2025_07_13_JAMES_Faith_and_Perseverance_PREACHING_OUTLINE.docx

Devotional

Day 1: Trials Are God’s Workshop for Christlike Transformation

God does not waste our pain. Every trial, whether large or small, is under His sovereign hand and is used as a tool to shape us into the likeness of Christ. Trials are not random disruptions or meaningless suffering; they are purposeful opportunities for God to deepen our faith, refine our character, and draw us closer to Himself. The call to “count it all joy” is not a denial of the reality of hardship, but an invitation to see beyond the immediate struggle to the greater work God is doing in us.
When we begin to view our trials through the lens of God’s purpose, our perspective shifts. Instead of asking “Why me?” we can ask, “What is God forming in me through this?” This does not mean we must enjoy pain, but it does mean we can trust that God is at work, producing steadfastness and maturity in us. As we surrender our circumstances to Him, we find that even the hardest seasons can become places of growth and transformation.

“Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.” (James 5:11, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a current or recent trial in your life. How might God be using this situation to shape your character or deepen your faith in ways you might not have noticed before?

Day 2: Competing Goals: What Drives Your Response to Hardship?

Our response to trials often reveals what we value most. If our deepest aim is comfort, success, or ease, then every hardship will feel like a threat to our happiness. But if our ultimate goal is to know God and be conformed to the image of Christ, then no trial can ultimately derail us. This requires honest self-examination: what is truly driving your life?
James challenges us to realign our goals with God’s. When God’s purpose becomes our own, trials become opportunities for growth rather than reasons for despair. This radical reorientation of our values and expectations is not easy, but it is essential for experiencing the joy and stability that James describes. Ask God to reveal any competing goals in your heart and to help you desire what He desires above all else.

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light.” (Matthew 6:21-22, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where your desire for comfort or success competes with your desire to know and follow Christ? How can you invite God to reshape your priorities today?

Day 3: Wisdom for the Journey: Asking with a Single Heart

Trials quickly reveal our need for wisdom beyond our own understanding. God invites us to ask Him for wisdom, promising to give generously and without reproach. But this invitation comes with a challenge: to ask with genuine dependence, not with divided loyalties or backup plans. True wisdom grows as we repeatedly turn to God, trusting Him to guide us through what we do not understand.
It is easy to seek wisdom from many sources or to hedge our bets, but God calls us to a single-hearted trust. As you face uncertainty or difficulty, bring your questions and confusion to God. He delights to give wisdom to those who seek Him sincerely, and He will guide you step by step, even when the path is unclear.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 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.” (James 1:5-6, ESV)

Reflection: Where do you most need God’s wisdom right now? What would it look like to ask Him for guidance with a heart that is fully open and trusting, rather than divided or hesitant?

Day 4: The Illusion of Self-Sufficiency Is Shattered in Trials

Wealth, status, and self-reliance can create the illusion that we are in control and able to fix our problems on our own. But trials have a way of stripping away these illusions, reminding us that both riches and poverty are fleeting. Our true security is not found in our resources, but in God’s faithfulness to sustain and exalt us in His time.
Whether you have much or little, your boast is not in your own strength or achievements, but in the God who holds you fast. Trials teach us to rely on God’s resources, not our own. As you walk through seasons of abundance or lack, let your confidence rest in the unchanging character of God, who is able to provide all that you need.

“As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.” (1 Timothy 6:17, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways have you relied on your own resources or abilities to get through difficult times? How can you practice depending more fully on God’s provision and faithfulness today?

Day 5: God’s Unchanging Goodness in the Face of Temptation

In the midst of temptation and struggle, it is easy to become deceived about God’s character. James assures us that God is not the author of our temptations; rather, He is the giver of every good and perfect gift. Even when our desires lead us astray, God remains faithful, bringing us forth by His word and promising us life.
Our hope is not anchored in our ability to endure, but in God’s unwavering commitment to see us through both our sin and our sorrow. When you are tempted to doubt God’s goodness or to give in to discouragement, remember that His gifts are always good, and His purposes for you are always loving. Let His faithfulness anchor your heart, even when your circumstances are hard.

“Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God,’ for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire… Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” (James 1:13-14, 17, ESV)

Reflection: When you face temptation or discouragement, what helps you remember God’s goodness? What is one practical way you can remind yourself of His faithfulness this week?

Sermon Summary

of the Sermon**

Today we began our journey through the book of James, focusing on the opening verses of chapter 1. The central question we explored was, “Why trials?” James, writing to believers scattered and suffering, challenges us to see trials not as pointless pain, but as God’s means of deepening our faith and shaping us into the likeness of Christ. We saw that God is sovereign over every trial, big or small, and calls us to “count it all joy” not because the trial itself is good, but because of what God produces in us through it—steadfastness, maturity, and a deeper relationship with Him.

James also addresses our need for wisdom in the midst of trials, urging us to ask God for help with sincere faith, not double-mindedness. He reminds us that our resources—whether wealth or poverty—are fleeting, and that true security is found in God alone. The promise for those who persevere is the “crown of life”—eternal life with Jesus. Finally, James clarifies that while God is sovereign over our trials, He is not the source of our temptations; rather, temptation arises from our own desires. Yet, even in this, God is faithful, giving us every good and perfect gift, and bringing us forth by His word of truth.

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Key Takeaways

1. Trials as God’s Transforming Tool: Trials are not random disruptions but are under God’s sovereign hand, designed to shape us into the likeness of Christ. The command to “count it all joy” is not a denial of pain, but an invitation to see beyond the immediate struggle to God’s greater purpose. When we align our ultimate goal with God’s—becoming more like Jesus—trials become opportunities for growth rather than reasons for despair. This perspective requires a radical reorientation of our values and expectations.
2. The Danger of Competing Goals: If our deepest aim is comfort, success, or any lesser achievement, trials will always feel like threats to our happiness. But if our aim is to know God and be conformed to Christ, no trial can ultimately derail us. This calls for honest self-examination: what is truly driving my life? Only when God’s goal becomes our own can we experience the joy and stability James describes, even when life is unpredictable.
3. Wisdom for the Journey: Facing trials exposes our need for wisdom beyond our own resources. God invites us to ask Him for wisdom, promising to give generously and without reproach. But this asking must be marked by genuine dependence, not hedged bets or backup plans. True wisdom grows as we repeatedly turn to God, trusting Him to guide us through what we do not understand.
4. The Illusion of Self-Sufficiency: Wealth and status can create the illusion that we are in control, able to fix our problems on our own. James reminds us that both riches and poverty are fleeting, and that trials strip away our illusions of self-sufficiency. Whether we have much or little, our boast is not in our resources but in God’s faithfulness to sustain and exalt us in His time. Trials teach us to rely on God’s resources, not our own.
5. God’s Unchanging Goodness: In the midst of temptation and struggle, it is easy to become deceived about God’s character. James assures us that God is not the author of our temptations; rather, He is the giver of every good and perfect gift. Even when our desires lead us astray, God remains faithful, bringing us forth by His word and promising us life. Our hope is anchored not in our ability to endure, but in God’s unwavering commitment to see us through both our sin and our sorrow.

Bible Study Guide

**Bible Study Discussion Guide: James 1:1-18**
*(Based on the sermon “Faith and Perseverance” by Nick Ford)*

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### Bible Reading

**James 1:1-18**

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### Observation Questions

According to James 1:2-4, what does James say is the purpose of trials in the life of a believer?
In verses 5-8, what does James say we should do when we lack wisdom, and how should we ask?
What contrast does James make between the “lowly brother” and the “rich” in verses 9-11?
In verses 13-15, where does James say temptation comes from, and what is the process he describes?

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### Interpretation Questions

Why does James command believers to “count it all joy” when facing trials, even though trials are painful?
How does the goal of becoming more like Jesus change the way someone might view their struggles or hardships?
What does it mean to ask God for wisdom “without doubting” or being “double-minded”? How might someone be double-minded in their prayers?
Why does James warn both the rich and the poor about where they place their security? How do trials reveal what we are really trusting in?

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### Application Questions

When you face a difficult situation, what is your first reaction—do you see it as a pointless problem, or do you look for what God might be doing in you through it? Can you think of a recent trial where your perspective could have changed?
James says to “count it all joy” in trials, not because the trial is good, but because of what God produces in us. What would it look like for you to practice this kind of joy in a current or recent challenge?
The sermon talked about competing goals—comfort, success, or other achievements—versus God’s goal of making us more like Jesus. What is your deepest aim right now? How do you know?
When was the last time you asked God for wisdom in a hard situation? Did you ask with real dependence, or did you have a backup plan in mind? How can you grow in asking God sincerely?
Are there areas in your life where you feel self-sufficient—where you rely on your own resources instead of God’s? How have trials exposed these areas, and what would it look like to trust God more?
James says that God is not the source of our temptations, but that they come from our own desires. Can you identify a temptation you’re facing right now? How can you bring it into the light and ask for God’s help?
The “crown of life” is promised to those who persevere. How does keeping an eternal perspective help you endure present struggles? Is there a practical way you can remind yourself of this hope this week?

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Sermon Quotes

“What good is your faith if you live like it’s not real when things don’t go as planned? James beats the drum of: if you just listen to the word and don’t do it, your faith is dead.”

“Trials and temptations are both inevitable, and God intends both to deepen our faith. The point is not the trial itself, but what it produces in us.”

“If your ultimate goal in life is different from God’s ultimate goal for your life, there will be problems. God’s goal is to grow you into the likeness of His Son.”

“When a trial hits and threatens your plans, you spiral. But if your aim is God’s aim—to know Him more and to grow into the likeness of Christ—come what may, you can live that out.”

“When you don’t ask for help, it’s because you think you don’t need it. And you can’t fake it with God—He sees your heart.”

“Worldly wealth is nothing. It can rise up fast and wither to nothing in a moment. The trials we face cause us to rely on God’s resources, not our own.”

“James’ command to consider it joy is a reminder to see the big picture. In this life, we will face trials, but God is sovereign over them, and eternal, real life with Jesus forever awaits us.”

“If you’re in a lowly position, boast in God’s exaltation—He’ll lift you up. If you’re rich, be cautious and humble; don’t let your wealth blind you from your need of God’s resources.”

“God always gives good gifts when asked. The more we ask—daily, hourly, minute by minute—God gives and our wisdom grows.”

“He saved us from our sin. He will see us through our sorrow.”

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