Synopsis of Sermon 4/30/23

Delivered by Bishop Walker III

James 1:1-4 NKJV 
1 James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings. 2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

I. INTRODUCTION

1. The enemy is always after your assignment. He wants to distract you from your assignment.
2. The enemy is strategic. He will come at you from every angle.
3. Whatever is coming at you, God will show you how to counter it.
4. There is revelation in your life. When I see the word, God is revealing something to me.
5. The revelation and knowledge we gain, helps us to know what God wants us to do.
6. The enemy can attach himself to you or your situation, but he can’t bother your revelation.
7. At this time, in the scripture, leaders was trying to discourage the people of God. By doing this, they felt they could discredit the Jesus movement.
8. James inserts this revelation at the start of the address, by acknowledging that he knows that the people are under attack. He tells them to reach down and reach for the revelation God has given them.
9. James wanted them to know that God was going to turn it all around (all that they had gone through) to bless them.

II. RESPONSE OF PRAISE IN A PARADOX  

• How do I praise God, when it looks like I shouldn’t be? No matter what comes at us, we must still give god glory!
• The Trials of Life Are Inevitable  
• John 16:33 NKJV says 33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you [a]will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
• 2 Timothy 3:12 NKJV says 12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
• Matthew 10:22 NKJV says 22 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.
•  So stop acting like the devil is just picking on you! All of us will suffer some type of persecution. Scripture confirms it!
• Some of us want to know why us?
  • 5 reasons we get attacked.
    • Because of Your purpose
    • Because of your potential. – The enemy is attacking your not yet, not your right now. The enemy has a glimpse of what God is going to do through you.
    • Because of your presence. – The mere fact you showed up, is a witness of God. Your presence threatens the enemy.
      • Story: If you will remember, they wanted to kill Lazarus to discredit his miracle of being raised from the dead. Just like Lazarus, you are evidence of the goodness of God.
    • Because of your power. – The enemy knows what will happen if you release your God given power! With it, you can cast out demons! You can speak to stuff, and it will move! The power of life and death is in your tongue!
    • Because of your praise. – God’s been so good, we just can’t keep it to ourselves!
• Your Reply Is a Reflection of Your Relationship  
• You Relationship with God matters. We can tell the depth of your relationship by how you respond when you are under attack. At some point you need to mature and not stress over situations that come your way.
• Joy transcends happiness. Happiness is based on an event. Joy causes us to respond like a thermostat. By that we mean, no matter what happens, we are true to where we are supposed to be. We don’t allow situations, atmospheres, or environments to change where we are supposed to be. We instead change the these atmospheres.

III. REVELATION OF HOW PATIENCE IS PRODUCED  

1. You Can’t Trust a Faith That Hasn’t Been Tested  
2. God never lets us go through things without producing something. The trial of your faith produces patience.
3. Many of us want destiny, but we don’t want to be developed. You can’t trust faith that hasn’t been tested.
4. Test Build Your Endurance  
5. Test causes me to depend on God. God let all the stuff that you were depending on, go away during Covid. This was so you would remember where your help comes from.
6. If you don’t work out, you will tap out. Many people quit because they have no endurance.
7. How is endurance built:
8. Through resistance. – Stop tripping if they are resisting you!
9. Repetition builds endurance. – You have to increase your reps. You keep going through different things to build your endurance.
10. It’s your recipes. – You’re going to have to eat stuff the helps your regimen. Feed your spirit with things that are good for you.
11. Rest – Rest builds endurance. You have to give your body time to restore. You have to learn to sit in your tub and rest.
12. Resilience – this is your ability to bounce back. Some of you don’t’ bounce back quick as you used to. God has too much in your future for you to tap out now!
    1. There is a place in our lives where we all wanted to resign. God won’t let you walk away from your assignment.
13. This is all about what God is preparing you for. People think leaders don’t need to be poured back into, like we do.

IV. REJOICE THAT THERE WAS PROFIT IN YOUR PAIN

• When we go through trails, we wonder why it was necessary. God wouldn’t allow it unless it was meant to bless you.   
• You Will Be Better, Not Bitter 
• Let patience have its perfect work. Perfect in this case means mature. You will be equipped for another level.
• Many miscarry the amazing things that God wants to do in their lives. If my people who are called by name would humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
• You Will Come Out Lacking Nothing  
• What you are going through, does not compare to what God will leave you with, in your life. In every area there is a season where God is going to restore.
• 3 seasons:
• Season of Release – Get all the anger and resigns out! Get it out once and for all! This creates capacity or room for God to pour back into you.
• Season to rejoice – This is praising him for the blessing you’re about to receive.
• Season of restoration – Everything you lost, won’t be able to compare to what God is about to restore.