Finding Joy and Hope Through Life's Trials
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, church! As we gather today, let's remember the privilege and glory we have in worshiping our Lord. It's been two years since we moved into this beautiful building, and we are truly blessed. Today, we come together to focus our hearts and thoughts on God, to worship Him because He is worthy. Let's stand and give Him all that we have in our hearts.
As we continue, let's reflect on the amazing grace of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who humbled Himself and went to the cross for our sins. This act of love gives us a living hope in Jesus. We are reminded that our tithes and offerings are not just for this building but to expand God's kingdom in our society and city. Let's give cheerfully, knowing that God will multiply it for His glory.
I want to share a personal story. A few years ago, I went through a very tough time. I lost my job, and it was the worst season of my life. I had a job offer out of state, but it fell through. I found myself in an unfamiliar city with no friends or family, and my truck broke down. To make matters worse, my wife left me, taking the children with her. I felt utterly alone. But in those moments, I clung to what I knew about God—that He is good. Even though I didn't feel His presence, I trusted in His goodness and continued to pray and read my Bible.
James, in his letter, encourages us to count it all joy when we face various trials. This is hard to understand, but James tells us to ask God for wisdom. Just like in high school biology, where we had textbooks and labs, our Christian walk involves both learning from the Bible and going through life's struggles. These struggles are our laboratory, where we grow and mature in our faith.
Moses and David are great examples of this. Moses spent 40 years in the desert before God used him, and David was anointed king but had to wait almost 20 years, facing many trials. These experiences shaped them into the leaders God wanted them to be. Similarly, our trials are meant to mold us and bring glory to God.
When I was diagnosed with cancer, it was an extremely difficult time. Not just physically, but spiritually. I wondered, "Why me?" But I knew I had to cling to God. The enemy tried to make me doubt my salvation, but I held on to the truth that I am forgiven because of what Jesus did on the cross. This experience tested my faith, but it also strengthened it. I was able to share my testimony with others, showing them the reality of Christ in my life.
James tells us to count it all joy because trials produce patience and maturity. Jesus warned us that we would have tribulation in this world, but He also told us to be of good cheer because He has overcome the world. Our hope is not just wishful thinking; it is a living hope because Jesus is alive.
Even Jesus' own brothers didn't believe in Him initially. They thought He was out of His mind. But after His resurrection, James, His brother, became a dedicated follower. This transformation shows the power of encountering the risen Christ. James spent the rest of his life proclaiming Jesus as the Messiah, even to the point of martyrdom.
In conclusion, our trials and tribulations are not meaningless. They are opportunities for growth and for God to be glorified. Let's remember that our ultimate hope is in Jesus, who has prepared unimaginable things for those who love Him. As we take communion today, let's remember the sacrifice Jesus made for us and be grateful for the eternal hope we have in Him.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Importance of Worship and Gratitude: Gathering to worship God is a privilege and an opportunity to express our gratitude for His blessings. Worship is not just about singing songs but about focusing our hearts and thoughts on God, acknowledging His worthiness. This act of worship helps us to realign our priorities and remember the goodness of God in our lives. [05:12]
2. Trials as Opportunities for Growth: James encourages us to count it all joy when we face various trials because these trials test our faith and produce patience. Just like Moses and David, who went through long periods of hardship before fulfilling their God-given roles, our struggles are meant to shape us and prepare us for greater purposes. These experiences are our spiritual laboratories where we grow and mature in our faith. [01:11:01]
3. Clinging to God in Difficult Times: When facing severe trials, such as a cancer diagnosis, it's crucial to hold on to what we know about God—that He is good and faithful. The enemy may try to make us doubt our faith, but we must cling to the truth of God's promises. These difficult times test our faith but also strengthen it, allowing us to share our testimonies and the reality of Christ in our lives. [01:05:53]
4. The Transformative Power of Encountering Christ: Even Jesus' own brothers didn't believe in Him initially and thought He was out of His mind. However, after His resurrection, James, His brother, became a dedicated follower and leader in the early church. This transformation highlights the power of encountering the risen Christ and the profound impact it can have on our lives. [45:31]
5. Eternal Hope in Jesus: Our trials and tribulations are temporary and serve a greater purpose. Jesus warned us that we would face tribulation in this world, but He also told us to be of good cheer because He has overcome the world. Our hope is not just wishful thinking; it is a living hope because Jesus is alive. This eternal perspective helps us to endure hardships, knowing that God has prepared unimaginable things for those who love Him. [59:05]
### YouTube Chapters
1. [0:00] - Welcome
2. [05:12] - The Privilege of Worship
3. [21:42] - Amazing Grace and Offerings
4. [32:36] - Introduction by Assistant Pastor
5. [33:21] - Personal Testimony of Trials
6. [34:00] - Story of Job Loss and Loneliness
7. [36:20] - Reading from the Book of James
8. [37:24] - Understanding Trials and Temptations
9. [38:35] - Early Christian Hardships
10. [39:32] - Who is James?
11. [40:37] - Jesus' Family and Ministry
12. [42:16] - Jesus' Brothers' Doubt
13. [43:02] - Growing Up with Jesus
14. [43:50] - Jesus' Arrest and Crucifixion
15. [44:31] - James' Transformation
16. [45:31] - Paul's Testimony of Jesus' Resurrection
17. [46:11] - Imagining James' Encounter with Jesus
18. [47:29] - Jesus' Embrace and Forgiveness
19. [48:16] - The Prodigal Son and God's Heart
20. [49:04] - James' Dedication and Martyrdom
21. [50:11] - James' Credibility and Message
22. [50:53] - Jesus' Joy in Suffering
23. [51:37] - Personal Cancer Journey
24. [53:42] - Jesus' Sacrifice and Our Trials
25. [54:24] - Counting It All Joy
26. [55:04] - Understanding True Joy
27. [55:59] - Trials for Believers and Unbelievers
28. [56:43] - Spiritual Victories as Testimonies
29. [57:35] - Jesus' Warning and Encouragement
30. [58:19] - Eternal Hope Beyond Trials
31. [59:05] - Living Hope in Jesus
32. [01:00:31] - The Promise of Eternal Joy
33. [01:01:11] - The Hydraulic Press of Life
34. [01:03:02] - Trusting God in Difficult Times
35. [01:03:42] - Clinging to God During Cancer
36. [01:04:27] - Spiritual Warfare and Faith
37. [01:05:53] - Sharing Testimonies of Faith
38. [01:06:40] - The Real Tragedy Without Jesus
39. [01:07:28] - Growing and Maturing in Faith
40. [01:08:15] - Paul's Teaching on Tribulations
41. [01:09:02] - Producing Character Through Trials
42. [01:09:44] - Joy in the Midst of Suffering
43. [01:10:20] - Asking God for Wisdom
44. [01:11:01] - The Laboratory of Life
45. [01:11:53] - Moses and David's Trials
46. [01:12:35] - God's Purpose in Our Trials
47. [01:13:18] - Romans 8:28 and God's Goodness
48. [01:14:01] - Invitation to Know Jesus
49. [01:14:57] - The Importance of Remembrance
50. [01:15:45] - Communion: Remembering Jesus' Sacrifice
51. [01:16:33] - The New Covenant in Jesus' Blood
52. [01:17:31] - Closing and Fellowship
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. James 1:1-3 (NKJV): "James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings. My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience."
2. John 16:33 (NKJV): "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."
3. Romans 8:28 (NKJV): "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does James 1:1-3 say about the purpose of trials in a believer's life?
2. According to John 16:33, what assurance does Jesus give us about facing tribulations in the world?
3. How does Romans 8:28 provide comfort and perspective during difficult times?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does James encourage believers to "count it all joy" when facing trials? How does this perspective differ from a worldly view of suffering? [36:20]
2. In what ways does Jesus' statement in John 16:33, "I have overcome the world," impact our understanding of enduring hardships? [57:35]
3. How can Romans 8:28 help believers see their trials as part of God's greater plan? What does it mean for "all things" to work together for good? [01:13:18]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent trial you have faced. How did you respond to it? Did you find it challenging to "count it all joy"? How might you approach similar situations differently in the future? [36:20]
2. Jesus tells us to be of good cheer because He has overcome the world. How can this truth change the way you handle daily stresses and major life challenges? [57:35]
3. Think about a time when you felt distant from God during a difficult period. What steps can you take to cling to God's promises and maintain your faith during such times? [01:04:27]
4. How can you use your personal testimony of overcoming trials to encourage others in their faith journey? Share a specific example where your experience might help someone else. [01:05:53]
5. James and Paul both speak about the growth and maturity that come from enduring trials. Identify one area in your spiritual life where you feel God is using a current challenge to grow you. How can you cooperate with His work in this area? [01:09:02]
6. The sermon mentioned the transformative power of encountering Christ, as seen in the life of James. How has your own encounter with Christ transformed your life? Are there areas where you still need to experience His transformative power? [45:31]
7. Romans 8:28 assures us that God works all things for good. How can you remind yourself of this promise when facing unexpected setbacks or disappointments? What practical steps can you take to trust in God's plan during these times? [01:13:18]
Devotional
### Day 1: The Privilege of Worship
Description: Worship is a profound privilege that allows us to express our gratitude and reverence for God. It is more than just singing songs; it is an act of focusing our hearts and thoughts on God, acknowledging His worthiness. Worship helps us realign our priorities and remember the goodness of God in our lives. As we gather to worship, we are reminded of the blessings we have received and the glory of being in His presence. This act of worship is a time to reflect on God's grace and to offer our hearts fully to Him. [05:12]
Bible Passage: "Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods." (Psalm 95:2-3, ESV)
Reflection: Think about a specific blessing in your life that you are grateful for. How can you express your gratitude to God in your worship today?
### Day 2: Trials as Opportunities for Growth
Description: James encourages us to count it all joy when we face various trials because these trials test our faith and produce patience. Just like Moses and David, who went through long periods of hardship before fulfilling their God-given roles, our struggles are meant to shape us and prepare us for greater purposes. These experiences are our spiritual laboratories where we grow and mature in our faith. Trials are not meant to break us but to build us up, making us stronger and more resilient in our walk with God. [01:11:01]
Bible Passage: "Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope." (Romans 5:3-4, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a recent trial you have faced. How did it shape your character and faith? What did you learn about God through this experience?
### Day 3: Clinging to God in Difficult Times
Description: When facing severe trials, such as a cancer diagnosis, it's crucial to hold on to what we know about God—that He is good and faithful. The enemy may try to make us doubt our faith, but we must cling to the truth of God's promises. These difficult times test our faith but also strengthen it, allowing us to share our testimonies and the reality of Christ in our lives. Holding on to God's goodness and faithfulness during tough times can be a powerful testimony to others about the strength and hope we have in Christ. [01:05:53]
Bible Passage: "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all." (Psalm 34:18-19, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a time when you felt overwhelmed by a difficult situation. How did you experience God's presence and faithfulness during that time? How can you share this testimony with someone who might be struggling?
### Day 4: The Transformative Power of Encountering Christ
Description: Even Jesus' own brothers didn't believe in Him initially and thought He was out of His mind. However, after His resurrection, James, His brother, became a dedicated follower and leader in the early church. This transformation highlights the power of encountering the risen Christ and the profound impact it can have on our lives. An encounter with Jesus can change our perspective, renew our faith, and set us on a path of purpose and dedication to God's kingdom. [45:31]
Bible Passage: "And he said to them, 'Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.' Immediately they left their nets and followed him." (Matthew 4:19-20, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on your own encounter with Christ. How has it transformed your life and faith? What steps can you take to deepen your relationship with Him?
### Day 5: Eternal Hope in Jesus
Description: Our trials and tribulations are temporary and serve a greater purpose. Jesus warned us that we would face tribulation in this world, but He also told us to be of good cheer because He has overcome the world. Our hope is not just wishful thinking; it is a living hope because Jesus is alive. This eternal perspective helps us to endure hardships, knowing that God has prepared unimaginable things for those who love Him. Our hope in Jesus gives us the strength to face each day with confidence and joy, knowing that our future is secure in Him. [59:05]
Bible Passage: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." (1 Peter 1:3, ESV)
Reflection: Consider an area of your life where you need hope. How can the promise of eternal life with Jesus give you strength and encouragement in this area today?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "When I was going through that cancer, it was extremely difficult. Not just physically, but also spiritually. I wondered at the time, God, why me? And we do that a lot when we go through difficult times. Why me? But I knew instinctively that I needed to cling on desperately to what I know about God, that God is good. And I think I only missed church one Sunday in that whole time. Not because I'm Mr. Goody Two-Shoes, because I knew I needed to hold on to God. I would still wake up in the morning while Dee was still asleep, and I would read my Bible. I'd be in the Word. I'd be praying. I'd be praying for others who were sick. Praying for my children. And it's in those times that we have to make a decision, even though we don't feel it, that we trust in what we know about God know that we have to cling tenaciously." [01:03:42]
2. "The cancer diagnosis was bad, but the truth is, again, that we all might die. But I would share that the real, the tragedy, there was a tragedy that I had cancer. It was a horrible time in my life. But the real tragedy would have been that if the cancer had taken my life, and I didn't know Jesus, that would have been the eternal tragedy. Cancer's not fun. Financial troubles are not fun. But the tragedy is if we go through it without Jesus Christ. That is the real tragedy. I'm confident that when I pass into eternity, I'm going to stand before God, and in the light of eternity, this cancer will not matter one iota, not one bit, from the glory and all that I see, and what I have found in God." [01:06:40]
3. "Peter's telling the same people, you haven't even seen Jesus, but because Jesus, the Holy Spirit lives in you, you have this inexpressible joy of the living hope. Peter said it like he believed it. And then I love one of my favorite verses, all scripture talks about that living hope we have, 1 Corinthians 2, 9. Paul the apostle wrote that as it is written, no eye has seen, no ear has heard, nor have entered in the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for those who love him. There can be joy when you put your heart and thoughts on that in the midst of suffering." [01:00:31]
4. "When I get to heaven, and when we get to heaven, I hope there is a replay video room I can go to. I would love to see that meeting between James and Jesus. Imagine James and the others, they had heard these rumors. Some people say, Hey, we saw that Jesus. He's up in the ground. He's alive. And you're perhaps like doubting Tom's people don't raise from the dead, particularly not from a Roman cross. You don't believe it. Imagine if you will, you're coming out of your house or in your room, and out of nowhere, Jesus is standing right there in front of you with his hands open. And you can still see the nail scarred hands. And he's looking at you in love. And all you can say, Jesus, I didn't know. I'm so sorry for doubting. And then you would fall at your feet and worship you. Worship you, Lord. I didn't know. And I can see if I saw that video that Jesus would pick him up and hold him and hug him. And all you could do is weep and cry out of love and amazement." [46:11]
5. "So I hear there's pizza. Some of you don't want pizza. But I still encourage you to hang out and have fellowship, particularly if you're new around here, and you can get to know somebody. And have a great week. Pastor Mike should be back Wednesday and next Sunday. Next Sunday is next weekend's Memorial Day." [01:17:31]
### Quotes for Members
1. "James is saying in this context, if this is hard to understand, if you don't get it, pray to God, Lord, help me understand this. I'm going to, help me understand, help me to get it. You know, when I was in high school, I had biology class. I didn't like biology. But we had the textbook, and we read the textbook and the biology, what it all meant. And then we had labs. We went into the laboratories to build something fantastic, to dissect the frog. I never liked the labs. And that's kind of a sense what it's like to be a Christian. We have our textbook, and we study it, and we memorize scripture, and we learn of But God has also created for us a laboratory, a lab that we have to go through. And that's the struggles in life that we can grow. On this side of eternity, we've got the laboratory from birth until death. That's our walk as we study scripture, as we memorize it and take it to heart. God wants us to appropriate it. He wants us to appropriate these texts that God's right there with us." [01:10:20]
2. "And finally, two of my best heroes in scripture, Moses and David. Moses was a prince in Egypt. He had everything that the most sophisticated culture of that time had to offer as a prince. He had servants. He had money. He had chariots. He had everything. And then when God called him away, he went into a desert in Midian. A desert somewhere in Arabia. And his school, his laboratory, was 40 years before God used him. David was anointed as king of Israel. But it was almost 20 years before he actually realized that because God had to use Saul and other enemies of him to mold him and to shape him so he'd be the man it would take to be representing God for the nation of Israel. And every one of us who are going through stuff, every one of us who are sometimes wondering where is God in all this, sometimes God's going to use the desert of Midian. Sometimes God is going to use someone like Saul to chase us around the desert for 20 years. But he wants to use it for his glory." [01:11:53]
3. "Peter, again in his first epistle, writing to a crowd the same as that James wrote to, dispersed Jewish Christians, he says, in verse six, in this you greatly rejoice. Sounds familiar. Joy, be cheerful. Now Peter says, greatly rejoice. Though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials. Then he really gets excited. He says that the genuineness of your faith, this is the purpose of it, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to the praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen, you love him, though you do not see him yet believing. Yet you rejoice with joy, inexpressible, full of glory, receiving the end of your faith, the salvation of your souls." [59:44]
4. "And I can confidently declare that this morning, if you do not know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, no matter what your background, no matter where you come from, no matter what guilt and pain that you carry in your mind and heart, that that same Jesus would pick you up out of your miry gutter and clay, wherever you come from, just like he picked up his brother and embraced him. He will lovingly welcome you in the family of God. And that goes, for anyone in this room who is a believer, who may have walked away, stepped back into the world and made some wrong choices recently. And just as the story of the prodigal son who went away and lived the party life and blew all the money on wine, women and song until his money bag and his heart was empty. The father tells us that the Bible tells that the father ran to him, a symbol, a story of the heart of God ran to him and hugged and kissed him and welcomed him." [47:29]
5. "James tells us tribulations produce patience. Paul expounds and says it gives us perseverance and patience, and it produces character. I've been told I'm a character, but I don't think that's the kind of character he's talking about. When we go through these days, we are to come out greater and stronger and firmer in faith than ever, that we have found him to be faithful in his promises, even though we don't feel it. And I know these passages that we've read about being cheerful and joyful, and count it all joy, are not the easiest in scripture. I don't, I've yet to see a bumper sticker that says, count it all joy when you're going through it all. I don't have a magnet on my refrigerator." [01:09:02]
6. "That our spiritual victories will be a testimony to our friends and family, the reality of Christ, Christ in our lives, that we're not just talking about Jesus, but we're living Jesus in us, that it's something powerful in our lives that we can look through the pain and suffering we have and look beyond it. Look at our verse again from James chapter 1. My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. So we learn from this as Christians that we should know that we're going to have trials. We learn from this that they're going to test our faith. We also learn from other verses that it's temporary, it's not eternal, and that there's a purpose, and there literally can be an eternal benefit from it." [56:43]
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