Aug 20, 2023
Friend or Foe?
Series: James
There never seems to be any shortage of conflicts in life, does there? People disagree about something, lines are drawn, arguments and even wars ensue, with each side trying to force the other to change. Regardless of whether these conflicts take place in kindergarten or between countries, the suggested solution is to seek compromise, right?
But, for as wonderful as compromise may be in many areas of life, there is at least one area where compromise is a terrible thing – that is in the area of faith. In James 4:4-6 James calls out compromising Christians, using Scripture to remind us that God jealously desires our exclusive devotion. Three things come to the surface: 1) You Need to Pick Which Party You Want to Pursue Friendship With; 2) God is Passionate for His People’s Obedience; 3) The Problem with Pride & the Power of Humility.
There can be no compromise when it comes to choosing between God’s ways and the world’s.
James 4:4-6
Aug. 20, 2023
To watch the video of this message, click here.
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- Aug 20, 2023Friend or Foe?
Aug 20, 2023Friend or Foe?Series: JamesThere never seems to be any shortage of conflicts in life, does there? People disagree about something, lines are drawn, arguments and even wars ensue, with each side trying to force the other to change. Regardless of whether these conflicts take place in kindergarten or between countries, the suggested solution is to seek compromise, right?But, for as wonderful as compromise may be in many areas of life, there is at least one area where compromise is a terrible thing – that is in the area of faith. In James 4:4-6 James calls out compromising Christians, using Scripture to remind us that God jealously desires our exclusive devotion. Three things come to the surface: 1) You Need to Pick Which Party You Want to Pursue Friendship With; 2) God is Passionate for His People’s Obedience; 3) The Problem with Pride & the Power of Humility.There can be no compromise when it comes to choosing between God’s ways and the world’s.James 4:4-6Aug. 20, 2023To watch the video of this message, click here.
- Aug 13, 2023Recognizing Self-Centered Christianity
Aug 13, 2023Recognizing Self-Centered ChristianitySeries: JamesWe can all be tempted to follow our self-centered desires, that just fits in with our culture's focus on doing whatever feels good to you. Sadly, we can bring this self-centered attitude into our Christian relationships and prayer life. This is precisely what James warns us about in James 4:1-3.Two things come out of this passage: 1) Self-Centeredness Creates Conflict in the Church; 2) Self-Centeredness Causes Problems with our Prayers. We will conclude by talking about ways in which we can 3) Steer Clear of Self-Centered Christianity.Pursuing God’s will promotes peace within the church and a proper prayer life.James 4:1-3Aug. 13, 2023To watch the video of this message, click here.
- Aug 6, 2023The Wise and the Otherwise
Aug 6, 2023The Wise and the OtherwiseSeries: JamesWhether we realize it or not, most of us crave wisdom in some way. We want to make wise decisions in life, in business, at school, or at work. We want to do the right thing and do it well. So, how do we demonstrate wisdom in our lives?James again speaks to the topic of wisdom at the end of the 3rd chapter of his letter. He starts off by exhorting his readers to 1) Show Wisdom in Your Life. Then he turns to consider two types of wisdom and their origins, looking first at 2) False Wisdom which Comes from Below, and finally, 3) True Wisdom which Comes from Above.Wisdom is seen in our actions and shown in our humility.James 3:13-18Aug. 6, 2023To watch the video of this message, click here.
- Jul 30, 2023The Sermon on the Mouth – Part 2
Jul 30, 2023The Sermon on the Mouth – Part 2Series: JamesWhen things are out of control they often are dangerous and are prone to causing damage. This is especially true with our tongue – the words we say can cause damage disproportionate to the size of that little muscle in our mouth.In the conclusion of his "Sermon on the Mouth," James explains 3 things about the negative potential of our speech: 1) The Tongue is Destructive; 2) The Tongue is Difficult to Control; and 3) The Tongue is Prone to Double Talk.The destructive power of the tongue can only be tamed through our dependence on God.James 5b-12July 30, 2023To watch the video of this message, click here.
- Jul 23, 2023The Sermon on the Mouth – Part 1
Jul 23, 2023The Sermon on the Mouth – Part 1Series: JamesSmall things can have a great impact. Germs, for instance, are microscopic, but can cause us to become very sick. White blood cells are also extremely tiny, but, by contrast, can help us recover from being sick. In the same way, your tongue is among the smaller parts of your body, but it can have a great impact for good or evil.In the first half of chapter 3, James talks to us about controlling our tongue. He starts by warning that 1) Teachers Need to Cautiously Consider Their Responsibility. Secondly, James explains that 2) Careful Communication is a Sign of Christian Maturity.You have a choice: control your tongue, or let it control you.James 3:1-5aJuly 23, 2023To watch the video of this message, click here.
- Jul 16, 2023Don’t Just Stand There… Do Something!
Jul 16, 2023Don’t Just Stand There… Do Something!Series: JamesIn a lot of ways, I suppose, talk is cheap. It’s not what we say that necessarily matters, it’s what we do that often defines us. This is exactly the point that James makes regarding our faith – it’s not just claiming to have faith that matters – it’s demonstrating that faith by what we do.In James 2:18-26, our author argues that we need to show our faith by our loving actions. Four things show up in this passage: 1) Self-Styled Religion is not Saving Faith; 2) Intellectual Agreement is not Saving Faith; 3) Belief Without Behavior is not Saving Faith; and 4) Faith Without Deeds is Dead and Cannot Save.Our actions prove the reality of our profession.James 2:18-26July 16, 2023To watch the video of this message, click here.
- Jul 9, 2023Checking the Tree for Fruit
Jul 9, 2023Checking the Tree for FruitSeries: JamesIn a very well known passage of Scripture, James explains that faith and works must go together. James 2:14-17 gives us 3 things that are true about real faith: 1) Real Faith is More Than an Empty Confession; 2) Real Faith is More Than False Compassion; and 3) Real Faith Either Works or it’s Dead.Real faith should show real fruit.James 2:14-17July 9, 2023To watch the video of this message, click here.
- Jul 2, 2023The Problem With Partiality
Jul 2, 2023The Problem With PartialitySeries: JamesGod doesn’t play favorites, He freely offers forgiveness to everyone if they will confess their sins, repent and ask for His forgiveness. It’s this same a forgiving, unyielding love, that God desires for us to demonstrate toward one another.In his ongoing look at the problem with partiality, James highlights 4 things we need to understand: 1) Loving Others is Our Lord’s Command; 2) Playing Favorites is a Serious Sin; 3) We Are All Guilty of Breaking God’s Law; 4) Living Right in God’s Sight Means Showing Love and Mercy.Live right and love without limitations.James 2:8-13July 2, 2023To watch the video of this message, click here.
- Jun 25, 2023Book-Cover Bias
Jun 25, 2023Book-Cover BiasSeries: JamesWe all have favorites in certain areas of our lives. You might have a favorite flavor of ice cream, a favorite shirt, or a favorite song. These things are fairly harmless. But, playing favorites can cause real problems when it comes to relationships.In the second chapter of James' letter, he addresses the problem of partiality in the church. These 3 points become clear in this passage: 1) Personal Favoritism Has No Place in the Christian Faith; 2) We Shouldn’t Be Biased on the Basis of Outward Impressions; 3)God Recognizes People According to Their Faith, Not Their Fortune.Don’t combine faith with the faulty standards of the world.James 2:1-7June 25, 2023To watch the video of this message, click here.
- Jun 18, 2023The Making of a Man
Jun 18, 2023The Making of a ManSeries: Father's DayWhat makes a man a man? Our culture has various ways of answering that question. It honestly doesn't matter what our culture things. Far more important would be to answer the question, what is a real man in God's eyes?In 1 Kings 2:1-4, Israel's King David was used by God to answer that question as he wrote his final words to his son Solomon. God calls men to be strong and show yourself a man. He shows us that Being a real man requires being a Christian man; Being a real man requires following God's direction; and Being a real man requires being in the Word.Real men live for the Lord. 1 Kings 2:1-41 Kings 2:1-4Father's DayJune 18, 2023To watch the video of this message, click here.
