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God’s Word, God’s Power, God’s Worship
God's power...
God's worship...
In the grand scheme of life, you know what we need? More of God's word, and a deeper understanding of how it gives us all things for life and godliness. We need more awe of the power of God and how supreme He truly is. And we need to never lose sight that the end of all things is his glory and worship. Ezra 5 and 6 will give us the reminders we need on each of these.
Ezra 5-6 | God's word...
God's power...
God's worship...
In the grand scheme of life, you know what we need? More of God's word, and a deeper understanding of how it gives us all things for life and godliness. We need more awe of the power of God and how supreme He truly is. And we need to never lose sight that the end of all things is his glory and worship. Ezra 5 and 6 will give us the reminders we need on each of these.
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Lord, Revive Our Worship (Part 2)
Ezra 3 | There is no revival of heart without revival of worship. Worship is the response of praise and adoration to God because of who God is. When the Holy Spirit has opened the eyes of the heart to see God for who he is, we cannot help but worship him for who He is. In Ezra 3 we will be reminded of the glory of who God is, why he is worthy of worship, and how worship of him is revived afresh in our hearts. Let's journey together through this great chapter as we look at four words to revive our worship.
Ezra 3 | There is no revival of heart without revival of worship. Worship is the response of praise and adoration to God because of who God is. When the Holy Spirit has opened the eyes of the heart to see God for who he is, we cannot help but worship him for who He is. In Ezra 3 we will be reminded of the glory of who God is, why he is worthy of worship, and how worship of him is revived afresh in our hearts. Let's journey together through this great chapter as we look at four words to revive our worship.
Lord, Revive Our Worship
Ezra 3 | There is no revival of heart without revival of worship. Worship is the response of praise and adoration to God because of who God is. When the Holy Spirit has opened the eyes of the heart to see God for who he is, we cannot help but worship him for who He is. In Ezra 3 we will be reminded of the glory of who God is, why he is worthy of worship, and how worship of him is revived afresh in our hearts. Let's journey together through this great chapter as we look at four words to revive our worship.
Ezra 3 | There is no revival of heart without revival of worship. Worship is the response of praise and adoration to God because of who God is. When the Holy Spirit has opened the eyes of the heart to see God for who he is, we cannot help but worship him for who He is. In Ezra 3 we will be reminded of the glory of who God is, why he is worthy of worship, and how worship of him is revived afresh in our hearts. Let's journey together through this great chapter as we look at four words to revive our worship.
When God Stirs
Ezra 1 & 2 | Our God is sovereign. Period. There is nothing outside of his sovereign hand and plan. In Ezra 1 & 2 we get to watch our sovereign God at work as he orchestrates his sovereign ways to fulfill his purposes for his glory and the good of his people. As we unpack these chapters, we will see how much a BIG understanding in the BIG sovereignty of God brings BIG peace and purpose in our lives.
Ezra 1 & 2 | Our God is sovereign. Period. There is nothing outside of his sovereign hand and plan. In Ezra 1 & 2 we get to watch our sovereign God at work as he orchestrates his sovereign ways to fulfill his purposes for his glory and the good of his people. As we unpack these chapters, we will see how much a BIG understanding in the BIG sovereignty of God brings BIG peace and purpose in our lives.
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When Life Lets You Down
Psalm 62 | Life on this side of heaven is full of unmet expectations. Throughout our life we are met with the deep sense of things not being what we had planned or hoped them to be. The college choice has turned out to not be what we thought. The relationship with adult children isn't what you hoped it would be. You planned to be married by now. You prayed to have children by now. These unmet expectations can mark some of the greatest struggles and disappointments in life. How do we handle and where do we turn when life isn't what we expected? Let's turn to Psalm 62 for help and hope in the unmet expectations of life.
Psalm 62 | Life on this side of heaven is full of unmet expectations. Throughout our life we are met with the deep sense of things not being what we had planned or hoped them to be. The college choice has turned out to not be what we thought. The relationship with adult children isn't what you hoped it would be. You planned to be married by now. You prayed to have children by now. These unmet expectations can mark some of the greatest struggles and disappointments in life. How do we handle and where do we turn when life isn't what we expected? Let's turn to Psalm 62 for help and hope in the unmet expectations of life.
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Merciful Forgiveness
If someone asked you to describe how much Christ has forgiven you, what words would you use? Astronomically. Astoundingly. Indescribably. Infinitely. There are no words we can adequately grab ahold of to describe Christ's forgiveness extended to us. It's when we understand how deeply we have been forgiven that we will live a life of forgiveness toward others. My unforgiveness is a sign that I have never experienced Christ's forgiveness, or if I have, I have lost sight of how much I have been forgiven. We turn to one of Jesus' powerful parables on forgiveness for a deeper understanding of how those who have been mercifully forgiven forgive mercifully.
Matthew 18:21-35 | If someone asked you to describe how much Christ has forgiven you, what words would you use? Astronomically. Astoundingly. Indescribably. Infinitely. There are no words we can adequately grab ahold of to describe Christ's forgiveness extended to us. It's when we understand how deeply we have been forgiven that we will live a life of forgiveness toward others. My unforgiveness is a sign that I have never experienced Christ's forgiveness, or if I have, I have lost sight of how much I have been forgiven. We turn to one of Jesus' powerful parables on forgiveness for a deeper understanding of how those who have been mercifully forgiven forgive mercifully.
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Living In The Light
The gospel invites us to a lifestyle of confession. Jesus Christ came to seek and save the lost. He came to save sinners. Because of this, we don't need to excuse sin or deny sin, but rather we can confess our sin to a faithful and just God and receive his forgiveness and cleansing. Join us as we turn to 1 John 1:5-10 to be spurred toward a life of gospel-motivated confession and away from a life of being buried in the darkness of our unconfessed sin.
1 John 1:5-10 | The gospel invites us to a lifestyle of confession. Jesus Christ came to seek and save the lost. He came to save sinners. Because of this, we don't need to excuse sin or deny sin, but rather we can confess our sin to a faithful and just God and receive his forgiveness and cleansing. Join us as we turn to 1 John 1:5-10 to be spurred toward a life of gospel-motivated confession and away from a life of being buried in the darkness of our unconfessed sin.
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Pray, Praise, Pursue
James 5:13-20 | In typical field manual fashion, James ends his letter with pointed, practical help for a variety of situations in life. There is a word to the sufferer, the cheerful, the sick, and a call to pursue the wanderer. In it all, we see the power of prayer, praise, and pursuit. Let's end this study by gleaning the power of what James leaves us with as he closes out his field manual of authentic faith lived out.
James 5:13-20 | In typical field manual fashion, James ends his letter with pointed, practical help for a variety of situations in life. There is a word to the sufferer, the cheerful, the sick, and a call to pursue the wanderer. In it all, we see the power of prayer, praise, and pursuit. Let's end this study by gleaning the power of what James leaves us with as he closes out his field manual of authentic faith lived out.
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Riches Now, Misery Later
James 5:1-6 | Jesus cut it straight, "You cannot serve God and money." Period. If I am serving money I am not and cannot serve God. In James 5:1-6, James speaks a word to rich, oppressive unbelievers warning them that though they may have present riches, they are facing a future judgment. Within this warning he speaks of three indictments against them, and these three indictments serve as pointed warnings to us. Let's let God's word search us as we look together at three warnings money is my god.
James 5:1-6 | Jesus cut it straight, "You cannot serve God and money." Period. If I am serving money I am not and cannot serve God. In James 5:1-6, James speaks a word to rich, oppressive unbelievers warning them that though they may have present riches, they are facing a future judgment. Within this warning he speaks of three indictments against them, and these three indictments serve as pointed warnings to us. Let's let God's word search us as we look together at three warnings money is my god.
Waging War on Worldliness
Worldliness sets in so subtly. It can be hard to identify ways we have taken up a friendship with the world that is opposed to God. Though it may be subtle, it is deadly. We must wage war on worldliness and we have to know the battle plan God gives us to do so. James 4:1-12 gives us the answers to four questions we must know in order to wage war on worldliness in our lives.
James 4:1-12 | Worldliness sets in so subtly. It can be hard to identify ways we have taken up a friendship with the world that is opposed to God. Though it may be subtle, it is deadly. We must wage war on worldliness and we have to know the battle plan God gives us to do so. James 4:1-12 gives us the answers to four questions we must know in order to wage war on worldliness in our lives.
Wisdom From Above
If we lack wisdom we can ask God, and he will give it to us generously. But how do we recognize the wisdom from above? What are the characteristics of wisdom that come from God and how do we keep ourselves from falling into the counterfeits of a worldly, unspiritual, demonic "wisdom"? Fortunately for us, James gives us teaching this week to address this very thing. Together we will look at "Four A's to Aid us in Identifying Wisdom from Above.”
James 3:13-18 | If we lack wisdom we can ask God, and he will give it to us generously. But how do we recognize the wisdom from above? What are the characteristics of wisdom that come from God and how do we keep ourselves from falling into the counterfeits of a worldly, unspiritual, demonic "wisdom"? Fortunately for us, James gives us teaching this week to address this very thing. Together we will look at "Four A's to Aid us in Identifying Wisdom from Above.”
The Destructive Power of a Dangerous Tongue
Have you ever said something you wish you could have back? Have you ever said a foolish thing at the totally wrong time? Have you ever opened your mouth to spew angry words when you knew you should be quiet instead? Why do we do this? Why do we so often say what we know we shouldn't? James tells us why. Today we look at four dangerously destructive truths of the tongue from James 3:1-12.
James 3:1-12 | Have you ever said something you wish you could have back? Have you ever said a foolish thing at the totally wrong time? Have you ever opened your mouth to spew angry words when you knew you should be quiet instead? Why do we do this? Why do we so often say what we know we shouldn't? James tells us why. Today we look at four dangerously destructive truths of the tongue from James 3:1-12.
He Has Risen
Do you have any Easter expectations? You may have not thought about that, but all of us carry expectations, big and small, for Easter Sunday. On the very first Easter Sunday three women walked to a gravesite with 2 expectations: A closed tomb and a dead body. Instead what they found would turn out to be the most life-altering, history-shaping, world-changing event of history. He was not there. He had risen. And EVERYTHING hinges on that good news.
Mark 16:1-8 | Do you have any Easter expectations? You may have not thought about that, but all of us carry expectations, big and small, for Easter Sunday. On the very first Easter Sunday three women walked to a gravesite with 2 expectations: A closed tomb and a dead body. Instead what they found would turn out to be the most life-altering, history-shaping, world-changing event of history. He was not there. He had risen. And EVERYTHING hinges on that good news.
Faith Works
Can a faith that has not changed us, save us? What would James say to the one who claims a faith in Christ but whose life shows no deeds to authenticate that claim? James is straight to the point with us: Faith without works is dead. This week we unpack the beautiful reality that a genuine faith will get expressed, not perfectly but patternly, in a life of obedient works to God. Let's let this text search our hearts this week to ensure the faith we claim is the faith we live.
James 2:14-26 | Can a faith that has not changed us, save us? What would James say to the one who claims a faith in Christ but whose life shows no deeds to authenticate that claim? James is straight to the point with us: Faith without works is dead. This week we unpack the beautiful reality that a genuine faith will get expressed, not perfectly but patternly, in a life of obedient works to God. Let's let this text search our hearts this week to ensure the faith we claim is the faith we live.
Don’t Play Favorites
People of this world get enamored with the rich, powerful, and celebrity. Often these people are preferred and pedestaled. Even as Christians, it can be easy to fall into playing favorites with those who carry a high social standing in this world. James warns us in this passage that doers of the word don't live like this. Marked by gospel shaped hearts, and motivated by Great Commandment love, genuine doers of the word shun a life of partiality and favoritism, and seek to love the hearts of people regardless of external appearance and socio-economic status. To cut it straight: Genuine Christians don't play favorites.
James 2:1-13 | People of this world get enamored with the rich, powerful, and celebrity. Often these people are preferred and pedestaled. Even as Christians, it can be easy to fall into playing favorites with those who carry a high social standing in this world. James warns us in this passage that doers of the word don't live like this. Marked by gospel shaped hearts, and motivated by Great Commandment love, genuine doers of the word shun a life of partiality and favoritism, and seek to love the hearts of people regardless of external appearance and socio-economic status. To cut it straight: Genuine Christians don't play favorites.
Man’s Anger and God’s Righteousness
The Lord is zealous for the righteousness of his people. Man's anger does not produce God's righteousness. In his field manual of authentic faith, James helps us understand how wisdom calls us to a "quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger life", how sinful anger is contrary to God's righteousness, and how we ultimately change by "putting away" what needs put away and receiving what we must receive.
James 1:19-21 | The Lord is zealous for the righteousness of his people. Man's anger does not produce God's righteousness. In his field manual of authentic faith, James helps us understand how wisdom calls us to a "quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger life", how sinful anger is contrary to God's righteousness, and how we ultimately change by "putting away" what needs put away and receiving what we must receive.
Good Gifts, Good God, Good News
James has already told us that God cannot be tempted by evil nor does he tempt us. God is never the giver of evil and always a giver of God. This is where James goes next in his field manual of authentic faith. As we look at James 1:16-18 we will see that every good gift comes from an unchangingly good God whose goodness is most powerfully seen in the good news of the gospel. These three verses have massive implications in how we understand who we are in Christ and how this understanding impacts the way we live out our life in Christ.
James 1:16-18 | James has already told us that God cannot be tempted by evil nor does he tempt us. God is never the giver of evil and always a giver of God. This is where James goes next in his field manual of authentic faith. As we look at James 1:16-18 we will see that every good gift comes from an unchangingly good God whose goodness is most powerfully seen in the good news of the gospel. These three verses have massive implications in how we understand who we are in Christ and how this understanding impacts the way we live out our life in Christ.
Rich or Poor, Christ Is More
Regardless of poverty or riches, the Christian's boast is in the same thing. Or maybe we should say the same one: Jesus Christ. In his field manual of authentic faith lived out, James quickly gets to the crucial call for Christians to boast not in their socioeconomic status but rather in their position in Christ. So whether poverty or riches, James will instruct us to boast in the reality of our position in Christ alone.
James 1:9-11 | Regardless of poverty or riches, the Christian's boast is in the same thing. Or maybe we should say the same one: Jesus Christ. In his field manual of authentic faith lived out, James quickly gets to the crucial call for Christians to boast not in their socioeconomic status but rather in their position in Christ. So whether poverty or riches, James will instruct us to boast in the reality of our position in Christ alone.
When We Lack Wisdom
If James is a field manual of authentic faith lived out, it is fitting that he wastes no time at all getting to the topic of wisdom. Wisdom is God's will lived out. It's living out a godly life. So a life built on the wisdom of God is a life of authentic faith. But there is a problem; we don't always know the wise thing to do. On this side of heaven, we lack wisdom. James gives us the solution of what to do when we lack wisdom and how we carry that out. If you need wisdom right now in life, James 1:5-8 has a very clear direction for you.
James 1:5-8 | If James is a field manual of authentic faith lived out, it is fitting that he wastes no time at all getting to the topic of wisdom. Wisdom is God's will lived out. It's living out a godly life. So a life built on the wisdom of God is a life of authentic faith. But there is a problem; we don't always know the wise thing to do. On this side of heaven, we lack wisdom. James gives us the solution of what to do when we lack wisdom and how we carry that out. If you need wisdom right now in life, James 1:5-8 has a very clear direction for you.
Joyfully Enduring Trials
Joy in trials? How is that so? And what does that mean? Are Christians to be gluttons for pain, taking joy in the hardship itself? Are we just to "grin and bear it" with no acknowledgement of the pain and hardships of life? Is James sticking a band-aid of a cliche on the deep pains of life? Not at all. James 1:2-4 is deep theology that allows us at Christians to rejoice in our trials knowing what God is ultimately accomplishing as we respond rightly to the troubles and trials of life. Let's be equipped together to joyfully endure the trials life brings.
James 1:2-4 | Joy in trials? How is that so? And what does that mean? Are Christians to be gluttons for pain, taking joy in the hardship itself? Are we just to "grin and bear it" with no acknowledgement of the pain and hardships of life? Is James sticking a band-aid of a cliche on the deep pains of life? Not at all. James 1:2-4 is deep theology that allows us at Christians to rejoice in our trials knowing what God is ultimately accomplishing as we respond rightly to the troubles and trials of life. Let's be equipped together to joyfully endure the trials life brings.