FIRST GOOD SAMARITAN BAPTIST CHURCH
The Caring Church, Preparing the World by Sharing the Word

WEEKLY WORD

THIS JOY!
[Part II]

2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

James 1:2-4
New King James Version

In part I of this sermonic series, our focus was on the pattern of joy. The patter of joy has problems that precede the joy. In other words, whenever you find yourself in trials, troubles and tribulation then count it as joy because prior to jubilation there will be confrontation. James reminds us that the success of the Christian life is the ability to persevere through seasons of sufferings.

It is in part 2 that we transition from the pattern to the purpose of our troubles, trials and tribulations. The purpose of our difficulty is to bring us to a spiritual maturity. First, when it comes to troubles and trials it is addressing the believers. James begins with “my brethren” which simply means that this text may not be for those outside the family of faith but only BELIEVERS.

This text is along the lines of “And we know that all things work together for the good…” The believer understands our purpose does not exclude trouble but recognizing Christ in times of trouble. It is the crisis that expose Christ that brings the Christian to a level of spiritual maturity.

However, the main purpose of trials and troubles is for us to develop PATIENCE. When it comes to our lives, many of us are living life too fast and God must trouble to make an appearance to invoke our perseverance. In other words, when God see us living fast, He will allow trouble to slow us up that ignites patience in the process. There are times God knows that there are times we can get ahead of ourselves to the point where we miss valuable lessons along the journey that we need to experience joy for our journey.

The purpose of problems is to slow us down because we are moving too fast. This is the time for patience to begin its perfect work that matures us in the faith and develops us into the disciples we are destined to be.

Dr. James A. Simmons, Senior Pastor