Citizens Church Sermons

The book of James has a lot to say about how we speak. In this sermon, we look at how James calls followers of Jesus to speak with integrity as people who keep their word. Scripture: James 5:12

Living in between the first and second coming of Jesus requires patience. James calls us to grow in patience with life, with people, and with God. Scripture: James 5:7-11

James says some difficult things to the rich. How should we interpret them? How should Christians approach wealth? How much should we save and how much should we give? This message helps us grapple with these important questions from the vantage point of how much Christ has given us. Scripture: James 5:1–6

As Christians, we can face tomorrow with the humility of our human limitations and the confidence that God cares for us. 

In this passage, James directs us to choose humility over pride, contrasting the judgmental attitude with Jesus's teachings of love and empathy. James warns us against the harm caused by judgmental thoughts and speech. He emphasizes the importance of loving one's neighbor, warning against judgmental behavior in all aspects of life, echoing Jesus's call to love our neighbors as ourselve...

Repentance is not a one-time event; it’s a lifestyle for all who follow Jesus. James 4:1-10 helps us repent by turning from blaming to owning and from running to drawing near.

Everyone is devoted to something. Engineers to a solution. Parents to well-rounded kids. Students to their classes. Even the lazy person is devoted…to comfort. But what should we be devoted to most? James insists our chief devotion should be to God. Reflecting on James’ words, philosopher Soren Kierkegaard said we should cultivate the purity of heart to will one thing. What’s your one thing? Your...

Wisdom is not mostly about what you know but about having a life-giving character to those around you. James describes the life of the proud and the life of the meek and we are invited through the grace of Jesus to become wise like Him.

What comes out of our mouths is often indicative of what’s already in our hearts. James teaches that no human being can tame the tongue. But when our hearts and words are in the hands of someone good, they can be used for good. Scriptures: James 3:7-10

The moment Jesus Christ walks out of the tomb, hell weeps and heaven rejoices. In that moment, our risen Savior tramples death, and gives us a picture of what is to come. Christ has died, Christ is Risen, and Christ will come again. Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:51–57

James warns us that a faith marked by words without actions, knowledge without love, and belief without cost is no faith at all. This passage is a loving warning that leads us to consider the quality of our faith, and seek grace. Scripture: James 2:14-26

We are saved by faith alone but not by a faith that remains alone. True faith in Jesus really works. Scripture: James 2:14–26

Partiality is anti-law and anti-love which means it is anti-God’s character. Chapter 2 of James is a warning and an invitation: Mercy abounds for those who show mercy. Scripture: James 2:1-13

Pure religion isn't more than caring for the vulnerable, but it’s also not less. James reminds us that people who love God, love the people who God loves. Scripture: James 1:26–27

James reminds us that following Jesus is about listening to God’s word and obeying what He says. Scripture: James 1:19–25

James writes to a persecuted people to help them be refined in their suffering. We can name the wisdom he shared like this: Suffering is not meaningless. God is not evil; He is good. Suffering won’t last forever. Scripture: James 1:12–18

James 1:5-11 challenges the rich and the poor to see their relationship with money as one of the greatest tests of faith.    

James 1:5-8 tells us we need wisdom, that God gives wisdom and when we ask in faith, He generously gives the wisdom we need.

James shows us how to navigate the trials of life, as tests of faith, which produce wholeness.

This week we begin a new series in the book of James. The aim of this letter, written by James the brother of Jesus, is to help Christ followers learn wholeness through the wisdom of Jesus.

Colossians 1:21-23 tells of the depth of grace we have in Jesus for our past, present and future. As we start a new year, we are reminded that the year will be filled with grace from and with Jesus.

The antidote to “busyness” is Jesus. In Christ we learn to prioritize consistent time alone with the Father. Scripture: Mark 1:35–39

In a fallen world, we can't make it all right; we can't make our own peace but thankfully we can look to Christ for peace. Through the incarnation, we see how God became man, as a wonderful counselor and the Prince of Peace. Scripture: Isaiah 9:6

Simeon & Anna’s encounter with Jesus models for us the kind of eager anticipation that should mark the life of all believers awaiting His second advent. Scripture: Luke 2: 25–38

Advent is a season where we remember the first coming of Christ and look forward to His second coming. Zachariah's story reminds us of how God sees us and understands our suffering. Ultimately God redeems our longings, as we see through the broken and longing people whom God writes into the first advent of Jesus Christ. Scripture: Luke 1:5–23; 76–79.