Summary: HEAR THE WORD, DO THE WORD

Key Scripture (James 1:2-4): Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

James 1:2-4 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

• Attitude.

We Have To Exercise The Muscle of Faith Against The Resistance. God Turns Tests Into Testimonies!  

James 1:5-8 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways..

• Trust.  We Pray for Help But We Don’t Always Want What God Is Serving; Do We?  James Checks Our Motives & Forces Us To Get Real. 

James 1:9-11 Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, 10 and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. 11 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.

• Humility.  Powered by Healthy Personal Assessment & Eternal Perspective.

James 1:12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

• Persevere.  Carry the Entire Load God Gives But Only the Load God Gives. “Steadfast” = Hu-pa-men-ay: "Christ-empowered endurance" to get from "God's point A" to "God's point B."

James 1:13-15  Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

• Honesty.  Blaming, Ducking, Denying Sin Destroys Us. 

James 1:16-18 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. 18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. 

• Know. Know God & His Character & You’ll Make Godly Decisions In Life.  In Every Situation There’s a Morally Correct Action.  Fools Say Evil Comes From God.  Wrong.  God Is Good.  He Won’t Produce Evil.  He Will Make A Way…

1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

James 1:19-21 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

• Holiness.  Haste > Waste.  Pride > Destruction.  Anger > Unrighteousness, (Settled-Anger, Opposition towards a Person Rather than the Offense).

CONCLUSION: HEAR THE WORD, DO THE WORD

Apply God’s Wisdom to your Tests & Trials & Watch God Turn your Test into a Testimony.  Trials Train Us Up In The Faith.  We Can Trust God to Walk With Us Through the Trials, & Empower Us To Pass the Tests. Our Part: Hear & Do!