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COUNT IT ALL JOY

May 23, 2004

The Text:

James 1:2-4,12

2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers [various] temptations [trials];

3 Knowingthis, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation [trials]: for when he is tried [approved], he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

Brethren fall into various trials

James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials

Who are my brethren?

Matthew 12:48-50 But he (Jesus) answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? 49 And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!

50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

Brethren enter into the Kingdom

Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Brethren are elect

1 Thessalonians 1:4 Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.

Brethren should suffer tribulation

1 Thessalonians 3:4For verily, when we were with you (brethren), we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.

Not “if” but “when”!

James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials.

Tribulation is necessary in order to enter the kingdom of god

Acts 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith (don’t give up), and that we must [it is necessary - present indicative] through [by the means of] much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God (“…reign with Him a thousand years,” Rev.20:6).

Appointed unto a kingdom

Luke 22:28-30 "But you (chosen disciples) are those who have continued with Me in My trials. 29 And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; 30 That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging (ruling) the twelve tribes of Israel.

Brethren are appointed to tribulation

1 Thessalonians 3:3 That no man should be moved (shaken) by these afflictions [Gk. thlipsis – tribulations]: for yourselves know that we are appointed to this.

Count it all joy

James 1:2 Mybrethren, count it all joy when you fall into various (many forms) trials

A tested faith develops endurance

James 1:3 Knowing this (not feeling), that the trying of your faith [“an approved faith or tested faith”] worketh [produces or develops] patience [hupomeno – endurance].

Jesus endured

Hebrews 12:3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

Jesus was an overcomer

Revelation 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

Overcomers win their souls by endurance

Luke 21:19 In your patience [endurance] possess [or win] ye your souls.

Endurance can make us overcomers

James 1:4 But let patience [endurance] have [present active imperative] her perfect work [let it accomplish its goal], that [for this reason] ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing (a description of an overcomer at the Judgment Seat of Christ).

Not yet perfect

Colossians 1:28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:

He that endures trials is crowned

James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation [testing or trials]: for [because] when he is tried [Gk. dokimos – stands approved of at the Judgment Seat], he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

To be crowned means we reign with him

2 Timothy 2:12 If we (the elect, v.10) ENDURE (to the end in our trials), we shall also reign with him (as an overcomer in the kingdom): if we deny him (by not enduring), he also will deny us (from entering the kingdom):

Think it not strange

1 Peter 4:12Beloved (elect, 1:2), think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

But rejoice!

1Peter 4:13 But rejoice, inasmuch as [or in the same measure] ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed (in the kingdom age), ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

We can be ashamed in that day

1 John 2:28 And now, little children, abide in him (endurance); that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

Tribulations make us worthy of the kingdom

2Thessalonians 1:4-5 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience (endurance) and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: 5 Which (tribulations) is a manifest token [an outward symbol, sign, or evidence] of the righteous judgment of God (meaning He is interested in you), that [as a result] ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer