Sermon Cloud

Learning To Endure                                                                                             by Adrian Rogers

Do you want strength? How about victory? Prosperity? Contentment? Now, let me ask you a tougher question. Do you want tribulation? Not likely, right? Most of us don't. But James chapter one teaches us that it is in tribulation that that we learn endurance (KJV patience). If we don't learn to endure, we're not going to learn much of anything and more importantly, we're not going to build character unless we endure (see also Romans 5:3). The faith that can't be tested can't be trusted.

James 1:2-5 (KJV)
2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
James 1:12-14 (KJV)
12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

Here are five things that I've learned from trials and tribulations.

1. There is Value in Troubles    James 1:2

v.3 Character building (patience), v.4 Maturing (perfecting), v.5 Relation building (pray)

Romans 5:2-4 (NIV)
2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;
4 perseverance, character; and character, hope.

1 Peter 1:6-7 (ESV)
6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials,
7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Why do we count it all joy? Because if God gives you a test and you overcome, then you will be filled with His joy. So pull some of the groans out of your prayers, shove in a few hallelujahs, and count in all joy. As Barbara Johnson said, "Pain is inevitable, but misery is optional."

2. There is a time table to Troubles   James 1:4

Don’t rush out of trouble…(too many half baked) may be God is working on you. You may end up fleeing Him.

Check your Lordship (Who is running me?) Listen to others, feel what the pain is doing(humbling-compassion), build an eternal frame (v.12)

Are you willing to let God set the intensity/time limits? How would you like to come to the place where there's nothing you want? Well, according to James 1:4, you can come to that place. The word "wanting" in this verse does not mean desire - it means necessity.

You grow when trials come. The Greek word telios in this verse does not mean perfect, it means maturity. An oak tree is the perfection of an acorn. Men lift great weights to develop muscle. God does not want us to be spiritual creampuffs. When did you grow the most? When problems came and you learned to endure.

3. Intimacy in Troubles   James 1:5

Phil.2: ? That I may know Him in the Fellowship of sufferings…

            That you fill out what is lacking in the suffering of Christ…”

God’s wisdom is better than knowledge alone, (the ability to apply God’s knowledge)

Draw nearer to God- not shrink away… v.12,13 (He doesn’t entice to evil – every good gift from Him)

It is a mark of growth when we stop asking why things are happening and start remembering Who is in control. Knowledge is learned from looking around; wisdom is learned from looking up. Knowledge comes by study; wisdom comes by prayer.

When trials come, ask God for wisdom. And as you pray, ask in faith: "Dear God, I know that it is Your will that I have wisdom. Thank You for giving me wisdom." “I need character to match my calling.”

James 5:7-11 (ESV) 7 Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains.
8 You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.
9 Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.
10 As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
11 Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.

You cannot pass the tests of life until you enroll in the school of hard knocks. But don't despair. It is in that school that you will find enjoyment, enlargement, enlightenment, enthronement, and enrichment that will last a lifetime.