Calvary Church with Skip Heitzig

According to a recent Netflix documentary, there are more forgeries of famous paintings hanging in museums than most people suspect. From time to time, these cases come to light. But what about faith in God? The easiest thing to do is to simply say that one is a believer. But where’s the proof? James addressed this, giving four telltale signs to help us spot the genuine from the fake.

Ephesians 2 from the series 49 Ephesians - 2024 with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Church.

Faith and favoritism are incompatible. We have been saved by a loving Redeemer and we must be willing to accept all different kinds of people. That’s not to say that people don’t need to repent of known sin. Of course they do! But one of the glaring sins of the Christian church is discriminating on the basis of outward appearance—actually, this is a flaw endemic to the whole human race.

Ephesians 1:12-2:7 from the series 49 Ephesians - 2024 with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Church.

Mirrors are honest! Under well-lit conditions, mirrors reveal the truthful condition of the observer. The Bible is the Word of God. Like a mirror, it reveals the truth about our world, our character, and our God. But then we must act accordingly; doing must follow reading and hearing. James mentions five areas in our lives—five categories—the Word of God should govern.

Ephesians 1:1-14 from the series 49 Ephesians - 2024 with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Church.

The Word of God is “full of living power,” wrote the author of Hebrews (4:12, TLB). It has the power to change a life completely and for eternity. James has been telling us that God gives good gifts and the first is the gift of salvation! But that is just the beginning. After birth comes growth, and the theme of this book is spiritual maturity. The primary agent for spiritual maturity is God’s Word. But unless we listen to it and allow it to work in us, it will never have its intended impact.

It’s one thing to be tested on the outside (trials); it’s another thing to be tested on the inside (temptation). God may allow temptations in order to strengthen our faith. But Satan desires to tempt us to weaken our faith. In C. S. Lewis’s classic book The Screwtape Letters, a senior demon wrote to a trainee, saying, “All the habits of the [Christian], both mental and bodily, are still in our favor.” Today, we consider how temptation works and find workable solutions to overcome it.

Galatians 6 from the series 48 Galatians - 2024 with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Church.

An old English children’s game followed the poem “Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Sailor, Rich Man, Poor Man, Beggar Man, Thief.” In the game, kids would try to determine what they would become later in life. Whether we become rich or poor, one thing is common to all—hardship. Trials are the great equalizer, bringing all of God’s children to depend on Him. James, with barefaced practicality, looked at the advantages of suffering for both the poor man and the rich man.

Galatians 5 from the series 48 Galatians - 2024 with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Church.

Growing up has its advantages. Adults face life’s struggles differently than children do. Both children and adults feel strong emotions about the trials they face, but they display their emotions differently. A mature Christian can even dare to experience joy during such times. Whatever you may be facing in life, there are four realities about hardship you should know.

Galatians 4 from the series 48 Galatians - 2024 with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Church.

You’ve probably been in a situation where there was confusion, even pandemonium, and most people were acting like immature children. What was needed was just one person to act like an adult and bring decorum and civility back. In such situations, one might say, “Where is the adult in the room?” It refers to someone who will behave responsibly in a mature manner. The book of James is about spiritual maturity. It is a call to grow up and not just grow old. James was the adult in the room.

Galatians 3 from the series 48 Galatians - 2024 with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Church.

This teaching is from the series of Topical Teachings with Nate Heitzig from Calvary Church.

Rest - Matthew 11:28-30 - Brian Nixon from the Guest Speaker series at Calvary Church.

An old hymn reads, “There’s room at the cross for you; there’s room at the cross for you; though millions have come, there’s still room for one; yes, there’s room at the cross for you.” Our weekend series, In the Room, has highlighted the unparalleled benefits of gathering together as believers. But what happens when we need more room? How do we make more room? How are we to “compel them to come in, that my house may be filled” (Luke 14:23)?

Galatians 2 from the series 48 Galatians - 2024 with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Church.

From the Ground - John 12:23-26 - from the series of Easter Messages with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Church.

Today we are entering into Passion Week—commemorating Jesus’ final days leading up to the cross, His burial, and His resurrection. We are all familiar with these events. As Jesus came into the city of Jerusalem, the crowd placed palm branches on the ground. In a few days, Jesus would be crucified, and they would place His body in the ground. But three days later, He would rise from the ground. Let’s note three comparisons of things that may be good versus something that’s best.

Galatians 1 from the series 48 Galatians - 2024 with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Church.

In the Room—We Find Purpose - Romans 12:1-8 - Nate Heitzig - from the series In the Room with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Church.

2 Kings 23:15-25:30 from the series 12 2 Kings - 2023 with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Church.

In order to discover what Jesus intended for the church He came to establish (remember He said, “I will build My church”), we need to examine carefully the prototype—the first church in the book of Acts. In combing through this text the last few weeks, we have been able to get a sense of the style, structure, and service of the early church. Today we notice their generous hearts toward one another and in the cause of Christ. Because they were openhearted, they were also openhanded.