Bible, theology, culture, etc.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFSBbjhgKio - Notes - Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed...My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will … Continue reading Known and Loved (James 5:16, 19-20)
Do your parents have those stories that they tell, over and over again? You know, those embarrassing stories about stupid things you did when you were younger. No matter how many times it has been shared, it always seems to come up sooner or later. Well, one story that I have burned into my memory … Continue reading Pinky-Promise? (James 5:12)
Imagine with me, tomorrow you show up at school, and your best friend runs up to you, tears in their eyes, voice shaking, and says, “Everything is gone. Everything, I lost everything.” You try and calm them down, but they begin sobbing, “The tornado that came through last night touched down right by our house … Continue reading “Have You Considered My Servant Job?” (James 5:10-11)
Last week we saw James speak to a group of wealthy people who were exploiting and taking advantage of the poor. This week, James turns and speaks to the poor who are being oppressed and encourages them. And here is what he encourages them with: Jesus is coming soon. And because Jesus is coming soon, … Continue reading How to Suffer Well (James 5:7-10)
"What would you do if tomorrow you were given millions of dollars?” I’ve always loved that question. It’s a fun way to start a conversation with someone, and is a creative way to learn more about their dreams, desires, and what they really value. We all like to dream what it would be like to … Continue reading A Life Worth Losing (James 5:1-6)
How do you talk about people you don’t like? When that person who drives you crazy leaves the room, what words are quick to rush out of your mouth? How do you speak about those who are really different from you? Or, better yet, how do speak about someone who has hurt you? Our words, … Continue reading Thou Shalt Not Judge? (James 4:11-12)
School started last week, which means the strange phenomena of returning to the community of school-life has begun. Returning from a summer off is always strange – there is a kind of sizing up and critiquing that everyone does with one another. Everyone is trying to see how we assimilate back into the social order … Continue reading Our Cheatin’ Hearts (James 4:1-10)
“Sticks and stones may break bones, but words will never hurt me” I learned this little rhyme when I was a young child, and was encouraged to chant it if I ever felt like someone was trying to hurt me with their words, as if it would stop someone else from wanting to mock me. … Continue reading Bad Words (James 3:1-12)
We have been saying that the fundamental theme of the book of James has been “authentic faith leads to a transformed life”. The passage we will cover tonight provides the heartbeat of the theme. James has been striving to encourage the brothers and sisters in Christ that they can endure trials without lashing back in … Continue reading Dead Faith (James 2:14-26)
Who do you admire? What celebrity would you be most excited about meeting? A few years ago, I had the opportunity to meet in person a pastor and author that I seriously admired. He was speaking at a conference I was attending and was hosting a book signing afterwards. I grabbed a hardback copy of … Continue reading No Divisons (James 2:1-13)
Marc Sims 