We made it through our study of the book of James. And I hope that after the time we have spent in it, you feel like you have a better understanding of how true faith is truly evident. And why James states plainly that faith without works is dead.
Faith in Christ results in a changed life. There are many ways that this change becomes apparent. Today we will review those ways and talk briefly about why it is inevitable that our lives change when in relationship with Christ.
Verses: James 1-5, John 7: 5, Matthew 5-7, Luke 6:20-49, John 13:13-17, Luke 6:40
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the English Standard Version.
Resources: ESV Study Bible: Echoes of the Sermon the Mount PDF
Worship on the Way Out: Who I Am by Ben Fuller
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As we finish our run through of the book of James, we will see that true faith shows up in prayer and in community. The words pray, prayer or prayed appear 7 times in the final 8 verses of James. That should clue us in to this being a big deal. And while the obvious bulk of the final verses seem to zoom in on prayer, there is also an emphasis placed on the fellowship of believers, on community.
Verses: James 5:13-20, 1 John 5:14-15, 1 Kings 18:41-46, 1 Thessalonians 5:17, Jude 22-23
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the English Standard Version.
Worship on the Way Out: When We Pray by Tauren Wells
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This week, we are discussing the first half of James 5. And to be honest, it is has been a bit of a struggle for me to work through because most of the commentary I read on this portion says that James switches to writing to unbelievers. It is hard for me to wrap my mind around this when the entirety of James is written to believers. Why then would he randomly address unbelievers in this small section? Is he actually addressing unbelievers in this section? Well, let’s find out.
You ready? Let’s dig in.
Verses: James 5:1-12, Matthew 6:24, Matthew 19:16-22
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the English Standard Version.
Worship on the Way Out: Not Moved by Victor Thompson
Resources: Courtney Doctor - Steadfast
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How many of us have heard the often-used retort “Who are you to judge?” Or “The Bible tells us not to judge.” when in conversation or perhaps argument about sin? It is a well-loved argument often used in an effort to shut down conversations about sin, or to deflect having to take responsibility for our own sin. That statement is pulled from James 4.
We’re talking about that and so much more today. You ready? Let’s dig in.
Verses: James 4, Proverbs 16:9, Isaiah 55:8-9
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the English Standard Version.
Worship on the Way Out: Lead Me On by Chandler Moore
Resources: Hedonism definition
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This passage is a God-wink passage for me. I volunteered to speak on this passage at PWOC here in Italy and the day I was scheduled to share was actually election day 2024 in the states. On a day that’s filled with people voting and responding to the results out of their own wisdom, we were studying a passage that reminds us to think, speak, and respond out of Godly wisdom. Though election day has passed and the results are already in, this passage continues to and will always remind us to think, speak and respond out of Godly wisdom instead of earthly wisdom.
Verses: James 3:13-18, James 2:24, James 1:17, Genesis 3:1-6, Matthew 4, Galatians 5:16-26, Romans 15:13 NLT, Matthew 5:43-44 NLT, Leviticus 20:7 NLT, Luke 9:23-25 NLT, 1 Peter 2:9 NLT
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the English Standard Version.
Worship on the Way Out: I Am Yours by NEEDTOBREATHE
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Psalm 141:3 says: Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!Remember back in chapter 1 verse 26, when James told us “If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless”? And remember how in that episode I said that an unbridled tongue is a dead giveaway of counterfeit faith? Well, today we’re diving deeper into truly evident faith and the tongue. You ready? Let’s dig in.
Verses:Psalm 141:3, James 1:26, James 3:12, Isaiah 6:5-7. Acts 2:3-4, Matthew 12:33-37, Romans 6:12-13
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the English Standard Version.
Worship on the Way Out:I Believe It by Jon Reddick
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Remember back in chapter 1 verse 22, where James wrote: “But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves”? Essentially stating that our works should reflect our faith and if they don’t you may want to reevaluate your faith. This next portion of scripture, James 2:14-26, expands further on that thought. You ready? Let’s dig in.
Verses: James 2:14-26, James 1:22, Luke 4:31-34, Genesis 15:6, Joshua 2:8-11, Ephesians 2:8-11, Matthew 5:14-16
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the English Standard Version.
Other Resources: Do Paul and James Disagree On Justification By Faith Alone? - Thomas Schreiner
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As you know we have been digging into the book of James over the past couple of weeks and in chapter one, james broke down the many ways that saving faith impacts our personal lives. True faith is truly evident in our steadfastness in trials, in the lives that we live by keeping ourselves unstained from the world, and in bridling our tongue. You will notice that throughout James, we will bounce between the way our faith impacts our personal lives and the way we treat others. In chapter 2 James begins to describe the effect true faith has on the way we treat others.
Verses: James 2:1-13, Luke 10, Matthew 25:31-346, Revelation 22:11, Zechariah 3:1-4, Matthew 18:21-35, John 8:1-11
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the English Standard Version.
Worship on the Way Out: If It Wasn't For Jesus by Benjamin William Hastings
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This episode will be a little longer than usual because I already told ya’ll James is a feast and we don’t leave meat on the bone over here! So, listen while you take a nice long walk through your neighborhood, while you drive to the nice Target a couple cities away, or deep clean your kitchen and let’s dig in!
Before we jump into the next passage in James, let’s quickly review where we came from. In last week’s episode we explored James 1:1-12. In those first 12 verses we learned that true faith is evident in our submission to God, in our willingness to serve Him. True faith is evident in our steadfast faith in the midst of the trials we face. And true faith is evident in the words that we speak when we confidently ask God for wisdom and when we boast in who our God is regardless of our circumstances.
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Verses: James 1:13-27, 1 Corinthians 10:6-13, Philippians 2:12-13 (NLT)
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the English Standard Version.
Worship on the Way Out: Never Get Used To This by Forrest Frank & JVKE
Resources: Thayer's Greek Lexicon - orge
This first episode has kind of turned into a verse-by-verse exposition of James 1:1-12. That was not my intention, but there is just so much meat on the bone and my grandma told me “Don’t never leave no meat on the bone, girl!” Now, she was literally talking about meals, but I believe Grandma’s wisdom applies here. The book of James is a whole feast. You hungry? Let’s dig in!
Verses: James 1:1-12, Psalm 34:1
Resources:
Courtney Doctor's James Bible Study (p. 12)
Lydia Brownback's James Bible Study (p. 22)
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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the English Standard Version.
Because the new year is a time filled with challenges, goal setting and attempts to turn new routines into flourishing habits; how fitting is it that in the new year, we would dig into James, a book that challenges professed believers to evaluate their lives and determine whether their faith is evident in their works. As we dive into the book of James, it is my hope that our study will encourage each of us to declare that in this new year and in the years to come we will live lives where our faith in God is evident for all to see.
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Verses: James 3:2, 3:9, Romans 3:28-31, James 2:24,
Resources:
Steadfast: A Devotional Bible Study on the Book of James (P.80)
The Bible Knowledge Commentary: New Testament (James)
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the English Standard Version.
There is a verse that is frequently quoted. It often graces home decor, and mugs, and even the studs of new construction homes. I’m sure you’re familiar with it. “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” What precedes that statement is an urging by Joshua to the Israelites, that they choose today who they will serve. Much like the Israelites were called to choose who they would serve, we as Christians are called to make a choice, take a stand, choose a side. And while the world, and pressure from society, our friends, and sometimes our family will try to convince us otherwise, truthfully, there is no middle ground to stand on. We must choose today, who we will serve.
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Scripture:
Joshua 24:14-18, James 4:4, James 2:19, James 4:7-9, Romans 12:2, Matthew 7:21
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the English Standard Version.
Resources:
Richard Pratt Jr. Joshua Commentary
Over the past few episodes, we have explored idolatry and the various ways it sneakily infiltrates our lives. It often goes unnoticed. Idolatry of self, of relationships, and of religion can disguise itself as good. We talked about the danger of idolatry being in the fact that it often begins with good things. Our relationships are good, right? Our marriages, our kids, our friendships are good. Our pursuit of holiness is good. Our pursuit of living lives that glorify our Saviour is good. But these things become idols the moment they take the place of God. So, now that we are more aware of the ways we may be storing idols up in our hearts. Let’s talk about what happens if we don’t root them out. What happens if we allow them to hang out?
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Resources:
Ezekiel 14:1-11
Jonah 2:8 NIV
Romans 1:18-32, 2:1-11
1 John 5:21
1 Corinthians 10:14
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the English Standard Version.
The Pharisees. Oh how we love to talk about and tear down and point to the foolish Pharisees. Oh, how we love to shake our heads and ask ourselves “how could they not see it? How could they not see that Jesus was everything they had been praying for, and fasting for, and sacrificing for? How could they be so foolish? How could they cling to their religion so hard, making an idol out of their religion and their piety, so much so that they could not grab hold of the everlasting life and freedom Jesus was offering to them?”
And yet…we do the same.
Verses: Mark 7:1-8, Galatians 5:16-18, Matthew 23:27-28, Matthew 23:13-15, Galatians 5:1
Community Question: If you want me to pray for your kids (by name) for the upcoming school year, please comment their names.
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Resources:
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the English Standard Version.
Relationships are good. Marriage is good. Friendships are good. Kids are good. These things are all blessings and good things. Things God gave to us as good gifts from a good Father. But, the danger in idolatry is when we take the good things God has given us and make them "god" things in our lives.
Verses: Jeremiah 2:11-13, Psalm 127:3 (NLT), Proverbs 22:6, 1 Corinthians 15:33,
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Resources:
The Bible Knowledge Commentary (Old Testament) by Dallas Theological Seminary
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the English Standard Version.
This week, we’re discussing the idolatry of self…the ways in which our wants, our needs, our thoughts, our theology becomes little gods we store up for ourselves and lean on throughout our lives. Let’s dive in.
Verses Jonah 2:8, Galatians 4:8-9, Isaiah 40:18-25, Jeremiah 10:14-16
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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the English Standard Version
Idolatry is one of those sins that feels like an Old Testament problem. After all, we're not out here making golden calves in the wilderness. Or it may seem like the sin of another religion because we don't worship cows or our ancestors. But, idolatry is a sneaky thing that takes root in our lives, often without us noticing.
Community Question: What idols do you struggle with?
Verses: Exodus 20:3-6, 23:20-22, 23:25, 23:32-33, 24:3, 24:9-18, 32:1-6 (NLT version used in this episode)
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Resources:
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the English Standard Version.
God is righteous. Righteous as an adjective is defined as “acting in accord with divine or moral law; free from guilt or sin; morally right or justifiable” according to the dictionary in the back of my Bible. Today, we’re talking about God’s righteousness and what that means for us as believers.
Verses: Psalm 145:17, Jeremiah 9:23-24, Psalm 97:2, Romans 3:10, Romans 5:17-19, Ephesians 4:22-24, Psalm 119:137-144 (NLT)
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Resources:
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the English Standard Version.
Today, I want to share one of the most recent things I learned about a very familiar story for most of us who grew up in the church. Ya’ll remember that story about Jesus flipping tables in the temple? We’re talking about that today.
Verses: Mark 11:15-17, Isaiah 56:3-8, Jeremiah 7:1-11
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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the English Standard Version.
God is just and merciful. Today we are going to look at two attributes of God and hopefully by the end, we will walk away with a better appreciation of the weight of God’s justice and the beauty of his mercy. An improper view of God’s justice diminishes the ability to properly understand and comprehend his mercy. A worldly view of God’s justice, cheapens God’s mercy. You ready? Let’s get into it!
Verses: Deuteronomy 32:4, Deuteronomy 4:31, Romans 6:23, Psalm 78:32-38, Deuteronomy 28, Jeremiah 3:21-23, Ezra 9:10-15, Titus 3:4-7, Ephesians 2:4-7
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