Don't shy away from testing
Dr. Roberto Miranda
(Audio: Spanish)
SUMMARY: The Apostle Santiago's letter contains advice from a pastor to Christian Jews who were under persecution. Trials and difficulties play a positive role in the lives of God's children and are no exception to God's love. God allows trials to form the character of Jesus Christ in us. The most important thing for a child of God is to reflect the character of Jesus through the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Many churches lack teaching on the cross as an element of formation of the children of God. Tests are designed by God to form manhood in us and to take away everything of the baby and the spoiled boy. The parable of the barren fig tree in Luke 13:6-9 shows that God expects us to bear much fruit, meaning that our lives are a resource for humanity and for the Kingdom of God.
God has appointed us to bear fruit, which includes winning souls, showing compassion, love, service, patience, faith, and supporting the church. Bearing fruit means being a resource for humanity and the Kingdom of God. The parable of the fig tree shows that God examines our lives and expects us to grow and bear fruit. A sterile Christian nauseates God. The Holy Spirit is our encourager, discipler, and the vinedresser who helps us bear fruit. God has given us power, and if we don't use it, we insult Him. Sometimes God allows difficult situations in our lives to dig around us, take away our self-sufficiency and pride, and help us bear fruit.
The speaker believes that sometimes God allows difficult situations in a person's life, even using demons or spirits to humble and train them. The example of Paul's "thorn in the flesh" is used to illustrate this point. The speaker encourages listeners to see trials as opportunities to grow and bear fruit, and to trust in God's guidance and pruning. The message ends with a prayer for discernment and a blessing on the listeners.
God has appointed us to bear fruit, which includes winning souls, showing compassion, love, service, patience, faith, and supporting the church. Bearing fruit means being a resource for humanity and the Kingdom of God. The parable of the fig tree shows that God examines our lives and expects us to grow and bear fruit. A sterile Christian nauseates God. The Holy Spirit is our encourager, discipler, and the vinedresser who helps us bear fruit. God has given us power, and if we don't use it, we insult Him. Sometimes God allows difficult situations in our lives to dig around us, take away our self-sufficiency and pride, and help us bear fruit.
The speaker believes that sometimes God allows difficult situations in a person's life, even using demons or spirits to humble and train them. The example of Paul's "thorn in the flesh" is used to illustrate this point. The speaker encourages listeners to see trials as opportunities to grow and bear fruit, and to trust in God's guidance and pruning. The message ends with a prayer for discernment and a blessing on the listeners.
Sermon series on James
Dr. Miranda emphasizes that we need to honor God's word not only in our thoughts but also with our deeds.
1 The blessing behind the test
2 Don't shy away from testing
The letter of the Apostle Santiago is a collection of advice from a pastor, a very pastoral man. The Apostle Santiago was the brother of Jesus Christ and it is a letter that contains advice of different types, different things. He goes to one thing and then he goes to another, it's like having a very wise father or a very wise grandfather who sits down with you and begins to give you advice and the advice directed by the Holy Spirit comes out in a very nice way.
Sometimes it seems like they are not linked to each other, but they are just like jewels, pearls on a necklace and each one of them has its own life and its own coherence. But one of the things that strikes me because Santiago writes to Christian Jews who were in different cities and different parts. That is why he tells them, those who are in the dispersion, the diaspora, were in different cities, and that many of them were under persecution for being Christians specifically.
Sometimes it seems like they are not linked to each other, but they are just like jewels, pearls on a necklace and each one of them has its own life and its own coherence. But one of the things that strikes me because Santiago writes to Christian Jews who were in different cities and different parts. That is why he tells them, those who are in the dispersion, the diaspora, were in different cities, and that many of them were under persecution for being Christians specifically.
