My brothers

STUDY: #1011-CHURCH IN THE HOUSES FROM: DECEMBER 25 @ 31, 2018

Topic: "My brothers" James 1: 2 – 4 There are advantages to knowing how to go about during trials or tests. We know that a Christian’s life is full of problems that become tests for our lives. But we believers, we are fighters! We will come across unexpected tests, and not be able to avoid them. The question is: What are we going to do with them?

I. When we are enduring trials, they invade our entire being.

A. If we flee or act rebellious it would be worst because we would not reach perfection and fullness (being honest, righteous people with an excellent and precise mind)!

1. "My brothers ..." This is how James addresses his brothers in the Christian faith.

2. Such an expression of affection was all the more necessary because the subject that James was going to address was painful, though helpful!

3. It is up to us to decide what will be THE ATTITUDE THAT WE ASSUME before the PAIN and TRIALS that come with life:

a. You can rebel, assume a spirit of defiance, wanting to embark on a path to victory relying on your own strength!

b. You can also become discouraged or give in under the pressure.

c. You can mutter and complain about your tests.

d. Or you could wallow in self-pity, thinking of no one but yourself, trying to acquire sympathy from others. (Poor thing!)

4. We should live through the trials and say: God has allowed me to go through this test!

5. We should think: There is a good purpose in this test for me!

6. We should say: I don’t know what this purpose is, but I will endure it. I will not run away from it. I will not seek sympathy from others to take pity on me! You will not rebel or take strength in fighting with a defiant spirit.

7. You will say: May the Lord’s purpose be done in my life!

8. This is the advice: "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds..."

9. Let's not rebel! Let's not falter! Let's rejoice!

10. These problems (tests) are not enemies that come to destroy you. They are stepping stones that are part of your path to perfection.

11. They are friends who have come to help you DEVELOP YOUR CHRISTIAN CHARACTER.

12. God is trying to produce THE LIKENESS TO CHRIST in each of His children.

13. The test inevitably involves suffering, frustration and being perplexed (entangled and indecisive).

14. The test should be a reason for pure joy!

15. “Count it all joy...” all trials that we believers go through.

16. All = the maximum range. Great joy during the trials!

17. What is the reason for that joy in the face of affliction?

18. Well, James talks about: THE TESTING OF YOUR FAITH! (Vs.3)

19. Presents FAITH as a PRECIOUS METAL that is being tested by the Metallurgist (who is God) that tests it with fire (the intensity of the test) to see if it is genuine.

20. Metal (faith) is subjected to FIRES! Fires of persecution, disease, suffering and pain!

21. Trials strengthen our character!

22. Trials are the price for the progress of your spiritual life ("... perfect and complete ...")!

23. Good news weakens us, instead of strengthening our character. It spoils us and lowers our guard!

24. While well-endured tests breed steadfastness! (Vs.3)

25. STEADFASTNESS is patiently waiting for the help and the divine reward that is promised to the afflicted!

B. (Vs.4) "And let steadfastness have its full effect..."

1. Consistency (perseverance) under the weight of a trial leads to: PATIENCE!

2. What God wants for our lives, through trials, is to bring us to complete perfection; that is, bring us to a full maturity (an excellent mind in pure and fair judgment; not unbalanced nor unstable).

3. Let’s not avoid trials, because we should not put obstacles in the development of patience in our lives.

4. When trials come, sometimes we get desperate and use frantic means to shorten the test. Then, we can be interfering with God's program in our lives.

5. Let's be careful to not interfere with God's program for our lives, because we may have to suffer a longer trial in the future, before His particular purpose is fulfilled in us.

6. If we cooperate with God, we will become mature and complete Christians, "…lacking in Nothing…" regarding the graces of the Spirit.

7. We should not despair or be discouraged when going through trials.

8. There is no problem too big for our Father!

9. And let us face that there are problems in life that are never going away!

10. We should learn to accept them and thus prove that His grace is suffice! Amen.