WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.370 --> 00:00:03.029 God's goal is conforming us to Christ and he will 2 00:00:03.069 --> 00:00:04.830 not be satisfied till you get there. 3 00:00:04.990 --> 00:00:09.480 Dr. Tony Evans says even painful circumstances can serve God's 4 00:00:09.539 --> 00:00:10.980 purpose in shaping us. 5 00:00:11.240 --> 00:00:13.480 He's saying it is to remind you of your humanity 6 00:00:13.580 --> 00:00:14.980 and you can do nothing without me. 7 00:00:16.000 --> 00:00:20.000 This is the Alternative Broadcast featuring the timeless biblical teachings 8 00:00:20.039 --> 00:00:21.379 from the archives of Dr. 9 00:00:21.440 --> 00:00:22.260 Tony Evans. 10 00:00:24.600 --> 00:00:26.989 Are the tough times in your life going to take 11 00:00:27.030 --> 00:00:30.219 you apart? or put you back together better than ever. 12 00:00:30.679 --> 00:00:34.479 Join Dr. Evans in James chapter one, verse five, as 13 00:00:34.520 --> 00:00:37.149 he explains why the difference is up to you. 14 00:00:37.929 --> 00:00:40.030 Now there are three kinds of people who will hear 15 00:00:40.049 --> 00:00:41.009 this message today. 16 00:00:41.990 --> 00:00:43.689 Those who are in a trial. 17 00:00:44.729 --> 00:00:47.329 You, as you sit under the sound of my voice, 18 00:00:48.090 --> 00:00:52.929 are going through difficult trouble in life. A second group, 19 00:00:53.770 --> 00:00:58.030 are those who are exiting a trial. You've broken free 20 00:00:58.170 --> 00:01:02.399 and finally you've gotten to breathe a sigh of relief. 21 00:01:03.380 --> 00:01:05.840 The third group are those who are about to enter 22 00:01:06.019 --> 00:01:10.299 into a trial, you just don't know it yet. So 23 00:01:10.340 --> 00:01:13.780 there is a word for everyone here because it applies 24 00:01:13.959 --> 00:01:15.989 either you're in it, on your way out of it, 25 00:01:16.079 --> 00:01:20.189 or heading towards it. Some are or will be or 26 00:01:20.230 --> 00:01:25.629 have come out of physical trials. Something is wrong with 27 00:01:25.689 --> 00:01:30.049 the body and it won't go away. You feel bad, 28 00:01:30.109 --> 00:01:34.329 it affects your functioning at work, you've become more short-tempered 29 00:01:34.390 --> 00:01:38.670 with people because of how you feel, you're aggravated by 30 00:01:38.689 --> 00:01:41.890 the inconvenience or by the pain, or if it's a 31 00:01:41.969 --> 00:01:47.239 physical dilemma bad enough, you're afraid because of the trouble 32 00:01:47.319 --> 00:01:53.439 of physical debilitations. Trials can come in the color called emotional. 33 00:01:54.920 --> 00:01:58.700 where something plagues the mind and you cannot get rid 34 00:01:58.739 --> 00:02:02.219 of the trouble, something that happens that you cannot forget, 35 00:02:02.680 --> 00:02:07.239 something that goes on that is discouraging and it occupies 36 00:02:07.280 --> 00:02:09.879 your mind and it is traumatic. 37 00:02:11.099 --> 00:02:13.740 Some can come by circumstances. 38 00:02:14.340 --> 00:02:19.159 A loved one who dies an untimely death, a child 39 00:02:19.259 --> 00:02:23.090 who creates havoc in any number of circumstances. 40 00:02:23.830 --> 00:02:27.409 Could be, along that line, familial, family. 41 00:02:28.930 --> 00:02:32.189 A wife who doesn't understand, a husband who is an 42 00:02:32.270 --> 00:02:36.860 evil person, a disappointment with efforts put forth to do 43 00:02:36.960 --> 00:02:37.699 the best you. 44 00:02:37.599 --> 00:02:39.319 Can at home. 45 00:02:39.340 --> 00:02:45.080 In any case, it is a trial because it is 46 00:02:45.120 --> 00:02:50.580 a circumstance that is causing you pain. Jesus said in 47 00:02:50.620 --> 00:02:57.349 John 16, 33, in this life, you will have tribulation. 48 00:02:58.650 --> 00:02:59.250 Bank on it. 49 00:03:00.069 --> 00:03:04.830 James says, when you encounter various trials. So the issue 50 00:03:05.210 --> 00:03:09.620 is not if, but when. Please notice, however, his clarification 51 00:03:09.659 --> 00:03:13.020 in verse 2. Consider it all joy, my brethren, when 52 00:03:13.039 --> 00:03:17.400 you encounter various trials. Please don't misread this. Consider it 53 00:03:17.419 --> 00:03:23.870 all joy, my brethren, when you create various trials. Trials 54 00:03:23.969 --> 00:03:28.430 created of the temptation he begins to speak of in 55 00:03:28.469 --> 00:03:31.389 verse 13, when a man is tempted to do evil. 56 00:03:32.409 --> 00:03:35.169 He is talking now about trials you encounter. You just 57 00:03:35.569 --> 00:03:38.879 run into them because you're living. So if you're going 58 00:03:38.900 --> 00:03:42.439 through a tough time, don't be surprised. If life is 59 00:03:42.500 --> 00:03:45.120 crashing in on you at this moment, don't be shocked. 60 00:03:46.159 --> 00:03:49.620 It comes with this thing called life. That leads to 61 00:03:49.659 --> 00:03:55.210 a second point that is critical. the reason for trials. 62 00:03:56.490 --> 00:03:59.110 He gives the reality of trials. You can't avoid them. 63 00:04:00.509 --> 00:04:04.030 But now he wants to discuss the reason for them, beginning. 64 00:04:03.770 --> 00:04:06.800 In verse 3. Knowing. 65 00:04:08.199 --> 00:04:11.319 The Greek word knowing is from the word gnosko, and 66 00:04:12.219 --> 00:04:16.180 that carries the concept of knowledge via experience. 67 00:04:17.660 --> 00:04:22.189 Knowing. Knowing. Why is this critical? 68 00:04:23.709 --> 00:04:28.550 Because if you face a trial and don't know, if 69 00:04:28.589 --> 00:04:33.310 you can't connect the right set of data with the 70 00:04:33.410 --> 00:04:38.069 experience that you're going through, the trial will control you 71 00:04:38.250 --> 00:04:42.949 rather than you controlling the trial. The problem is not 72 00:04:43.290 --> 00:04:47.550 that many people in this room are undergoing trials. That's 73 00:04:47.569 --> 00:04:50.970 not the problem because everybody undergoes trials. The problem is 74 00:04:51.329 --> 00:04:57.420 that many who undergo trials don't know. They do not 75 00:04:57.480 --> 00:05:02.459 know how to connect spiritual knowledge. 76 00:05:02.220 --> 00:05:07.160 With unavoidable circumstances in life. Trials. 77 00:05:08.310 --> 00:05:12.949 Are the launching pad for your next level of spiritual growth. 78 00:05:13.990 --> 00:05:18.769 Trials are the launching pad for your next level of 79 00:05:18.829 --> 00:05:22.350 spiritual growth. He says three things about the reason for trials. 80 00:05:22.389 --> 00:05:26.189 Number one, you are to know that your faith is 81 00:05:26.250 --> 00:05:29.629 being tested. He says in verse three, knowing that the 82 00:05:29.769 --> 00:05:35.850 testing of your faith. Whenever you are going through a 83 00:05:36.529 --> 00:05:44.189 circumstance God is putting your faith on the witness stand 84 00:05:44.589 --> 00:05:45.329 to testify. 85 00:05:45.350 --> 00:05:48.949 Let me say that again. 86 00:05:49.029 --> 00:05:52.709 Whenever you go through a trial, because remember, God could 87 00:05:52.750 --> 00:05:54.129 have stopped that trial from. 88 00:05:54.029 --> 00:05:54.569 Getting to you. 89 00:05:55.509 --> 00:05:57.310 He could have blocked it like he blocks a lot 90 00:05:57.329 --> 00:05:59.350 of trials we won't even know we even had till 91 00:05:59.370 --> 00:06:02.709 we get to heaven. If God let everything that could 92 00:06:02.790 --> 00:06:05.170 come at us, come at us, we would. 93 00:06:05.050 --> 00:06:06.060 Be screaming 24 hours a day. 94 00:06:08.389 --> 00:06:11.149 Because Satan has always got something he wants to do 95 00:06:11.170 --> 00:06:14.269 to disrupt our lives. So if God let it through, 96 00:06:14.329 --> 00:06:17.050 he let it through with a purpose. If he let 97 00:06:17.089 --> 00:06:20.579 it slip through his fingers, so to speak, nothing slips through. 98 00:06:20.620 --> 00:06:22.939 But if he let it get by, he knew something 99 00:06:23.160 --> 00:06:25.199 that he wants you to know. And that is he 100 00:06:25.220 --> 00:06:26.160 wants to put your. 101 00:06:26.100 --> 00:06:27.360 Faith on a witness stand. 102 00:06:28.680 --> 00:06:33.990 A trial is designed to go beyond saying amen. A 103 00:06:34.050 --> 00:06:36.370 trial is designed to go beyond saying that was a 104 00:06:36.370 --> 00:06:37.250 good sermon, pastor. 105 00:06:37.269 --> 00:06:37.350 Amen. 106 00:06:37.949 --> 00:06:39.430 A trial is designed to. 107 00:06:39.250 --> 00:06:43.970 Go beyond feeling good on Sunday morning. It is time 108 00:06:44.029 --> 00:06:48.009 to testify. And what he does is he puts what 109 00:06:48.120 --> 00:06:52.680 you believe to the test by allowing a circumstance to 110 00:06:52.819 --> 00:06:56.480 get through the line of scrimmage to your life. Or 111 00:06:56.579 --> 00:07:01.819 as David says in Psalm 17, 3, trials are designed 112 00:07:01.839 --> 00:07:06.379 to test the heart so that it can be revealed 113 00:07:06.480 --> 00:07:07.519 what is there. 114 00:07:09.009 --> 00:07:11.110 God, through trial, will. 115 00:07:10.970 --> 00:07:16.040 Identify weaknesses in order to develop faith and make it stronger. 116 00:07:16.629 --> 00:07:22.500 To remove impurities, trials are designed to bring you to 117 00:07:22.540 --> 00:07:25.839 the point where your faith stands the test. 118 00:07:25.839 --> 00:07:28.560 No matter how hot the fire. Look with me. 119 00:07:28.620 --> 00:07:31.079 Just turn over a couple of pages to 1 Peter 120 00:07:31.160 --> 00:07:33.939 chapter 1. 121 00:07:32.939 --> 00:07:35.240 Where he says a similar thing. 122 00:07:36.019 --> 00:07:39.120 He says in verse 6, in this you greatly rejoice, 123 00:07:39.699 --> 00:07:43.420 even though now for a little while, if necessary, you 124 00:07:43.459 --> 00:07:45.579 will be distressed by various trials. 125 00:07:45.660 --> 00:07:46.399 Same concept. 126 00:07:46.750 --> 00:07:49.930 The proof of your faith being more precious than gold, 127 00:07:50.290 --> 00:07:54.149 which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be 128 00:07:54.269 --> 00:07:58.430 found to result in praise and glory and honor at 129 00:07:58.490 --> 00:08:00.370 the revelation of Jesus Christ. 130 00:08:00.709 --> 00:08:02.370 The proving of your faith. 131 00:08:02.769 --> 00:08:05.649 The test will not end till the faith has been 132 00:08:05.709 --> 00:08:12.439 proven until you exercise your faith. That means apply what 133 00:08:12.480 --> 00:08:16.319 you know about God as revealed in his word to 134 00:08:16.360 --> 00:08:21.199 the trial that you are going through. God is after 135 00:08:21.560 --> 00:08:25.839 developing you through testing you. And that is why Job 136 00:08:25.899 --> 00:08:29.839 says in Job 13, 15, Though he slay me, yet 137 00:08:29.879 --> 00:08:33.669 will I trust him. As his faith was being tested, 138 00:08:33.690 --> 00:08:37.629 his faith came through as fire. He didn't walk out 139 00:08:37.769 --> 00:08:42.429 on God, blame God. Trials hurt, but trials hurt as 140 00:08:42.549 --> 00:08:44.379 part of a test. 141 00:08:45.820 --> 00:08:46.080 Okay? 142 00:08:46.740 --> 00:08:49.980 The second reason is, is to expand your endurance. Notice 143 00:08:50.379 --> 00:08:54.730 verse three, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 144 00:08:54.769 --> 00:08:57.370 This word endurance is from two Greek words. That means 145 00:08:57.450 --> 00:09:01.590 remain under, to remain under. It means to be able 146 00:09:01.690 --> 00:09:07.860 to endure or handle the trial until its purpose has 147 00:09:07.919 --> 00:09:11.139 been complete. Now I got this firsthand here since I 148 00:09:11.179 --> 00:09:14.580 came back on vacation and I decided I'm gonna start 149 00:09:14.600 --> 00:09:16.379 getting up early in the morning and going to the gym. 150 00:09:17.580 --> 00:09:20.070 Well, I started my weightlifting program. 151 00:09:22.570 --> 00:09:24.870 And I started and I started with the curls and 152 00:09:24.909 --> 00:09:26.950 I started with the presses, you know, and I started 153 00:09:26.990 --> 00:09:29.649 with all this. 154 00:09:29.649 --> 00:09:35.059 24 hours later, I was in a trial. 155 00:09:37.080 --> 00:09:41.840 I couldn't walk. My wife had to button my shirts. 156 00:09:42.970 --> 00:09:44.649 So I was in a mess and I was in 157 00:09:45.289 --> 00:09:46.429 agonizing pain. 158 00:09:46.490 --> 00:09:46.769 Why? 159 00:09:47.149 --> 00:09:51.460 Because I had pressed upon me weights that I had 160 00:09:51.519 --> 00:09:52.600 not been used to. 161 00:09:53.019 --> 00:09:53.500 And guess what? 162 00:09:53.899 --> 00:09:57.669 And the weights which were designed to help me were 163 00:09:57.730 --> 00:10:01.690 causing me more pain. But through the encouragement of the 164 00:10:01.850 --> 00:10:04.789 one working with me, I went back and I. 165 00:10:04.789 --> 00:10:09.009 Had to lift more weight. And I struggled as I 166 00:10:09.049 --> 00:10:11.179 felt the pain. And then he told me, he said, 167 00:10:11.879 --> 00:10:16.600 keep pressing on. Endure. Because as you work your way 168 00:10:16.639 --> 00:10:18.539 through it, This. 169 00:10:18.460 --> 00:10:23.159 Pain will subside and the process of physical development will occur. 170 00:10:23.360 --> 00:10:27.019 But if you quit, whenever you decide to start again, 171 00:10:27.059 --> 00:10:29.909 you got to go through this whole routine one more time. 172 00:10:32.649 --> 00:10:36.190 In the trials of life, God puts weights on you. 173 00:10:36.970 --> 00:10:40.480 And he says, don't quit, keep pumping. But when you 174 00:10:40.580 --> 00:10:44.440 pump the weights, it may produce more pain. But keep 175 00:10:44.519 --> 00:10:47.240 on pumping and don't quit because if you do, you're 176 00:10:47.259 --> 00:10:50.639 going to see muscle where flab had been. You're going 177 00:10:50.659 --> 00:10:54.159 to see spiritual development where weakness had occurred. 178 00:10:54.679 --> 00:10:58.720 He says keep going. Let your faith keep going. Trust him. 179 00:11:00.179 --> 00:11:03.000 It doesn't look like trusting him makes sense. Stay with 180 00:11:03.039 --> 00:11:06.419 him when you want to quit. He says it's like weight. 181 00:11:06.480 --> 00:11:10.620 It produces resistance, but it's designed for growth. like a 182 00:11:10.740 --> 00:11:14.120 kite that soars high. It only does so on a 183 00:11:14.159 --> 00:11:17.519 windy day. God allows the wind to blow in the 184 00:11:17.559 --> 00:11:20.879 spiritual lives of his children that they might soar higher 185 00:11:21.200 --> 00:11:23.820 in their spiritual lives, that they might grow to the 186 00:11:23.919 --> 00:11:26.029 next level of spiritual growth. 187 00:11:27.090 --> 00:11:31.149 When Dr. Evans returns, he'll give us three practical responses 188 00:11:31.629 --> 00:11:34.250 that can help us keep growing when we're going through 189 00:11:34.309 --> 00:11:38.529 a trial. Well, as we've been learning, sometimes the problems 190 00:11:38.590 --> 00:11:43.330 we encounter aren't just problems. They're spiritual issues that can't 191 00:11:43.389 --> 00:11:47.570 be resolved without supernatural help. To help you get that, 192 00:11:47.789 --> 00:11:52.139 we're featuring a great resource right now, Dr. Evans' 30-Day Devotional, 193 00:11:52.259 --> 00:11:58.179 Trusting God in Turbulent Times. Through scripture, encouraging insights, and 194 00:11:58.340 --> 00:12:02.779 practical challenges, Tony helps you find comfort and strength in 195 00:12:02.840 --> 00:12:08.490 God's faithfulness. even when life feels uncertain or overwhelming. We 196 00:12:08.519 --> 00:12:11.070 want you to have a copy of this powerful devotional 197 00:12:11.110 --> 00:12:13.429 book as our thank you gift when you make a 198 00:12:13.470 --> 00:12:16.429 contribution to support our work here on the air and 199 00:12:16.470 --> 00:12:19.649 around the world. Along with it, we'll also send you 200 00:12:19.710 --> 00:12:24.889 all 16 full-length lessons in Tony's current two-volume series, James, 201 00:12:25.190 --> 00:12:29.779 Time to Grow Up, available on CD, USB flash drive, 202 00:12:29.879 --> 00:12:36.139 or instantly downloadable MP3s. Visit TonyEvans.org to take advantage of 203 00:12:36.179 --> 00:12:42.960 this offer or call us at 1-800-800-3222 where resource team 204 00:12:43.000 --> 00:12:48.200 members are ready to help with your request. Again, that's TonyEvans.org 205 00:12:48.679 --> 00:12:55.330 or by phone 1-800-800-3222. We'll get back to today's message 206 00:12:55.710 --> 00:12:56.429 right after this. 207 00:12:57.570 --> 00:13:00.549 Life moves fast and sometimes the most important thing you 208 00:13:00.590 --> 00:13:04.889 can do is slow down. You're invited to join Dr. 209 00:13:04.929 --> 00:13:08.500 Tony Evans and special guests Priscilla Shire and Anthony Evans 210 00:13:08.679 --> 00:13:12.039 on a seven-day Caribbean cruise of rest and renewal. Beginning 211 00:13:12.120 --> 00:13:15.980 February 28th, set sail from Fort Lauderdale to visit stunning 212 00:13:16.019 --> 00:13:20.259 destinations like Nassau, Grand Turk, Amber Cove, and even a 213 00:13:20.320 --> 00:13:23.309 private island in the Bahamas. But this journey is more 214 00:13:23.370 --> 00:13:26.389 than scenic beauty. It's a time to reconnect with God 215 00:13:26.509 --> 00:13:31.210 and with others. You'll experience life-changing teachings, uplifting worship, and 216 00:13:31.250 --> 00:13:33.309 moments of peace that are hard to come by in 217 00:13:33.330 --> 00:13:36.289 the middle of everyday life. Whether it's a quiet morning 218 00:13:36.370 --> 00:13:39.250 on deck or a shared moment of praise with fellow believers, 219 00:13:39.529 --> 00:13:42.090 every part of this cruise is designed to refresh your 220 00:13:42.149 --> 00:13:45.830 body and your soul. Make plans now to step away 221 00:13:46.129 --> 00:13:50.370 so you can step back renewed. Visit TonyEvans.org for details 222 00:13:50.429 --> 00:13:53.190 and reservations. That's TonyEvans.org. 223 00:13:55.389 --> 00:13:57.490 What should your response be to trials? 224 00:13:57.549 --> 00:13:59.899 Let me give you three things you should do if 225 00:13:59.919 --> 00:14:01.980 you're going through a trial or when you go through one. 226 00:14:02.120 --> 00:14:04.460 Here are the three things you should do with regard 227 00:14:04.480 --> 00:14:07.960 to trials. I'm telling you, this is the quickest way 228 00:14:08.000 --> 00:14:10.559 to get out is to do these three things. Number one, 229 00:14:11.120 --> 00:14:21.970 verse two, count it all joy. Instead of bickering, complaining, whining, crying, 230 00:14:22.370 --> 00:14:27.950 seeking revenge, getting back, Because now you know that God 231 00:14:28.029 --> 00:14:32.409 is up to something, count it all joy. 232 00:14:32.649 --> 00:14:33.659 Now, don't misinterpret that. 233 00:14:34.159 --> 00:14:38.299 He does not mean to feel good about the pain 234 00:14:38.340 --> 00:14:42.919 of your problem. That's not what it means. He says, count, 235 00:14:43.139 --> 00:14:48.750 not feel. Evaluate your trials from the standpoint of joy. 236 00:14:48.789 --> 00:14:49.450 Now, what does that mean? 237 00:14:50.129 --> 00:14:55.940 That means say to yourself, self, God is up. 238 00:14:55.940 --> 00:14:57.000 To something here. 239 00:14:58.179 --> 00:15:01.299 God, I do not know what you're up to, but 240 00:15:01.379 --> 00:15:03.639 you let this trial come into my life, so you 241 00:15:03.700 --> 00:15:06.879 are obviously up to something. So I'm going to praise 242 00:15:06.899 --> 00:15:09.019 your name, not for the trial, but for what you're 243 00:15:09.090 --> 00:15:14.070 up to. That's what it means to count it all joy. 244 00:15:14.730 --> 00:15:18.789 Because you know that God is up to something, your 245 00:15:18.870 --> 00:15:22.669 first response should be, To count it all joy. Your 246 00:15:22.960 --> 00:15:27.559 outlook determines your outcome. Your attitude will determine your action. 247 00:15:28.039 --> 00:15:31.179 It is not about feeling, it's about counting. A decision 248 00:15:31.700 --> 00:15:34.279 of the will. Now what happens when you don't count 249 00:15:34.299 --> 00:15:38.450 it all joy? You lose the provision of grace. And 250 00:15:38.509 --> 00:15:41.429 grace is God's supply to take you through anything he 251 00:15:41.470 --> 00:15:45.580 gives you. He giveth more grace. So you nullify grace 252 00:15:45.620 --> 00:15:47.500 when you don't count it as joy. So if you're 253 00:15:47.539 --> 00:15:50.200 going through a trial, then you can make a decision, 254 00:15:50.299 --> 00:15:53.720 no matter how you feel to say, I decide to 255 00:15:53.759 --> 00:15:56.700 be joyful about what God is doing. Second thing you 256 00:15:56.720 --> 00:15:59.820 must do, go to God and ask him for wisdom. 257 00:16:00.080 --> 00:16:03.039 Ask for help. What are you asking him? To get 258 00:16:03.080 --> 00:16:03.460 you out? 259 00:16:03.740 --> 00:16:07.779 Uh-uh, because perseverance doesn't mean it's necessarily time to get out. 260 00:16:08.210 --> 00:16:13.320 You're asking him, here's the key, for wisdom. If any 261 00:16:13.419 --> 00:16:16.840 man lacks wisdom, let him ask of God. 262 00:16:17.899 --> 00:16:18.590 What is wisdom? 263 00:16:19.669 --> 00:16:22.090 You're going through a trial and yet you're supposed to 264 00:16:22.129 --> 00:16:22.850 count it joy. 265 00:16:22.929 --> 00:16:24.610 That's a paradox. That's a contradiction. 266 00:16:25.009 --> 00:16:27.909 How can I count joy what I'm going through? Make 267 00:16:28.080 --> 00:16:32.769 sense of this for me. Make sense of this for me. 268 00:16:33.149 --> 00:16:34.669 It doesn't mean it's going to take you out. It 269 00:16:34.690 --> 00:16:36.289 doesn't mean you're even going to know why you're going 270 00:16:36.350 --> 00:16:40.480 through it. But show me how I am to respond 271 00:16:40.740 --> 00:16:43.179 to get the most out of what you're doing right now. 272 00:16:43.539 --> 00:16:44.279 That's your prayer. 273 00:16:44.820 --> 00:16:47.990 Show me how to respond to get the most out 274 00:16:48.389 --> 00:16:49.929 of what you're doing for me right now. 275 00:16:50.549 --> 00:16:52.659 The Bible says in 2 Peter 2, 9, God is 276 00:16:52.700 --> 00:16:53.679 bigger than your trials. 277 00:16:54.120 --> 00:16:58.240 Listen, 1 Corinthians 10, 13 says that no temptation has 278 00:16:58.299 --> 00:17:02.139 overtaken you, but such as is common to man. So 279 00:17:02.259 --> 00:17:04.480 anything that you face, you're not the only one that's 280 00:17:04.539 --> 00:17:06.539 ever faced it. You're not the only one that will 281 00:17:06.599 --> 00:17:09.299 face it. And that's why fellowship is so important because 282 00:17:09.319 --> 00:17:11.319 you hook up with other people who have faced it 283 00:17:11.539 --> 00:17:13.779 and seeing God bring them through so that you know 284 00:17:13.960 --> 00:17:16.019 there's hope for you too. That's why you can't be 285 00:17:16.059 --> 00:17:19.730 a lone ranger Christian. There is commonality. You haven't been 286 00:17:19.789 --> 00:17:22.809 singled out. God is not picking on you. Why is 287 00:17:22.829 --> 00:17:25.259 this happening to me? Well, this happened to a bunch 288 00:17:25.279 --> 00:17:27.480 of other people that God had to teach the same 289 00:17:27.539 --> 00:17:29.480 thing with that he's teaching you too. 290 00:17:29.859 --> 00:17:33.400 So pray for wisdom. But how do you pray? Listen closely. 291 00:17:34.309 --> 00:17:38.029 He says, God will give it to you freely. He 292 00:17:38.069 --> 00:17:39.880 just would love to tell you what he wants you 293 00:17:39.910 --> 00:17:43.599 to learn. But let him ask in faith without doubting. 294 00:17:44.000 --> 00:17:46.099 For the one who doubts is like the surf of 295 00:17:46.140 --> 00:17:48.920 the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For let 296 00:17:48.960 --> 00:17:50.980 not that man think he will receive. 297 00:17:50.819 --> 00:17:52.779 Anything from the Lord. Okay? 298 00:17:53.400 --> 00:17:57.339 He talks about the double-minded person. This is the split 299 00:17:57.400 --> 00:18:02.730 personality Christian. This Christian is unstable and perplexed. See, faith 300 00:18:02.789 --> 00:18:05.670 says yes, unbelief says no, doubt says yes and no. 301 00:18:06.759 --> 00:18:08.400 This is a Christian who wants to go two ways 302 00:18:08.460 --> 00:18:10.789 at one time. They want to do it their way 303 00:18:11.029 --> 00:18:12.930 and still want God to do it his way. They 304 00:18:12.970 --> 00:18:15.650 want some of God and some of them. They want 305 00:18:15.829 --> 00:18:17.369 to see what God wants, but then they want to 306 00:18:17.410 --> 00:18:20.210 see what they want. They have a split personality, and 307 00:18:20.250 --> 00:18:22.730 God says, I'm not going to compromise what I'm going 308 00:18:22.759 --> 00:18:24.180 to do in your life. I got to have the 309 00:18:24.240 --> 00:18:26.279 whole thing, so give me the. 310 00:18:26.220 --> 00:18:27.539 Whole ball of wax. 311 00:18:28.519 --> 00:18:31.839 Turn it all over to me. God, you must show 312 00:18:31.880 --> 00:18:34.640 me what you're up to in my life. It's all 313 00:18:35.000 --> 00:18:38.700 in your hands. Give it all to me. If you're 314 00:18:38.720 --> 00:18:41.460 going to come to me, then bring it all to me. 315 00:18:42.279 --> 00:18:44.039 You only do what I tell you to do, what 316 00:18:44.079 --> 00:18:46.180 you're supposed to do, what I reveal to you to do, 317 00:18:46.359 --> 00:18:49.029 but you bring it all to me and stop half-stepping 318 00:18:49.069 --> 00:18:51.750 with this stuff. Many times believers come for counsel and 319 00:18:51.769 --> 00:18:54.289 talk about pray for me. And after you pray for 320 00:18:54.309 --> 00:18:55.609 them and tell them what God wants them to do, 321 00:18:55.630 --> 00:18:56.900 they still go out and do what they want to do. 322 00:18:58.390 --> 00:19:00.710 God says, you will not receive anything from me, and 323 00:19:00.730 --> 00:19:02.309 that's why you're not getting any answers to prayers. 324 00:19:02.529 --> 00:19:03.930 That's not why you're getting any solutions. 325 00:19:04.650 --> 00:19:06.849 Did you know that that mate that you want to 326 00:19:06.890 --> 00:19:09.259 leave may be God's test in your life to take 327 00:19:09.299 --> 00:19:11.500 you to the next spiritual level, and you just think, 328 00:19:11.720 --> 00:19:12.119 I don't want. 329 00:19:12.059 --> 00:19:14.480 To be married anymore. Did you know that? 330 00:19:14.640 --> 00:19:17.200 That that may be God's purpose for you, and he 331 00:19:17.220 --> 00:19:20.240 will keep you miserable, and every other mate you find 332 00:19:20.460 --> 00:19:22.200 will be as messed up as the mate you left 333 00:19:22.369 --> 00:19:24.970 because you never passed the test of what he was 334 00:19:25.009 --> 00:19:29.079 trying to teach you in the first place. See, because 335 00:19:29.140 --> 00:19:32.420 if God is against you, you can't find the right person. 336 00:19:34.269 --> 00:19:37.890 And then he says, praise. But let the brother of 337 00:19:37.950 --> 00:19:41.250 humble circumstance glory in his high position, and let the 338 00:19:41.269 --> 00:19:44.950 rich man glory in his humiliation, because like flowering glass 339 00:19:44.990 --> 00:19:48.490 he will pass away. For the sun rises, and it's 340 00:19:48.569 --> 00:19:51.480 a scorching wind, and withers the grass. and flower falls 341 00:19:51.619 --> 00:19:53.720 off the beauty of its appearance is destroyed so to 342 00:19:53.740 --> 00:19:56.200 the rich man in the midst of his pursuits will 343 00:19:56.220 --> 00:19:59.519 fade away very quickly he says give glory to God 344 00:19:59.539 --> 00:20:01.420 in the midst of your trial he gives two trials 345 00:20:01.539 --> 00:20:03.420 a poor man that doesn't have money got some of 346 00:20:03.440 --> 00:20:06.720 them here and the rich man who's running to something 347 00:20:06.740 --> 00:20:08.609 money can't get him out of we got some of 348 00:20:08.619 --> 00:20:11.420 them here Poor people who don't have money, he says, 349 00:20:11.680 --> 00:20:15.289 glory in your position in Christ. Rich people, you get 350 00:20:15.349 --> 00:20:17.309 sick and money can't buy that cancer out of you. 351 00:20:17.589 --> 00:20:20.329 Money can't buy that wayward child back home. Money can't 352 00:20:20.369 --> 00:20:24.190 buy that. So glory in your humiliations. If you run 353 00:20:24.230 --> 00:20:27.009 out of money, give glory to God. Lord, right now 354 00:20:27.069 --> 00:20:28.589 I've run out of money, but I want to thank you. 355 00:20:28.609 --> 00:20:29.450 I have my health. 356 00:20:29.890 --> 00:20:31.829 I want to thank you that you've taken care of me. 357 00:20:32.130 --> 00:20:34.230 I want to thank you that you've supplied my needs. 358 00:20:34.589 --> 00:20:36.470 I want to thank you there's food on my table. 359 00:20:36.710 --> 00:20:38.569 I want to thank you there's clothes on my back. 360 00:20:39.049 --> 00:20:42.890 In my poverty, I want to praise you. And then 361 00:20:42.950 --> 00:20:44.529 if you have a little money, but you got some 362 00:20:44.569 --> 00:20:45.269 money you can't buy. 363 00:20:45.710 --> 00:20:47.609 Lord, I want to glorify you. I want to. 364 00:20:47.589 --> 00:20:49.519 Glorify you that money can't buy me out of this 365 00:20:49.759 --> 00:20:52.619 so that I won't pull out MasterCard, Visa, or American Express. 366 00:20:52.920 --> 00:20:55.200 I'm going to run to Jesus Christ and ask him 367 00:20:55.240 --> 00:20:59.920 to do it. In other words, whether you're poor or rich, 368 00:21:00.240 --> 00:21:03.450 when life crashes in, give glory to God because God 369 00:21:03.490 --> 00:21:07.549 allows trials to force us back to him. Because when 370 00:21:07.569 --> 00:21:09.890 you get money, then you pay cash, you don't pray. 371 00:21:12.069 --> 00:21:14.839 That's what he's saying. He's saying it is to remind 372 00:21:14.859 --> 00:21:17.460 you of your humanity and you can do nothing without me. 373 00:21:20.940 --> 00:21:24.269 He closes with this verse, verse 12. Blessed, oh this 374 00:21:24.289 --> 00:21:24.809 is a good verse. 375 00:21:25.769 --> 00:21:31.329 Is a man who perseveres under trial for once he 376 00:21:31.549 --> 00:21:35.789 has been approved he will receive the crown of life 377 00:21:35.990 --> 00:21:38.509 which the Lord has promised to those who love him. 378 00:21:38.670 --> 00:21:42.269 This is the reward of trials. He says the reward 379 00:21:42.309 --> 00:21:47.440 of trials when the trial has been finished and the 380 00:21:47.559 --> 00:21:50.940 lesson has been learned, then approval will be given. 381 00:21:51.700 --> 00:21:52.200 Passed. 382 00:21:53.980 --> 00:22:00.309 And when you pass, you can graduate. When you graduate, what? 383 00:22:00.349 --> 00:22:03.150 You go across the stage, you get a diploma, and 384 00:22:03.170 --> 00:22:05.750 there's a cap on your head. He calls the cap 385 00:22:05.769 --> 00:22:09.480 in verse 12 the crown of life. God puts a cap, 386 00:22:09.619 --> 00:22:13.859 a graduation cap. He passed elementary school. He graduates to 387 00:22:13.900 --> 00:22:14.299 junior high. 388 00:22:14.339 --> 00:22:17.680 Yeah, more tests. He passed junior high. He graduates to high. 389 00:22:17.700 --> 00:22:20.140 Yeah, but more tests. He graduates from high. He goes 390 00:22:20.160 --> 00:22:20.660 to college. 391 00:22:20.700 --> 00:22:23.740 More tests. He graduates from college. He goes to the workplace. 392 00:22:23.799 --> 00:22:24.400 More tests. 393 00:22:24.680 --> 00:22:28.079 But he will graduate you from that trial. It took 394 00:22:28.180 --> 00:22:31.380 Abraham 25 years to graduate, to become the father of 395 00:22:31.480 --> 00:22:32.529 all nations when. 396 00:22:32.450 --> 00:22:33.369 He offered up Isaac. 397 00:22:33.549 --> 00:22:36.829 It took Moses 85 years to graduate, to lead the 398 00:22:36.890 --> 00:22:39.450 children of Israel. I don't know how long it's going 399 00:22:39.470 --> 00:22:41.549 to take you. You have a lot to say about 400 00:22:41.569 --> 00:22:42.950 that by how you take the test. 401 00:22:43.289 --> 00:22:44.049