Sermon Notes 

James One Mg 1 

The Test Drive

James 1:2-4

1.The Test Drive 

a. Have you bought a car without a test drive? 

                                      i.         It’s something I have never done.

b.     Why do that? 

                                      i.         Because we can get a feel for the car. 

                                    ii.         How it handles—noises, rattles, misses…

2.     God’s Test Drive 

a.     Like a car, God gives us a test drive.

                                      i.         James 1:2 (NET) — 2 My brothers and sisters, consider it nothing but joy when you fall into all sorts of trials, 

                                    ii.         The Greek word here “trials” is an interesting word. 

1.     “the act of examining something closely (as for mistakes)”

                                   iii.         To try to learn the nature or character of someone or something by submitting such to thorough and extensive testing. 

                                   iv.         When I test drive a car, I brake hard. I stomp the gas. I put it in reverse. I jerk the steering wheel back and forth. 

                                     v.         God will test us—but not for God’s benefit; for ours.

                                   vi.         1 Peter 1:6 (NLT) — 6 So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, (our inheritance) even though you must endure many trials for a little while.

                                  vii.         We can call it God’s proving grounds. 

b.     God’s proving grounds. 

                                      i.         They are seasons of life, places of testing. 

                                    ii.         Testing can strip away distractions and force us to our reliance on God’s guidance and provision. 

                                   iii.         Testing can seem silent or distant: “God, where are you?” It tests our trust and how we apply the lessons we’ve learned.

1.     Deuteronomy 8:2 (NIV) — 2 Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.

2.     God will often delay coming to help. It builds patience, it builds character. 

                                   iv.         Testing (those painful circumstances) can prune away hindrances to our relationship with God. 

c.     Testing has a glorious purpose. 

                                      i.         These trials are not punishments but loving, purposeful, and sometimes painful processes that produce spiritual growth, resilience, and dependence on God. 

                                    ii.         But they are tough to see in the middle of the battle. 

d.     They build our character

                                      i.         Trials develop endurance, humility, wisdom, and leadership needed for future responsibility.

                                    ii.         James 1:3 (NLT) — 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.

 

e.     Verify our Faith

                                      i.         Tests prove the genuineness of faith, ensuring it is built on God. 

                                    ii.         Not on our own abilities. 

                                   iii.         God is at work all around us. 

                                   iv.         We too often ask God to adjust His will to fit our will. 

                                     v.         We should adjust our lives to fit God’s will. 

f.      They reveal our shortcomings. 

                                      i.         Deuteronomy 8:2 (NIV) — 2 Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.

                                    ii.         Nothing exposes a person’s heart more than the pressure of crisis. 

                                   iii.         How are you handling the crisis you are facing? 

1.     Panic; Anger- Blaming; Bitterness; Complaining; Hopelessness – Withdraw; Doubt; Lost just wandering. 

                                   iv.         These are wrong responses to right trials. 

3.     Right Responses to Crisis! 

a.     Choose Joy (v:2)

                                      i.         James 1:2 (NET) — 2 My brothers and sisters, consider it nothing but joy when you fall into all sorts of trials

                                    ii.         Joy is a decision, not a reaction. 

                                   iii.         Think of it like this. 

1.     I don’t like this, but I trust God is at work in my struggle. 

Joy is confidence that God is in control even when life feels out of control.