When God Puts Your Life To The Test

James 1:1-4; James, a servant of God, and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. 2). My brethern, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations. 3). Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4). But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing…AMEN…


Introduction:

The book of James, as it is titled in the King James Version of the Bible, is called an epistle. However, James letter to Christian Jews, “which are scattered among the nations of Gentiles,” could actually be called the “Church book.” Because it is a practical, yet authoritative message written to the church concerning:

Christian Maturity
Christ-like Holiness
The practice of Christian faith

Again, this epistle is authoritative, which is, pastoral. James, the Pastor of the New Testament Church writes what appears to be an open sermon or message to the Jews. Notice the many and varied subjects that he writes about in all five chapters:

In Chapter one he writes about the transformation of spiritual character that is developed through “manifold tests and trials.” He says the “trying of your faith worketh patience.”

In Chapter two he writes about the importance of respect for others who are members in the body of Christ.

§ Courtesy to all who come into the spiritual assembly (2:1-4)
§ Compassion to all who are children of God (2:5-9)


In Chapter three he writes about the difficulty of controlling the tongue.

§ The power of the tongue (3:1-5)
§ The perverseness of the tongue (3:6-8)
§ The pollution the tongue causes (3:9-12)


In Chapter four he writes to warn believers about the destruction that worldly concepts and practices will bring if they are allowed the opportunity to become active in the Body of Christ.

§ The cause of conflict (4:1-2)
§ The consequence of conflict (4:3-4)
§ The cure for conflict (4:5-6)


In chapter five he writes about the sinfulness of materialism

§ Consternation of wealth (5:1-2)
§ Corrosion of wealth (5:2-5)


Closing: James takes full advantage of his spiritual position as pastor to write about every area of Christian life.

· Who a believer is
· What a believer is supposed to do
· What a believer says
· What a believer is supposed to feel
· What a believer has in Christ Jesus.


Finally, not only does James write authoritatively, as pastor of the New Testament Church, his writings also serve to remind Christian Jews of the importance of their spiritual relationship with God. Notice the modesty of his opening salutation: “James a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.” (What is the information that James does not mention in his letter?)



Textual Points

Scripture: “My brethern, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations.”

The actual translation of the text is: “Brethern, consider it pure delight when you face and are surrounded by many manifold tests and trial.” The first point of consideration is: “The Attitude in trials (1:2.)”

According to James “Count it all joy,” my spiritual posture during a test is supposed to be one of joy. He’s talking about what’s produced in me while I face or experience the test that’s on my life. Trials should be faced with an attitude of joy. Trials should not be seen as a punishment, a curse, or a calamity but something that must prompt rejoicing. Furthermore they should produce “pure joy.

“Divers temptations,” or better translated, “manifold tests” are the trials God sends to strengthen me and to mature me. However, the question is how can I have joy or as the translation says: “consider my test with delight?”

Because I know two things:

The Motive of God: If God wanted to punish or destroy me he could do it very easily. Thus, I determine that the motive of God is to mature and develop my life spiritually both for relationship with him and for the purpose of receiving responsibility from him.


The Method of God: God’s method for spiritual growth is his prerogative concerning what he will use to mature me. One of the methods used by God is tests and trials.

§ He uses tests to build character in us.
§ He uses tests to develop faith in us.
§ He uses tests to build integrity and righteousness in us.


When I am assured of God’s motive, that he loves me and that he’s not trying to hurt me, but build me. When I am assured of God’s method, that what I am currently experiencing is a test from God, it produces “joy” in my heart and in my mind. Not humor, not happiness, but “joy.” Which is gladness because I understand that if God is positioning my life to experience a test, he has a purpose in mind, and when the test has been completed, I will be a stronger more spiritually developed person.

So the “joy” or “gladness” that is born out of my struggles motivates and encourages me to trust God even when I don’t know the means God is going to use to test me. It doesn’t matter my attitude during the test is one of “joy.” In fact, the attitude that I bring to the test and trial determine how long it will take to come through the test. I cannot come to the test that has Godly significance for my life, angry or with dread and fear. I’ve got to learn how to embrace the test.

Example: Here is a biblical example of what my attitude is supposed to be when I am experiencing a test from God.

Scripture: Matthew 5:11-12; Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. [12] Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

May be the reason why you keep experiencing and repeating the same test is because of the attitude that you bring to the test. It’s the attitude of joy that will bring you through the test.

Thus, “joy” is the spiritual quality that is produced in me while I negotiate the varied tests and trials sent by God to mature and grow me.

Scripture: 1 Thes. 5:18; In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.


The second point of consideration is: “The Advantage of my trials” (1:3-4)

Scripture: “Knowing this that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4). But let patience have her perfect work.”

Notice the Godly affect of the trails and tests sent by God: The development of “patience.”

What is this spiritual quality called patience?

Patience: Hypo: (under) and Meno: (stay) meaning stay under or better translated endurance.

Patience: It’s the characteristic of a man who has not swayed from his loyalty, and commitment to the Lord, even when he is faced with the greatest tests and trails.

Example: Matthew 26:38-44; (Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemene.) Verse 38 says: “My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death.” Yet three times he endures, he “stays under the will of the Father and says: “nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt.”

Patience: In verse two we discover God’s method for producing spiritual maturity: “divers temptations.” (many tests and trials), and in verses three and four, we discover God’s motive for producing spiritual maturity: the perfecting work of patience sent by God, while your life is in the midst of a test to develop you and encourage you not to give up and despair while the work of God is in progress.

Scripture: Romans 5:3-5; “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4). And patience, experience; and experience hope. 5). And hope maketh not ashamed because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”


Scripture: James 5:11; Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.

Patience is the spiritual quality that comes through the “testing of your faith.” Or the proving of your faith to encourage you to “stay under” or “endure” and “remain steadfast” until God has completed his perfect work in your life. We know this by James statement: “The trying of your faith worketh patience.” The word “worketh” means “accomplishes.” Or better, “the result of trying or proving your faith through a test will establish in you patience which is endurance. Why is this so important? Because the spiritual quality of patience is portable. It will work in every area of your life. It’s the ability to stay focused and stay encouraged until you pull out everything, all of the benefits and blessings out of:

· Your test
· Your storm
· Your trouble
· Your difficulty
· Your sickness
· Your grief and bereavement


Secondly, in verse 4 James says something that appears quite strange. “But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire wanting nothing.”

Illustration: Two bike riders on a bicycle built for two riding up telegraph hill in San Francisco, California, the man in the front and the woman on the back. When they got to the hill, she stopped peddling because of the fear of the climb and the difficulty that was involved, and unknowingly placed her foot on the brake. It made the ride longer and more tedious for her partner because her foot was on the brake.

Is there the possibility that you have made this test and journey of growth longer and tedious because you have your foot on the brake? Sometimes the height of the test and trial brings about anxiety, but James says don’t hinder the perfecting work of patience keep your foot off of the brake!

James is saying that you can hinder the perfecting work of God taking place in your life by being in the way. Notice the admonishment “But let.” Here is what James is saying. “Get out of the way and let the test and trial sent by God develop in you what it was sent to develop so that the test can be completed. Hindering the perfecting work of God and keeping you going through the same test!

Important: (“the word “let” in the Greek language is represented by the first letter of the Greek alphabet.) What does it mean? It means that the word “let” represents the beginning of God’s perfecting work in your life that is not completed until he says, it is completed.

The third point of consideration is: “The Assistance in the trial” (1:5-12).

Scripture: James 1:5-12; If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

In verse 4b, James says: “That ye may be perfect, entire lacking nothing.” He is not talking about a perfection that’s physical, but perfection meaning what God has started in us has reached its end.

Illustration: A student who displayed intelligence and ability, but who was kept in the 10th grade, in high school instead of being passed to the next grade. Why am I being kept in the 10th grade? There is a good reason. Although you are very intelligent you have not learned all there is to know for this period and time of study, the 10th grade, because you have not finished all of your home work. You have not completed all of your tests and assignments. You cannot pass, to a higher grade no matter how smart you think you are until you have completed the work and demonstrated that you are ready to go to the next grade.

James says God does not release us from the test and trial until we are mature and can demonstrate that we are ready to go to other levels in him.

However, James also says concerning the assistance for the trial. If you lack wisdom ask God for it. God sends the test, administers the test, and then assists us in the test. Literally, when you don’t know what to do next and you need spiritual intelligence and revelation ask God! He’s available in the midst of the test to help you come through the test. In essence, he’s working to help you endure!

Important: Concerning wisdom, notice, the wisdom that God sends, comes through experience. He does not always just give us the answer. There are times when he allows us to receive revelation knowledge through life’s experiences, which means, he gives us the opportunity to receive wisdom in multiple ways. If you ask him, he will send an opportunity for you to receive wisdom by making your way through a learning experience. Why? Because if he just tells you, the possibility is that you won’t remember it. But, when you experience it personally, the revelation knowledge that comes out of the experience will live with you and bless you for a lifetime.

The fourth point of consideration is: “The Award for the trial” (1:12)

Scripture: James 1:12; Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

Notice the word “endureth.” It speaks directly to what the believer has experienced. It’s a monetary term used to explain how money or coins have been developed. Heated first, then hot hammered down, cooled, and then the rough places smoothed off and finally buffed. James says “blessed is the man.” Or better stated “happy” is the man that endureth the test because of what he has experienced and because of what he will receive, the crown of life, which is the wreath of completion.

Living Victoriously Over Indebtedness

“Living in the Prosperity of God”

Scripture: Deuteronomy 8:1-20; (18) “But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day…AMEN…

Introduction:

The goal is to live in victory, continually, without experiencing defeat in your life, ever again.

Remember the creed: “I will experience victory in every area of my life, because I choose to live victoriously!
This does not mean that your life won’t encounter challenges or that you won’t experience struggles that test your commitment to this concept and principle, but it does mean that you are victorious even before the test begins because of what you have decided through the Word of God, as you begin to understand what is supposed to happen in your life.

Secondly, in this series of messages, the goal is to establish victory in the places where believers are accustomed to experiencing defeat. Last week it was in our ability to live in righteousness and in the holiness that the Lord provides through forgiveness and restoration. Jesus says to the woman taken in adultery: “Go and sin no more.” The message taught us that sinless living is possible because, of our personal decision to live in the commandment of the Lord.

This week, God brings my life to a place of victory in the area of my personal finances so that I can experience real biblical prosperity. God seeks to bring closure to:

An incorrect interpretation of prosperity!
My struggles and difficulty with money!
My never ending debt!
The reasons as to why I am not fully experiencing the promises of God!

Statement of truth:

This message begins with a statement of truth: that much of our financial difficulty is rooted in our sin and disobedience against God.

Our disobedience against God keeps us living in the consequences of our actions, instead of the privilege of his promises that we are supposed to enjoy as his children.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:20; “For all the promises in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.”

Secondly, many of us are living at a loss because God is not the priority of our lives. Material prosperity is the priority of our lives, because we don’t see the fulfillment of life through relationship with God. We see the fulfillment of life through the abundance of possessions. This concept explains why we continue to get ourselves in tremendous debt. Because we feel that new things, large things, expensive things, and living beyond our means is suggestive of success. We believe that we owe it to ourselves to live this way. But the stress of having all of these things without having relationship with God is making believers miserable! And better, keeping your life enslaved to debt through the constant procurement of possessions is one of the greatest weapons of Satan.

Scripture: Matthew 6:33; “But seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

Spiritual Concept: If you make the Kingdom first, you can have what you want in life! If you make God the priority, and give into the work of the Kingdom, you can have what you want in life.

Finally, as it relates to having what you want in life, I want to be clear when I say that this message is not about money or creating and developing ways to secure money. It’s about living in the prosperity of God. However, I must also say that there is nothing sinful or wrong with having money. There is nothing sinful or wrong about having a career or establishing your own business and becoming successful in that enterprise. There is nothing wrong with using your money wisely or enjoying the fruit of wise investments. The danger in having money is in avoiding the “Hezekiah Complex” which is an arrogant attitude that says I am the power and the source behind all of my accomplishments.

The person who struggles with the “Hezekiah Complex” has difficulty making the distinction between their own intelligence and ability over and against the favor and providence of God. Verse eighteen of this eighth chapter says it best:

Scripture: “But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth.”

Explanation: The word “power” in verse eighteen means: capacity or the means. It represents the ways and opportunities that God opened for wealth to be produced through your life.

The knowledge of this verse is important because there is a tendency among some of our well to do believers that suggests that relationship and interaction with God is needed less because they live a life that is without want. This attitude explains why Moses in the book of Deuteronomy, says to the Israelites: “Beware lest thou forget the Lord, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.”

Believers who are experiencing financial success have to beware of the danger of “forgetting God.” You cannot move God from being the center and priority of your life to having only a supportive role in your life. You have to avoid the “Hezekiah Complex.” Because the same God who moved opportunity and favor in your direction can block the canals of blessing and favor that run into your life.

There are four spiritual concepts or laws in Deuteronomy 8:1-20 that we must embrace to experience both spiritual and biblical prosperity.

Disclaimer: While the book of Deuteronomy is the closing work of the life and leadership of Moses, it is written primarily, to the Children of Israel in their continuous movement toward the land of promise. However these biblical concepts, concerning wealth, prosperity, and the favor of God are timeless and will work for us as the adopted children of God.

Four spiritual concepts:

God is the single source of all blessing and prosperity both past, present and future.

Explanation: See verse eighteen: it says that “he giveth thee power to get wealth.” God provides the opportunity to experience prosperity.

Viewing God as the single source of blessing and prosperity cancels other concepts and methods that the world has established about procuring wealth because any other method for wealth and prosperity becomes unstable.

When you read chapter eight there is no mentioning of the name of any other god or any other person that could be considered as responsible for Israel’s deliverance out of Egypt. Moses says that it was God and God alone that: ·

• Orchestrated Israel’s movement out of Egypt with wealth from their enemies.
• Provided both “manna” and quail and water out of rocks in the wilderness.
• Who established a new land for Israel to live in as his people.

Viewing God as the single source of our blessings and prosperity keeps our perspective straight and helps us to avoid other ways and means to experience prosperity. Because prosperity:

Is not going to come through gambling!

Is not going to come through our investments!

Is not going to come through our employment!

It’s God who “gives” us the power to get wealth.

• Human ability comes from God
• Intellectual ability comes from God
• Opportunity to get wealth comes from God

Unless we view God and receive God as the single source of our blessings we might possible receive money, but we will never experience biblical wealth and prosperity. What is the difference?

First to understand this concept, remember that money is not mentioned in chapter eight. Wealth is the resources that come from God that are established through the biblical promises of God. Prosperity is having a never ending access to that supply of resources for the rest of your life.

Example: 1 Kings 17:8-16

Promise of wealth: 1 Kings 17:14; “For thus saith the Lord God of Israel, the barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruise of oil fail, unto the day that the Lord sendeth rain upon the earth.

Explanation: As soon as the Prophet Elijah makes this promise to the woman of Zarepath, she becomes wealthy. Notice that she is not promised money, but the promise of wealth that she receives aligns itself with what she needs.

Prosperity: 1 Kings 17:15-16; “And she and he, and her house did eat many days. 16). And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruise of oil fail, according to the Word of the Lord, which he spake by Elijah.

Explanation: When God gives the promise through his Word and we receive that word, we become wealthy, but prosperity is when we actually begin to live in and have direct access to the supply of resources that come from God for the rest of our lives.

Scripture: Psalms 1:3c; “his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”

God has established a time and place of prosperity for every believer

Scripture: “All the commandments which I command thee this day shall ye observe to do, that ye may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the Lord sware unto your fathers.”

Spiritual Concept: That it is God’s desire to bring all of his people both into a time and place of prosperity. See verse one: “that ye may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the Lord sware unto your fathers.”

Explanation: examine the words: “that ye may live,” that the intention of God is that you permanently abide in a place and position of wealth and prosperity for the rest of your life.

Second, the word “multiply.” means increase, abundance, and enlargement. There are levels of wealth and prosperity in God. The word “multiply” suggests that God gives every believer the opportunity to experience other levels of blessing and favor in him, and in fact, encourages and expects that we will pursue those other levels of blessing.

Scripture: 3 John 1:2; “Beloved, I wish above all things, that thou mayest prosper.”

Third, “and go in and possess the land which the Lord sware unto your fathers.” You have a place of prosperity in God that belongs exclusively to you. In the text, Israel is traveling to the “promise land.” It’s described as a good land or “a land that is flowing with milk and honey.” However, Israel has never been to Canaan, but they have an understanding of it because God has described how it will look through the words of Moses:

Deuteronomy 8:7-9; “For the Lord thy God bringeth thee into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills; a land of wheat and barley, and vines and fig trees, and pomegranates; a land of olive and honey. A land wherein thou shalt eat bread without scarceness, thou shalt not lack anything in it; a land of whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills thou mayest dig brass.”

Explanation: Every believer has a place of prosperity in God. However, while you may not have ever been to Canaan, the name that represents your promise land, you can know what it is supposed to look like through the word of God so that when you arrive you will know that you are there.

God will give you things to look for, things that you can recognize as a sign and evidence that you have arrived in your place of prosperity. How does your promise land look? What has God shown you? Are you satisfied with where you are now, or are you still traveling through faith and obedience to the place and position of prosperity that God has for you?

This concept is important because we have been deceived by Satan to believe that where we are in life and whatever we experience in life is all that there is to life, but God has prepared a place of prosperity for you. You are supposed to live in and experience that place for the rest of your life.

Understand the connection between “covenant” and “blessing.”

Explanation: understand that the “covenant” of God is expressed in the commandments of God.

Verse 1: “All the commandments which I command thee this day.”

Verse 2: “And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee.”

Verse 6: “Therefore, thou shalt keep the commandments of the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him.”

Verse 11: Beware that thou forget not the Lord thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day.”

See the blessing that comes out of obedience to God: Verse 7-9. The spiritual concept that is in this chapter concerning experiencing the blessing of God is: “obedience in the wilderness, will direct your life to the place of promise.”

See further what Moses is saying to Israel: “If you will keep the commandments of God,” this is what God will do for you as his people.

When you consider the connection between the “covenant” of God and the “blessing” of God, there is a reciprocal dynamic in which the covenant of God produces the blessing of God. It means that when we are obedient to God he releases the full force of wealth, blessing, prosperity, and favor to be experienced in our lives.

What does the Lord require?

Remember the Lord Walk in the ways of the Lord and fear him Praise the Lord Do not forget the Lord Do not disobey his commandments, regulations, and laws.

These are the commandments of God. Remember, that the wealth, blessing and prosperity of God are in the covenant of God, and the covenant of God is based on relationship with his people. If you want to experience what God has for you keep his commandments.

Understand the purpose of prosperity

Scripture: “But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.”

Explanation: See the purpose for God giving wealth and prosperity to his people. See the word “that” this simple word means: “in order that.” It suggests that God gives the power for wealth, in order that the wealth will be distributed and affect the lives of other people, who are apart of the covenant of God.

There are many reasons why God allows us to “get wealth,” but I want to suggest three of those reasons.

God gives us the power to get wealth to bless and affect the lives of other people. Explanation: God brings wealth through you because the “covenant” is larger than you. When God overflows your life with wealth, favor, and blessing you will experience it continually as long as you don’t allow it to consume you. Remember this concept: “God brings wealth to your life, to bring blessings through your life.” And that blessing is supposed to enhance and increase someone’s life outside of yours.

Usually when wealth and favor begin to come into our lives, we become closed and self contained. But in Deuteronomy chapter eight, God is not bringing one person or just a few of the twelve tribes into the promise land he is bringing the whole nation into the promise land. We have to begin to ensure that the whole body of Christ is experiencing wealth and prosperity by allowing God to give through our lives. Everything that God gives to you, he is going to use to impact the life of someone else. The greatest compliment that God can give is when he selects your life to use as a means of blessing and increasing the lives of other people.

It’s this concept that God speaks to Abram in Genesis 12:2

“And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing.”

God has given you the power to get wealth so that you can be a blessing. Who are you sharing that wealth with? I am not supposed to just receive a blessing I am supposed to also be a blessing.

God gives us the power to get wealth to finance the work of the Kingdom.

Explanation: The purpose for God giving you the power to get wealth is to finance the work of the Kingdom. The wealth and favor God brings into your life is supposed to finance the promises of God and further the work of God. That’s why your financial mismanagement and poor stewardship is considered to be a sin by God because God has given you money to meet your needs, but also to finance the work of the Kingdom so that his cause will go forth in the world.

That’s why your tithe and offering is so important because God is using that money to do his work, and that work is expressed in the lives of people. Banks use your money and invest the money that you deposit. The government uses your money and invests your money to finance what the government believes is important. The concept comes from God however, in the secular world the money that banks and the government uses is your money, but in the spiritual realm, the money that God brings through your life to finance the Kingdom does not come from you, which is why he is a part of the decision concerning how that money is to be used.

Scripture: Psalms 24:1; “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof; the world and they that dwell therein.”

God gives us the power to get wealth to prepare for the forth coming generation.