Text: James 1:1–27
Preached by: Pastor Daren Mehl | Date: May 4, 2025
Sermon Audio
Guide Read Through Audio
Opening Summary
We learned that trials are not just obstacles to overcome, but God-ordained opportunities to grow in faith. James 1 calls us to count it all joy when we face trials, because these moments are how God produces endurance, sanctification, and righteousness in our lives. We were reminded that discipline is not a punishment, but a loving work of our Father to make us more like Christ. Trials refine us—they show us our need for God, expose sin, and draw us deeper into trust and relationship with Him.
Opening Prayer
Father God, we come before You today as Your sons and daughters, acknowledging that You are good in every season—even in the middle of our trials. You are a loving Father who disciplines us for our good so that we may share in Your holiness. We trust you, even when we do not fully understand what we are going through. Thank you that you promise we can ask for wisdom and you will give it.
Lord Jesus, thank You for walking the path of suffering before us. You endured every trial and overcame sin so that we would have an example, an intercessor, and a Savior. Thank You for not leaving us to face these tests alone. Teach us to say as You did, “Father, not my will, but Yours be done.”
Holy Spirit, fill us today with Your presence. Convict us where there is sin, encourage us where we are weary, and lead us in all truth. Give us eyes to see that trials are not obstacles but opportunities to grow in faith. Produce in us endurance, righteousness, and a deeper love for God. May we walk in humble dependence, always hungry for Your Word and teachable in heart. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.
Ice Breaker
What is one minor inconvenience or challenge you faced this week, and how did you respond to it? Looking back, do you think it was an opportunity for growth?
Key Verses (NASB95) [All of James 1]
James 1:2–4
“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
Life Group Leader Note: These verses set the theme—God uses trials not to punish but to produce endurance and completeness in us.
James 1:12
“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.”
Life Group Leader Note: Used to show the eternal perspective of enduring faith—God rewards those who love Him.
Hebrews 12:10–11
“…He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness. All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.”
Life Group Leader Note: Emphasized to show that God’s discipline is about holiness and fruitfulness, not punishment.
Supporting Verses
- Romans 5:3–5 – Used to explain the relationship between tribulation, endurance, character, and hope.
- James 1:17–18 – Highlights that God gives only good gifts, and His goodness is unchanging.
- James 1:22–25 – Encourages being a doer of the Word, not just a hearer.
- Romans 8:2 – Reinforces freedom from the law of sin and death.
- Galatians 2:21 – Asserts that righteousness cannot come through the Law.
Topics
1. Trials Reveal Our Faith
Pastor Daren reminded us that God allows trials to grow our faith, not to condemn us. These are refining fires.
“It’s not about showing God how strong we are—it’s about learning how strong He is through us and in us.”
Scripture: James 1:2–4, Hebrews 12:5–11
Questions for Reflection:
- What trial are you currently facing, and how can you understand it as God’s training?
- Why is it important to consider trials as a joy?
- In what ways has your endurance grown over time?
- How can you encourage someone else going through trials?
- What would it look like for endurance to have its “perfect result” in your life?
2. God’s Discipline is His Love
Discipline is a loving act from the Father that aligns us with His holiness.
“God disciplines us not to shame us but to share His holiness with us.”
Scripture: Hebrews 12:10–11
Questions for Reflection:
- What emotions does the word “discipline” stir in you?
- Can you recall a time when God’s discipline led you to greater holiness?
- How is biblical discipline different from punishment?
- How does understanding God’s discipline change your view of hardship?
- What fruits of righteousness have come from trials in your life?
3. God is Good Through It All
Even when we don’t understand our circumstances, we can trust in God’s character.
“God is good—even when life is not.”
Scripture: James 1:16–18
Questions for Reflection:
- What evidence of God’s goodness do you see in your past trials?
- How does God’s unchanging nature bring comfort in changing seasons?
- What does it mean to be a “firstfruit” among His creatures?
- How does believing God is good help us endure trials?
- How can we remind others of God’s goodness during their suffering?
4. Faith and Wisdom in Trials
God generously gives wisdom when we ask in faith.
“We don’t need to figure it all out—we need to ask our generous Father.”
Scripture: James 1:5–8
Questions for Reflection:
- What area of your life do you need wisdom for right now?
- What does it look like to ask in faith without doubting?
- How do doubt and double-mindedness affect your ability to receive from God?
- Have you seen God answer your request for wisdom before?
- How can we encourage one another to seek God first?
Group Prayer Points
- Thank God for using trials to draw us closer to Him.
- Pray for endurance and maturity in ongoing trials.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal areas of our hearts needing purification.
- Pray for faith to trust God’s goodness even when life is hard.
- Intercede for those in the group who are facing heavy burdens—that they would be trained by God’s discipline and yield righteousness.
Challenge for the Week
Reflect on a current or past trial and write down how God used it to shape your faith. Ask God how He might want to use your story to encourage someone else this week. Stay hungry for His Word, humble in His presence, and teachable in your spirit.
Closing Prayer
Father, thank You for loving us enough to discipline us. Jesus, thank You for walking through every trial with us and showing us what it means to trust the Father. Holy Spirit, grow in us the endurance and righteousness that pleases God. Teach us to remain in Your truth, rooted in Your goodness, and transformed by Your Word. We submit every trial to You, believing You are working all things for our good. Amen.
Daily Devotionals
Day 1: Joy in Trials
Read James 1:2–4. Reflect on how God is growing your endurance. Write a prayer of thanks for a trial you’ve faced.
Day 2: God’s Loving Discipline
Read Hebrews 12:5–11. Ask God to reveal how His discipline has helped shape your character.
Day 3: Unshakable Goodness
Read James 1:17–18. Meditate on God’s consistency and write down “good gifts” you’ve received.
Day 4: Ask in Faith
Read James 1:5–8. Ask God for wisdom in a specific area. Wait expectantly for clarity.
Day 5: Doers of the Word
Read James 1:22–25. Ask yourself how you can apply what you’ve learned this week. Act on it today.
Additional Study for New Believers
Part 1: Read and Meditate On
Read James 1 and Romans 5:3–5.
Write Short Reflections:
- What is one thing God showed you about trials?
- How can you see His love in discipline?
Part 2: Study of Christian Thought
Resource: “Trusting God” by Jerry Bridges [Check out from Library]
This book helps believers understand God’s sovereignty in suffering.
Assignment: Write 4–5 sentences on how trusting God can grow your faith in trials.
Part 3: Theological Reflection on Sanctification
Resource: GotQuestions.org – Article: “What is Sanctification?”
Assignment: Reflect on the difference between being saved (justified) and being made holy (sanctified). How does that help you today?
Part 4: Prayer and Declaration Practice
- Prayer Focus: “Lord, use every trial to grow me in Christ.”
- Write a personal declaration of faith based on James 1:12.
- Read Psalm 46 aloud, meditating on God as your refuge.
Additional Study for Mature Believers
Part 1: Read and Meditate On
Read James 1 and Hebrews 12:1–11.
Write Short Reflections:
- How does God’s discipline function in sanctification?
- Where are you being refined right now?
Part 2: Study of Christian Thought
Resource: “The Bruised Reed” by Richard Sibbes [Audio Book, Free]
This Puritan classic deals with God’s gentleness in affliction.
Assignment: Reflect on how God tends to the bruised soul. How does this apply to current trials?
Part 3: Theological Reflection on Holiness
Resource: R.C. Sproul’s “The Holiness of God” [Sermon Series, Free]
Assignment: Write how the holiness of God reshapes your understanding of suffering and sanctification.
Part 4: Prayer and Declaration Practice
- Prayer: “Sanctify me through every trial, Lord.”
- Declaration: “In Christ, I am being made holy.”
- Psalm Reading: Psalm 119:65–72 — meditate on suffering as a teacher.