Vertical Vision (Jas 5)
In James 5, we see both oppression and injustice. As James tells his readers to “be patient” in 5:7, he calls them to a different perspective. And that perspective that he calls them to is meant to impact their everyday life. Thanks for watching as we explore these subjects together! “One Response” (Jas 5:7-12)
Contentment Surgery (Jas 5)
James, while addressing the issue of oppression by the rich, hints at a character quality we must develop for our lives–contentment. This subject applies not just to finances but to many areas of life. But in order to come to that place, we need some spiritual surgery. What’s the deeper issue? Thanks for watching. See these videos: “It’s a Trap!” – Jas 5:1-6 (May 8, 2022 Sermon) & “I Want! I Want! I Want!” by Paul Tripp CCLI Streaming License…
Radical Disciple or Rationalizing Follower? (Jas 5)
James 5 confronts the financial oppression that was occurring in the writer’s day. Underlying the content of the passage though is this call to radical discipleship–to not adopt the norms of our culture, but rather follow after Jesus wholeheartedly. However, we may be guilty more times than not of being a rationalizing follower instead of a radical disciple. We find ways to explain away what Jesus calls us to and instead continue on in what we are content and comfortable…
Depending on God
James confronts those living in complete independence of God at the end of chapter 4. If that is what living independently of God looks like, what is characteristic of a life dependent on God? Thanks for watching as we explore that question today!
God’s Faithfulness Hasn’t Changed
God was faithful in bringing what he promised to pass as we talked last time. Sometimes however, we doubt his faithfulness from an experiential level as we encounter certain events and times in our lives. But his faithfulness never changes. He always has a plan, is always working it out for our best and his glory. Thanks for watching!
What Are the Odds?
What are the odds? Ever used the phrase. Sometimes it is in astonishment at what just happened or we are shrugging off something and don’t even consider it a possibility. Today we’re looking at some statistics that should give us confidence in the faithfulness of God to his Word and strengthen our hope in Christ. Thanks for watching!
Is Good Friday Really Good?
My son asked us the other day at dinner about the origins of Good Friday. He wasn’t referencing the biblical account by the eptimology of the phrase itself. So we looked into a bit this week. Is Good Friday really good? Thanks for watching! “Who Do You Say I Am?” – April 10, 2022 Sermon “What’s So Good About Good Friday?” – Passion Conference CCLI Streaming License # 20229783
I Am Not Ashamed & I Will Not Be Afraid
Who do you say I am? We talked Sunday that answering this question provides a basis for answering all the other questions in life. Thus, it is key that we answer the question of Jesus identity correctly and come to the conclusion that he is our Savior and Lord. As ambassadors, which we talked about yesterday, we are called to help others come to this important conclusion as well. What gets in the way of this though many times? That’s…
Letting Jesus’ Identity Affect Us for the Gospel (Mark 8)
Sunday we talked about being on a continual quest as disciples to understand the identity of Jesus more each day. That knowledge of his identity as we live in relationship with him should have an impact on our own person. We explore briefly what him being our Savior and Lord means for our lives. Let’s continue that discussion today and letting the identity of Jesus affect our person. “Who Do You Say I Am?” – April 10, 2022 Sermon (Palm…
Understanding Prayer – Jas 4
In place of a vlog that I would put together, I encourage you to watch these helpful thoughts on prayer from James 4. These pastors not only expound on the text but encourage us to think deeper on this subject. May you be challenged and encouraged by this today!
How Do We Deal with Selfishness within Us? (Jas 4)
Selfishness. It is the cause of so much of the conflict and quarrels that James writes about and that we see throughout not only our world but often closer to home as well. The Scriptures tells us that it is in direct contrast to love, becomes an idol in our lives, and removes God from his pinnacle place in our lives. How then do we deal with selfishness within us? We’re exploring that question and the subject generally today. Thanks…
How Do We Evaluate Our Motives? (Jas 4)
James writes in 4:3 – “You ask and do not receive because you ask wrongly, so you can spend it on your passions” (NET). Motives. That’s what James hits here. We often question other people’s motives. James calls us to question, or rather evaluate our own. How do we do that? That’s what we’re exploring today. Thanks for watching! “War Is Not Just Between Countries” (Jas 4:1-3) CCLI Streaming License # 20229783
Affections Expose Wisdom (James 3)
What does a life without the wisdom of God look like? While we get a taste of that in James 3:16, the Apostle Paul gives us a further description of what this looks like. The Apostle Paul makes it clear, and James hints at it, that our wisdom affects the way we life and ultimately reveals our affections. Or you might say that our affections expose which type of wisdom we are truly following. Thanks for watching! “Heavenly vs. Earthly…
Alleviating Skepticism with Wisdom (Jas 3)
I was reading an article today talking about skepticism toward Christianity. While there were several reasons for that skepticism, one of them dealt specifically with what we have been talking about in James 3. And wisdom is the key to resolving this matter. Thanks for watching! “Heavenly vs. Earthly Wisdom” (Jas 3:13-18) CCLI Streaming License # 20229783
THE IMPACT OF LANGUAGE (JAS 3)
The tongue is quite the instrument. It has propelled people to greatness through gentle and continual encouragement or it has ripped to people to shred and rocked them to their core so that they are unsure of themselves and living in constant fear. What a gift we have been given by God! May we use it wisely as James encourages. Today we’re looking at its wise use and the impact of our words. Thanks for watching! “The Janus-faced Tongue” (Jas…
A FARMER FARMS… (JAS 2:14-26)
A farmer farms and all that the word and profession entails. A Christian…well we have often redefined what it means to be a Christian, the ramifications of having a relationship with Jesus Christ as our Savior. I’m not speaking our of turn or critically. James calls us to make our internal reality evidenced externally. Spend some time alone with God today explore this crucial passage and all its applications for our present life. Thanks for watching! “Faith: Visible or Invisible?”…
WHERE’S THE BEEF? – FORGIVENESS (JAS 2:14-26)
Where’s the beef? It’s from the old Wendy’s commercial. James essentially asks that question as he talks about faith and works. He isn’t speaking about salvation but evidence of our faith in Christ. One of the crucial aspects of this subject regards relationships and within that forgiveness. Forgiveness is evidence of our abiding in Christ and submission to the Spirit’s work in our lives. Thanks for watching! “Faith: Visible or Invisible?” – Jas 2:14-26 CCLI Streaming License # 20229783
FAVORITISM & PREJUDICE (JAMES 2)
The issue of racism is connected to a deeper issue of prejudice which has plagued humanity for thousands of years. Prejudice has not been shown to just one group of people as we commonly think of in our U.S. context. Through the centuries various groups have been show prejudice like the Jews and the Roma people. Amidst all the solutions offered by society, none seems to truly solve the issue. What can be done? What real solutions are there? That’s…
Speak & Act (Jas 2:12)
Due to time, I was unable to finish my portion of text from James 2 on Sunday. See the link below for that sermon. Today, let’s look at James 2:12. James talks about the subject of judgment which has a bad flavor in the mouth of many people today but an irrefutable doctrine on the Bible. What is so important about it for our lives as Christians? Thanks for watching. “The Plague of Partiality” (Jas 2:1-13)
RIGHTEOUS ANGER (PART 2)
Both the Apostle Paul and James warn us about anger. Their commands and exhortations join a host of others we find in Scripture. These lumped together remind us of the dangers of anger as it is exhibited by sinful flesh. It has destroyed families and friends, even nations. Yet, Paul and James both appear to leave room for righteous anger. Because we are prone to just the opposite, we must clearly understand what it is and what it looks like.…