Jeremy Utley - James 1:2-3 - Choose and Refuse

Jeremy UtleyJune 15, 202012mWatch on YouTube

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Speaker: Jeremy Utley Title: James 1:2-3 - Choose and Refuse Date: June 14, 2020 Our Goal as Christians is this: To be an exact reflection of Jesus, the Son of God (Romans 8:29) We do this individually by growing in purity in our personal lives (1 John 3:2-3) We do this corporately by becoming fully functioning members of a local Church (Ephesians 4:11-16)

Summary

The central message is that believers must view trials not as mere hardship, but as opportunities for God to test and strengthen their faith, leading to endurance. The speaker emphasizes that this requires a deliberate act of will: choosing to see the trial through the lens of God's perfect plan and actively refusing to view it through the lens of personal comfort or complaint. Ultimately, the focus in any trial must remain on one's faith in God's sovereignty.

Outline

The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.

Counting trials as joyThe speaker introduces James 1:2-3, challenging the natural human desire for ease and comfort by reframing trials as a purposeful test of faith.

Who is the Lord of the trial?Comparing people under intense strain like athletes versus prisoners of war, the speaker asks whether God is seen as a hard taskmaster or a loving coach.

God's paths are loving kindnessPsalm 25:10 assures believers that all of God's paths and plans are good, working together to shape us like a pure offering.Psalm 25:10

Trials are a test of faithThe enemy tries to distract believers with surface issues, but every trial ultimately comes down to whether we trust God's sovereign and perfect plan.

The act of choosingTo consider it all joy does not mean feeling naturally happy about hardship, but choosing by an act of the will to view the trial through God's love.

Refusing worldly thinkingRenewing the mind requires both choosing God's purpose and refusing the natural tendency to seek deliverance from the trial.

Regard the patience of the Lord as salvationDrawing from 2 Peter 3:15, believers are encouraged to view delays and ongoing trials not as a burden, but as an opportunity for deeper salvation and deliverance.2 Peter 3:15

Seeing God with a pure heartIf we fail to see God's hand in our trials, it reveals a need for confession and cleansing so the Holy Spirit can open our eyes to truly rejoice.

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Jeremy Utley - James 1:2-3 - Choose and Refuse

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