Epistle of James to diaspora church. A sermon series by Hope EFC

1. FAITH & TEMPTATION
JAMES 1:12-18

2. St James
writes a letter to Jewish followers
of Jesus

3. Enduring trials brings LIFE
but embracing temptations brings DEATH

4. 12 God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. 13 And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else.
JAMES 1:12-13

5. 14 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. 15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death. 16 So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters.
JAMES 1:14 - 16

6. 17 Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. 18 He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.
JAMES 1:17-18

7. A trial is suffering you bear as you obey the Lord

8. A temptation is
a desire to deny the Lord

9. 1.God blesses the one who endures

10. 12 God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
JAMES 1:12

11. The blessed person
is not the one who is NOT tried, but the one who is tried and who patiently endures

12. Endurance is evidence
of love for God and demonstration of faith

13. Endurance therefore is the habit and discipline of Jesus’ followers

14. KERRY STRUG

15. KERRY STRUG
and coach BELA KORALYI

16. Endurance is
the fruit of the Spirit
cultivated in deep
relationship with God

17. 10 Live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience 12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father
COLOSSIANS 1:10-12

18. Endurance rewards with maturity and confirms our salvation
V12 Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

19. 2. No temptation
ever comes from God

20. 13 And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. 14 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. 15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.
JAMES 1:13-15

21. “Whatever their bodies do affects their souls. It is funny how mortals always picture us as putting things into
their minds: in reality
our best work is done
by keeping things out...”
C.S. LEWIS

22. Temptation begins
as a desire within
V14 temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away.

23. The root of temptation is
false idols promising
failed benefits
V14 temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away.

24. V15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death
Desire Deception
Disobedience Death

25. “Involuntary sins are surprisingly common. For example, the traditional seven deadly sins (pride, envy, anger,
sloth, greed, gluttony,
and lust) are usually
involuntary.”
CORNELIUS PLANTINGA JR.

26. The living God, who revealed himself both at Mount Sinai and on the Cross, is the only Lord who, if you find him, can truly fulfill you, and, if you fail him,
can truly forgive you.
TIMOTHY KELLER

27. 3. All good gifts
come from God

28. 17 Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. 18 He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.
JAMES 1:17-18

29. We can trust God
for He is eternally great
and perfectly good.
V17 Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes

30. Remember that you are
God’s prized possession
V18 He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.

31. We persevere because
we have been preserved
by the power
of the Holy Spirit
R.C.SPROUL

32. 21 It is God who enables us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ. He has anointed us, 22 and he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything he has promised us.
2 CORINTHIANS 1:21-22

33. Trials build us
Temptations mislead us
God blesses us
The crown of life awaits us