WHEN COMMON SENSE ISN’T ENOUGH

James 1:2-18
LOOKING AT THE TEXT
INTRODUCTION: James views life as it
really is. And in real life, every person will go
through some difficult times – even those
who follow Jesus Christ.
I. UNDERSTANDING LIFE, James 1:2-12
1. James says we are to “rejoice” when
trials come, 1:2
2. Why should we rejoice in the midst of
our trials? 1:3-4
1) Because they make us stronger
2) Because they make us “mature
and complete, not lacking
anything”
3. So how can we stare into the face of
our trials and rejoice? We must ask
God and he will give us the wisdom to
do it. Why do we need wisdom?
1) We need wisdom, first of all, to
properly understand the trial.
2) We need wisdom to properly
respond to the trial.
3) How a person prays will determine
God’s response.
4. Both poverty and prosperity can
present us with trials.
5. The problems of poverty are quite
evident.
6. An abundance of money does not
remove our troubles. In many cases,
it increases them.
7. This understanding will lead us to
endure our trials.
1) The person who endures is
“blessed.”
2) In addition, the person who
endures “will receive the crown of
life that God has promised to
those who love him.”
II. UNDERSTANDING GOD, James 1:13-
18
1. James begins by telling us what God
does not do. God does not lead us
into temptation.
2. Where then does temptation come
from? It comes from our inner
desires.
3. What does sin do in our lives? James
describes the development of an
embryo from the point of conception
to the point of birth. Sin leads to
conception and conception to birth,
but in this case, what comes forth is
still born.
4. James returns to the main theme: our
understanding of God.
1) He is beneficent.
2) He is majestic.
3) He is consistent.
4) He gives us the gift of eternal life.
LIVING OUT THE TEXT
v This lesson teaches us about SIN.
v This lesson teaches us about GOD.
v This lesson teaches us about LIFE