Handling The Trials Of Life
Gtcotr/ws061604
Key Scripture: James 1:2 ¶ My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials. (NKJV)
Temptation, Testing, Trial, Tribulation, Affliction, Persecution, Trouble
Text: James 1
2 ¶ My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,
3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
I. Count It Joy - How can we count it all joy? Because we know that:
A. God will not send evil our way.
* James 1:13 ¶ Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.
B. Pressures have the capacity to work for us, not against us.
* 2 Corinthians 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,
C. Nothing too strong can come against us.
* 1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
II. It Is A Given: In This Life - There Will Be Tests!
John 16:33 "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."
A. The devil will try to make you bad.
* If the devil cannot make you bad, he will try to make you busy.
B. The devil will attempt to defeat you.
* If the devil cannot defeat you, he will attempt to defeat someone whose defeat will defeat you.
C. The devil will attempt to disqualify or discredit you.
* If the devil cannot get you to disqualify yourself, he will attempt to discredit you himself.
1 Peter 4
12 ¶ Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;
13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.
14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.
15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters.
16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.
III. The Recurring Theme - Rejoice!
A. James 1:2 “Count it all joy!”
B. John 16:33 “Be of good cheer!”
C. 1 Peter 4:13 “Rejoice!”
D. Romans 5:3 “We glory in tribulations!”
IV. Glory In Tribulations
Romans 5
3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations …
A. Tribulations = tests, trials, afflictions, pressures, temptations, hardships, difficulties, sufferings
B. Glory (different than the Glory of God)
1. To boast (confident, not arrogant; sure that you win)
2. To rejoice (… in the victory before the battle)
* When we are tempted, tried, tested, pressured, afflicted or suffer hardship, we can stand there and make our boast, rejoicing in the victory we have in Christ who will not allow more to come upon us than what we are able to bear. He will bring us through in victory.
* 2 Corinthians 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory
> This glory: Greek - doxa = honor; dignity; praise; grace; majesty; excellence; value; magnificence; Godly splendor & brightness.
* We can be confident in times of trouble knowing that God has designed us so the things which come against us actually make us stronger than we were before.
* Exodus 1:12 But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were in dread of the children of Israel.
V. There Is A Process To Victory
Romans 5
3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;
4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope.
5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
A. Tribulation
B. Perseverance (a strategic mental attitude of not giving up)
C. Character (proof)
D. Hope (Hebrews 6:19 which hope we have as an anchor …)
E. Victory (we will never be ashamed we chose God’s way)
* Every time life offers you a trial, and life will, handle it God’s way. You are going to go through it anyway, you may as well come through better and not bitter. God’s not tempting you - He’s helping you.
