Time to Mature

The opening paragraph presents the main theme of the sermon: spiritual maturity through trials. The sermon begins with James's greeting to the twelve tribes scattered abroad, followed by an encouragement to view various trials as pure joy. This is a reversal of natural human tendency, since we normally avoid seeking hardship and suffering.

The second paragraph develops the theological argument that trials of faith produce perseverance, and perseverance must exercise its full effect so that believers become mature, complete, and lacking in nothing. The sermon references Romans 5:3-5 to illustrate that suffering produces endurance, endurance produces character, character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Other scriptures such as John 16:2, Luke 12:52-53, and Psalm 73:2-3 are cited to show that trials come from various sources, including persecution for faith, family conflict, and jealousy toward the wicked.

The third paragraph applies the message to the practical life of the congregation by listing five common shortcomings in the church: lack of patience when facing difficulties, speaking but not living according to the word, inability to bridle the tongue, conflicts and striving for possessions due to greed and lust, and hoarding wealth. The sermon emphasizes James 1:22's teaching that believers must do the word, not merely hear it and deceive themselves. Finally, the sermon concludes with the promise of James 1:12 that blessed is the one who perseveres under trial, for they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.