Faith Guides Our WordsJames 3:1-2  (HCSB)Controlling the Tongue3 Not many should become teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive a stricter judgment, 2 for we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a mature man who is also able to control his whole body.Mark JenkinsThose who know me, know I can be sarcastic. I have often had “intense fellowship” with...  Read More

GENUINE FAITHOur lifestyle should match what we say we believe.KEY TRUTH: Faith Without Action Is Worthless (James 2:14–17)KEY TRUTH: Faith Is More Than Just Belief in God (James 2:18–19)KEY TRUTH: We Are Counted as Righteous Based on Action-Producing Faith (James 2:20–26)FAMILY CONNECTION:  CONTINUE THE DISCUSSION AFTER CHURCH! How are faith and works connected? If you are not saved by your works...  Read More

James has much to say about the relationship between our faith and our works. How has one influenced the other in your life? Has God given you a specific call to action? What is stopping you from acting on it?One of the keys to making the most of your faith / works relationship is knowing your spiritual gifts. What are your spiritual gifts? How can you put those gifts in action? How will putting t...  Read More

Philippians 2:14-17 (HCSB)14 Do everything without grumbling and arguing, 15 so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world. 16 Hold firmly to the message of life. Then I can boast in the day of Christ that I didn’t run or labor for nothing. 17 But even if I am poured out as a drink offeri...  Read More

Philippians 2:12-13 (HCSB)Lights in the World12 So then, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God who is working in you, enabling you both to desire and to work out His good purpose.Barry CobbTake a look at your church bulletin from last week (or any week, for tha...  Read More

James 2:20-26 (HCSB)20 Foolish man! Are you willing to learn that faith without works is useless? 21 Wasn’t Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active together with his works, and by works, faith was perfected. 23 So the Scripture was fulfilled that says, Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him for righteousness, and ...  Read More

James 2:18-19 (HCSB)18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without works, and I will show you faith from my works. 19 You believe that God is one; you do well. The demons also believe—and they shudder.Barry CobbJames packs a punch with the 2 verses we’ll discuss today. In Verse 18, we see him speaking again of the tension between faith and works. Can we tru...  Read More

Genuine FaithJames 2:14-17 (HCSB)Faith and Works14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can his faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is without clothes and lacks daily food 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well,” but you don’t give them what the body needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way faith, if it doesn’t h...  Read More

Living Out Our FaithBe willing and prepared to help those in need.KEY TRUTH: Genuine Religion Ministers to the Vulnerable (James 1:26—2:13)KEY TRUTH: Genuine Religion Shows Love to Neighbors (Luke 10:25–37)KEY TRUTH: Ministering to the Vulnerable Is Ministering to Jesus (Matthew 25:31–40)FAMILY CONNECTION:  CONTINUE THE DISCUSSION AFTER CHURCH!What is faith? (Choosing to trust God in every situati...  Read More

 This will require you to be honest with yourself: Give an example of when you allowed the world to influence your behavior, leading you to realize that you acted in a way that reflected a worthless religion rather than a God centered experience? If God will judge you on the merit of your actions and things you’ve done this week, what would that look like? Give an example of either side of the coi...  Read More

Matthew 25:31-40   (HCSB)The Sheep and the Goats31 “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on His right and the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will ...  Read More

Luke 10:25-37   (HCSB)The Parable of the Good Samaritan25 Just then an expert in the law stood up to test Him, saying, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”26 “What is written in the law?” He asked him. “How do you read it?”  27 He answered: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.28 ...  Read More