Genuine Stability
Pastor Danny Bote
Part of Genuine Christianity
November 5, 2023

Intro to James (the half-brother of Jesus)

  • A skeptic at first

  • Post-resurrection

Today’s message: Genuine faith produces stability.

James 1:1–18

1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings.

2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

9 Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, 10 and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. 11 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.

12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. 18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

Lessons

  • Trials are inevitable.

  • Trials are various.

  • Trials have a purpose.

    • Endurance toward maturity

  • Ask God for wisdom when struggling.

James 1:19–27

19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

26 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. 27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

Main theme of the book: Real faith produces genuine works.

Four steps in building genuine stability.

  1. WHEN trails come, respond in faith by asking God for wisdom.

  2. Prepare your heart, mind, and soul for the Word of God.

  3. Receive and respond to the Word.

  4. Live out the truth of who you are in Christ.

    • Don’t divorce the truth and our speech (v. 26).

    • Don’t divorce the truth and the needs of others (v. 27).

    • Don’t divorce the truth and our lifestyle (v. 27).


Genuine faith produces stability, which comes through living in AND living out the truth from God’s Word.

Questions for individual Bible Study/and or group discussion

  1. Were you ever a skeptic of Jesus? When and what changed? Do you know a skeptic? How can you help a skeptic?

  2. Trials are inevitable. How does having the viewpoint that trials have a purpose help us in the middle of trails? What does it look like to ask God for wisdom and surround yourself with community in trails?

  3. Read James 1:19–26. Real faith produces genuine works, and both of those help build stability. Which of the four steps in building genuine stability in your life are you needing to focus on right now? Why? How can you invite someone to help you?

  4. What does it mean to live in AND live out the truth from God’s Word?

  5. Other verses for reading/studying: Psalm 139:23–24, Philippians 4:8, Psalm 119:9–11.