James
Developing a Faith that Works
Passing Life's Tests
October 26, 2014 • James 1:1–18
I'm wicked excited about kicking off our brand new sermon series through the book of James!! James is one of my favorite books in the Bible because James is a doer. He understands that God's grace is given to us to transform us and motivate us to live for the Glory of God. James is all about Getting Stuff Done (GSD). At Mosaic, we're all about GSD for SDG (Soli Deo Gloria - Glory to God Alone). James is just like that, GSD for SDG. James is one of the most practical books in the whole Bible. It's also super simple, straightforward, and clear. It's pretty much "The Idiot's Guide" to the Christian life. I don't know about you, but I enjoy simplicity. Tomorrow's sermon will cover James 1:1-18, where James helps us discover not just the answers, but also the questions, in life's most important tests: like what do when we life doesn't go according to plan. Start reading James, and join us tomorrow at one of our 3 services.
Faith that Loves
November 9, 2014
We live in a world that is fractured by "isms": racism, classicism, sexism, ageism, etc. We live in a world plagued by prejudice, partiality, and favoritism. We're constantly sizing people up by superficial externals: looks, education, wealth, status, race, sex, faith, etc. Then, we treat that person according to their level of "worth" in our eyes. This system of merit is diametrically opposed to grace and mercy, the essence of Christianity. In our text tomorrow, James quotes Jesus: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." We've heard this. But do we do it? Do we do it on a practical level? James teaches us this hard truth: how we relate to people reveals how much we understand God's impartial and unconditional love for us. James reminds us that living faith leads to loving others with unconditional love, the same love Jesus has for us.
Faith that Works
November 16, 2014 • James 2:14–26
Did you know that over 2.1 billion people in the world would call themselves Christians? On the one hand, this is really encouraging! On the other hand, how many of these people have a real, saving relationship with Jesus Christ. Imagine how different our world would be if they did! Our culture craves authenticity. We don't like posers. We don't like posturing. We don't like pretending. Be you. Be real. Be genuine. In a world of photoshop and plastic surgery, meeting a real person is a breath of fresh air. This is especially true with Christianity. In James 2:14-26, James wants to point out what real faith isn't: it's not just what you say, think, feel. It's not even just what what you believe. Real faith always leads to life, and life always reveals itself in action--because we really only do what we really believe.
Faith & Words
November 23, 2014
Words are immensely important and infinitely powerful! Most of us underestimate the power of words. "Death and life and in the power of the tongue," Proverbs tells us. Jesus said that we will give an account for every careless word we speak. James tells us that "if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man." Have you considered the power of words? Why do words have so much power? How do we harness that power and use it for good? What can we do to make sure we don't cause destruction to ourselves, or to the people around us with our words? How can we use our words to release the power of life and curb the power of death?
God and your Goals
January 11, 2015 • James 4:13–17
s we set goals and make plans for 2015, we tend to remind ourselves of what's most significant in our lives. In the hustle and bustle of the daily routine and life under the tyranny of the immediate, it's so easy to lose sight of what's truly most important. As we continue our study through the book of James tomorrow, we are faced with several questions: Where is God in your planning process? Does God have any say in your goals? Have you asked God what he thinks of your plans? Do you tend to take tomorrow for granted? What do you know you need to do, but you keep putting it off? Be sure to join us tomorrow as we worship together and study James 4:13-17, where James reminds us to seek the will of God for our lives.
Faith & Money
January 18, 2015 • James 5:1–6
How does your faith impact your views on money? How do you view and treat those whom you deem "wealthier" than you are? How do you view and treat those who may not be as wealthy as you? Scripture teaches that nothing more clearly reveals the state of your heart than your view of money and material possessions. Do you worship money, or do you worship with your money? Do you love money and use people, or do you love people and use money to bless them? Be sure to join us tomorrow as we worship together and study James 5:1-6, where James teaches us the importance of viewing money from an eternal perspective.
Faith & Suffering
January 25, 2015 • James 5:7–12
It's easy to love and thank God when everything is going well in your life. This was precisely Satan's point concerning Job when he tells God: "Does Job fear God for no reason? Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land." So the Lord allows Satan to storm-test Job's faith. After Job loses everything, his faith gives him the strength to say: "The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD."
Faith & Prayer
February 1, 2015 • James 5:13–20
We've had a wonderful journey through the book of James. I don't know about you, but I've been challenged week in and week out to truly put my faith to work. As we finish up the book of James tomorrow, Jesus' younger brother reminds us about the power of prayer. James' big idea comes out in chapter 5, verse 16 where he reminds us that prayer is powerful, but the prayer of a righteous person is especially powerful: "The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." How's your prayer life? Would you characterize it as having "great power as it is working?" Be sure to join us tomorrow as we learn how to cultivate a powerful personal prayer life.