Mat 4:1-11; God, Your Personal Trainer, says, “No Pain, No Gain.”

Class Outline:

Thursday February 1, 2024

 

Idea: God leads us into testing in order to greatly increase our faith and endurance, and not sin. 

JAM 1:2-4

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter [fall upon] various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

 

The testing of your faith produces endurance. Endurance results in maturity and complete.

 

“Endurance” - remaining under, patience. “Complete” - sound in every part: every grace present in Christ is in you.

 

Prayer in testing: JAM 1:5-8.

 

If you lack wisdom for the test (proper passage, proper application), ask in faith without doubting [imperative]. 

 

Book of Proverbs - Lady Wisdom, find her and find life. PRO 1:32; 3:18; 8:35-36. 

 

Speaking of prayer, what about MAT 6:13? 

 

“Watch and pray that you do not fall into temptation,” (MAT 26:40-41). There are situations that are too dangerous for you, i.e. Satan's trickery has a great chance. 

 

The doubter is unstable as a ship in a storm and is therefore easily deceived by craftiness (JAM 1:6-8). 

 

 

All suffer trial, money and position will not spare anyone (JAM 1:8-11).

Parallel to JAM 1:2 “encounter” in Greek also means to fall into - trials come upon us unexpectedly, unavoidable, and suddenly. 

 

We do not seek them, but we are not to seek to be exempt from them either.  

 

Blessed (happy, Beatitudes) is he who perseveres under trial (JAM 1:12). Also parallel to 1:2.

 

Trials are a good thing, 1PE 1:6-7; 4:12-13; 2PE 2:9. Also, GEN 22:1 (HEB 11:17; DEU 8:2, 16; Mat 4. 

 

When he is approved (dokimos) he will receive the crown of life. Eternal reward for persevering in suffering at the JSC.

 

Seeming contradiction - God cannot tempt anyone (JAM 1:13-15).

 

Two different types of testing are in view. One is desirable and the other is not. Both are tests; one God initiates, the other Satan manufactures. 

 

God initiates the pressure test, and within the test, Satan tempts the wrong response. 

 

God only gives us good things (JAM 1:17). These good things include tests. They do not include the temptations to sin in the midst of the test. 

 

God is trying to strengthen you with tests. 

 

Satan is always trying to get you to flee from God. Resist him and he will flee from you (to return in another season).

 

God, and wisdom are waiting for you to respond to your next tests with faith, trust, and obedience based on the Word of God.