THE BOOK OF JAMES
(The Christian and Trials (Part 2) - March 5, 2023)
Series Big Idea: "Genuine Christian faith is proven true through testing and trial"
Sermon Big Idea: “God wants to take us to a place of brokenness so we can get a glimpse of how able He is"
Key Scripture (James 1:5)
Last time we were together we looked at the first four verses of the Book of James. We discussed the issue of Christian trials and tests. The theme of those first four verses is that God’s process of trials and tests must happen. James is not saying we must like it, but he is saying that we must remember how much our Savior loves us. He wants to make us mature and complete, not lacking in nothing. Trials and tests come to teach us, prove us, and to mature us. He does it because He loves us. Today we will look at the perspective of the trial and test.
(James 1:5)
5 Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him.
What perspective do we gain as we go through these tests and trials as Christians? First, our inability comes to the surface. In other words, we learn what we are lacking in our lives spiritually. In verse 5 James says, “if any of you lacks wisdom?” Why would he say that? Remember, these new Jewish Christians were being persecuted for their faith. They were in God’s process. They were really struggling. James told them they lacked wisdom. But they were probably thinking, yes but we don’t understand why.
That’s what happens to us as Christians when trials come our way. God drives us to a place where we must stand there with empty pockets and say, “God I don’t have the resources to get out of my problems.” I don’t have the knowledge. I need help. It is there that God has driven us to submit and trust Him.
Does God want us to be broken. Yes, He does. That process is tough though. It is great to get to that submitted place with Christ and we feel like He is teaching us and filling our life. But getting down to that point of being broken is not fun. But before we know it God is taking us to this place to where we confess our helplessness. At that point it drives us to confess and submit to God. These believers were lacking wisdom. That was their inability. This led them to a faith conflict.
They realized they didn’t have what they needed. They were in what we might call a crisis of faith. They were being persecuted. That was the obstacle they were faced with. They had absolutely no ability to do anything about their situation. But in reality, there was a choice. They could quit. They could deny they know Christ. This is tempting. But James said, why not ask. Basically, he was saying, don’t run away from God.
The Apostle Peter was with Jesus once when a multitude of His disciples got up and walked away from Him forever (John 6:67) and Jesus asked him if he would leave too. Peter spoke for the twelve when he said, “where would we go, You are eternal life.”
Life in this world seems to be all about holding on to the stuff that we can’t take to heaven with us. When we are stripped down to nothing, where else can we turn? James says don’t give up and walk away from God, just ask. James is not talking about head knowledge. It is the wisdom to make wise decisions during difficult times. He says if we lack wisdom then we should ask God.
Conclusion:
This is prayer. And when we pray and ask for wisdom, He will give it to us generously. We don’t have to stumble around trying to find our way. We can and should ask God for the wisdom to guide our choices.
Christ is not distant from our troubles (Hebrews 4:15). He can sympathize with us in our weaknesses because He has been tested in every way as we are, but without sin. The Father is not going to leave us all alone in our tests and trials. He is going to stay close, and He wants to help you and I grow in His Son Jesus.
Christ is the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). He wants to take us to a place of emptiness and inability so we can get a glimpse of how able He is. My hermeneutics professor in Bible college, Thad Dowdle, made this statement about prayer that speaks volumes, “The most beautiful views I have ever had in my life was when I was down on my knees.”
God is not just good, He is practical. He is practical in our tough times. Someone with high intelligence seems to have all the answers, but it is the godly wise person who will put them into action. Divine wisdom begins with respect for God, then leads to living by God’s direction and its final result is to distinguish between right and wrong. Godly wisdom is Christ-like. We are ultimately asking to be like Christ. The Bible tells us that Christ is the wisdom of God.
(1 Corinthians 1:24)
“Yet to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is God’s power and God’s wisdom.”
Pastor Beaver's thoughts and ideas are inspired by:
Holman Christian Standard Bible
English Standard Version Bible
King James Version Bible
Christian Standard Bible
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