01.740 Nobody's ever done 00:27:01.740 --> 00:27:02.220 this before. 00:27:02.920 --> 00:27:03.420 And he says, 00:27:03.599 --> 00:27:04.200 please sir, 00:27:04.639 --> 00:27:06.139 can I have some more food? 00:27:06.920 --> 00:27:08.019 And the master freaks out. 00:27:08.119 --> 00:27:08.480 What? 00:27:08.599 --> 00:27:09.859 You want more food? 00:27:10.319 --> 00:27:11.339 After all I've done 00:27:11.339 --> 00:27:11.720 for you? 00:27:12.639 --> 00:27:12.920 Friends, 00:27:13.000 --> 00:27:14.240 that's not how God is. 00:27:14.920 --> 00:27:16.339 God is generous, 00:27:17.399 --> 00:27:18.000 lavish, 00:27:18.240 --> 00:27:19.019 extravagant 00:27:19.019 --> 00:27:19.899 with his kindness. 00:27:20.859 --> 00:27:22.079 God loves to give 00:27:22.079 --> 00:27:23.079 of himself. 00:27:23.660 --> 00:27:24.940 When you're navigating 00:27:24.940 --> 00:27:26.039 trials and challenges, 00:27:26.039 --> 00:27:27.700 ask God who gives 00:27:27.700 --> 00:27:29.420 generously of himself 00:27:29.420 --> 00:27:30.519 to help you 00:27:30.519 --> 00:27:31.359 through the storms. 00:27:32.200 --> 00:27:33.220 Look what else he says. 00:27:33.460 --> 00:27:33.799 He says, 00:27:34.099 --> 00:27:35.720 God who gives generously 00:27:35.720 --> 00:27:37.019 to all, 00:27:37.619 --> 00:27:38.700 not those who 00:27:38.700 --> 00:27:39.819 have it all together, 00:27:40.599 --> 00:27:41.579 not to the wealthy 00:27:41.579 --> 00:27:42.799 or the privileged 00:27:42.799 --> 00:27:44.079 or the few, 00:27:44.859 --> 00:27:45.980 not to the respectable, 00:27:46.220 --> 00:27:46.879 to those that have 00:27:46.879 --> 00:27:48.139 read all of the 00:27:48.139 --> 00:27:48.799 Watermark Bible 00:27:48.799 --> 00:27:49.879 reading plan this week, 00:27:50.319 --> 00:27:50.879 those who have 00:27:50.879 --> 00:27:51.940 never missed CG, 00:27:52.720 --> 00:27:53.420 those that have been 00:27:53.420 --> 00:27:54.740 good boys and girls. 00:27:54.740 --> 00:27:56.539 God generously gives 00:27:56.539 --> 00:27:57.980 to all who will 00:27:57.980 --> 00:27:58.680 come to him. 00:27:59.579 --> 00:27:59.859 Friends, 00:27:59.900 --> 00:28:00.859 are you a high schooler 00:28:00.859 --> 00:28:01.400 this morning 00:28:01.400 --> 00:28:03.079 and you're facing 00:28:03.079 --> 00:28:04.220 a challenge or trial? 00:28:04.740 --> 00:28:05.980 You can look to God 00:28:05.980 --> 00:28:07.000 and he will give 00:28:07.000 --> 00:28:08.120 his grace to you. 00:28:09.200 --> 00:28:10.059 Are you a stay-at-home mom? 00:28:10.880 --> 00:28:11.480 A young mom 00:28:11.480 --> 00:28:12.160 with infants? 00:28:13.059 --> 00:28:13.960 That's a challenge. 00:28:14.700 --> 00:28:15.759 You can cry out to God 00:28:15.759 --> 00:28:16.420 and he gives to 00:28:16.420 --> 00:28:18.400 all who need him. 00:28:19.279 --> 00:28:20.319 Are you in the business world 00:28:20.319 --> 00:28:21.039 and it's cutthroat 00:28:21.039 --> 00:28:21.859 and it's challenging 00:28:21.859 --> 00:28:23.859 and there's high pressure? 00:28:24.959 --> 00:28:26.240 You can cry out to God. 00:28:27.879 --> 00:28:28.299 Friends, 00:28:28.339 --> 00:28:28.919 are you looking 00:28:28.919 --> 00:28:30.099 after your elderly parents? 00:28:30.879 --> 00:28:31.919 Are you a fresh graduate? 00:28:32.919 --> 00:28:33.859 Are you middle-aged 00:28:33.859 --> 00:28:34.479 and you're finding 00:28:34.479 --> 00:28:35.399 that hard? 00:28:36.219 --> 00:28:36.559 Have you got 00:28:36.559 --> 00:28:37.399 teenage kids? 00:28:38.559 --> 00:28:39.559 God doesn't give 00:28:39.559 --> 00:28:40.359 his grace 00:28:40.359 --> 00:28:41.699 to those that have 00:28:41.699 --> 00:28:42.339 earned it 00:28:42.339 --> 00:28:43.339 and deserved it 00:28:43.339 --> 00:28:44.419 and merited it. 00:28:44.939 --> 00:28:46.279 He generously gives 00:28:46.279 --> 00:28:47.379 to all. 00:28:48.539 --> 00:28:49.000 And then look 00:28:49.000 --> 00:28:49.439 what he says. 00:28:49.859 --> 00:28:50.919 He generously gives 00:28:50.920 --> 00:28:51.759 to all 00:28:51.759 --> 00:28:53.720 without reproach. 00:28:54.279 --> 00:28:55.140 The word reproach 00:28:55.140 --> 00:28:56.880 means finding fault 00:28:56.880 --> 00:28:59.320 or reprimanding somebody 00:28:59.320 --> 00:29:00.480 or correcting somebody. 00:29:01.160 --> 00:29:01.779 Now to be honest, 00:29:02.019 --> 00:29:03.000 I always thought 00:29:03.000 --> 00:29:03.880 that what this meant 00:29:03.880 --> 00:29:05.320 was God gives 00:29:05.320 --> 00:29:05.880 his grace 00:29:05.880 --> 00:29:07.279 to all those 00:29:07.279 --> 00:29:08.360 that he doesn't 00:29:08.360 --> 00:29:09.360 find fault with. 00:29:10.080 --> 00:29:11.220 That he has no reason 00:29:11.220 --> 00:29:12.000 to correct. 00:29:12.539 --> 00:29:12.660 Right? 00:29:13.039 --> 00:29:13.980 So if you've got 00:29:13.980 --> 00:29:14.720 all your ducks 00:29:14.720 --> 00:29:15.539 lined in a row, 00:29:15.900 --> 00:29:16.620 God's got nothing 00:29:16.620 --> 00:29:17.640 to hold against you. 00:29:17.720 --> 00:29:17.880 I mean, 00:29:17.900 --> 00:29:18.660 none of us are perfect 00:29:18.660 --> 00:29:20.140 but by and large. 00:29:20.920 --> 00:29:21.700 Then he will 00:29:21.700 --> 00:29:22.279 give his grace 00:29:22.279 --> 00:29:22.539 to you. 00:29:22.580 --> 00:29:23.380 But that's not 00:29:23.380 --> 00:29:23.800 what it means. 00:29:23.860 --> 00:29:24.340 It actually means 00:29:24.340 --> 00:29:24.820 the opposite. 00:29:25.500 --> 00:29:26.140 It means 00:29:26.140 --> 00:29:27.820 God will generously 00:29:27.820 --> 00:29:29.060 give of himself 00:29:29.060 --> 00:29:29.720 his grace, 00:29:29.820 --> 00:29:30.460 his wisdom, 00:29:31.019 --> 00:29:31.620 generously 00:29:31.620 --> 00:29:33.180 to all people 00:29:33.180 --> 00:29:35.180 without finding fault. 00:29:35.759 --> 00:29:36.600 So God doesn't 00:29:36.600 --> 00:29:37.279 look at his book 00:29:37.279 --> 00:29:37.700 and say, 00:29:38.519 --> 00:29:38.800 Jeremy, 00:29:39.759 --> 00:29:40.660 I see you haven't 00:29:40.660 --> 00:29:41.660 quite read the Bible 00:29:41.660 --> 00:29:42.740 very often this week. 00:29:43.240 --> 00:29:43.960 I think you better 00:29:43.960 --> 00:29:45.000 come to me next week. 00:29:45.000 --> 00:29:46.819 God doesn't 00:29:46.819 --> 00:29:47.640 point out 00:29:47.640 --> 00:29:49.579 our faults. 00:29:50.380 --> 00:29:51.339 If you're in need 00:29:51.339 --> 00:29:52.000 of his grace, 00:29:53.019 --> 00:29:54.099 he generously gives 00:29:54.099 --> 00:29:55.400 to all 00:29:55.400 --> 00:29:56.799 without 00:29:56.799 --> 00:29:58.220 finding 00:29:58.220 --> 00:29:59.200 fault. 00:30:00.559 --> 00:30:00.960 Friends, 00:30:01.000 --> 00:30:01.640 isn't that amazing? 00:30:02.440 --> 00:30:03.079 How gracious 00:30:03.079 --> 00:30:03.779 and kind 00:30:03.779 --> 00:30:04.500 our God is. 00:30:06.519 --> 00:30:08.019 He doesn't come to us 00:30:08.019 --> 00:30:08.859 when we call out to him 00:30:08.859 --> 00:30:09.039 and say, 00:30:09.140 --> 00:30:09.660 oh really, 00:30:09.779 --> 00:30:10.519 now you want me? 00:30:11.319 --> 00:30:11.859 After all, 00:30:11.920 --> 00:30:12.319 you've done. 00:30:13.319 --> 00:30:14.480 That's very brave of you. 00:30:15.519 --> 00:30:16.379 He's so generous, 00:30:16.839 --> 00:30:17.659 so kind, 00:30:18.259 --> 00:30:19.119 so gracious. 00:30:20.839 --> 00:30:21.079 Friends, 00:30:21.139 --> 00:30:21.720 are you in a trial 00:30:21.720 --> 00:30:22.240 and a difficulty 00:30:22.240 --> 00:30:22.859 this morning? 00:30:24.139 --> 00:30:24.859 Do you need wisdom 00:30:24.859 --> 00:30:25.339 to navigate 00:30:25.339 --> 00:30:26.419 the challenges of life? 00:30:27.319 --> 00:30:28.059 You can come 00:30:28.059 --> 00:30:28.939 to this God 00:30:28.939 --> 00:30:30.359 who is gracious 00:30:30.359 --> 00:30:30.919 and kind 00:30:30.919 --> 00:30:31.519 and generous 00:30:31.519 --> 00:30:33.259 and he gives 00:30:33.259 --> 00:30:33.939 of himself 00:30:33.939 --> 00:30:35.299 his grace 00:30:35.299 --> 00:30:36.000 and his wisdom 00:30:36.000 --> 00:30:37.980 without finding fault. 00:30:40.460 --> 00:30:41.279 How do we know 00:30:41.279 --> 00:30:42.039 this is the case? 00:30:43.319 --> 00:30:43.500 Well, 00:30:43.539 --> 00:30:44.119 because it sounds 00:30:44.119 --> 00:30:44.939 a lot like the gospel, 00:30:45.099 --> 00:30:45.519 doesn't it? 00:30:46.879 --> 00:30:48.159 God gives generously 00:30:48.159 --> 00:30:50.200 for God so loved 00:30:50.200 --> 00:30:50.599 the world 00:30:50.599 --> 00:30:51.619 that he generously 00:30:51.619 --> 00:30:52.779 gave of his one 00:30:52.779 --> 00:30:53.500 and only son 00:30:53.500 --> 00:30:55.059 to broken sinners 00:30:55.059 --> 00:30:55.659 like us. 00:30:56.319 --> 00:30:57.279 Jesus gave 00:30:57.279 --> 00:30:58.019 of his life 00:30:58.019 --> 00:30:58.819 on the cross 00:30:58.819 --> 00:31:00.279 so that people 00:31:00.279 --> 00:31:01.019 like you and I 00:31:01.019 --> 00:31:01.659 can encounter 00:31:01.659 --> 00:31:02.279 his grace. 00:31:03.259 --> 00:31:04.659 God gave to all, 00:31:04.859 --> 00:31:05.799 not to the privileged, 00:31:05.960 --> 00:31:06.539 to the wealthy, 00:31:07.099 --> 00:31:08.000 to the educated. 00:31:08.599 --> 00:31:09.599 God gives himself 00:31:09.599 --> 00:31:10.679 to the educated, 00:31:10.680 --> 00:31:11.580 the uneducated, 00:31:11.680 --> 00:31:12.259 the privileged 00:31:12.259 --> 00:31:13.140 and the unprivileged, 00:31:13.460 --> 00:31:14.539 the rich and the poor, 00:31:14.620 --> 00:31:15.799 those that have got it together 00:31:15.799 --> 00:31:16.660 and those that don't 00:31:16.660 --> 00:31:17.220 have it together, 00:31:17.660 --> 00:31:18.340 those whose lives 00:31:18.340 --> 00:31:19.900 are neat and tidy 00:31:19.900 --> 00:31:21.120 and those whose lives 00:31:21.120 --> 00:31:22.940 are down and out. 00:31:23.440 --> 00:31:24.360 God gives himself 00:31:24.360 --> 00:31:25.140 to all 00:31:25.140 --> 00:31:25.980 on the cross 00:31:25.980 --> 00:31:27.140 and friends, 00:31:27.200 --> 00:31:27.740 he gives himself 00:31:27.740 --> 00:31:28.820 without finding fault. 00:31:29.460 --> 00:31:30.460 We get what we 00:31:30.460 --> 00:31:31.279 don't deserve 00:31:31.279 --> 00:31:32.840 because our very faults 00:31:32.840 --> 00:31:33.360 and failings 00:31:33.360 --> 00:31:34.259 have been wiped away 00:31:34.259 --> 00:31:35.299 by the blood of Christ. 00:31:35.299 --> 00:31:36.859 If any of you 00:31:36.859 --> 00:31:37.500 lacks wisdom, 00:31:37.619 --> 00:31:38.859 let him come to God. 00:31:39.240 --> 00:31:40.159 Let him come to Jesus 00:31:40.159 --> 00:31:41.299 who gives generously 00:31:41.299 --> 00:31:42.039 to all 00:31:42.039 --> 00:31:43.619 without reproach 00:31:43.619 --> 00:31:44.859 and it will be 00:31:44.859 --> 00:31:45.700 given to him. 00:31:46.500 --> 00:31:46.759 Friends, 00:31:46.859 --> 00:31:47.940 James is telling us here 00:31:47.940 --> 00:31:49.259 that Jesus' word 00:31:49.259 --> 00:31:50.659 is a far better word 00:31:50.659 --> 00:31:51.619 than just keep calm 00:31:51.619 --> 00:31:52.279 and carry on 00:31:52.279 --> 00:31:53.859 or what doesn't kill you 00:31:53.859 --> 00:31:54.639 makes you stronger. 00:31:55.519 --> 00:31:56.279 James is telling us 00:31:56.279 --> 00:31:57.299 that when the trials 00:31:57.299 --> 00:31:58.000 and the challenges 00:31:58.000 --> 00:31:59.119 and the difficulties 00:31:59.119 --> 00:31:59.879 of life come, 00:32:00.259 --> 00:32:01.519 you can draw near 00:32:01.519 --> 00:32:02.700 to a good 00:32:02.700 --> 00:32:03.519 and gracious God 00:32:03.519 --> 00:32:04.619 who gave himself 00:32:04.619 --> 00:32:05.279 for you 00:32:05.279 --> 00:32:06.359 and will still 00:32:06.359 --> 00:32:07.279 give himself to you 00:32:07.279 --> 00:32:08.200 in the trials 00:32:08.200 --> 00:32:09.579 to get you through. 00:32:12.579 --> 00:32:13.480 There's one last 00:32:13.480 --> 00:32:14.119 qualification. 00:32:15.139 --> 00:32:16.240 Look at verse 6 00:32:16.240 --> 00:32:17.160 to 8 with me. 00:32:18.220 --> 00:32:19.319 James gives the qualification 00:32:19.319 --> 00:32:20.139 and it sounds 00:32:20.139 --> 00:32:20.579 but challenging. 00:32:20.759 --> 00:32:21.000 He says, 00:32:22.400 --> 00:32:23.339 if anyone lacks wisdom, 00:32:23.500 --> 00:32:24.660 let him come to God. 00:32:24.740 --> 00:32:25.740 Let him ask God. 00:32:25.940 --> 00:32:26.940 Let him come to Christ 00:32:26.940 --> 00:32:28.279 who gives generously 00:32:28.279 --> 00:32:28.879 to all 00:32:28.879 --> 00:32:29.720 without reproach 00:32:29.720 --> 00:32:30.200 and it will be 00:32:30.200 --> 00:32:30.799 given to him. 00:32:31.319 --> 00:32:31.759 But, 00:32:32.160 --> 00:32:33.480 let him ask in faith 00:32:33.480 --> 00:32:34.720 without doubting. 00:32:34.819 --> 00:32:35.799 For the one who doubts 00:32:35.799 --> 00:32:36.740 is like a wave 00:32:36.740 --> 00:32:37.319 of the sea 00:32:37.319 --> 00:32:38.079 that is driven 00:32:38.079 --> 00:32:38.720 and tossed 00:32:38.720 --> 00:32:39.380 by the wind. 00:32:40.079 --> 00:32:40.740 That person 00:32:40.740 --> 00:32:41.559 must not suppose 00:32:41.559 --> 00:32:42.160 he will receive 00:32:42.160 --> 00:32:43.160 anything from the Lord. 00:32:43.539 --> 00:32:44.700 He is a double-minded 00:32:44.700 --> 00:32:45.559 man or woman 00:32:45.559 --> 00:32:46.079 unstable 00:32:46.079 --> 00:32:47.700 in all their ways. 00:32:48.360 --> 00:32:48.640 Now, 00:32:49.000 --> 00:32:50.120 does James mean here 00:32:50.120 --> 00:32:51.720 that if you're in trouble 00:32:51.720 --> 00:32:52.500 and you need God, 00:32:53.380 --> 00:32:54.240 what you've got to do 00:32:54.240 --> 00:32:54.819 is you've got to 00:32:54.819 --> 00:32:55.599 really, really, 00:32:55.680 --> 00:32:57.059 really, really ask God 00:32:57.059 --> 00:32:58.440 and trust him 00:32:58.440 --> 00:33:00.860 and not have any doubt 00:33:00.860 --> 00:33:01.579 in your heart 00:33:01.579 --> 00:33:03.339 that he's going to help you. 00:33:04.440 --> 00:33:04.759 Well, 00:33:04.779 --> 00:33:05.180 I don't think 00:33:05.180 --> 00:33:06.240 that's what James means. 00:33:07.640 --> 00:33:08.039 Remember, 00:33:08.180 --> 00:33:08.980 this book is written 00:33:08.980 --> 00:33:09.660 by somebody 00:33:09.660 --> 00:33:10.440 who was wracked 00:33:10.440 --> 00:33:10.980 with doubt 00:33:10.980 --> 00:33:11.980 once upon a time. 00:33:12.660 --> 00:33:13.360 I don't think 00:33:13.360 --> 00:33:14.099 James means 00:33:14.099 --> 00:33:15.099 that if you are 00:33:15.099 --> 00:33:16.160 sincerely wrestling 00:33:16.160 --> 00:33:16.799 and grappling 00:33:16.799 --> 00:33:17.420 with God 00:33:17.420 --> 00:33:18.000 and scripture 00:33:18.000 --> 00:33:19.279 that God 00:33:19.279 --> 00:33:20.019 won't answer you. 00:33:21.640 --> 00:33:22.579 James doesn't mean 00:33:22.579 --> 00:33:23.559 that if you really 00:33:23.559 --> 00:33:23.960 want God 00:33:23.960 --> 00:33:24.500 to answer your prayer 00:33:24.500 --> 00:33:24.900 you've got to 00:33:24.900 --> 00:33:25.660 clench your fists, 00:33:26.360 --> 00:33:27.279 squeeze your eyes 00:33:27.279 --> 00:33:28.259 and really, really, really, 00:33:28.259 --> 00:33:28.880 really, really 00:33:28.880 --> 00:33:29.660 raise your voice 00:33:29.660 --> 00:33:30.099 so that God 00:33:30.099 --> 00:33:31.000 will hear your prayers 00:33:31.000 --> 00:33:32.200 and prove to him 00:33:32.200 --> 00:33:33.120 how sincere you are. 00:33:34.440 --> 00:33:35.059 Now, what he's talking 00:33:35.059 --> 00:33:35.580 about here 00:33:35.580 --> 00:33:36.120 is someone 00:33:36.120 --> 00:33:37.500 who has split loyalties. 00:33:38.460 --> 00:33:39.259 They come to God 00:33:39.259 --> 00:33:40.340 when it helps them. 00:33:40.779 --> 00:33:41.519 When they're in trouble, 00:33:41.600 --> 00:33:42.220 they cry out, 00:33:42.299 --> 00:33:43.039 God, I need you. 00:33:43.680 --> 00:33:44.420 But actually, 00:33:44.920 --> 00:33:46.180 most of their lives, 00:33:46.580 --> 00:33:47.420 they're quite content 00:33:47.420 --> 00:33:48.140 to live life 00:33:48.140 --> 00:33:48.920 on their own terms. 00:33:49.799 --> 00:33:50.779 When they're in trouble, 00:33:50.900 --> 00:33:51.920 they quickly cry out 00:33:51.920 --> 00:33:52.240 to God, 00:33:52.299 --> 00:33:53.140 God, I need your wisdom. 00:33:53.860 --> 00:33:54.640 But all they're really 00:33:54.640 --> 00:33:55.240 interested in 00:33:55.240 --> 00:33:56.460 is God just helping them 00:33:56.460 --> 00:33:56.940 to get through 00:33:56.940 --> 00:33:57.559 their problems 00:33:57.559 --> 00:33:58.580 so that they can get back 00:33:58.579 --> 00:34:00.019 to life on their own terms. 00:34:01.059 --> 00:34:01.740 And James says 00:34:01.740 --> 00:34:02.859 that such a person 00:34:02.859 --> 00:34:04.139 is double-minded, 00:34:04.859 --> 00:34:05.919 two-faced in a way. 00:34:06.559 --> 00:34:07.379 They've got one foot 00:34:07.379 --> 00:34:08.199 in God's camp 00:34:08.199 --> 00:34:09.119 when we need it, 00:34:09.500 --> 00:34:10.079 but actually, 00:34:10.219 --> 00:34:10.519 largely, 00:34:10.639 --> 00:34:11.840 our weight is living life 00:34:11.840 --> 00:34:12.679 on our own terms. 00:34:13.759 --> 00:34:14.139 James says, 00:34:14.199 --> 00:34:15.059 that's not faith. 00:34:15.219 --> 00:34:16.259 That's superstition. 00:34:17.299 --> 00:34:18.340 That's falsehood. 00:34:19.480 --> 00:34:19.739 Friends, 00:34:19.819 --> 00:34:20.360 James says that 00:34:20.360 --> 00:34:21.719 the wisdom that God gives, 00:34:21.799 --> 00:34:22.659 the wisdom that comes 00:34:22.659 --> 00:34:23.319 from above, 00:34:23.460 --> 00:34:24.159 the wisdom that actually 00:34:24.159 --> 00:34:25.579 grows and matures us 00:34:25.579 --> 00:34:26.719 through the trials 00:34:26.719 --> 00:34:27.339 and the challenges, 00:34:27.919 --> 00:34:28.619 isn't something 00:34:28.619 --> 00:34:29.799 that you just pick up 00:34:29.799 --> 00:34:30.919 by crying out to God 00:34:30.919 --> 00:34:32.059 in a moment of difficulty 00:34:32.059 --> 00:34:33.819 or reading in a book 00:34:33.819 --> 00:34:35.279 or listening to a podcast. 00:34:35.980 --> 00:34:36.839 It's developed 00:34:36.839 --> 00:34:38.439 and grown within you 00:34:38.439 --> 00:34:40.919 from walking with God 00:34:40.919 --> 00:34:42.639 and coming to Him 00:34:42.639 --> 00:34:44.859 and entrusting yourself 00:34:44.859 --> 00:34:45.699 to the one 00:34:45.699 --> 00:34:47.439 who is utterly trustworthy. 00:34:49.179 --> 00:34:49.719 And so, friends, 00:34:49.779 --> 00:34:50.299 this week, 00:34:50.419 --> 00:34:51.299 you are going to face 00:34:51.299 --> 00:34:51.939 some trial. 00:34:52.659 --> 00:34:53.779 Maybe today, 00:34:53.959 --> 00:34:54.819 you are going to face 00:34:54.819 --> 00:34:55.899 some trial. 00:34:56.719 --> 00:34:57.539 Maybe this week, 00:34:57.619 --> 00:34:58.439 you are going to face 00:34:58.439 --> 00:34:59.019 some trial 00:34:59.019 --> 00:34:59.500 that's going to be 00:34:59.500 --> 00:35:00.199 so difficult, 00:35:00.739 --> 00:35:01.179 you are going to be 00:35:01.179 --> 00:35:02.039 left confused 00:35:02.039 --> 00:35:02.879 and unsure 00:35:02.879 --> 00:35:03.779 how to respond. 00:35:04.939 --> 00:35:05.799 How are you going 00:35:05.799 --> 00:35:06.179 to respond? 00:35:07.359 --> 00:35:07.980 Are you going to look 00:35:07.980 --> 00:35:08.659 within yourself 00:35:08.659 --> 00:35:09.159 and think, 00:35:09.599 --> 00:35:10.319 what doesn't kill me 00:35:10.319 --> 00:35:11.219 only makes me stronger? 00:35:12.299 --> 00:35:13.119 Are you going to tell yourself 00:35:13.119 --> 00:35:13.959 just to keep calm 00:35:13.959 --> 00:35:14.599 and carry on? 00:35:15.779 --> 00:35:17.059 Are you going to numb yourself 00:35:17.059 --> 00:35:18.739 by binging on social media 00:35:18.739 --> 00:35:19.359 and food 00:35:19.359 --> 00:35:20.019 and Netflix? 00:35:21.099 --> 00:35:21.599 Are you going to go 00:35:21.599 --> 00:35:22.079 to the gym 00:35:22.079 --> 00:35:23.419 and just work twice as hard? 00:35:24.939 --> 00:35:26.179 Or are you going to 00:35:26.179 --> 00:35:26.839 consider 00:35:26.839 --> 00:35:28.960 what God wants to do 00:35:28.960 --> 00:35:30.440 and take comfort 00:35:30.440 --> 00:35:31.199 from the God 00:35:31.199 --> 00:35:32.519 who is utterly trustworthy, 00:35:33.299 --> 00:35:35.039 the God who gave himself 00:35:35.039 --> 00:35:36.159 for you 00:35:36.159 --> 00:35:38.119 and will you draw strength 00:35:38.119 --> 00:35:38.539 from him 00:35:38.539 --> 00:35:40.079 knowing that if you 00:35:40.079 --> 00:35:41.480 draw near to him, 00:35:42.139 --> 00:35:42.940 he will give you 00:35:42.940 --> 00:35:43.619 the wisdom 00:35:43.619 --> 00:35:45.079 and the grace. 00:35:45.759 --> 00:35:47.000 He will give you himself 00:35:47.000 --> 00:35:49.599 to navigate these trials 00:35:49.599 --> 00:35:50.899 but to grow 00:35:50.899 --> 00:35:52.440 and to mature you. 00:35:52.440 --> 00:35:54.639 friends, 00:35:54.700 --> 00:35:55.860 will you consider it all joy 00:35:55.860 --> 00:35:56.940 when you face trials 00:35:56.940 --> 00:35:57.820 of many kinds 00:35:57.820 --> 00:35:59.200 knowing that God 00:35:59.200 --> 00:36:00.300 is at work in you 00:36:00.300 --> 00:36:01.460 to make you 00:36:01.460 --> 00:36:02.940 a wise and mature person? 00:36:03.860 --> 00:36:04.559 Let's pray. 00:36:08.300 --> 00:36:09.079 Heavenly Father, 00:36:09.280 --> 00:36:11.300 we thank you 00:36:11.300 --> 00:36:12.380 for the practicality 00:36:12.380 --> 00:36:12.880 of James. 00:36:14.320 --> 00:36:14.740 God, 00:36:14.800 --> 00:36:15.300 thank you for 00:36:15.300 --> 00:36:16.480 the testimony of James, 00:36:16.579 --> 00:36:17.679 this humble pastor 00:36:17.679 --> 00:36:19.300 who had to deal 00:36:19.300 --> 00:36:20.039 with his own doubts, 00:36:20.260 --> 00:36:21.139 his own concerns, 00:36:21.139 --> 00:36:22.739 and yet came 00:36:22.739 --> 00:36:23.460 to be convinced 00:36:23.460 --> 00:36:23.960 that you, 00:36:24.079 --> 00:36:24.319 Jesus, 00:36:24.440 --> 00:36:25.079 really are 00:36:25.079 --> 00:36:25.940 who you said you are, 00:36:26.839 --> 00:36:27.980 the Lord of glory, 00:36:28.079 --> 00:36:28.799 the glorious 00:36:28.799 --> 00:36:29.960 Lord Jesus Christ. 00:36:31.579 --> 00:36:32.019 Father, 00:36:32.339 --> 00:36:33.839 James is so real, 00:36:33.920 --> 00:36:34.500 it's almost like 00:36:34.500 --> 00:36:35.759 he reads our mail, 00:36:35.859 --> 00:36:36.619 he knows what's going 00:36:36.619 --> 00:36:37.319 on in our life. 00:36:38.019 --> 00:36:38.779 It's amazing 00:36:38.779 --> 00:36:39.679 to think that this book 00:36:39.679 --> 00:36:41.039 written 2,000 years ago 00:36:41.039 --> 00:36:42.019 can speak to our 00:36:42.019 --> 00:36:42.920 own lives 00:36:42.920 --> 00:36:43.440 so clearly. 00:36:44.859 --> 00:36:45.299 Father, 00:36:45.400 --> 00:36:46.279 I pray for us 00:36:46.279 --> 00:36:46.819 as a church 00:36:46.819 --> 00:36:47.759 and I pray for 00:36:47.759 --> 00:36:48.859 us individually 00:36:48.859 --> 00:36:49.539 this morning. 00:36:49.539 --> 00:36:51.340 many of us 00:36:51.340 --> 00:36:51.460 here, 00:36:51.559 --> 00:36:51.679 God, 00:36:51.719 --> 00:36:52.800 are facing trials, 00:36:53.820 --> 00:36:54.340 difficulties, 00:36:54.619 --> 00:36:55.079 challenges. 00:36:56.579 --> 00:36:57.019 God, 00:36:57.099 --> 00:36:57.860 won't you give us 00:36:57.860 --> 00:36:58.340 the grace 00:36:58.340 --> 00:36:59.360 to turn to you, 00:37:00.179 --> 00:37:01.639 to invite you in, 00:37:02.340 --> 00:37:03.300 to come to you, 00:37:03.420 --> 00:37:04.519 to yield ourselves 00:37:04.519 --> 00:37:05.159 to you, 00:37:05.940 --> 00:37:06.800 and to let you 00:37:06.800 --> 00:37:07.440 guide us 00:37:07.440 --> 00:37:08.440 through the trials 00:37:08.440 --> 00:37:09.480 and to do 00:37:09.480 --> 00:37:10.360 your work in us. 00:37:11.779 --> 00:37:12.219 God, 00:37:12.340 --> 00:37:13.019 you promise 00:37:13.019 --> 00:37:13.619 that you won't 00:37:13.619 --> 00:37:14.900 just deliver us, 00:37:15.019 --> 00:37:15.400 but actually 00:37:15.400 --> 00:37:16.619 you'll work in us 00:37:16.619 --> 00:37:17.340 through the trials, 00:37:17.420 --> 00:37:17.940 and I pray 00:37:17.940 --> 00:37:18.779 that that'll be true. 00:37:19.539 --> 00:37:21.340 God, 00:37:21.380 --> 00:37:21.880 this morning, 00:37:22.119 --> 00:37:22.739 some of us, 00:37:22.800 --> 00:37:22.940 God, 00:37:23.000 --> 00:37:23.699 it's hard 00:37:23.699 --> 00:37:24.480 to trust you. 00:37:25.420 --> 00:37:25.739 We are 00:37:25.739 --> 00:37:26.360 wrapped with 00:37:26.360 --> 00:37:26.980 concerns, 00:37:27.139 --> 00:37:27.980 wrapped with fears. 00:37:28.719 --> 00:37:29.179 It feels, 00:37:29.340 --> 00:37:29.420 God, 00:37:29.480 --> 00:37:30.239 like letting go 00:37:30.239 --> 00:37:30.840 of the reins 00:37:30.840 --> 00:37:31.559 of our life 00:37:31.559 --> 00:37:32.840 is so scary. 00:37:34.119 --> 00:37:34.340 God, 00:37:34.400 --> 00:37:34.719 I pray, 00:37:34.820 --> 00:37:35.079 won't you, 00:37:35.179 --> 00:37:35.679 Holy Spirit, 00:37:35.779 --> 00:37:36.400 give us faith? 00:37:37.559 --> 00:37:37.980 Won't you 00:37:37.980 --> 00:37:38.759 help us 00:37:38.759 --> 00:37:39.440 this morning 00:37:39.440 --> 00:37:41.300 to open up 00:37:41.300 --> 00:37:41.880 our hands 00:37:41.880 --> 00:37:43.539 and to trust you, 00:37:44.579 --> 00:37:44.840 knowing, 00:37:44.960 --> 00:37:45.099 God, 00:37:45.139 --> 00:37:45.500 that you are 00:37:45.500 --> 00:37:46.480 utterly trustworthy, 00:37:46.480 --> 00:37:48.820 knowing, 00:37:48.940 --> 00:37:49.119 God, 00:37:49.199 --> 00:37:50.380 that you 00:37:50.380 --> 00:37:50.960 generously 00:37:50.960 --> 00:37:51.960 give of yourself 00:37:51.960 --> 00:37:54.260 your grace. 00:37:55.599 --> 00:37:56.019 God, 00:37:56.079 --> 00:37:56.340 won't you 00:37:56.340 --> 00:37:56.740 help us, 00:37:56.780 --> 00:37:57.139 I pray. 00:38:02.740 --> 00:38:03.139 Friends, 00:38:03.219 --> 00:38:03.639 maybe you're here 00:38:03.639 --> 00:38:04.039 this morning 00:38:04.039 --> 00:38:04.519 and you're 00:38:04.519 --> 00:38:05.579 not a Christian, 00:38:06.619 --> 00:38:07.500 not a follower 00:38:07.500 --> 00:38:07.940 of Jesus. 00:38:07.940 --> 00:38:12.019 God's word 00:38:12.019 --> 00:38:12.300 to us 00:38:12.300 --> 00:38:12.760 this morning 00:38:12.760 --> 00:38:13.740 is not just 00:38:13.740 --> 00:38:14.599 when difficulty 00:38:14.599 --> 00:38:15.019 comes, 00:38:15.240 --> 00:38:16.460 what doesn't kill 00:38:16.460 --> 00:38:16.900 you makes you 00:38:16.900 --> 00:38:17.260 stronger. 00:38:18.300 --> 00:38:19.500 It's an invitation 00:38:19.500 --> 00:38:20.360 to come and know 00:38:20.360 --> 00:38:20.639 him, 00:38:21.579 --> 00:38:22.260 to entrust 00:38:22.260 --> 00:38:22.659 your life 00:38:22.659 --> 00:38:23.340 to his hands. 00:38:24.420 --> 00:38:25.260 What are you 00:38:25.260 --> 00:38:25.619 trusting? 00:38:27.039 --> 00:38:27.840 Who are you 00:38:27.840 --> 00:38:28.200 trusting? 00:38:29.500 --> 00:38:30.260 Where are you 00:38:30.260 --> 00:38:30.599 turning 00:38:30.599 --> 00:38:32.000 when the trials 00:38:32.000 --> 00:38:32.480 and challenges 00:38:32.480 --> 00:38:32.860 come? 00:38:34.480 --> 00:38:35.579 Jesus Christ, 00:38:35.679 --> 00:38:36.440 who was the same 00:38:36.440 --> 00:38:37.179 Christ who was 00:38:37.179 --> 00:38:37.920 alive and 00:38:37.920 --> 00:38:38.860 real to James, 00:38:39.300 --> 00:38:40.039 is alive and 00:38:40.039 --> 00:38:40.639 real today. 00:38:41.760 --> 00:38:42.059 And he's 00:38:42.059 --> 00:38:42.460 offering an 00:38:42.460 --> 00:38:43.180 invitation for 00:38:43.180 --> 00:38:43.680 you to come 00:38:43.680 --> 00:38:44.200 and entrust 00:38:44.200 --> 00:38:44.599 your life 00:38:44.599 --> 00:38:44.960 into his 00:38:44.960 --> 00:38:45.300 hands, 00:38:46.260 --> 00:38:47.000 to surrender, 00:38:47.780 --> 00:38:48.720 to yield 00:38:48.720 --> 00:38:49.480 yourself to 00:38:49.480 --> 00:38:49.740 him. 00:38:51.200 --> 00:38:52.059 He is so 00:38:52.059 --> 00:38:52.360 good. 00:38:53.220 --> 00:38:53.740 He is so 00:38:53.740 --> 00:38:54.119 gracious. 00:38:55.039 --> 00:38:55.619 He is so 00:38:55.619 --> 00:38:56.000 faithful. 00:38:57.360 --> 00:38:57.760 He won't 00:38:57.760 --> 00:38:58.440 take advantage 00:38:58.440 --> 00:38:58.900 of you. 00:39:00.019 --> 00:39:00.820 He will 00:39:00.820 --> 00:39:01.599 graciously 00:39:01.599 --> 00:39:02.380 walk with 00:39:02.380 --> 00:39:02.639 you. 00:39:04.440 --> 00:39:04.920 Friends, 00:39:04.960 --> 00:39:05.180 if you're 00:39:05.180 --> 00:39:05.680 not a Christian 00:39:05.680 --> 00:39:06.260 this morning, 00:39:06.920 --> 00:39:07.280 why don't 00:39:07.280 --> 00:39:07.600 you come 00:39:07.600 --> 00:39:07.980 to him? 00:39:09.320 --> 00:39:09.640 Why don't 00:39:09.640 --> 00:39:10.140 you acknowledge 00:39:10.140 --> 00:39:10.740 that you've 00:39:10.740 --> 00:39:11.580 so often 00:39:11.580 --> 00:39:12.060 done life 00:39:12.060 --> 00:39:12.320 in your 00:39:12.320 --> 00:39:12.960 own terms? 00:39:14.320 --> 00:39:14.820 Come and 00:39:14.820 --> 00:39:15.080 let him 00:39:15.080 --> 00:39:15.519 have his 00:39:15.519 --> 00:39:15.900 way in 00:39:15.900 --> 00:39:16.120 your life. 00:39:16.200 --> 00:39:16.460 Let him 00:39:16.460 --> 00:39:16.780 be your 00:39:16.780 --> 00:39:17.240 Lord and 00:39:17.240 --> 00:39:17.680 your king. 00:39:19.560 --> 00:39:20.120 Come and 00:39:20.120 --> 00:39:20.700 surrender to 00:39:20.700 --> 00:39:20.940 him. 00:39:27.660 --> 00:39:27.980 Christ, 00:39:28.040 --> 00:39:28.460 I pray that 00:39:28.460 --> 00:39:28.780 in our 00:39:28.780 --> 00:39:29.220 church you 00:39:29.220 --> 00:39:29.540 will help 00:39:29.540 --> 00:39:29.940 us to be 00:39:29.940 --> 00:39:30.660 a steadfast 00:39:30.660 --> 00:39:31.060 church. 00:39:31.960 --> 00:39:32.180 Lord, 00:39:32.220 --> 00:39:32.640 I pray for 00:39:32.640 --> 00:39:33.120 the many 00:39:33.120 --> 00:39:33.980 young adults 00:39:33.980 --> 00:39:34.280 in our 00:39:34.280 --> 00:39:34.460 church. 00:39:34.539 --> 00:39:34.740 I pray 00:39:34.740 --> 00:39:35.099 for the 00:39:35.099 --> 00:39:35.400 youth, 00:39:35.539 --> 00:39:35.699 God, 00:39:36.159 --> 00:39:36.820 the teenagers, 00:39:36.980 --> 00:39:37.240 the high 00:39:37.240 --> 00:39:37.719 schoolers, 00:39:38.179 --> 00:39:38.780 the university 00:39:38.780 --> 00:39:39.179 students, 00:39:39.260 --> 00:39:39.579 the fresh 00:39:39.579 --> 00:39:40.119 graduates. 00:39:40.980 --> 00:39:41.199 God, 00:39:41.240 --> 00:39:41.719 I pray that 00:39:41.719 --> 00:39:42.000 you will 00:39:42.000 --> 00:39:42.300 give us 00:39:42.300 --> 00:39:42.719 a faith 00:39:42.719 --> 00:39:43.119 that is 00:39:43.119 --> 00:39:44.240 steadfast, 00:39:44.920 --> 00:39:45.300 that in 00:39:45.300 --> 00:39:45.639 30, 00:39:45.800 --> 00:39:46.099 40, 00:39:46.179 --> 00:39:46.599 and 50 00:39:46.599 --> 00:39:46.880 years' 00:39:46.980 --> 00:39:47.179 time, 00:39:47.260 --> 00:39:47.599 we will 00:39:47.599 --> 00:39:48.119 still be 00:39:48.119 --> 00:39:48.659 following you, 00:39:48.740 --> 00:39:49.400 still trusting 00:39:49.400 --> 00:39:49.740 you, 00:39:50.260 --> 00:39:50.699 that we will 00:39:50.699 --> 00:39:51.460 be wise and 00:39:51.460 --> 00:39:52.300 mature men 00:39:52.300 --> 00:39:52.800 and women 00:39:52.800 --> 00:39:53.900 because our 00:39:53.900 --> 00:39:54.519 faith is 00:39:54.519 --> 00:39:55.920 steadfast, 00:39:56.219 --> 00:39:56.780 rock solid, 00:39:56.900 --> 00:39:57.300 that the 00:39:57.300 --> 00:39:58.199 roots of our 00:39:58.199 --> 00:39:58.559 faith have 00:39:58.559 --> 00:39:59.119 gone deep 00:39:59.119 --> 00:39:59.679 into you. 00:39:59.679 --> 00:40:01.019 God, 00:40:01.099 --> 00:40:01.559 I pray do 00:40:01.559 --> 00:40:01.960 that in our 00:40:01.960 --> 00:40:02.319 hearts. 00:40:03.319 --> 00:40:03.619 In your 00:40:03.619 --> 00:40:03.960 good and 00:40:03.960 --> 00:40:04.480 gracious name 00:40:04.480 --> 00:40:04.899 we pray. 00:40:06.099 --> 00:40:06.460 Amen.