Week 3 Just beyond the darkness…
Lies the thrill of discovery.

James 1:2-7, 12

 4/2/06 AM

Pastor Brad Dyrness

Sparks Nazarene Church

HAVE YOU EVER PRAYED FOR THE CHINESE CHURCH?

They are praying for  you too - not what you expect - they are praying that Christians will go through persecution…

WHY?  … so that we will grow!

Just beyond the darkness… lies the thrill of discovery.

James 1:2-7, 12

Harold S. Kushner - When Bad Things Happen to Good People Agrees with James…

1.     Suffering is meaningless unless you decide otherwise. Vs 2

Look at your troubles from a different angle.  "Consider it pure joy…

We are told to consider… or "count" think, reason, it is also same word as governor or ruler.

When trials come along don't let your feelings determine your response - rather think or reason about your circumstances. 

Rule your emotions with a different perspective.

This is not an invitation to pretend there is no darkness - but rather the challenge to look differently at your circumstances and not allow emotion to rule your life

2.     A Sense of Meaning Makes Pain More Bearable  vs. 3 because you know that…

James says knowing that God is using something to help you grow - can help there be joy in the midst!

What is the purpose?  Maturity, growing up.

3.     Instead of wondering - Ask God for help when you do not understand.  Vs. 5-7

How utterly foolish it is to make our feelings the test of God’s actions.  Hannah Whitall Smith

Could it be that God does not cause the bad things for some cosmic purpose but rather he stands ready to help us deal with the consequences. 

80 percent of suffering comes from the moral evil of mankind. So what about the other 20 percent? There are some things we will never truly understand here on Earth. C. S. Lewis

Help me with HOPE not just an answer!

4.     Looking to the Future Redeems Our Tragedies vs 12