SERIES: The Book of James
TEXT: James 1:16-18
MESSAGE: “Does God Give or Take Away?”

How do you deal with difficult trials and temptations in your life?

1. Detecting the lies (v16)

“Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.” — James 1:16

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 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. — 1 Peter 1:6-7

2. Seeking the Father of lights (v17)

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” — James 1:17

“God’s goodness is the root of all goodness; and our goodness if we have any, springs out of his goodness.” — William Tyndale

3. Receiving new life (v18)

Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

“And yet still the lion paces, back and forth. Still the habitat does not feel quite right. Yes, this space was made for “a lion”, but not this lion. It was made for a “lion” that probably doesn’t exist, one who is naturally at home in a cage. And no matter how the zookeepers modify and optimize the habitat, they will always assume that he is the kind of creature who can live a good life in the middle of a zoo in the middle of a city on a foreign continent— a tool to bring people entertainment and education.” — Alan Nobles, “You Are Not Your Own”