Last week I was parked in a friend's driveway and had to move my car. It was very dark and as I backed out into the street I heard a crunch! I got out of my car and realized that I had hit another friend's car. As I sulked back inside to find the owner of the newly dented car, I was trying to remember this text, “Consider it all joy my brethren when you encounter various trials…”. It was hard for me to feel happy. I was facing embarrassment, hassle and higher insurance rates. I had to talk to myself and apply today's text.
That trial was minor compared to what some of you are going through. Some have dealt with life-threatening illnesses. Others have lost their jobs and even their homes. Some have had their hearts broken in relationships. James doesn't say that we should enjoy trouble. Rather he encourages us to recognize God's good purpose in our trouble. He is at work to build spiritual endurance so that we might grow into maturity. While we might be in love with our own comfort, God seeks our holiness. We should be thankful that He cares for us as a loving Father.
Please read James 1:1-18 (we only will cover 1:2-4) and I Peter 1:3-9 and Romans 5:1-5 before coming to church tomorrow morning.
SERMON ACTIVITY
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