June 14, 2015 | Bob Bartlett
Passage: James 1:2-8
Faith Series
“The Persuasion of Pain” James 1:2-8
Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for, certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:6 “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
- It’s not how much faith we have, but in whom our faith rests that matters.
Vs 3: “because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.”
- Hebrews 11:17 “By faith Abram, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice…”
Truth: God will test me in my faith so that I will possess a great faith!
Vs 4: “Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete…”
- What kind of faith? “Not lack anything!”
Truth: If I don’t embrace trials from God’s perspective I will not possess great faith.
Vs 5: “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”
‘Persuasion of Pain theology’
Genesis 3:16 Her “greatly increase your pain in childbearing; with pain you will give birth”
Genesis 3:17 Him “through painful toil you will eat…”
2 Corinthians 4:7-9 "But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed."
God’s redemptive plan is to allow pain in our lives as a gracious reminder that we live in a fallen world and as a means to ‘persuade’ us to draw near to Him and keep us close to Him.
Wisdom to embrace in trials
- God wants to rid me of sin in my life. Psalm 119:67
- God wants me to learn to trust Him. 2Cor 4:16-18
- God knows that a rescue isn’t best for me. Rom 8:18
- God knows the lesson and character quality(s) I need to develop. 2Pet 1:3-7
- The golden rule of trials: _______________________
- God is building my faith story so I can teach and help others.2 Cor 1:3-4
- God is doing something amazing in or through me. 1 Cor 2:9
- God is developing his mind and heart in me. 1Cor 2:16
- God is teaching me that a close relationship with Him is what I need most. Phil 3:8
Vs 6: “but when he asks, he must believe and not doubt…”
Truth: When I embrace God’s wisdom in my trials that is the remedy for great faith.
- 1Peter 1:6-7 “In 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 your faith – of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire – may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”
In every trial, God is building a faith story in me; I must have the wisdom to see it.