Sylvania Wesleyan Church 1
Sunday Morning 6/29

      • 1 Peter 5:6NIV2011

  • Good Morning. I am glad that we can be here together this morning. This morning I want to start a series on the Book of James. We will be walking through the book and studying it. One of the ways that i want to encourage you to continue to study and read your bible and engage the word of God in new ways.
    If this sounds like something you would like to this is a great material for you to use to study the word as we walk through this book. Each book cost $10 and if you would like one please sign up in the foyer so I know how many to order.
    Let’s read the passage together this morning.
    James 1:1–8 NIV
    1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings. 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

    Sermon Title

    I wanted to begin with some important background information about the book itself.
    Which James wrote it?
    Traditionally attributed to James the Brother of Jesus.
    General epistle
    Strongly influence by their Authors Jewish Roots
    So which James wrote the book. There were quite a few James’ in the Bible and how do we know which one it is. Traditionally the most likely answer is James the Brother of Jesus because of his known role as one of the leader of the Church in Jerusalem.
    It is also known as what is seen as a General Epistle. This is an epistle that is written to the church in general over a specific audience. They are written on a broader sense to multiple churches. This particular book is focused on the area around Jerusalem. Which connects also to the deeper Jewish roots that can be seen in the text.
    These kinds of things are important because they do help guide us in our understanding of the scripture and how we read them. With that let’s dig in.
    James 1:2–4 NIV
    2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

    Trials and Spiritual Maturity

    Pure Joy to go face of against trials. That sounds right doesn’t it?
    I think about this week as working out with Isaac and helping us both grow stronger. I decided that we need to work on our core some and we did 20 minutes of core exercises.
    I mean what was I thinking. Core exercises for that long is a trial. You will suffer during that 20 min and then for awhile after as you struggle to move because you are pushing those main muscles that we use so much.
    Is that really the kind of trials we are talking about though?

    Trials

    With anytime there is a translation of a language you have to do your best to understand the word within the context it is used.
    You have to ask questions like how does that culture understand the word?
    Does it have multiple meanings?
    What is the context?
    Trials is no different. We view trials as hardship, difficult times, pursuing hard things (like exercise), and other challenges that we face.
    For the Greek culture that is a component but there is also an element of the need to reflect or examine and consider what the trial means.
    There must be an element of reflection and examination.
    It is this idea that is a powerful reminder of how we get to the place of pure joy when we go through trials.
    It points us to the the position of how do people often respond after trials are over that provide opportunity for growth and change within their lives.
    Yes, sometimes people go through tough times and they don’t come out for the better on the other side but many of us have gone through things that have changed us and shaped us into who we are.
    When we approach these trials from the hope and perspective of looking for growth and reflection we realize we can learn and be better because of the things that we go through. We Learn and this brings us joy. Doesn’t feel like it at the time but in the end it can be a source of growth.
    Take a moment think about one of those moments in your life that may have been hard but in hindsight you now realize it has made you stronger and it brings you joy to know you are better now than you were.
    James 1:5–8 NIV
    5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

    The Need for Wisdom

    It would be easy to view this passage apart from the previous verses but the truth is when we are going through a trial we all could use a little wisdom.
    James tells us the simple solution for getting something that we need.
    Ask for it.
    God will provide and will respond accordingly.
    I think about Solomon when I think about someone asking for Wisdom. 1 Kings tells us the story of Solomon and the night he asked for wisdom. If you go and read that story you will notice something important. Solomon responded to God with humility and willingness to be a servant first.
    He could have asked for wealth and power but he asked for the ability to guide and serve people to help determine between right and wrong. God responded with a tremendous amount of generosity and gave accordingly.
    Yet, Solomon believed and he trusted that God would provide and it is this reminder that points us back to James.
    James 1:6 NIV
    6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

    Faith in the Asking

    We must always remember when we go to God in petition that we must have faith in the asking. We must trust and believe that he will deliver.
    Does this mean that Every time we don’t receive what we ask for from God we didn’t believe enough?
    No, there are many reasons God’s answer might be no, or not right now. Yet, there is no doubt that if we do not have faith or we are trying to negotiate with Go we will not be given. This is because we are reflecting our true heart and aren’t full submitting to God in our faith.
    Where does this leave us though? What do we need to understand from this scripture today?

    I Surrender All

    This morning we sang several songs that perfectly lined up with the heart of what God was putting on my heart today. I am always amazed when this happens. The songs were chosen before the message had been planned but man they worked out perfectly.
    This is my Testimony—A song focused on no mater what happens My life is a testimony to who he is.
    Blessed be your name—We are to praise him in the tough times and to recognize our need for him and that trials can help us grow.
    Amazing Grace—God’s love for us and the freedom we found in Him
    I surrender all—What a good reminder that we are to be of one mind and focus who we are on Him and give ourselves to all of who he is.
    IF it is Trials or wisdom we have to remember our need to give ourselves to who He is on a daily basis. That walking a life of faith is one that requires us to be willing to submit to who he is and where he is leading.
    In tough times we will face hardship and persecution and and other number of challenges but if we are faithful and submit ourselves to him we can find the joy in the moment and glorify who he is.
    Are we trusting, Are we seeking, are you ready to give him it all in your life?
    Let’s turn this over to him.
    Communion.

      • James 1:1–8NIV2011

      • James 1:2–4NIV2011

      • James 1:5–8NIV2011

      • James 1:6NIV2011

Sylvania Wesleyan Church 1
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