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Pure Religion
Our study in James last week made it clear that we are to be doers of the Word, and not hearers only. This week, we’ll examine three practical things evident in the pure religion of doers of the Word.
Doers of the Word
James makes it very clear that we are to be doers of the Word, and not hearers only. We see this theme all throughout Scripture. As we dive into James 1:22-25, let’s examine our hearts to see where we are being hearers of the Word, but not doers.
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.
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.
God Is Greater Than Temptation
John Calvin once said, “Our heart is an idol factory.” As we study James 1:12-15, one could also say that, “Our heart is a sin factory.” But there is good news. God is greater than any temptation we will face in this world.
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.
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.
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.
Introducing James
God is after doers of the word. He is after us applying the principles of the Christian life in our day-to-day life. James is the field manual God has given us for what it looks like to live out an authentic faith. We begin our five-month journey in the book of James by looking at James 1:1 and letting that orient us to the book as a whole. Who wrote it? Who was he writing to? And what is this letter's purpose? We set the course this week for a study in a book that will deeply transform our everyday walk with Jesus.
How Are More Disciples Made?
Disciples are made as we pursue others the way God has pursued us. Let’s dive further into this pursuit and the ministry of reconciliation.
We Become What We Behold
In the midst of such busy and stressful lives, how do we learn to rely on the Spirit’s life giving freedom? Let’s dive into Corinthians 3:12-18 to find out.
Disciples of Jesus Follow Jesus
At the heart of our ministry lies this mission statement: To glorify God by making disciples. This isn't a mission we came up with but is a mission Jesus left us with in his teaching of the Great Commission. If we are going to make disciples and fulfill our mission, we better be able to answer some simple questions about disciples and discipleship. In this four week series, we tackle four basic questions, beginning with this one: What is a disciple? Let's look at what Jesus teaches in John 3 about the need to be born again as foundational to what it means to be a disciple of him.
Born Again
At the heart of our ministry lies this mission statement: To glorify God by making disciples. This isn't a mission we came up with but is a mission Jesus left us with in his teaching of the Great Commission. If we are going to make disciples and fulfill our mission, we better be able to answer some simple questions about disciples and discipleship. In this four week series, we tackle four basic questions, beginning with this one: What is a disciple? Let's look at what Jesus teaches in John 3 about the need to be born again as foundational to what it means to be a disciple of him.
Worship His Majesty
In two verses, Isaiah prophesies of the majesty of the child who would one day come as Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. He also in these verses shows us what will mark the Kingdom of this coming Savior-King. Isaiah 9:6-7 contain the truths our hearts need again this Christmas to behold the majesty of Christ and take hold of the marks of His Kingdom. These are two verses that will stoke the fire of our worship as we gather this Sunday, three days before another Christmas morning.
Jesus, Our Savior King
We see in Isaiah 7 that we are called to a faith in Christ to save, not a faith in man. But as we make our way through this passage, we’ll notice four things play out: a problem for God’s people, a plea for faith, a pious faithlessness, and a promise to faithfully save.
Unexpected Christmas
Of all the places in the world, it was Bethlehem that hosted the birth of the Messiah. Micah says, "But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel..." From this little place came the Christ. God, once again, working in an unexpected way in an unexpected place. The highest of Kings born in the humblest of places. Sunday we look at how an unexpected place brought us an unrivaled king who brings us unending blessings.
A Snake-Crushing Christmas
So many advent sermons are soft and sentimental. This is not one of them. We begin Advent in a passage that at first glance might not strike you as much of a Christmas passage. As we look at Genesis 3:15, though, I hope we see the cosmic war that was being raged as Christ came that holy Christmas night. I also hope we can see how the scriptures had already predicted and promised the winner of that cosmic war between God and Satan. Genesis 3:15 will show us how we can have ourselves a merry snake-crushing Christmas this year and why that is such great news!
This Is The One To Whom I Will Look
Pastor Robbie Symons of Hope Bible Church Oakville leads us through a study of Isaiah 66:1-2, and the three character traits God promises to show favor toward.
God's Glory & Gospel Strong
Ok, here we are. The final words of Paul's letter to the Romans. The letter closes with a worshipful doxology, declaring that God is worthy of all glory forever. As Paul glorifies God, he reminds us of an important reality that we must cling to as we close this book: the gospel is not only the power to save us, it is the power to strengthen us as well. So as we close our series in the book of Romans, we do so with the strong reminder that God, who strengthens us in the gospel, is worthy of all glory forever.