Upward – Eyes on Jesus – May 15, 2024

Pastor Jim Bryant

Acts 1:9-11 (NKJV)

9 Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.

10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel,

11 who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”

James 1:1-8 (NLT) 

1 This letter is from James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am writing to the “twelve tribes”—Jewish believers scattered abroad. Greetings!

2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.

3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.

4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.

6 But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind.

7 Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.

8 Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do. 

1. See problems as opportunities.

Romans 8:28 (NIV)

8 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 

How do challenges help us grow?

• Drive us to prayer.

James 5:13 (NLT)

13 Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. 

• Humble us.

2 Corinthians 12:7 (NLT)

7 Even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.

• Help us rely on Christ

2 Corinthians 1:8-10 (NLT)

8 We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it.

9 In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead.

10 And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us. 

2. Seek God’s guidance.

How does God give us the wisdom and direction we need?

• Through His Word.

Psalm 119:105 (NLT)

105 Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.

• Through The Holy Spirit.

Colossians 1:9 (NLV)

9 … I ask God to fill you with the wisdom and understanding the Holy Spirit gives.  

• Through Other People.

Proverbs 11:14 (MSG) 

14 Without good direction, people lose their way; the more wise counsel you follow, the better your chances. 

3. Be single minded.

Hebrews 12:1b-2a (NLT)

1… Let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.

2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. 

If you said YES to Jesus, click HERE.