WEBVTT 00:00:00.140 --> 00:00:07.825 Welcome to Commission Thursday, where we believe that every believer is the light of the world and every believer is the salt of the earth. 00:00:07.825 --> 00:00:13.769 Today we'll be reading from the book of James, chapter 1, and from verse 2 to 4. 00:00:13.769 --> 00:00:26.692 And the Bible says Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, wherever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 00:00:26.692 --> 00:00:34.853 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking in anything. 00:00:34.853 --> 00:00:47.456 A wonderful reminder, but also a Christian paradox, because I may love to ask you what joy is there in trials? 00:00:47.456 --> 00:00:56.695 And the answer to that question, I believe, is one that challenges every Christian in our walk of faith. 00:00:56.695 --> 00:01:05.855 But let's delve deep into scripture and just try to glean from the book of James the first chapter and those two verses. 00:01:05.855 --> 00:01:14.093 So James says consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, wherever you face trials of many kinds. 00:01:14.093 --> 00:01:20.533 That verse in itself reminds us that in our walk of faith there'll be many trials that you'll face. 00:01:20.533 --> 00:01:27.421 He continues on to say because you know, the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 00:01:27.421 --> 00:01:35.043 And I believe every believer in our walk of faith will need to persevere because so many things will come our way. 00:01:35.043 --> 00:01:47.123 So many things that we may not understand, so many things that we may not have a grip of, but we know him, who we have believed, and so, as we persevere on, we'll journey on in faith. 00:01:47.123 --> 00:02:11.229 The last verse says let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking in everything, Reminding us Christians that there is a work to be finished and that work to be finished is one that we may be mature, one that we may be mature, two that we may be complete and, lastly, that we may lack in nothing. 00:02:11.229 --> 00:02:14.026 I want to encourage you this day. 00:02:14.026 --> 00:02:18.925 You may be going through a tough time, you may be going through a trial, you may be going through a temptation. 00:02:18.925 --> 00:02:25.663 Remember that there is a peace that surpasses human understanding, and we who have believed know him who is the Prince of Peace. 00:02:25.663 --> 00:02:29.807 Remember that there is a peace that surpasses human understanding and we who have believed know him who is the Prince of Peace. 00:02:29.807 --> 00:02:37.975 And the encouragement this day, in the midst of all that you may be going through, is to focus on the Prince of Peace. 00:02:37.975 --> 00:02:46.192 Remember it's not about the size of the storm, but it's about he who is in the boat with you. 00:02:46.192 --> 00:02:54.493 It's about Him who, as we read in Scripture, was in the boat with His disciples and he spoke peace to that storm. 00:02:55.159 --> 00:03:07.893 So be reminded, brother, sister, irrespective of what you may be going through, look up, look unto Him, who is the author and the finisher and the perfecter of your faith. 00:03:07.893 --> 00:03:19.334 Remember the encouragement and the promise in Philippians 1, 6, that he is faithful to bring to completion that good work which he started in you. 00:03:19.334 --> 00:03:23.570 So you may be going through a tough time or you may be going through a good time. 00:03:23.570 --> 00:03:32.110 In both this season, god calls us, if you're going through a tough time, to remember of his faithfulness and look up to him. 00:03:32.110 --> 00:03:34.990 And if you're going through a good time, look out. 00:03:34.990 --> 00:03:38.069 Maybe there's someone near you who is going through a tough time. 00:03:38.069 --> 00:03:50.609 So be that light that will remind him that there is one who is faithful, that there is one who is the Prince of Peace, who gives peace in the midst of every storm, he who is the Prince of Peace. 00:03:50.609 --> 00:03:53.819 So be encouraged brother, be encouraged sister. 00:03:53.819 --> 00:04:00.467 You may be going through a tough time, but look up to him, who is the Prince of Peace.