Faith That Perseveres

June 4, 2023 • Connor Erwin • James 1:1–18

Trials and temptations are both inevitable. God desires to deepen our faith through both. Knowing God is sovereign over our trials helps us grow in His likeness, trust Him for wisdom, depend on Him for provision, and live in His blessings. Understanding the origin of sin helps us to overcome its deception that leads to death. Growing through trials and overcoming sin helps us to experience Him and His salvation and goodness.

Elder Blessing

(Seth Price)

May you count it joy today to walk through testing and trials.

May you grow in steadfastness and endurance that completes your faith,

and leaves you lacking in nothing. (James 1:2-4)

May you be thankful that these trials make you partners with Christ in his sufferings,

So you may have the wonderful joy of seeing His glory when it is revealed to all the world (1 Peter 4:12)

Be encouraged that as you need wisdom, we serve a generous God

that freely gives without holding our past failures against us.

And as we ask, we don't get advice as the world gives, we get Him.

And He will develop in us something far greater

than the wisdom and wealth of this world. (James 1:5-8)

May you experience life in His abundance as He puts within you

a heavenly wisdom and faith that is surrendered and steady

that resists the temptations of the enemy that come to steal, kill, and destroy you. (John 10:10)

May you not lose heart. Though outwardly, you are wasting away,

inwardly, may you be renewed day by day (2 Cor 4:16)

Shifting your focus from what is seen and fixing your eyes on the unseen

For the things we see now will soon be gone,

but the things we cannot see will last forever. (2 Cor 4:16-18)

And may you be reminded that everything you have, the very breath you breathe,

comes from the Father of lights, of whom there is no shifting shadow. (James 1:17)

All glory to our unchanging God, Who is the same yesterday, today, and forever, Amen. (Heb 13:8)

Faith That Prays

August 6, 2023 • Jonathan Burgin • James 5:13–20

Our faith grows, and joy increases during suffering as we turn to God in prayer and praise. James instructs the church to pray with the elders. The literal and symbolic oil represents setting someone apart through prayer for special attention and care before God Who alone can heal. Not only should the elders pray for people, but so should the whole church because God answers prayer! He answered prayers for Elijah, and He’ll do it for us! Believers should pray for and help return those who wander and waiver in their faith back to God Who forgives and restores.

Faith That Lasts

July 30, 2023 • Connor Erwin • James 5:7–12

Our faith is tested and strengthened in suffering. God desires believers to grow in patience. Like a farmer we are to wait on the harvest of fruit that comes from the seeds of patience. We must allow the Lord to change our hearts and we must refrain from grumbling to be found faithful by the Lord, the coming Judge. We should be unwavering like the prophets and steadfast like Job . Again (and above all), our speech reflects trustworthiness in persevering faith.

Faith That Is Surrendered

July 23, 2023 • Jonathan Burgin • James 4:11—5:6

God opposes the proud and gives grace to the humble. Pride manifests in various forms. It could be slander, boasting, or hoarding. Slander dishonors God and disheartens others. In contrast, Godly speech praises God and encourages others. Boasting about our future (short and long-term) by neglecting to ask God’s will is arrogant, foolish, and evil. Hoarding the resources God has placed in our lives is also prideful. We will be judged by God for how we have used what He has entrusted us. The things of this world are wasting away, but they can be invested for eternal purposes in His Kingdom. ELDER BLESSING By: Pete Lee Summit Church, I bless you, in Jesus' name, that you would be strong through the great grace that God gives you. That you would walk through every season of your life with a heart to please the Father in all things. I pray that you would be blessed with a unified mind (Phil 2:2) that remembers Jesus Christ and seeks to walk in His ways, not becoming distracted by lesser things. And as you remember Jesus, you would seek to live like him, having the same attitude that He had. For even though He was God, He humbled Himself, becoming obedient even to the point of death (Phil 2:5-11). I bless your words, that they would be full of life (James 4:11&12) and would point others to the One who gives life. (Psalm 34:1-3). I bless your thoughts, that they would be pure, and would continually be turned to the Father in worship and praise. I bless your finances, that they would be seen as a means to worship the Father. May you live out the reality that true treasure is stored in heaven, not on earth (Matt 6:19-21). I bless your moments, each one, that they would be carefully submitted to the Lord. And may you find yourself ready to receive whatever He might bring your way. I pray, Summit Church, that you would be blessed with the heart of generosity and humility that is formed only by dwelling daily in the presence of Christ. Amen