The struggles of today, often produce the strength we need for tomorrow!

3. 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.

5. 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!

6. 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,"

7. 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?

8. 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!

9. “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!

10. 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)

11. 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

12. 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!

13. 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!

14. 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.