Sermon Nation

Count It All Joy

Cornerstone Tabernacle

January 27, 2009

James 1:1-3

After salvation, there is a period in a young Christians spiritual life where God places a hedge of protection around them.  This gives the new convert time to grow spiritually, and get ready for the battles ahead.

At a certain point, God eventually removes this barrier.  Almost like a mamma bird trying to help her babies learn to fly.  When we are spiritually “reborn”, God keeps us in His nest of safety.  However, we’ve got to get out of the nest sooner or later.

When this happens, we become members of the Army of God.  We soon realize what team we’re on.  When you bend your knees and bow your head in repentance to God, you have just picked your side.  You personally realize that you have waged war on Hell.  Now you’ve got to fight!

Ephesians 6:12- We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but principalities and rulers of darkness.  This verse suggests a spiritual turmoil that is going to come our way eventually.

James 1:2- When the fight comes, count it all joy.  Be happy for it.  This is God’s way of making us stronger Christians.

My Dad taught me how to fish.  He catches upwards of 1000 Bass every year. The man can fish. Ben Franklin said, “Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day.  Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.” 

This battle is God’s way of teaching us how to defeat the enemy! Not just in this trial, but the next one as well.  So we should count it joy when we fall into spiritual hardships because God has shown an interest in us to make us better.

About the Editors: Wade and Erica Harman live in Southwest Virginia where they are currently active in Youth Minisrty at Cornerstone Tabernacle.  Wade is a minister and has a desire to reach others for the Lord. 

Our Church 

Mail your submitted sermons to: wadeharman@live.com