James 1:12-18How to Stand Strong and Stay Strong

Hold onto the hope for something better. 12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Text Message:o Look at the word “blessed.” The word here, like it is used in

the Beatitudes (Matthew 5), is used in a situation that outwardly doesn’t look or feel like a blessing.

o We may not feel blessed in a trial, but there is something better ahead!

o Circle the word “crown.” This is the Greek stephanos (and is not the crown of a king, but referred to the garland wreath given as a crown in the Greek games.

o Now underline who God promises this reward to.o The idea here is not that one remains steadfast from his/her

own strength, but from the love he/she has for God.o Another way to say this is that if we love God, He will give us

the strength to endure any trial this life throws at us! o Therefore, the question in a trial is not necessarily, “How can I

remain strong,” but “How can I love God in this with all I am?” (The Great Commandment).

Take responsibility for your temptations. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. Text Message:o Like Jesus in the wilderness (Matt. 4), temptations often come

in the middle of trials.o The words, “Let no one say,” is a Greek present imperative

and could be translated, “Stop saying…”o It is possible that these scattered believers were blaming God

for the temptations they faced in their trials!o We must take responsibility for temptation. Here’s how:

Recognize that every desire also has a direction. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

Text Message:o Notice the direction of wrong desires in Verses 14-15:

desire conception birth of sin growth of sin deatho Just as a wrong desire moves in the direction of death, a

godly desire moves in the direction of life:For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Galatians 6:8

o This is the reason for Verse 17. God has good things to give!o The choice is ours:

Minimize sin and move toward death!Mortify sin and move toward life!

o This is why the Psalmist cries out in Psalm 39:4:“O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am!

You are now entering your mission field!

James 1:12-18How to Stand Strong and Stay Strong

Hold onto the hope for something better. 12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Text Message:o Look at the word “blessed.” The word here, like it is used in

the Beatitudes (Matthew 5), is used in a situation that outwardly doesn’t look or feel like a blessing.

o We may not feel blessed in a trial, but there is something better ahead!

o Circle the word “crown.” This is the Greek stephanos (and is not the crown of a king, but referred to the garland wreath given as a crown in the Greek games.

o Now underline who God promises this reward to.o The idea here is not that one remains steadfast from his/her

own strength, but from the love he/she has for God.o Another way to say this is that if we love God, He will give us

the strength to endure any trial this life throws at us! o Therefore, the question in a trial is not necessarily, “How can I

remain strong,” but “How can I love God in this with all I am?” (The Great Commandment).

Take responsibility for your temptations. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. Text Message:o Like Jesus in the wilderness (Matt. 4), temptations often come

in the middle of trials.o The words, “Let no one say,” is a Greek present imperative

and could be translated, “Stop saying…”o It is possible that these scattered believers were blaming God

for the temptations they faced in their trials!o We must take responsibility for temptation. Here’s how:

Recognize that every desire also has a direction. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

Text Message:o Notice the direction of wrong desires in Verses 14-15:

desire conception birth of sin growth of sin deatho Just as a wrong desire moves in the direction of death, a

godly desire moves in the direction of life:For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Galatians 6:8

o This is the reason for Verse 17. God has good things to give!o The choice is ours:

Minimize sin and move toward death!Mortify sin and move toward life!

o This is why the Psalmist cries out in Psalm 39:4:“O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my

days; let me know how fleeting I am!

You are now entering your mission field!

James 1:12-18How to Stand Strong and Stay Strong

Hold onto the ________ for something better. 12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Text Message:o Look at the word “______________.” The word here, like it is

used in the Beatitudes (Matthew 5), is used in a situation that outwardly doesn’t look or feel like a blessing.

o We may not feel blessed in a __________, but there is something better ahead!

o Circle the word “__________.” This is the Greek stephanos (and is not the crown of a king, but referred to the __________ ________ given as a crown in the Greek games.

o Now underline who God promises this reward to.o The idea here is not that one remains steadfast from his/her

own strength, but from the ________ he/she has for God.o Another way to say this is that if we love God, He will give us

the strength to endure any trial this life throws at us! o Therefore, the question in a trial is not necessarily, “How can I

remain strong,” but “How can I love God in this with all I am?” (The Great Commandment).

Take responsibility for your ______________________. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. Text Message:o Like Jesus in the wilderness (Matt. 4), temptations often come

in the middle of trials.o The words, “Let no one say,” is a Greek present imperative

and could be translated, “_____________________…”o It is possible that these scattered believers were __________

God for the temptations they faced in their trials!o We must take responsibility for temptation. Here’s how:

Recognize that every desire also has a _____________. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

Text Message:o Notice the ____________ of wrong desires in Verses 14-15:

desire conception birth of sin growth of sin deatho Just as a wrong desire moves in the direction of death, a

godly desire moves in the direction of life:For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Galatians 6:8

o This is the reason for Verse 17. God has good things to give!o The choice is ours:

________________ sin and move toward death!________________ sin and move toward life!

o This is why the Psalmist cries out in Psalm 39:4:“O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am!

You are now entering your mission field!

James 1:12-18How to Stand Strong and Stay Strong

Hold onto the ________ for something better. 12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Text Message:o Look at the word “______________.” The word here, like it is

used in the Beatitudes (Matthew 5), is used in a situation that outwardly doesn’t look or feel like a blessing.

o We may not feel blessed in a __________, but there is something better ahead!

o Circle the word “__________.” This is the Greek stephanos (and is not the crown of a king, but referred to the __________ ________ given as a crown in the Greek games.

o Now underline who God promises this reward to.o The idea here is not that one remains steadfast from his/her

own strength, but from the ________ he/she has for God.o Another way to say this is that if we love God, He will give us

the strength to endure any trial this life throws at us! o Therefore, the question in a trial is not necessarily, “How can I

remain strong,” but “How can I love God in this with all I am?” (The Great Commandment).

Take responsibility for your ______________________. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. Text Message:o Like Jesus in the wilderness (Matt. 4), temptations often come

in the middle of trials.o The words, “Let no one say,” is a Greek present imperative

and could be translated, “_____________________…”o It is possible that these scattered believers were __________

God for the temptations they faced in their trials!o We must take responsibility for temptation. Here’s how:

Recognize that every desire also has a _____________. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

Text Message:o Notice the ____________ of wrong desires in Verses 14-15:

desire conception birth of sin growth of sin deatho Just as a wrong desire moves in the direction of death, a

godly desire moves in the direction of life:For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Galatians 6:8

o This is the reason for Verse 17. God has good things to give!o The choice is ours:

________________ sin and move toward death!________________ sin and move toward life!

o This is why the Psalmist cries out in Psalm 39:4:“O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am!

You are now entering your mission field!