Turning Trials into Triumphs (James 1:2-12)

James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

OUTLINE:

I. Count—a Joyful Attitude (James 1:2)

II. Know—an Understanding Mind (James 1:3)

---i. Faith is always tested.
---ii. Testing works for us, not against us.
---iii. Trials rightly used help us to mature.

III. Let—a Surrendered Will (James 1:4, 9-12)

IV. Ask—a Believing Heart (James 1:5-8)

James 1:1-12 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away. For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways. Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

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Jesus Christ;

The Law of God Fulfilled

Matthew 5:17-20 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. (18) For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. (19) Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (20) For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

INTRODUCTION: We see in this part of “The Sermon on the Mount” that this particular portion of scripture deals with Christ and the Law.

How are we, under grace, to relate to the Law?

Is the Law void today under grace?

This is not a message on how to be saved, but how saved people should live righteous lives.

Seven Things to Remember.

I. THE LAW OF GOD IS UNCHANGEABLE.

Hebrews 1:12 And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.

Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

A. God Founded The Universe

1. Upon law in the physical world in relation to nature and to man in particular.

2. This is true both

i. Morally and

ii. Spiritually.

3. When we break God’s laws -

i. We suffer God’s judgment.

4. We break man’s laws,

i. We suffer man’s punishment.

ii. We have an innate (Built in) sense of right and wrong.

B. God Communicated His Laws Through His Chosen People.

1. In the Old Testament, we have Abram, Moses, Joshua, and Joseph.

i. They each (and many more) were given God's Word.

ii. The communication was through man from God.

2. All the laws expounded by Jesus are built upon the Mosaic Law.

3. Jesus came to fulfill - not to destroy. (v 17)

4. The laws of God do not change because God doesn’t change.

Malachi 3:6 For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

II. THE LAW OF GOD IS UNIVERSAL.

Isaiah 45:22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.

Romans 10:12-13 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. ¹³For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

A. It Applies To All Mankind.

B. It Is God’s Will For Man In Written Form.

III. THE LAW OF GOD IS ALL EMBRACING.

Romans 3:28-31 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. ²⁹Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: ³⁰Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. ³¹Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

TEXT: Matthew 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

A. It Not Only Covers All Men,

1. But All Life.

B. We Cannot Be Right With Others

1. If we are not right with God.

C. We Cannot Be Right With God

1. If we are not right with others.

D. God Demands Both Inward And Outward Righteousness.

Psalm 51:6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.

IV. THE LAW OF GOD IS BENEVOLENT.

Proverbs 22:9 He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.

Matthew 5:42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

A. It Is Designed For Our Highest Good And Greatest Happiness.

B. If God Prohibits

1. It is because it is harmful to us or others.

C. We Don’t Have To Sin To Be Happy -

1. That’s the devil’s lie.

Psalm 128:1-2 Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways. ²For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.

V. THE LAW OF GOD HAD PURPOSE.

Galatians 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

Romans 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

A. It Set God’s Standard Of Requirements.

B. It Is Holy, Just And Good. (Romans 7)

C. It Exposes Sin.

Romans 7:7-8 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. ⁸But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.

D. It Is Our Schoolmaster To Bring Us To Christ.

Galatians 3:24-25 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. ²⁵But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

VI. THE LAW OF GOD IS FULFILLED IN JESUS CHRIST.

Matthew 5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

A. The Mosaic Law Was Two-Fold:

1. Ceremonial and

2. Moral.

i. Jesus satisfied both.

B. Jesus Kept The Divine Law And Became Sin For Us.

1. God accepted this.

VII. THE LAW OF GOD IS FULFILLED IN THE SPIRIT-FILLED BELIEVER.

A. The Law Has Obligations,

1. Which Jesus fulfilled.

B. He Puts His Spirit In Us

1. So we can walk in His statutes.

Ezekiel 36:27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

C. The Law Of God Sets The Standard and

1. Exposes sin,

i. But it cannot deliver.

D. The Law Can Condemn,

1. But it can’t absolve.

CONCLUSION: The First Question Is: Which Law are you under? The Devils? or Jesus Christ's?

The Devil condemns. He joys in your falling.

Christ absolves (takes away) sin.

He, Christ, joys in your joy.

What we are trying to see is; What are we going to do?

God definitely requires our willing, believing faithful heart. He doesn’t want you doing because you feel you must do whatever God has called you to do.

He wants willing believers, not rebellious cold-hearted believers. Some tell us because we are Baptist we are legalists; we apply the Law, God’s Law to stringently.

That is what God’s Law was intended to do, direct us in a path, not give us salvation but teach us the way to salvation.

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Our Traditions

Mark 7:1-13 Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem. (2) And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault. (3) For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders. (4) And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables. (5) Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands? (6) He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. (7) Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. (8) For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. (9) And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. (10) For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death: (11) But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free. (12) And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother; (13) Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.

Introduction: These passages are dealing with “Man’s Tradition.” “We have always done it that way.”

ILLUSTRATION: A woman has the butcher cut off the end of the ham. Her husband asked her why they cut it off. Her answer was, “Mom always did it that way. So the husband asked his mother-in-law why she did it that way, and her comment was, “so it would fit in my pan. If I had had a larger pan, I wouldn’t have had it cut off.”

We are like that in so many ways. We as Independent Fundamental Baptists abhor the methodology and tradition of the Protestants. Yet, if we would step back and have one of those “outa body” experiences, we might find we are not much different.

We have our traditions; we do it because Fundamental Independent Baptists do it that way. It isn’t always following God, it is following Baptists. Not all tradition is bad, our King James Bible is ours by tradition, our music is good, however, we walk in the tradition of the world, the agnostics, the atheists, the Protestants. We are not seen as strict in our walk.

We wash our brains (hands). We are always making rules; we change scripture to suit our friends, our convictions.

I. TRADITION IS HYPOCRITICAL. (vv 6-8)

2 Peter 2:18-19 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. (19) While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.

A. We Have A Vain Tongue. (v 6)

1. We have great vain words

i. Yet our walk does not reflect our

hypocritical words

ii. We become servant of corruption.

B. We Have A Worthless Worship. (v 7)

John 4:21-24 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. (22) Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. (23) But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. (24) God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

1. The hour comes

i. Our worship will be revealed

ii. We will then know

a. What we are ignoring

2. God is seeking those who worship Him.

C. We Create Commandments From Our Tradition

1. We make our personal convictions commandments

Colossians 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

2. With minor exceptions, our Bible:

i. KJB is a literal

a. History book

b. Book of Prophecy

c. It is God’s Word

1.) Absolutely

Complete.

II. TRADITION KEEPS BEFORE THE COMMANDMENTS

(vv 9-12)

A. “My Goods Are Corban”

1. Corban = A gift dedicated to God

i. This statement made in front of

witnesses

a. Was legally binding

2. Priests were seeking “corban” from people

who had dire financial needs

Isaiah 29:13 Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:

i. The family needed the sought after gift

3. God expects that we tithe

i. From the 90% we are to take care of our personal needs

ii. From any excess, “corban” can be

given

III. THROUGH TRADITION THE “WORD” BECOMES (v 13)

INEFFECTIVE

A. Any Ritual Or Procedure Which Gives Us Security 1. Without resorting to the “Word”

i. Anything which gives us security over the “Word”.

B. Personal Traditions.

1. Church attendance

2. Prayers

3. Ceremonies

i. Whatever we hang onto for

security

a. Outside of God’s “Word”

Matthew 15:3 But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?

C. None Effect

1. To make worthless

i. To become vain

CONCLUSION: In the Introduction, I referred to an “outa body” experience.

Personally, I have a problem with the concept of “outa body” experiences. But I do believe we as Christians, then as Baptists, we each need to look at what our beliefs are.

Have we allowed tradition to supplement our “Word” of God?

All that we believe should be based on what is written, not necessarily on what might be implied.

When I was working at Union Pacific, a group of us entered a discussion of Noah and his ark, and all the animals two by two. I noted to a woman that there were more than two by two of the clean animals. She let me know she had been a Baptist a lot longer than I. She had heard many preachers extol on the two by two. After she read God’s Word, she apologized.

How many stories of the Bible are kinda twisted in your mind?

We need to read our Bible with a need to comprehension, and for completeness.

Read to learn, not for certificates. They are nice, but we must comprehend God’s “Word” to the best of our ability.

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God’s Authority

Romans 9:14-33 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. (15) For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. (16) So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. (17) For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. (18) Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. (19) Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? (20) Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? (21) Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? (22) What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: (23) And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, (24) Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles? (25) As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved. (26) And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God. (27) Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved: (28) For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth. (29) And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha. (30) What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. (31) But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. (32) Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; (33) As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

INTRODUCTION: We as semi-righteous Christians need to know that in God NO unrighteousness exists. None, no, not any.

There is unrighteousness in you and I. We are not worthy of the mercy and the “Amazing Grace” God has given us.

If it wasn’t for the “blood” of His Only Begotten Son, we would all be heading straight to hell. Then for those of us who now call ourselves Christians, wouldn’t be, then there would be fear in death.

I. MERCY IS GOD’S RIGHT. (vv 15-18)

A. His Mercy Is Doled Out At His Will.

1. He has compassion on who He wills

Romans 9:15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.

2. Not necessarily deserving people

i. His mercy could go to a

non-Christian

ii. It could go to the most

undeserving

3. God’s mercy to Israel was not because they:

i. Wanted His mercy

ii. Sought Him

iii Deserved it

4. He chose them.

B. God’s Justice. (v 17)

5. The Pharaoh is an example.

Romans 13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

i. God raised up Pharaoh

a. To do God’s Will

ii. Pharaoh was an unbeliever

a. As was Nebuchadnezzar

1.) He got saved.

iii. Pharaoh was evil

a. He was harsh

b. He was stubborn

c. He stood and cursed God

1.) As if he were face to

face with God.

iv. Pharaoh heard the truth

a. From Moses and Aaron

1.) He could have

repented and

accepted God.

2.) Nebuchadnezzar

figured it out.

v. God hardened the Pharaoh’s heart

a. Pharaoh “sowed” a hardened

heart

b. Pharaoh “reaped” a hardened

heart.

Hebrews 3:13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

2. God allows you have your desires

i. Though the Holy Spirit, He will

attempt to direct you right.

II. GOD HAS THE RIGHT TO DO HIS WILL. (vv 19-20)

A. We Have No Authority To Argue.

1. No right to ask “Why Lord?”

2. God is Supreme in Being.

B. God’s Authority Is:

1. As the potter and clay.

i. It is the potter who controls the

clay

ii. We are as this malleable clay

2. The clay exists

i. God is molding us toward Him.

3. This is not creation

i. You exist

a. Quit resisting

ii. Do His Will

Revelation 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

4. His is worthy

i. Are you?

III. GOD’S AUTHORITY ALLOWS HIM TO PUT UP WITH

EVIL AND UNBELIEVERS. (vv 22-24)

A. Vessels Of Wrath.

1. “Fitted” for destruction.

i. Man fits himself by rejecting God

and His Son.

John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

B. Vessels Prepared Unto Glory.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

1. Both Gentile and Jew

i. The Jew first

2. God shows no partiality

i. His mercy extends to all

a. Who will accept

3. God does not choose

i. Some to be righteous

ii. Some to be of the wrath

1 John 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us.

a. We choose

b. He accepts

1.) Based on His Will

IV. THE CHOSEN PEOPLE. (vv 25-33)

A. Israel Was The First Chosen.

1. Like Adam

i. Became a sinner

a. Turned their backs on God.

B. The Gentiles The Second Choice.

1. Jesus was the second Adam

i. The Gentiles second choice.

C. A Remnant Of Israel Remains

1. Isaiah told this prophesy

Isaiah 1:9 Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah.

CONCLUSION: God chose us not to replace the Jews, but to be a part.

As a chosen group, He chose us, it is now up to you and I to choose Him.

He has extended His “Right Hand,” Jesus The Christ, to us. All we must do is accept His “Right Hand.”

John 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: