Trials & Temptation

Living Stones Church - South Bend

“It is therefore faith alone which justifies, and yet the faith that justifies is not alone.” - John Calvin James 1:1-2 - James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings. Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, Proverbs 17:3 – NLT – Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but the Lord tests the heart. Sermon Point #1 – Trials 1) Recognize what’s really going on James 1:2-3 - Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. Sermon Point #2 – Trials 2) Cooperate with God’s growth process James 1:4 - Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. Romans 5:3-4 - Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. 1 Peter 1:6-7 - In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Sermon Point #3 – Trials 3) Ask for God’s help James 1:5 - 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. Sermon Point #4 – Trials 4) Keep a good attitude James 1:6-7 - 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. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. James 1:12 - Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. Sermon Point #5 – Temptations 1) Recognize the source of temptation James 1:13 - When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; Sermon Point #6 – Temptations 2) Understand the process of temptation James 1:14-15 - but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. Sermon Point #7 – Temptations 3) Learn how to overcome temptation James 1:16-17 - Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 1 Corinthians 10:13 - No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. James 1:18 – NLT - He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.