Last week in Part 1:

The Author – vv1b [Part 1]

This Week in Part 2:

The Recipient – vv1b [Part 2]

The Command – vv2 [Part 2]

Next Week in Part 3:

The Reason for The Command – vv3 [Part 3]

The Purpose of The Command – vv4 [Part 3]

 

Well, good morning to all as this goes up. [YouTube live stream] Thank you for making time to come and spend some time with fellow brothers and sisters and also to honour the Lord and to bring Him glory! It is such a privilege, that we, in this country, sometimes forget that not everyone has that privilege to come, on a Sunday, to hear God’s Word! And we should never take that for granted and we should always thank the Lord for that. “When days are dark, friends are few.” I’m sure you’ve had that! And that simply means… when trouble comes, when trials come, when difficulties come in one’s life – who of those that have been calling them friends themselves – your friends truly are your friends. History has taught us that generally, it is only those who truly are your friends that will stick with you. Also, you will hear statements, like I’ve been through thick and thin with this person! And I can put my trust in them! I trust them with my whole life, because they’ve been there with me through thick and thin! And for some reason when we say those things, we tend not to realize that we are actually highlighting a benefit that comes with difficulties. The benefit, just in those two statements that come with difficulties of friends are few when days are dark, is that after that difficulty that you go through, you now remain only with two friends – people you can rely on. Yes, the difficulty was difficult. It was painful! There was suffering. There was a loss. But now when you look at Nathan, you know that you’re looking at a friend. You’re looking at a true brother. who will be there with you. Difficult times will come! Difficult times are inevitable, But James, this morning, and the mornings to come, will be telling us how we as slaves of Christ…how we, as those who claim Christ as Lord, are to look at those trials… are to handle those trials… what attitude are we to have, towards those difficult times. There are a number of times when the world tells us when difficulties come, go see a psychologist and they’ll sit down with you, and they’ll talk to you. Others will say: “Go see a counsellor – even a Biblical Counsellor.” And they will sit down with you and tell you what to do and talk to you. Others will turn to alcohol to find themselves comfort. Then you’ll hear often saying: “Ja but, net vir daai oomblik… Ek is te gesuip om te worry!” So that gives me comfort. Others resort to all sorts of… some others binge eat. They start eating “aanhoudend!” So different ways, that the world suggests that we handle different trials. But what does God have to say about that? Please turn with me to the Book of James, and I want to correct something. Someone corrected me last time and… and… and I was not sure about that. The Afrikaans 1983 Bible says the Brief van Jakobus. Those who attended last week, knows why! We… they call you… that they are not correct. We said they are the only correct ones. This is the book of Jacob, by the way. So, turn with me to the book of James and we’ll be looking at chapter 1. Last week we looked at verse 1. And today, contrary to my wish, I’m not in charge – the Lord is! We are looking at only verse 2. And I’ve titled this sermon, which was supposed to be a one-day sermon, turning out to be something else. I’ve titled it: How True Faith Reacts to Trials… How True Faith Reacts to Trials. And as you turn to James 1. Let us pray…