Stand your Ground - Perseverance (James 1:1-12)
Gearl Spicer, June 28, 2020
Part of the Axis of A Living Faith series, preached at a Sunday Online service
James 1:1–12 (Listen)
1:1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion:
Greetings.
2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
9 Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, 10 and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. 11 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.
12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
(ESV)
Sermon Notes
Axis of a Living Faith
Stand your Ground - Perseverance
James 1:1-12
6/28/20
When was the last time you stood your ground?
*Perseverance is the result of God’s presence in our lives that supersedes any difficulty or opposition we face!
*Perseverance is a military word that is connected to us standing against the attack of the enemy!
*Who will render to each person according to his deeds; to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality and eternal life. Romans 2:6-7
*For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it. Romans 8:24-25
*For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instructions, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of scriptures we might have hope. Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, so that you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 15:4-6
*Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. James 1:12
His plan for us is a living faith that can endure anything because we are loved:
*Listen to Learn
*Obey to Overcome
*Vision to Victory
*Endure to Excel
His love surpasses any challenge to grant us access to His presence!
Standing our ground requires clear focus and approaches!
James 1:1-12
I. See the other side of Joy - v.2-4
II. Ask the right One - v.5
III. Allow faith to guide your questions - v.6-8
IV. Stay humble in your blessings - v.9-11
V. Keep on loving Him - v.12
Will you stand your ground in His love? Read I Timothy 4:15-16, Eph. 6:18