PROFITING FROM YOUR PROBLEMS

Sermon Notes, August 3, 2014

Rev. Jan Sinozich

Pastor Jan’s message was titled “Profiting from Your Problems,” and was based on James 1:2-6, 12.  Verse 2 tells us to consider it joy when you have trials, because you know testing develops perseverance.  Here are four facts of life you need to know: 

1.      Problems are inevitable.  “In this life you will have trouble,” Jesus said in John 16:33. 

2.      Problems are unpredictable.  You fall into them, much as the traveler fell among thieves in the story of the Good Samaritan.  Problems are inconvenient and sudden. 

3.      Problems are all different “…trials of many kinds…” James 1:2. 

4.      Problems are purposeful.  They produce perseverance. James 1:3

God doesn’t waste any of our trials—not even the ones we bring on ourselves.  He uses them to purify our faith, as a refining fire and to develop our character into Christ-likeness.  Problems fortify our patience, developing perseverance, or staying power, our endurance.  Problems sanctify our character “so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:4) 

God’s number one purpose for our lives is to make us like Jesus.  (Romans 5:3-5; 8:28-29)  He does this through the Word of God, (John 17:17) and through the circumstances of life (Romans 8:28)  The Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) is developed by the opposite: love by being around those that aren’t lovable, peace by being around conflict, joy by being around sadness, etc.  God makes us like Him.

James tells us how to handle our problems.  Rejoice (v. 2) not for the problem, but in the problem (1 Thessalonians 5:8).  He takes what happens to us and works it together for our good and His glory.  We choose how we’ll respond to problems: they can make us bitter, or better.

Request (v. 5) “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”  Ask means pray—not to ask why—you know why: to purify, fortify and sanctify us; ask “What do you want me to learn?”  If we don’t learn, we’ll continue to have the tests.

Relax (v. 6)  “But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt…”  Trust God.  Know that He has a purpose.  We need wisdom and faith to endure. 

God uses the trials and tests we encounter not to break us, but to make us more like Jesus.