SCRIPTURE: 1 Samuel 16-20

BIG IDEA: Being right just might be very wrong.

James 1:19-20 NIV

Righteousness: “being in right relationship with God”

• Matthew 5:20—Jesus said that being GOOD is not the same as being RIGHTEOUS.

• Matthew 12:28-29-- According to Jesus, the LAW of LOVE is more important than being RIGHT.

James 1:19 NIV

• Quick to listen

• Slow to speak

• Slow to become

Proverbs 15:31; 15:32; 12:15

When you feel yourself getting angry:

1. Ask questions.

2. Stop talking.

The Temptation Pathway - James 1:13-15 NIV

> DESIRE—Created by God

> EVIL DESIRE—other translations use the word “lust.”

>> LURED = a hunting term - trapping an animal using a lure

>> BAITED = a fishing term - using bait to hook a fish

> Desire is CONCEIVED. James relates to childbirth.

>> Desire gives birth to SIN.

>> Sin gives birth to DEATH.

A different path - James 1:12 - Instead of taking the bait…

> You CAN PERSEVERE!

> And God’s promise to you is this: The CROWN OF LIFE.

>> Not death. Not consequences. Not shame and guilt and disaster.

> LIFE. A CROWN.

Big Idea: I can embrace this trial.

1. This trial is putting me right where God wants me.

> “Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position.” (v. 9)

• Mark 9:35; Luke 18:9-14; Job 1:8

2. This trial may be freeing me from an addiction to money.

> “But the rich should take pride in their humiliation— since they will pass away like a wild flower. For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.” (James 1:10-11)

• 1 Timothy 6:10

3. This trial is making me more like Jesus. • Philippians 2:5-9

A Study in the Book of James.

Big Idea | This trial I’m in is an opportunity.

1. This trial is an opportunity for joy.

“Consider it pure joy...whenever you face trials of many kinds...”

2. This trial is an opportunity to produce perseverance. “...because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”

3. This trial is an opportunity to produce maturity. “Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

NEXT STEPS

> I want to begin following Jesus.

> I realize I have stopped trusting Jesus. I want to trust him again.

> I’m going to let go of the things in my past that are weighing me down.

> God has a future plan for me. I’m gonna go for it!