BELIEVERS MUST ENDURE MANY HARDSHIPS IN THIS LIFE

Proclamation:

“They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples.  Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith.  ‘We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,’ they said.  Acts 14:21-22 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written by Luke, the physician, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  Luke records that Paul and Barnabas preached so effectively in Iconium that a great number of Jews and Greeks believed. (Acts 14:1)  But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the people so that the city was divided.  There was a plot to stone them but they fled to Lystra. (Acts 14:2-7)  In Lystra, Paul healed a man who was lame from birth and the people thought that they were gods and wanted to offer sacrifices to them. (Acts 14:8-18)  Some of the Jews who came from Antioch stirred up the people, won over a large crowd and they stoned Paul and left him for dead. (Acts 14:19)  The next day Paul and Barnabas left for Derbe. (Acts 14:20)  After preaching there they retraced their steps and went back to the cities of Lystra, Iconium and Antioch.

Application:

It is not easy to be a Christian.  There is a price to be paid for being a believer and following Christ.  Jesus, The Christ, said that we must take up our cross and follow Him. (Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:34, and Luke 9:23)  He also said that we would be hated among men for His sake. (Matthew 10:22, Mark 13:13, Luke 21:17, and John 15:18)  However, if we endure the hardships in this life, we will be rewarded in the next life.  So, keep the faith, joy is coming. (Psalm 30:5)

BE PATIENT AND PERSEVERE

Proclamation:

"Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until The Lord's coming.  See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains.  You too, be patient and stand firm, because The Lord's coming is near.  Don't grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged.  The Judge is standing at the door!  Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of The Lord.  As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered.  You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what The Lord finally brought about.  The Lord is full of compassion and mercy." James 5:7-11 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by James, the half-brother of Jesus, The Christ.  James was encouraging the people to be patient, not just with the trials and tribulations of life, but to be patient with each other.  Things will happen in God's due time.  Pain and suffering are a part of living.  Those who had gone on before them had suffered, persevered, and were blessed.  He reminded them of Job and what he went through, and how God blessed him.

Application:

Most of us are very impatient people.  We want what we want, and we want it right now.  We need to develop patience.  Some of the things that we go through in life are part of our preparation and development, so that God can use us.  Personal growth takes time.  We may not be ready to handle some of the things we ask for at the time we request them.  It is also possible that God has something different and better in store for us which requires some maturation before we can appreciate it.  We also need to recognize that others may also need time to learn and grow.  We need to be patient with, and to pray for, others as they learn and grow.  All of us can say, "We are a work in progress, be patient with us, God is not finished with us yet."

BLESSED IS HE WHO PERSEVERES THROUGH THE STORMS

Proclamation:

"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 (NIV)

Explanation:

These Holy Spirit inspired words were written by James, the half brother of Jesus, to the scattered believers after the crucifixion of Jesus, The Christ, and the martyrdom of Steven, the first deacon, when the Jewish believers were being persecuted.  His plea was for them to be uncompromisingly obedient to The Word of God.  The persecution of believers was a test of their spiritual faithfulness and that they would be blessed and rewarded by God if they persevered in the face of adversity.

Application:

As long as we never let go of our belief and faith in God, and focus on our guaranteed victory at the end of our trials, we will receive eternal life as God has promised.  There is a crown awaiting those believers who faithfully endure the storms of this life.  However, there is also a blessing in store in this life for those who persevere through the trials, tribulations, and temptations.  Those of us who pass the tests of the storms of life will be given earthly blessings in addition to heavenly rewards.  Each test that we endure will strengthen our character and help to prepare us for the next test.  Therefore we should count it all as joy when we are tested. (James 1:2-4)  Just as exercise strengthens muscles, the storms of life can strengthen our faith.  By maintaining our faith in God during the bad times we will be blessed.

Faithful Perseverance Under Trials

"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 (NIV)

Under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, James, the half-brother of Jesus, The Christ, wrote these words to the people of God, the twelve tribes which were scattered abroad. (James 1:1)  Believers who successfully endure their trials and temptations will be blessed and will receive the promise of God.

We need to understand that we will be tried and tested.  The question is not, 'if we will be tested', the question is, 'will we pass our tests?'  The tests will be in the form of difficult circumstances and temptations to sin.  The believer who can maintain their faithful walk with Christ through their trials and tribulations, will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.  The reward for faithful perseverance is eternal life, and all of the blessings which come along with that.