Count it All Joy! Js 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all

joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work,

that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

An Upside Down World!Act. 17:6 But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, "These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.

▪When studying the Bible one finds very quickly that man’s thinking and God’s thinking are often very different!▸Pr. 14:14/16:25; Jer. 10:23; Is. 55:8-9

▪The way of man and the way of God are often opposites of one another!

A few examples to consider!▪Mt 5:38-39 "You have heard that it was

said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' "But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also."▪Mt 5:43-44 "You have heard that it was

said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,"

Today we will be looking at one of these such teaching, that goes

againt the grain!▪In our lesson today we will be

addressing the first of a two part study on “patience!”

▪Today we will be looking at “the joy that comes from trials!”

▪Who here likes to lose? Who here likes to suffer? Who here likes to be tested?

I. The Recognition of trials!Js. 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when

you fall into various trials.▪There are a few things that standout to

me here, first is that trials are a fact of life, notice “when not if,” second we will “fall into” these, they will catch us off guard!▸The “fact” of trials is often pointed out in

Scripture! (Jn. 16:33; Act. 14:22; 2 Tim. 3:12; 1 Pet. 4:12)

▪This life is not always going to be easy!

“Various trials!”“Divers, manifold, every sort, different kinds”▪It would do us well to consider, “what are

these trials?” ▸Sickness?▸Accidents?▸Disappointments?▸Financial setbacks?▸Sin? Being catch off guard by Satan?▪In this point we want to simply

“realize/recognize” the reality of trials!

II. The Response to Trials!Js. 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when you

fall into various trials.▪Now, I have found this to be much harder

than our last point! I have no problem recognizing trials, but I do often struggle with always finding the benefit in them!▪Far too often I “only” see them as a

burden and not as a blessing!▪“...for he makes His sun rise on the evil

and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” (Mt. 5:45)

The one thing in life we do have control over is our attitude!

▪Mt 5:41 “And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.”▪Rom 5:3 “And not only that, but we also glory in

tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;”▸See also (1 Pet. 1:6-8; 4:12-14)▪Trials are not without their benefit!▸Bodily afflictions brings longing for heaven!–2 Cor. 5:1-8▸Material need brings dependency on God!–Phil. 4:11-13

III. The Result of Trials!Js 1:3 knowing that the testing of your

faith produces patience.▪This last point is the “goal” we are seeking to

reach! This is where we want to end up!▪“Patience” comes from a compound word

meaning = to be under and remain!▸This is one “under” pressure and yet the

“remain!” ▸We are to remain faithful while we are bearing

our burden with joy!▸The verse that follows is very important!

Js 1:4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and

complete, lacking nothing.▪“Perfect” here is to convey the idea of

completeness!▪Now, let’s take a minute to think through

these last three concepts!▸Perfect, complete, lacking nothing!▪How many of us are here yet? If not, then

what does that mean?▪The best we can do is smile and keep

trying!

Conclusion:▪James was indeed on to something,

something we are need! ▸“Joy in the midst of adversity!”▪It has been said, “that which doesn’t destroy

us, only makes us stronger!”▪If you are here and not yet a child of God,

then you have yet know the joy of a Christian! But, today you can come to know Jesus and true joy!▸Joh 15:11 These things have I spoken unto

you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.