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JOY IN TRIALS Scripture: James 1:1-4 1 This letter is from James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am writing to the “twelve tribes”—Jewish believers scattered abroad. Greetings! 2 Dear brothers and sisters,[a] when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. James exhorts us to Consider three things: 1. CONSIDER IT ALL JOY 1:2. A. WE SHOULD EXPECT TRIALS. B. WE SHOULD NOT DENY EMOTIONAL PAIN. C. THIS RADICAL ATTITUDE IS NOT NATURAL. D. THIS RADICAL ATTITUDE RESULTS FROM A DELIBERATE CHOICE.
2. THE TESTING OF OUR FAITH PRODUCES ENDURANCE 1:3. A. GOD IS SOVEREIGN OVER EVERY TRIAL. B. GOD IS USING THE TRIALS TO TEST OUR FAITH TO PRODUCE ENDURANCE.
3. WE SHOULD LET ENDURANCE HAVE ITS PERFECT RESULT 1:4). A. MATURITY IS A PROCESS, NOT INSTANT PERFECTION. B. SUBMITTING TO THE PROCESS WILL RESULT IN SPIRITUAL MATURITY.
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