QUOTE:

“We must expect trial because trial is the element of faith. Faith without trial is like a diamond uncut, the brilliance of which has never been seen. A fish without water or a bird without air is faith without trial. We may surely expect that our faith will be tested.”

-Charles Spurgeon

James 1:1 ESV

1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings.

WHAT IS OUR PERSPECTIVE WHEN TRIALS COME?

JOY

James 1:2 ESV

2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,

Philippians 3:1 ESV

Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord.

Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

WHAT DO TRIALS PRODUCE IN US?

STEADFASTNESS

James 1:3-4 ESV

3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Romans 10:17 ESV

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

Faith that doesn’t get tested doesn’t grow strong.

WHAT DOES GOD PROVIDE US WITH IN OUR TRIALS?

WISDOM

James 1:5-8 ESV

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

QUOTE:

“James's Jewish audience recognized this as the understanding and practical skill that was necessary to live life to God's glory. It was not a wisdom of philosophical speculation, but the wisdom contained in the pure and peaceable absolutes of God's will revealed in His Word and lived out. Only such divine wisdom enables believers to be joyous and submissive in the trials of life.”

-John MacArthur

What is our perspective when trials comes? JOY.

What do trials produce in us? STEADFASTNESS.

What does God provide us with in our trials? WISDOM.

1 Corinthians 15:57-58 ESV

57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.