Men's Bible Study with Brad Randall
Wednesday Evenings at 6 PM
Sovereignty of God’s Favor
April 14, 2021 • Brad Randall
The Book of Esther doesn’t say the word “God”, yet shows His presence and purpose throughout this story about God’s people. God is sovereign and has authority even when we feel like He is absent. His authority, along with His kindness brings about His plan through His people. Esther and Mordecai were shown favor, but it was used for His plan to redeem. In the same way, God’s children today are shown favor and kindness. These things are given to us to glorify Him and be a part of His great work. Recorded live on April 14, 2021 at 6:30 PM
The Result of Spiritual Maturity
April 7, 2021 • Brad Randall
For this final week in the Book of James, God’s Word shows us an image of a mature follower of Jesus. This image reveals a life that revolves around being a child of God. However, a child of God also knows what authority God has given to him or her. James concludes by showing us that a mature believer is one who loves and cares for others. There’s truly no such thing as spiritual maturity if love for God and love for others isn’t present.
Patiently Waiting on God
PART 2 • March 31, 2021 • Brad Randall
Everyone needs people they can look to as examples in life. When we are going through difficulties, it helps to see how others have handles the same situations. God spoke through James to remind us that others have experienced suffering. Like Job and prophets, we can endure suffering with patience and trust God's purpose as we patiently wait on the Day of Christ's return.
Patiently Waiting on God
PART 1 • March 24, 2021 • Brad Randall
For most of us, hearing the words “be patient” doesn’t sit well. We want certain things and we want them almost immediately. James tells those who are enduring hardship to wait patiently on the return of Christ. However, as we wait on God we are called to earnestly serve His Kingdom and not allow persecution to cause us to argue and fight with each other.
A Rich Warning
March 10, 2021 • Ben Boyd
James 5 brings forth the reality that we have a responsibility and are to come under the authority of Jesus in regards to how we treat people in relation to our money and resources. James emphasizes to apply this to our lives because our final judgment is at stake. Don’t let your earthly assets become eternal liabilities and step into a life of generosity!
Arrogant Planning
March 3, 2021 • Brad Randall
Is it really necessary for us to plan? Sure, but what we discover in James 4 is if planning is done wrong, then it is worthless. A follower of Christ is someone who depends and trust to be guided by the Holy Spirit. This means that we are no longer independent, but dependent even when it comes to tomorrow. To live life according to self is considered arrogant and certainly leads to a self-filled life instead of a Spirit-filled one.
James and the other 10 Commandments
February 24, 2021 • Brad Randall
The battle that rages within us has the potential to destroy us. But, God’s grace is sufficient for those who humbly seek Him. The second section of James 4 gives us a list of 10 imperatives or commandments that are spiritually designed for us to not be overcome by our desires and passions for this world. Jesus is the answer; more of Him and less of ourselves.
The Importance of Peace
February 10, 2021 • Brad Randall
It’s hard to put a price on peace. When it seems absent and chaos is everywhere, we realize how valuable it truly is. The Church should be filled with peace which means we deal with each other peacefully. James helps us to see that chaos and quarrels come from within us and that the effects of not being satisfied in Christ alone.
Recap for James 1-3
February 3, 2021 • Brad Randall
After a few months break, it was time to review seven weeks of the Book of James. The brother of Jesus wrote this letter to scattered believers who were experiencing persecution and trials. He reminded them, and reminds us, that God uses trials to bring about spiritual maturity that is necessary for Him to use us in great ways for His Kingdom. This maturity helps us to see each other the way God sees us and shows us our desperate need for wisdom that can only come from the Spirit living in us.
James: Week 7 - Wisdom vs. Knowledge
November 4, 2020 • Brad Randall
God hasn’t given everyone a gifted mind, but all believers are called to seek godly wisdom. There’s a vast difference between the two! Unlike earthly knowledge, wisdom is never contained only in our minds. Instead, wisdom is lived out in our actions and leads to works of righteousness that pleases God.
James: Week 6 - Taming Our Tongue
October 28, 2020 • Brad Randall
Though small in size, our tongue has great power and influence. It can lead in the right direction, but can lead in the wrong direction as well. It has the ability to build others, but can also be an instrument of destruction. However, the tongue is still submissive to the heart. For the mature believer, the tongue is tamed by the Holy Spirit. However, those who do not believe in Christ or those who are spiritually immature allow the tongue to run wild and do the work of evil.
James: Week 5 - Living Faith
October 21, 2020 • Brad Randall
Faith isn’t just about words that come out of our mouth or what stirs us emotionally. Genuine faith displays itself by how we live our life. Those who have truly trusted in the Gospel will see and meet needs of others in the Body of Christ, as well as the world. Faith that doesn’t lead to good works is dead. But, genuine faith in the Gospel is alive!
James: Week 4 - Avoid Partiality
October 14, 2020 • Brad Randall
In the Kingdom of God, God’s presence is more important than anyone else’s presence. We are called to treat each other as equals regardless of any exterior character such as financial status, influence, race, or appearance. This is how the Church is truly different than the world! It allows the church to see people as God sees them and to care for others in need.
James: Week 3 - Don’t Bite the Bait!
October 7, 2020 • Brad Randall
God’s desire is always holiness. In order for us to abstain from sin, it’s important to know where temptations come from and how to overcome them. The good news is that God has given us what we need to live out what James’s calls “pure religion” that impacts God’s eternal Kingdom.
James: Week 2
September 30, 2020 • Brad Randall
Being a follower of Christ doesn’t exempt us from the trials and troubles of life, but belonging to Him does mean we can have joy in the midst of the trials. James’s words to troubled Christians scattered from their home still counsel us when we experience trials because of our faith in Jesus.