Turning Trials into Blessing 化苦難為祝福 雅 James 1:2-12 罗 Rom 5:3-5; 彼前 1 Peter 3-8

We have a problem: 我們有病: (來 Heb 5:11-6:12) Old Baby Syndrome (Spiritual Immaturity) 老嬰兒症

I. God’s purpose for a Christian’s life 神對基督徒生命的目的 (罗 Rom 8:28-29;雅 James 1:4; 來 Heb 5:11-6:12; 弗 Eph 2:8-10) Character building (罗Rom 8:28-29) 塑造像基督的品格 Spiritual maturity (雅Ja 1:4; 來Heb 5:11-6:12) 靈命長大成熟 Doing good works (弗 Eph 2:8-10) 作善工/達成教会使命 Kingdom purpose 國度目標 Not their comfort 不是他們的舒適

所以我們應當離開基督道理的開端，竭力進到完全的地步‧ 來 Hebrews 6:1a (NASB) Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity. 所以我們應當離開基督道理的開端，竭力進到完全的地步‧

我的弟兄们，你们落在百般试炼中，都要以为大喜乐。 II. Trials/Sufferings are sure things in life. 試煉/苦難是人生必有的. (雅 James 1:2; 約 John 16:33; 約壹 1 John 4:4; 5:4-5) 雅 James 1:2 (NKJV) My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 我的弟兄们，你们落在百般试炼中，都要以为大喜乐。

約 John 16:33 (NKJV) 我将这些事告诉你们，是要叫你们在我里面有平安。在世上你们有苦难。但你们可以放心，我已经胜了世界。 33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” 我将这些事告诉你们，是要叫你们在我里面有平安。在世上你们有苦难。但你们可以放心，我已经胜了世界。

Romans 8:28-29; 5:3-5 (羅馬書) James 1:1-12 (雅各書) 1 Peter 1:3-8 (彼得前書) III. Trials/sufferings are often used by God to help Christians achieve the purpose of spiritual maturity. 神常用試煉/苦難來幫助基督徒 達到靈命成熟的目的. Romans 8:28-29; 5:3-5 (羅馬書) James 1:1-12 (雅各書) 1 Peter 1:3-8 (彼得前書) Hebrews 5:11-6:12 (希伯來書)

Please Read 請讀: 雅各 James 1:2-12 (NKJV)

雅 James 1:2–5 (NKJV) 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. 5 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. 2我的弟兄們，你們落在百般試煉中，都要以為大喜樂‧ 3因為知道你們的信心經過試驗就生忍耐‧4但忍耐也當成功，使你們成全完備，毫無缺欠‧5你們中間若有缺少智慧的，應當求那厚賜與眾人，也不斥責人的 神，主就必賜給他‧

雅 James 1:6–8 (NKJV) 6 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. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. 6只要憑著信心求，一點不疑惑‧因為那疑惑的人，就像海中的波浪，被風吹動翻騰‧7這樣的人，不要想從主那裡得什麼‧8心懷二意的人，在他一切所行的路上，都沒有定見‧

雅 James 1:9–12 (NKJV) 9 Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation, 10 but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away. 11 For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits. 12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 9卑微的弟兄升高，就該喜樂‧10富足的降卑，也該如此‧因為他必要過去，如同草上的花一樣‧11太陽出來，熱風颳起，草就枯乾，花也凋謝，美容就消沒了‧那富足的人，在他所行的事上，也要這樣衰殘‧12忍受試探的人是有福的‧因為他經過試驗以後，必得生命的冠冕，這是主應許給那些愛他之人的‧

IV. Marks of a Mature Christian: Turning trials into blessings 成熟基督徒的特點:化試煉為祝福

V. 4 Imperatives in James 1:2-12 for Triumphs over Trials 勝過苦難/試煉的秘訣: 四個動詞 A total of 50 used in James Count (1:2) – 算 Know (1:3) – 知道 Let (1:4, 9-11) – 讓 Ask (1:5-8) – 求

A. Count (1:2) 算 (計算/算為/都要以為) A Joyful Attitude 一個喜樂的態度

雅 James 1:2 (NKJV) My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 我的弟兄們，你們落在百般試煉中，都要以為大喜樂‧

Results of Counting: 算的結果 Trials are a given as a Christian. 試煉是基督徒生命中必有的. The question is not “if” but “when.” 莫問”是否”, 乃問”何時”. God allows trials in my life for my own good. 神容許試煉在我生命中乃是為我成熟長大. I embrace them with a joyful attitude. 我能用喜樂的態度來接受.

An Understanding Mind 一顆瞭解的心 B. Know (1:3) 知道 An Understanding Mind 一顆瞭解的心

雅 James 1:3 (NKJV) knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 因為知道你們的信心經過試驗就生忍耐‧

A Surrendered Will 一個降服的意志 C. Let (1:4, 9-11) 讓 A Surrendered Will 一個降服的意志

雅 James 1:4 (NKJV) But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 但忍耐也當成功，使你們成全完備，毫無缺欠‧

A Believing Heart 一顆相信的心 D. Ask (1:5-8) 求 A Believing Heart 一顆相信的心

雅 James 1:5 (NKJV) 5 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. 你們中間若有缺少智慧的，應當求那厚賜與眾人，也不斥責人的神，主就必賜給他‧

雅 James 1:6–8 (NKJV) 6 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. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. 6只要憑著信心求，一點不疑惑‧因為那疑惑的人，就像海中的波浪，被風吹動翻騰‧7這樣的人，不要想從主那裡得什麼‧8心懷二意的人，在他一切所行的路上，都沒有定見‧

VI. Example: Proper Response to Testing/Suffering 例子: 對試煉/苦難 的合適回應 The poor brother’s response 卑微弟兄的回應 (1:9) The rich brother’s response 富足弟兄的回應 (1:10-11)

雅 James 1:9–12 (NKJV) 9 Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation, 10 but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away. 11 For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits. 9卑微的弟兄升高，就該喜樂‧10富足的降卑，也該如此‧因為他必要過去，如同草上的花一樣‧11太陽出來，熱風颳起，草就枯乾，花也凋謝，美容就消沒了‧那富足的人，在他所行的事上，也要這樣衰殘‧

VII. Reward for Endurance: A Beatitude 忍耐到底的獎賞 (v.12; 太 Matt 5:3-12) “Crown of Life” “生命的冠冕”

雅 James 1:12 (NASB) 忍受試探的人是有福的‧因為他經過試驗以後，必得生命的冠冕，這是主應許給那些愛他之人的‧ Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 忍受試探的人是有福的‧因為他經過試驗以後，必得生命的冠冕，這是主應許給那些愛他之人的‧

VIII. Personal Response 個人回应