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- Preaching the Living WORD through the Written WORD - 2 Tim 4:2
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ATTITUDE AND
ADVANTAGE IN TRIALS (James 1:1-4) 9-9-12 Grace Bible Church,
Gillette, Wyoming Pastor Daryl Hilbert I. JAMES WRITES TO DISPERSED
JEWS (1) A. “James” (Ia,kōbos - Greek
form of Hebrew “Jacob”) is
probably the half-brother of Jesus. The other James (son of Zebedee) was
martyred in aprox. AD 44 (Act 12:2). 1. In Act
12:17 (same chapter and time, AD 44) James the brother of Jesus is already
acknowledged to be at the forefront of leadership with the apostles (cp. Act
15:13 [AD 48-50]; 21:18 [AD 58-60]). 2. In Gal 1:19, aprox.
48-50 (just after to the epistle of James), Paul identifies James as “the
Lord’s brother” and a “pillar” of the church (Gal 2:9). 3. The epistle of James is the first book
written in the New Testament (AD 45-48) and was written a year or more after
the death of James of Zebedee. B. He is a “bond -servant,” (doulos) literally a “slave,” but a lofty and
official title for servants of God (Rom 1:1; Col 1:7; 2Pe 1:1; Jude 1:1; Rev
1:1). Note however, James is not only a servant of God, but also of his
half-brother Jesus, whom James gives recognition and deity as the “Lord Jesus
Christ.” C. He is writing to a Jewish Christian
audience because they are entitled “the twelve tribes,” a term that only
refers to Jews (Gen 49:28; Exo 28:21; Eze 47:13; Mat 19:28; Act 26:6-7; Rev
21:12). James send his “greetings” (chai,rein
fr chai,rō). D. These Jewish believers were dispersed due
in part to Herod’s persecution in aprox. AD 44.
Acts 12:1 records the persecution as the laying on hands and imprisoning some
who belonged to the church (including Peter, Act 12:5) and put James, the son
of Zebedee to death. Persecution for believers had been going on since the
martyrdom of Stephen (Act 8:1). 1. This was
only a general dispersion compared to the technical term “Dispersion.”
Technically, the Dispersion
or Dispora (dispora, - scattering of seeds or people) can be
defined as, the comprehensive designation applied to Jews living outside
of Palestine and maintaining their religious observances and customs among
the Gentiles (ISBE). The Jews themselves referred to the concept of the
Dispersion in Joh 7:35. The technical term of Dispersion is a result of
divine judgment upon His own rebellious people as prophesied by His prophets
(Hos 9:3; Jer 8:3; 16:15; Eze 4:13; Mic 5:7; Zec
10:9; also Deu 28:25;
30:1; Psa 67). 2. The Jews were used to such persecution
whether divinely initiated or not. Now these faithful Jewish Christians were
experiencing more of the same persecution and various “trials” (vs. 2, peirasmos) indeed. II. VIEW TRIALS WITH ALL JOY
(2) A. James’ mandate for these
Jewish believers in the midst of trials and persecutions was to “consider it
all joy.” B. “Consider” is the Greek word hêge,omai and
contains the root word agō which
means to lead. Hêge,omai
means to lead one’s thinking or
opinion into a proper attitude, i.e. to consider or regard (Phil 3:8; 2Th
3:15; Heb 11:11; 2Pe 3:15). It is an imperative (command) in the Greek and
must be done. C. The believer is to view trials in his life
as all joy. “Joy” (chara,) comes from the root word chai,rō
which mean to rejoice. So joy is something that makes one’s soul rejoice. It is more than mere happiness which pertains to
happenstances. Joy on the other hand pertains to more abstract ideas which
cause the heart to rejoice at such
things as the meaning of life, person of Christ (1Pe 1:8), the kingdom of God
(Rom 14:17), salvation of sinners (Luk 15:7), and the maturity of believers
(3Jo 1:4). It is this joy that believers are to have in regard to trials. We
are certainly not happy about trials but we can have joy in them when we know
what they will ultimately produce in our lives. D. James uses the conjunction “when” (hotan) to indicate that it is certain that the
believer will face trials. “Trials” is the Greek word peirasmo,s
and refers to a test or experiment. 1. The
word can have a positive or negative connotation. It can be translated either
“test” (positively) or “temptation” (negatively).” 2. God’s purpose in a situation is to
produce the believer’s growth, therefore it is a “test or trial” (1Pe 4:12;
Rev 3:10). Satan’s (“the tempter” - ho peira,zōn,
Mat 4:3; 1Th 3:5) purpose in a situation is to cause the believer to fall
in his Christian life and therefore is a “temptation.” 3. So in one trial there can be the purposes
of both God and Satan (Mat 4:1; Job 1:8 cp. Job 1:11). However, God never
tempts (cp. 1Co 10:13, should be translated “test”) the believer so as
to see him fall (Jam 1:13). 4. Every situation that God allows into our
lives is intended for good. But if we do not respond in the correct manner,
the believer has allowed Satan to use it as a temptation. Therefore Jesus
instructed us to pray, do
not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from
evil [literally the evil one] (Mat 6:13). In essence we should pray that God
not allow our tests to be turned into temptations by our response to the
inducement of Satan. E. These trials,
the ones that we “fall into” (“encounter” - peripi,tō
- fall around or fall into), come in all colors, shapes and sizes (various”-
poiki,los, many colored ). We are to consider them joy
in knowing that God desires for us to be tested, approved, and matured by
them. III. KNOW THAT TRIALS PRODUCE
PERSEVERANCE (3) A. James teaches that they can
consider various trials as all joy while knowing (present participle - ginōskō - know, comprehend) that these
trails produce perseverance. They know that trials produce perseverance
through OT witnesses (Heb 12:1), Job (Jam 5:11), and OT depiction of God and
His ways (Rom 15:4; 1Co 10:11). Believers today know this through the many
passages about perseverance in the NT (Luk 8:15; Rom 5:3-5; Gal 5:22-23; 2Co
6:4; 1Th 1:3; 1Ti 6:11; Tit 2:2; Heb 10:36; 12:1; including and especially
James 1:3-4; 5:11). B. It is these very trials that are a
“testing of your faith.” “Testing” (doki,mos)
is the act of proving genuineness of something. In this case, it is the
testing of the genuineness of the believer’s faith. It is not designed to
cast doubt on the believer but designed to bring his genuine faith to light
as it brings him to maturity (1Pe 1:7). It does not mean that a believer will
never fail such testing, but when he does he will acknowledge failure and
press on to maturity (Pro 17:3; 25:4; Rom 5:4). On the other hand, if there
is someone who professes to be a believer, but it not genuine, trials and
testing will surely bring it to light. C. What exactly does the testing of our faith
produce? Perseverance. “Perseverance” is the Greek word hupomonê
and comes from two Greek words, hupo - under
& me,nō - remain or
stay. So literally it means to remain under or stay under trials, turn
to God, and trust God to bring about His desired effect. 1. Perseverance
is a sign of a believer’s genuine faith. In fact, Rev 14:12 uses the phrase
for genuine believers as the “perseverance of the saints.” They are genuinely
saved and as a result they keep God’s Word and keep their faith. 2. Those who ultimately throw in the towel
on their professed faith, are revealed as “tares” as an allusion to
unbelievers who profess to be believers but are not (Mat 13:24-30). 3. It is the pressing on, remaining under,
remaining in the faith that proves the genuineness of one’s faith (Luk 8:15).
Perseverance shows the genuineness of the believer because it is God is the
One who gives perseverance (Rom 15:5). 4. Perseverance or the perseverance of the
saints in no way suggests that a person in not completely saved until he
perseveres unto the end. 5. Perseverance is a major Christian virtue
which is to be present in the believer and to grow in the believer. IV. PERSEVERANCE PRODUCES
MATURITY (4) A. Perseverance brings more
benefits and a full effect. James strongly commands believers to let
perseverance in trials have (present imperative - e,chō
to have) its “perfect” (teleios -
perfect, full, or mature) “result” (ergon
- work or effect). B. It is for the purpose (hi,na
- in order that) that the believer might become “perfect” (teleios - perfect, full, or mature) and
“complete” (holo,klêros - whole portion)
and equipped for every spiritual purpose and work. C. The meaning is that through trials,
perseverance has time to bring the believer to maturity so that he has
everything he needs pertaining to “life and godliness” and lacks or falls
short of nothing. D. This is why the believer can rejoice in
trials, because trials in the end, under God’s sovereignty, bring us to
maturity. If we have maturity as our greatest goal, we will have joy in every
trial knowing that it is accomplishing God’s plan and our goal. ATTITUDE AND
ADVANTAGE IN TRIALS (James 1:1-4) 9-9-12 Grace Bible Church,
Gillette, Wyoming Pastor Daryl Hilbert I. JAMES WRITES TO DISPERSED
JEWS (1) A. “James” (Ia,kōbos - Greek
form of Hebrew “Jacob”) is
probably the half-brother of Jesus. The other James (son of Zebedee) was
martyred in aprox. AD 44 (Act 12:2). 1. In Act
12:17 (same chapter and time, AD 44) James the brother of Jesus is already
acknowledged to be at the forefront of leadership with the apostles (cp. Act
15:13 [AD 48-50]; 21:18 [AD 58-60]). 2. In Gal 1:19, aprox.
48-50 (just after to the epistle of James), Paul identifies James as “the
Lord’s brother” and a “pillar” of the church (Gal 2:9). 3. The epistle of James is the first book
written in the New Testament (AD 45-48) and was written a year or more after
the death of James of Zebedee. B. He is a “bond -servant,” (doulos) literally a “slave,” but a lofty and
official title for servants of God (Rom 1:1; Col 1:7; 2Pe 1:1; Jude 1:1; Rev
1:1). Note however, James is not only a servant of God, but also of his
half-brother Jesus, whom James gives recognition and deity as the “Lord Jesus
Christ.” C. He is writing to a Jewish Christian
audience because they are entitled “the twelve tribes,” a term that only
refers to Jews (Gen 49:28; Exo 28:21; Eze 47:13; Mat 19:28; Act 26:6-7; Rev
21:12). James send his “greetings” (chai,rein
fr chai,rō). D. These Jewish believers were dispersed due
in part to Herod’s persecution in aprox. AD 44.
Acts 12:1 records the persecution as the laying on hands and imprisoning some
who belonged to the church (including Peter, Act 12:5) and put James, the son
of Zebedee to death. Persecution for believers had been going on since the
martyrdom of Stephen (Act 8:1). 1. This was
only a general dispersion compared to the technical term “Dispersion.”
Technically, the Dispersion
or Dispora (dispora, - scattering of seeds or people) can be
defined as, the comprehensive designation applied to Jews living outside
of Palestine and maintaining their religious observances and customs among
the Gentiles (ISBE). The Jews themselves referred to the concept of the
Dispersion in Joh 7:35. The technical term of Dispersion is a result of
divine judgment upon His own rebellious people as prophesied by His prophets
(Hos 9:3; Jer 8:3; 16:15; Eze 4:13; Mic 5:7; Zec
10:9; also Deu 28:25;
30:1; Psa 67). 2. The Jews were used to such persecution
whether divinely initiated or not. Now these faithful Jewish Christians were
experiencing more of the same persecution and various “trials” (vs. 2, peirasmos) indeed. II. VIEW TRIALS WITH ALL JOY
(2) A. James’ mandate for these
Jewish believers in the midst of trials and persecutions was to “consider it
all joy.” B. “Consider” is the Greek word hêge,omai and
contains the root word agō which
means to lead. Hêge,omai
means to lead one’s thinking or
opinion into a proper attitude, i.e. to consider or regard (Phil 3:8; 2Th
3:15; Heb 11:11; 2Pe 3:15). It is an imperative (command) in the Greek and
must be done. C. The believer is to view trials in his life
as all joy. “Joy” (chara,) comes from the root word chai,rō
which mean to rejoice. So joy is something that makes one’s soul rejoice. It is more than mere happiness which pertains to
happenstances. Joy on the other hand pertains to more abstract ideas which
cause the heart to rejoice at such
things as the meaning of life, person of Christ (1Pe 1:8), the kingdom of God
(Rom 14:17), salvation of sinners (Luk 15:7), and the maturity of believers
(3Jo 1:4). It is this joy that believers are to have in regard to trials. We
are certainly not happy about trials but we can have joy in them when we know
what they will ultimately produce in our lives. D. James uses the conjunction “when” (hotan) to indicate that it is certain that the
believer will face trials. “Trials” is the Greek word peirasmo,s
and refers to a test or experiment. 1. The
word can have a positive or negative connotation. It can be translated either
“test” (positively) or “temptation” (negatively).” 2. God’s purpose in a situation is to
produce the believer’s growth, therefore it is a “test or trial” (1Pe 4:12;
Rev 3:10). Satan’s (“the tempter” - ho peira,zōn,
Mat 4:3; 1Th 3:5) purpose in a situation is to cause the believer to fall
in his Christian life and therefore is a “temptation.” 3. So in one trial there can be the purposes
of both God and Satan (Mat 4:1; Job 1:8 cp. Job 1:11). However, God never
tempts (cp. 1Co 10:13, should be translated “test”) the believer so as
to see him fall (Jam 1:13). 4. Every situation that God allows into our
lives is intended for good. But if we do not respond in the correct manner,
the believer has allowed Satan to use it as a temptation. Therefore Jesus
instructed us to pray, do
not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from
evil [literally the evil one] (Mat 6:13). In essence we should pray that God
not allow our tests to be turned into temptations by our response to the
inducement of Satan. E. These trials,
the ones that we “fall into” (“encounter” - peripi,tō
- fall around or fall into), come in all colors, shapes and sizes (various”-
poiki,los, many colored ). We are to consider them joy
in knowing that God desires for us to be tested, approved, and matured by
them. III. KNOW THAT TRIALS PRODUCE
PERSEVERANCE (3) A. James teaches that they can
consider various trials as all joy while knowing (present participle - ginōskō - know, comprehend) that these
trails produce perseverance. They know that trials produce perseverance
through OT witnesses (Heb 12:1), Job (Jam 5:11), and OT depiction of God and
His ways (Rom 15:4; 1Co 10:11). Believers today know this through the many
passages about perseverance in the NT (Luk 8:15; Rom 5:3-5; Gal 5:22-23; 2Co
6:4; 1Th 1:3; 1Ti 6:11; Tit 2:2; Heb 10:36; 12:1; including and especially
James 1:3-4; 5:11). B. It is these very trials that are a
“testing of your faith.” “Testing” (doki,mos)
is the act of proving genuineness of something. In this case, it is the
testing of the genuineness of the believer’s faith. It is not designed to
cast doubt on the believer but designed to bring his genuine faith to light
as it brings him to maturity (1Pe 1:7). It does not mean that a believer will
never fail such testing, but when he does he will acknowledge failure and
press on to maturity (Pro 17:3; 25:4; Rom 5:4). On the other hand, if there
is someone who professes to be a believer, but it not genuine, trials and
testing will surely bring it to light. C. What exactly does the testing of our faith
produce? Perseverance. “Perseverance” is the Greek word hupomonê
and comes from two Greek words, hupo - under
& me,nō - remain or
stay. So literally it means to remain under or stay under trials, turn
to God, and trust God to bring about His desired effect. 1. Perseverance
is a sign of a believer’s genuine faith. In fact, Rev 14:12 uses the phrase
for genuine believers as the “perseverance of the saints.” They are genuinely
saved and as a result they keep God’s Word and keep their faith. 2. Those who ultimately throw in the towel
on their professed faith, are revealed as “tares” as an allusion to
unbelievers who profess to be believers but are not (Mat 13:24-30). 3. It is the pressing on, remaining under,
remaining in the faith that proves the genuineness of one’s faith (Luk 8:15).
Perseverance shows the genuineness of the believer because it is God is the
One who gives perseverance (Rom 15:5). 4. Perseverance or the perseverance of the
saints in no way suggests that a person in not completely saved until he
perseveres unto the end. 5. Perseverance is a major Christian virtue
which is to be present in the believer and to grow in the believer. IV. PERSEVERANCE PRODUCES
MATURITY (4) A. Perseverance brings more
benefits and a full effect. James strongly commands believers to let
perseverance in trials have (present imperative - e,chō
to have) its “perfect” (teleios -
perfect, full, or mature) “result” (ergon
- work or effect). B. It is for the purpose (hi,na
- in order that) that the believer might become “perfect” (teleios - perfect, full, or mature) and
“complete” (holo,klêros - whole portion)
and equipped for every spiritual purpose and work. C. The meaning is that through trials,
perseverance has time to bring the believer to maturity so that he has everything
he needs pertaining to “life and godliness” and lacks or falls short of
nothing. D. This is why the believer can rejoice in
trials, because trials in the end, under God’s sovereignty, bring us to
maturity. If we have maturity as our greatest goal, we will have joy in every
trial knowing that it is accomplishing God’s plan and our goal. |
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