What to Do When the Heat’s Turned Up | First Baptist Church Seminole

What to Do When the Heat's Turned Up

Joe Stewart

Sunday, July 06, 2025

What To Do

Sunday Morning

What to Do When the Heat's Turned Up

It’s easy to say we trust the Lord and talk about his goodness when life seems to be going well, but when trials come our way, our faith is put to the test. What we trust in is exposed. In this message from James 1:1–12 Pastor Joe Stewart shows, that we see how, by God’s grace, trials can actually serve to strengthen our faith. We can even have joy in trials—but only when God is our ultimate goal.

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First Baptist Church Seminole Tx

202 SW Ave B, Seminole, TX 79360, USA

Sunday 5:00 AM

Faith Developed and Lived Out: James 1 in Action

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James 1:1-12 NIV

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings.Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kindsbecause you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position.But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower.For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

Trials are trails to joy if God is your goal. (Purpose)

Trials are trails to grow if faith is your focus (Perseverance)

Trials are trails to teach you to trust in the wisdom of God (Perspective)

Trials are trails that drive you to live for the glory of God (Prize)

1. Trials are trials to joy if God is your goal. (Purpose)

James 1:3-4, James 1:9-11 NIV

because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position.But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower.For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.

Teleios - It's not perfection but direction towards maturity

2. Trials are trails to grow if faith is your focus (Perseverance)

James 1:1-3 NIV

Matthew 5:13-16 NIV

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

James 1:12

3. Trials are trails to teach you to trust in the wisdom of God
(Perspective)

James 1:5-8 NIV

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

God gives wisdom generously, abundantly, literally without hesitation, discrimination and without question.

Faith in the middle of a trial brings stability, while lack of faith brings instability.

The only faith that gets the help of heaven trusts God.

4. Trials are trails that drive you to live for the glory of God (Prize)

James 1:12 NIV

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

Discussion Questions:
Read James 1:1–12 aloud.
From the references to trials in this passage, what might you observe about their nature? (vv. 2–4, 12)

From the references to the Lord in this passage, what might you observe about His nature? (vv. 5–8, 12)

From the references to people across this passage, what might you observe about our nature?

What other noteworthy observations might you share?

For the believer, what are the Lord’s purposes through trials in (or amid) their life? (cf. 1 Peter 1:6–7)

For the believer, what might distract him/her from the Lord’s purposes through trials in (or amid) their life? (James 1:9–11)

Application: How can we apply this passage to our lives?

How do you normally react to trials in (or amid) your life, and why?

How have your personal trials impacted your faith? What fuels this impact?

How has your faith impacted your personal perspective on and experience with trials? What fuels this impact?

How (i.e., on what grounds) might it be possible to genuinely know the joy of the Lord amid trials? (cf. Nehemiah 8:1–12)

Sunday Worship Service | 9A & 10:30A

What to Do When the Heat's Turned Up

What to Do When the Heat's Turned Up

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Faith Developed and Lived Out: James 1 in Action

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