Sermon from December 27th

Go On to Maturity in 2010

Hebrews 5: 11 - 6: 12

1. Once we understand the elementary teachings of the faith, we move on into more mature doctrine.
2. The elementary teachings include:
a. repentance from sin
b. faith in God
c. instruction about baptism
d. laying on of hands
e. belief in heaven and hell
3. Salvation is "once for all", so move on to maturity. Hebrews 10: 10 - 14
4. Jesus died once, so you can only be saved once.
5. Maturity will include helping others, sticking to your beliefs and walking by faith.

This is a wonderful passage that shows that we are saved once and only once. The churches that teach you can lose your salvation all teach that you can repent and receive it again, but this passage clearly shows you would have to put Jesus back on the cross to be saved again. If you could lose your salvation, you could never get it back again. The writer of Hebrews goes on to show that you can't lose your salvation (Hebrews 10:14), because Jesus made us "perfect" - in other words, He paid for our sins and made us clean before God - at the point of our salvation. The writer is speaking to Jewish Christians who were used to a priest having to atone for sins over and over. With Jesus, there is a one-time atonement that makes us right with God for all time.

Sermon from December 20th

Advent 09 - Week Four: Peace

Ephesians 2: 11 - 22

1. The gift of Christmas is peace.
2. Jesus breaks down barriers and brings us together as one. He provides peace with each other.
3. Jesus also gave mankind the gift of peace with God. Romans 5:10
4. The result of these two gifts is peace with ourselves. We can live knowing our lives have purpose and that everything is going to work out okay. Romans 8:28
5. Our faith is built on the foundation of the Old Testament and the apostles. Jesus is the most important stone in the house.
6. The church is not a building, it is a body.

Sermon from December 13th

Advent 09 - Week Three: Joy

Luke 2: 1 - 20

1. Joy came to Mary after the pains of childbirth.
2. Often, the pain we feel today is preparing us for blessings tomorrow.
3. Joy came to Joseph after he showed tremendous faith.
4. It is impossible to receive God’s full blessings if we do not trust and obey Him.
5. Joy came to the shepherds after they were terribly afraid.
6. We are often frightened when God intervenes in our lives. But God was bringing good news of great joy.
7. Joy came to the town of Bethlehem only because the shepherds shared the good news.

Sermon from December 6th

Advent 09 - Week Two: Love

John 15: 9 - 17

1. As Christians, we live in an endless circle of love. God the Father loves Jesus, Jesus loves us, we love each other, and we love God.
2. May this circle never be broken. God loves us through each other.
3. Jesus said we remain in his love by obeying his commands.
4. His command is to love each other.
5. We know what love is by following Jesus' example.
6. True love is sacrificial.
7. True love brings complete joy.

Sermon from November 29th

Advent 09 - Week One: Hope

Isaiah 9: 1 - 7

1. Israel's northern territory was humbled by attacks by the Assyrians. But the Messiah would come from that very area.
2. Light brings warmth, blessing, hope and the truth.
3. Messiah would come as a child. He would be one of us and would fully sympathize with what we go through. Hebrews 4:15
4. A Wonderful Counselor is someone who gives us guidance and comfort.
5. Mighty God tells us that the Messiah is God in the flesh and that He is a powerful warrior.
6. An Everlasting Father is one who never lets us down. It describes a King who keeps his people safe for eternity.
7. A Prince of Peace will reign in a just and peaceful Kingdom where we have peace with God and will never be harmed or treated unfairly.

Sermon from November 22nd

The Parable of the Great Feast

Luke 14: 15 - 24

1. The best gift we will ever receive is being allowed to enjoy eternal fellowship with God in heaven.
2. Jesus warns that everyone has been invited, but we have to accept his invitation and go to the feast.
3. It was customary to send two invitations. The first announced the event well in advance. The second meant it was time to go to the feast.
4. The first group simply did not have time to go. This represents people who don't see Jesus as the most important thing in their lives.
5. God has plenty of room at his table. He has invited everyone to his banquet. Sinners, poor people, and even Gentiles are invited into God's fellowship.
6. Only those who accept Jesus' invitation will enjoy his wedding feast. Revelation 19: 9

Sermon from November 15th

The Jerusalem Council

Acts 15: 1 - 11

1. This happened 17 years after Jesus' resurrection. Christianity is spreading into Gentile territory. Since Jesus was a Jew, should Gentiles have to follow Jewish rules to be saved?
2. So how did Jesus say a person is saved?
a. He said whoever believes in Him has eternal life. John 3:16
b. He said the work that God requires is to believe. John 6: 28, 29
c. He said to repent and believe. Mark 1: 15
3. Peter said the proof that they had been saved was that they had received the Holy Spirit.
4. No one can follow all of God's Law. We would be in trouble if that was how we were saved.
5. The good news is that we are saved by the grace of Jesus.
6. We must believe to receive God's grace.

Sermon from November 8th

The Ten Commandments

8. You Shall Not Steal
9. You Shall Not Give False Testimony...
10. You Shall Not Covet

Exodus 20: 1 - 17

1. We see a progression in God's Laws: They deal with your God, your parents, your life, your family and now your personal property, your reputation, and your heart.
2. God understands the importance of owning and keeping our own possessions. Matthew 6:20
3. Paul said no Christian should be a thief, but should work so he can help others. Ephesians 4:28
4. Giving false testimony is lying to hurt someone.
5. Coveting is a matter of the heart. It means we envy others for what they have. We have already stolen from them in our hearts.
6. Paul said these Commandments can be summed up by the command "Love your neighbor as yourself" Romans 13:6, Leviticus 19:18
7. Jesus did too. Matthew 22:37 - 40

Sermon from November 1st

The Ten Commandments
6. You Shall Not Murder
7. You Shall Not Commit Adultery

Exodus 20: 1 - 14

1. Murder is deliberately taking another person's life.
2. Stopping a beating heart out of anger or convenience is murder.
3. The Bible provides for exceptions for capital punishment and war.
4. Jesus focused on the intent of the law -- we should not be so angry with someone that we want to murder him. Matthew 5: 21 - 22
5. God wants to strengthen and protect the family. The quickest way to destroy a family is committing adultery.
6. The pain of a spouse being unfaithful is one of the worst a person can face.
7. Jesus said not to commit lust in our hearts. Matthew 5: 27 - 28
These Commandments promote the sanctity of Life and Marriage. Life should never be treated as cheap, and neither should our vows.

Sermon from October 18

The Ten Commandments
5. Honor Your Father and Your Mother...

Exodus 20: 1 - 12

1. This Commandment transitions between our relationship with God and our relationship with each other.
2. Honoring and obeying our parents is practice for honoring and obeying God.
3. Our relationship with others begins with our parents.
4. God knows how important the family is. If it breaks down, so does society.
5. We obey our parents when we are young and we honor them throughout our lives. Colossians 3:20; Matthew 15: 3 – 9
6. If you must choose between obeying your parents and obeying God, you obey God. Matthew 10:37

Sermon from October 11

The Ten Commandments
4. Remember the Sabbath Day...

Exodus 20: 1 - 11

1. The commandments make us more like God himself. Genesis 2: 1 - 3

2. This commandment shows us how much God loves us.

3. Because of the resurrection, the Lord's Day changed to Sunday. Acts 20:7, Revelation 1:10

4. Jesus allowed for acts of charity, teaching, and necessity on the Sabbath, and proclaimed that He is Lord of the Sabbath. Mark, 1:21, Mark 2:27, Mark 2:28, Matthew 12:12

5. Jesus taught the true intent of the Sabbath - that it was made for man and not the other way around.

6. God commands us to rest one day per week from our normal work routine. We use that time to think about Him.

Sermon from October 4

The Ten Commandments
3. You Shall Not Misuse My Name

Exodus 20: 1 - 7

1. We should sanctify God's name. That means we keep it holy and use it only with proper respect.

2. We misuse God's name when we cheapen it by saying it without thinking about Him.

3. We misuse God's name when we use it as part of a curse word.

4. We misuse God's name when we attach it to a vow that we do not fully intend to keep.

5. Jesus said not to swear by heaven, earth or even your own head. Matthew 5:34

6. The way you use God's name shows what you truly think about him.

7. Jesus said when we come together in his name, he is with us. Matthew 18:20

Sermon from September 27

The Ten Commandments
2. You Shall Not Make for Yourself an Idol

Exodus 20: 1 - 6

1. If you create or invent a god, you are in control of what it can and can't do. You are in control of the religion.

2. It's okay to have hobbies, interests, friends and loved ones, but it's not okay to place them above God in your heart.

3. God wants an intimate relationship with us. He is jealous when we love anything more than him. Idolatry is spiritual adultery.

4. The lingering effects of idolatry effect our children and grandchildren. Ezekiel 18: 1 - 4

5. God's mercy is greater than his wrath.

6. Jesus said we cannot serve two masters. Matthew 6:24

Sermon from September 20

The Ten Commandments
1. You Shall Have No Other gods...

Exodus 20: 1 - 3

1. God has proven that He is worthy to be our one and only God. He has saved us from slavery and given us life.
2. In return, He wants the central position in our hearts.
3. This means we think about Him before we make every decision.
4. It means we give him the best of our talents, energy, time and passion.
5. In Egypt, the Israelites would have seen many gods worshiped. God said we are to worship him alone.
6. Jesus said to worship God and serve him only. Matthew 4:10
7. David said to delight in the Lord. Jesus said to love God with all of our hearts, souls and minds. Paul said to cry out to God as a loving father. Psalm 37:4, Matthew 22: 37 Romans 8:15

Good day at Worship today. We baptized Ashley Ashton.

Sermon from September 13

The Danger of Being Lukewarm

Revelation 3: 14 - 22

1. Laodicea was a wealthy city, known for its banking, wool and a medical school that made eye salve.

2. But being wealthy can cause us to be self-sufficient instead of Christ-sufficient.

3. God would rather you be either hot or cold toward him.

4. If you are cold toward God, people don't look to you for spiritual guidance.

5. If you are on fire for God, you can impact your family and your world.

6. If you are luke-warm, you will inoculate your children against Christianity.

7. Luke-warm Christians don't allow God to change their attitudes, behavior or priorities. 2 Timothy 3: 1 – 9

8. If we are luke-warm, it is never too late to repent.

Sermon from September 6

Having Peace with God

Romans 5: 1 - 11

1. God is holy. He can have no fellowship with sin.

2. We are all sinners and that makes us God's enemies, and his wrath remains on us. Romans 3:23, John 3: 36

3. But Jesus paid for our sins and offers peace with God.

4. Justified means "Just if I'd never sinned."

5. Reconciled means we have become friends again.

6. God proved how deep his love is when Jesus died for sinners.

7. We are saved from God's wrath.

8. What's our part in this? Romans 4:24: We must believe in Him (John 3:16). This means we put our trust and confidence in him that he alone can save us.

Sermon from August 30

As For Me and My House...

Joshua 24: 1 - 15

1. This passage is part of Joshua's farewell speech. He wanted his legacy to be "Hold fast to the Lord your God" (verse 23:8). What is your legacy?

2. Joshua knew the people would be tempted to worship the local gods and marry local pagans.

3. God reminded them that he had saved them from slavery and had gone before them in their victories.

4. We may forget to serve God when we begin to believe that we don't need him and can live our lives without him.

5. God doesn't force us to serve him or love him. The choice is ours, but we will face the consequences of our decisions.

6. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

Sermon from August 23

Acting On Your Faith

John 4: 46 - 54

1. The royal official was probably an administrator for King Herod. It was an act of total humility for him to beg Jesus for a favor.

2. Jesus wants us to believe in him even when we haven't seen any miraculous signs to make us do so. John 20:29

3. The man proved his faith when he headed back home.

4. The only way we can prove that our faith is real today is by acting on it. James 2:14

5. How have you acted on your faith to prove that you take God at his Word?

6. The royal official's faith grew as he acted upon it.

7. The result was his whole family believed in Jesus.

Sermon from August 9

Living in God's Prosperity

Matthew 6: 25 - 34

1. When we worry, we are showing that we don't believe God can take care of us. This is a sin.

2. Jesus says that since God takes care of his creation, he can also take care of us, his children.

3. If God can feed wild birds, who do not properly invest, he can feed you.

4. If God can clothe a wild flower, which doesn't do any work, he can clothe you. Ephesians 4:28, 6:7 (these verses remind us that we should work, but God will take care of us if we become unemployed or underemployed...)

5. God knows what you need. Do you have the faith to believe that?

6. God knows what we want, too. Psalm 37:4 (We know what we think we want, God knows what we really want...)

7. Put God first in your life and He will take care of you.

Sermon from August 2

Our Incomprehensible God

Job 38: 1 - 11

1. No one has the right to question God. His creation shows us how far beyond our understanding he is.

2. God is unfathomable, unsearchable, incomprehensible, all powerful, and yet he loves us more than a father loves his children.

3. God not only created the universe, he also sets the boundaries and takes care of his creation.

4. God is sovereign and his will will be done.

5. We cannot fathom what God is purposing for our lives.

6. Job responds by admitting he is unworthy to speak to God and will not question Him again. Job 40: 3 - 5

Sermon from July 26

Growing Through Trials

Job 36: 27 - 37: 18

1. Elihu believed that Job was suffering because he had become arrogant and that he would continue to suffer until he repented.

2. Elihu believed that God is always just, always righteous, and too powerful for our minds to understand.

3. How should we handle suffering?

a. It can make us closer to God, or it can drive us away from him. Hebrews 10:22

b. It can make our faith stronger, or it can cause us to reject God. James 1: 2 - 4

c. It can make us more sympathetic to others, or it can cause us to become more selfish. 2 Corinthians 1: 3 - 7

d. We can seek answers from God's Word, or we can seek answers from the world. James 1:5

Sermon from July 19

I Know My Redeemer Lives!

Job 19: 21 - 29

1. Job believes God has struck him with his hand. Actually God protected Job from Satan's request to stretch out his hand against him. Job 1: 11

2. Job wishes his words were recorded forever. That is exactly what happened.

3. Redeemer is the Kinsman-Redeemer we find in Ruth 4: 1. This is a person who protects a family member's rights.

4. Job believes after he dies he will see this mediator who will vindicate him before God.

5. Jesus fulfilled this prophecy. 1 Timothy 2:5

6. The passage ends with a warning: God is a just God and we should not accuse him of wrongdoing.

Sermon from July 12

Trust God No Matter What

-

Job 13: 13 - 14: 2

1. Job says he know he will be able to plead his case before God and explain that he has done nothing wrong.

2. Job says his life is in God's hands and he will trust him no matter what. Habakkuk 3: 17 -19

3. Jesus said the same thing in the garden when he prayed. Luke 22:42

4. We must realize that we are God's servants and He is in charge.

5. But we are also his children and he always wants what is best for us. 1 John 3:1

6. It is not always easy to hope in God, but we cannot please him without faith. Hebrews 11:6

Sermon from July 5

Why The Righteous Suffer

Job 4:1 - 21; 5:24 - 30

1. Eliphaz believed Job had been inconsistent with his righteousness and God was punishing him for it.

2. God does punish the wicked, and we reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7), but every time we suffer that does not mean God is punishing us. John 9:3

3. Jesus suffered for the good of mankind. Paul suffered to keep him humble. 2 Corinthians 12:7

4. Don't add guilt to someone's suffering by telling him it's his fault. Don't tell him God told you this.

5. We should allow suffering to draw us closer to God and make us more mature.

6. The Greeks believed in Nemesis, and the Hindus believe in Karma, but the Bible does not teach this.

Sermon from June 28

Showing Godly Sympathy

Job 2: 11 - 13, 3: 1 - 4

1. There is power in numbers. It is important for us to agree together to pray for one another and comfort each other. Matthew 18: 19, 20

2. The friends did everything right in this chapter. They cried with him and sat with him.

3. They sacrificed for him and joined him in his suffering.

4. We feel we must say the right thing, but often silence is the best we can offer.

5. Just being there gives the best comfort.

6. When Job finally speaks, he vents about how bad he feels.

Sermon from June 21

Accepting Good and Bad from God

Job 2: 1 - 10

1. Here again we see that Satan answers to God. That Satan cannot be everywhere at once. That Satan cannot do anything without God's permission.

2. Satan argued that a man will turn against God if you cause his health to suffer.

3. Even Job's wife wanted him to curse God. Job was up against temptation worse than anything most of us will ever face.

4. Job realized it isn't fair to accept God's goodness, but never sacrifice for him in return.

5. God can do no evil, (James 1: 13 - 17) but he disciplines us like children and it is unpleasant at the time. Hebrews 12: 7 - 11

6. God allows us to suffer to humble us. 2 Corinthians 12: 7

7. Or if it is for a greater good. Luke 22: 42

Sermon from June 7

BoYa!

Job 1

1. Job may have been the first book of the Bible written. It answers the question: "Why does God allow good people to suffer?"

2. There is no simple answer because no one can fathom the mind of God.

3. Job was wealthy, righteous, and a good father.

4. Job lived before Moses, but understood that being right with God requires a blood sacrifice.

5. Satan is answerable to God; He was created by God; He can only be one place at a time; He accuses us before God.

6. But Satan can do absolutely nothing without God's permission.

7. Job's response reminds us that God is worthy of our love and praise apart from the blessings he provides.

Sermon from May 31

The Ancient of Days

Revelation 1

1. Revelation is the revealing of Jesus to all Christians. Seven churches symbolizes all churches.

2. It begins by reminding us that our place in heaven was purchased by the blood of Jesus.

3. All power, truth, and all glory belong to Jesus.

4. The Lord's day is Sunday.

5. "The son of man" refers to Daniel 7:13. It means Jesus is God.

6. Jesus' robe tells us he is a prophet, high priest and King.

7. His hair shows age and purity.

8. His feet show strength. His voice shows power.

9. His Word is a sharp sword. Hebrews 4:12

10. His face shows his glory. Matthew 17:2

11. His word to us is: Do not be afraid.

Sermon from May 24

Here Am I. Send Me!

Isaiah 6: 1 - 8

1. King Uzziah was a good king of Israel who died in 740 B.C. The ancients reckoned time by events.

2. The seraphs covered their faces to shield them from God's glory. They covered their feet to show their modesty or humility. Revelation 4: 8 - 11

3. This passage emphasizes God's complete power, glory and holiness.

4. When we see the holiness of God, we realize that we are sinners who are not worthy to be in his presence.

5. The coal came from the altar, reminding us that sins are paid for by sacrifice.

6. It is God who makes us clean and allows us to be used by him.

7. The result of being cleansed by God is that we want to tell others.

Sermon from May 17

Thirty Minutes in Heaven

Revelation 21

1. When we arrive in heaven, we will be back in paradise.

2. In heaven, the perfection that we can barely imagine will be reality. Everything about it will be brand new.

3. No one in heaven will ever harm you. No one who has not accepted Christ will be there.

4. The description of Jerusalem is loaded with symbolism: People will arrive from all directions. It is big enough for everyone. It is built on the foundation of the apostles.

5. The city is beautiful. It's walls have every color. The streets are made of pure gold.

6. There is no temple because God will walk with us and no need for light because God is there.

7. We must accept Christ as Savior to ever get to see it.

Sermon from May 10

Our True Family - Mother's Day 09

Matthew 12: 46 - 50

1. God created the family. God's plan for the family will never change. Matthew 19: 4 – 6; Malachi 2:15

2. Parents have the most important job in the world: to teach their children about God in word and deed. Deuteronomy 6: 7, 8

3. We do not neglect our families, even if it's in devotion to God. Matthew 15: 1 – 9

4. But God comes first. If we must choose between God and our families, we choose God. Matthew 10: 34 - 39

5. Our spiritual family is our most important family. It will last forever.

Sermon from May 3

God's Plan for Your Life

Psalm 139

1. God knows everything about you. He knows what you are going to say and he knows what you are going to do. Matthew 10:30

2. You cannot hide from God.

3. You are protected by his power and guided by his wisdom.

4. God built you from scratch and numbered your days. He sees all of your life at once.

5. God thinks of you more often than you can count and watches over you when you sleep.

6. God has a purpose for your life: to love him, love others, and build the Kingdom. Matthew 22: 37 - 38. He has a will for your life: to be perfect. Matthew 5:48

7. God's plan for your life is to present you in heaven without fault and with great joy. Jude 24

Psalm 116: 6; Proverbs 19:21; James 4:15

Sermon from April 26

The Road to Emmaus

Luke 24: 13 - 35

1. Jesus could have spent his day talking to the large group of disciples, but he devoted his time to just two disciples walking to a country village.

2. God sent Philip out of a revival in Samaria to the desert to preach to one man. Acts 8: 4 - 40
(God saves us and loves us individually)

3. Their knowledge of Christ was mostly right, but they couldn't see the big picture.

4. We are "slow of heart to believe" if we do not accept that Jesus died and rose again.

5. Jesus may have shown them Genesis 3:15, Psalm 22: 12 - 18, Isaiah 53, Zechariah 12:10, and Malachi 3:1.

6. We see Jesus when we understand the breaking of the bread.

Sermon from April 12 - Easter 09

Celebrate the Living Savior!

Luke 24: 1 - 12

1. Why do we look for the living among the dead?

2. Do you pay respects to a great man who died, or do you celebrate a living Savior who is alive and active today?

3. We worry because we do not understand what God is up to. But this story shows that God's plan is always best.

4. By day's end, they had seen and touched Jesus again. Luke 24: 36 - 42

5. We will not find the life we are looking for in philosophy, materialism, wealth, even relationships.

6. We will not find eternal life anywhere other than through trust in the risen Jesus.

Sermon from April 5

Pilate, Herod and the Innocent Man

Luke 23: 1 - 25

1. The Jewish leaders did not have to right to execute Jesus. Only Rome had that right. That's why they took Jesus to Pilate. (John 18:31)

2. Two out of the three charges against Jesus were lies.

3. Half-truths are Satan's favorite tool.

4. Pilate knew Jesus was not guilty of a crime worth death.

5. Herod Antipas wanted Jesus to entertain him. The creator of the universe isn't here for our entertainment.

6. Barabbas is a perfect picture of substitute atonement.

7. Pilate gave in to peer pressure, even though he knew it was wrong.

Sermon from March 29

The Betrayer, the Cowards and the Blind

Luke 22: 47 - 71

1. This story boils down to Jesus saying "If I tell you, you will not believe me, and I asked you, you would not answer."

2. They either forgot or ignored that Jesus had just healed Malchus' ear.

3. How could Judas betray Jesus with a kiss?

4. How could Peter deny that he knew Jesus?

5. How could the disciples run like cowards?

6. How could the Jews not see the truth?

7. Do we betray Jesus with our actions? Do we deny we even know Jesus to those around us? Are we cowards even in the face of the evidence?

Sermon from March 22

Persecution and Praying

Luke 22: 31 - 46

1. Jesus warned the disciples that they were about to face persecution to the point of death.

2. He warned Peter that Satan wanted to find and exploit his weaknesses so that Peter would be ineffective as a spiritual leader.

3. We see in this that temporarily falling away does not mean you lose your faith. We all deny Christ at times, but we can return and become powerful leaders in the Kingdom. John 21: 15 - 19

4. Because Jesus was rejected as a liar, the disciples would be persecuted as criminals or crazy.

5. The battle they were facing was spiritual.

6. Kneeling to pray shows that we are humble before God. We tell him what we want, but acknowledge that God's will is always best.

Sermon from March 8

Healing and Forgiveness Belong to God

James 5: 13 - 20

1. We should never separate our spiritual life from our physical circumstances. Our faith should permeate all aspects of our existence.
2. We give God credit for blessings and we call on Him to help us in times of need.
3. The anointing with oil represents calling on the Holy Spirit for healing. Mark 6:13
4. We must pray believing and earnestly for our prayers to be answered. James 1:7; James 5:17
5. We pray correctly and leave the results to God.
6. Our spiritual condition is far more important than our physical condition. Matthew 9:2
7. Confessing our sins to one another means we are right with God and man.

(Should we see a doctor? Yes, see Matthew 9: 12, 1 Tim. 5:23)

Sermon from March 1

True Wealth and Blessing Belong to God

James 5: 1 - 12

1. Wealth and success on earth are only temporary.
2. Jesus said to store up treasures in heaven, where it is safe and lasts forever. Matthew 6:19 - 21
3. People will answer to God for getting rich at someone else's expense.
4. Some rich people have even condemned innocent people to death for their own luxury or convenience.
5. Be patient until the Lord blesses you as a reward for trusting in Him. Isaiah 40:31
6. Stand firm like Job and the prophets of old.
7. As we wait on Jesus' return, we should love one another and honor our word. Matthew 5:34 - 37

Sermon from February 22

Judgment and Time Belong to God

James 4: 11 - 17

1. The law tells us to love one another. (Leviticus 19:18, Matthew 22: 37 - 40)
2. So if we put each other down or lie about each other, we are acting as though we are above God's law. If someone is above God's law, then he is above God Himself.
3. Jesus said not to judge each other (Matthew 7:1 - 5)
4. We tell a brother who is acting sinful (5:19-20, 1 Corinthians 6: 2 - 5, Galatians 6: 1, 2), but the judgment belongs to God, not us. Jude 22 - 23
5. Do you build others up or tear them down?
6. The problem is not making plans, the problem is leaving God out of your plans.

Sermon from February 15

Living at Peace with God and Man

James 4: 1 - 10

1. It is never good to hurt each other to get what we want.
2. Paul said he would give up his rights for the sake of another person. 1 Corinthians 8:13
3. To get what we desire, we should pray correctly.
4. First, we tell God what we want.
5. Then we ask for things with the right motives.
6. When we submit to God, we leave the results to him. We believe God knows what is best for us and we are not wiser than Him.
7. When we humble ourselves to God, He will lift us up.

Sermon from February 8

Living in Godly Wisdom

James 3: 13 - 18

1. The goal of every Christian should be to grow in wisdom.
2. Not worldly wisdom, but Godly wisdom.
3. The world's wisdom is self-seeking. The person is envious of others who are successful. He is involved in evil practices like gossip and lying.
4. The result of worldly wisdom is confusion.
5. God's wisdom results in good deeds, peace among each other, and a harvest of righteousness.

Matthew 5: 5 - 9
6. If you have God's wisdom, you will be humble, approachable, submissive to God's authority, merciful, impartial and not hypocritical.

Sermon from February 1

Teaching and the Tongue

James 3: 1 - 12

1. Paul lists teaching as the third most important gift in the church (1 Corinthians 12:28) and said we should eagerly desire the greater gifts (1 Corinthians 12: 31).
2. James says we should only teach if our actions line up with our teaching.
3. He's not saying we have to be perfect to be teachers, but we should be aware that we are judged more strictly.
4. If we can control what we say, we have reached perfection.
5. If you can control your tongue, you can overcome every other temptation.
6. How can we use the same mouth to praise God and curse people who are made in His image?

Sermon from January 25

Faith and Action

James 2: 14 - 26

1. A true faith will conform our hearts to be more like Christ’s, transform our minds to God’s thoughts, and form our actions into obedience to God.
2. Faith is not just a mental assent. It is more than knowledge. If your faith doesn’t cause you to cry out to God for salvation, you cannot be saved. (vs. 19)
3. Actions cannot save anyone, but actions prove your faith is real. It is the faith that saves you and that justifies you. Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 3:28
4. Romans 4:3 and Genesis 15:6 say Abraham was credited as righteous because of his belief. James’ point is that Abraham’s actions proved that he had faith.
5. Do your actions prove that you have faith?

Sermon from January 18

Showing Favoritism Toward the Rich

James 2: 1 - 13

1. We are not acting like Christ if we are more friendly to people who appear to be successful.
2. As Christians, we should see people like God sees them: unique; in need of love; dearly loved by God; and made in His image.
3. If we do not have compassion for the poor, our religion is unacceptable to God. James 1: 27
4. James points out that it is often the rich who reject Christ, exploit us, and drag us into to court for some infraction.
5. When we provide food for a poor person, Jesus said we are giving it directly to Him. Matthew 25: 34 – 46
6. Prejudice is a sin.
7. If we show no mercy, no mercy will be shown us.

Sermon from January 11

Temptations and True Religion

James 1: 13 - 27

1. God desires that we become more like Christ. He doesn’t promote anything outside of that.
2. A temptation is a desire to do something that misses the mark of God’s perfection. Sin always leads to death. Romans 6:23
3. God leads us to light and life, temptations lead us to sin and death.
4. Angry behavior, moral filth, and evil are given as examples of sin. God desires self-control.
5. Hearing God’s Word does us no good if we do not put it into practice. We should also study it carefully. Matthew 7:24
6. True faith and religion always lead to action

Sermon from January 4

Maturing in Our Faith in 09

James 1: 1 - 12

1. Do you feel closer to God – or farther away – than you did at this time last year?
2. The only path to maturity is through trials.
3. God loves you too much to let you stay where you are.
4. As we mature, we learn to trust God’s plans no matter how difficult they seem.
5. When we doubt, we block God’s desire to make us more mature.
6. The world sees success as having wealth, but God knows that wealth is fleeting.
7. Know that trials are only a test to prove to us that we belong to God, and push us toward maturity.