Marks of a Mature Christian
Patience in testing from the outside
Four essentials for experiencing victory in trials.
- An attitude of joy (James 1:2)
- Evaluate
- The new Christian has to evaluate his life because of his new life, he changes his goals (Philippians 3:7-9)
- The Christian can have joy because testing is the way to achieve his goals
- If we value comfort more than character, then trials will upset us
- If we value the physical more than the spiritual, we will not have joy
- If we value the present more than the eternal, we will not have victory
- Expect trials
- John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you might have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world”
- Acts 14:22
- Some trials come because we are human
- Sickness
- Accidents
- Disappointment
- Tragedy
- Some trials come because we are Christian
- Satan fights us
- World opposes us
- Some trials come because we are human
- When trials come, immediately give thanks!!
- Evaluate
- An understanding mind (James 1:3)
- What do we know that makes it easier to face trials and benefit from them?
- Faith is always tested (Abraham was tested)
- Testing works for us, not against us (Romans 8:28)
- Trials properly used help us mature
- Patience and endurance are marks of maturity
- Patience is the way of blessing
- Impatience brings problems
- Abraham married Hagar brought trouble to his home (Genesis 16)
- Moses killed a man and spent 40 years as a sheep herder (Exodus 2)
- Peter nearly killed a man because of impatience (John 18:10-11)
- James and John wanted to call down fire on people
- Endurance is learned through difficult times when we trust God and obey Him
- What do we know that makes it easier to face trials and benefit from them?
- A surrendered will (James 1:4, 9-11)
- God builds character for the purpose of service
- God worked
- 25 years on Abraham before giving him the son He had promised
- 13 years on Joseph before giving him the throne of Egypt
- 80 years on Moses for 40 years of service
- 3 years on the disciples with intensive training with Jesus
- God worked
- God works in us as we give Him our consent (surrender)
- Jonah didn’t even learn after trials, he never matured
- James addresses two kinds of Christians
- Rich and status were problems
- Poor – don’t let poverty get in the way, glory in the posit
- Rich – don’t allow riches to get in the way
- Rich and status were problems
- God builds character for the purpose of service
- A believing heart (James 1:5-8)
- The key to praying
- What to pray for (James 1:5)
- Ask for wisdom so we will not waste the opportunity God has given us to mature
- How to ask (James 1:6)
- In faith
- What to pray for (James 1:5)
- The key to praying
- Blessed (James 1:12)
- The patient man is rewarded by
- Growth in Christian character
- Bringing glory to God
- Being granted a crown of life
- The patient man is rewarded by
Irvin's Legacy 