ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR THE GOOD 

Text:    James: 1-4 and 12

Thesis: Trust God to take the trials of your life and use them to produce a mature Christian.

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 I.  __________________ are part of our earthly existence.

 “Pain is God’s megaphone stating to man that you are not in heaven yet.”  Phillip Yancy

 A.      Certain trials are _______________________________.

 God’s Word provides the following wisdom:

 “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers.”  2 Corinthians 6:14

My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, if you have struck hands in pledge for another, if you have been trapped by what you said, ensnared by the words of your mouth, then do this, my son, to free yourself, since you have fallen into your neighbor’s hands:  God and humble yourself; press your plea with your neighbor!  Allow no sleep to your eyes, no slumber to your eyelids.  Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler. 
Proverbs 6: 1-5

 

B.       Certain trials are due to no ____________________ of our own.

1.        Sickness, death, broken relationships and financial ruin are a few examples.

  

II.  In spite of the cause of our trials God can use them to His glory and our _____________________.

 and provide for those who grieve in Zion ~ to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,  Isaiah 61:3

 A.      God’s goal for us is to “Be ______________________ and ______________________ not lacking in anything.”  (vs 4)

  

III.  There is a _____________________ to those who persevere.

 

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test,

he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

James 1:12