Worship Wars
Arriving at chapter four of the book of James, we are given the cause and the cure for divisions that take place among God’s people. The path that James lays out for us is a difficult one. But James reassures us that if we’ll do things God’s way, grace will be given so that we may do God’s will.
Divine Wisdom verses Demonic Wisdom
Deception is always a clear and present danger for the Church. It’s possible to be under the assumption that you’re following God, when in reality you’re headed in the opposite direction. Join us in James chapter three as James lays out what a life looks like that is dominated by God’s wisdom and what demonic wisdom will look like in a person’s life.
Taming the Untamable
Living faith, that is faith that produces life in us, is active and life changing. Coming to the third chapter of James, we now discover that there is something in us that no one can control. However, once this living faith is activated in our lives, it can control the uncontrollable in us. Join as we look at both our enemy and our ally in this important struggle.
Dead Faith verses Living Faith
Many misunderstand what James is putting forth at the end of chapter 2. Some see a contradiction between what James says here and what the Apostle Paul has told us earlier in the New Testament. James is not pitting works against faith as an either or choice. But rather he is comparing two different kinds of faith. One kills and one makes alive. Which faith do you possess? Join us this week and allow the Word of God to reveal to you whether you are spiritually alive or dead.
The Effects of an Encounter with God
When a life has had an encounter with God, that life will forever be altered. We can say that we’ve had an experience with God, however just saying it doesn’t make it so. James does us a great service by showing us five effects that will be seen in the life of someone who has met God. Join us as we continue in our verse by verse study in the book of James.
The Effects Seen When a Heart Has Been Changed
James is laying out the difference between a cultural follower of Christ and an authentic follower of Christ. The difference between the two has nothing to do with where they might find themselves on a Sunday morning. James tells us that where the changed heart will first show itself, is not what a person is doing on a Sunday, but what a person is doing with his or her mouth. Join us as James clearly lays out how a spiritual person lives.
Where Evil Originates
We instinctively want to blame someone or something other than ourselves for whatever evil that is present in our lives. But the Word of God let’s us know that the true source of evil in our lives is the one looking back at us in the mirror. As we continue in our study of James, we now see that there is a process to how evil is produced. Join us as we look at how evil is both produced in our lives and is conquered in our lives.
Moving from Anxiety to Confidence
James tells us in chapter one verses two through eight, that it is possible to endure trials and that experiencing those trials can make us better followers of Christ. Join us as we find in these seven verses four simple commands to follow in order that we might live above the anxiety of the trials of life.
When Salvation Takes Possession of the Soul
What does a Christian look like? Ask that to a hundred people and you’ll probably get a hundred different answers. This is what makes the book of James so valuable, for James cuts right to the heart. As we begin our study in this wonderful book, James tells us that the first place the effects of salvation show up are in one’s attitude towards disappointment. Join us as we look at what a Biblical attitude should look like during a time of trial.
What are the Sacrifices that a Disciple Offers
As we finish today the book of Hebrews, we discover that after the writer spends 12 chapters talking about the great things that God has done, he now takes 1 chapter to describe what we are to do. Among other things we are to offer sacrifices. Of course our sacrifices are every different from those offered in Israel’s Temple. Join us a we learn what acceptable sacrifices are in the sight of God.