When someone has our lives in their hands we want to know they have been tested. It is crucial that they have developed the skills necessary to help us. We would never go to someone for surgery that didn’t go to medical school and have the right training, because our very lives are at stake. We want them to have been tested and proven capable.

We are created in God’s image. That means we are to demonstrate his character in the world and to represent him. It is in God’s interested that we be tested so we can develop the right type of character. For us to represent God well requires testing.

This is the second sermon in the series Living by Faith that will take us through the book of James.

Series Bottomline: Disciples of Jesus live each day by faith.

Text: James 1:2-18

Bottomline: A disciple of Jesus endures the difficulties of life as they hope for God’s blessings.

Challenge: Send an encouraging note to someone going through a difficult time.