Renouncing the World & Its Empty Promises

Passion Creek Church

Renouncing the World & Its Empty Promises

October 15, 2023 • Trey Van Camp • James 4:4–5

In James 4, we learn that on some level, followers of the way of Jesus are at odds with the world we live in. While we have a responsibility to love the created world, steward our lives to make it better, and love the people in it, it’s clear that the cultural air we live in is becoming more and more hostile to the way of Jesus. From sexuality and gender to justice and violence, the world normalizes rebellion against God and retaliation against man. To resist the world, followers of Jesus must choose to accept Christ’s love over the world’s promises.

James 4

Praying for Healing

November 19, 2023 • Trey Van Camp • James 5:13–20

In this message, we study James 5 and discover the meaning behind a "prayer of faith."

The Only Path to Greatness

November 12, 2023 • Trey Van Camp • James 5:7–12

As James nears the end of his letter, one of the last encouragements he wants to give is a call to perseverance. In a world accustomed to anger, favoritism, slander, and ambition, it’s easy to feel the pressure to give up on the practices of Jesus, the truths of Jesus, or even on the way of Jesus altogether. But James reminds us that perseverance in our relationships with others and with God will reap rewards. Everything we deeply desire, from formative friendships to a tangible hope in God, requires us to pass through suffering with endurance, not sidestep suffering with escape. When we commit to loving each other well and maintaining hope in God, we become people able to reject the lies of the world and live out the truth of the gospel.

Invisible Greed & Inevitable Pain

November 5, 2023 • Trey Van Camp • James 5:1–6

As humans, we’re all accustomed to greed. By default, we strive to hoard and live extravagantly in order to build up wealth for ourselves and our families. But according to James, this lifestyle comes at a cost. Not only do we feed our greed at the expense of the poor and oppressed, but we also bring rot to our own souls. The more we indulge, the less like Jesus we become. But the gospel frees us from this trap of greed. In Christ we have no reason to hoard, live extravagantly, or perpetuate injustice because we have true and lasting contentment that comes from living a life focused on the Kingdom in communion with God.