Living in Gods Perspective - Pastor Franni

Deeper Through Discipleship, 4/30/2017 12:00:00 AM

Living in God's perspective

Scripture: James 1:9-12

Life is a test, Life is a trust and Life is a temporary assignment. Rick Warren.

We all live in a very uncertain world where many things are not predictable in life. Many people who were there last year and not with us this year. We need to be very careful the way we live our lives. This life is a gift that God has given to us and what we do with this life is our gift back to God.

9 Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. 10 But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. 11 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 will fade away even while they go about their business.

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. James 1:9-12

  • To persevere in trials we need to have God’s perspective on poverty and riches.
  • Trials are inevitable in our life
  • All of us go through trials whether we like it or not, but the only difference is how we respond to these trials makes a lot of difference.
  • If we persevere under trial and not give in we will receive the reward in this life and in the life to come i.e. is in heaven.

 

Here James first speaks to the poor Christian (vs. 9), then the rich Christian (vs. 10) and then he offers hope to both the poor and the rich to persevere under trials.

1. THE POOR MUST GLORY IN THEIR ETERNAL RICHES IN CHRIST.

9 Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. James 1:9

How can this poverty be a blessing?

            Poor people lack resources and they need to rely upon God for their daily provision. Many times the rich people are self reliant.

 

​​2. THE RICH SHOULD TAKE PRIDE IN THEIR LOW POSITION. VS.10

10 But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower.

How can the rich take pride in their low position?

a. We can glory in the fact that God has opened our eyes to see the vanity of worldly wealth and status.

b. We can glory in the fact that God has shown us the essence of true happiness and honor.

c. We can glory in the fact that eternal inheritance cannot be taken away.

 

3. WE CAN PERSEVERE UNDER TRAIL BY LOOKING FORWARD TO THE CROWN OF LIFE

a. Both poverty and riches are tests of faith

 

b. To be blessed is not to be exempt from trials but to persevere under them

 

c. Those who persevere under trails will be rewarded with the crown of life

d. The strength to persevere under trails comes from our love for Christ.

 

 

Conclusion:

Life is like a vapor. James 4:14. We will die soon; let us not waste this life by living by the standards of the world. But let us live this life from God‘s perspective and be blessed.