Thrive with Joy (FBC)
Thrive: James 1-2 FBC Wednesday • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Thrive With Joy
James 1:1-4, 12
INTRODUCTION
Space X Starship is the most powerful launch system ever developed. It is designed to carry up to 100 people on interplanetary flight. It is the core to the dream to put people back on the moon. It is designed to carry 150 metric tons of cargo to Mars. It can refuel while in orbit.
It can hold 1200 tons of fuel.
What good is the fuel if it is never ignited with fire?
We have the potential through the Holy Spirit within us, but we must use the power. We need to thrive.
Thrive- as related to children- grow and develop well. Flourish. grow vigorously.
Failure to thrive= a child is not growing as he or she should.
We thrive by living in faith.
1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
ILL- Faith and hope- chair
We desperately need strong Christians during such a time as this. AND ATTITUDE MATTERS!
READ James 1:1-4 , 12
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.
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.
Set Up
How letters were written.
dictated to a scribe using notes.
Paul.
13 When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments.
Books= biblia = scrolls- maybe a copy of the Greek or Hebrew Old Testament. Maybe his personal writings.
Parchment= paper- for him to write more letters or to organize his writings.
The notes used could be a collaboration of others or just the author. The scribe may or may not have been part of the organization.
Who wrote James?
James proves attitude matters.
Half-brother of Jesus
Did not boast in authority as a brother. He wasn’t an Apostle.
He calls self a servant.
Tradition says he had knees like a camel from all the time he spent on his knees in prayer.
Who did James write to?
12 Tribes dispersed through Roman Empire
Specifically to Jewish Christians.
Dispersion happened after death of Phillip.
4 Reasons We Have Joy
4 Reasons We Have Joy
1. We are Prepared (2)
1. We are Prepared (2)
2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,
It’s not “if”, it’s “when”.
The struggles in today’s America should not have caught us off-guard.
12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,
29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake,
“Consider it all joy”
- events are not joyful but knowing the outcome makes it joyful.
Jesus’ death
Garden and sweating blood.
He was whipped with glass and metal in straps.
Nailed to the cross -- it was not joyful or fun.
2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
John Wesley was a man who understood the joy in the outcome.
Sunday A.M., May 5- preached in St. Anne’s. Was asked not to come back anymore.
Sunday P.M., May 50 Preached in St. John’s. Deacons said “Get out and stay out.”
Sunday A.M., May 12- Preached in St. Jude’s. Can’t go back there either.
Sunday P.M., May 19- Preached on street- kicked off street.
Sunday A.M., May 26- Preached in meadow. Chased out of meadow as bull was turned loose during service.
Sunday A.M., June 2- preached out at the edge of town. Kicked off the highway.
Sunday P.M. June 2- Afternoon, preached in a pasture. Ten thousand people came out to hear me.
We need to stop giving up so easily. There is joy in the journey.
2. We are Strong (3)
2. We are Strong (3)
3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
Endurance
- comes through fighting through that which is hard.
ILL- running in altitude. It will come.
APP- tough times will have a positive result in our life.
3. We are Completed (4)
3. We are Completed (4)
4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Perfect
= being brought to “full measure”
Complete
= “whole or sound”
James defines it himself, “lacking nothing”
“let”= it is up to us on how the trials is going to be used in our life.
4. We are Satisfied (12)
4. We are Satisfied (12)
4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
We are looking in the wrong places to be satisfied.
Government/ health/ family. - these things will let you down
“Blessed”
= fulfilled.
fulfillment comes in the mention of rewards.
Spiritual, eternal rewards that are much greater than anything we could possess in this world.
Crown of Life
Some say they don’t need rewards in heaven.
Others say they need a lot of rewards to not be ashamed in front of Jesus.
10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
Biggest fear for people today= fear of death.
20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.
21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSION
Death is a guarantee.
27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,
