Misery of Materialism

The Bible Chapel

Misery of Materialism

November 10, 2024 • Ron Moore • James 5:1–6, Psalm 62:10, Ephesians 5:10, 1 Timothy 6:10, Matthew 6:21

Throughout Scripture, God warns us about the seductive power of money. Jesus likens it to a completing god and says our treasure becomes the focus of our heart (Matt. 6:21-24). Paul instructs Timothy, the young pastor in Ephesus, to warn people about the love of money and how the desire for more wealth has left people spiritually shattered (1 Tim. 6:10, 17).

In today’s passage, James describes the wealthy who live apart from God. Their demise is a grim encouragement to the poor Jewish believers being taken advantage of. And the demise of the godless rich serves as a stark warning to those who follow Jesus.

1. Is wealth a competing god?

2. Is your wealth causing you to be spiritually soft?

3. Have you ever had a serious conversation with God about your wealth? Why did he bless you with it? What does he want you to do with it?

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CAREGIVING

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More from James - The Threads of Authentic Faith

Power of Prayer and Community

November 24, 2024 • Dave DiDonato • James 5:13–20, 1 Peter 4:8, Galatians 6:1

An authentic, healthy church consistently prays for one another. James 5:13-18 To submit a prayer request, go to http://biblechapel.org/prayer. To join a campus prayer team, email mailto:prayer@biblechapel.org. To join an impact prayer group, go to http://biblechapel.org/impactprayer or email mailto:outreach@biblechapel.org. An authentic, healthy church humbly confesses their sins to one another. James 5:16 An authentic, healthy church goes after its wandering brother/sister in truth and love. James 5:19-20, 1 Peter 4:8, Galatians 6:1 -------- DAILY DEVOTIONAL WITH RON MOORE Get Ron’s Daily Devotional to your inbox each morning; visit http://biblechapel.org/devo. CAREGIVING Do you have a need we can pray for? Do you need someone to walk alongside you? Do you know of another person who needs care? Let us know at http://biblechapel.org/ GROWTH TRACK We all have a next step - what's yours? To learn more about our Growth Track and to take your next step, http://biblechapel.org/connect.

Patient Suffering

November 17, 2024 • Ron Moore • James 5:7–12, 2 Corinthians 4:17—5:1, 2 Chronicles 24:20–22

THREE EXAMPLES OF PATIENCE To illustrate what patience looks like, James provides three examples. The Farmer: Trust God to do his work (James 5:7) The farmer planted his crops right after the early rain in October and then waited for the seed to take root and sprout. He depended on God for the sunshine and moisture. The late rains in March/April provided what was needed to produce a bountiful crop. The farmer had to wait patiently for God to do his work. The Prophets: Trust God to keep his Word (James 5:10) One of the toughest jobs in the OT was to be a prophet. Often, they delivered a message that few wanted to hear and fewer wanted to believe. Moses had to endure the complaining and grumbling of people for 40 years. Jeremiah was called the weeping prophet. Along with his lengthy prophecy, he wrote the Book of laments (Lamentations). He was ridiculed, rejected, and thrown into the mud of an empty cistern with no food or water. Daniel was thrown into a den of hungry lions. Zechariah was put to death in the temple (2 Chron. 24:20-22). Job: Trust God even when you don’t understand (James 5:11) Job was a righteous man who lost everything—except his wife—but she told him to curse God and die. His friends were certain that Job had committed a sin. And although he suffered, God never explained why. Still, Job remained steadfast in his trust (Job 13:15). -------- DAILY DEVOTIONAL WITH RON MOORE Get Ron’s Daily Devotional to your inbox each morning; visit http://biblechapel.org/devo. CAREGIVING Do you have a need we can pray for? Do you need someone to walk alongside you? Do you know of another person who needs care? Let us know at http://biblechapel.org/ GROWTH TRACK We all have a next step - what's yours? To learn more about our Growth Track and to take your next step, http://biblechapel.org/connect.

The Time is Now

November 3, 2024 • Ron Moore • James 4:13–17, Philippians 2:5–8, Daniel 4:34, Proverbs 16:3, Proverbs 3:5–8

“If the Lord wills” is a bold statement of God’s Sovereignty. “If the Lord wills” is a bold statement of determined obedience. “If the Lord wills” is a bold statement of Christ-like humility. Self-centered bragging must be replaced by God-honoring trust. -------- DAILY DEVOTIONAL WITH RON MOORE Get Ron’s Daily Devotional to your inbox each morning; visit http://biblechapel.org/devo. CAREGIVING Do you have a need we can pray for? Do you need someone to walk alongside you? Do you know of another person who needs care? Let us know at http://biblechapel.org/ GROWTH TRACK We all have a next step - what's yours? To learn more about our Growth Track and to take your next step, http://biblechapel.org/connect.