Making the Most of Problems | James: Surviving the Challenges of Life Week 1 | Pastor Andrew Cromwell

James 1:1-8 NLT: This letter is from James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am writing to the “twelve tribes”—Jewish believers scattered abroad. Greetings!

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.

A Life with Problems

1. Problems are .(MULTILINE)

James 1:2 NLT: Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.(MULTILINE REVEAL TINY)

1 Peter 1:6 NLT: So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while.(MULTILINE REVEAL TINY)

2. Problems are .(MULTILINE)

1 Peter 4:12 NIV: Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.(MULTILINE REVEAL TINY)

1 Peter 5:8 NIV: Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.(MULTILINE REVEAL TINY)

3. Problems .(MULTILINE)

Psalm 34:19 NLT: The righteous person faces many troubles, but the LORD comes to the rescue each time.(MULTILINE REVEAL TINY)

4. Problems have a .(MULTILINE)

Charles Spurgeon: Trials teach us what we are; they dig up the soil, and let us see what we are made of.(MULTILINE REVEAL TINY)

Romans 8:28 NIV: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.(MULTILINE REVEAL TINY)

• • Purify our .(MULTILINE)

• • Strengthen .(MULTILINE)

• • Sanctify .(MULTILINE)

How to Handle Problems

1. joy.(MULTILINE)

Philippians 4:4: Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.(MULTILINE REVEAL TINY)

2. God.(MULTILINE)

James 1:5: If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.(MULTILINE REVEAL TINY)

3. in His peace.(MULTILINE)

Hebrews 4:1–3: Therefore, while the promise of entering His rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it… For we who have believed enter that rest.(MULTILINE REVEAL TINY)

Psalm 16:11: You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.(MULTILINE REVEAL TINY)