CTucker

As an outdoor church, weather can prevent us from meeting. Since we missed Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Resurrection Sunday, we’re rolling them all into one service. Before Passover, Jesus entered Jerusalem on the back of a donkey colt. The people welcomed Him, waving palm branches and laying them on the road. Many of us are probably familiar with the imagery from Sunday school illustrations, but this method of entry had a deep significance. It fulfilled what was prophesied in Zechariah about how the Messiah, the promised King, would come. The day of his entry was also the day that the Israelites brought their perfect lambs for sacrifice. Jesus knew that days later, He was going to the Cross. He was sacrificed as the Lamb of God for the sins of the world. He also knew that three days later, he would resurrect from the dead. And, He’s coming back again!

What we say influences what happens around us. The tongue is small but controls everything. If we allow the Holy Spirit to direct it, it can do great things. It can bring great blessings to your life and the lives of others. Taming the tongue can become easier the more spiritually mature we are. Spending time in the Word of God and listening to His teaching deepens that relationship. We can’t tame the tongue merely by our will. We have to allow God to work on us.

When you think of the word “Atheism”, what does that mean? By definition, it means without God. Some might think it means without faith in anything. But, everyone believes in something, the difference is what that something is. As Christians, we believe in God, who redeemed us through the blood of Jesus Christ. At the founding of our country, nearly everyone accepted that as the foundation on which everything was built. Today, that foundation has been nearly lost. We see increased racism and other evil ideologies popping up everywhere because our moral foundation has shifted. If we live out our faith in every sphere of life, as described in James, even though the world may hate us, we can shift back to living on the true foundation, the Word of God. Truth should never be sacrificed on the altar of kindness.

James teaches that God will strictly judge teachers of the word of God. They set the example for the rest of the body of Christ. For this reason, no one should become a pastor simply because of legacy, or just because you can. It must be a true calling with a spiritual gift. Be prepared to face higher scrutiny and rely on the Lord to guide and work on you. No one is flawless, which is why Jesus’ sacrifice is all the more remarkable and important. Many flaws stem from what we say. What we say reflects who we truly are. As James says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” Allowing the Holy Spirit to direct our speech can truly change our lives and the lives of others.

We’re going to unpack the concept of faith without works being dead. That part of James 2 is often misunderstood. Yes, we are saved by faith but, our actions should reflect that faith. In the midst of a fallen world, God calls us to live differently. To live according to truth. To walk by faith and show works that prove that faith. The church is called to be salt and light. Without those qualities, the word of God says it is to be thrown out, utterly worthless. But living by the word of God is hope and salvation! Join us as we continue our James series.

Faith without works is dead. That is a heavy statement. What did James mean by this? Does faith count for nothing? James’ own words say it best, “Show me your faith withoutyour works,and I will show you my faith bymy works.” But, we read elsewhere that we are saved by grace through faith. So, which is it? Join us as we wrestle with this topic.

James 2 opens with a warning about partiality in the church. When people visit a church, no one should be treated differently because of their appearance or social status. The church is meant to reflect God’s impartial love for all people. Christ intended his church to be unified and not divided.

Does the Book of James advocate salvation by works? That is an interesting question for the believer to wrestle with. The Book of James is a user's manual for the process after someone becomes a believer. The message of salvation in the Bible is very straightforward. We are saved by grace through faith. But what happens after that? That is the process of sanctification. It is the believer’s response to what Christ has done because we would want to draw closer to Him.

What is the Book of James? If it fits into a genre, it would be the action genre. James is all about faith in action. Faith in Jesus saves us, but our works mark us as a followers of Jesus. A Christian’s life of faith should produce fruit or good works. James is a practical guide for the life of a Christian, tackling how to apply the teachings of Jesus. James raises our awareness of how much we need Jesus because James contains a lot of do’s and don’ts. It makes us painfully aware of our shortcomings and should make us see that we can’t do it on our own.

The story of Joseph. It’s perhaps the most famous story in the Bible. In the story of Joseph we see the beginnings of God’s plan for the redemption of Israel and the rest of the world. Joseph is an archetype or foreshadowing of Jesus Christ. Joseph saved his family, Egypt and the surrounding land from a devastating famine. This foreshadows Christ coming first to save Israel, then the surrounding gentiles, then the entire world. The parallels are quite amazing! Listen and learn more!

The biblical patriarchs. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. In Genesis, God establishes the same covenant with all three of these pivotal characters in Genesis. God promised to make Abraham into a great nation and to give him the land of Canaan. The crazy thing is, at the time, Abraham and his wife were well beyond child bearing years. What is impossible for man is indeed possible for God! Today the Israelite people are indeed a great nation. God’s promises never fall. This pattern is repeated again for Isaac and Jacob. Learn the story of the biblical patriarchs and rest assured that God’s promises always come true.

Genesis forms the foundation of the rest of the Bible. It shapes our understanding of the Gospel and answers life’s hardest questions. How did we get here? God created us. We didn’t arrive here by chance. Why do bad things happen? Man’s rebellion against God introduced sin into the world. Is God perfect and just? God judged the world with a global flood, saving Noah and his family. God later sent Jesus Christ to save the world from sin. There are many more questions Genesis answers. Watch and listen to learn more.

Outdoor worship at Fallbrook Vineyard Church

Outdoor worship at Fallbrook Vineyard Church

Outdoor worship at Fallbrook Vineyard Church Image by Jason Goh from Pixabay