July 17, 2025 • 23 mins
A study in the book of James.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to Kwave's Pastor Spotlight featuring the Bible teaching of
our local Southern California pastors. This week we are pleased
to bring you the Bible teaching ministry of Pastor Brian Sumner.
Brian is the senior pastor of Calvary Chapel Pacific Coast
in Westminster. Skateboarding fans remember him as longtime pro skater
(00:21):
for Tony Hawk. Since coming to faith in Christ, Pastor Brian.
Brian has traveled the world using this platform to share
the good news of Jesus Christ. For the last 17
years in ministry, Pastor Brian has preached in local churches,
taught at conferences, and led mission trips and outreaches. He
is looking forward to welcoming you this next Sunday at
(00:44):
Calvary Chapel Pacific Coast in Westminster. And now with today's study,
here's Pastor Brian Sumner.
Speaker 2 (00:53):
Well guys, what a blessing to be with you today.
And by that I mean getting to jump into this
series on James with you, this book of practical wisdom
aimed at all believers, written to help us grow in wisdom, mature,
which we can do if we open ourselves up to
allow God's word to minister and speak.
James, a bond servant of God and of the Lord
(01:15):
Jesus Christ, to the 12 tribes which are scattered abroad, greetings,
my brethren, count it all joy when you fall into
various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
We let patience have its perfect work that you may
be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you
(01:36):
lacks wisdom, let him ask of God who gives to
all liberally and without rep.
and it will be given to him but let him
ask in faith with no doubting, for he who doubts
is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed
by the wind to let not that man suppose that
he will receive anything from the Lord. He is double minded,
(01:56):
unstable in all his ways. And so getting into this,
the letter from James, but which James are we talking about?
Well there are 4 men named James in the New Testament,
no one believes the author to be.
James, the son of Alpheus, as not much is known
of him, or James, the father of Judas, not Ascariot.
Even James, the son of Zebedee, John's brother, as he
(02:19):
was martyred way too early to have written this book.
And so this leaves us with only Jesus' own half brother,
who is also the brother of Jude, who gave us
the book of Jude. We know James was a half-brother
of Jesus as their father was Joseph, and only Jesus
was born by way of the Virgin.
Mary, as none of the other kids were divine or
(02:40):
the Messiah. Amen. Also being a wife to Joseph, Mary
definitely didn't remain a virgin as what kind of wife
would she be not honoring the marriage bed. And what
we know of James is that he didn't follow Jesus
the First, nor did Jude actually. John 7:5 tells us,
for even his brothers did not believe in him. Matthew
(03:01):
3:21 tells us when his own people, that's family.
Heard about this. They went out to lay hold of Jesus,
for they said he is out of his mind. But once,
of course we see Jesus has risen, we're told in
1 Corinthians 15:6 that Jesus was seen by over 500
brethren at once, of whom the greater part remained to
(03:23):
the present, but some have fallen asleep. After that, he,
and that's Jesus, was seen by James and by all
the apostles. How amazing is this?
Jesus' brother James is highlighted here all because Jesus personally
appeared to him prior to the apostles and just imagine
being Jesus's brother, the one who was without sin, that
(03:46):
whenever something happened, it was never Jesus's fault but probably yours,
that Jesus never disrespected his parents, always made his bed,
took out the trash, put the seat up, and if
you wanna really know which way the toilet roll goes,
it's whichever way Jesus decides to put it.
And no wonder they didn't believe, probably frustrated how perfect
this brother sibling was, but James comes to faith nonetheless,
(04:10):
serving alongside the apostles and once Peter moves on from Jerusalem,
James rises to prominence in the Jerusalem church, ministering to
mostly Jewish believers and encouraging them as hard times were approaching,
hard times of famine, poverty, heavy persecution leading to James
becoming known as one of the pillars of the early.
(04:31):
Church, often referred to as James the Just. Church tradition
says James, a devoted man of prayer, known as camel knees,
as his knees had wealth that resembled that of a
camel's skin. Tradition also radically tells us that James was
martyred in Jerusalem, thrown from the temple, yet the fall
did not kill him, so he was beaten to death
(04:52):
with clubs to finish off the job all while praying
for those who attacked him. So consider.
That this letter, the one I'm reading to you, is
a letter from someone who was raised with Jesus, doubted
then believed knew all of these who we read about
in the New Testament and who was even martyred for
his faith, and this letter isn't like the other epistles
(05:15):
written to unpack the theology of Romans or where Paul
writes to correct specific issues with specific people in specific
churches like Corinthians, Ephesians, Thessalonians. Inte James.
gives us this overall wisdom for all believers, and he's
heavily influenced by Jesus's teaching, especially the sermon on the
(05:35):
mount and, even the book of Proverbs. And I say
all of this is this should cause us all today
to believe that as we dig in, our faith should grow,
that we should become more confident being not only hearers
but doers. And so we read in James 11, James,
a bond servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.
(05:57):
Notice this that James refers to himself as what a
bond servant would that have added more authority if he
said James, the brother of Jesus, and will we have
really faulted his saying this? But instead he says Bond's servant,
the doulas, the servant, the slave. Greeks and Romans would
have viewed that as degrading, but isn't that what everyone
(06:18):
is anyway on all.
People that have ever lived slaves to something, isn't Bill
Gates a slave to getting his genetically modified food out
to the masses or Elon Musk to make sure that
the Tesla truck is fixed from the recent recall so
if we stop and look around, everyone is mastered by
something all of mankind is a slave to sin, and
(06:39):
he says in James, a bond servant of God, and
listen to this.
And of the Lord Jesus Christ, so radical. See, James
was a Hellenistic Jew, and they used this word Lord
Curios as a name for God. So when he says
a bond servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
he is putting Jesus on the same scale as God,
(07:03):
completely blasphemous if Jesus.
This is not Lord James here is putting even his
own life on the line and isn't this the very
reason they crucified Jesus because he claimed to be God
and James will go on to be martyr for believing
the exact same thing that Jesus is Lord and why
this is important is because this is the context of
the heart of James's letter we.
(07:25):
We can read this and apply this to our lives,
but we also have to understand that they are being hunted, persecuted, killed,
and martyred. That's like our local churches here in Orange County,
being attacked regularly, weekly, publicly, and how do we respond?
This would change how we pray, how we think, where
is our faith focused church. Amen.
(07:46):
But this was normal Christianity back then as early believers
suffered regularly. I mean, we read the Gospels and recount
these men's lives, even envy them as they walked face
to face with Jesus, talked with him, asked him questions,
saw him risen, taken off to heaven, yet here they
are slain and tortured and all because of their faith,
(08:07):
the very same faith that we have.
And this will go on for the next 300 years
as the church spread across the world, all in the
name of Jesus. But do you know that today there
are more Christians persecuted than ever before? It's believed that
over 215 million Christians right now experience extreme levels of persecution.
(08:27):
That's 1 in 12 Christians, their families, communities, our brothers
and sisters.
In the Lord living in places where Christianity is illegal, forbidden,
punishable by death, and they are entering a tany daily
because of their faith, even as you were hearing me
preach this and so James says in this too, my brethren,
(08:47):
that's believers, count it all joy when you fall into
various trials, count it all joy.
Notice he doesn't say if some of you fall into
various trials or on the rare occasion, but he states
as fact that we will all face various trials, meaning
this is just a part of life now. By simply
having breath, waking up, being you, you will fall into
(09:11):
various trials and remember James is writing to give practical
wisdom to help us grow and mature. You see, it's
one thing to have childlike faith, but another to be mature.
That's why we're told.
That we shouldn't still be on the milk but the
meat and think about it like this how when a
kid is born we are so fascinated by how they
first eat crawl, walk, taking pictures of filming but if
(09:35):
I try to fill my teenage kids walking around the
house eating or walking, they would think I'm crazy, right?
Because they have matured they've grown past such things and
so it's expected now and James is presenting how we
face trials the very same way.
This is why so many Christians get shook when things happen,
as though they've never had to count it all joy,
(09:57):
as though trials can really shake us and James even
tells us that when we walk through trials, we should
count it all joy. But when you think of joy,
do you think of resistance, trouble, hardship or things that
are enjoyable, easy, relaxing and refreshing for my wife being
raised going to Disneyland with parents, then with their friends
in high school. For us to go to Disneyland today,
(10:20):
it brings out this.
Joy and nostalgia for my daughter going to Japan a
recent trip or walking down the street seeing things she's
dreamed of eating here, seeing this in person, petting desert
foxes and hedgehogs in these little cafes but can we
really have this kind of joy when facing persecution? I
mean how counter culture is this? Well, it's perspective we're
(10:43):
all familiar with Romans 8:29 that we know that all
things work together for good to those who love God,
to those who are called.
All according to his purpose, but just 10 verses earlier,
Paul tells us in verse 18, for I consider that
the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to
be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Why, Paul?
(11:08):
Because in verse 29, he says the goal of God
at work in us through these trials is what? For
whom he foreknew. He also predestined to be conformed to
the image of his son. That's Jesus.
Speaker 1 (11:21):
You're listening to Kwave's Pastor Spotlight featuring Pastor Brian Sumner
of Calvary Chapel Pacific Coast in Westminster. For information about
Pastor Brian's church, visit CCPC.org. Let's get back to our
study for today. Here's Pastor Brian Sumner.
Speaker 2 (11:39):
That's the call on our lives to be like the sun,
to walk through trials whatever we face and look all
the more like Jesus. So the joy comes from knowing
that God is at work in these trials and challenges,
that God is growing us, maturing us, shaping us. You see,
in scripture, trials are tests and challenges. The Greek word
(12:00):
even implies.
trouble or something that breaks the pattern of peace or comfort.
And the verb form means to put something to the
test to discover what is at the core of that person,
just like a refiner's fire, allowing the heat to see
what remains. So, trials are a tool. Growing up, learning
to respect your parents, going through puberty, that
(12:23):
Passions we wrestle with your grandparents passing, your parents passing,
raising your own kids working, growing old, all of these
making us grow. That's why Psalm 23 says, even though
I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil. Why? Because I'm tough because
I'm crazy because I'm radical? No, because you are with me.
(12:45):
And while trials are one thing, temptations are another. Temptations
don't come from God, but from this world, the flesh, sin, nature,
which Satan uses against us. Yes, Satan tempted Adam and Eve,
but they chose to sin. Adam sinned, Cain, Abraham, David,
and there were consequences. That's not God. We are the
(13:06):
ones called to resist temptation, to resist the devil, and
he will flee.
But whether you're facing a trial or temptation, you should
be asking yourself, what have I learned from this?
Satan had to ask to sift Peter like wheat and
why did God allow this? Do you remember Jesus saying,
but when you return you will strengthen your brothers? What
(13:28):
about Job's trial losing his family, his wealth, his livestock,
his health, he grew. What about when Jezebel came against
Elijah Elijah matured, and what does James say right after
when you fall into various trials? He says in verse 3.
So we should know. So we should know that the
testing of your faith produces patience and read that again.
(13:51):
He said it's not faith that produces more patience, but
the testing of your faith.
So literally if we pray for patience we're actually praying
Lord in the midst of my trials or the persecution
of those in James's day, the wrestling with the loss
of a loved one or the issues within a marriage
let the testing of my faith produce patience and patience
(14:14):
here isn't just waiting, it's active endurance. It's not sitting
back but being intentional like the long distance runner who.
Moves at a consistent pace, always forward, not backslidden, and
James continues in one for saying, but let patience have
its perfect work that you may be perfect and complete,
(14:35):
lacking nothing. So patience must have its perfect work. It
must run its course, must be met with welcome, as
if you don't let patience have its perfect work, you'll
end up lacking.
And we can all think of situations where we saw
this take place in scripture where people let patience have
its perfect work while others didn't. Abraham sleeping with Hagar,
(14:57):
how did that play out? Gave birth to Ishmael. Israel
in the wilderness constantly murmuring, wandering around for 40 years,
or Moses going up the mountain for longer than the
Hebrews liked, speaking to God Himself and what?
Aaron builds a golden calf and they begin to worship
it really, but what about Daniel being exiled for 70 years?
(15:18):
Yet through three kingdoms they bore witness in the fiery
fairness or in the lion's den that's called patience or
Joseph who told his family that they would all bow down.
To him, resulting in his being thrown into a pit
left for dead, sold into slavery, only to be celebrated,
elevated in the ranks of Potiphar's house, only to be
(15:39):
pursued and falsely accused by Potiphar's wife, soon thrown into
prison and forgotten about. How would you feel if you
were Joseph? God gives you a dream and you share
it with loved ones and it blows up in your face.
What would you think if you were Joseph so poorly
done to a decade later?
Some of you were there, but pastor, you don't know
(16:00):
what they did to me, said to me how I've
been treated, what I have faced. God does. God sees
your life. God is there for you. So here's Joseph,
a life of conflict after a God-given dream, and he
has every opportunity and right to be mad at God
and would you blame him if he bailed like Jonah
or got frustrated like Joe, but he doesn't.
(16:21):
Instead, Joseph served in the court when it was good,
but also served in the prison while a prisoner. That
means Joseph learned to a base or a bound. Joseph
learned to count it all joy when he fell into
various trials. Truth be told, it was God's dream anyway,
not Joseph's that led him on this journey.
(16:42):
The Bible says we are his workmanship Ephesians 2:10. We're
his poem, Poea, we're his living epistles read by all men,
you and me, whether you're working, going through it, driving
in your car wherever you may be.
So does God just leave us, abandon us, expect us
to navigate on our own? No. James 1:5 specifically says
(17:03):
if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of
God who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and
it will be given to him. James calls us to
ask God for wisdom while facing a trial, a dispute,
an issue.
Something that needs direction and understanding. Let me ask you,
how often do we do that? The cheesy pastor's line,
(17:25):
do we go to the phone or the throne and
it's true. God says, ask for wisdom and wisdom friends
is different from knowledge. Knowing something is one thing, but
knowing what to do is another.
Wisdom isn't philosophy or deep thinking. It's lining up with
God's plan, His word. I've heard it said by Irish
(17:46):
rugby player and part-time amateur philosopher Brian O'Driscoll. Knowledge is
knowing a tomato is a fruit, but wisdom is not
putting it in your fruit salad. And I'm sure you agree. Amen.
In verse 5 James says if any of you lacks
wisdom letting ask of God and it will be given
to him. It will do you believe that? You should
(18:09):
because it's in God's word.
And God is saying here there's a supernatural elements of
impartation available for you as a believer, but what is
it that we have to have? Faith verse 6 reads,
but let him ask in faith with no doubting, for
he who doubts is like a wave of the sea
driven and tossed by the wind. There is our lesson
(18:31):
today have.
faith, not doubting, considering the trial, asking for wisdom, simply
believing and trusting and why is it that God made
such a big deal about this? Because the scriptures say
that just will live by faith because without faith it
is impossible to please God. Doesn't Jesus always highlight their
faith or lack thereof?
(18:53):
Centurion was applauded for his faith. The woman who touched
the hem of his garment was healed, called Dora. The
disciples were challenged for the lack of faith in the storm,
or as the fig tree withered. Even says in verse 7,
let not that man suppose that he will receive anything
from the Lord. He is double-minded, unstable in all his ways.
(19:15):
Friends, the idea is simple. It's that we can't have
one's mind divided between two worlds, gods and this, believing
two voices, doubt or faith and see the ways of
the sea. What are they like? Constantly moving, tossed, inconsistent,
being blown this way or that, however, the wind chooses
(19:36):
easily manipulated. They're not planted, they have no direction. They
are controlled by circumstances and ask yourself as a believer.
Is that how God wants us to live, wants us
to respond? Is that how James is speaking to the
Jews scattered because of persecution? Of course not, but God
instead calls us to ask, believe, trust for wisdom direction, patience, peace,
(20:02):
and count it all joy.
When was the last time you did that? that you
brought your trials to God to brethren believers, and joined
in prayer asking for wisdom? Do you need to pray today?
Exercising your faith, standing in agreement, confidently believing God will
answer and direct. Maybe you even need to cry out
(20:22):
to God for the first time as you understand God's
goodness that we are all sinners in need of.
Forgiveness, and today is the day of salvation for you.
Do you now understand God's grace and mercy, and today
is your day to repent, to trust in what Jesus
has done on the cross, shedding His blood abroad for
the sins of the world, offering us eternal life, which
(20:46):
can be ours, yours, whoever is hearing this, by confessing, believing,
and receiving.
Romans 10:9 says, if you confess with your mouth, the
Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has
raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Let
me ask you today, have you confessed? Do you believe?
Have you repented and trusted? Are you born again? God
(21:09):
bless you today. Thanks for tuning in. I'm Brian Sumner
in Jesus name. Amen.
Speaker 1 (21:17):
Thank you for being with us here on Kwave's Pastor Spotlight.
Our featured Bible teacher is Pastor Brian Sumner. Pastor Brian
will be back tomorrow at the same time with more
encouragement from God's word. So make plans to join us.
Pastor Brian is the senior pastor of Calvary Chapel Pacific Coast.
The church is conveniently located at 6400 Westminster Boulevard in Westminster,
(21:42):
about one block east of the 405 in Westminster. Worship
service times every week are 10 a.m. Sundays and 7 p.m.
Wednesday nights. Calvary Chapel Pacific Coast is a consistent Bible believing,
spirit-filled church focused on feeding the sheep.
And reaching the lost as Calvary Chapel, they are dedicated
(22:03):
to worship, prayer, the word, and life on mission. They
encourage one another to answer the Savior's call to go
into all the world and make disciples, preaching and teaching
the gospel. Come and check out their Friday night skate
nights for the whole family, featuring their on-site newly built
spine mini ramp and street obstacles. For more information on
(22:25):
visiting Calvary Chapel Pacific Coast.
Visit their website at CCPC.org. That's CCPC.org. Join us right
here at the same time tomorrow for another time of
growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ here
on Pastor Spotlight. Again, we'll be featuring the Bible teaching
ministry of Pastor Brian Sumner of Calvary Chapel Pacific Coast
(22:48):
in Westminster. We hope you'll join us. Pastor Spotlight is
a production of Kwave Radio.
Welcome to Kwave's Pastor Spotlight featuring the Bible teaching of
our local Southern California pastors. This week we are pleased
to bring you the Bible teaching ministry of Pastor Brian Sumner.
Brian is the senior pastor of Calvary Chapel Pacific Coast
in Westminster. Skateboarding fans remember him as longtime pro skater
(00:21):
for Tony Hawk. Since coming to faith in Christ, Pastor Brian.
Brian has traveled the world using this platform to share
the good news of Jesus Christ. For the last 17
years in ministry, Pastor Brian has preached in local churches,
taught at conferences, and led mission trips and outreaches. He
is looking forward to welcoming you this next Sunday at
(00:44):
Calvary Chapel Pacific Coast in Westminster. And now with today's study,
here's Pastor Brian Sumner.
Speaker 2 (00:53):
Well guys, what a blessing to be with you today.
And by that I mean getting to jump into this
series on James with you, this book of practical wisdom
aimed at all believers, written to help us grow in wisdom, mature,
which we can do if we open ourselves up to
allow God's word to minister and speak.
James, a bond servant of God and of the Lord
(01:15):
Jesus Christ, to the 12 tribes which are scattered abroad, greetings,
my brethren, count it all joy when you fall into
various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
We let patience have its perfect work that you may
be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you
(01:36):
lacks wisdom, let him ask of God who gives to
all liberally and without rep.
and it will be given to him but let him
ask in faith with no doubting, for he who doubts
is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed
by the wind to let not that man suppose that
he will receive anything from the Lord. He is double minded,
(01:56):
unstable in all his ways. And so getting into this,
the letter from James, but which James are we talking about?
Well there are 4 men named James in the New Testament,
no one believes the author to be.
James, the son of Alpheus, as not much is known
of him, or James, the father of Judas, not Ascariot.
Even James, the son of Zebedee, John's brother, as he
(02:19):
was martyred way too early to have written this book.
And so this leaves us with only Jesus' own half brother,
who is also the brother of Jude, who gave us
the book of Jude. We know James was a half-brother
of Jesus as their father was Joseph, and only Jesus
was born by way of the Virgin.
Mary, as none of the other kids were divine or
(02:40):
the Messiah. Amen. Also being a wife to Joseph, Mary
definitely didn't remain a virgin as what kind of wife
would she be not honoring the marriage bed. And what
we know of James is that he didn't follow Jesus
the First, nor did Jude actually. John 7:5 tells us,
for even his brothers did not believe in him. Matthew
(03:01):
3:21 tells us when his own people, that's family.
Heard about this. They went out to lay hold of Jesus,
for they said he is out of his mind. But once,
of course we see Jesus has risen, we're told in
1 Corinthians 15:6 that Jesus was seen by over 500
brethren at once, of whom the greater part remained to
(03:23):
the present, but some have fallen asleep. After that, he,
and that's Jesus, was seen by James and by all
the apostles. How amazing is this?
Jesus' brother James is highlighted here all because Jesus personally
appeared to him prior to the apostles and just imagine
being Jesus's brother, the one who was without sin, that
(03:46):
whenever something happened, it was never Jesus's fault but probably yours,
that Jesus never disrespected his parents, always made his bed,
took out the trash, put the seat up, and if
you wanna really know which way the toilet roll goes,
it's whichever way Jesus decides to put it.
And no wonder they didn't believe, probably frustrated how perfect
this brother sibling was, but James comes to faith nonetheless,
(04:10):
serving alongside the apostles and once Peter moves on from Jerusalem,
James rises to prominence in the Jerusalem church, ministering to
mostly Jewish believers and encouraging them as hard times were approaching,
hard times of famine, poverty, heavy persecution leading to James
becoming known as one of the pillars of the early.
(04:31):
Church, often referred to as James the Just. Church tradition
says James, a devoted man of prayer, known as camel knees,
as his knees had wealth that resembled that of a
camel's skin. Tradition also radically tells us that James was
martyred in Jerusalem, thrown from the temple, yet the fall
did not kill him, so he was beaten to death
(04:52):
with clubs to finish off the job all while praying
for those who attacked him. So consider.
That this letter, the one I'm reading to you, is
a letter from someone who was raised with Jesus, doubted
then believed knew all of these who we read about
in the New Testament and who was even martyred for
his faith, and this letter isn't like the other epistles
(05:15):
written to unpack the theology of Romans or where Paul
writes to correct specific issues with specific people in specific
churches like Corinthians, Ephesians, Thessalonians. Inte James.
gives us this overall wisdom for all believers, and he's
heavily influenced by Jesus's teaching, especially the sermon on the
(05:35):
mount and, even the book of Proverbs. And I say
all of this is this should cause us all today
to believe that as we dig in, our faith should grow,
that we should become more confident being not only hearers
but doers. And so we read in James 11, James,
a bond servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.
(05:57):
Notice this that James refers to himself as what a
bond servant would that have added more authority if he
said James, the brother of Jesus, and will we have
really faulted his saying this? But instead he says Bond's servant,
the doulas, the servant, the slave. Greeks and Romans would
have viewed that as degrading, but isn't that what everyone
(06:18):
is anyway on all.
People that have ever lived slaves to something, isn't Bill
Gates a slave to getting his genetically modified food out
to the masses or Elon Musk to make sure that
the Tesla truck is fixed from the recent recall so
if we stop and look around, everyone is mastered by
something all of mankind is a slave to sin, and
(06:39):
he says in James, a bond servant of God, and
listen to this.
And of the Lord Jesus Christ, so radical. See, James
was a Hellenistic Jew, and they used this word Lord
Curios as a name for God. So when he says
a bond servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
he is putting Jesus on the same scale as God,
(07:03):
completely blasphemous if Jesus.
This is not Lord James here is putting even his
own life on the line and isn't this the very
reason they crucified Jesus because he claimed to be God
and James will go on to be martyr for believing
the exact same thing that Jesus is Lord and why
this is important is because this is the context of
the heart of James's letter we.
(07:25):
We can read this and apply this to our lives,
but we also have to understand that they are being hunted, persecuted, killed,
and martyred. That's like our local churches here in Orange County,
being attacked regularly, weekly, publicly, and how do we respond?
This would change how we pray, how we think, where
is our faith focused church. Amen.
(07:46):
But this was normal Christianity back then as early believers
suffered regularly. I mean, we read the Gospels and recount
these men's lives, even envy them as they walked face
to face with Jesus, talked with him, asked him questions,
saw him risen, taken off to heaven, yet here they
are slain and tortured and all because of their faith,
(08:07):
the very same faith that we have.
And this will go on for the next 300 years
as the church spread across the world, all in the
name of Jesus. But do you know that today there
are more Christians persecuted than ever before? It's believed that
over 215 million Christians right now experience extreme levels of persecution.
(08:27):
That's 1 in 12 Christians, their families, communities, our brothers
and sisters.
In the Lord living in places where Christianity is illegal, forbidden,
punishable by death, and they are entering a tany daily
because of their faith, even as you were hearing me
preach this and so James says in this too, my brethren,
(08:47):
that's believers, count it all joy when you fall into
various trials, count it all joy.
Notice he doesn't say if some of you fall into
various trials or on the rare occasion, but he states
as fact that we will all face various trials, meaning
this is just a part of life now. By simply
having breath, waking up, being you, you will fall into
(09:11):
various trials and remember James is writing to give practical
wisdom to help us grow and mature. You see, it's
one thing to have childlike faith, but another to be mature.
That's why we're told.
That we shouldn't still be on the milk but the
meat and think about it like this how when a
kid is born we are so fascinated by how they
first eat crawl, walk, taking pictures of filming but if
(09:35):
I try to fill my teenage kids walking around the
house eating or walking, they would think I'm crazy, right?
Because they have matured they've grown past such things and
so it's expected now and James is presenting how we
face trials the very same way.
This is why so many Christians get shook when things happen,
as though they've never had to count it all joy,
(09:57):
as though trials can really shake us and James even
tells us that when we walk through trials, we should
count it all joy. But when you think of joy,
do you think of resistance, trouble, hardship or things that
are enjoyable, easy, relaxing and refreshing for my wife being
raised going to Disneyland with parents, then with their friends
in high school. For us to go to Disneyland today,
(10:20):
it brings out this.
Joy and nostalgia for my daughter going to Japan a
recent trip or walking down the street seeing things she's
dreamed of eating here, seeing this in person, petting desert
foxes and hedgehogs in these little cafes but can we
really have this kind of joy when facing persecution? I
mean how counter culture is this? Well, it's perspective we're
(10:43):
all familiar with Romans 8:29 that we know that all
things work together for good to those who love God,
to those who are called.
All according to his purpose, but just 10 verses earlier,
Paul tells us in verse 18, for I consider that
the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to
be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Why, Paul?
(11:08):
Because in verse 29, he says the goal of God
at work in us through these trials is what? For
whom he foreknew. He also predestined to be conformed to
the image of his son. That's Jesus.
Speaker 1 (11:21):
You're listening to Kwave's Pastor Spotlight featuring Pastor Brian Sumner
of Calvary Chapel Pacific Coast in Westminster. For information about
Pastor Brian's church, visit CCPC.org. Let's get back to our
study for today. Here's Pastor Brian Sumner.
Speaker 2 (11:39):
That's the call on our lives to be like the sun,
to walk through trials whatever we face and look all
the more like Jesus. So the joy comes from knowing
that God is at work in these trials and challenges,
that God is growing us, maturing us, shaping us. You see,
in scripture, trials are tests and challenges. The Greek word
(12:00):
even implies.
trouble or something that breaks the pattern of peace or comfort.
And the verb form means to put something to the
test to discover what is at the core of that person,
just like a refiner's fire, allowing the heat to see
what remains. So, trials are a tool. Growing up, learning
to respect your parents, going through puberty, that
(12:23):
Passions we wrestle with your grandparents passing, your parents passing,
raising your own kids working, growing old, all of these
making us grow. That's why Psalm 23 says, even though
I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil. Why? Because I'm tough because
I'm crazy because I'm radical? No, because you are with me.
(12:45):
And while trials are one thing, temptations are another. Temptations
don't come from God, but from this world, the flesh, sin, nature,
which Satan uses against us. Yes, Satan tempted Adam and Eve,
but they chose to sin. Adam sinned, Cain, Abraham, David,
and there were consequences. That's not God. We are the
(13:06):
ones called to resist temptation, to resist the devil, and
he will flee.
But whether you're facing a trial or temptation, you should
be asking yourself, what have I learned from this?
Satan had to ask to sift Peter like wheat and
why did God allow this? Do you remember Jesus saying,
but when you return you will strengthen your brothers? What
(13:28):
about Job's trial losing his family, his wealth, his livestock,
his health, he grew. What about when Jezebel came against
Elijah Elijah matured, and what does James say right after
when you fall into various trials? He says in verse 3.
So we should know. So we should know that the
testing of your faith produces patience and read that again.
(13:51):
He said it's not faith that produces more patience, but
the testing of your faith.
So literally if we pray for patience we're actually praying
Lord in the midst of my trials or the persecution
of those in James's day, the wrestling with the loss
of a loved one or the issues within a marriage
let the testing of my faith produce patience and patience
(14:14):
here isn't just waiting, it's active endurance. It's not sitting
back but being intentional like the long distance runner who.
Moves at a consistent pace, always forward, not backslidden, and
James continues in one for saying, but let patience have
its perfect work that you may be perfect and complete,
(14:35):
lacking nothing. So patience must have its perfect work. It
must run its course, must be met with welcome, as
if you don't let patience have its perfect work, you'll
end up lacking.
And we can all think of situations where we saw
this take place in scripture where people let patience have
its perfect work while others didn't. Abraham sleeping with Hagar,
(14:57):
how did that play out? Gave birth to Ishmael. Israel
in the wilderness constantly murmuring, wandering around for 40 years,
or Moses going up the mountain for longer than the
Hebrews liked, speaking to God Himself and what?
Aaron builds a golden calf and they begin to worship
it really, but what about Daniel being exiled for 70 years?
(15:18):
Yet through three kingdoms they bore witness in the fiery
fairness or in the lion's den that's called patience or
Joseph who told his family that they would all bow down.
To him, resulting in his being thrown into a pit
left for dead, sold into slavery, only to be celebrated,
elevated in the ranks of Potiphar's house, only to be
(15:39):
pursued and falsely accused by Potiphar's wife, soon thrown into
prison and forgotten about. How would you feel if you
were Joseph? God gives you a dream and you share
it with loved ones and it blows up in your face.
What would you think if you were Joseph so poorly
done to a decade later?
Some of you were there, but pastor, you don't know
(16:00):
what they did to me, said to me how I've
been treated, what I have faced. God does. God sees
your life. God is there for you. So here's Joseph,
a life of conflict after a God-given dream, and he
has every opportunity and right to be mad at God
and would you blame him if he bailed like Jonah
or got frustrated like Joe, but he doesn't.
(16:21):
Instead, Joseph served in the court when it was good,
but also served in the prison while a prisoner. That
means Joseph learned to a base or a bound. Joseph
learned to count it all joy when he fell into
various trials. Truth be told, it was God's dream anyway,
not Joseph's that led him on this journey.
(16:42):
The Bible says we are his workmanship Ephesians 2:10. We're
his poem, Poea, we're his living epistles read by all men,
you and me, whether you're working, going through it, driving
in your car wherever you may be.
So does God just leave us, abandon us, expect us
to navigate on our own? No. James 1:5 specifically says
(17:03):
if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of
God who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and
it will be given to him. James calls us to
ask God for wisdom while facing a trial, a dispute,
an issue.
Something that needs direction and understanding. Let me ask you,
how often do we do that? The cheesy pastor's line,
(17:25):
do we go to the phone or the throne and
it's true. God says, ask for wisdom and wisdom friends
is different from knowledge. Knowing something is one thing, but
knowing what to do is another.
Wisdom isn't philosophy or deep thinking. It's lining up with
God's plan, His word. I've heard it said by Irish
(17:46):
rugby player and part-time amateur philosopher Brian O'Driscoll. Knowledge is
knowing a tomato is a fruit, but wisdom is not
putting it in your fruit salad. And I'm sure you agree. Amen.
In verse 5 James says if any of you lacks
wisdom letting ask of God and it will be given
to him. It will do you believe that? You should
(18:09):
because it's in God's word.
And God is saying here there's a supernatural elements of
impartation available for you as a believer, but what is
it that we have to have? Faith verse 6 reads,
but let him ask in faith with no doubting, for
he who doubts is like a wave of the sea
driven and tossed by the wind. There is our lesson
(18:31):
today have.
faith, not doubting, considering the trial, asking for wisdom, simply
believing and trusting and why is it that God made
such a big deal about this? Because the scriptures say
that just will live by faith because without faith it
is impossible to please God. Doesn't Jesus always highlight their
faith or lack thereof?
(18:53):
Centurion was applauded for his faith. The woman who touched
the hem of his garment was healed, called Dora. The
disciples were challenged for the lack of faith in the storm,
or as the fig tree withered. Even says in verse 7,
let not that man suppose that he will receive anything
from the Lord. He is double-minded, unstable in all his ways.
(19:15):
Friends, the idea is simple. It's that we can't have
one's mind divided between two worlds, gods and this, believing
two voices, doubt or faith and see the ways of
the sea. What are they like? Constantly moving, tossed, inconsistent,
being blown this way or that, however, the wind chooses
(19:36):
easily manipulated. They're not planted, they have no direction. They
are controlled by circumstances and ask yourself as a believer.
Is that how God wants us to live, wants us
to respond? Is that how James is speaking to the
Jews scattered because of persecution? Of course not, but God
instead calls us to ask, believe, trust for wisdom direction, patience, peace,
(20:02):
and count it all joy.
When was the last time you did that? that you
brought your trials to God to brethren believers, and joined
in prayer asking for wisdom? Do you need to pray today?
Exercising your faith, standing in agreement, confidently believing God will
answer and direct. Maybe you even need to cry out
(20:22):
to God for the first time as you understand God's
goodness that we are all sinners in need of.
Forgiveness, and today is the day of salvation for you.
Do you now understand God's grace and mercy, and today
is your day to repent, to trust in what Jesus
has done on the cross, shedding His blood abroad for
the sins of the world, offering us eternal life, which
(20:46):
can be ours, yours, whoever is hearing this, by confessing, believing,
and receiving.
Romans 10:9 says, if you confess with your mouth, the
Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has
raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Let
me ask you today, have you confessed? Do you believe?
Have you repented and trusted? Are you born again? God
(21:09):
bless you today. Thanks for tuning in. I'm Brian Sumner
in Jesus name. Amen.
Speaker 1 (21:17):
Thank you for being with us here on Kwave's Pastor Spotlight.
Our featured Bible teacher is Pastor Brian Sumner. Pastor Brian
will be back tomorrow at the same time with more
encouragement from God's word. So make plans to join us.
Pastor Brian is the senior pastor of Calvary Chapel Pacific Coast.
The church is conveniently located at 6400 Westminster Boulevard in Westminster,
(21:42):
about one block east of the 405 in Westminster. Worship
service times every week are 10 a.m. Sundays and 7 p.m.
Wednesday nights. Calvary Chapel Pacific Coast is a consistent Bible believing,
spirit-filled church focused on feeding the sheep.
And reaching the lost as Calvary Chapel, they are dedicated
(22:03):
to worship, prayer, the word, and life on mission. They
encourage one another to answer the Savior's call to go
into all the world and make disciples, preaching and teaching
the gospel. Come and check out their Friday night skate
nights for the whole family, featuring their on-site newly built
spine mini ramp and street obstacles. For more information on
(22:25):
visiting Calvary Chapel Pacific Coast.
Visit their website at CCPC.org. That's CCPC.org. Join us right
here at the same time tomorrow for another time of
growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ here
on Pastor Spotlight. Again, we'll be featuring the Bible teaching
ministry of Pastor Brian Sumner of Calvary Chapel Pacific Coast
(22:48):
in Westminster. We hope you'll join us. Pastor Spotlight is
a production of Kwave Radio.
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