"From Trials to Triumphs" (James 1:1-4,12-18) Purpose Driven Series Sermon Five

(A) Previously …

1. God is the centre of the universe

2. We have been chosen by God to partner with him to right the world’s wrongs

3. We need to have Jesus in the driver’s seat of our lives

4. We need to live with the implications of eternity foremost in our mind;

and now …

5. We need to see our trials as opportunities for triumphs.

(B) The Nature of Trials

‘Trials’ are part of being human in this fallen world. Such trials are not a judgement against us – rather they are just things that happen as part of our journey of life. Bad things happen to good people just as much, if not more, as they do to people who only please themselves. Yet, we should never trivialise or generalise our suffering or the struggles of others, for such trials can truly be heart-breaking.

Having said this, as followers of Jesus, we should try to look at our trials differently, not just for the pain and difficulty they cause us, but also for what we might learn from them that strengthens us for the future, and also for what benefits they may bring to us spiritually in terms of our relationship with God and others. We may even come to see that we have actually gained a quality or an insight that would never have been possible prior to our testing.

Yet, this does not mean that tragedies are anything other than tragedies. Terrible things happen, and they are still terrible, regrettable and contrary to God’s will, even though God can still in time bring some good out of them. Abuse and violence is always wrong, and always derives from broken humanity and not from God.

When tragedy occurs, we can say for sure that God dwells in the midst of our suffering. Where one of God’s children is under a trial, God is never far away and always available to us. God offers us a measure of calm that quells the power of the threat against us.

‘Trials’ come in many forms. These are generally tests to our faith and our ability to cope with the challenges of life. Trials usually occur naturally as part our normal daily living. We know that as soon as humanity stepped out of the will of God things were going to get difficult. Of course we know that all is not lost, for, as we have already stated, God can use our trials and testings to strengthen us and grow us in maturity.

One definition of a ‘trial’ is, “a trying experience or person”, showing that particular incidents or interactions can cause us difficulty. We have heard people say that this or that or so and so was sent to test us!

I’ll now share the story of the unlucky bricklayer.

Another definition of the word ‘trial’ states: “testing the qualities of something”, which puts the existence of trials in a much more positive light. There is a purpose behind the onset of some ‘trials’. Just like our Christian lives, any new invention must go through rigorous testing before it reaches its final form or its full potential.

‘Trials’ would include very serious occurrences like: ill-health, loss and grief, unemployment, bullying and being a victim of violence, broken relationships, financial worries, loneliness, work issues, addictions, depression, hurt, and generally feeling time pressured by competing responsibilities. These could be seen as very personal trials, while there are also corporate trials where institutions or communities like churches feel the pressure of complex demands or hostility or external opposition.

Then there is the whole area of ‘temptation’. This is our internal inclination to sin or do the wrong thing (that in turn we need to bring under the control of God’s Spirit). To give in to temptation is to turn our back on God and decide that we would prefer to address our own desires in our own way. This normally turns out to be roundly destructive.

As we “repent” of such behaviour i.e. declare that what we did was wrong and commit to not repeating it, and thus seek and gain forgiveness, we can learn a very profound lesson that improves the quality of our lives, and then be better equipped for the next temptation or challenge that comes long.

Someone has said that a Christian is like a tea-bag – not much good until it has gone through hot water!

Whatever ‘ruins’ we might at times interpret our life to be in, God is available to bring something good out of this – not just something good, but something really beautiful.

"Something beautiful, something good,
All my confusion, [God] understood.
All I had to offer Him was brokenness and strife,
But [God] made something beautiful of my life."

(C) The Significance of Triumphs

Triumphs in life occur as we deal wisely and creatively with our trials. Triumphs occur as we are able to rise above the temporal and earthly to a higher plain of eternal meaning. Triumphs occur as we begin to see the positive side of the trials we face and thus learn all the lessons there are to be learned. Such triumphs can be unparalleled success stories.

The story is told of an ant who thought it a major imposition that he had been instructed to carry a long heavy piece of straw back to its nest, until he discovered that he needed to find a way to cross a major crack on the path in front of him!

A ‘triumph’ is defined as, a “great achievement”, or to “prevail over enemy, opposition or obstacles”, or to be in a “state of being victorious”. Yet, such triumphs might just be small, nearly invisible changes in attitude or thinking or behaviour that have nonetheless been very liberating and helpful. Your ‘triumph’ might have been a new empathy for others who are suffering as you have suffered. The one who endures their trials well can find themselves so mightily used by God in the service of other people who themselves are stuck in the mire of their troubles.

Have you got any stories of trials becoming triumphs to share with us??? Would anyone like to share briefly about how any trial (or temptation) you have endured may have turned into a triumph in your life (through God’s grace)? It could also be that your triumph over a particular trial is a work in progress, and you may like to share about this journey (possibly from the depths of some pain), and seek some support and prayer.

What is the greatest example of a triumph we could draw on?? Jesus’ resurrection!! Here was a case of an unjust and cruel torture and execution which was meant to end the cause of Jesus forever. Yet despite physical death, Jesus was raised to life. God said ‘No!’ to this attempted evil, and reshaped this whole event toward the salvation of the world. This was not only the greatest victory ever over the forces of evil, but also paved the way for the new life we experience having decided to follow Jesus.

As we read in 1 Peter 2:24, “[Jesus] himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed”. Then we read in 2 Timothy 2:11, “If we have died with Jesus [meaning that we have given up our old self], we will also live with Jesus”. This text then goes on, “If we endure, we will also reign with him” … now that’s a triumph!!!

Jesus not only is our primary example of triumph over trial and victory over defeat, but also is our primary source of understanding and empathy as he suffered much on the way to his ultimate vindication. In Hebrews 4 (v.15-16) we are encouraged to approach Jesus the ultimate source of grace and help in our time of need.

As this is Pentecost Sunday, we should also mention another major biblical example of trial becoming triumph. When Jesus was arrested, tried and crucified, Peter fled and even denied knowing Jesus. Such was the pressure, disappointment and fear Peter felt, that he completely lost his way. Yet through the restorative compassion and forgiveness of Jesus, and then the power of the Holy Spirit, Peter preached some seven weeks later with such passion and confidence that thousands committed their lives to the Jesus cause.

(D) The Way Forward – Endurance (James 1:3-4, 12)

Enduring our trials and working through our inclination toward temptation and coming through to the other side, brings us to maturity and completeness. And this is a goal that we should aspire to anyway – our character becoming conformed to the ideal model of Jesus.

It’s not suffering under testing circumstances in itself that helps us – for this would be pointless struggle that just arouses the human desire for survival. Nor is just a stoic grin-and-bear it type response going to help that much. It is the way in which we positively deal with such trials – what action we take – our commitment to following God through such trials – that actually strengthens us and helps us grow … so much so … that we can see ourselves lacking in nothing (nothing that is important anyway).

Endurance is staying power or perseverance, the energy and commitment to go beyond the first and second efforts. We decide not to passively submit to difficult circumstances, nor get bogged down in the ‘why questions’ that might never be satisfactorily answered, rather seek to deduce what we can learn from the situation we find ourselves in, and thereby grow in our human and Christian experience and in our usefulness to God.

There is a special place in God’s heart I think for the person who suffers and endures much (just because of what life hands out to them) and manages to find their way through. This person in their very selves is a triumph of God’s grace. There are many people here who are triumphs of God’s grace … for they have endured, and God has said a big ‘Yes’ to them!

Such a person has their roots grow deep into God, so that when any strong winds come along, even a hurricane, he or she will be able to maintain their position. The person who struggles under all sorts of pressure, but doesn’t hurt, oppress or make prisoners of others, truly receives what James describes as the “crown of life”. What form might this “crown of life” take? Is this the discovery of one’s ultimate (and unique) purpose in life??

Trials like loneliness and sorrow can be seen as gifts that drive us right to the very heart of God and actually increase our capacity for receiving God. Various trials can sharpen our sensitivities and understanding toward the situations of others and allow us to become greater agents of mercy for them.

For the one who is truly committed to endure – nothing can separate that person from the overflowing love of God (Romans 8:35-39) and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit … not hardship nor distress nor persecution nor hunger nor poverty nor danger nor violence. God can use all of life’s twists and turns to reshape us into more Christlike persons … if we let him! Every day, no matter how bad things appear, is another gift from God and an opportunity to grow closer to Jesus.

As author Ron Ash wrote:

"We are where we need to be and learning what we need to learn. Stay the course because the things we experience today will lead us to where [God] needs us to be tomorrow."

Amen!!