Bethany Church of Canby

Guest Speaker: Joseph Clair

We all feel worry and anxiety as human beings. The problem for us is when we feed worry and anxiety. Jesus tells us today that we do not have to be anxious in this life because of our VALUE to God, our FAITH in God, and our VISION for the Kingdom.

As disciples, we are called to live differently from the world around us. Instead of hoarding possessions to ensure our financial security, we are to view the world through God's eyes and share from the abundance he has given to us. Jesus warns that if generosity isn’t our default mode, then maybe we are confused about who we worship.

Disciples are apprentices of Jesus. And this morning, Jesus apprentices us in the school of prayer. He does so by showing us two negative models of prayer, and one that is his own. His model shows us the richness of an interior life with God that is absolutely necessary to live outwardly as the kind of citizen the larger Sermon on the Mount describes. Let’s look this morning at three models of pra...

We all have practices in our life that we do with the intention of growing deeper in our faith, but Jesus warns us that the way in which we do those practices is just as important as if we do them at all. We can look devout on the outside, but if our motivations are wrong it's actually a sign of darkness not light in our lives. When our religion is done for a true audience of one it leads to g...

Nowhere is the upside-down nature of Jesus’ Kingdom more obvious than in these verses. Jesus asks us to uniquely love, the evil and our enemy, who are sometimes one and the same person. Nowhere is it also more obvious that obedience to these two commands can only flow from a true citizen of God’s Kingdom. The true definition of spiritual maturity is spontaneously loving the evil one and our enemy.

Joy is mentioned in 3 out of the 4 resurrection accounts. On Resurrection morning, why did the women leave the tomb with Joy and how can we increase our own joy? This Easter we look at the Road to Joy that culminated in a risen Savior and an empty tomb. Let’s look at three reasons for Joy from Matthew 28:1-10.

As Jesus rode into Jerusalem on that Sunday of Holy Week, he came in on an unexpected road as an unexpected King. The people were expecting a ruling political liberator, but Jesus in humility had come riding on the humble means of a donkey, to serve and give his life as a ransom for many, and rule as king in the hearts of men and women. This morning our baptisms point to both this unexpected road...

This morning, we look at the emotion of ANGER and how it is a seed that when fertilized gives bloom to MURDER. What will we do with our seeds of anger? Will we uproot them with the gospel, or will we fertilize them to rage? This morning let’s explain ANGER from the text, and work through some IMPLICATIONS for us to see that God is slow to ANGER even if we are not.

In the rest of chapter 5, Jesus is going to endorse the moral law and give his interpretation of it. But before he does that, he wants to make sure that we understand how he views the Scripture, God’s Word. Jesus wants us to know the TRUSTWORTHINESS of God’s Word, the CENTRALITY of its message, and its place in our RELATIONSHIP with him. This morning it is Jesus’ doctrine of Scripture.

This morning Jesus AFFIRMS us as SALT and LIGHT of the world. But what does this mean? And how should it impact us? This morning, we will explain the words of Jesus to his disciples and then look at some implications for us as a church for our LIVING and our SPEAKING. Are you lit? Let’s find out.

This morning, we introduce The Sermon on the Mount by looking at 7 guiding principles that will help us understand, WHY this was written, to WHOM it was written and WHAT is its intended impact? May God give us the grace to face the Sermon on the Mount in all seriousness, honesty and prayer until we are transformed through it, living as lights in the world.

What do we do when someone wanders from the faith and fellowship? Whose responsibility is it to go after a lost sheep? This Sunday we want to explore James’ call to search and rescue those who wander by looking at the OBJECT, the DOER, and the SERIOUSNESS of search and rescue. 

Charge to Pastor Jeff and congregation from Rick Parker

To live as a Christian amid suffering has been the normal state of affairs for most Christians throughout history. It is us who have lived through a unique Christian history of incredible peace and prosperity. That is why I think we need James’ words more than ever. We are not sure how to be both suffering and patient. This morning, he calls us to live patient and steadfast with integrity in suffe...

In this passage, James addresses both believers and non-believers about two common temptations: our desire for autonomous control in making our plans, and our relationship to wealth. He is terribly practical and convicting in his wisdom reminding us that life is fleeting, God is sovereign, and wealth will betray us. Let’s look at this passage in two sections to grow in humility and generosity the...

The Bible has a particular theme; it is a story of redemption through Jesus Christ. The themes of the Bible may seem varied and scattered at times, but – in reality – they all follow a consistent method of pointing the way to salvation for mankind. A consistent method is often described as a modus operandi (M.O.). In our passage today, we will find the elements of this M.O. become apparent.

Today we get back to our study of the NT book of James. The focus of chapter 3 is all about our tongues and how that what we say can have tremendous outcomes in our relationships with others and with God. When we visit the doctor, part of the exam is to look into our mouths and, using a tongue depressor, the doctor will see if there is anything to be concerned about there. In a way this chapter is...

We first learned that heaven will be a city that comes down to a New Earth. We then learned that some of the works of our hands will be there too. But what will we do all day in this New Heaven and Earth? This morning, we look at three truths about what will keep us busy in the New Heaven and Earth. Is it playing harps on clouds? I hope by now you know the answer to that.

So, if last week we saw that heaven is a place we go, is here now, and is coming to earth, what will that new heaven and earth be like? Let’s look today at three truths about this new garden city that will descend to a new heaven and earth. You might just be surprised by what you find there?

We come to the most well-known and widely discussed portion of James’ letter. James wants to make sure we know that genuine saving faith will always results in organic good works of obedience. He does this, not by contradicting Paul’s message of justification by faith alone, but by making sure we know that real saving faith never remains alone. Even the demons have faith.

James is very blunt in his warning to not show partiality and favoritism in the church based on external markers. In fact, he calls it evil, law-breaking, and antithetical to the gospel of God and the mercy shown to us in Jesus. Let’s look today at the problem of partiality and Gospel solution of mercy.

James wants us to live spiritually whole lives. He provokes this by asking us, are you just a hearer of the Word, or are you also a doer of the Word? This morning, we examine the importance of God’s Word, Our Growth, and Generous Giving.

Persevering through trials brings great blessing, but trials also bring the temptation to respond in sinful ways. We need fresh reminders that temptation always comes from within, even if trials come from without, and that God is always good, giving, and gracious. He does not tempt us with evil.

While no one likes trials, James calls believers to view suffering and trials as a gift that leads us toward maturity in Christ. Rather than resenting trials we are called to turn towards God in the midst of trials, seeking his wisdom and recognizing that we are not striving for success in this world. Instead poverty, humility and even suffering can be gifts, if they send us running to the feet of...