In my previous message, we saw that when it comes to faith, actions speak louder than words. But that is not to diminish the power of the words that come out of our mouths. The words we speak carry great weight too. We can destroy lives or restore them with the flick of the tongue. As believers, how cautious we must be then about the things we say each day. Isn't it incredible? The kind of trouble our tongues can create for us? That little muscle, called the tongue, can start wars and stop them. It can create stress and relieve it. It can express love and renounce it. It can build up friendships and then tear them down again. With our tongues we can praise and worship God, and with that same tongue we can curse God and deny His existence. Proverbs 18:21 says it best: "Death and life are in the power of the tongue." This Sunday we examine this powerful force.
Loose Lips, Sink Ships
June 12, 2016 • Dr. Danny Lovett
Why does a brother err from the truth
August 21, 2016 • Dr. Danny Lovett
What a great summer we've had walking through James together! The letter of James is Christianity with its sleeves rolled up. It is the working person's practical guide to living the Christian life. It spells out what it means to follow Jesus day by day. James emphasizes faith in action. The Church must serve with compassion, speak lovingly, and truthfully, live in obedience to God commands, and love one another. The body of believers ought to be an example of heaven's principles applied on earth, drawing people to Christ through the love of God and one another. if we truly believe God's Word, we will live it day by day. God's Word is not merely something we read or think about, but something we do. This Sunday we will wrap up this great study by looking at part two of the Wayward Brother.
Restoring the Wayward
August 14, 2016 • Dr. Danny Lovett
This Sunday we will be looking at how we can Restore the Wayward from the last few verses in the James’ letter. James says that Christians can stray away from the truth (James 5:19). When this happens, the believers of the church are to seek to convert them, that is to lead them to repentance. The word convert means to turn, to take him by the hand and lead him to repentance. What a descriptive picture: loving one another so much that as soon as a believer slips into sin we take him or her by the hand and help them come back to the Lord. What a different place the church and world would be if we loved one another so much that we actually did this! How desperately such a ministry of restoration is needed today! Remember when we turn a believer around from his or her sin, we save their soul from death, and cover a multitude of sin (James 5:20).
The Believer and his Prayer Life
August 7, 2016 • Dr. Danny Lovett
Prayer is certainly a high and holy privilege. To think that, as God's children, we can come freely and boldly to His throne and share with him our needs! (Hebrews 4:16) Seven times in James 5:13-20, James mentions prayer. The mature Christian is prayerful in the troubles of life. Instead of complaining about his situation, he talks to God about it; and God hears and answers his prayers. "Taking it to Lord in prayer" is certainly a mark of spiritual maturity. This Sunday we will see how James encourages us to pray by describing four situations in which God answers prayer. Don't miss this life changing message this Sunday, as God's word teaches us how to pray.