The Root of All Evil

Phillips Chapel

Media

The Root of All Evil

James 5:1-6

July 10, 2022 • Ben Gibson • James 5:1–6

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We need money, but Jesus said "You cannot serve God and money at the same time" (Luke 16:13). Lordship is exclusive. Allegiance is exclusive. We cannot serve two masters. We will love one, and despise the other. This thought is expanded in James 5:1 - 6. A rebuke is levied against the faithless acquiring and selfish using of wealth. It is stern because our relationship with money really is a test of genuine faith. Only the worthless kind of religion mentioned in James 1:26 justifies such things.

The Final Call for Action

August 28, 2022 • Ben Gibson • James 5:19–20

We have come to the end of our study through James. Most New Testament epistles (letters) end with some form of benediction or prayer of blessing. Not James! He ends with a call to action. If faith without works is dead, then what does the congregation do when they witness worthless religion among their membership? How do we respond when someone strays from the gospel into legalism?

The Missing Ingredient

August 21, 2022 • James 5:13–18

I really like to cook. In particular, I like to make chocolate chip cookies. It is a simple recipe that I have refined over the years. Even though it is simple, precision with the ingredients is important. Too much baking soda and they turn into cake. Too little, and they fall flat. Too much flour turns them into bread. Too little and they have the consistency of a cracker. And, they just don't taste right without real vanilla. Now that you want cookies, here is my point: in essence, a faith that works is very much the same. In James 5:13 - 18, we learn the secret and often missing ingredient in a relationship built on faith is prayer. It is essential and we must give prayer the priority it deserves.

An Appeal For Integrity

August 14, 2022 • Ben Gibson • James 5:12

We know by now that how we speak is a serious matter when it comes to the practice of our faith. In James 5:12, the subject comes up again. It is one final command that gives our speech the sense of priority deserves.