James Shepherd
Series: The End Of Hypocrisy
Speaker: Steve Jeffrey
Date: 6th September 2015
Passage: James 1:1-18
00:00:00 --> 00:00:05 you all to gather as God's people, to sit under his word and be taught. As Sam mentioned,
00:00:05 --> 00:00:11 we are in a new series tonight looking at James at the end of hypocrisy, a series going
00:00:11 --> 00:00:16 through the book of James with the aim to bridge the gap between the way God has called
00:00:16 --> 00:00:21 us to live and the way we actually live. That we might live out of faith that reflects the
00:00:21 --> 00:00:27 deep convictions of scripture, showing that we are a people saved by grace and therefore
00:00:27 --> 00:00:33 such a conviction changes the way we live. Indeed, in this letter, we meet someone who
00:00:33 --> 00:00:41 experiences the very grace of God, which radically changes his life. James was a brother of Jesus
00:00:41 --> 00:00:47 and he grew up with him his whole entire life. But in the gospels, we are told that he didn't
00:00:47 --> 00:00:54 follow Jesus. He didn't believe in him. John 7, 5 says, for not even his brothers believed
00:00:54 --> 00:01:00 in him. And so James grew up with the very son of God in his own family. He heard every
00:01:00 --> 00:01:05 single word he taught, everything he did and said, but he didn't follow him. He didn't believe
00:01:05 --> 00:01:11 him. In fact, his whole family, we are told in Mark's gospel, thought he was crazy and said,
00:01:11 --> 00:01:16 Jesus, stop doing that. Stop saying these things. They thought he was a bit of a lunatic.
00:01:16 --> 00:01:23 But this is not, this wasn't always going to be the case for James. You see, in 1 Corinthians 15,
00:01:23 --> 00:01:24 we're told this,
00:01:25 --> 00:01:31 For I delivered you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins in
00:01:31 --> 00:01:35 accordance with the scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in
00:01:35 --> 00:01:40 accordance with the scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to
00:01:40 --> 00:01:47 more than 500 brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep.
00:01:48 --> 00:01:57 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. It wouldn't be until James came face to face with
00:01:57 --> 00:02:03 the resurrected Lord Jesus, that he would come to believe all that Jesus had said and done,
00:02:03 --> 00:02:11 that Jesus was the Messiah, that he was the Christ, the promised one to come and save people from their sins.
00:02:12 --> 00:02:18 And so years on, James is now the leader of a church in Jerusalem, and he's writing this letter to strengthen
00:02:18 --> 00:02:23 his brothers and sisters who are all dispersed across Asia Minor and into Europe.
00:02:24 --> 00:02:26 They may live lives of faithfulness.
00:02:27 --> 00:02:33 Indeed, it's not a stretch to suggest that James wants his readers to be so impacted
00:02:33 --> 00:02:40 by the resurrection of Jesus as he was, and to see that it does change their life,
00:02:40 --> 00:02:43 and it does make a difference in the way they live.
00:02:44 --> 00:02:47 This book is not about moralism.
00:02:48 --> 00:02:49 It's not a book of proverbs.
00:02:50 --> 00:02:53 It's not a checklist to see how you are going in your faith.
00:02:54 --> 00:03:00 This book, this letter, is written with a deeply held conviction
00:03:00 --> 00:03:05 that the resurrection of Jesus changes lives forever,
00:03:06 --> 00:03:11 and what our faith looks like in the public's place,
00:03:11 --> 00:03:17 and how the resurrection, how the gospel shapes and changes our life.
00:03:17 --> 00:03:19 And so with this in mind, let's pray.
00:03:19 --> 00:03:26 Heavenly Father, we thank you so much that tonight we can gather as your people.
00:03:26 --> 00:03:28 We can sit under your word and have you teach us.
00:03:29 --> 00:03:31 And we just pray, Lord, as we read your word tonight,
00:03:31 --> 00:03:33 as we look and start our series on James,
00:03:33 --> 00:03:38 and looking at the issue of hypocrisy in our lives as Christians,
00:03:39 --> 00:03:41 that you would challenge us, that you would rebuke us,
00:03:41 --> 00:03:44 that you would lead us towards repentance for our sin,
00:03:44 --> 00:03:47 but also, Lord, that you would encourage us,
00:03:47 --> 00:03:49 you would strengthen us, and you would embolden us,
00:03:49 --> 00:03:53 that you would help us to see that the gospel that we so clearly
00:03:53 --> 00:03:58 and hold convictingly, that does change our life,
00:03:58 --> 00:04:00 and it can influence the way we live.
00:04:01 --> 00:04:03 And so, Father, we just pray tonight,
00:04:03 --> 00:04:06 that tonight you would help us to see this in your word
00:04:06 --> 00:04:07 and to live according to it.
00:04:08 --> 00:04:09 We pray this in your Son's name.
00:04:10 --> 00:04:10 Amen.
00:04:10 --> 00:04:15 I don't know if you've ever read an email or a Facebook message
00:04:15 --> 00:04:17 or a letter, if you still get letters,
00:04:18 --> 00:04:22 and the very first line of the actual content of the Facebook message
00:04:22 --> 00:04:25 or the email takes you back a little bit.
00:04:25 --> 00:04:26 It's a bit abrupt.
00:04:27 --> 00:04:28 It might be really offensive.
00:04:29 --> 00:04:32 You might be a little bit blown away about what this person
00:04:32 --> 00:04:35 is just saying to you from the word go.
00:04:36 --> 00:04:38 And that's the kind of way I feel about James
00:04:38 --> 00:04:40 with his opening statement.
00:04:40 --> 00:04:41 It's abrupt.
00:04:41 --> 00:04:43 It makes a huge presumption.
00:04:44 --> 00:04:46 It's offensive in a way at first reading.
00:04:47 --> 00:04:47 It says,
00:04:48 --> 00:04:51 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,
00:04:51 --> 00:04:53 whenever you face trials of many kinds.
00:04:55 --> 00:04:56 That is crazy.
00:04:57 --> 00:04:58 That is abrupt.
00:04:59 --> 00:05:01 There's a bit of a punch in the face.
00:05:01 --> 00:05:04 James, what part of our trials,
00:05:04 --> 00:05:05 of our suffering,
00:05:06 --> 00:05:08 are we to consider as pure joy?
00:05:09 --> 00:05:11 Or all joy?
00:05:11 --> 00:05:12 Is that even possible?
00:05:13 --> 00:05:16 James doesn't want to waste any time here.
00:05:16 --> 00:05:17 From the very beginning,
00:05:17 --> 00:05:17 from the very beginning,
00:05:17 --> 00:05:20 he writes to a bunch of Christians
00:05:20 --> 00:05:22 wanting to show how our core
00:05:22 --> 00:05:25 and deeply held convictions in the gospel of Jesus
00:05:25 --> 00:05:26 impact our life.
00:05:27 --> 00:05:29 And the very first conviction,
00:05:29 --> 00:05:32 the very first implication of the gospel,
00:05:32 --> 00:05:33 is a punch in the face
00:05:33 --> 00:05:37 that turns our world upside down.
00:05:38 --> 00:05:39 Consider it pure joy
00:05:39 --> 00:05:43 whenever you face trials of many kinds.
00:05:44 --> 00:05:46 Now, James is quick to show why.
00:05:46 --> 00:05:49 We are to consider joy in trials
00:05:49 --> 00:05:53 because they produce perseverance for our faith.
00:05:54 --> 00:05:57 And we are told that the results of this perseverance
00:05:57 --> 00:05:59 is our perfection, wholeness,
00:05:59 --> 00:06:00 and lacking in nothing.
00:06:01 --> 00:06:03 The gospel impacts us by shaping the way
00:06:03 --> 00:06:06 we think about trials and about suffering.
00:06:06 --> 00:06:10 And so in a world that's so obsessed with security,
00:06:10 --> 00:06:11 with safety,
00:06:11 --> 00:06:14 that fears danger and suffering,
00:06:14 --> 00:06:19 the gospel turns on its head about suffering
00:06:19 --> 00:06:22 and says you ought to consider these things pure joy.
00:06:23 --> 00:06:25 They're not to be afraid, not to be feared.
00:06:26 --> 00:06:28 We shouldn't see them as threatening,
00:06:28 --> 00:06:29 but instead,
00:06:29 --> 00:06:32 because of the way the gospel has impacted us,
00:06:32 --> 00:06:34 we see them as pure joy.
00:06:34 --> 00:06:38 Our sufferings and trials show us
00:06:38 --> 00:06:39 that we aren't in control.
00:06:39 --> 00:06:41 We can't do anything to assure
00:06:41 --> 00:06:45 our complete protection and security against them.
00:06:45 --> 00:06:48 But this is why we should consider it pure joy
00:06:48 --> 00:06:49 when we experience suffering,
00:06:49 --> 00:06:52 because it serves as a constant reminder
00:06:52 --> 00:06:55 of our need to rely on God
00:06:55 --> 00:06:57 and not on ourself.
00:06:58 --> 00:07:01 Trials teach us lessons
00:07:01 --> 00:07:03 about our need for God's sustaining grace
00:07:03 --> 00:07:06 and humble us from thinking
00:07:06 --> 00:07:08 that we can do life on our own.
00:07:09 --> 00:07:10 And although the various trials
00:07:10 --> 00:07:11 we might face in our life
00:07:11 --> 00:07:14 might try to rob us of our joy,
00:07:15 --> 00:07:16 in the end,
00:07:17 --> 00:07:18 as we are told here,
00:07:18 --> 00:07:21 they should only go to serve our joy
00:07:21 --> 00:07:23 because our trials
00:07:23 --> 00:07:26 always point us to our need of God.
00:07:27 --> 00:07:29 Indeed, they remind us
00:07:29 --> 00:07:30 of our need of God
00:07:30 --> 00:07:33 and of how God has already provided for us
00:07:33 --> 00:07:34 in His Son.
00:07:35 --> 00:07:38 It can be hard to see how suffering
00:07:38 --> 00:07:39 can achieve all this,
00:07:40 --> 00:07:43 especially when we're in the midst of it all.
00:07:43 --> 00:07:44 How can a good God,
00:07:45 --> 00:07:47 who says He loves us,
00:07:47 --> 00:07:50 allow for suffering to occur in the world
00:07:50 --> 00:07:51 and in our life
00:07:51 --> 00:07:52 and say,
00:07:52 --> 00:07:53 consider it joy
00:07:53 --> 00:07:55 because it's going to achieve
00:07:55 --> 00:07:56 these things for you.
00:07:58 --> 00:07:59 It's hard when we're in the thick of it all.
00:08:00 --> 00:08:02 It's hard to see the bigger perspective
00:08:02 --> 00:08:04 of what our trials
00:08:04 --> 00:08:05 and our suffering
00:08:05 --> 00:08:06 is achieving for us.
00:08:07 --> 00:08:09 And this is why James goes on
00:08:09 --> 00:08:11 to talk about the need for wisdom.
00:08:12 --> 00:08:13 He says in verse 5,
00:08:13 --> 00:08:14 if any of you lacks wisdom,
00:08:14 --> 00:08:15 you should ask God
00:08:15 --> 00:08:16 who gives generously
00:08:16 --> 00:08:18 to all without finding fault
00:08:18 --> 00:08:20 and it will be given to you.
00:08:20 --> 00:08:24 As trials test our faith
00:08:24 --> 00:08:25 that we might persevere,
00:08:25 --> 00:08:27 proven in the end
00:08:27 --> 00:08:28 to be lacking in nothing,
00:08:28 --> 00:08:30 James points out
00:08:30 --> 00:08:32 that we might be inhibited
00:08:32 --> 00:08:33 in persevering
00:08:33 --> 00:08:35 if we lack wisdom.
00:08:37 --> 00:08:38 This wisdom
00:08:38 --> 00:08:39 is not merely intellectual
00:08:39 --> 00:08:41 or philosophical.
00:08:41 --> 00:08:42 This is the wisdom
00:08:42 --> 00:08:44 of the gospel
00:08:44 --> 00:08:46 that impacts our life
00:08:46 --> 00:08:47 and transforms
00:08:47 --> 00:08:49 the way we view life
00:08:49 --> 00:08:51 in regards to suffering
00:08:51 --> 00:08:51 and trials.
00:08:51 --> 00:08:52 It shows us
00:08:52 --> 00:08:54 that we should not be afraid,
00:08:55 --> 00:08:56 that we shouldn't feel threatened
00:08:56 --> 00:08:57 by the experience,
00:08:58 --> 00:08:59 but that we should see it
00:08:59 --> 00:09:00 for what it really is,
00:09:00 --> 00:09:01 an experience
00:09:01 --> 00:09:03 that tests our faith
00:09:03 --> 00:09:05 in order to preserve it,
00:09:06 --> 00:09:07 to keep it.
00:09:08 --> 00:09:09 But to see all this,
00:09:10 --> 00:09:11 we need to embrace
00:09:11 --> 00:09:13 gospel wisdom.
00:09:14 --> 00:09:15 That should be
00:09:15 --> 00:09:16 our first response
00:09:16 --> 00:09:17 in suffering,
00:09:18 --> 00:09:19 to ask God
00:09:19 --> 00:09:20 for wisdom
00:09:20 --> 00:09:21 in order that
00:09:21 --> 00:09:23 we might respond well
00:09:23 --> 00:09:24 and suffer well,
00:09:25 --> 00:09:26 seeing it as a tool
00:09:26 --> 00:09:27 for the preservation
00:09:27 --> 00:09:29 of our faith.
00:09:30 --> 00:09:32 The reason why
00:09:32 --> 00:09:33 we struggle so much
00:09:33 --> 00:09:34 with trials and suffering
00:09:34 --> 00:09:35 is because we struggle
00:09:35 --> 00:09:36 to see their purpose.
00:09:37 --> 00:09:38 And especially
00:09:38 --> 00:09:39 when you look around
00:09:39 --> 00:09:39 at other people
00:09:39 --> 00:09:40 in our life
00:09:40 --> 00:09:41 who don't seem
00:09:41 --> 00:09:42 to be struggling at all,
00:09:43 --> 00:09:44 who seem to have it all,
00:09:44 --> 00:09:46 who really in this world
00:09:46 --> 00:09:47 don't like anything,
00:09:48 --> 00:09:49 it can be really hard
00:09:49 --> 00:09:51 to look at those people
00:09:51 --> 00:09:52 and not think,
00:09:52 --> 00:09:53 why can't I be like that?
00:09:55 --> 00:09:56 Psalm 73
00:09:56 --> 00:09:57 is one of those psalms
00:09:57 --> 00:09:58 I think many of us
00:09:58 --> 00:09:59 can relate to.
00:09:59 --> 00:10:00 The psalmist
00:10:00 --> 00:10:01 is lamenting
00:10:01 --> 00:10:02 of his own struggle
00:10:02 --> 00:10:04 and he opens with this,
00:10:04 --> 00:10:05 truly God
00:10:05 --> 00:10:06 is good to Israel,
00:10:06 --> 00:10:08 to those who are pure in heart,
00:10:08 --> 00:10:09 but as for me,
00:10:09 --> 00:10:09 my feet
00:10:09 --> 00:10:11 had almost stumbled,
00:10:11 --> 00:10:12 my steps
00:10:12 --> 00:10:13 had nearly slipped,
00:10:13 --> 00:10:15 for I was envious
00:10:15 --> 00:10:15 of the arrogant
00:10:15 --> 00:10:16 when I saw
00:10:16 --> 00:10:17 the prosperity
00:10:17 --> 00:10:17 of the wicked
00:10:17 --> 00:10:19 for they had no pains
00:10:19 --> 00:10:20 until death.
00:10:20 --> 00:10:21 Their bodies
00:10:21 --> 00:10:22 are fat and sleek,
00:10:23 --> 00:10:24 they are not in trouble
00:10:24 --> 00:10:25 as others are,
00:10:25 --> 00:10:26 they are not stricken
00:10:26 --> 00:10:28 like the rest of mankind.
00:10:29 --> 00:10:30 Like the psalmist here,
00:10:30 --> 00:10:31 we struggle
00:10:31 --> 00:10:33 to see sometimes
00:10:33 --> 00:10:33 our neighbours,
00:10:34 --> 00:10:35 our work colleagues
00:10:35 --> 00:10:36 and even our friends
00:10:36 --> 00:10:39 when they have it so easy,
00:10:40 --> 00:10:41 who don't seem
00:10:41 --> 00:10:42 to like anything,
00:10:42 --> 00:10:43 who own their house,
00:10:43 --> 00:10:44 own their nice car,
00:10:45 --> 00:10:46 go on holidays,
00:10:46 --> 00:10:47 and yet all the while
00:10:47 --> 00:10:48 never seem to struggle
00:10:48 --> 00:10:50 with any kind of suffering
00:10:50 --> 00:10:51 or trial in their life.
00:10:51 --> 00:10:53 They just cruise through life
00:10:53 --> 00:10:53 and enjoy it
00:10:53 --> 00:10:54 at every single point
00:10:54 --> 00:10:56 while we
00:10:56 --> 00:10:58 face so many sufferings
00:10:58 --> 00:10:59 and so much trial,
00:11:00 --> 00:11:01 which rob us
00:11:01 --> 00:11:02 of our health,
00:11:02 --> 00:11:03 our money,
00:11:03 --> 00:11:04 and our relationships.
00:11:05 --> 00:11:07 And so this can make it
00:11:07 --> 00:11:08 just really hard
00:11:08 --> 00:11:09 to simply accept
00:11:09 --> 00:11:10 what the Bible
00:11:10 --> 00:11:10 is saying here,
00:11:10 --> 00:11:12 that we should consider
00:11:12 --> 00:11:13 it all joy.
00:11:14 --> 00:11:15 And not just that,
00:11:16 --> 00:11:17 but to accept it
00:11:17 --> 00:11:17 as not only
00:11:17 --> 00:11:18 the right response
00:11:18 --> 00:11:19 to suffering,
00:11:20 --> 00:11:22 but as the best response
00:11:22 --> 00:11:23 to suffering.
00:11:25 --> 00:11:26 We have,
00:11:26 --> 00:11:27 in the next few verses,
00:11:27 --> 00:11:29 in verses 9 to 11,
00:11:29 --> 00:11:29 what seems to be
00:11:29 --> 00:11:32 a general proverbial teaching
00:11:32 --> 00:11:32 on the poor
00:11:32 --> 00:11:33 and the rich
00:11:33 --> 00:11:34 and how the poor
00:11:34 --> 00:11:35 will be exalted
00:11:35 --> 00:11:36 and the rich humiliated.
00:11:36 --> 00:11:37 But if we read closely,
00:11:38 --> 00:11:40 I think we can see
00:11:40 --> 00:11:41 James is applying
00:11:41 --> 00:11:43 this gospel wisdom
00:11:43 --> 00:11:44 and the way
00:11:44 --> 00:11:45 it changes our view
00:11:45 --> 00:11:47 on material wealth.
00:11:48 --> 00:11:48 That it turns
00:11:48 --> 00:11:49 on the world's head,
00:11:50 --> 00:11:51 the world's view,
00:11:52 --> 00:11:52 on what it means
00:11:52 --> 00:11:53 to be perfect,
00:11:54 --> 00:11:54 complete,
00:11:55 --> 00:11:56 and lacking in nothing.
00:11:56 --> 00:11:57 And so it shows
00:11:57 --> 00:11:59 why we should have
00:11:59 --> 00:12:00 a joyful response
00:12:00 --> 00:12:02 and why that response
00:12:02 --> 00:12:04 is the best response.
00:12:05 --> 00:12:06 So verse 9 reads,
00:12:06 --> 00:12:07 believers in humbler
00:12:07 --> 00:12:08 circumstances
00:12:08 --> 00:12:09 ought to take pride
00:12:09 --> 00:12:11 in their position,
00:12:11 --> 00:12:12 but the rich
00:12:12 --> 00:12:13 should take pride
00:12:13 --> 00:12:14 in their humiliation
00:12:14 --> 00:12:16 since they will pass away
00:12:16 --> 00:12:17 like a wildflower.
00:12:18 --> 00:12:19 What we see here
00:12:19 --> 00:12:20 is a picture
00:12:20 --> 00:12:21 of the impact
00:12:21 --> 00:12:23 the gospel wisdom
00:12:23 --> 00:12:24 has both on the rich
00:12:24 --> 00:12:26 and on the poor.
00:12:26 --> 00:12:27 The lowly believer
00:12:27 --> 00:12:28 takes pride
00:12:28 --> 00:12:29 in his exaltation
00:12:29 --> 00:12:31 for whilst they lack
00:12:31 --> 00:12:32 in material things,
00:12:33 --> 00:12:34 gospel wisdom
00:12:34 --> 00:12:35 shows them
00:12:35 --> 00:12:36 that they have
00:12:36 --> 00:12:37 everything in Christ.
00:12:38 --> 00:12:39 They lack nothing
00:12:39 --> 00:12:40 spiritually.
00:12:40 --> 00:12:41 Indeed,
00:12:41 --> 00:12:42 it's very much like
00:12:42 --> 00:12:43 what Jesus said
00:12:43 --> 00:12:44 in Matthew 5
00:12:44 --> 00:12:45 in the Beatitudes,
00:12:46 --> 00:12:47 blessed are the poor
00:12:47 --> 00:12:48 in spirit
00:12:48 --> 00:12:48 for theirs
00:12:48 --> 00:12:50 is the kingdom of God.
00:12:52 --> 00:12:53 And the rich boast
00:12:53 --> 00:12:54 in their humiliation
00:12:54 --> 00:12:55 for although
00:12:55 --> 00:12:56 they have had it all,
00:12:57 --> 00:12:58 they didn't like
00:12:58 --> 00:12:58 anything in life,
00:12:59 --> 00:13:00 they had every single
00:13:00 --> 00:13:01 material possession
00:13:01 --> 00:13:02 you could possibly have
00:13:02 --> 00:13:03 and they were fulfilled
00:13:03 --> 00:13:03 and content
00:13:03 --> 00:13:05 in this life.
00:13:06 --> 00:13:07 Gospel wisdom
00:13:07 --> 00:13:09 impacts them
00:13:09 --> 00:13:10 by showing them
00:13:10 --> 00:13:11 that their material
00:13:11 --> 00:13:11 possessions
00:13:11 --> 00:13:12 are nothing
00:13:12 --> 00:13:14 compared
00:13:14 --> 00:13:15 to what can only
00:13:15 --> 00:13:16 be gained
00:13:16 --> 00:13:18 in Christ's
00:13:18 --> 00:13:19 eternal life.
00:13:20 --> 00:13:21 Gospel wisdom
00:13:21 --> 00:13:23 makes such pursuits
00:13:23 --> 00:13:24 in wealth
00:13:24 --> 00:13:25 and in material things
00:13:25 --> 00:13:26 silly
00:13:26 --> 00:13:27 and stupid
00:13:27 --> 00:13:29 because they fade away
00:13:29 --> 00:13:31 compared to
00:13:31 --> 00:13:32 the gospel
00:13:32 --> 00:13:34 which is eternal.
00:13:35 --> 00:13:36 This little illustration
00:13:36 --> 00:13:37 is loosely connected
00:13:37 --> 00:13:39 to the theme of suffering
00:13:39 --> 00:13:40 but the point
00:13:40 --> 00:13:41 is that the gospel
00:13:41 --> 00:13:42 turns our world
00:13:42 --> 00:13:43 on its head.
00:13:44 --> 00:13:45 What it means
00:13:45 --> 00:13:46 to be whole,
00:13:46 --> 00:13:47 perfect
00:13:47 --> 00:13:48 and lacking in nothing.
00:13:48 --> 00:13:50 that our wholeness
00:13:50 --> 00:13:51 and perfection
00:13:51 --> 00:13:52 is not dependent
00:13:52 --> 00:13:53 on worldly
00:13:53 --> 00:13:55 material things,
00:13:55 --> 00:13:56 it's dependent
00:13:56 --> 00:13:57 on Christ
00:13:57 --> 00:13:58 and his work
00:13:58 --> 00:13:59 on the cross
00:13:59 --> 00:14:00 to make us whole.
00:14:01 --> 00:14:02 This means
00:14:02 --> 00:14:03 we look at our world
00:14:03 --> 00:14:03 in a whole
00:14:03 --> 00:14:04 new way.
00:14:05 --> 00:14:06 We look at
00:14:06 --> 00:14:07 our experiences
00:14:07 --> 00:14:07 and our possessions
00:14:07 --> 00:14:08 and our life
00:14:08 --> 00:14:09 within a much
00:14:09 --> 00:14:10 bigger perspective
00:14:10 --> 00:14:12 than the here and now.
00:14:12 --> 00:14:13 and this
00:14:13 --> 00:14:14 includes
00:14:14 --> 00:14:15 our trials
00:14:15 --> 00:14:17 and suffering
00:14:17 --> 00:14:19 which is why
00:14:19 --> 00:14:20 we read in verse 12
00:14:20 --> 00:14:21 following on from this
00:14:21 --> 00:14:23 blessed is the one
00:14:23 --> 00:14:24 who perseveres
00:14:24 --> 00:14:25 under trial
00:14:25 --> 00:14:26 because having
00:14:26 --> 00:14:27 stood the test
00:14:27 --> 00:14:28 that person
00:14:28 --> 00:14:29 will receive
00:14:29 --> 00:14:29 the crown
00:14:29 --> 00:14:30 of life
00:14:30 --> 00:14:32 that the Lord
00:14:32 --> 00:14:32 has promised
00:14:32 --> 00:14:33 to those who love him.
00:14:34 --> 00:14:35 To those
00:14:35 --> 00:14:36 who might lack
00:14:36 --> 00:14:37 in this life
00:14:37 --> 00:14:38 who otherwise
00:14:38 --> 00:14:38 go through
00:14:38 --> 00:14:40 immense suffering
00:14:40 --> 00:14:41 and face trials
00:14:41 --> 00:14:43 but persevere
00:14:43 --> 00:14:44 trusting in God
00:14:44 --> 00:14:46 they will receive
00:14:46 --> 00:14:47 the crown of life.
00:14:48 --> 00:14:49 They will live
00:14:49 --> 00:14:50 with God
00:14:50 --> 00:14:51 forever.
00:14:53 --> 00:14:54 It's a great blessing
00:14:54 --> 00:14:55 we have
00:14:55 --> 00:14:56 as Christians
00:14:56 --> 00:14:58 this promise
00:14:58 --> 00:15:00 this wisdom
00:15:00 --> 00:15:01 that comes
00:15:01 --> 00:15:02 from the gospel.
00:15:03 --> 00:15:03 For the world
00:15:03 --> 00:15:04 the world today
00:15:04 --> 00:15:05 is perplexed
00:15:05 --> 00:15:06 about how to deal
00:15:06 --> 00:15:07 with the issue
00:15:07 --> 00:15:08 of suffering
00:15:08 --> 00:15:09 of death
00:15:09 --> 00:15:10 of trials
00:15:10 --> 00:15:11 they don't have
00:15:11 --> 00:15:12 an answer.
00:15:13 --> 00:15:13 They pretty much
00:15:13 --> 00:15:14 just say
00:15:14 --> 00:15:15 ignore it
00:15:15 --> 00:15:16 do your best
00:15:16 --> 00:15:17 in pursuing
00:15:17 --> 00:15:17 riches
00:15:17 --> 00:15:19 and worldly things
00:15:19 --> 00:15:19 and just hope
00:15:19 --> 00:15:20 for a better outcome
00:15:20 --> 00:15:22 hope for the best outcome.
00:15:23 --> 00:15:24 But as Christians
00:15:24 --> 00:15:25 we have been so
00:15:25 --> 00:15:26 dramatically
00:15:26 --> 00:15:27 transformed
00:15:27 --> 00:15:28 by the power
00:15:28 --> 00:15:29 of the gospel
00:15:29 --> 00:15:30 by the death
00:15:30 --> 00:15:31 and resurrection
00:15:31 --> 00:15:31 of Jesus
00:15:31 --> 00:15:33 which shapes
00:15:33 --> 00:15:34 the way
00:15:34 --> 00:15:35 we view life
00:15:35 --> 00:15:37 as we view it
00:15:37 --> 00:15:38 through the wisdom
00:15:38 --> 00:15:39 of the gospel.
00:15:41 --> 00:15:42 And what it tells us
00:15:42 --> 00:15:43 is that suffering
00:15:43 --> 00:15:44 and trials
00:15:44 --> 00:15:45 whilst
00:15:45 --> 00:15:46 are horrible
00:15:46 --> 00:15:47 whilst
00:15:47 --> 00:15:49 are painful
00:15:49 --> 00:15:51 they are not
00:15:51 --> 00:15:51 bigger
00:15:51 --> 00:15:53 or more powerful
00:15:53 --> 00:15:54 than God.
00:15:55 --> 00:15:56 Indeed
00:15:56 --> 00:15:57 God has proven
00:15:57 --> 00:15:58 his power
00:15:58 --> 00:15:58 over them
00:15:58 --> 00:15:59 by using them
00:15:59 --> 00:16:00 as a means
00:16:00 --> 00:16:02 of preserving
00:16:02 --> 00:16:03 our faith
00:16:03 --> 00:16:05 and keeping us
00:16:05 --> 00:16:05 on track
00:16:05 --> 00:16:06 that we might
00:16:06 --> 00:16:06 end up
00:16:06 --> 00:16:07 perfect
00:16:07 --> 00:16:08 and right
00:16:08 --> 00:16:10 and whole
00:16:10 --> 00:16:10 and lacking
00:16:10 --> 00:16:11 in nothing.
00:16:12 --> 00:16:13 And so we
00:16:13 --> 00:16:13 as Christians
00:16:13 --> 00:16:14 can do something
00:16:14 --> 00:16:15 that's so
00:16:15 --> 00:16:16 counter-cultural
00:16:16 --> 00:16:17 that's so offensive
00:16:17 --> 00:16:18 in our world
00:16:18 --> 00:16:18 today
00:16:18 --> 00:16:19 we can actually
00:16:19 --> 00:16:21 take joy
00:16:21 --> 00:16:22 in our sufferings.
00:16:24 --> 00:16:25 I think it was
00:16:25 --> 00:16:25 John Piper
00:16:25 --> 00:16:26 who said
00:16:26 --> 00:16:27 God is most
00:16:27 --> 00:16:28 glorified in you
00:16:28 --> 00:16:29 when you are
00:16:29 --> 00:16:29 most satisfied
00:16:29 --> 00:16:30 in him
00:16:30 --> 00:16:31 in the midst
00:16:31 --> 00:16:33 of lost
00:16:33 --> 00:16:35 not prosperity.
00:16:35 --> 00:16:36 What makes
00:16:36 --> 00:16:37 God look so
00:16:37 --> 00:16:38 good and so
00:16:38 --> 00:16:39 worthy of
00:16:39 --> 00:16:39 worship
00:16:39 --> 00:16:40 is when we
00:16:40 --> 00:16:41 can go to
00:16:41 --> 00:16:42 God in the
00:16:42 --> 00:16:43 midst of so
00:16:43 --> 00:16:43 much pain
00:16:43 --> 00:16:44 and trouble
00:16:44 --> 00:16:45 and still say
00:16:45 --> 00:16:46 God you are
00:16:46 --> 00:16:46 good.
00:16:47 --> 00:16:48 God you are
00:16:48 --> 00:16:49 worthy.
00:16:50 --> 00:16:51 Not when we
00:16:51 --> 00:16:52 have it all
00:16:52 --> 00:16:53 worked out
00:16:53 --> 00:16:54 when in the
00:16:54 --> 00:16:55 pit of despair
00:16:55 --> 00:16:56 we can still
00:16:56 --> 00:16:57 say God is
00:16:57 --> 00:16:57 good.
00:16:59 --> 00:17:00 That is the
00:17:00 --> 00:17:01 wisdom of the
00:17:01 --> 00:17:03 gospel played
00:17:03 --> 00:17:03 out in the
00:17:03 --> 00:17:04 Christian life.
00:17:05 --> 00:17:07 God is
00:17:07 --> 00:17:07 but the
00:17:07 --> 00:17:08 question I
00:17:08 --> 00:17:08 want to ask
00:17:08 --> 00:17:10 is do we
00:17:10 --> 00:17:11 actually take
00:17:11 --> 00:17:12 joy in our
00:17:12 --> 00:17:13 trials?
00:17:14 --> 00:17:15 Do we truly
00:17:15 --> 00:17:17 believe that in
00:17:17 --> 00:17:18 the midst of
00:17:18 --> 00:17:19 trials and
00:17:19 --> 00:17:20 suffering that
00:17:20 --> 00:17:21 the best response
00:17:21 --> 00:17:23 to these trials
00:17:23 --> 00:17:24 and suffering is
00:17:24 --> 00:17:24 joy?
00:17:25 --> 00:17:27 Do our lives
00:17:27 --> 00:17:27 reflect joy?
00:17:27 --> 00:17:29 God is in
00:17:29 --> 00:17:30 control.
00:17:30 --> 00:17:31 God is in
00:17:31 --> 00:17:32 control.
00:17:32 --> 00:17:33 He will take
00:17:33 --> 00:17:34 care of us.
00:17:34 --> 00:17:35 by believing
00:17:35 --> 00:17:37 one thing and
00:17:37 --> 00:17:37 doing another.
00:17:38 --> 00:17:38 By saying we
00:17:38 --> 00:17:40 live this way
00:17:40 --> 00:17:40 but actually
00:17:40 --> 00:17:41 living in a
00:17:41 --> 00:17:42 totally different
00:17:42 --> 00:17:43 and opposite
00:17:43 --> 00:17:43 way.
00:17:44 --> 00:17:45 And I think
00:17:45 --> 00:17:45 for many of
00:17:45 --> 00:17:46 us we take
00:17:46 --> 00:17:47 great comfort in
00:17:47 --> 00:17:48 this chapter here
00:17:48 --> 00:17:49 in James 1.
00:17:50 --> 00:17:50 And so when we
00:17:50 --> 00:17:51 are faced with
00:17:51 --> 00:17:52 times we often
00:17:52 --> 00:17:52 verbalize to
00:17:52 --> 00:17:53 ourselves and to
00:17:53 --> 00:17:54 each other God
00:17:54 --> 00:17:55 is in control.
00:17:56 --> 00:17:56 He will take
00:17:56 --> 00:17:57 care of us.
00:17:58 --> 00:17:59 This is like all
00:17:59 --> 00:17:59 according to his
00:17:59 --> 00:18:00 plan.
00:18:00 --> 00:18:03 But how often
00:18:03 --> 00:18:04 do we see this
00:18:04 --> 00:18:05 reflected in our
00:18:05 --> 00:18:06 life, in our
00:18:06 --> 00:18:06 actions?
00:18:07 --> 00:18:08 We might have
00:18:08 --> 00:18:10 speech that shows
00:18:10 --> 00:18:10 that we've been
00:18:10 --> 00:18:12 impacted by gospel
00:18:12 --> 00:18:13 wisdom and say
00:18:13 --> 00:18:14 the right things
00:18:14 --> 00:18:16 in suffering but
00:18:16 --> 00:18:17 has it impacted
00:18:17 --> 00:18:18 our life and our
00:18:18 --> 00:18:19 actions and the
00:18:19 --> 00:18:20 way we live?
00:18:21 --> 00:18:23 When I'm faced
00:18:23 --> 00:18:24 with trials and
00:18:24 --> 00:18:25 hard times I
00:18:25 --> 00:18:27 struggle to always
00:18:27 --> 00:18:28 run to God and
00:18:28 --> 00:18:29 not to worldly
00:18:29 --> 00:18:29 things.
00:18:29 --> 00:18:30 And if I can be
00:18:30 --> 00:18:31 honest, when I
00:18:31 --> 00:18:31 feel the pressure
00:18:31 --> 00:18:33 of life, when I
00:18:33 --> 00:18:34 feel depressed and
00:18:34 --> 00:18:35 unhappy because of
00:18:35 --> 00:18:37 trials, I generally
00:18:37 --> 00:18:38 turn to the gym.
00:18:40 --> 00:18:41 I increase the
00:18:41 --> 00:18:43 time I spend at
00:18:43 --> 00:18:44 the gym hoping
00:18:44 --> 00:18:45 that it will make
00:18:45 --> 00:18:45 me feel good,
00:18:46 --> 00:18:47 hoping that as I
00:18:47 --> 00:18:49 continue to work
00:18:49 --> 00:18:50 out I will be
00:18:50 --> 00:18:50 able to build a
00:18:50 --> 00:18:51 better image of
00:18:51 --> 00:18:53 myself and feel
00:18:53 --> 00:18:54 more whole and
00:18:54 --> 00:18:55 feel more perfect
00:18:55 --> 00:18:57 and feel like I
00:18:57 --> 00:18:58 lack nothing
00:18:58 --> 00:18:59 because I'm
00:18:59 --> 00:19:00 working out.
00:19:01 --> 00:19:02 And what also
00:19:02 --> 00:19:03 goes hand in hand
00:19:03 --> 00:19:04 with this is that I
00:19:04 --> 00:19:05 might buy new
00:19:05 --> 00:19:06 clothes as well
00:19:06 --> 00:19:07 because I want to
00:19:07 --> 00:19:08 portray this whole
00:19:08 --> 00:19:09 image where I look
00:19:09 --> 00:19:11 good and I feel
00:19:11 --> 00:19:12 good and I look
00:19:12 --> 00:19:14 perfect or I look
00:19:14 --> 00:19:14 whole and I look
00:19:14 --> 00:19:16 like I've got all
00:19:16 --> 00:19:17 my problems all
00:19:17 --> 00:19:17 sorted out.
00:19:18 --> 00:19:19 All the while
00:19:19 --> 00:19:21 though, I'm telling
00:19:21 --> 00:19:22 myself and telling
00:19:22 --> 00:19:22 others, no, no,
00:19:22 --> 00:19:23 God's in control of
00:19:23 --> 00:19:24 my life and he's
00:19:24 --> 00:19:25 got a plan for
00:19:25 --> 00:19:25 this and I'm
00:19:25 --> 00:19:26 trusting in him.
00:19:27 --> 00:19:28 At the same time
00:19:28 --> 00:19:29 also encouraging
00:19:29 --> 00:19:30 others in their
00:19:30 --> 00:19:31 struggles and their
00:19:31 --> 00:19:32 trials saying,
00:19:33 --> 00:19:33 oh, don't worry,
00:19:33 --> 00:19:34 God's in control.
00:19:35 --> 00:19:35 Don't worry, God's
00:19:35 --> 00:19:36 got a plan for your
00:19:36 --> 00:19:37 life.
00:19:38 --> 00:19:39 Except, you know,
00:19:39 --> 00:19:40 my own actions
00:19:40 --> 00:19:40 don't reflect that
00:19:40 --> 00:19:42 in the way I'm
00:19:42 --> 00:19:42 dealing with that
00:19:42 --> 00:19:43 myself.
00:19:45 --> 00:19:46 Now this is the
00:19:46 --> 00:19:48 hypocrisy I see in
00:19:48 --> 00:19:48 my life.
00:19:50 --> 00:19:51 What might it be
00:19:51 --> 00:19:51 in yours?
00:19:54 --> 00:19:54 Where do you
00:19:54 --> 00:19:56 turn to instead
00:19:56 --> 00:19:58 of God in your
00:19:58 --> 00:19:59 actions that
00:19:59 --> 00:20:00 doesn't reflect what
00:20:00 --> 00:20:02 you say and
00:20:02 --> 00:20:02 believe?
00:20:04 --> 00:20:05 If we could go
00:20:05 --> 00:20:06 back for a moment
00:20:06 --> 00:20:07 to the section on
00:20:07 --> 00:20:08 wisdom, you may
00:20:08 --> 00:20:09 notice I left out a
00:20:09 --> 00:20:10 little bit there on
00:20:10 --> 00:20:11 how to ask for it.
00:20:12 --> 00:20:12 We're just going to
00:20:12 --> 00:20:13 read it from verse
00:20:13 --> 00:20:13 six again.
00:20:14 --> 00:20:15 But when you ask,
00:20:15 --> 00:20:16 you must believe and
00:20:16 --> 00:20:17 not doubt because the
00:20:17 --> 00:20:18 one who doubts is
00:20:18 --> 00:20:19 like a wave of the
00:20:19 --> 00:20:21 sea, blown, tossed
00:20:21 --> 00:20:21 by the wind.
00:20:22 --> 00:20:22 That person should
00:20:22 --> 00:20:23 not expect to receive
00:20:23 --> 00:20:24 anything from the
00:20:24 --> 00:20:24 Lord.
00:20:25 --> 00:20:26 Such a person is
00:20:26 --> 00:20:26 double-minded and
00:20:26 --> 00:20:27 unstable in all they
00:20:27 --> 00:20:27 do.
00:20:29 --> 00:20:30 James says if we
00:20:30 --> 00:20:31 want gospel wisdom
00:20:31 --> 00:20:33 to help us see the
00:20:33 --> 00:20:35 bigger perspective of
00:20:35 --> 00:20:36 suffering, we must
00:20:36 --> 00:20:39 ask and believe and
00:20:39 --> 00:20:40 not doubt.
00:20:41 --> 00:20:42 Now this belief is
00:20:42 --> 00:20:43 more than just in
00:20:43 --> 00:20:45 regards to believing
00:20:45 --> 00:20:45 something will
00:20:45 --> 00:20:46 happen.
00:20:47 --> 00:20:48 Now this belief,
00:20:48 --> 00:20:49 this command to
00:20:49 --> 00:20:50 believe is more
00:20:50 --> 00:20:51 tied to loyalty.
00:20:52 --> 00:20:53 So James is
00:20:53 --> 00:20:55 saying ask living a
00:20:55 --> 00:20:57 life that's loyal to
00:20:57 --> 00:20:57 God.
00:20:58 --> 00:20:59 And so to doubt
00:20:59 --> 00:21:01 then here is more
00:21:01 --> 00:21:01 than just being
00:21:01 --> 00:21:03 unsure that God's
00:21:03 --> 00:21:04 going to give you
00:21:04 --> 00:21:05 something or being
00:21:05 --> 00:21:06 unsure something will
00:21:06 --> 00:21:06 happen.
00:21:07 --> 00:21:08 Doubt here is more
00:21:08 --> 00:21:10 tied with the idea of
00:21:10 --> 00:21:11 being divided.
00:21:12 --> 00:21:13 It is to be unsure
00:21:13 --> 00:21:14 where your loyalties
00:21:14 --> 00:21:15 lie.
00:21:16 --> 00:21:17 And we see this in
00:21:17 --> 00:21:18 the illustration that
00:21:18 --> 00:21:18 follows.
00:21:18 --> 00:21:20 This divided person
00:21:20 --> 00:21:20 is like a wave
00:21:20 --> 00:21:21 tossed to and
00:21:21 --> 00:21:22 fro.
00:21:22 --> 00:21:24 He is unstable and
00:21:24 --> 00:21:24 double-minded.
00:21:25 --> 00:21:26 He is completely
00:21:26 --> 00:21:26 divided in his
00:21:26 --> 00:21:28 loyalty and so of
00:21:28 --> 00:21:29 course he's not going
00:21:29 --> 00:21:30 to receive anything
00:21:30 --> 00:21:31 from God.
00:21:33 --> 00:21:34 Is it possible that
00:21:34 --> 00:21:35 this might be a
00:21:35 --> 00:21:36 picture of us as
00:21:36 --> 00:21:37 well?
00:21:38 --> 00:21:40 Can we truly say
00:21:40 --> 00:21:41 that we have been
00:21:41 --> 00:21:43 impacted by the
00:21:43 --> 00:21:43 wisdom of the
00:21:43 --> 00:21:44 gospel saying true
00:21:44 --> 00:21:47 things about it
00:21:47 --> 00:21:47 when our lives
00:21:47 --> 00:21:48 don't even reflect
00:21:48 --> 00:21:48 it?
00:21:50 --> 00:21:51 Is it possible that
00:21:51 --> 00:21:52 we ask in a
00:21:52 --> 00:21:53 divided manner?
00:21:53 --> 00:21:55 Saying one thing
00:21:55 --> 00:21:56 but living in a
00:21:56 --> 00:21:58 completely different
00:21:58 --> 00:21:58 way.
00:21:59 --> 00:22:00 Saying we trust in
00:22:00 --> 00:22:02 God and we know
00:22:02 --> 00:22:03 he's planned for our
00:22:03 --> 00:22:04 suffering but in our
00:22:04 --> 00:22:06 actions we run to
00:22:06 --> 00:22:08 worldly things that
00:22:08 --> 00:22:10 make us feel whole,
00:22:10 --> 00:22:10 that make us feel
00:22:10 --> 00:22:11 like we lack nothing
00:22:11 --> 00:22:13 but in reality leave
00:22:13 --> 00:22:14 us empty.
00:22:16 --> 00:22:17 James points out the
00:22:17 --> 00:22:19 hypocrisy I think
00:22:19 --> 00:22:20 many of us struggle
00:22:20 --> 00:22:21 with.
00:22:22 --> 00:22:23 We believe, we
00:22:23 --> 00:22:24 believe so hard that
00:22:24 --> 00:22:25 suffering and trials
00:22:25 --> 00:22:27 must have a purpose
00:22:27 --> 00:22:29 and do lead to the
00:22:29 --> 00:22:30 preservation of our
00:22:30 --> 00:22:32 faith but so often
00:22:32 --> 00:22:34 our actions would say
00:22:34 --> 00:22:34 otherwise.
00:22:35 --> 00:22:36 What we do would say
00:22:36 --> 00:22:37 otherwise.
00:22:38 --> 00:22:39 And so James is
00:22:39 --> 00:22:40 calling us to have an
00:22:40 --> 00:22:42 undivided loyalty to
00:22:42 --> 00:22:44 the gospel of Jesus.
00:22:44 --> 00:22:45 To have a faith that
00:22:45 --> 00:22:47 does not sit on the
00:22:47 --> 00:22:48 fence or say one
00:22:48 --> 00:22:49 thing and do another.
00:22:50 --> 00:22:51 James is calling
00:22:51 --> 00:22:53 believers as they
00:22:53 --> 00:22:54 ask for gospel wisdom
00:22:54 --> 00:22:56 to do so totally
00:22:56 --> 00:22:58 trusting in God.
00:22:59 --> 00:23:00 Giving him, giving
00:23:00 --> 00:23:02 them, sorry God,
00:23:02 --> 00:23:03 their undivided
00:23:03 --> 00:23:04 devotion to him.
00:23:05 --> 00:23:07 Both in speech and
00:23:07 --> 00:23:08 in action.
00:23:08 --> 00:23:11 we must look at our
00:23:11 --> 00:23:12 actions and ask
00:23:12 --> 00:23:14 ourselves if we are
00:23:14 --> 00:23:14 divided in our
00:23:14 --> 00:23:16 devotion to God,
00:23:16 --> 00:23:17 saying one thing and
00:23:17 --> 00:23:18 doing another.
00:23:20 --> 00:23:21 And we must ask
00:23:21 --> 00:23:22 ourselves, does that
00:23:22 --> 00:23:23 need to change?
00:23:24 --> 00:23:25 And what needs to
00:23:25 --> 00:23:26 change?
00:23:26 --> 00:23:28 However, we'll talk
00:23:28 --> 00:23:28 more about that
00:23:28 --> 00:23:30 throughout this series
00:23:30 --> 00:23:30 as it comes up.
00:23:31 --> 00:23:32 As we continue on,
00:23:32 --> 00:23:33 we see that the result
00:23:33 --> 00:23:35 may be if we remain
00:23:35 --> 00:23:37 divided in our loyalty,
00:23:37 --> 00:23:38 is that if we
00:23:38 --> 00:23:39 abandon gospel
00:23:39 --> 00:23:42 wisdom, is that our
00:23:42 --> 00:23:43 trials and suffering
00:23:43 --> 00:23:44 will lead us instead
00:23:44 --> 00:23:46 to think that God is
00:23:46 --> 00:23:47 to blame for them.
00:23:48 --> 00:23:48 So if you look at
00:23:48 --> 00:23:49 verse 13, it says
00:23:49 --> 00:23:50 this,
00:23:50 --> 00:23:51 when tempted, no one
00:23:51 --> 00:23:52 should say, God is
00:23:52 --> 00:23:53 tempting me, for God
00:23:53 --> 00:23:55 cannot be tempted by
00:23:55 --> 00:23:56 evil, nor does he
00:23:56 --> 00:23:57 tempt anyone.
00:23:58 --> 00:23:59 But each person is
00:23:59 --> 00:24:00 tempted when they are
00:24:00 --> 00:24:01 dragged away by their
00:24:01 --> 00:24:03 own evil desire and
00:24:03 --> 00:24:03 enticed.
00:24:04 --> 00:24:05 Then after desire is
00:24:05 --> 00:24:06 conceived, it gives
00:24:06 --> 00:24:07 birth to sin, and
00:24:07 --> 00:24:08 sin, when it's full
00:24:08 --> 00:24:09 grown, gives birth to
00:24:09 --> 00:24:10 death.
00:24:10 --> 00:24:11 Again, what we read
00:24:11 --> 00:24:12 here is very good
00:24:12 --> 00:24:13 wisdom on its own, but
00:24:13 --> 00:24:15 in its context, James
00:24:15 --> 00:24:17 intends to say so much
00:24:17 --> 00:24:17 more.
00:24:18 --> 00:24:19 People who are divided
00:24:19 --> 00:24:20 in their loyalty to
00:24:20 --> 00:24:22 God, who don't have the
00:24:22 --> 00:24:24 gospel wisdom to
00:24:24 --> 00:24:25 perceive God's bigger
00:24:25 --> 00:24:27 perspective, generally
00:24:27 --> 00:24:30 end up blaming God for
00:24:30 --> 00:24:32 their suffering and
00:24:32 --> 00:24:32 trials.
00:24:32 --> 00:24:32 trials.
00:24:33 --> 00:24:35 They struggle to deal
00:24:35 --> 00:24:36 with their suffering and
00:24:36 --> 00:24:37 trials on their own, and
00:24:37 --> 00:24:39 so they conclude it can't
00:24:39 --> 00:24:41 be their fault, since it
00:24:41 --> 00:24:44 must be God, since he is
00:24:44 --> 00:24:44 in control.
00:24:45 --> 00:24:46 It must be him who's
00:24:46 --> 00:24:48 tempting them to live in
00:24:48 --> 00:24:49 the opposite way.
00:24:50 --> 00:24:52 Instead of seeing the
00:24:52 --> 00:24:54 dichotomy between what
00:24:54 --> 00:24:56 they believe about
00:24:56 --> 00:24:59 suffering, and what they
00:24:59 --> 00:25:01 say and do in response, as
00:25:01 --> 00:25:02 an example of their
00:25:02 --> 00:25:05 hypocrisy, they see it as
00:25:05 --> 00:25:07 an example of God
00:25:07 --> 00:25:08 tempting them.
00:25:09 --> 00:25:10 They blame their failure
00:25:10 --> 00:25:12 to do the right thing in
00:25:12 --> 00:25:13 their response to
00:25:13 --> 00:25:15 suffering on God.
00:25:16 --> 00:25:18 James wants to correct
00:25:18 --> 00:25:21 this, and correct us who
00:25:21 --> 00:25:22 might think this way.
00:25:22 --> 00:25:23 He says God cannot be
00:25:23 --> 00:25:25 tempted, nor tempt anyone.
00:25:25 --> 00:25:27 We are tempted by our own
00:25:27 --> 00:25:30 evil desire, and when we
00:25:30 --> 00:25:33 are enticed by sin to
00:25:33 --> 00:25:33 sin.
00:25:34 --> 00:25:35 And James tells us a
00:25:35 --> 00:25:36 little more as well.
00:25:36 --> 00:25:37 He tells us about the
00:25:37 --> 00:25:38 effects of sin.
00:25:39 --> 00:25:41 Interestingly, similar
00:25:41 --> 00:25:42 effects to what trials are
00:25:42 --> 00:25:43 supposed to achieve for the
00:25:43 --> 00:25:44 Christian as well.
00:25:44 --> 00:25:46 It says, then after the
00:25:46 --> 00:25:47 desire has conceived, it
00:25:47 --> 00:25:49 gives birth to sin, and
00:25:49 --> 00:25:50 sin when it's full grown
00:25:50 --> 00:25:52 gives birth to death.
00:25:52 --> 00:25:54 The word full grown, the
00:25:54 --> 00:25:55 word perfection earlier on,
00:25:56 --> 00:25:57 come from the same family
00:25:57 --> 00:25:58 of words in the Greek.
00:26:00 --> 00:26:03 And so the reality is, our
00:26:03 --> 00:26:05 response to trials and
00:26:05 --> 00:26:07 suffering either puts us on
00:26:07 --> 00:26:08 a trajectory towards being
00:26:08 --> 00:26:10 made whole and perfect,
00:26:11 --> 00:26:12 lacking in nothing, where we
00:26:12 --> 00:26:13 get to enjoy God's presence
00:26:13 --> 00:26:16 forever, or it puts us on a
00:26:16 --> 00:26:18 trajectory where we don't see
00:26:18 --> 00:26:19 the bigger picture of their
00:26:19 --> 00:26:19 purpose.
00:26:19 --> 00:26:21 We continue to seek our
00:26:21 --> 00:26:23 perfection and our lacking in
00:26:23 --> 00:26:25 nothing in earthly, material
00:26:25 --> 00:26:28 things, and where we begin to
00:26:28 --> 00:26:30 blame God when we can't
00:26:30 --> 00:26:31 respond rightly, which
00:26:31 --> 00:26:33 therefore leads us into sin
00:26:33 --> 00:26:36 and then bringing death.
00:26:37 --> 00:26:39 There is no middle ground
00:26:39 --> 00:26:39 here.
00:26:40 --> 00:26:43 Our response to trials and
00:26:43 --> 00:26:45 suffering will either lead to
00:26:45 --> 00:26:47 life or will lead to death.
00:26:49 --> 00:26:51 This is why this is serious.
00:26:52 --> 00:26:54 And we must ask ourselves, do
00:26:54 --> 00:26:57 our actions reflect what we
00:26:57 --> 00:26:57 believed?
00:26:58 --> 00:27:00 Do my words and sentiments
00:27:00 --> 00:27:03 about God's plan and power in
00:27:03 --> 00:27:05 suffering actually match up to
00:27:05 --> 00:27:07 the way I act and live in my
00:27:07 --> 00:27:07 life?
00:27:08 --> 00:27:11 Or is there a clear hypocrisy
00:27:11 --> 00:27:12 between the two?
00:27:15 --> 00:27:16 James starts with a punch,
00:27:16 --> 00:27:17 doesn't he?
00:27:18 --> 00:27:19 A massive punch.
00:27:19 --> 00:27:22 But it's good that he does.
00:27:24 --> 00:27:25 For he knows how big of an
00:27:25 --> 00:27:28 issue suffering is for the
00:27:28 --> 00:27:30 Christian and how perplexing it
00:27:30 --> 00:27:32 can be for a Christian to try and
00:27:32 --> 00:27:34 reconcile how a good God can
00:27:34 --> 00:27:36 allow suffering to happen to
00:27:36 --> 00:27:38 people who otherwise love him and
00:27:38 --> 00:27:38 trust him.
00:27:39 --> 00:27:42 He writes this to point out our
00:27:43 --> 00:27:46 hypocrisy, which stings, which
00:27:46 --> 00:27:47 hurts.
00:27:48 --> 00:27:50 But he doesn't do it to condemn
00:27:50 --> 00:27:52 us, but to implore us to adopt
00:27:52 --> 00:27:56 gospel wisdom, that we might see
00:27:56 --> 00:27:58 our suffering and our trials through
00:27:58 --> 00:28:00 the lens of the cross and what's
00:28:00 --> 00:28:01 achieving for us.
00:28:02 --> 00:28:04 He knows suffering and trials can
00:28:04 --> 00:28:07 rob us of our joy in this life, but
00:28:07 --> 00:28:09 he is telling us that suffering may
00:28:09 --> 00:28:11 harm us and it will harm us in this
00:28:11 --> 00:28:12 life.
00:28:12 --> 00:28:14 It will rob us of all that we have.
00:28:14 --> 00:28:17 And it will take away joy in this
00:28:17 --> 00:28:18 life, potentially.
00:28:19 --> 00:28:23 But within God's great sovereignty,
00:28:24 --> 00:28:27 suffering and trials cannot rob us of
00:28:27 --> 00:28:31 our eternal joy in being saved in
00:28:31 --> 00:28:35 Christ, in being his forever, in
00:28:35 --> 00:28:37 knowing and being in relationship with
00:28:37 --> 00:28:38 him.
00:28:38 --> 00:28:43 suffering and trials only go to serve
00:28:43 --> 00:28:47 such joy as it's merely an instrument, a
00:28:47 --> 00:28:50 tool to preserve our faith.
00:28:51 --> 00:28:55 And this comes from gospel wisdom.
00:28:56 --> 00:28:58 This comes when we are impacted by the
00:28:58 --> 00:28:58 gospel.
00:28:59 --> 00:29:02 And so unlike the world, our security is
00:29:02 --> 00:29:03 not in our stuff.
00:29:03 --> 00:29:05 Our security is not in making sure that
00:29:05 --> 00:29:07 we remain safe for the rest of our
00:29:07 --> 00:29:08 life.
00:29:09 --> 00:29:11 In making sure we have our insurances and
00:29:11 --> 00:29:13 health insurances and car insurances and
00:29:13 --> 00:29:15 a roof over our head.
00:29:15 --> 00:29:19 Our security and our hope is in the
00:29:19 --> 00:29:19 gospel.
00:29:20 --> 00:29:23 It's in something far greater and far
00:29:23 --> 00:29:24 more powerful.
00:29:24 --> 00:29:24 gospel.
00:29:28 --> 00:29:31 And this is why in the last few verses, in
00:29:31 --> 00:29:34 response to those who would say God is
00:29:34 --> 00:29:36 tempting them, he says this,
00:29:36 --> 00:29:39 don't be deceived.
00:29:39 --> 00:29:43 My dear brothers and sisters, every good and
00:29:43 --> 00:29:46 perfect gift is from above, coming down from
00:29:46 --> 00:29:49 the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not
00:29:49 --> 00:29:50 change like shifting shadows.
00:29:50 --> 00:29:53 He chose to give us birth through the word of
00:29:53 --> 00:29:58 truth that we might be a kind of first fruits of
00:29:58 --> 00:29:58 all he created.
00:30:00 --> 00:30:02 Don't be deceived.
00:30:02 --> 00:30:05 This is what we need to remember today.
00:30:06 --> 00:30:07 Don't be deceived.
00:30:08 --> 00:30:10 Everything that is good comes from God.
00:30:10 --> 00:30:13 Everything that is perfect comes from him.
00:30:13 --> 00:30:17 And dare I say it, included in these gifts are
00:30:17 --> 00:30:19 suffering and trials.
00:30:19 --> 00:30:24 Not that in and of themselves are they good gifts,
00:30:25 --> 00:30:28 but in terms of what they achieve for us, what
00:30:28 --> 00:30:31 they accomplish for us, God permits them.
00:30:31 --> 00:30:35 And so therefore, they are good gifts and should be
00:30:35 --> 00:30:39 seen as such because they are helping us in
00:30:39 --> 00:30:42 persevering and preserving our faith that we might
00:30:42 --> 00:30:45 be brought to a place of perfection, wholeness, where we
00:30:45 --> 00:30:47 lack nothing for eternity.
00:30:47 --> 00:30:49 They serve us in the end.
00:30:50 --> 00:30:53 And that's the way, that's the, sorry, that's because
00:30:53 --> 00:30:57 gospel wisdom shows us that they do.
00:30:59 --> 00:31:01 And I think the best way we can see them as achieving this
00:31:01 --> 00:31:06 purpose is by looking at the greatest gift that God has
00:31:06 --> 00:31:07 given us.
00:31:08 --> 00:31:11 Verse 18, he chose to give us birth through the word of
00:31:11 --> 00:31:14 truth that we might be a kind of first fruits of all he
00:31:14 --> 00:31:14 created.
00:31:14 --> 00:31:21 The greatest gift that God has given us is life, which
00:31:21 --> 00:31:23 came through his son.
00:31:24 --> 00:31:28 And remember the way which the son was able to give us life.
00:31:30 --> 00:31:31 The cross.
00:31:34 --> 00:31:40 The cross, the greatest gift to humankind was one at the same
00:31:40 --> 00:31:44 time, the greatest suffering of all time to any human.
00:31:44 --> 00:31:46 I'll say it again.
00:31:46 --> 00:31:52 The greatest gift to humankind was one and at the same time the
00:31:52 --> 00:31:56 greatest suffering of all time to any human in history.
00:31:57 --> 00:32:02 And so as Paul says in 1 Corinthians, this is a stumbling block to
00:32:02 --> 00:32:06 the Jews saying that God died to save us.
00:32:06 --> 00:32:11 And it's foolishness to the Greek for how can one man's suffering prevent our
00:32:11 --> 00:32:12 eternal suffering?
00:32:12 --> 00:32:15 How can one man's death bring us life?
00:32:16 --> 00:32:21 But the reality is to us here who are called, who believe, to us here who have
00:32:21 --> 00:32:26 been impacted by the gospel, it is the wisdom of God.
00:32:26 --> 00:32:37 And it's this cross-shaped wisdom that now becomes the paradigm, the pattern of our life in the
00:32:37 --> 00:32:41 way we view suffering and trials to come.
00:32:41 --> 00:32:52 Instead of seeing them as life-taking, instead of seeing them as life-destroying, as joy-destroying,
00:32:52 --> 00:32:58 we rejoice in them because the gospel shows us that they are life-preserving.
00:32:58 --> 00:33:00 They are joy-giving.
00:33:02 --> 00:33:04 And they are eternally so.
00:33:06 --> 00:33:12 And so throughout all the struggles and hardships of life, throughout the times which we feel
00:33:12 --> 00:33:20 our sufferings and our trials are just robbing us of our joy and robbing us of a life that
00:33:20 --> 00:33:27 is fulfilling, we can say faithfully of the psalmist towards the end of Psalm 73,
00:33:28 --> 00:33:30 whom have I in heaven but you?
00:33:31 --> 00:33:34 And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.
00:33:35 --> 00:33:41 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
00:33:41 --> 00:33:42 Amen.