Sowing Seed
“Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains.“ (James 5:7) If you’ve ever been to New Life Church’s beautiful 40 acre campus, you know that we have a hill with three […]
Time and Money
“Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.“ […]
Relationship Wisdom
“Who is wise and understanding among you?” James 3:13 James 3 discusses relationships and contrasts two ways of relating to others. These he describes as two types of “wisdom.” First, there is the wisdom from heaven. Second, with tongue firmly planted in cheek, there is earthly “wisdom.” The appropriation of heavenly wisdom will do wonders […]
Dead Faith?
“… faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.“ (James 2:17) The American church has systematized and codified Christian faith. We’ve boiled it down to a list of statements we accept as true (how many are on your list depends on your brand of Christianity). Is Jesus God’s Son? Check. Was […]
Pride and Prejudice
“My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism.“ (James 2:1, NIV) One of the problems with the church in the first century (and still today) is prejudice. James begins chapter two with a clear injunction against it, reminding Christians that it is incompatible with the Christian faith. And just to […]
How Do You Want to Be Known? (James 1:1)
Why is it so important to us that others realize how much we know, how much we’ve done, and how impressive we are? Why do we so need to have titles and to give them to our leaders? Why isn’t it enough to be known simply as servants of Christ? Why isn’t that the highest honor we could covet?
Safe?
“He appointed the Twelve: To Simon, He gave the name Peter; and to James the son of Zebedee, and to his brother John, He gave the name “Boanerges” (that is, “Sons of Thunder”);” (Mark 3:16-17, HCSB) This Sunday we’ll be looking at the life of James. What kind of personality do you have if you […]
Confident
Acts 21:17-21 (HCSB) 17 When we reached Jerusalem, the brothers welcomed us gladly.18 The following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present.19 After greeting them, he related one by one what God did among the Gentiles through his ministry.20 When they heard it, they glorified God and said, […]
