Count It All Joy – James 1:1–8
Introduction
James calls
scattered believers to a surprising response: “Count it all joy”
when trials come (James 1:2–4). Joy flows from what God produces
through testing and from the wisdom He gives to those who ask in
faith (James 1:5–8).
To the Scattered, a Clear
Command
James writes as a
servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ to the “twelve tribes…
scattered abroad” (James 1:1). Their dispersion carried real
pressures—losses, uncertainties, reproach. Into that world he speaks
a settled directive: “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall
into various trials” (James 1:2). This is not a feeling unmoored
from truth; it is a deliberate reckoning grounded in what trials
achieve under God’s hand.
Joy Through Trials: What
Testing Produces
Trials prove
faith the way fire proves gold. They reveal genuineness, burn away
impurities, and forge endurance (James 1:3; 1 Peter 1:6–7).
Scripture prepares disciples for this path. Jesus pronounced
blessing upon the persecuted and commanded rejoicing because of
heaven’s reward (Matthew 5:11–12). Peter warned believers not to be
surprised by the “fiery trial,” but to rejoice as they share
Christ’s sufferings (1 Peter 4:12–14). The apostles themselves left
the council “rejoicing” that they were counted worthy to suffer
shame for His name (Acts 5:41).
Paul describes
the same holy sequence: tribulation produces perseverance;
perseverance, character; and character, hope (Romans 5:3–5). Our
“light affliction,” momentary by comparison, prepares “an eternal
weight of glory” as we fix our eyes on the unseen (2 Corinthians
4:16–18). Joy, then, rests on outcome: endurance shaped, character
formed, hope brightened, glory ahead.
Let Endurance Finish Its
Work
James urges
believers to allow perseverance to reach its full effect so that
they may be “perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (James 1:4).
Endurance is not passive resignation; it is steadfast loyalty under
pressure. It stabilizes the soul, matures the whole person, and
equips for every good work. In this steadfastness, Jesus says,
“possess your souls” (Luke 21:19).
Joy Through Wisdom: Asking
and Receiving
Trials raise
questions: Why this? How now should I live? James directs the church
to the only sure source: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of
God” (James 1:5). God gives generously and without reproach. His
wisdom shows how to see trials as instruments of grace and how to
walk faithfully through them. We seek that wisdom in the Scriptures
that make us complete and fitted for every good work (2 Timothy
3:16–17), and we ask in prayer, encouraged by Jesus’ call to ask,
seek, and knock (Matthew 7:7–11).
Faith Without Doubting
Asking must be
joined to unwavering trust in God’s character and promises (James
1:6). Doubt tosses the heart like wind-torn waves; double-mindedness
breeds instability (James 1:7–8). The Lord invites confident
petition: if we ask according to His will, He hears us, and we have
the requests we have asked of Him (1 John 5:14–15). Wisdom is given
to those who believe the Giver delights to give.
Counting Joy in Certain
Trials
Scripture sets
proper expectations: “All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus
will suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12). Trials are certain, but
they are not sovereign. God uses them to purify devotion, deepen
prayer, enlarge patience, and strengthen witness. Joy is the
believer’s accounting of God’s purpose in the midst of pain.
Count It
All Joy Sermon Outline:
-
Introduction: Joy Commanded (James 1:1–2)
-
I.
Trials that Prove and Purify (James 1:2–3)
-
II. Let
Perseverance Finish (James 1:4)
-
III.
Wisdom for the Way (James 1:5)
-
God
gives generously and without reproach; ask, seek, knock
(Matthew 7:7–11).
-
Scripture equips for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16–17).
-
IV.
Faith that Asks and Trusts (James 1:6–8)
-
V. The
Certain Path of the Godly (2 Timothy 3:12)
-
Trials
inevitable, glory ultimate; tribulation → perseverance →
character → hope (Romans 5:3–5).
-
Light
affliction, eternal weight of glory (2 Corinthians 4:16–18).
-
Conclusion
Call to Action
Choose today to
reckon your present burdens through the lens of God’s purpose. Ask
Him for wisdom—confidently, specifically—and open His word with a
teachable heart. Embrace perseverance as His tool for your maturity.
Fix your eyes on the unseen reward and let joy rise from trust, not
circumstances.
Key Takeaways
-
Trials are
occasions to reckon joy because of what God produces through
them (James 1:2–4).
-
Testing
proves faith and forms endurance, character, and hope (1 Peter
1:6–7; Romans 5:3–5).
-
Wisdom for
trials is given generously to those who ask in faith (James 1:5;
Matthew 7:7–11).
-
Doubt
destabilizes; confident prayer rests in God’s will and promise
(James 1:6–8; 1 John 5:14–15).
-
Afflictions
are momentary; glory is eternal (2 Corinthians 4:16–18).
-
Godliness
invites opposition, yet joy endures (2 Timothy 3:12; Matthew
5:11–12).
Scripture Reference List
-
James
1:1–8 – Address to the scattered;
joy in trials; endurance; wisdom; faith without doubting.
-
Matthew
5:11–12 – Rejoicing under
reproach for Christ.
-
Acts
5:41 – Apostles rejoicing after
suffering shame for His name.
-
1 Peter
1:6–7 – Faith tested like gold,
resulting in praise and glory.
-
1 Peter
4:12–14 – Do not be surprised at
fiery trial; rejoice in sharing Christ’s sufferings.
-
Romans
5:3–5 – Tribulation produces
perseverance, character, and hope.
-
2
Corinthians 4:16–18 – Light
affliction versus eternal glory; eyes on the unseen.
-
Luke
21:19 – In steadfastness, possess
your souls.
-
Matthew
7:7–11 – Ask, seek, knock; the
Father gives good gifts.
-
2
Timothy 3:16–17 – Scripture
equips for every good work.
-
1 John
5:14–15 – Confidence in prayer
according to God’s will.
-
2
Timothy 3:12 – All who live godly
in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at
Granby, MO |
The
church of Christ
