1. Dealing with Difficulties in Life James 1: 1-8 James 1: 1-8

3. Jacobιακωβ Jacobιακωβ James – Jacob ιακωβος

8. Martin Luther Martin Luther Protestant Reformer Protestant Reformer 1483 - 1546 1483 - 1546

9. Johann Tetzel Johann Tetzel (1465-1519) (1465-1519) authorized by Pope Leo X to sell indulgences

10. "As soon as a coin in the coffer rings, the soul from purgatory springs" "As soon as a coin in the coffer rings, the soul from purgatory springs"

15. “… the Epistle of Saint James is a right ‘strawy’ epistle …” („Darum ist Sankt Jakobs Epistel eine recht stroherne Epistel“ )

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

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

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

21. James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, James, a servant of Jesus Christ who is God and Lord

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

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

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

25. 1:1 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,

26. 1 …. Greetings! 2 All joy …

27. 1 …. Greetings! χαίρειν chairein 2 All joy χαρὰν charan

28. How To Deal With Difficulties In Life 1. Accept the fact that trials will come!

29. 2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,

30. 1Peter 4:12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, …

31. How To Deal With Difficulties In Life 1. Accept the fact that trials will come! 2. See through the ‘eyes of faith’

32. 1:2 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.

33. 1:2 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.

34. Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 1Thessalonians 5:16 Rejoice always!

35. 1:2 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.

36. Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.

37. 1:2 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.

38. 1:2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 knowing 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.

39. How To Deal With Difficulties In Life 1. Accept the fact that trials will come! 2. See through the ‘eyes of faith’ a. Count it all joy a. Count it all joy - knowing the testing of faith brings growth - knowing the testing of faith brings growth b. Be assured God is working b. Be assured God is working c. Be steadfast: Growth/maturity takes time c. Be steadfast: Growth/maturity takes time

40. 1:3 … the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect (have its perfect work), that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. 4 Perseverance must finish its work

41. “No pain, no gain!” “No pain, no gain!” “Feel the burn!” “Feel the burn!”

44. How To Deal With Difficulties In Life 1. Accept the fact that trials will come! 2. See through the ‘eyes of faith’ a. Count it all joy a. Count it all joy - knowing the testing of faith brings growth - knowing the testing of faith brings growth b. Be assured God is working b. Be assured God is working c. Be steadfast: Growth/maturity takes time c. Be steadfast: Growth/maturity takes time d. Keep your eyes on the ‘goal’ d. Keep your eyes on the ‘goal’

45. 1:4 … that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. 1:12 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.

46. 2. See through the ‘eyes of faith’ a. Count it all joy a. Count it all joy - knowing the testing of faith brings growth - knowing the testing of faith brings growth b. Be assured God is working b. Be assured God is working c. Be steadfast: Growth/maturity takes time c. Be steadfast: Growth/maturity takes time d. Keep your eyes on the ‘goal’ d. Keep your eyes on the ‘goal’

47. Hebrews 12:2 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.

48. How To Deal With Difficulties In Life 1. Accept the fact that trials will come! 2. See through the ‘eyes of faith’. 3. Pray for wisdom.

49. James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

55. How To Deal With Difficulties In Life 1. Accept the fact that trials will come! 2. See through the ‘eyes of faith’. 3. Pray for wisdom. 4. Trust God whole – heartedly.

56. 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.

57. 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.

58. 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.

59. How To Deal With Difficulties In Life 1. Accept the fact that trials will come! 2. See through the ‘eyes of faith’. a. Count it all joy a. Count it all joy - knowing the testing of faith brings growth - knowing the testing of faith brings growth b. Be assured God is working b. Be assured God is working c. Be steadfast: Growth/maturity takes time c. Be steadfast: Growth/maturity takes time d. Keep your eyes on the ‘goal’ d. Keep your eyes on the ‘goal’ 3. Pray for wisdom. 4. Trust God whole – heartedly.

60. John 16:33 … (Jesus said:) “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”