James
James: Favoritism
October 15, 2023 • Omar Garcia • James 2
We have a tendency to care more for and show partiality toward those that can most benefit us or our ministries. James clearly tells us that this is not the way we should be thinking! Christ did not show partiality when He died for us therefore we shouldn't show favoritism toward anyone because of what they do or don't do for us.
The Immovable Ladder
October 1, 2023 • Beaux Pace • 1 Corinthians
What happens when we let our differences tear us apart rather than being unified under the banner of Christ? Jesus calls us to live unified in purpose and deed. When His church sets aside differences and chooses to be one under the name of Jesus, the world sees Him wholly and completely.
James: Temptation
September 24, 2023 • Omar Gar • James 1:13–18
Where do temptations come from? Often we, after succumbing to our temptations, blame God for allowing those temptations into our lives in the first place. James tells us that God does not tempt anyone for He Himself cannot be tempted. Omar walks us through the true cause of our temptations and what we need to do to overcome them.
James: Wisdom and Knowledge
September 10, 2023 • Omar Garcia • James 1:5–8
It's no mistake that the first thing James speaks about, after telling us to consider it joy when we face trials, is to ask for wisdom from the Lord. But what is wisdom from the Lord? Is wisdom the same as knowledge? Omar asks us very candidly, "When was the last time you actually asked the Lord for wisdom?" When we ask the Lord for wisdom, He is faithful to give it to us.
James: A Slave of Christ
September 3, 2023 • Omar Garcia • James 1:1
James was the brother of Jesus. Can you imagine what that must have been like? Growing up knowing that Jesus was just perfect in every way? James spent much of his life resenting Jesus but in the end, even he recognized Jesus as Lord of all. If James, who had every reason to use his status as Jesus half-brother as a way to get ahead of his fellow apostles, he instead refers to himself as "a slave of Christ."