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All Sermons
Bible Passage James 1

James 1:2 Trials into Triumphs #1

  • Tony Raker
Date preached June 21, 2026

Through faith in God and Jesus Christ we CAN experience victory! The KEY to turning trials into triumph is to obey four imperatives:

  • COUNT – James 1:2
  • KNOW – James 1:3
  • LET – James 1:4
  • ASK – James 1:5-8

This message focuses upon both “Count” and “Know” followed by “Let” and “Ask” next week.

James 1:2: “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds”

  • Grammatical Usage: “Count” or in the Greek, “hēgēsasthe” means, “first in priority”; “joy” or “charan” meaning, “favorably disposed”; “trials” or “tests; challenges”.
  • Literal Interpretation: Prioritize as sheer gifts, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides.
  • Contextual/Comparison: God keeps His Word: God continually uses His Word.
  1. “COUNT IT ALL JOY WHEN YOU FALL INTO VARIOUS TRIALS” (1:2)
    1. NOTICE THAT JAMES ASSUMES THAT WE WILL EXPERIENCE
      TRIALS…

      1. He doesn’t say “if” but “when”
      2. This is because Christians must expect trials
        1. So said Jesus – John 16:33
        2. Paul also – Acts 14:22
      3. The nature of these trials are “various”
        1. Some trials come simply because we are human
          1. Sickness, accidents
          2. Disappointments, death
        2. Other trials come because we are Christians – 1 Peter 4:12; 2 Timothy 3:12
      4. But because Satan fights us, and the world opposes us, we can expect trials!
    2. WHAT IS TO BE THE CHRISTIAN’S RESPONSE? – “COUNT IT ALL JOY!”
      1. This was the attitude of:
        1. a. b. c. The apostles – Acts 5:41
        2. Paul – Romans 5:3; Philippians 2:17-18
        3. The Christians – 1 Peter 1:6-8; 4:12-14
      2. So the first step to turning trials into triumph is to: IMMEDIATELY THANK GOD AND ADOPT A JOYFUL ATTITUDE!
  2. “KNOWING THAT THE TESTING OF YOUR FAITH PRODUCES PATIENCE” (1:3)
    1. THE RIGHT KNOWLEDGE CONCERNING THE VALUE OF TRIALS MAKES IT POSSIBLE TO HAVE A JOYFUL ATTITUDE…
      1. We are to understand that:
        1. Trials test our faith
        2. Faith tested can bring out the best in us!
          1. Just as fire purifies gold – 1 Peter 1:7
      2. With this understanding, we can have joy in trials because we know that:
        1. Testing works FOR us, not AGAINST us – cf. 2 Corinthians 4:17
        2. Trials rightly used help us to mature
    2. SPECIFICALLY, FAITH TESTED PRODUCES “PATIENCE”…
      1. Notice Romans 5:3-4
      2. In the BIBLE…
        1. “Patience” is NOT a passive acceptance of circumstances
        2. The GREEK word is HUPOMONE
          1. From the preposition HUPO (under), and MENO (to remain, to abide)
          2. It denotes the ability to exhibit steadfastness and constancy in the face of the most formidable difficulty!
        3. It is courageous perseverance in the face of suffering!
        4. It is the continuing on even when it is rough, despite the circumstances
      3. Such a quality of steadfastness can come only through experiencing trials
    3. PATIENCE IN GOD STEMS FROM FAITH IN HIM
      1. Patience as active trust — Patience is not merely waiting but active trust in God, reflecting endurance and steadfastness. It is a deliberate choice to continue believing despite circumstances that might suggest doubt.
      2. Testing strengthens both — The testing of your faith produces patience, creating a cycle where trials refine faith while simultaneously building patient endurance. Each test that believers overcome deepens both virtues.
      3. Waiting well — Patience enables believers to wait well for God’s promises. While everyone must wait, patience—rooted in faith— transforms waiting from anxiety-filled resignation into hopeful, purposeful endurance.

➢ Conclusion: Will I consider my trials from God’s viewpoint?