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the  Preachers  blog

Blogs are posted every Wednesday

Pure Joy!?!?! by Pastor Dave

9/23/2020

 
“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”
James 1: 12
 
James 1: 2-4
 
     In some contexts I enjoy trials I enjoy testing myself and pushing the limits. This in the main has been in sport and outward bound activities, for instance training for Athletics (the 800m) or football and completing long distance walks. When I walked the Camino a few years ago and the North Shore of Lake Superior more recently I genuinely relished the challenges and persevering through difficulties to the end; there was a real sense of achievement and lessons learnt along the way. James though, in these two verses of focus today, tells us that we should consider it ‘pure joy’ when we face trials of many kinds. Even if you share with me the aforementioned appreciation of challenges, considering trials pure joy is another step altogether. At least in the former circumstances I’ve described those challenges were my choice, in the latter class we can face truly horrendous situations. What are we to do when we lose a loved one, face serious illness ourselves, have a major breakdown in a relationship, deal with unemployment or simply have to cope with outrageous demands in life? Consider it pure joy?
 
     Notice firstly the way James writes, the implication is that trials will come, not may come. Trials are part of life, we will all face them to some degree. So in a sense we are not to live in denial of their reality or in a false hope that they will never come or even with a mistaken view that because we are Christians God will not let us face trials. No the reality is that they are a reality. With this being the case we have to make a decision; how do we deal with them? I often think that if we have a bad, fearful or even disproportionate view of trials we have two problems; the trials AND our feelings. This is why what James shares can be truly helpful. He counsels us how to ‘consider’ our trials. He is not encouraging us to have a forced happiness during a trial or to feel ecstatic that we are going through difficult times. He is teaching us how to think about them.
 
     Trials in God’s providence have a purpose. God will use them to refine and perfect us. As the eternal silversmith He will burn off the ‘dross’ of our lives and conform us to the likeness of Jesus; making us into what we were always intended to be. Trials develop trust, character and hope within us building up our relationship with God and one another in the Body. Persevering to the end holds rich rewards; the crown of life and the love of God (vs. 12). He moves on to help us have wisdom in trials, we will consider this next.
 
To Ponder: In today’s climate and your personal situation how do these truths help? Consider also Romans 5: 1-5 and 1 Peter 1: 3-9.
 
Pray: Lord Jesus, in love you faced many trials and overcame them so that we may have life. Please guide us so that, following you our Savior, we may walk through the joys, trials and challenges of this world toward the glory of the world to come. This we ask through you Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Amen 

​Praise: Take my Life and Let it be by Brian Doerksen
​
Refiners Fire by Hillsong

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St Aidan’s Anglican Church
274 Campbell Street | Winnipeg, MB R3N 1B5
Phone: 204.489.3390 Email: staidans.churchoffice@gmail.com
  • Home
  • Worship Online
  • The Preachers Blog
  • Bible in a Year
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • The Re-Gathering
  • RSVP for a Service
  • Youth
  • Cords
  • Prayer Requests
  • Request Pastoral Care
  • Give
  • Grocery Pick Up
  • Statement of Faith
  • Video Archive
    • 2023 Videos
    • Real Lives
    • 2022 Videos
    • 2021 Videos
    • 2020 Videos
  • Sermon Audio Archive
    • 2020 Sermons
    • 2019 Sermons
    • 2019 Sermon Series >
      • Gospel Centered Eternities November 2019
      • The Real Joy of Easter - Holy Week 2019
    • 2018 Sermons
    • 2018 Sermon Series >
      • Gospel Centred Church Spring 2018
      • A Gospel Shaped Church Fall 2018
    • 2017 Sermon Series >
      • The Servant King Christmas 2016
      • The Saviour King Lent 2017
      • The Victorious King Holy Week 2017
      • The Living King Easter 2017
      • The Brother King Fall 2017
      • Worship the King Advent 2017
    • 2016 Sermon Series >
      • Real Obedience Lent 2016
      • Unity of the Church
      • The Servant King Christmas 2016
    • 2015 Sermon Series >
      • Real Gifts 2015
      • Real Mission 2015
      • Mission Discerned
    • 2014 Sermon Series >
      • Real Church 2014
      • Real Lives 2014
    • 2013 Sermon Series >
      • Real God 2013
    • Sermon Archive From 2014 - 2017
  • Christianity 101
  • The Psalms Blog
  • Bible in a Year
  • The Re-Gathering