Navigating Trials: Is the Goal to Be Better, or to Know Christ Better?

[00:11:25] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Welcome to Friday night worship at First Pres Mooresville.
[00:11:29] Glad you all are here tonight.
[00:11:30] Would you please stand up and grab a hymnal if you haven't already done so.
[00:11:34] We're going to sing some old chestnuts tonight, some old favorite hymns.
[00:11:40] Number 525, When We All Get to Heaven.
[00:11:43] Number 525.

[00:12:02] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
Sing the wondrous love of Jesus.
[00:12:27] Sing His mercy and His grace.
[00:12:28] In the mansions bright and blessed, He'll prepare for us a place.
[00:12:29] When we all get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be.
[00:12:33] Jesus, we'll sing and shout the victory.
[00:12:41] While we walk the pilgrim's pathway, clouds will overspread the sky.
[00:13:04] The day of rejoicing that will be When we all see Jesus We'll sing and shout the victory
[00:13:19] Let us then be true and faithful, trusting, serving every day.
[00:13:47] Just one glimpse of healing glory will the joys of life repay.
[00:13:48] When we all get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be.
[00:13:57] Onward to the prize before us, soon His beauty will behold.
[00:14:16] Soon the pearly gates will open, we shall tread the streams of gold.
[00:14:21] Thanks for prioritizing the time to be here.

[00:14:47] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]:
We actually, as a staff, we're talking about
[00:14:52] If we're going to pre-record, why don't we invite people to come join us.
[00:14:55] So thank you.
[00:14:56] And we're recording this so on Sunday morning folks can tune in and be part of church.
[00:15:04] And so thank you.
[00:15:05] Thank you to Greg.
[00:15:06] He drove from Charlotte.
[00:15:08] And it was kind of ugly.
[00:15:09] And both David and Laura, they both readjusted their schedules today to make this happen.
[00:15:16] And the youth group.
[00:15:16] I know Zeb and Sarah did not want to cancel this weekend.
[00:15:20] And so...
[00:15:20] I hope you all are having a good time today.
[00:15:22] Did you just have dinner?
[00:15:24] You all, so awesome.
[00:15:25] Thanks for joining us.
[00:15:27] Let's join our hearts in prayer as we worship our Lord.
[00:15:30] Heavenly Father, it's a privilege to be here.
[00:15:33] Lord, we lift up your name, we sing songs of praise.
[00:15:37] Right now we're looking at the old time hymns and Lord, they stand the test of time and the richness of them and the depth of...
[00:15:45] We're here for you.
[00:15:49] Lord, give us sensitivity to your Holy Spirit.
[00:15:51] And Lord, we dedicate this night to you.
[00:15:54] We pray that it goes smoothly and that those on Sunday morning tuning in, Lord, that they may have a meaningful worship experience as well.
[00:16:02] We pray all these things in Jesus' name.
[00:16:04] Amen.
[00:16:05] Let's worship our Lord together.

[00:16:06] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Our next hymn is Hymn 502, Be Thou My Vision.
[00:16:11] And it's my prayer that we would draw ourselves now our attention to the Lord and that we would in prayer ask the Lord to guide us and to be our vision.

[00:16:40] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart.
[00:16:52] Not be all else to me, save that Thou art.
[00:17:01] Thou my best thought, by day and by night.
[00:17:21] My true word, I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord.
[00:17:40] Thou art the only firm first in my heart.
[00:17:55] The King of heaven, my victory won May I reach heaven's joys, O bright heaven's sun Heart of my own heart

[00:18:24] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
And we're gonna turn to 476 for I Need Thee Every Hour.

[00:19:07] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
of God.
[00:19:29] Oh, bless me now, my Savior I come to Thee Beneath Thee every hour Stay Thou near now Temptations, truths, and more
[00:20:13] Oh, bless me now, my Savior, I come to Thee I need Thee every hour, enjoy Your plain
[00:20:43] I need Thee, oh I need Thee Every hour I need Thee Oh bless me now my Savior I come to Thee
[00:21:10] I need Thee every hour, teach me Thy way, and Thy great promises in me fulfill.

[00:21:40] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
Amen.

[00:22:02] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
You may be seated.
[00:22:07] A couple announcements for us tonight.
[00:22:10] Pastor Dave already mentioned it, but all of our Sunday services, including youth group, will be canceled.
[00:22:17] And we'll be posting this service right now, the live stream, at 10 a.m. on Sunday morning.
[00:22:23] So you can look for it there.
[00:22:24] And then our congregational meeting has been postponed.
[00:22:29] It will now take place on Sunday, February 8th, immediately following the 1115 meeting.
[00:22:35] and the purpose of that meeting will be presenting the 2026 budget as approved by our session and then Scout Sunday will also take place on February 8th and the Scouts will be there in all three services
[00:22:51] We will provide a free spaghetti lunch after the 1115 service, post-congregational meeting, to kind of express their gratitude for us allowing them to be a part of our church.
[00:23:05] That will be exciting.
[00:23:06] We encourage you to be there for that.
[00:23:08] and then as well another announcement is Wednesday night together is starting up again on February 11th so we will be back in the fellowship hall sharing a meal together and then going off into classes most of the classes are staying the same but Pastor Moses let me know that there will be
[00:23:28] 2 new classes or topics within classes this upcoming semester.
[00:23:35] The first one is Pastor Moses.
[00:23:37] He'll be teaching a class called Livable Theology, Understanding Our Beliefs and Why It Matters.
[00:23:43] And then Jodi Rockness, she'll be leading the Lost and Found Women's Bible Study through 1st through 3rd John, right?
[00:23:51] yep um so and she says if you are interested you need to buy a book for the class um prior to it is that correct Jodi okay the book is called Abide by Jen Wilkin so if you want to be a part of that please purchase that before the class starts and youth will continue our student-led bible studies on Wednesday nights okay with that being said let's continue in worship would you join me now in prayer please
[00:24:29] Gracious Jesus, we just come before you right now in awe of who you are, in gratitude, God, for you have saved us.
[00:24:40] You have taken us from death to life.
[00:24:43] You have made us new.
[00:24:44] You have redeemed us, Lord.
[00:24:48] We were bought with a price, and we cannot praise you enough, we cannot thank you enough for what you have done for us, God.
[00:25:01] Lord what a blessing it is to gather here on a Friday night even though the weather is bad your people are still here in person gathering worshiping you encouraging one another and just waiting for your return so Lord I'm thankful for everyone that's in here
[00:25:27] would you give each and every single person who's in this room right now Holy Spirit what they need from you this night would you speak through Pastor Dave and your word to us God open our hearts to receive what it is that you have for us open our minds may we be attentive to your voice God we just lay down all distractions right now and every burden that we're carrying on to God
[00:25:56] Every burden, every weight, we lay it down, Lord, at your feet.
[00:26:02] And all the sins that we've committed today and this past week, we ask for your forgiveness right now.
[00:26:11] That you now take this time to silently confess your sins to the Father.
[00:26:26] Lord Jesus we cling to that promise in your word that says when we confess our sins you are faithful and just to forgive us of them and in Romans 8 1 when it says therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus so any shame that we feel now we release that and we ask that you would help us God experience the freedom that your son offers us
[00:26:54] For who the Son sets free is free indeed.
[00:26:56] Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
[00:27:02] God, anyone who is feeling discouraged today because they've continued to fall into the same thing, they've prayed and they've tried to overcome this sin struggle in their life, and they just can't seem to do it.
[00:27:17] God, I just feel led to pray.
[00:27:22] That you would encourage them today and that they would be reminded of your grace, your unmerited favor.
[00:27:31] The last verse in the Bible, in the book of Revelation chapter 22, it says, May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
[00:27:43] May they just hold that verse dear to their heart today.
[00:27:47] It's never been about what they could do.
[00:27:50] It's always been about what you have done, Lord, on their behalf.
[00:27:56] Thank you for your blood that was shed on the cross and your resurrection.
[00:28:02] For everyone who is at home watching this on Sunday morning, Lord, would you provide for them?
[00:28:10] Would you show up for them, Lord, in the ways that they need you to?
[00:28:14] Would you show them that you hear their prayers?
[00:28:19] That you are a good father, that you are a good shepherd, that you never abandon or forsake us, that you look after your children, Lord.
[00:28:30] I pray that they would be able to have a holy moment, a moment of reverence, even in their home, as they watch this service, that they would feel you right there with them, God.
[00:28:46] We know that a lot is happening in our world right now.
[00:28:49] There's so much brokenness and we're not surprised because you told us in this world we will have trouble.
[00:28:55] And you told us that it's continuing.
[00:28:58] It's going to continue to get bad until the day that you return.
[00:29:03] So we just put our hope in you, Jesus.
[00:29:06] We fix our eyes on you.
[00:29:07] And I ask for wisdom for each of us, Holy Spirit, that you would help us be witnesses to you and lights to you in the midst of all the noise, in the midst of all the brokenness and hurting and pain.
[00:29:23] God, show us how we can represent you well, Jesus, to the people that you have put sovereignly in our lives.
[00:29:35] We surrender this church to you.
[00:29:38] You are the one who builds the church, Jesus, not us.
[00:29:43] It's you who is building it, and it's built upon you, the chief cornerstone.
[00:29:49] So all of us who are on staff, all of us who are members, all of us who serve as elders, all of us who serve in a variety of capacities in this church, we open up our hands and we say, may your will be done.
[00:30:03] Your will be done in this place.
[00:30:04] Give us the boldness to step out in faith and do what you have called us to do.
[00:30:13] Give us the humility to recognize that you're in control and we just give you all of our plans and our expectations.
[00:30:28] And Lord, give us give us
[00:30:33] A heart like yours, Jesus, to be your hands and feet, to go after your lost sheep, to take care of our brothers and sisters who are in need, to preach the gospel.
[00:30:53] You have been so faithful to this church, FPC Morris, to this point, Lord, and we just know you will continue to lead us forward.
[00:31:03] In any unspoken prayer request now, Lord, would you minister to your people with what they need.
[00:31:11] We give you all the honor, the praise, and the glory, and we now together pray the prayer that you taught your disciples to pray.
[00:31:17] Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
[00:31:21] Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
[00:31:26] Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.
[00:31:32] and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever amen

[00:31:45] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]:
So thank you for being here.
[00:31:47] During COVID, I got a flashback.
[00:31:49] During COVID, sometimes I preached to an empty room.
[00:31:52] I remember the first Sunday of COVID, we had my good friend Tom was running the soundboard, and he was the only person in the room.
[00:31:59] And so as I was preaching, I was just zoning in on Tom.
[00:32:03] And finally, Tom left the room.
[00:32:04] And then I was just preaching to an empty room.
[00:32:07] And this really, thank you for being here.
[00:32:10] And my prayer is that we all benefit from this as we receive God's word
[00:32:16] We're starting a new sermon series.
[00:32:19] It's from the book of James.
[00:32:21] I've entitled it, Everyday Faith.
[00:32:25] The book of James is very much practical.
[00:32:30] It emphasizes everyday living.
[00:32:33] It's written in letter form.
[00:32:36] Now some of the New Testament letters are very deep and theological, teaching us different aspects about God.
[00:32:42] That's not James.
[00:32:44] James doesn't go into depth theologically.
[00:32:48] The Gospels, you know, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, they really emphasize the good news of Jesus Christ, his life, his death, his ministry, his resurrection.
[00:32:58] In James, the name Jesus is only mentioned twice in five chapters.
[00:33:06] So when I say this is a practical letter, it's about everyday living, it's taking really what we believe as Christians and fleshing it out.
[00:33:17] It's not so much what do we believe, but how do we live what we believe.
[00:33:26] Let me give you a few insights when it comes to James before we dive into our passage this morning.
[00:33:32] Some scholars say that the tone of James is very pastoral.
[00:33:39] He's preaching by the way he's writing.
[00:33:43] So he'll say different things like, Behold, do not be deceived, know this.
[00:33:51] He raises rhetorical questions.
[00:33:53] He's looking to engage you and me, the listener.
[00:33:57] He gives some real homie-type illustrations.
[00:34:00] He talks about rudders and horses and
[00:34:03] And just different things that we can grasp onto.
[00:34:07] There are some jarring type statements that are made, like tonight, the statements made, consider it joy when you face trials.
[00:34:18] Wait, what does he mean, consider it joy?
[00:34:20] Are you joyful?
[00:34:21] Are you happy when you're going through a trial?
[00:34:24] He wants us to consider that.
[00:34:26] Consider it joy.
[00:34:28] One scholar, I like how he describes the book of James, he says, it's Christianity at street level.
[00:34:37] And as he talks about that, he says, of noise and confusion and daily struggles, James says, we can't avoid the tough issues in life.
[00:34:50] So he hits them head on.
[00:34:52] He raises questions that might make you and me uncomfortable.
[00:34:58] Some of the themes that he'll hit as we go over this.
[00:35:01] We're going to be going through this between now and Easter.
[00:35:03] Some of the themes that he'll hit as we talk about this, and again, it's very practical.
[00:35:09] Loving your neighbor.
[00:35:11] What does that look like?
[00:35:13] Ministering to the sick.
[00:35:15] The use of our tongues.
[00:35:19] James says, With our tongue we praise our Lord and Savior, and with the same tongue we curse men.
[00:35:26] He says, my brothers and sisters, that should not be.
[00:35:30] He talks about even though we are believers, he's addressing a Jewish Christian world, although we are believers, we still wrestle with our old selves.
[00:35:40] We're a work in progress.
[00:35:42] How important it is for us to be single-minded, you know, not to have our foot in both worlds.
[00:35:49] When I said the recipient of this letter, the Jewish Christians, in verse 1, it addresses, and I'll read it in a second, but it's addressing the Jewish Christian.
[00:35:59] It was those that had been scattered by persecution.
[00:36:04] We read in the book of Acts that Stephen, who was part of the Jerusalem church, was executed.
[00:36:10] Literally, people threw stones at him, stoned him to death for preaching Jesus, and that sparked this great dispersion.
[00:36:19] So the Jewish Christians who were being persecuted in Jerusalem started going out to Judea and Samaria just as Jesus had predicted.
[00:36:27] And the more culture persecuted the church, the more Christianity spread.
[00:36:34] So James is addressing those that had been scattered, that had been enduring persecution.
[00:36:40] Now, in the New Testament, there are four different Jameses.
[00:36:44] that are mentioned.
[00:36:45] Which James are we talking about here?
[00:36:48] Any idea?
[00:36:50] Yes.
[00:36:51] So historically, traditionally, the early church, we're all in agreement, this is James, the brother of Jesus.
[00:37:01] So James, he's the younger brother of Jesus.
[00:37:03] His mother and father are Mary and Joseph.
[00:37:05] He grew up with Jesus.
[00:37:08] Can you imagine that?
[00:37:09] When Jesus was first emerging in his ministry, James had some skepticism and he didn't believe him to be the son of God.
[00:37:17] But then through Jesus and his resurrection, James then became not only a believer, but a pillar.
[00:37:24] He was one of the main pillars of the Jerusalem church.
[00:37:27] So you had like the Apostle Paul, Peter, John.
[00:37:30] James was one of them so of the four Jameses he would be the only James that you didn't need to add a title to you could just say James they're like oh we know who you're talking about even James the disciple probably would have introduced himself as James son of Zebedee so that's context it was written it's believed to be one of the earliest New Testament letters so it was written or it was circulating within 10 or 15 years of the death and resurrection of Jesus think about that
[00:38:00] 10 to 15 years it would have been in the mid 40s AD and today's passage we're starting from chapter 1 James 1 1 through 8 chapter 1 is interesting because most of this is addressed to the church scattered but chapter 1 the focus is the individual
[00:38:21] And I've entitled the sermon for today, Navigating Trials.
[00:38:25] We're given instruction as individuals.
[00:38:27] Why do you think it was important?
[00:38:28] Why was James zoning in in chapter 1 on the individual?
[00:38:35] Well, when it comes to navigating trials, as he's giving wisdom here, as he's giving practical insight, he's saying, you and I, we need to check our hearts.
[00:38:45] It needs to start with us.
[00:38:46] How can we model our faith to anyone else if our heart's not in the right place?
[00:38:50] This first passage will spark some self-reflection, and we're actually given a test.
[00:38:57] So pay attention.
[00:38:58] There'll be a test for you and me.
[00:39:01] We're confronted with a challenge in these first eight verses.
[00:39:04] The big idea I want to get across is this, from the passage.
[00:39:09] Trials, James is addressing trials here, you know, trials and tribulation, things like
[00:39:14] that we face in life that can create suffering and pain.
[00:39:17] Trials are intended to make you better, not bitter.
[00:39:24] Let that sink in.
[00:39:26] He wants you and I to know that trials are intended to make you better, not bitter.
[00:39:33] I've seen a lot of people broken by trials.
[00:39:35] You may have had some difficult phases, rough patches in your own faith due to some loss or some hurt or some pain.
[00:39:43] Zeb prayed for our passage.
[00:39:45] I'm going to go ahead and read James chapter 1, beginning with verse 1.
[00:39:51] James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ to the twelve tribes in the dispersion.
[00:39:59] Greetings, my brothers and sisters.
[00:40:02] Whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
[00:40:11] And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing.
[00:40:18] If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you.
[00:40:27] But ask in faith, never doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.
[00:40:35] For the doubter, being double-minded and unstable in every way, must not expect to receive anything from the Lord.
[00:40:43] This is the word of the Lord.
[00:40:45] Praise be to God.
[00:40:46] Again, trials, we're going to read here.
[00:40:49] Trials are intended to make you better, not bitter.
[00:40:52] The first point I want to make from these eight verses, the first point I want to emphasize is this.
[00:40:59] Trials are an unavoidable part of life.
[00:41:05] James really wants to emphasize this as he opens the letter he wants you as an individual to to understand trials are an unavoidable part of life whether you are a christian or not you and i as we live out our worldly existence existence are going to face trials we can't get around them it's not like oh you know you may have that campfire experience and come to faith and and be on you know mountaintop high but there's going to be a point in life where
[00:41:35] Your faith is going to be challenged, and it's going to be tested.
[00:41:40] Christians are not immune from trials.
[00:41:45] We're given everyday faith insight here.
[00:41:48] When we face trials, it says, verse 2, notice, when we face trials, he's not saying if, right?
[00:41:57] Whenever, I'll read it again, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy.
[00:42:07] So we live in a broken world.
[00:42:09] You can trace that all the way back to the Garden of Eden, yes?
[00:42:15] You see the disobedience with Adam and Eve, and we call that the fall of humankind, and with that entered life.
[00:42:23] Suffering, pain, toil, death, we're all prone to it.
[00:42:31] It's unavoidable in life.
[00:42:33] Christians are not immune.
[00:42:35] In fact, we're told through faith, sometimes you might suffer because of your faith.
[00:42:42] And we're encouraged in the Bible, if so, if you're suffering because of your faith, consider it a badge of honor.
[00:42:48] If you're suffering because someone's persecuting you,
[00:42:51] Consider a badge of honor that you've stood up for Jesus.
[00:42:55] You've not allowed that to bring you down.
[00:42:59] Christians are not immune.
[00:43:00] Also, all people, Christian or not, are prone to various trials.
[00:43:07] Some trials, if we're honest with ourselves, we bring upon ourselves.
[00:43:11] Would you agree?
[00:43:12] The decisions we make, the behaviors, the patterns of living, you know, due to our own actions, cheating,
[00:43:21] Can catch up to a person.
[00:43:24] Cheating, right?
[00:43:25] In school, you cheat on your taxes, marital infidelity.
[00:43:30] So if you're suffering a trial, if you suffer because you get caught, whose fault is that?
[00:43:35] Yeah, so sometimes we create our own trial.
[00:43:38] You know, we're suffering because of a decision, a weak moment.
[00:43:43] You know, driving while intoxicated can create problems, yes?
[00:43:49] Can create hurt and pain and suffering.
[00:43:51] Being intoxicated in the first place, it can damage a relationship.
[00:43:55] It can be harmful to your health.
[00:43:58] So some are self-inflicted.
[00:43:59] Some of our trials, many of our trials, are circumstances beyond your control.
[00:44:06] Again, the reality, it's unavoidable.
[00:44:08] We live in a world that's broken.
[00:44:10] So on any given day, someone can innocently be hit by a drunk driver.
[00:44:16] You may be having a good morning, and you've done your morning devotions.
[00:44:21] There are circumstances beyond our control, right?
[00:44:24] Being hit by a drunk driver, being hit by a storm, or by a bad economy, or by a severe illness, or a toxic relationship in the workplace.
[00:44:35] You weren't in control of who was hired to be in the desk next to you.
[00:44:39] And they're unpleasant to work with.
[00:44:41] They're things that we can't always control.
[00:44:44] We live in a broken world.
[00:44:48] We face trials.
[00:44:50] I have a good friend.
[00:44:51] Some of you have met him.
[00:44:51] David Waco.
[00:44:53] Any of you remember him?
[00:44:55] He's a pastor in Uganda.
[00:44:56] He's been here two or three times.
[00:44:58] I remember visiting him.
[00:44:59] He has a school and a church, and they sponsor a lot of young people who aren't actually orphans, but they're sponsored so that they can go to school.
[00:45:08] David actually brought electricity into that community.
[00:45:11] It's near Kampala, southern Uganda.
[00:45:14] And we brought a group of 12 in 2009.
[00:45:17] And about partway, about a week into our trip, David, in a very humble, in a very gracious, it wasn't in an agitating way, he said to our group, he goes, you know, we love you guys, but you Westerners, you have such a hang-up with suffering.
[00:45:35] Like, you don't do suffering well.
[00:45:38] You just don't.
[00:45:39] You guys have the finest schools and economy.
[00:45:43] Look at the United States.
[00:45:44] We all long to have what you all have, but you folks, you're anxious and you're depressed.
[00:45:51] Yet here, we thank God for the missionaries.
[00:45:57] And you know what the connecting point for us was with Christianity?
[00:46:00] Because Christianity had once been illegal.
[00:46:04] and Idi Amin they had endured some real persecution in southern Uganda and there were children's armies in northern Uganda and he's like the connecting point was your Lord and Savior Jesus suffered on our behalf we understand suffering through faith in Jesus we have this joy
[00:46:27] We see the big picture.
[00:46:32] We learned some lessons that week.
[00:46:34] Even though we went in to minister to this group in Uganda, we were learning lessons on suffering.
[00:46:39] It's a part of life.
[00:46:40] It's unavoidable.
[00:46:43] James wants us to know that.
[00:46:45] Second insight I want to draw out from this passage is this.
[00:46:49] He says this, and this is a jarring comment.
[00:46:52] Some of you may not like this comment.
[00:46:54] He says consider it joy when you face trials.
[00:47:01] Let that sink in.
[00:47:01] Consider it joy when you face trials.
[00:47:05] Now, he's not saying that because suffering is joyful in itself.
[00:47:12] That's not his point.
[00:47:14] He's not saying, James is not saying that pain in your knee should bring you joy.
[00:47:20] Oh, this is fun.
[00:47:22] You know, I can't wait to have knee surgery.
[00:47:26] He's like, no, no, the pain itself, that's not what we celebrate.
[00:47:30] He's not saying consider it joy.
[00:47:34] He's not saying that the suffering itself, that losing your job is a reason for celebration.
[00:47:41] You don't go home and say, honey, guess what?
[00:47:44] I lost my job today, but that's good.
[00:47:46] We're to rejoice.
[00:47:47] This is great, isn't it?
[00:47:49] You know what?
[00:47:51] No, that...
[00:47:53] That's not what James is saying.
[00:47:55] He's saying whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy.
[00:48:00] Why?
[00:48:01] Because the suffering you experience is designed or the testing is designed to make you better.
[00:48:16] Verse 3 says, because you know the testing of your faith produces endurance.
[00:48:20] Testing, when you face a trial, God intends that to produce endurance.
[00:48:26] Another translation is steadfastness.
[00:48:29] Now I was trying to think how to flesh this out and put it in terms that we can relate to.
[00:48:36] So I'm going to take you back.
[00:48:37] My wife and I, Jody, we met working at a summer camp.
[00:48:43] It was summer of 94?
[00:48:47] 93 and 94.
[00:48:48] Okay, so summer of 93, my wife and I met.
[00:48:52] We were not dating that summer.
[00:48:53] I made this noble vow that if I work at summer camp, we're working with middle schoolers, I was not going to date anybody, you know, because I was here to serve the Lord.
[00:49:01] And yet Jody captured my eye, so I did some pretty heavy flirting that summer.
[00:49:07] and then a week after camp we went on our first date so I still honored my vow but uh and that summer um there were a lot of guys and girls on staff a lot of pranks that would go on I'm not going to give you specifics every prank the girls did towards us like Jody could do nothing wrong it's like oh that was cute oh that was fun and then I would do a you know it'd escalate and I'd do a prank back and get the guys to help out and it was all fun and games and then as we were dating for the next five six months it was all
[00:49:34] It was a blissful time, this relationship.
[00:49:37] And I felt on our first date that I was in love with Jodi.
[00:49:41] But you have to figure out, is this infatuation?
[00:49:44] The feeling?
[00:49:44] Or are we really in love?
[00:49:48] And you know what the pivotal part of our relationship was?
[00:49:53] Summer number two.
[00:49:55] Working at camp.
[00:49:57] And we had now been in a steady relationship.
[00:50:01] And Jodi and her crew did a little prank at two in the morning
[00:50:05] and I didn't think it was so cute because it woke me up and I was a little cranky and I was a little irritable and so I did something in retaliation that had a little edge to it and she, Jody, was not happy with me.
[00:50:19] We had our first fight.
[00:50:20] It was our first test of our relationship.
[00:50:24] We were being tested and I look back at that.
[00:50:28] We, the next day during free time, had a two and a half hour argument
[00:50:32] and we went at each other and we raised our voice we hadn't done that in the relationship we raised our voice and when we worked it through I actually had this peace and I and I could even describe it as joy because I realized even though we were fighting and it was very uncomfortable I loved her just as much the next day our relationship had been tested
[00:50:58] and as we made it through now am i saying i enjoyed look back and i enjoyed that argument no did i enjoy that fight not at all but what i did enjoy was the stability it was like it our we had endured our first test and it strengthened our relationship we've now this year we just celebrated our 30th anniversary 30 years together and our marriage has been tested through the years right we've moved a couple times
[00:51:28] We've had children.
[00:51:29] Children can test you.
[00:51:30] We love all of our six daughters, but Kaylee, do we ever fight?
[00:51:36] Mom and...ever?
[00:51:38] We still have fights and disagreements, but I can tell you this.
[00:51:41] One of our mottos, and it's a biblical concept, is we don't let the sun go down on our anger.
[00:51:47] That's been tested.
[00:51:49] We've never made it.
[00:51:50] There have been nights where one or the other of us have been on the couch for a couple hours because we're so mad at each other.
[00:51:57] But we've never made it through the night.
[00:51:59] We've had a couple times where at 3 in the morning, one of us gets off the couch and is like, I can't sleep, and we've got to talk this through.
[00:52:07] And we make it through.
[00:52:09] And it strengthens our relationship.
[00:52:13] Now, apply that to faith.
[00:52:18] Consider it pure joy, brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds.
[00:52:24] Verse 4, And let...
[00:52:26] The endurance have its full effect so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.
[00:52:36] So when we get tested in life, when we face a trial,
[00:52:40] The Lord doesn't promise that we won't receive trials, but he promises to help us through the trial.
[00:52:46] And there's a refining aspect to that, like a refiner's fire.
[00:52:50] You've sung those praise songs before.
[00:52:52] And when you get to the other side, you've become a more complete person.
[00:52:55] One way that you can mature as a person through a trial is you can become more humble.
[00:53:02] Humility, biblically, is a good thing.
[00:53:05] The Apostle Paul, remember what he struggled with?
[00:53:10] After he was converted, there was a prayer that he would pray.
[00:53:13] Three times he prayed for healing, and the Lord did not answer the way he wanted the Lord to answer.
[00:53:18] Do you remember what that issue was?
[00:53:22] Paul had a thorn in his side.
[00:53:24] We don't know if it was a literal thorn.
[00:53:25] We don't know if it was an illness.
[00:53:27] We don't know if maybe he was dealing with poor eyesight.
[00:53:30] We don't know if it was an addiction.
[00:53:31] Scholars debate what the thorn in the side was.
[00:53:34] It was something very real.
[00:53:36] It was debilitating for him.
[00:53:38] It created problems in his life, but he came to the conclusion, Paul, as he testifies to that trial in his life, he says that the Lord has allowed him to endure this to keep him humble.
[00:53:53] So his head doesn't puff up because the Lord had given him all these revelations.
[00:53:57] And he described it as power made perfect in weakness.
[00:54:03] Sometimes God allows for a trial so that we depend on him.
[00:54:07] and not think too highly of ourselves.
[00:54:08] It can bring us down, it can humble you and me, but he wants us to seek his counsel, his advice, his wisdom.
[00:54:16] Now sometimes the Lord allows or gives, sometimes he takes away.
[00:54:23] My mom, this was a few decades, a couple decades ago, she had just written a book, she was in Orlando, her publishing company Zondervan with some newly published books was having a luncheon, a banquet,
[00:54:36] and someone that was sitting at her table was a man by the name of Dave Drovecki.
[00:54:40] Anyone know that name?
[00:54:42] Dave Drovecki was a former major league ball player, was sitting at my mom's table, my dad was there too, and he was missing his left arm.
[00:54:49] His left arm had been amputated.
[00:54:51] He's a former pitcher, a lefty.
[00:54:54] Now, a big thing had happened with Dave Drovecki.
[00:54:58] He had quite a story.
[00:54:59] He is pitching for the San Francisco Giants and he is diagnosed with cancer.
[00:55:05] and they removed the cancer but to do so they removed half of his deltoid muscle from his pitching arm and he attempted a comeback and in his comeback he made it not only back to the minors they're saying there's no way he may never be able to use that left arm again but he started pitching in the minor leagues and he made it back to the major league level and he actually on national tv his first game back with the san francisco giants he pitched a game and they won four to three
[00:55:33] And afterwards, as he's being interviewed, he testified to his Christian faith and he said, I give all glory to God.
[00:55:39] This is miraculous.
[00:55:40] I'm using my arm as a platform for him.
[00:55:45] A week later, he's pitching again on national TV.
[00:55:48] I was watching this.
[00:55:49] I was a big fan.
[00:55:51] And on a pitch, some of you may have seen this, his arm snapped.
[00:55:55] You could hear the crack.
[00:55:59] It ended his major league career and then later
[00:56:02] Complications, they had to amputate his arm.
[00:56:07] Talk about a trial.
[00:56:09] And he wrote a book on it.
[00:56:11] And a lot of his platform for his faith was his arm, his pitching.
[00:56:16] He lost.
[00:56:16] He was using it to testify to Jesus Christ.
[00:56:19] He loses his arm.
[00:56:20] Can you imagine what he was going through emotionally?
[00:56:22] Now, in the book, I just took a few excerpts, but in the book that was published, he shares an inside view of the turmoil he went through.
[00:56:33] And he said...
[00:56:35] He said this, that faith was the thread that reshaped suffering.
[00:56:42] It gave him a new framework for suffering.
[00:56:46] He said, brokenness, he speaks in the book of brokenness that can lead to wholeness.
[00:56:52] He says that faith, his faith, his personal faith in Jesus did not make the pain disappear, but it kept him from being crushed.
[00:57:02] And then he founded a ministry.
[00:57:04] He called the ministry Endurance.
[00:57:06] And it's a ministry that supports people facing trials.
[00:57:10] So he's written books.
[00:57:11] He's been a motivational speaker.
[00:57:13] And he always testifies to his faith.
[00:57:15] And he now shares, you know, too much of his identity was with sports in his arm.
[00:57:21] And yes, it can be very useful and we can use our gifts to glorify the Lord.
[00:57:26] But for him, the Lord humbled him by taking away.
[00:57:30] For him to rely on more.
[00:57:31] That humility.
[00:57:32] He grew in character.
[00:57:34] He strengthened as a person.
[00:57:37] Another full effect of endurance is sometimes you gain some compassion.
[00:57:42] Some of you are aware, a few years back, two of our daughters had some pretty severe health scares.
[00:57:49] One of them was about to get married and she was diagnosed with cancer.
[00:57:53] Can you imagine a month before your wedding with that diagnosis?
[00:57:56] It was pretty scary.
[00:57:58] Praise be to God that that was all removed.
[00:58:00] Another of our daughters was going through some pretty severe health issues and she, Carly, had been hospitalized for a month.
[00:58:07] And some of you, we're very grateful for this church.
[00:58:11] Jodi was going back and forth to the hospital, not only for that month, but for the next four months.
[00:58:15] She went down to Charlotte daily and people here were praying for us.
[00:58:19] And there were moments where we could not see light at the end of the tunnel, but we did make it through.
[00:58:26] Leaning on God and through His strength.
[00:58:29] And I'll tell you, for me, talk about considerate joy.
[00:58:32] I don't wish the pain that we went through on any of you, but considerate joy.
[00:58:39] I'll tell you what the joy was when our daughter Carly invited Jody, myself, Kaylee, you were probably in college, but two of her sisters to come on a Thursday morning at 6.30 to Fellowship of Christian Athletes at the high school.
[00:58:55] To the gym, and she was giving her testimony.
[00:58:58] And she shared about her trial and how the Lord pulled her through.
[00:59:04] And there were over 100 kids and maybe a dozen teachers.
[00:59:06] There wasn't a dry eye in the place.
[00:59:09] Talk about joy.
[00:59:11] Would we ever want any of our daughters to experience something like that again?
[00:59:15] No, but we saw what it did for Carly and her faith, what it did for Jodi and our family.
[00:59:21] We came through stronger.
[00:59:23] and the compassion we're more complete now when I hear of someone there were folks here that have gone through some suffering with children that reached out to us and they had compassion that we couldn't identify with now when we see someone else a family going through something we see it a little different and we can offer words or sometimes you don't offer words we can offer presence based on experience and the Lord can take he can do all things
[00:59:53] Take all things towards his good and his glory.
[00:59:56] He can redeem things.
[00:59:57] He can bring good out of a trial.
[01:00:01] So I share that with you.
[01:00:02] Consider it joy.
[01:00:04] Whenever you endure these trials, it makes you more mature and complete when you get to the other side.
[01:00:10] Overall faith.
[01:00:10] When James says consider it joy, is it for feeling miserable?
[01:00:15] Is that what he's saying?
[01:00:17] Consider it joy when you have a bum knee?
[01:00:21] Not what he's saying.
[01:00:22] Is it for losing something valuable?
[01:00:24] Consider it joy when they have to amputate your arm?
[01:00:26] Is that, oh, I can't wait to cut my arm off?
[01:00:29] That's not what he's saying.
[01:00:31] It's for having persevered.
[01:00:33] It's for being given grace or strength to weather the storm.
[01:00:38] It's newfound perspective that we place our joy in.
[01:00:41] It's spiritual growth.
[01:00:42] It's increased wholeness as a person.
[01:00:44] It's recognition of how your story can make an impact on someone else's life.
[01:00:49] Consider that joy.
[01:00:51] And he promises to be with you through every step of your journey when you're enduring these trials.
[01:01:01] Third insight I want to give is this.
[01:01:05] We see James saying this, how to navigate the challenges of a trial.
[01:01:12] How to navigate.
[01:01:14] You know what the key is?
[01:01:14] It stands out.
[01:01:17] The key to navigating a trial effectively
[01:01:21] The key is wisdom.
[01:01:27] Look at life from God's perspective.
[01:01:31] In this context, wisdom informs how we see our troubles, how we interpret the challenges that we face in life.
[01:01:38] Now think about, consider this for a moment, worldly wisdom.
[01:01:43] What does that look like?
[01:01:45] What does the world view as wisdom?
[01:01:48] Just allow that, think it through.
[01:01:51] Would you say the world would prioritize science or technology, maybe?
[01:01:59] Reason?
[01:02:01] Instincts go with your feelings?
[01:02:04] What does the world prioritize?
[01:02:05] Now, think that through.
[01:02:07] And there is value in any of those things, but it's limited.
[01:02:12] So think about how far we've come in medicine.
[01:02:15] Are there less or more lawsuits today than 30 years ago?
[01:02:22] Consider that, worldly wisdom.
[01:02:24] All the advancement we've made, and we have increased lawsuits.
[01:02:32] Worldly wisdom tends to emphasize the temporary.
[01:02:35] So when things go wrong, when we lose something we value or we love, we can get crushed, we can get bitter, we can wonder what's left to live for.
[01:02:47] C.S.
[01:02:47] Lewis, there's a book he published, Weight of Glory.
[01:02:51] and in it I'm gonna kind of it's not exactly how he presents it but here's the concept there's a a child you see a picture of a child playing in a mud puddle and his mother is wanting to take him to the beach and he pitches a fit because he wants to stay in the mud puddle and mom is thinking if he could only he has no concept of the glory of the beach and so he's just being a little brat he's all upset
[01:03:20] He lacks perspective.
[01:03:23] Now biblical wisdom, you and I are like children in mud puddles.
[01:03:30] If we rely on our own wisdom, we lack perspective.
[01:03:34] I'll often compare it to, we live here in this world, if we're using human, worldly wisdom, it's like us being in bumper-to-bumper traffic.
[01:03:45] and we're just reacting and we we we honk our horns and we we're trying to navigate whereas godly wisdom is far above he he has the the eye the the vision of an eagle we have the vision of just looking right in front of us and reacting do you see the difference god reveals things that gives us insight on how to live
[01:04:11] that will guide you with your finances, will guide you as a parent, as a spouse.
[01:04:18] Principles on relationships.
[01:04:24] When seeking to navigate a trial, you may be tempted to go with your own instincts.
[01:04:32] I was trying again, trying to figure out how to put this in terms that we can all grasp.
[01:04:38] I don't know if you ever watched like Civil War movies or maybe the Revolutionary War where they all have bayonets and they're facing off for some that may be a terrifying scene for others that may you get may get all pumped up I think when you watch those type of movies and it's showing you real life history it triggers your inner instinct and you can learn pretty quickly are you a fight or flight person
[01:05:06] Civil War.
[01:05:06] Are you the one, like, all inspired, someone gives a speech and you are ready to charge?
[01:05:11] Or are you ready to hide behind a tree?
[01:05:15] We all have the instinct.
[01:05:16] So, biblically, was Peter a fight or flight guy?
[01:05:23] Fight, right?
[01:05:25] Jesus being arrested, he knew the mission.
[01:05:27] He's impulsively, what does he do as Jesus is being arrested?
[01:05:32] Slices the guard's ear off.
[01:05:34] He's a fight guy, right?
[01:05:37] Would Samson be a fight or flight guy?
[01:05:41] He'd be a fight guy, right?
[01:05:43] He takes on the lion.
[01:05:44] But Samson can be pretty careless, yes?
[01:05:47] He follows his impulses.
[01:05:50] How about Moses?
[01:05:52] Fight or flight?
[01:05:55] Some of you might be a little divided on that, but when the Lord called Moses, He said, hey, I want you to go to Pharaoh.
[01:06:01] I'm gonna equip you.
[01:06:02] What was Moses' response?
[01:06:04] Here I am, Lord.
[01:06:05] Send my brother Aaron.
[01:06:08] I'm not eloquent in speech.
[01:06:11] Seems to be a little bit of a flight guy.
[01:06:13] Yes?
[01:06:15] How about Jonah?
[01:06:18] Yeah, he's flight.
[01:06:19] He's going the absolute opposite way of Nineveh.
[01:06:23] And the point I'm wanting to make when it comes to worldly wisdom versus godly wisdom, asking that question, you fight or flight, both fight and flight instincts can get you in trouble.
[01:06:36] Either instinct can get you killed or make you ineffective or irrelevant.
[01:06:40] We need his wisdom.
[01:06:43] Pause before charging.
[01:06:46] The Lord equipped Moses
[01:06:48] Who has a flight instinct to go forward.
[01:06:52] Pause.
[01:06:53] Now it says wisdom here is the key to becoming better rather than bitter.
[01:07:03] So what does James say to do if you lack wisdom?
[01:07:09] What does he say do?
[01:07:12] He says ask for it.
[01:07:15] Pray.
[01:07:16] and pray unceasingly you know come before and the Lord's like a a loving parent and and he desires us to approach him be prayerful he he he wants to give wisdom generously he desires to meet your needs and and the way it's worded here he will not throw your neediness in your face have you ever expressed neediness in a a small group and thought oh i wish i hadn't shared that i was acting a little too needy
[01:07:43] The Lord wants you to express your neediness.
[01:07:47] He invites that.
[01:07:49] Okay?
[01:07:49] And he says also, verse 6, ask in faith with that little clause, never doubting.
[01:07:55] And I think it's important we understand when it says never doubting, it's not talking about intellectual doubt.
[01:08:03] It can actually be translated double-souled.
[01:08:05] When Jesus, remember when Jesus says you can't serve God and mammon?
[01:08:11] It's the same concept.
[01:08:12] That's double-minded, double-souled, having a foot in both worlds.
[01:08:16] Don't pray asking for wisdom with your feet in both worlds, saying, I want my cake and eat it too.
[01:08:24] And I'll give you a prayer that I think is a good model prayer for this.
[01:08:27] And some of you may, it may take you a second to grasp this.
[01:08:30] But do you know that prayer that the Father prayed saying, Lord, I believe.
[01:08:36] But help me in my unbelief.
[01:08:38] That's a good prayer if you're praying for wisdom.
[01:08:41] And he's not saying, oh, I'm having these intellectual doubts.
[01:08:44] He's saying, I feel inadequate, Lord.
[01:08:47] My son, we're going through a trial.
[01:08:48] I'm trying to give you my whole heart, but I feel inadequate.
[01:08:54] I'm a sinner.
[01:08:55] I fall short.
[01:08:55] Lord, I believe.
[01:08:58] He's not oscillating on that.
[01:08:59] He's, I believe, but help me.
[01:09:02] There are things that may compete with
[01:09:06] you know that that worldly wisdom versus godly wisdom and hey there's wisdom and going to a doctor there's wisdom and receiving counseling but our primary if you're in need first and foremost bring it to the Lord he could help guide you to the right doctor he can help guide you to the right person of wisdom with advice and be prayerful and ask in faith one final consideration I leave you with this
[01:09:34] We did a sermon series this past fall from the book of Hebrews, and a lot of the emphasis was perseverance, which tonight, do you see the emphasis on endurance?
[01:09:43] I want to leave you with this picture.
[01:09:47] Hebrews chapter 12, verses 1 through 3.
[01:09:49] Very famous, right?
[01:09:50] It's about running the good race.
[01:09:52] Who do we fix our eyes on?
[01:09:55] The author of Hebrews says we're to fix our eyes on who?
[01:09:59] Life is not a sprint, it's a marathon.
[01:10:03] Who do we fix our eyes on?
[01:10:05] Jesus.
[01:10:06] How is he described?
[01:10:08] The author and perfecter of our faith, who has gone before us.
[01:10:16] So anything that you've faced in life, a trial, a temptation, a hurt, a pain, suffering, there's nothing that you've experienced that Christ has not been subject to.
[01:10:27] So consider Christ.
[01:10:31] Fix your eyes on him.
[01:10:31] We're told that those who've come before us, Jesus paved the way and he suffered on your behalf and my behalf.
[01:10:41] And it says, I'm going to read it to you.
[01:10:43] Verse 3, Hebrews 12, 3 says, Consider him.
[01:10:48] We've used that term already tonight.
[01:10:49] Yes, consider him who endured.
[01:10:52] We've used that term as well.
[01:10:53] Who endured such hostility against himself from sinners so that you may not grow weary and lose heart, right?
[01:11:01] So that you may not grow bitter.
[01:11:04] Consider him so you may grow better.
[01:11:07] Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners so that you may not grow weary and lose heart.
[01:11:15] What I'm leaving you with is Jesus
[01:11:18] is your source for wisdom.
[01:11:21] A relationship with Jesus brings you into God's presence.
[01:11:27] Time spent with him in scripture, time spent in prayer.
[01:11:31] If you lack wisdom, if you can't see God in this situation, pray, Lord, I'm needy.
[01:11:36] I don't get what's going on.
[01:11:38] I need your wisdom.
[01:11:40] To get through this.
[01:11:42] I need your presence.
[01:11:42] I need your strength.
[01:11:44] He gives the strength Jesus does.
[01:11:46] He gives perspective to endure life's trials.
[01:11:50] And he enables us to grow better rather than bitter.
[01:11:54] Amen?
[01:11:56] Let's close this time in prayer.
[01:12:04] Heavenly Father, I take a moment to pray.
[01:12:06] There may be a person in this room right now
[01:12:10] Or maybe on Sunday morning someone tuned into the live stream that's in the midst of the trial and they're not feeling happy about it and they're not sure which way to turn and I just pray, Lord, that you can give them a sense of your presence.
[01:12:25] That you can give them confidence and boldness to cry out in their pain, to seek your presence, to seek your wisdom.
[01:12:35] Lord, I thank you for the insight given by your younger brother here on earth, James.
[01:12:40] Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, I thank you for the wisdom that he gives, the perspective.
[01:12:46] Lord, may we be able to digest that through your lens.
[01:12:52] Lord, I ask your comfort, I ask your healing, I ask your guidance, direction, whatever that may be.
[01:12:58] Lord, I know someone is needing to hear this message this evening or Sunday morning.
[01:13:04] Lord, we offer it to you.
[01:13:06] Lord, you are able to meet us beyond what we can even ask.
[01:13:11] Lord, respond to even the groanings of the heart of those seeking your presence, your healing, your guidance.
[01:13:20] As we close this service, we sing one last hymn, and we express our love to you.
[01:13:24] We pray these things in Jesus' name.
[01:13:26] Amen.

[01:13:32] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Would you all please stand?
[01:13:35] And as we are thinking about our trials, it's my prayer that we would just come to a realization that ultimately it's just we should trust in Jesus and it's sweet to trust in Him.
[01:13:46] Number 442, "'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus."

[01:14:15] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
We are so sweet to trust in Jesus, just to take Him at His word, just to rest upon His promise, just to know the Savior.
[01:14:35] Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him How I've proved Him o'er and o'er Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus Oh, for grace to trust Him more
[01:14:58] How sweet to trust in Jesus Just to trust His cleansing blood Just in sin by faith to plunge me Thee for healing, cleansing blood Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him
[01:15:26] I've proved Him o'er and o'er Jesus, Jesus, Precious Jesus Of all grace to trust Him more
[01:15:43] Jesus, Jesus, how I trust you, how I've proved you
[01:16:13] I'm so glad I learned to trust you Precious Jesus
[01:16:51] Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him, how I've proved Him o'er and o'er.
[01:17:15] Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus, hold for grace to trust Him more.

[01:17:20] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_00]:
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God our Father, may the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with each and every one of you, now and forever.
[01:17:40] Amen.