The Mercy Manifesto
May 19, 2024 • Mark South • James 2:1–13
Fork Stuck in the Road
June 9, 2024 • Mark South • James 3:13–18
This sermon examines James 3:13-18, addressing the characteristics of divine wisdom versus earthly wisdom. Pastor Mark emphasizes the necessity of wisdom from above, which manifests in purity, peaceability, gentleness, and mercy, contrasting it with earthly wisdom driven by jealousy and selfish ambition. The sermon encourages viewers to seek God's wisdom, remain vigilant in their faith, and live a life marked by humble and godly decision-making. It also touches on cultural perspectives of wisdom and the importance of prayer and discernment in making life decisions, urging believers to uphold their faith in every season and situation. 02:20 The Importance of Continuous Spiritual Growth 04:15 Wisdom and Decision Making 07:02 Understanding True Wisdom 12:52 The Meekness of Wisdom 19:25 Earthly Wisdom vs. Godly Wisdom 25:08 Understanding Selfish Ambition 27:21 Earthly Wisdom vs. Spiritual Wisdom 34:01 Characteristics of Godly Wisdom 42:59 The Gift of Wisdom from Above 45:51 The Courage to Pursue Godly Wisdom
Scorched Earth Policy
June 2, 2024 • Mark South • James 3:1–12
Pastor Mark delivers a powerful sermon on James 3, emphasizing the responsibility and potential peril of the tongue. Drawing on vivid metaphors like small rudders steering large ships and bits controlling horses, he illustrates how our words can steer our lives and impact our faith. Pastor Mark reflects on the personal conviction he felt while preparing the sermon and the transformative power of grace through Jesus Christ in taming the tongue. The message calls for conscious speech that aligns with the kingdom of God and encourages believers to be mindful of their words as a true test of their faith and spiritual maturity. 02:49 Introduction 03:20 Faith and Trials 05:48 The Struggle with Words 07:25 Personal Convictions 11:02 Teaching and Accountability 13:39 The Impact of Words 23:04 The Destructive Nature of the Tongue 25:14 The Power of Words: Setting Relationships on Fire 26:18 The Tongue: A World of Unrighteousness 28:24 Fluency in the Language of Hell vs. Heaven 30:26 Peter's Rebuke: Speaking Like a Demon 32:21 Taming the Untamable Tongue 36:08 Blessing and Cursing: The Dual Nature of the Tongue 39:13 The Need for Divine Intervention 42:54 A Personal Anecdote: God's Silliest Goose 45:12 A Prayer for a Tamed Tongue
Faith Works
May 26, 2024 • Jim Perkins • James 2:14–26
In this sermon, Pastor Jim explores the relationship between faith and works, as discussed in James 2:14-26. He emphasizes that true faith is evidenced by deeds, illustrating this with biblical examples such as Abraham and Rahab. Pastor Jim also addresses the societal and spiritual challenges of living out this kind of active faith, calling on the church community to support one another in tangible ways. The sermon concludes with a call to let faith be evident in daily life, aligning actions with beliefs, and emphasizes the importance of community groups in fostering genuine, supportive relationships.