James 1:19-26 “Do as I Say and As I Do”

We are now in our third week of our study of the book of James. Last week we looked at how James reminds us to be joyful when we encounter trials of various kinds because our trials are not obstacles to our growth, they are the means of our growth as believers. We talked about how the trials the we face as believers are there to reveal the reality of our faith. I also want to remind each of us of what we talked about this first week of this study that the things that James will tell us to … Continue reading James 1:19-26 “Do as I Say and As I Do”

James 1:2-18 “What Joy”

Welcome to week 2 of our study of the book of James. Last week we looked at the key element to understanding the commands and instructions that James is going to give us in this letter. I highlighted how James saw himself, and the people he was writing to and how we need to see ourselves not primarily as what we do, but who we are in Christ… Our culture has a disconnect. it is between the known truth that if you want to be good at anything, you must experience trials, and the desire that we have as a … Continue reading James 1:2-18 “What Joy”

James 1:1 “Meet James, Who are you?”

James: Author: self designation: “a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ” James was called James the Just. He was the brother of Jesus. Leader of the church in Jerusalem. Written most likely in the mid 40’s. We don’t know much about where he was or the circumstances surrounding the writing of this letter like we do about Paul’s letters. Recipients: “12 Tribes” This is a reference to the twelve tribes of Israel who come from the twelve sons of Jacob, who’s name was changed to Israel after he wrestled with God. It was a reminder to the … Continue reading James 1:1 “Meet James, Who are you?”

Membership 2

Membership 2 (audio file) Membership 2 As I said last week, our church is in the process of rewriting the articles of ministry for Emmaus Christian Church. This has been a long process and will continue to be a long process. There is a lot to consider as we look at how we as a church are to be formed to fulfill the mission God has called us to as a body. Last week we looked at what membership is in the church. From the different passages we looked at I hope it was clear to you that there are two … Continue reading Membership 2

Membership 1

Membership 1 (audio file) Membership 1 First off, you may be wondering why I chose to talk about this topic this morning. Yes, this is a topical sermon. typically what I like to do is choose a book of the bible and preach right through it. I love that way of preaching because it forces us all to deal with each text equally, and not skip over texts that might be controversial, or not as fun to teach or preach. I love that, and that is for the most part what I want to do with you all. There are times … Continue reading Membership 1

Philippians Recap

Philippians Recap (audio file) Philippians Recap Citizenship: Christ is the… …Focal point of the book… in this 4 Chapter book, there are 37 times that Paul uses the name Jesus, or Christ, or Jesus Christ specifically. 19 times, some form of the word “him” is used in reference to Christ. 12 times the word Lord is used in reference to Christ. So a total of 68 times that Christ is referenced in this short book. Some of the ways that Christ is referenced include: Paul and Timothy are “servants of Christ Jesus”; The saints are “in Christ Jesus”; Paul looks forward … Continue reading Philippians Recap

Philippians 4:14-23

Citizens:     Are partners in the Gospel. God has saved us to a people, not as Lone Rangers. – we are in this together. – It is a two way street.  Giving and receiving. – God has placed us together for a purpose and design.     The gifts we give are an act of worship, perfected by Jesus. – a fragrant offering points back to OT worship. – earlier in the book he makes it clear to us that our righteousness is based only on the finished work of Jesus, so when we worship by sharing with others, … Continue reading Philippians 4:14-23

Philippians 4:10-23

    Philippians 4:10-23         As Paul prepares to close out his letter to the Philippians, he is taking care of some housekeeping items, namely, thanking the Philippians for the gift they sent him through Epaphroditis,  But as he does, it is almost as though he breaks up the thanks for the gift, which he picks back up in V 14. and he reminds them that his thankfulness for the gift has less to do with the gift itself than it does with what their gift means to him. Look at what he does; first of all, … Continue reading Philippians 4:10-23

Philippians 4:4-9

Philippians 4:4-9 (audio file) Philippians 4:4-9  The Peace That Makes No Sense So last week we heard a heard word from the Lord that we will have disagreements as Christians, and those aren’t always sinful. They can lead to sin, but a disagreement about an area where the Bible is silent is normal, and I would say healthy, and we should expect it. What we need to do though in the times when we disagree over an issue that is not clearly addressed in scripture is to “agree in the Lord”. the way we do that is to remember the gospel, … Continue reading Philippians 4:4-9

Philippians 4:2-3

Philippians 4:2-3 (audio file) Philippians 4:2-3 What goes through your mind when you think of the word Unity? What kinds of things do you think of? Well, I hope if you have been here for this series in Philippians it would mean some of the things we have seen Paul talk about in earlier chapters. I hope that you would be reminded of Paul’s exhortation to have one spirit, one mind and walking side by side. You might remember that as citizens of the Gospel, we are to be primarily focussed on our right standing with God through Christ, and flee … Continue reading Philippians 4:2-3