Trials and Temptations
Sermon Series: The Book of James
May 16, 2021
Pastor Phil Chorlian
James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: 2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials … —James 1:1-2
The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the hearts. —Proverbs 17:3
I.
A.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. —James 1:2-3
B. Cooperate with God’s
Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. —James 1:4-5
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. —Romans 5:3-4
In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith — of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire — may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. —I Peter 1:6-7
C. Ask for God’s
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. —James 1:5
II. Temptations
A. Recognize the
When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone. —James 1:13
B. Understand the
But each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. —James 1:14-15
The five stages of temptation:
1 -
2 -
3 - Moving
4 -
5 -
C. Learn how to
Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. —James 1:16-17
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. —I Corinthians 10:13
Things we can do:
1 - Avoid harmful
2 - Know and stand on the
3 - Develop healthy
4 - Fall in love with
He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession. —James 1:18 (NLT)
If you love me, you will obey what I command. —John 14:15