Sep 4, 2011
The Book of James ends with two verses that summarize the whole message of this book – we need to be rescued, and then we need to be about the work of rescuing others! In the 108 verses in this short book, we have seen over 50 imperative verbs, calls to action, calls to live for Jesus in the midst of the trials of life so that the world can see the work of...
Aug 28, 2011
Over the course of the past months, the Book of James has confronted us with regards to our actions in the face of the world’s challenges. We have been called upon to walk differently than the world, reflecting the work of the Holy Spirit before the unregenerate. For most, the messages James has delivered are not hard to understand, but may seem to be...
Aug 14, 2011
Martin Luther, the great reformer, once said “If Christ were coming again tomorrow, I would plant a tree today.” His point was this: we should live every day as if we expect Jesus to return imminently, and yet also we continue to build His Kingdom with all of our energy in the days we have. It is this understanding of the sure and certain return of Jesus...
Jul 31, 2011
It is crucial to remember the overall purpose for the Book of James – it is to encourage us to be witnesses of the Lord, in thought, word and deed. And, as we live for Jesus in the midst of daily life, our witness will be used by the Lord to grow His church, expanding His Kingdom. In our text today, James 4:11-17, we learn that as God builds His church, we...
Jul 25, 2011
This week’s sermon reveals the source of many of the conflicts we have in our relationships. While we would all like to blame our opponent, James hits us right between the eyes with the harsh truth – the problem is inside of us. And painfully, our conflict stems from our idolatry. We say we love Jesus, but we strive for something more. And when we...
Jul 17, 2011
Every stop we have made thus far in the Book of James has revealed a common message – we need Jesus. The call to live for the Lord, to respond to the challenges of life in such a way as we bring glory to the name of our God, is beyond us. Today’s message presents the same call, this time showing how we need the Lord when it comes to the decisions of...
Jul 10, 2011
Perhaps you heard the old childhood refrain, “Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me.” Well, James tells us clearly in the third chapter of his epistle that this refrain is an outright lie. While the wounds we may receive from sticks and stones can hurt for a time, we will typically find healing. But the wounds and hurts...
Jul 3, 2011
The book of James contains one of the most controversial sections of Scripture, verses 14 to 26 of chapter 2. In these verses, we seem to be faced with a contrary message to that promoted by Apostle Paul, that we are saved by faith. James seems to say that faith alone cannot save, and that we are justified by our works. But how can that be? do our works really...
Jun 26, 2011
The Book of James is almost like boot camp Christianity. There is a focus on the basics that is clear to see, but sometimes painful as well. This week is no exception. We are confronted with our tendency as sinful people to seek to avoid those not like us. Partiality, expressed in favoritism and prejudice, are seen all the time in the world – but they have...
Jun 19, 2011
The Book of James was a letter written by a pastor to a congregation who have been spread far and wide by God’s appointment. The purpose of the letter was to encourage them to fulfill their mission: to share the Gospel of Jesus in communities throughout the known world. Today, we will see how James encourages them, and therefore us, to evaluate our faith...
