Embracing Trials: Building Faith Through Suffering
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone. Happy Mother's Day! Today, we are starting a new series called "Faith in Real Life," focusing on the Book of James. James, the half-brother of Jesus, initially did not believe in Jesus as the Messiah. However, after the resurrection, he became a devoted follower. The Book of James is often referred to as wisdom literature, offering practical advice for living a faithful life amidst trials and tribulations.
James begins by addressing the inevitability of trials in our lives. He emphasizes that trials are not a matter of "if" but "when." Jesus Himself said that in this world, we will have trouble, but we should take heart because He has overcome the world. James encourages us to consider it pure joy when we face various trials because these trials test our faith and produce endurance. This endurance leads to spiritual maturity and completeness, lacking nothing.
Trials and suffering are like a furnace that refines our faith. Just as metal is smelted to remove impurities, our faith is tested to remove the impurities within us. This process is not meant to destroy us but to perfect us, making us more like Jesus. Suffering reveals our limitations and teaches us humility. It helps us empathize with others and understand their struggles better.
James also warns against being double-minded. A double-minded person is unstable in all their ways, like a house built partly on rock and partly on sand. When the storm comes, the part built on sand will wash away. We must decide to build our lives entirely on the solid rock of Jesus Christ, discarding the lies and half-truths we have believed. Jesus wants all of us, not just parts of us. He wants us to live fully submitted to His Lordship.
In the midst of suffering, we are encouraged to ask God for wisdom. This wisdom is not just general knowledge but specific understanding to navigate our trials. We must ask in faith without doubting, for a double-minded person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. God is faithful and will give us the wisdom we need to endure and grow through our struggles.
As we remember what Jesus did for us on the cross, we are reminded that He bore our sins in His body. His suffering was not transactional but relational. He suffered to bring us into His eternal family. The joy set before Him was the joy of having us with Him in eternity. This same joy should be our perspective as we endure trials, knowing that they are working to perfect us and make us more like Jesus.
Finally, we must examine our lives and ask the Lord to reveal what we need to let go of and what we need to hold onto. Some things are weighing us down and need to be discarded, while other things need to be embraced. As we partake in communion, we remember Jesus' sacrifice and the salvation He purchased for us with His blood. Let us commit to building our lives on the solid foundation of Jesus Christ, trusting Him to carry us through every trial and perfect us in His image.
### Key Takeaways
1. Trials are Inevitable and Purposeful: Trials are not a matter of "if" but "when." They test our faith and produce endurance, leading to spiritual maturity and completeness. Embrace trials with joy, knowing they are refining you to be more like Jesus. [38:34]
2. Suffering Reveals and Refines: Suffering acts like a furnace, revealing our limitations and impurities. It teaches us humility and empathy, helping us understand others' struggles. This refining process is essential for our spiritual growth and Christ-likeness. [44:36]
3. Avoid Double-Mindedness: A double-minded person is unstable, like a house built on both rock and sand. We must fully commit to building our lives on the solid rock of Jesus Christ, discarding lies and half-truths. Jesus wants all of us, not just parts. [01:06:33]
4. Ask for Wisdom in Faith: In the midst of suffering, ask God for wisdom to navigate your trials. This wisdom is specific and practical, helping you understand what God is working out of you and what He is working into you. Ask in faith without doubting. [59:20]
5. Remember Jesus' Sacrifice: Jesus' suffering was relational, not transactional. He bore our sins to bring us into His eternal family. The joy set before Him was having us with Him in eternity. Let this perspective guide you as you endure trials, knowing they are perfecting you in His image. [56:15]
### YouTube Chapters
1. [0:00] - Welcome
2. [22:48] - Communion and Remembrance
3. [38:34] - Introduction to the Book of James
4. [41:27] - Joy in Trials
5. [44:36] - Suffering as Refinement
6. [47:23] - Non-Transactional Relationship with God
7. [50:41] - Cultural Perspectives on Suffering
8. [52:23] - Endurance and Perfection
9. [54:17] - Wisdom Literature and Practical Advice
10. [56:15] - The Joy of Jesus and Our Eternal Family
11. [59:20] - Asking for Wisdom in Faith
12. [01:01:03] - Paul's Revelations and Humility
13. [01:06:33] - Avoiding Double-Mindedness
14. [01:08:12] - Building on the Solid Rock
15. [01:09:57] - Closing Prayer and Reflection
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide: Faith in Real Life
#### Bible Reading
1. James 1:2-4 (NIV) - "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
2. 1 Peter 1:7 (NIV) - "These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed."
3. Hebrews 12:2 (NIV) - "Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to James 1:2-4, what is the purpose of facing trials and how should we respond to them?
2. In 1 Peter 1:7, what analogy is used to describe the testing of our faith, and what is the intended outcome?
3. How does Hebrews 12:2 describe Jesus' attitude towards the cross, and what was the "joy set before him"?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does James encourage believers to consider trials as "pure joy"? How does this perspective align with the idea of spiritual maturity? [41:27]
2. How does the analogy of smelting in 1 Peter 1:7 help us understand the process of spiritual refinement through suffering? [44:36]
3. What does it mean to be double-minded according to James 1:6-8, and how does this affect our relationship with God? [01:06:33]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent trial you faced. How did you respond, and how might you approach it differently with the perspective of considering it "pure joy"? [41:27]
2. Think about a time when suffering revealed a personal limitation or impurity in your life. How did this experience help you grow in humility and empathy towards others? [44:36]
3. Are there areas in your life where you feel double-minded? What steps can you take to fully commit to building your life on the solid rock of Jesus Christ? [01:06:33]
4. When you face trials, do you ask God for wisdom? How can you practice asking for wisdom in faith without doubting, especially during difficult times? [59:20]
5. Jesus' suffering was relational, not transactional. How does this understanding of His sacrifice change the way you view your own trials and suffering? [47:23]
6. Identify something in your life that you need to let go of because it is weighing you down. What practical steps can you take this week to discard it and embrace what God wants to work into you? [01:09:57]
7. How can you use the lessons from this sermon to support and encourage someone else who is currently going through a trial? What specific actions can you take to be a source of strength and wisdom for them? [56:15]
This guide is designed to help your small group delve deeper into the themes of trials, suffering, and spiritual growth as discussed in the sermon. May it lead to meaningful conversations and personal transformation.
Devotional
### Day 1: Embrace Trials with Joy
Trials are an inevitable part of life, and they serve a greater purpose in our spiritual journey. James teaches us that trials are not a matter of "if" but "when." These trials test our faith and produce endurance, which leads to spiritual maturity and completeness. Embracing trials with joy may seem counterintuitive, but it is through these challenges that we are refined and made more like Jesus. Just as metal is smelted to remove impurities, our faith is tested to remove the impurities within us. This process is not meant to destroy us but to perfect us, making us more like Jesus.
Understanding that trials are purposeful can change our perspective on suffering. Instead of seeing them as obstacles, we can view them as opportunities for growth. When we face various trials, we should consider it pure joy because these trials are working to perfect us and make us more like Jesus. This joy is not based on the trial itself but on the outcome it produces in our lives. [38:34]
James 1:2-4 (ESV): "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
Reflection: Think of a recent trial you have faced. How can you shift your perspective to see it as an opportunity for growth and refinement in your faith?
### Day 2: Suffering Reveals and Refines
Suffering acts like a furnace, revealing our limitations and impurities. It teaches us humility and empathy, helping us understand others' struggles better. This refining process is essential for our spiritual growth and Christ-likeness. When we go through suffering, it strips away our self-reliance and pride, showing us our need for God. It also helps us to empathize with others who are suffering, making us more compassionate and understanding.
The process of refinement through suffering is not easy, but it is necessary for our spiritual growth. Just as metal is refined in a furnace to remove impurities, our faith is refined through suffering to remove the impurities within us. This process helps us to become more like Jesus, who also suffered and was perfected through His suffering. By embracing suffering as a tool for refinement, we can grow in humility and empathy, becoming more Christ-like in our character. [44:36]
1 Peter 1:6-7 (ESV): "In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you experienced suffering. How did it reveal your limitations and help you grow in humility and empathy?
### Day 3: Avoid Double-Mindedness
A double-minded person is unstable, like a house built on both rock and sand. We must fully commit to building our lives on the solid rock of Jesus Christ, discarding lies and half-truths. Jesus wants all of us, not just parts. When we are double-minded, we are unstable in all our ways, and our faith is easily shaken. To avoid double-mindedness, we must decide to build our lives entirely on the solid rock of Jesus Christ, discarding the lies and half-truths we have believed.
Building our lives on the solid rock of Jesus Christ means fully submitting to His Lordship and trusting Him in every area of our lives. It requires us to let go of the things that are weighing us down and to embrace the truth of God's Word. By doing so, we can have a firm foundation that will withstand the storms of life. [01:06:33]
Matthew 7:24-25 (ESV): "Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock."
Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you are double-minded? What steps can you take to fully commit to building your life on the solid rock of Jesus Christ?
### Day 4: Ask for Wisdom in Faith
In the midst of suffering, we are encouraged to ask God for wisdom. This wisdom is not just general knowledge but specific understanding to navigate our trials. We must ask in faith without doubting, for a double-minded person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. God is faithful and will give us the wisdom we need to endure and grow through our struggles.
Asking for wisdom in faith means trusting that God will provide the guidance and understanding we need to navigate our trials. It requires us to have confidence in God's faithfulness and to believe that He will answer our prayers. By seeking God's wisdom, we can gain a clearer perspective on our trials and understand what God is working out of us and what He is working into us. [59:20]
James 1:5-6 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need God's wisdom right now? Take a moment to ask God for wisdom in faith, trusting that He will provide the guidance you need.
### Day 5: Remember Jesus' Sacrifice
Jesus' suffering was relational, not transactional. He bore our sins to bring us into His eternal family. The joy set before Him was having us with Him in eternity. Let this perspective guide you as you endure trials, knowing they are perfecting you in His image. Jesus' sacrifice on the cross was not just a transaction to pay for our sins, but a relational act to bring us into a loving relationship with Him.
As we remember Jesus' sacrifice, we are reminded of the depth of His love for us and the joy that was set before Him. This same joy should be our perspective as we endure trials, knowing that they are working to perfect us and make us more like Jesus. By focusing on the eternal joy that awaits us, we can find strength and encouragement to endure the challenges we face in this life. [56:15]
Hebrews 12:2 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: How does remembering Jesus' sacrifice and the joy set before Him change your perspective on the trials you are currently facing? How can you let this perspective guide you in your daily life?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Our culture today doesn't prepare us for suffering. It doesn't teach us about suffering. Our culture deceives us and it causes us to believe that everything's going to be okay all the time. And if it's not, that, you know, it'll work out that you shouldn't have to suffer. You should have a perfect good life. The reality is Jesus said, you're going to suffer." [48:56]
2. "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance and let endurance have its perfect result so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. So it's a perspective. He says, count it joy that he does. He's not saying that we're masochists, that we enjoy suffering. He's saying, consider what suffering is going to accomplish in you." [52:23]
3. "Suffering is like a furnace that will judge your faith in God, whether it's real or not. We probably all know people who went through some kind of a difficulty and they got mad at God and quit believing. Something happened in their life and they said, well, I just don't, you know, God didn't, why did God let that happen? I don't think God should let bad things happen." [44:36]
4. "Jesus doesn't ask us to suffer. He suffers. And then he brings us into his suffering, not to earn something, but because we already have it. He brings us into his relationship. Jesus suffered for us. He came in spite of suffering and through suffering." [47:23]
5. "The joy of Jesus, the result of the crucifixion of him suffering and dying on the cross of him, taking every sin, every vile, despicable act of men, every perversion, every horrible thing that man has done in all of history and will ever do him taking all of that on our behalf. And he did that. The joy set before him was that you and I would be present with him in eternity." [56:15]
### Quotes for Members
1. "James says it this way, consider it all joy. My brother, and when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance and let endurance have its perfect result so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." [50:41]
2. "Suffering shows us our limitations. It shows us that we can't solve every problem on our own. We can't fix everything the way we'd like to fix it. Often suffering will bring to surface our flaws. It can teach us humility. Trials make you empathetic towards other people. You begin to understand better what other people are going through." [56:15]
3. "You have to discard the lies of men. You have to discard the half-truths that you believe. You have to put your opinion aside and descend to, I am going to agree with God. You see, some of you are double-minded. You want Jesus, but you want him out of your business. You want Jesus, but you don't want him telling you how to live your sex life. You want Jesus, but you don't want him telling you what to do with your money. You want Jesus, but you don't want him telling you how to live." [01:08:12]
4. "If you endure, when you get through suffering, you're going to be more like Jesus than you've ever been. Endurance, as you endure the suffering, the suffering is going to bring you and perfect you. God wants you to be perfect, perfect, perfect, perfect, perfect." [52:23]
5. "You will get the wisdom you need, and the wisdom you need may be different than the wisdom that Paul needed. God is able to show you, give you the wisdom to get through your struggle." [01:04:45]
6. "Jesus told the story. He said, the one person who does what I have taught you, that obeys my commands, who does them, is like a person who's built his house on the rock. And the person who doesn't, what I've told them, is like a person who's built their house on the sand. In both of those cases, the house that's built on the rock and the house that's built on the sand, a storm comes. And the storm is great. And the house that's built on the rock stands, and the house that's built on the sand that's not built on the words and obedience to the words of Jesus, it collapses." [01:06:33]
7. "The joy of Jesus is his eternal family. And the joy that God wants to bring us into is that he's going to allow suffering because suffering is going to boil some stuff out of you and me that needs to be brought into the family of God." [56:15]
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