The Book of James

“An epistle of straw”

New Series – ‘Developing a faith that works’

Today

‘Turning trials into triumphs’

James 1:1-18

‘Turning trials into triumphs’

Who was James?

One of several half-brothers of Christ (Matt 13:55)

Didn’t believe in Jesus initially (John 7:5)

Saw the resurrected Christ (1 Cor 15:7)

Became part of the Apostolic group (Acts 1:14)

and prominent in the Jerusalem church (Acts 15:13)

‘Turning trials into triumphs’

Who were his readers?

‘the 12 tribes scattered among the nations’

James 1:1

Jewish Christians who had been dispersed due to persecution

‘Turning trials into triumphs’

Why was he writing?

to people who had already chosen to follow Jesus Christ and were now

asking the question

“How do we live now that we are saved?”

‘Turning trials into triumphs’

How to handle trials from without (1:1-12)

How to handle temptations from within (1:13-18)

Face your trials with joy

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face

trials of many kinds

James 1:2

How to handle trials

when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy – NLT

How to handle trials

When all kinds of trials and temptations crowd into your lives … don’t resent them as

intruders, but welcome them as friends!

J B Phillips

Expect trials ‘whenever’ not ‘if’

Face your trials with joy

Expect different sorts of trials ‘many coloured/variegated’

Consider it pure joy when …

Face your trials with joy

Realise God is at work through your trials

because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.

Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete …

James 1:3-4

How to handle trials

Our faith will always be tested

Realise God is at work through your trials

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish

what is now being done, the saving of many lives

Gen 50:20

Testing of our faith produces perseverance

Realise God is at work through your trials

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those

who love God and are called according to his purpose for them

Rom 8:28 NLT

Ask God for wisdom

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you

James 1:5

How to handle trials

Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding

Prov 3:13

Wisdom in Proverbs

Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom

Prov 4:7

for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her

Prov 8:11

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom

Prov 9:10

Wisdom in Proverbs

Ask God for wisdom

But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a

wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is

double-minded and unstable in all they do James 1:6-8

How to handle trials

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive

the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him

James 1:12

• Ask God for wisdom

• Face our trials with joy • He is at work through our trials