“Blessed Are The Steadfast” Sunday Worship Service (9:30 AM in the GYM and 9:45 AM Live Stream)

You are invited to experience, view or listen to our Sunday morning sermon in one of 5 ways.
1) Participate in our onsite worship service in the GYM which begins at 9:30 AM, SUNDAY at 3757 Mill Street.
2) Watch live on the church Facebook page at 9:45 AM, SUNDAY by going to: facebook.com/srcmarion  There are announcement slides and music at the start of the stream while we wait for the right time to join the service in progress.  Please “like” our Facebook page for future notifications.
3) Watch the same recording later on Facebook at a time more convenient for you: facebook.com/srcmarion
4) Watch the same recording later on our newly created YouTube channel. Just type in “Second Reformed Church of Marion” when you go to youtube.com  Or you can click on this link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo3ZNP8OgRarSQXfqzGcn-Q
5) Listen to the audio recording and see sermon outline on our church website: sermons.srcmarion.org

Title: Blessed Are the Steadfast

Text:  James 1:12-18

Theme: God uses our adversity, struggles, and trials to our good.

  1. God __________ those who endure the crosses He sends.
    1. v. 12 describes what awaits at the spiritual endurance finish line.
    2. God promises this crown to feed our hopes.
  2. God __________ those who blame Him for their fall.
    1. From Eden on, sinners made excuses and sought scapegoats for sin.
    2. Blame shifting dishonors God and gives His enemies occasion to blaspheme.
  3. God __________ only good and perfect gifts to His children.
    1. Vv. 16-17
    2. James illustrates with a major example of God’s good gift, v. 18

 

Questions for Further Reflection:

  • What is the Crown of Life? (v. 12, Revelation 2:10).  How does it relate to the other “crowns’ mentioned in Scripture:  II Timothy 4:8, Crown of Righteousness; I Peter 5:4, unfading Crown of Glory.  What does a crown signify? 
  • In what situations might believers be tempted to say God set them up to fall, to sin?  Where did this blame-shifting begin and by whom?  How have we tried to blame our circumstances for decisions to sin?  How does this relate to self-justification? 
  • What does James say is the key factor in temptation?  (The word is used in both 14 & 15).    Temptation itself isn’t sin.  When does it becomes sin? 
  • What example of a good & perfect gift does James give in v. 18?