Christian’s are like teabags, you don’t know what is in them until you put them in hot water.

1. Christian’s are like teabags, you don’t know what is in them until you put them in hot water.

2. A backwoods preacher found a small boy all alone, playing in the mud. “Where’s your father?” the preacher asked. The boy said, “He was hanged last week.”“Where’s your mother?” “She run off.” “Where’s your sister?” • “She’s in jail.”“Is there anybody else in • your family?” “Yup, I’ve • got a brother.”“Where is he?” “At • Harvard University.”“Well, at least one member • of your family is doing well. • What is he studying?” • ‘Nothin’. They’re studying • him.”

3. That boy had to be discouraged with life! I don’t think anybody’s life could be as bad as that boy’s. BUT WE ALL MUST ADMIT THAT LIFE CAN GET PRETTY DIFFICULT AT TIMES. And certain • things happen to us • that can cause us to • want to give up on life.

4. KrispyKreme donuts are all the rage right now. Many of us have tasted them. Some people will line up and wait for hours to purchase these sweet delights. Let me tell you about the process that leads to a KrispyKreme donut.

5. First the little balls of dough are shot through with a piercing blast of air to create a hole. Then they go into the proof box where they ride up and down an elevator in an atmosphere of heat and humidity. This causes the dough to rise. After this, they are dropped into hot oil and boiled thoroughly. After surviving this ordeal, the donuts pass through a cascading waterfall of icing.

6. Does anyone here today feel like a KrispyKreme? Do you feel like you have been blasted with air? Do you feel like you have been boiled in oil? Well, remember that these experiences precede the sweet delight that follows. None of us look forward to trials. None of us love hardship. But without them, we will never enjoy the sweet fruit of maturity.

7. Billy Graham once said, “Mountaintops are for views and inspiration, but fruit is grown in the valleys.”

8. Today, in our study of James, we are going to look at the sweet fruit of bitter times.

9. Trials will come, so consider your options: • James 1:2-4 • 2-4 Don’t run from tests and hardships, (consider it a great joy) brothers and sisters. As difficult as they are, you will ultimately find joy in them; if you embrace them, your faith will blossom under pressure and teach you true patience as you endure. And true patience brought on by endurance will equip you to complete the long journey and cross the finish line—mature, complete, and wanting nothing.

10. Count or consider is an accounting term. It means to take stock of. Consider carefully. Investigate fully. Line up all the numbers them add them all up. What are the things we are to consider? • a. Consider the facts about trials: James does not say if trials come, but when they do come. Expect them! Just because we are believers, we are not exempt. Proverbs • tell us that rain • falls on the just and • the unjust alike.

11. b. Consider many different trials: James says we face trials of many kinds--emotional trials, trials, physical trials, and spiritual trials that we experience as a result of living the Christian life. This is probably what James had in mind as he wrote this letter. His • audience was the • “twelve tribes” • scattered throughout • the earth...” He was • addressing those • believers who had been • uprooted from their • homes and families • just because they were • believers.

12. There are still many in our world who are experiencing persecution for their faith. Christian World Report, says that in China alone, 1100 people are executed monthly just because of their Faith. In some restrictive Nations in the middle east, to • become a believer is an • automatic death sentence. • It is a reminder to us to be • thankful for our momentary • window of freedom we • presently have to worship God • without restrictions, and to • be ready for when the door • might one day be slam behind us.

13. Consider your response to your trials. James says count it joy when you face them. The Apostle Peter also says, “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through as if something strange were happening to you. Instead be very glad • (rejoice) because these trials • will make you partners with • Christ in His suffering, and • afterward you will have the • wonderful joy of sharing his • glory when it is displayed to • all the world.”

14. c. For the most part, we have it pretty good on the • western world. Our trials come from another source. They are the unknown, unexpected experiences of life. For the most part people do not have control over such experiences. No one could have predicted or controlled the surface to air missile that shot down the Malaysian airliner killing 298 innocent people on board. These kinds of trials are unexpected.

15. Chippie the parakeet never saw it coming. One second he was peacefully perched in his cage. The next he was sucked in, washed up, and blown over.The problems began when Chippie’s owner decided to clean Chippie’s cage with a vacuum cleaner. She removed the attachment from the end of the hose and stuck it in the cage. The phone rang, and she to pick it up. She’d said "hello" when “Ssssopp!" • Chippie got sucked in.The bird owner gasped, • put down the phone, • off the vacuum, and • opened the bag. There • was Chippie -- still • alive, but stunned.

16. Since the bird was covered with dust and soot, she grabbed him and raced to the bathroom, turned on the faucet, and held Chippie under the running water. Then, realizing that Chippie was soaked and shivering, she did what any compassionate bird owner would do . . . she reached for the hair dryer and blasted the pet with hot air. Poor Chippie never • knew what hit him.

17. A few days after the trauma, the reporter who’d initially written about the event contacted Chippie’s owner to see how the bird was recovering. "Well," she replied, "Chippie doesn’t sing much anymore -- he just sits and stares."

18. It’s not hard to see why. Sucked in, washed up, and blown over . . . That’s enough to steal the song from the stoutest heart.Can you relate to Chippie? Most of us can. One minute you're seated in familiar territory with a song on your lips, then . . . The pink slip comes. The rejection letter arrives. The doctor calls. The divorce papers are. The check • bounces. A • policeman • knocks on your • door.

19. "Sssopp! You're sucked into a black cavern of doubts, doused with the cold water of reality, and stung with the hot air of empty promises. • The life that had been so calm is now so stormy. As Christians we do not • have to be victims of • our circumstances, but • we can have victory • in times of trials and • testings. We don’t have • lose our song.

20. James tells us no matter what trials we face on the outside, we can experience victory through faith in Christ. • How do you respond when life sucks you in, washes you up, and blows you over?

21. These trials are to test our faith. So, why is our faith always tested?

22. Faith is tested in order to increase our faith! God tests to bring out our best, Satan tempts to bring out our worst!

23. D.L. Moody once visited an elderly Christian woman who showed him her well-worn Bible. By many of the passages in the book she had written “T” and “P”. Moody asked her what she meant by the two letters. She explained – Tried and Proved.

24. Trials rightly used help us to mature. So howdoes God spell maturity?

25. God spells maturity – p-a-t-i-e-n-c-e

26. Kids on a long trip to “Wonderland” are often • heard asking, “are we there yet?” Or, “How • much longer?” They are too immature to • understand the journey. • Immature people are • often impatient –– they • want the blessings of • maturity without • walking the road • of growth.

27. God also spells maturity – p-e-r-s-e-v-e-r-a-n-c-e. The Greek term “hupomone” means to abide under. It refers to the ability to bear up under a burden. The ability to keep going when it’s tough to keep going!!!!

28. It seems that an old dog fell into a farmers well. After considering the situation, the farmer decided that neither the dog nor the well were worth saving. So, he decided to bury the old dog and put him out of his misery. When the farmer began shoveling, the dog was hysterical. But as the farmer kept on shoveling, and the dirt hit his back, a thought struck the old dog. Each time a shovel full of dirt hit his back, the dog would shake off the dirt and step up. So, blow after blow, the dog would shake it off and step up. No matter how painful those shovels of dirt were, the old dog fought panic, he just kept shaking it off and stepping up. Finally, the dog, battered and exhausted stepped • triumphantly over the wall of that • well. What he thought would bury • him actually benefited him because of • the way he handled his adversity. • Perseverance is the ability to shake it • off and step up when a load of trials are • dumped on you. Don’t waste the • opportunities God gives you to prove • Himself.

29. John Eldredge tells the story of a Scottish discus thrower from the 19th century. He lived days before professional trainers and developed his skills alone in the highlands. He made his own discus from the description he read in a book. What he didn’t know was that the competition discus was made of wood with an outer rim of iron. His discus was made of pure metal, four times heavier than the ones used by his would-be challengers. This committed Scotsman trained day after day, laboring under the burden of extra weight. He marked the record distance and kept working until he • could throw that far. When he arrived at • the competition, he was handed the official • wooden discus. He threw it like a tea saucer. • He set new records and for many years, • none of his competitors could touch him. As Eldredge reflected on this story, he said, • “So that’s how you do it – train under a • great burden.

30. Some of us are training under a great burden. It hurts. It is unpleasant. Sometimes we despair. Sometimes we cry. Sometimes we are angry at the burden. But we must always take heart. We must always have a deep sense of joy. Why? Because the burden is producing perseverance. Perseverance is • producing maturity. • Neither of these • virtues so prized by • God would ever be • ours without the • burden.

31. The only way God can develop patience and perseverance in our lives is through trials! (not reading, prayer, sermons) When we go through trials, when we trust God and obey Him, the result is patience and perseverance. • This is how we can face trials with a positive attitude, the end result will bring Glory to God.

32. Just Ask: James 1:5-8 • 5If you don’t have all the wisdom needed for this journey, then all you have to do is ask God for it; and God will grant all that you need. He gives lavishly and never scolds you for asking. 6 The key is that your request be anchored by your single-minded commitment to God. Those who depend only on their own judgment are like those lost on the seas, carried away by any wave or picked up by any wind. 7 Those adrift on their own wisdom shouldn’t assume the Lord will rescue them or bring them anything. 8 The splinter of divided loyalty shatters your compass and leaves you dizzy and confused.

33. When the unexpected trials of life land on our doorstep, how are weto respond? How are we to pray –– what should we ask God for?

34. James gives the answer: Pray for WISDOM. • We need wisdom so we will not waste the opportunities God is giving us to mature. • God’s goal for our lives is maturity. It would be tragic if our little children remained little babies. We enjoy watching them grow through the various stages of life. There are times when naturally we want to shelter our kids from the dangers of life. But we can’t. Many Christians make the mistake of trying to shelter themselves from the trials of life, and as a • result never grow up. How can you tell? Because • they keep experiencing the same trial over • and over again.

35. Wisdom comes easily to some and not so to others. • A city boy, Kenny, moved to the country and bought a donkey from an old farmer for $100. The farmer agreed to deliver the donkey the next day. The next day the farmer drove up and said, "Sorry son, but I have some bad news, the donkey died." Kenny replied, "Well then, just give me my money back." The farmer said, "Can't do that. I went and spent it already." Kenny said, "OK then, at least give me the donkey." The farmer asked, "What are you going to do with him?" Kenny, "I'm going to raffle him off.” Farmer, "You can't raffle off a dead donkey!" Kenny, "Sure I can. Watch me. I just won't tell anybody he is dead." • A month later the farmer met up with and asked, "What happened with that donkey?" Kenny answered, • “I raffled him off. I sold 500 tickets at • two dollars and made a profit of $898." • Farmer, "Didn't anyone complain?" • Kenny replied, "Just the guy who won. • So I gave him his two dollars back."

36. Wisdom is the reward we get for a lifetime of listening to God when we would have preferred to talk or act. • Wisdom helps us to use times of trial for our good and God’s glory.

37. All will pass: James 1:9-11 • 9-11 “The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business.”

38. One day, a wealthy family man took his son on a trip to the country so he could have his son see how poor country people were. They stayed one day and one night at the farm of a very humble farm family.When they got back home the father asked the son, "What did you think of the trip"?The son replied, "Very nice Dad." Dad said, "Did you notice how poor they were?" "Yes". "So, what did you learn from this trip?""I’ve learned that we have one dog in the house, and they had four. We have a • fountain and imported lamps • in our garden, they have a • stream with no end and the • stars in the sky. Our garden • goes to the edge of our property, • they have the entire horizon as • their back yard." At the end of the son’s reply the • father was speechless and then • his son said, "Thank you Dad, • for showing me how poor we • really are."

39. The standard view during James’ day was that spiritual standing was indicated by material standing.1. The poor were ignored or punished by God and deserved no special courtesy.2. The wealthy were blessed by God and should be shown favor.

40. God’s testing has a way of leveling us all. It is not our material resources that are going to get us through the trials of life, but our spiritual resources. The poor man is not kept from the treasures heaven by his poverty. The rich man cannot gain the treasures of heaven by his wealth. • Sometimes God uses a • trial to pose the question –– • “Which do you love more – • this or Me?”

41. GOD PROMISES LIFE: James 1:1212“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”

42. When a Christian endures trials, there is compensation both now and ahead: • Now –– Character, Endurance, Patience • Ahead –– a Crown of Life. • God doesn’t help us by removing the trials, he makes them work for our growth and maturity. Satan wants to use these trials to tear us down, but God uses them to build us up. • Who are you letting • control your growth • in trials?

43. What motivates me to act in this way? James identifies the response as Love. • - Love motivates a joyful attitude –– We love God, God loves us and will not harm us. • - Love motivates an understanding mind –– God teaches us through the trials, and we grow. • - Love motivates surrender of my will –– when love • reigns, we can surrender and obey • - Love motivates belief – – • love and belief go together. • When you love, you trust • and ask for help.

44. Where is your love found –– God or the world? • What are you trusting in trials –– will it get you through?

45. Temptation is Strong: James 1:13-15 • 13 No one who is tempted should ever be confused and say that God is testing him. The One who created us is free from evil and can’t be tempted, so He doesn’t tempt anyone. 14-15 When a person is carried away with desire, lured by lust, and when desire becomes the focus and takes control, it gives birth to sin. When sin becomes fully grown, it produces death.

46. Back when $5000 was considered a very large sum of money, there was a poor woman who always tithed, regardless of how little she had. One day she received an inheritance of $5000. She immediately went to her congregation and gave the Missions Committee $500 and never said any more about it. After her death, there was found a diary entry which read, “Quick, quick before my heart gets hard.” • She refused to let her • newly found wealth • become a hindrance to • her walk with the One • who gave it.

47. It was said that in the days of the Civil War it was illegal to trade in cotton, but many unscrupulous people tried to buy cotton in the South, run it through the Union lines and then sell it at great profit in the North. One of the people approached a Mississippi steamboat captain and offered him $100 if he would run his cotton up the river for him. The captain declined, reminding him that it was illegal. “I will give you $500,” said the man. “No,” answered the captain.“I’ll give you a $1,000,” said the man.“No,” said the captain again.“I’ll give you $3,000,” said the man.At that, the captain drew his pistol, and • pointing it at the man said, “Get off this boat! • You are coming too near my price.”Everybody has a price or a particular • temptation. What’s yours? And what can be • done about it?

48. Putting It All Together

49. A man found a cocoon for a butterfly. One day a small opening appeared, he sat and watched the butterfly for several hours as it struggled to force its body through the little hole. Then it seemed to stop making any progress. It appeared as if it had gotten as far as it could and could go no farther. Then the man decided to help the butterfly.

50. He took a pair of scissors and snipped the remaining bit of the cocoon. The butterfly then emerged easily. Something was strange. The butterfly had a swollen body and shriveled wings. The man continued to watch the butterfly because he expected at any moment, the wings would enlarge and expand to be able to support the body, • which would contract in • time. Neither happened. In • fact, the butterfly spent the • rest of its life crawling around • with a swollen body and • deformed wings. It was never • able to fly.