Presentation: James 1:12-18

James 1:12-18

Sunday 18 September 2011

[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.


Tests give an opportunity to show if your faith is real / authenticNumbers 14:22 - 10 times Israel disobeyed and tested God


The crown - worn on 4 occasions:Weddings & Feasts - joyBy RoyaltyTo show Honour & DignityThe Victor in the Games






Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities... Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then,

Standing might be all you can do


Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities... Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then,

Standing might be all you can do


[13-15] When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 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.




Blame God

Bless God


“Trials do not always produce maturity. When facing trials some doubt God’s goodness

and turn away from him...they blame God for their

troubles”Daniel Doriani


“If someone encourages desire for long enough, there is an inevitable consequence.

Desire becomes action.”

William Barclay


[16-18] 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. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.



FirstfruitsAll has come from GodConsidered the bestAnnual confession that God has been faithful


1. Love God - v.12

All else are idols!Love God not the crownLove God not the workLove God not the peopleLove God!


1. Love God - v.12

All else are idols!Love God not the crownLove God not the workLove God not the peopleLove God!


2. Stand in God

1 Cor 16:13-14Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.Galatians 5:1For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.


3. Remember God

Galatians 6:14...far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.Galatians 4:13I can do all this through him who gives me strength.



“The soul that loves God seeks no other reward than that God whom it loves. Were the soul to demand anything else, then it would certainly love the other

thing and not God”Bernard of Clairvaux


Spiritual

Presentation: James 1:12-18