Sermons By Ken Trivette From The Living Word

I think of the story of a fellow that rode into a western town on a stagecoach. He was hired as the local saloon’s bartender. The owner gave him a word of warning: “Remember, if you ever hear that Big John is on his way to town, drop everything and run for your life.” Things went fine for several months until one day, a big strong cowhand with a ghost-white face burst through the swinging doors shouting, “Big John’s a comin’, Big John’s a comin’.” The patrons scrambled to get out of the door, knocking the bartender to the floor, running over him as they rushed out doors and windows. The bartender gathered his senses, got up off the floor, and was dusting himself off when a giant of a man suddenly came through the saloon doors. Riding bareback on a buffalo, using a rattlesnake for a whip, he rode through the doors, splintering the doors and doorframe. The man flung the snake into the corner, knocked over the tables as he walked up to the bar, and then with his huge fist split the bar in half. “Give me drink,” he yelled. “Y-y-y-yes sir,” said the frightened bartender. The man bit the top of the bottle off with his teeth, downed the contents in one gulp, and let out a belch that shattered the saloon mirror, and then turned to leave. The bartender said, “W-w-w-would you like to have another d-d-drink?” The man roared as he jumped back on his buffalo, “I ain’t got time. Big John’s a comin’ to town.”

There may be some of you that feel like Big John’s come to town. You have found that troubles and trials have bullied their way into your life and you are surrounded with adversity and affliction. In the opening verses of James, he speaks to us about our trials. He helps us to turn our tears into telescopes. He helps us to look at the things that are presently happening in our life from a future perspective.

James used the word “temptations” in verse 2. When we use the word temptation we often use it to speak of a solicitation to do wrong. James is not talking about seduction and temptation but of suffering and trials. If you remember from our first study (1:1), James is writing to a “scattered” people, not a sheltered people. He is writing to people who are experiencing trials in their lives.

In my opinion, verses 2-4 are some of the most enlightening and encouraging words in the Bible for those that are experiencing trials in their life. The passage before us teaches us that trials should not be viewed as a foe, but as a friend.

Let’s notice verses 2-4 and learn how to turn our tears into telescopes. First, we see:

1. THE PREDICTED OUTBREAK OF TRIALS!

One of the things James tells us is that trials are certain and should be expected in our life. He tells us that we can mark it down that somewhere and at sometime there will be an outbreak of trials in our life. Notice carefully what James says in verse two: “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;” Notice that James says “when ye fall into divers temptations,” not “if ye fall into divers temptations.” The question is not “if” we have trials, but “when” we have trials. James is telling us trials are certain and that we can expect trials to come at one time or another.

I think of what Peter said in 1 Peter 4:12, “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:” Peter tells us to not think it strange or be surprised when trials come our way.

I also think of what Paul said in 2 Timothy 3:11, “Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.” Paul said that the Lord delivered him “out of” trials, not “from” trials. The Lord delivers out of our trials but He does not deliver from trials. Trials are to be expected. James says trials will come. The question is how will those trials may come.

First, we see that:

A. Trials Can Come Suddenly.

Notice the phrase, “when ye fall.” The word “fall” is only used one other place in the New Testament and that is in Luke 10:30 where we read, “And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.”

The word’s “fell” and “fall” are the same word. It's usage in the story of the Good Samaritan gives us an illustration of what James is talking about. There was a man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho and suddenly and without warning robbers attacked him. James is telling us that we can “fall” into trials that come suddenly and without warning. We can be going our merry way without a care in the world, then all of sudden we find ourselves engulfed in trials. A knock at the door, a phone call, a visit to the doctor, a pink slip on Friday can suddenly turn our calm and peaceful sea into a stormy and raging sea. Our storms can come suddenly. Everything may be fine at the present, but just around the bend a trial or trials are facing us.

I find it interesting that we get our English word “pirate” from the word translated “temptation.” Like pirates that ambush the unsuspecting ship, trials can come suddenly.

We also see that:

B. Trials Can Come Separately.

James speaks of our falling into “divers temptations.” The word “divers” is an interesting word. We would call it a Technicolor word. It literally means, “multi-colored.” In the Old Testament, the word the same word was used to describe Joseph’s many-colored coat. James uses the word to describe the diversity of our trials and of how trials can come in separate ways. Shakespeare said: “When sorrows come, they come not in single spies, but in battalions.”

One may experience one kind of trial and someone else another kind. It is possible that we can experience different kind of trials at the same time. Like a multi-colored garment, there are various kind of trials. There are trials that are financial, physical, and even spiritual.

O.S. Hawkins in his book Getting Down to Brass Tacks says there are two basic kind of trials. There are the trials of correction and there are the trials of perfection. The trials of correction come when we are out of the will of God. God uses these trials to bring us back to Himself. The trials of perfection come when we are in the will of God. God uses these trials to make us more like Christ.

Again, James tells us the question is not “if” trials come, but “when.” Trials may come suddenly and separately, but they are certain to come.

Secondly, we see:

2. THE PROMISED OUTCOME OF TRIALS!

James tells us that when trials come they always have a divine purpose. He says in verse 3, “Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.” The word “knowing” speaks of “understanding.” James is saying, “I want you to understand that when trials come they are not without rhyme or reason. God always has a purpose in the trials that come our way.” There is the promised outcome of our trials. What is the purpose of trials in our life? James explains three things that trials produce in our life.

First,

A. Trials Produce Spiritual Purity.

James speaks of the “trying of your faith” in verse 3. The word “trying” speaks of the purging effect of trials. The picture behind the word is that of precious metals being heated in order for the impurities to be removed. As George Sweeting said, “A Christian is like a tea bag. He is not worth much until he has been through hot water.”

God puts the believer into the fire in order to purge our lives of all the impurities. Trials are often God’s way to getting us to deal with things in our life that are displeasing to the Lord. Trials have a purifying effect.

Someone has said that God puts us on our back that we might look up. God has his ways of getting our attention and He has his ways to working on things in our life. Trials are often the way He accomplishes this work.

Francis Thompson says sorrow, loss and disappointment were "Hounds of Heaven" sent to bring the wanderer back to the haven of peace from which he strayed. Again, trials have a purifying affect.

We also see that,

B. Trials Produce Spiritual Stability.

James also tells us in verse 3 that our trials “worketh patience.” The word “patience” speaks of perseverance. James is telling us that one of the ways God makes strong Christians is through trials.

2) Ephesians 6:10 says, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” How are we made strong? As someone has said, “Trials are the divine gymnasium whereby we develop our spiritual muscles.”

Thirdly,

C. Trials Produce Spiritual Maturity.

In verse 4 James says, “But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” James used the word “perfect” twice in the verse. It is a word that means, “complete, full grown.” James is talking about spiritual maturity. He does not want the believer to be lacking, but complete and living a full Christian life.

Airplanes take off by overcoming the resistance of gravity and wind. Yet once they become airborne, that wind lifts them higher. Trials have a way of lifting us higher and higher. Trials are part of God’s way of helping us mature spiritually.

I have never forgot read the story of a little boy that was born with a badly deformed foot. When he was eight years old, he was operated on twice to try and straighten the foot, but to no avail. The doctors said that his foot would never be straight. However there was one doctor that operated on his foot and after the surgery put his foot in a strange looking box. The box had adjustable screws that pressed against the foot. For months the little boys foot was kept in the box and the screws were adjusted each day. The pain and suffering were unbearable for the little boy and he begged his father to take the box off his foot. The father mingling his tears with his son’s would just tighten the screws tighter as the little boy screamed in pain. But finally the day came when the box was removed. When the little boy stood up, for the first time in his life, he stood with a straight foot.

God always has a purpose in our trials. It may be to produce spiritual purity, stability and maturity, but He always has a purpose.

Lastly, we see,

3. THE PROPER OUTLOOK FOR TRIALS!

James not only tells us that trials can be expected and that they always have a purpose, but he also tells us how to look at our trials. What should our attitude be concerning trials?

Notice first,

A. Our Joyful Anticipation.

Notice again in verse 1 a strange statement that James makes. He tells us to “count it all joy” when we are facing trials. You say, “Preacher, it is hard to have joy when you are going through a trial.” I agree. Trials are not pleasant and they certainly are not enjoyable.

Most would say it is a joy when we escape trials, not a joy when we encounter trials. But notice carefully what James is saying. The word “count” is a word that means, “to think ahead or look forward.” James is telling us that our joy comes from looking ahead. Looking ahead at what? Looking ahead at the end result of our trials.

Samuel Rutherford, "Whenever I find myself in the cellar of affliction, I always look round me for the wine." When we find ourselves in the cellar of affliction, our wine is what God is doing in our lives and what He will do for us as result of the trial.

My friend, when we are going through trials, we can count it all joy because we know that when it is said and done, the result will be worth it. We can anticipate with joy what God will bring to pass as result of our trials. James is telling us to turn our tears into telescopes. Things may be hard now, but just look down the road!

Secondly, we see,

B. Our Willful Participation.

There is one final thing I point out in what James said. He tells us in verse 4 to “let patience have her perfect work.” James is calling for our cooperation in what God is doing. No one likes trials. No one enjoys trials. Yet, we must allow God to do what He wants in our life. We must trust Him. We must yield to His plan. We must submit to His work in our life.

Again, when it is all said and done, the trial will be worth it. Instead of fighting what God allows to happen in our life, view it as an indication of God’s love and interest in our life. Let Him work as He wills and produce in our lives that He plans.

I once read about the roses taken from the Balkan Mountains. They produce some of the world’s finest perfume. But in order to get that lovely fragrance, the workers must gather the roses in the darkest part of the night. Therefore they start shortly after midnight and conclude their picking within two hours. The brevity of the work period is based on scientific tests that show that during this interval the blossoms give their most pleasing scent. Forty percent of the aroma fades with the coming of the day.

We will face dark times in our life, but we must never forget that if we want to experience the sweetest aroma, the dark times are necessary. Turn your tears into telescopes and count it all joy when you experience trials.