November 19, 2014
At first glance, this statement about faith seems to contradict Romans 3:28 which clearly upholds that faith alone pleases God. Yet, James and Paul are not in conflict. Paul is concerned that some would make works and law-keeping the means for justification. He rightly proclaims that faith in Christ’s finished work is the only means for our justification. Faith alone, in Christ alone, by grace alone is Paul’s teaching. But if Paul corrects those who think their own works will be sufficient for salvation, James corrects those who would offer mere lip service to their faith without any fruit verifying its authenticity. Paul is concerned with what true faith believes, while James is concerned with what true faith does after it believes. Faith alone grafts us onto the Vine that we might live, but fruit-bearing shows that we do live.
November 18, 2014
Not just hearers only, but doers of the Word. Many enjoy a good sermon and think how good it is that the person next to them is getting it. Yet a few will hear the Word and repent in tears, not worrying about those around them. Don’t let the Word go in one ear and out the other. Do what it says.
November 2, 2014
|
James 1:27
|
orphan care
When God adopts us into his family through the grace of Christ, we begin to work that out by having a heart for the fatherless here on this earth. As we remembered Orphan Sunday as a church, Pastor Gary helped us understand how we “visit” the orphans as James 1:27 encourages us to do.
June 22, 2014
|
James 4:13-17
|
discipleship
In the third installment of our FAIL: Life Strategies that Fail Us sermon series, Jonathan Combs helps us understand the failed life strategy called, “I’ll Get To That Later”. What major life decision have you been putting off? Have you heard the calling of God, but you’ve resisted following his will? Stop waiting for the “right conditions” and learn to follow God’s will right away!
November 20, 2013
The corollary to this might be stated “Exalt yourself and God will humble you.” Or as James said, “God opposes the proud, but give grace to the humble.” So, how do you “humble yourselves?” Here are 12 ways: 1) Confess your sin to God, 2) Acknowledge your sin to others, 3) Take wrong patiently, 4) Submit to authority, 5) Receive correction from others graciously, 6) Accept a lowly place, 7) Associate with people of lower state than you, 8 ) Choose to serve others, 9) Be quick to forgive, 10) Speak well of others, 11) Cultivate a grateful heart, and 12) Embrace the cross (These 12 ways to humble yourself are from http://billygraham.org/story/twelve-ways-to-humble-yourself/).
November 17, 2013
Do you need wisdom or understanding? Ask God. Open your eyes to the Lord and His Word. He is a God who freely gives. He wants to reveal Himself to you. He will give wisdom and more… He will give Himself. In most situations that’s the wisdom we most need– that God is with us.
November 10, 2013
|
James 1:27
|
orphan care
Pastor Gary Combs preached on WCC’s Orphan Sunday from James 1:27 on how the church is to “visit” hope on the world’s orphans as an expression of their authentic Christian faith.
November 18, 2012
Speaking before listening is like lighting anger’s fuse. Many an argument might be avoided by listening before speaking. Once anger is lit, angry words are spoken that can never be taken back. Two ears, one mouth = double your listening, cut your speaking in half. Are you listening?
November 19, 2011
Those who are ‘talkers’ beware! Sin is on the tip of the tongue. Complaining, gossip, lying, filthy language, sarcastic joking and cursing are among the sins of the tongue. From where does this talk come? The heart. The tongue is a heart monitor. It reports what’s in the the heart. Only God can change hearts and tame our tongues.
October 24, 2010
|
James 1:2-15
|
trials
Guest preacher, Steve Davis, pastor of Spout Springs Church, spoke on the “Perfect Response” to trials and temptations. This is part three of the PERFECT series.