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Evangelism Meet My Church

Vernon Advent Christian Church message James trials perspective

Summary

FD, FE CFs - The Life of the Christ-follower Pt. 3 -- James 1:2-15, by Pastor Bruce Burks Notes: A lot of life is shaped by perspective - “a particular attitude toward or way of regarding something; a point of view” (Oxford Dictionary). Perspective must be shaped, guarded by truth. Last several weeks: Life of the Christ-follower is full of varied trials - inevitable, indiscriminate. James had said (vs2) that a proper perspective regarding the trials of life is to "consider it pure joy," because god is at work to test/prove our faith and produce endurance, maturing and making us more like Christ. But trials are difficult and bewildering, so we should ask God for wisdom (vs5) - how to stand in the midst of the trial, how to navigate, how to discern God’s purpose and will, etc. All of this perspective has to be immersed in an understanding of the goodness and faithfulness of God (vs16-18). Verses 9-15 give us more insight into a proper perspective on life and trials. I)Perspective of true poverty and riches (vs9-11). Trials are equalizers (as is the need of a Savior). "Lowly" - "not rising far from the ground" - speaks of the poor (none of us). “Rich” - wealthy, abounding in material resources, abundantly supplied (all of us). Each of us should recognize our abject spiritual poverty, but also, in Christ, our unfathomable riches. II)Eternal Perspective (vs12). "Persevere" - "hypomeno" - remain under, endure, bear bravely. “Stood the test” - “dokimos” - accepted, pleasing. "Crown" - mark of royal or exalted rank. A.R. Fausset - " litterally, "the life." III)Perspective on temptation and sin. Trials bring temptation - foolish choices, "easy" fixes, anger, bitterness, etc. God, who brings trials for our good, never solicits us to sin. The sourced of temptation is evil desires within us. The agents of temptation are the world and the devil. Variety of deaths: eternal, physical, relationships, witness, opportunity, etc. FD, FE CFs take a perspective on trials guided by the truth of God‘s word, trusting in the truth of God‘s character.