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Christian faith is not just mental assent to a set of dogmas. It is not just saying, “I believe God exist. I believe that Jesus Christ came back from the grave.” Genuine faith acknowledges a dual responsibility. To be obedient to God’s commands and to be compassionate to God’s people. ​ Belief is the root of our relationship. But action is the fruit. Abraham's faith in God was demonstrated by his concern for his nephew whose name was Lot. Let’s look carefully at the story in Genesis 14. It underscores our responsibility to be involved with the needy around us. If you falter in times of trouble, how small is your strength! Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. Proverbs 24:10-11

Today we are discussing Christian love and its proper expression in the church. The Bible as a great deal to say about the subject. It is the single most important virtue in the fellowship of believers. But the world also has a great deal to say about love. There are all kinds of theories that are advanced by the experts of this age. There is a distinction between the love that is offered by Jesus Christ and that which is usually practiced in the world. ​By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:35

There are a lot of Christian people who believe that when they accept Christ they have eternal life, but they don't understand the riches that are theirs as they go through this life. The Bible talks about, “the un-searchable riches of Christ.” (Ephesians 3:8-9) and Jesus said, “I came that you might have life and have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10 In Romans 5 Paul is going to list some of the significant benefits that we have, once we understand that we are made righteous in God’s sight—not by our works, but by faith. There are so many benefits, he lists 7, that we see in the first 11 verses of Romans 5. ​ For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law. Romans 3:28

Satan would have you believe that if you fall in the Christian life you're finished. If you doubt you can't be restored to faith. Or, Satan would lull you into the opposite extreme of believing that sin doesn't really matter. You can live as you please and God's grace will cover you. But the Bible makes it clear that the Christian life is a gift and a growth. As a gift we are given salvation absolutely free of charge. God does not require that we earn salvation by living a perfect life. Nor do we earn it on the installment plan. But He does expect us to grow to maturity. Sometimes that growth is 3 steps forward and 2 steps back. My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 1 John 2:1

Luke 10:25-37 ​ The parable of the Good Samaritan is about reaching out to needy people. All around us people are not only wounded physically by the violence in our culture, but many also hide emotional and spiritual wounds. The Christian's attitude towards ministry and how they are willing to "do church" affects their effectiveness in God's Kingdom and their ultimate reward in heaven. ​Jesus told this parable in response to the question, "Who is my neighbor?" ​In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. Luke 10:30Luke 10:25-37 ​ The parable of the Good Samaritan is about reaching out to needy people. All around us people are not only wounded physically by the violence in our culture, but many also hide emotional and spiritual wounds. ​ The Christian's attitude towards ministry and how they are willing to "do church" affects their effectiveness in God's Kingdom and their ultimate reward in heaven. ​ Jesus told this parable in response to the question, "Who is my neighbor?" ​ In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. Luke 10:30

We live in a messed up and disturbed gender-bent world. It's a vast understatement to say that the traditional family and that Biblical marriages have come under severe attack today. Ephesians 5 beginning with verse 21, communicates God's expectation of Christian people in regard to marriage. If you don't believe that there is a God to whom you're accountable, then you are free to live as you please. Divorce, adultery, same-sex marriages are matters of opinion. But there's also no hope for eternity. Those who believe in God and respect the Bible as His Word have clear standards of appropriateness for marriage and the family. And this passage before us today is so important. Because there are many Christian young people who are just getting sucked into the philosophy of this age because it is very difficult to stand counter-culture. ​“For this reason, a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. Ephesians 5:31, 33

Romans 8:18-28 ​ Why is there so much suffering in the world? That’s a question that cynics have asked for a long time. They'll say either God doesn't have the power or He does not care. In Romans 8, beginning with verse 18 Paul talks about how the Christian can survive and win the victory over suffering. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18

You can go down the street or go to a ball game, see two people sitting side by side, and on the surface you don't see any difference. They appear very much the same. But spiritually they can be as different as night and day, because one of them is a Christian and the other is not. Paul describes the horrible condition of the man who is not a believer--they are dead. Just as the person who is physically dead does not respond to any kind of physical stimulus, so is the person who is spiritually dead does not respond to any spiritual stimulus as well. Then Paul presents the precious diamond of God's goodness to us. God has loved us. We are not raised from the dead and then left in the graveyard to sit on a tombstone. But because we are united with Christ, we've been exalted with him. We are sharing his throne in heaven. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, Ephesians 2:6

How can a young man keep his way pure? Psalm 119:9a That question is asked by a lot of young men and women today. Young people are bombarded with sexual stimulation from television, movies, magazines, social media and the internet. How can a young man keep his way pure in such a seductive world? ​Years ago, traditional values of society would have served as a deterrent to immortality. But not anymore, because peer pressure is reversed. A person is ridiculed for being virtuous. ​ How can a young man keep his way pure, when almost no one else does? ​ In Ephesians 5 Let's see, God's expectation for the Christian and then consider our motivation for obedience. ​ But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. Ephesians 5:3

God has made it possible for us Christians to live rich spiritual lives in confidence. We’ve been given untold blessings in Christ. But instead of cashing in on them and living like children of the King, we go through life like spiritual paupers. ​In Ephesians 1, Paul names a few of the blessings which we have, which make up our faith in Jesus Christ and our wealth. He’s not talking about material blessings here, but he's talking about blessings of a spiritual nature which are even greater value. Notice the God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are all working on our behalf to make us spiritually rich. ​For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love Ephesians 1:4 ​In theology, this is the doctrine of election.

People who are very wealthy in terms of dollars get caught up in that rat race always striving for more. There's nothing wrong with having money, but it is terribly wrong to make money your god—your obsession. And maybe you need to quit competing with the world and start focusing on true riches. Solomon discusses the contrast between pursuing earthly riches and pursuing true riches. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but be a new and different person with a fresh newness in all you do and think. Then you will learn from your own experience how his ways will really satisfy you. Romans 12:2 (Living Bible)

We all want to be chosen first with enthusiasm. We want to be significant. God has placed a desire in the heart of every one of us to achieve and to be important. But like all basic drives, it is crucial that this craving for importance be channeled in the right direction. That's what Solomon was talking about when he wrote, “And I saw that all labor and all achievement spring from man's envy of his neighbor. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. Ecclesiastes 4:4 Solomon not looking from the ground up as his vantage point is from the top. And he's looking around at the others in those top positions. Solomon warns against ambition out of control. The key is not only balance, but pursuing the right kind of prosperity. Let's look at the difference between worldly success on one hand, and spiritual significance on the other. And be reminded that, it is the task of the Christian to live our lives counter to the culture. Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole [duty] of man. Ecclesiastes 12:13

The Bible warns us against the sin of sloth and idleness. Neither however, should we just go barreling into some activity, not knowing where we're going or where we are going to land, or where we are going, or what we're going to accomplish. A lot of people today are in this category. You’re busy, you're active, you're flying high, but you're not going anywhere in particular. ​You’re active but you're not productive in the areas of life that really matter—your relationship with God and your relationship with other people. You attract attention from the world, but maybe not the approval of God. And maybe every once in a while you stop and ask yourself, “Where am I going? What's the use of it all? How can I stop all this activity? What’s the purpose?” “So I hated life, because the work that is done under the sun was grievous to me. All of it is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. Ecclesiastes 2:17 Solomon’s shows us his activity, his futility, and his remedy so that our lives can be productive in the areas that are most important. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; Ecclesiastes 3:11a

When something tragic comes to our life we naturally question, “What is the meaning of life? Does life make any sense? Is there anything that brings satisfaction and peace of mind?” We're beginning today a study of King Solomon, a man who experienced everything that this world has to offer. Solomon was the son of King David. So he had the resource and the opportunity to try everything in this world. ​He documented his pursuits in a journal of the Bible called, the book of Ecclesiastes. “I, the Teacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem. I devoted myself to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under heaven. Ecclesiastes 1:12-13a ​Solomon summarizes that ultimate fulfillment is found a life totally devoted to God. ​Let's begin with his discovery that education is not wisdom. “I thought to myself, "Look, I have grown and increased in wisdom more than anyone who has ruled over Jerusalem before me; I have experienced much of wisdom and knowledge." Ecclesiastes 1:16

The key to so many areas of life is to maintain a proper balance. And nowhere is this equilibrium more difficult to maintain than in the balance between work and leisure. ​To have the proper tension between work and the rest of life is very difficult. How can a modern worker give the proper amount of attention to a career and at the same time not neglect family, church, and personal life. Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, Exodus 20:8-10a

Adam and Eve had the perfect job. God put them in charge of tending the Garden of Eden. They trimmed trees, picked the fruit, mowed the grass. They knew their job was a partnership with God. It was productive, necessary gratifying. Then one day Adam and Eve sinned and their work became a curse. But the number one curse of work is not machines that malfunction or weather that is unpredictable. The number one problem with work is people. We have to work alongside of sinful people every day. We work in the middle of a sinful world. Every day we rub shoulders with people who do not share our values. How do we prevent the standards of this world from influencing us? How do we maintain our witness at work? Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life— Philippians 2:14-16a ​

We in America have this privilege of choosing our occupation. That is not the case in many cultures today where the government assigns a personal job or whether parents decide. But we have this opportunity to choose and that's both the distinct privilege and a heavy responsibility. Some high school and college young people are churning over what to do with their lives. Some people do not finding fulfillment in their current career. You may be contemplating changing jobs. Some counsel Children or others in school. ​Here are three basic principles that apply to discerning God’s will in your life and that can be applied to finding God's will at work. ​ For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:8-10 ​

You may think that God is only interested in what you do at church or how you relate to your family. But since you spend about 40% of your waking hours on the job, God is very concerned about that segment of your life. God is just as much with you at work as He is at church. God made you for a purpose, to be a partner with Him and accomplishing His will in the world. When you see your work from God's vantage point, it should elevate your opinion of what you do. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24

Let's say you become aware that a fellow believer has a drinking problem. People are whispering, you see the damage that's being done to their influence, their career, and family. Do you lovingly confront them or do you just let them continue in their rebellious behavior? (After all it's their life). That's what James is talking about in the final two verses of this letter. My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins. James 5:19-20 Here is neglected counsel in today's church. We hear a lot today about, “don't judge, and don't cast the first stone.” But we don't hear much about turning a wanderer back to the truth, or a sinner from the error of his way.

Most Christians say that they believe in prayer, but in reality they don’t see much power in it because they don’t pray very much. If we saw more power, we would pray more frequently with a sense of anticipation and we’d give God the credit when prayer was answered. We all could say with Jesus’ disciples, “Lord, teach us to pray…” (Luke 11:1). Prayer can take the average Christian life and turn it into an effective, powerful life if we put it into practice. So let’s try to learn from James about what makes prayer an energizing force in our lives and in our world. ​Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21

If we're going to behave as Christians, it is imperative that we develop good Christian sense so that we can make wise judgments in the midst of a world that has gone morally haywire. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. James 3:17

The Sermon on the Mouth James 3:1-12 The third chapter of James focuses on the awesome power of the spoken word. James insists, If we're going to behave as Christians, we have to learn to control our speech. James begins by emphasizing the positive power of the tongue. Human speech has its dangers, but the ability to speak is a tremendous blessing. James 3:1-12

James 1:19-27 It is not always wrong to be angry. Some anger is normal. But the Christian has to learn to control their temper. There is such a thing as righteous indignation, getting angry at the right things at the right time in the right way. The Bible frequently speaks of “God's wrath being kindled against the wickedness of this world.” The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness Romans 1:18 James cautions us, My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, James 1:19

Illustrated from the Life of Samuel Men tend to derive their self-worth based upon their performance in their career or their job. That’s why it is so crucial for fathers to show love in a variety of ways to their kids. One way is through the words they use and say. Your words have the power to encourage or to decimate that little child’s mind and their dreams for the future. ​Solomon said in Proverbs 18:21, The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. So be careful of your words and invest your time. ​

James 1:1-12 This past year the pandemic has been used to manipulate unprecedented changes in our American lifestyle. Stay at home orders, attempts at closing down houses of worship, businesses and school closures, the required wearing of face masks, and pressure to get vaccinated have all brought huge changes to our personal freedoms. ​ For many Americans, watching our freedom and our privacy rights disappear has caused alarm. Not to mention concern of huge debt spending and the possible collapse of the U. S. dollar. There is plenty of reason for concern. These changes have brought huge national stresses. We are indeed living in a pressure packed society. Stress is a nationwide problem. ​ Just before He died, Jesus said to His disciples, [My] “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27