1. The Joy of Trials – James 1:2-4

2.  James has been called: The gospel of common sense The epistle of basic Christianity  Author – James the brother of Jesus.  Written as early as 44 A.D. but no later than 70 A.D.

3.  James 1:2-4 -- Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing

4.  John 15:18 -- “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you.

5.  “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

6.  John 16:33 -- These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”

7.  Finances  Relationships  Health  Faith  Obedience  Government

8.  Outward trials must be faced with a good inward attitude.  James commands us to face all trials with joy.

9.  Because sin is in the world  1 John 5:19 --We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one

10.  1 Peter 5:8 – Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

11.  2 Timothy 3:12 -- Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

12.  There are two ways to face trials:  All joy  All tragedy

13.  Man 1 – I just won $50,000.  Man 2 – That’s good.  Man 1 – No, that’s bad. The IRS took $25,000.  Man 2 – That’s bad.  Man 1 – No, that’s good. With the $25,000 I had left I bought an airplane.  Man 2 – That’s good.  Man 1 – No that’s bad. I fell out….

14.  In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.…”  Our faith MUST be tested

15.  …knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.  A tested faith becomes an enduring faith.

16.  How do we usually face trials?  Dread?  Anger?  Denial?  Bitterness?  Defeatism?

17.  Our faith is properly tested  Revelation 2:10 -- Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. [a]Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

18.  We become stronger.  Illustration: Weak trees?

19.  We learn to trust in God.  2 Peter 2:9 -- then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment….