August 25, 2023
One of the things for which I'm so thankful here at POPC is the heart for missions that the Lord has given us as a congregation. There is generous and sacrificial giving to support our many missionaries and ministry partners, and faithful praying for these brothers and sisters. We also have the yearning to be senders and go-ers ourselves, and mission trips are a regular staple of our corporate ministry. It's always good to hear reports from those whom we send out—and we sent out many this summer! I hope you'll be able to make it to our Sunday Night Fellowship this coming Lord's Day to hear about God's work through and in our several missions teams that went down to Peru this summer. SNF is also a wonderful time to get to know your brothers and sisters better and love one another in face to face ways, so I encourage you to take advantage of the opportunities to grow in grace!
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This past Sunday night we began a new sermon series on the book of James, and I hope you'll make it a point this fall to hear the preaching of God's word as you close out the Lord's Day. James' letter is chock full of wisdom for living as God's exiled and scattered people among the world. The opening exhortation is so important for us, and if you weren't there this past Sunday I want to summarize it for you. Like all the Biblical authors, James is a realist. It's not "if" trials will come, it's "when." As those who are not of the world but are in the world, who have been chosen out of the world and sent into the world to be salt and light and witnesses for Jesus, we must not be surprised when we fall into all sorts of trials and affliction. We will suffer because we live in a fallen world, and because we are God's people living among those who hate Him. "Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22).
But similar to when you have a fever and can feel hot and cold at the same time, so as we grieve and sorrow during our trials we can respond with joy. And we must respond with joy! "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds." That word "count" means to mentally consider and regard our trials as opportunities to rejoice in the Lord. We are to think differently about our trials than we will naturally be inclined to do. Again, it's like a fever: we can think negatively about it, as something only bad—or we can remember that a fever is our body's way of fighting off germs. In the same way, God wants us to regard our trials as spiritual good.
But how can trials be a spiritual good, and why count them as joy? Because through them our Father is working in us the fruit of His Spirit in every way."For you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." God has ordained trials to test our faith, so that we might grow in endurance - and as endurance completes its work within us, we are made more and more into the image of our Savior in every way. None of us will be perfect in this life, but we hold firmly to the hope that "He who began a good work in us will bring it to completion at the day of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 1:6). And He is using tribulation to complete that work in the here and now.
This is how James begins his great letter about genuine faith, and it only gets better from there. So join us these next few months to mature together as the body of Christ, sitting under the preaching of the word that is able to grow us up unto salvation.
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This Sunday morning we sing "Christ is Mine Forevermore," a CityAlight song that beautifully and Christo-centrically expresses the truth James teaches. Here's the second verse: "Mine are tears in times of sorrow, darkness not yet understood; through the valley I must travel where I see no earthly good. But mine is peace that flows from heaven and the strength in times of need. I know my pain will not be wasted; Christ completes His work in me." Come ready to sing to our Beloved Bridegroom this Lord's Day.