Faith + Works
#10. Patience and Prayer
April 9, 2017 • John Carrano
In the final chapter of James, James' tone becomes pastoral once again and the concern he addresses is "What do we do now?" In this week's message, Lead Pastor John Carrano closes our series on James with teaching from Chapter 5 on patience in suffering, and the prayer of faith. . . . Reflection Question - What has the Holy Spirit been speaking to you/doing in your life in this series on James? Challenge 'Keep putting into practice what we have learned through James! Journal and reflect about what God has been doing and speaking!' Scripture - James 5:7-16 - 2 Peter 3:9 - Galatians 6:9 - Romans 5:3-4
#9. Boasting About Tomorrow
April 2, 2017 • John Carrano
We all boast! But what should we boast in? In this week's message Lead Pastor John Carrano continues our series with teaching from James 4:13-17 on boasting about tomorrow. . . . Reflection Questions - In what or whom have you placed your confidence? - Are you boasting in anything other than the cross of Jesus Christ? Challenge 'Choose to put your confidence in Him this week! Look for ways to give Him credit!' Scripture - James 4:13-17 - Jeremiah 9:23-24 - Proverbs 16:9 - Galatians 6:14
#8. Submitting to God
March 26, 2017 • John Carrano
What do you think of when you hear the word submit? Does it make you uncomfortable/uneasy? Submission isn't slavery, it is surrender! And ultimately, it's our choice. In this week's message Lead Pastor John Carrano continues our series with teaching from James 4:1-12 on submitting to God. . . . Reflection Questions - Do you really trust God? - Is there a specific area of your life He is inviting you to surrender? Challenge 'Be intentional to trust and surrender to God!' Scripture - James 4:1-7 - 1 Corinthians 10:13 - Isaiah 54:17 - Philippians 4:6-7
#7. Two Kinds of Wisdom
March 19, 2017 • Brandi Carrano
James teaches us that there are two types of wisdom. That which is not from heaven, and that which is. We can all grow in wisdom, but it is our choice whether or not to do so. In this week's message Pastor Brandi Carrano continues our series with teaching from James 3:13-18 on two kinds of wisdom. . . . Reflection Questions - Who are you getting wisdom from? - Are you growing in God’s Word for yourself? - Who are your truth-tellers? - Who are you imitating? Challenge 'Let’s grow in wisdom from heaven!' Scripture - James 3:13-18 - James 1:5 - Hebrews 6:12 - Hebrews 13:7
#6. Taming the Tongue
March 12, 2017 • John Carrano
James 1:26 makes it clear: "religious" people that do not control their tongues are practicing a worthless religion. One of the hardest things God will ever ask us to do is control one of the smallest parts of our bodies. But how do we tame our tongue? In this week's message Lead Pastor John Carrano continues our series with teaching from James 3:1-12 on taming the tongue. . . . Reflection Question - How are you needing to tame your tongue? Challenge 'Intentionally work to tame your tongue! Continue reading, writing out, and memorising James!' Scripture - James 1:26 - James 3:1-12 - Proverbs 18:21 - Matthew 12:34 - Proverbs 20:27 - Proverbs 4:23 - Proverbs 16:24 - Proverbs 15:1 - Proverbs 17:28 - Ecclesiastes 3:7 - Philippians 4:6 - Proverbs 12:18 - Proverbs 23:7 - Psalm 19:14
#5. Living Faith
March 5, 2017 • John Carrano
Your daily life should reflect your faith! But what does a living faith actually look like? In this week's message Lead Pastor John Carrano continues our series with teaching from James 2:14-26 on four characteristics of a living faith. . . . Reflection Question - What does your daily life say about your faith? Challenge 'Ask Father to give you the courage to put your faith into action! Continue reading, writing out, and memorising James!' Scripture - James 2:14-26 - Ephesians 2:8-10
#4. Favoritism: Playing God
February 26, 2017 • Brandi Carrano
'You can't even claim to have faith if you maintain an attitude of favoritism.' As a result, the question we must ask ourselves is; are we taking Jesus' place on the throne of our lives? In this week's message Pastor Brandi Carrano continues our series with teaching from James 2:1-13 on favoritism. . . . Reflection Questions - Are there areas of favoritism, partiality, or prejudice in your life? - Whose face have you been lifting up, and whose face have you knowingly or unknowingly kept on the floor? - What do you need to do about it? Challenge 'Continue to read, write out, & memorise James!' Scripture - James 2:1-13
#3. Listening and Doing
February 19, 2017 • John Carrano
Have you ever listened to someone but not done what they said? What about when it comes to God's Word, do you just listen to it, or do you actively do what it says? In this week's message Lead Pastor John Carrano continues our series with teaching from James 1:19-27 on listening and doing. . . . Reflection Question - Are you merely listening to the word of God, or are you doing what it says? Challenge 'Don’t just listen to the word of God - do what it says! Continue reading, writing out, and memorising James!' Scripture - James 1:1 - Acts 8:4 - Luke 11:28 - James 1:19-27 - Proverbs 17:27-28
#2. Trials
February 12, 2017 • John Carrano
We all face trials; and just when life starts to feel normal, another trial comes along. It's not a question of 'if' we will face a trial, but rather, 'when' we will face one. So our choice is to either let the trials of life define us or to let them refine us. In this week's message Lead Pastor John Carrano continues our series with teaching from James 1:2-18 on trials. . . . Reflection Question - How are you facing the trials in your life? Challenge 'Continue reading, writing out, and memorising James!' Scripture - James 1:1-18 - Acts 8:4 - 2 Corinthians 7:4-7 - Mark 9:23-24
#1. One Encounter
February 5, 2017 • Brandi Carrano
All it takes is one encounter with the risen saviour and everything changes. Welcome to our brand new series: 'Faith + Works: A Walk Through the Book of James'. In this week's message Pastor Brandi Carrano kicks off the series with teaching from James 1:1. . . . Reflection Questions - Have you had an encounter with the risen Saviour? (From knowing “about” Jesus to fully committing your heart & life to him?) - Go back to that moment - reflect and thank Him for revealing Himself to you. Challenge 'Begin reading, writing out, and memorising James!' Scripture - James 1:1 - Acts 8:4 - John 7:3-5 - Mark 3:20-21 - 1 Corinthians 15:3-8