September 10, 2023 • Dr. Jeff Schwarzentraub • James 1:1–12
This week we began a new series in the book of James entitled, Walk Your Talk. The emphasis of the series is how a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ can live the life that God requires of His servants. James, the half-brother of Jesus, wastes no time as He makes the point that trials are good. No matter where a believer lives or what a believer does, they can be certain that trials will be a part of their life. However, when trials arrive the believer is to respond with gratitude because of all the great benefits and blessings that will occur if the trial is handled properly. These short twelve verses have great impact for every Christian in every generation. Our prayer is that this week’s message will be helpful to believers in their continued pursuit of the Lord.
How to Defeat Temptation
September 17, 2023 • Dr. Jeff Schwarzentraub • James 1:13–18
This week we continued our series in the book of James and learned How to Defeat Temptation. While God is the One who authors and allows trials in our life for spiritual maturity, the enemy attempts to get us to veer off course by using temptation. This temptation is nothing more than trying to get us to fulfill a good desire in an ungodly way. Temptation is always a short cut that may seem okay at the time but leads to sin and ultimately death. When we give into temptation, we can never be living the fullness of what God requires of us and desires for us. The reality is that God is good, abundant, and lavish and will not withhold His best from us. The enemy, on the other hand, lies to us about God’s character and attempts to have people believe that lie. When we ruminate on the lie then we get discouraged and frustrated, which often leads to taking the bait of temptation. Since temptation is pervasive, we must be aware of where it originates, its deadly effects, and how we can live victoriously. May this week’s message be an encouragement to you.
Growing in the Word
September 24, 2023 • Dr. Jeff Schwarzentraub • James 1:19–25
This week we continued our series in the book of James and learned about four distinct requirements in order to be growing in the Word. God wants you to be conformed to the image of the Lord Jesus Christ and to respond in the proper way. The trials and temptations we go through in life are opportunities for us to be conformed to the fullness of the Lord Jesus Christ. When we ask what God desires us to do and how to respond through those trials and temptation, the answer is that He desires for you to grow in Christ by growing in His word. May this week's message be an encouragement to you to build your spiritual muscles and grow in the midst of trials and temptations.
God-Honoring Faith
October 1, 2023 • Dr. Jeff Schwarzentraub • James 1:26–27
Pastor Jeff emphasizes the importance of spiritual checkups, comparing them to inspections in construction and routine medical checkups, to ensure we are on the right path of faith. He outlines three key markers of God-honoring faith: taming the tongue, helping the helpless, and withdrawing from worldliness. Pastor Jeff encourages self-examination, highlighting that true faith is evidenced by increased control over our speech, compassion towards those in need, and a shift away from worldly influences. The message underscores the significance of being conscious of our spiritual state, as we prepare for our ultimate accountability before God.
The Problems of Prejudice
October 8, 2023 • Dr. Jeff Schwarzentraub • James 2:1–13
Pastor Jeff emphasized the transformative power of faith in Jesus Christ, highlighting that true believers experience radical life changes, including the shedding of prejudices and biases. He challenged the congregation to recognize that personal favoritism is a sin that disrupts the unity God desires among His people, urging them to treat everyone equally as creations made in God's image. Through the teachings in the Book of James, Pastor Jeff affirmed that love—modeled by Jesus—is essential in overcoming prejudice and demonstrating genuine faith. The call to action is to show mercy and love to all, reflecting Christ's compassion, while also remaining steadfast in truth and convictions.
Vital Signs
October 15, 2023 • Dr. Jeff Schwarzentraub • James 2:14–26
Pastor Jeff discusses the concept of spiritual vitality using the analogy of vital signs assessed by a doctor, emphasizing the importance of evaluating one's faith through evidence of good works. He highlights key biblical passages, particularly from James, to argue that faith without works is dead, stressing that genuine saving faith is always accompanied by a transformative work in a person's life. Citing examples from the lives of Abraham and Rahab,
Pastor Jeff illustrates how both faith and actions are integral to true belief. He urges listeners to examine their spiritual vitality, cautioning against empty professions of faith, careless compassion, and the necessity of a heartfelt relationship with Christ to ensure eternal salvation.
Talk Your Walk
October 29, 2023 • Dr. Jeff Schwarzentraub • James 3:1–12
In this sermon, Pastor Jeff emphasizes the importance of the tongue and how our words can significantly impact our spiritual walk as Christians. Drawing from James chapter three, he discusses the responsibility associated with speech and explains that taming the tongue is crucial for growth in one's faith. Pastor Jeff highlights that our words can lead to blessings or curses, and we must be mindful of their consequences. He encourages congregants to speak with responsibility, intentionality, humility, and dependency on God, as only through Christ can we truly transform our speech and align our actions with our words. This sermon provides practical handles for effectively "talking our walk," stressing that our language should reflect our commitments to God and to others.
Wisdom Works
November 12, 2023 • Dr. Jeff Schwarzentraub • James 3:13–18
Pastor Jeff emphasized that even as Christians, individuals are often still searching for answers in life. He pointed out that Jesus embodies wisdom and emphasizes the importance of seeking His guidance for all aspects of life, rather than relying on worldly solutions or 'gurus.' The message from James chapter three highlighted that true wisdom is demonstrated through our behaviors and attitudes and that it comes from focusing on God's word rather than worldly practices. Ultimately, living in alignment with God's wisdom leads to peace, righteousness, and a fulfilling life that honors Him.
Course Correction
November 19, 2023 • Dr. Jeff Schwarzentraub • James 4:1–10
Pastor Jeff emphasizes the need for spiritual course correction, likening it to real-life situations where we rely on GPS for guidance. He explains that our internal struggles, driven by pleasure and pride, lead to conflict both within ourselves and with others, and reminds us that we need to submit to God and resist worldly temptations. By drawing near to God and sincerely repenting, we open ourselves to His grace, which allows for true transformation and fulfillment in our lives. Ultimately, true greatness in the eyes of God comes from humility, service, and seeking His honor rather than our own.
The Problem with Self-Centeredness
November 26, 2023 • Dr. Jeff Schwarzentraub • James 4:10–17
In this sermon, Pastor Jeff emphasizes the transformative power of coming to Christ and being filled with the Holy Spirit, which moves believers from darkness to light. He highlights the ongoing process of discipleship, underscoring the challenges of self-centeredness that can manifest in criticism of others and the tendency to control one's own future rather than trusting God. Pastor Jeff discusses the significance of selflessness and authentic obedience, warning against complacency in our walk with Christ. Ultimately, he encourages the congregation to fully commit to God, trusting in His plans and experiencing the profound fulfillment that comes from a life devoted to serving others and following Christ.
Material Blindness
December 3, 2023 • Dr. Jeff Schwarzentraub • James 5:1–6
Pastor Jeff discusses the impact of materialism on our lives, emphasizing that accumulating wealth can blind us to our responsibilities as stewards of God's resources. He references studies showing that those who focus on material wealth often find less happiness than those who face challenges, highlighting the need for a mindset shift towards contentment and generosity. Using scripture from James, he warns against the dangers of greed and the fleeting nature of earthly possessions. Ultimately, Pastor Jeff encourages a life of abundant contentment and generosity, urging believers to prioritize eternal mission over temporary pleasures.
Checklist For Christ’s Coming
December 10, 2023 • Dr. Jeff Schwarzentraub • James 5:7–12
In the sermon, Pastor Jeff emphasizes the importance of patiently enduring difficulties, strengthening ourselves in the Lord, and refraining from complaining as we await Christ's second coming. He illustrates these points by drawing on biblical examples, particularly the perseverance of the prophets and Job's steadfast faith amid suffering. Pastor Jeff urges the congregation to speak true and sincere words, allowing their commitments to reflect their faith in God. Ultimately, the message encourages believers to live in a way that is visible and faithful, embodying the teachings of Christ until His return.
Strong to the Finish
December 17, 2023 • Dr. Jeff Schwarzentraub • James 5:13–20
In this sermon, Pastor Jeff emphasizes the importance of finishing strong in our spiritual journey, likening it to athletics where the final outcome matters more than the starting point. He urges believers to engage God first through prayer and praise, highlighting the power of communal prayer and the role of spiritual elders in supporting those who are struggling.
Pastor Jeff also discusses the necessity of confessing sins and the effectiveness of righteous prayer, encouraging listeners to pray biblically, specifically, and energetically as exemplified by Elijah. Ultimately, the message conveys a call to action for believers to support one another and to seek God's strength and guidance to finish their race with faithfulness.
