Love Well
A Study in James
13 - Love Others, James 5:19-20
December 17, 2017 • Josh Lindstrom
Rather than abandoning those who have stumbled, we are to seek to bring back to the truth those who have wandered away. While this can be painful, and often requires great patience and faith, it is a demonstration of Christ’s great love and forgiveness for us. 1. We could all wander (v. 19a) 2. We should help those that do (v. 19b) 3. It’s the gift that money can’t buy (v. 20) Songs: Angels We Have Heard On High #27721 by E S Barnes and J Chadwick Public Domain Exalted Over All #7065022 by A Rozier, J Ingram, and J Cates 2016 © All Essential Music O Come, O Come Emmanuel #31982 by H S Coffin| J M Neale | T Helmore Public Domain King Of Heaven #6428846 by M Crocker, S Ligthelm, and R Taubert 2012 Hillsong Music Publishing Let There Be Light #7069096 by B Ligertwood, J Houston, M Crocker, M Guy Chislett, S Ligertwood 2016 © Hillsong Music Publishing
12 - Pray More, James 5:13-18
December 10, 2017 • Josh Lindstrom
Prayer is the greatest resource we have, and yet, so few employ it regularly. James tells us that “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working” (James 5:16b) so we need to pursue righteousness and cultivate a pattern of persistent prayer. 1. Pray more: a. When you are suffering (v. 13a) b. When you are cheerful (v. 13b) c. When you are sick (vs. 14-15) d. When you have sinned (v. 16a) 2. It works (vs. 16b-18) Songs: Born is the King (It's Christmastime) #6089302 M Crocker S Ligertwood 2011 Hillsong Music Publishing Come Thou Long Expected Jesus #1759517 by J S Bach and C Wesley Public Domain Waiting Here For You #5925663 by J Reeves, M Smith, and C Tomlin 2011 http://worshiptogether.com songs Lord I Need You #5925687 by D Carson, M Maher, C Nockels, J Reeves, and K Stanfill 2011 http://worshiptogether.com songs Make A Way #7028394 by J Ingram and J Egan © Integrity Worship Music
11 - Earn Trust, James 5:12
December 3, 2017 • Josh Lindstrom
The pattern of our lives should be such that one can trust us at our word. Rather than having to appeal to oaths or others, our integrity and personal testimony should be the measure that encourages others to believe in what we say. 1. Speak the Truth (v. 12) a. Wisdom for Communicating Well (and enjoying the Christmas season). I. Listen Carefully (Proverbs 18:13) II. Be Nice (Proverbs 12:18) III. Be Straightforward (Proverbs 15:28) IV. Be Quiet (Proverbs 10:19) 2. Earn Trust a. Speak the Truth in Love (Ephesians 4:15) b. Build Others Up (Ephesians 4:29) 3. Share the Gospel (Colossians 4:5-6) Songs: Make A Way #7028394 by J Ingram and J Egan © Integrity Worship Music God I Look To You #5858163 by J Johnson 2010 Bethel Music O Come Let Us Adore Him #4317368 by D DeMarco 2001 Raise Yo Praze Music No Longer Slaves #7030123 by J D Helser & M Helser 2014 © Bethel Music Publishing No Other Name #7019979 by J Houston and J Myrin 2014 © Hillsong Music Publishing
10 - Be Patient, James 5:7-11
November 19, 2017 • Josh Lindstrom
In this life we will have trial and tribulations. Rather than taking matters into our own hands, at times all that we can do is patiently wait for the coming of our Lord. “Patience” is not something that happens on its own, but is a conscious decision and matter of will. 1. Patience takes faith (vs. 7-8) 2. Patience requires discipline (v. 9) 3. Patience is always worth it (vs. 10-11) Songs: Overcome #7067561 by C Brown, M Brock, and S Furtick © Music by Elevation Worship Publishing Faithful To The End #7054172 by B Johnson, H McClure, J Taylor, & P McClure 2015 © Bethel Music Publishing God With Us (Torwalt) #7054539 by B Torwalt and K Torwalt 2015 © Capitol CMG Genesis Make A Way #7028394 by J Ingram and J Egan © Integrity Worship Music Waiting Here For You #5925663 by J Reeves, M Smith, and C Tomlin 2011 http://worshiptogether.com songs
9 - Live Generously, James 4:13-5:6
November 12, 2017 • Josh Lindstrom
It is a fool who thinks he or she can bring security to their future by amassing earthly wealth, and it is a great evil to amass that wealth by abusing others and living only for one’s own satisfaction. Loving well requires we live generously towards others sharing with them what God has entrusted us to steward. 1. Do not presume upon the future – Include God in your plans (vs. 13-17) 2. Do not pursue this world’s treasures – Live generously (5:1) a. Greedy little scrooges (vs. 2-3) b. Filthy little thieves (v. 4) c. Chubby indulgent gluttons (vs. 5-6) SONGS All The Earth #7035179 by A Rozier, J Ingram, J Smith, and M Andrews 2014 © Word Music, LLC Love So Great #7068428 by J Snell, J Grimmett, and R Morgan 2016 Hillsong Music Publishing How Great Thou Art #14181 by S Hine 1941, 1953, 1955 Stuart K. Hine, Renewed 1981 Manna Music, Inc. I Surrender (ASAD) #7060165 by D Leonard, J Ingram, and L Jordan © Open Hands Music The Stand #4705248 by J Houston 2005 Hillsong Publishing
8 - Draw Near, James 4:1-12
November 5, 2017 • Josh Lindstrom
The battles of this life will not be won by the strong, but rather by those who consciously seek to draw near and close to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you, but we must humble ourselves before God to receive the grace we need to overcome temptation. 1. The problem (v. 1) a. A vicious cycle (vs. 2-3) b. A foolish decision (v. 4) 2. The Solution: a. Receive grace (vs. 5-6) b. Draw near. (vs. 7-10) 3. The warning: Speak carefully (vs. 11-12) Songs: God With Us #6460237 by L Jordan 2012 Open Hands Music and Integrity's Praise! Music The Lord Our God #6518055 by J Ingram and K Stanfill 2013 Christ Is Enough #6514035 by R Morgan and J Myrin 2012 Hillsong Music Publishing O Come To The Altar #7051511 by C Brown, M Brock, S Furtick, and W Joye 2015 © Be Essential Songs In Christ Alone #3350395 by K Getty and S Townend 2001 Thankyou Music
7 - Seek Wisdom, James 3:13-18
October 29, 2017 • Josh Lindstrom
There is a great contrast between the ways of God’s kingdom and the pursuits of this world. As followers of Christ we should seek the wisdom that comes from above, and not operate according to the pattern of this world. The result is not selfish ambition, but a love and life that will put others first. 1. Wisdom + Understanding = Good Conduct (v. 13) a. The wisdom of the world (vs. 14-16) b. The wisdom from above (vs. 17-18) Songs: All The Earth #7035179 by A Rozier, J Ingram, J Smith, and M Andrews 2014 © Word Music Love Came Down [J Riddle] #5148938 by J Edwardson, B Johnson, I McIntosh, and J Riddle 2009 Brian And Jenn Johnson Music, Bethel Music Good Good Father #7036612 by A Brown and P Barrett 2014 © Pat Barrett Music Worthy Of Your Name #7052927 by B Younker and S Curran © sixsteps Music God I Look To You #5858163 by J Johnson 2010 Bethel Music
6 - Speak Life, James 3:1-12
October 22, 2017 • Josh Lindstrom
Our words can either bring down or build up, yet there are few battles as difficult as managing what we say. Loving well necessitates us getting a handle on our tongue and taking responsibility for the words we speak. 1. Our universal challenge: the tongue (vs. 3:1-2) a. Super powerful (vs. 3-6) b. Super difficult (vs. 7-8) c. Inconsistent (vs. 9-12) Our words can either bring down or build up, yet there are few battles as difficult as managing what we say. Loving well necessitates us getting a handle on our tongue and taking responsibility for the words we speak.
5 - Work Hard, James 2:14-26
October 8, 2017 • Josh Lindstrom
We are indeed saved by faith in Christ, but that saving faith should lead to works of righteousness. People (and demons) can affirm truths about God, but that alone is not evidence of salvation. A truly transformed life will seek to live according to God’s word in faith and action. 1. Our faith is either active or it is dead (vs. 14-17) 2. Our faith is more than intellectual agreement (vs. 18-19) 3. Our faith is demonstrated by our actions (vs. 20-26) a. The example of Abraham (vs. 21-24) b. The example of Rahab (vs. 25-26) Songs: All The Earth #7035179 by A Rozier, J Ingram, J Smith, & M Andrews 2014 © Word Music Love So Great #7068428 by J Snell, J Grimmett, and R Morgan 2016 Hillsong Music Publishing God With Us (Torwalt) #7054539 by B Torwalt and K Torwalt 2015 © Capitol CMG Genesis He Is The Light #7001303 by B Torwalt and K Torwalt 2013 Jesus Culture Oceans (Where Feet May Fail) #6428767 by M Crocker, J Houston, and S Ligthelm 2012 Hillsong Music Publishing
4 - Look Beyond, James 2:1-13
October 1, 2017 • Josh Lindstrom
Our culture is one of constantly fluctuating rankings; popularity and success, stardom and riches, these are the things that many pursue and people value in others. This should not be the case for the follower of Christ. Looking beyond one’s net worth, we are to love everyone as our neighbor regardless of class or social standing. 1. The directive: Do not discriminate (vs. 1) 2. The example: Two guys walk into a church (vs. 2-4) 3. The reasons: a) God loves the poor (vs. 5-6a) b) The rich oppose you (vs. 6b-7) c) It is a sin (vs. 8-11) 4. This is important (vs. 12-13) Songs: He Is Faithful #6087902 by Bryan Torwalt and Katie Torwalt 2011 Jesus Culture Overcome #7067561 by Chris Brown, Mack Brock, and Steven Furtick © Music by Elevation Worship Publishing This I Believe (The Creed) #7018338 by Ben Fielding and Matt Crocker 2014 © Hillsong Music Publishing Be Thou My Vision #30639 by Hull, Eleanor Henrietta | Byrne, Mary Elizabeth Public Domain All The Poor And Powerless #5881130 by Leslie Jordan and David Leonard 2011 Integrity's Praise! Music and Integrity's Alleluia! Music
3 - Take Action, James 1:19-27
September 24, 2017 • Josh Lindstrom
Our faith is not an intellectual pursuit; proper belief in God should result in actions and a pattern of life that honors him. Simply affirming the right things does not go far enough, our faith should lead to a changed life as evidenced by our activities and perseverance. 1. Listen more. Speak less (vs. 19-20) 2. Look closely. Take action (vs. 21-25) 3. Live faith. Love well (vs. 26-27) Songs: Overcome #7067561 by C Brown, M Brock, and S Furtick © Music by Elevation Worship Publishing You Make Me Brave #7003306 by A Cook 2013 Bethel Music Exalted Over All #7065022 by A Rozier, J Ingram, and J Cates 2016 © All Essential Music Worthy Of Your Name #7052927 by B Younker and S Curran © sixsteps Music Christ Is Enough #6514035 by R Morgan and J Myrin 2012 Hillsong Music Publishing
2 - Get Honest, James 1:12-18
September 17, 2017 • Josh Lindstrom
While difficult to admit, our ongoing battle with sin is not because an enemy external to us, but due to our own desires that give birth to sin in our hearts. Getting honest with ourselves and acknowledging our weaknesses is the first step in finding victory over sin. 1. Our goals (v. 12) 2. Our problem: (v. 13-15) a. It is not God (v. 13) b. It is us (v. 14-15) 3. Do not be deceived (v. 16-18) SONGS Alive In You Jordan Frye, Kim Walker-Smith, and Skyler Smith CCLI: 7054536 Copyright: 2015 © Capitol CMG Genesis (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) and Jesus Culture Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Great Are You Lord Jason Ingram, Leslie Jordan, and David Leonard CCLI: 6460220 Copyright: 2012 Open Hands Music, Sony/ATV Timber Publishing, Integrity's Praise! Music, and Integrity's Alleluia! Music O Praise The Name (Anástasis) Benjamin Hastings, Dean Ussher, and Marty Sampson CCLI #: 7037787 Copyright: 2015 © Hillsong Music Publishing (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Set My Heart Eddie Hoagland, Mia Fieldes, and Todd Rukes CCLI: 7065024 Copyright: 2016 © All Essential Music Lord I Need You Daniel Carson, Matt Maher, Christy Nockels, Jesse Reeves, and Kristian Stanfill CCLI 5925687 Copyright: 2011 http://worshiptogether.com songs, sixsteps Music, Sweater Weather Music, Valley Of Songs Music, and Thankyou Music Forever [Bethel] Christa Black Gifford, Kari Jobe, Brian Johnson, Jenn Johnson, Joel Taylor, and Gabriel Wilson CCLI: 7001228 Copyright: 2013 Bethel Music and http://worshiptogether.com songs
1 - Stay Strong, James 1:1-11
September 10, 2017 • Josh Lindstrom
Not to be avoided, the trials of this life help to make us into the people that God desires us to be. The challenge is in enduring those trials in a way that honors God and his ways. Consequently, in faith, we must seek his wisdom and direction when faced with difficulty. Stay Strong: 4 Essentials 1. Endurance (vs. 1-4) 2. Wisdom (v. 5) 3. Faith (vs. 6-8) 4. Perspective (vs. 9-11) Songs: Overcome #7067561 by C Brown, M Brock, and S Furtick © Music by Elevation Worship Publishing Love So Great #7068428 by J Snell, J Grimmett, and R Morgan 2016 Hillsong Music Publishing God Of The Redeemed #5858132 by C McClure, P McClure, & J Riddle 2010 Bethel Music and Mercy / Vineyard Publishing God I Look To You #5858163 by J Johnson 2010 Bethel Music In Christ Alone #3350395 by K Getty and S Townend 2001 Thankyou Music