Complete Faith
Conway
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
Faith That Submits
July 16, 2023 • Jonathan Burgin • James 4:1–10
There are two types of friendships – one with the world and one with God. Friendship with the world comes from sinful flesh, to be spent on earthly passions, and ends in being enemies of God. The Spirit longs for us to live for and in Him. Friendship with God comes from His grace as we submit ourselves to Him and resist the devil. Drawing near to God through humble repentance and grieving over our sin, results in being lifted by God. Elder Blessing By: Jason Cooney SUBMIT Knowing arrest and death were imminent, our Lord’s words in Gethsemane, “your will be done,” show his willingness to submit to the Father in the most difficult of moments. May your daily confession to God be “not as I will, but as you will.” RESIST THE DEVIL Our Lord, while in human form, looked satan in the face and refused to heed his instructions. So you, while in human form, and filled with the Spirit of our Lord can resist the devil, and watch as he flees in defeat. DRAW NEAR Hannah, weeping and distressed, approached the God of Israel and poured out her soul. He heard her cry, drew near to her, and gave her the desire of her heart. May you trust the words of our Lord when he says “Ask and it will be given to you…”
Faith That Comes From Heaven
July 9, 2023 • Jonathan Burgin • James 3:13–18
There are two sources (and types) of wisdom: worldly wisdom and Godly wisdom. Worldly wisdom comes from hell – it is of the devil. It is false and self-centered and evidenced by works of jealousy which leads to disorder and evil. Godly wisdom comes from heaven, operates in godliness, and produces righteousness and peace.
Faith That Speaks
July 2, 2023 • Blake Hudspeth • James 3:1–12
The tongue reveals the condition of our hearts. James’ infallible words help us with our fallible words. Teachers of God’s Word along with everyone else must be careful with their words as everyone stumbles and sins through our words. The tongue is powerful, and we must recognize our inability to tame it on our own. We must allow the Lord to transform our hearts and minds through His Word and Spirit, which will transform our words to speak the truth in love and the good news to our neighbors and nations. ELDER BLESSING By: Steve Graham Father, words are powerful. They bring both blessing and cursing. There may be those that are here today that have been wounded by words. Words spoken purposely or spoken rashly (Proverbs 12:18). Summit Church, know that these hurtful and unwholesome words come from men or women that have no control of their tongue. Proverbs tells us that “the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things” (Proverbs 15:28), an uncontrolled tongue leads to ruin (Proverbs 13:3) and this type of speech is a “spirit crusher” (Proverbs 15:4). But on the contrary, there is good news: “when the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:17-18) even troubles brought on by hurtful words. Lord, we admit that our flesh has little control over our tongue. Let us not be content with an untamed tongue. Holy Spirit, guide us rightly in our speech. Be the pilot of the ship that controls the rudder, our tongue, turning us the direction we should go. Like the bridle in a horse’s mouth, be the rider with reins in hand that tames our tongue. You speak in your word of the benefits of a tamed tongue: A soothing tongue is a tree of life (Prov. 15:4) Pleasant words are a honeycomb. Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. (Prov. 16:24) The tongue of the wise brings healing. (Prov. 12:18) Lord, would you remind us moment by moment of these very familiar admonishments from scripture: Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each. (Colossians 4:6) AND Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need. (Ephesians 4:29) So Lord many we GO, AND BE SENT WITH SPEECH “SEASONED WITH GRACE”! Amen.
Faith That Acts
June 25, 2023 • Jonathan Burgin • James 2:14–26
We are not saved by works, but we are saved for works. The faith we profess is evident by the fruit that comes from our lives. This passage teaches us about useful faith, righteousness, works, and justification. As we see with the example of faith of Rahab, faith risks big for God’s glory. Jesus is the foundation for our justification. Faith in Him is how we’re justified. Good works display our justification by faith in Jesus.
Faith That Loves
June 18, 2023 • Blake Hudspeth • James 2:1–13
Faith expresses itself in love. Showing favoritism expresses worldliness. Christ followers are to live in a way that does not operate in worldly systems such as favoring the rich and neglecting the poor. Believers must live in a way that glorifies God, testifies to His grace, displays the Royal Law, is aware He is the Judge, and shows His mercy.
Faith That Obeys
June 11, 2023 • Marshall West • James 1:19–27
Christ followers must not only receive God’s Word, but keep it at the forefront of their spiritual growth as they obey it. As we receive the Word which saves and sanctifies, we must keep it in full view daily and apply it internally and externally.
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)