New Eden Sermons

James gives us a clear comparison between two types of wisdom - earthly or godly. Where do they come from, and what is their fruit? The choice is clear. But what is the hope for fools who find themselves operating under earthly wisdom?

Within the gift of our tongue, we each hold incredible power. But humans throughout history have found ways to misuse the gift of the tongue to destroy and curse others, and we are no different. No one can tame the tongue, but one: the God-man, Jesus Christ.

"Are you willing to learn that faith without works is useless?" James explores the relationship between faith and works, and because he cares, he challenges his hearers to be honest about where they stand. *The speaker is one of our global church planting partners. His name is withheld for security purposes.

James begins getting direct and practical as he challenges the prejudices of his readers. He makes his accusation, reveals the absurdity of their prejudices, and calls them to accountability. But James refuses to leave them hopeless. There is an antidote to our sin, and it's the mercy of God. Because mercy always triumphs over judgment.

Before James begins practical exhortation, he encourages his readers to humbly listen to the truth presented to them. But it's not enough to listen. True hearers will also become doers by intently looking into the perfect law of freedom, the true and better Torah, who lived perfectly on our behalf.

Because James cares about his readers, he warns them of the deceitfulness of sin. He exposes the origin of sin and its outcome of death, but he doesn't leave us hopeless. The obituary of sin has been written through the living Word of truth, who became flesh and defeated sin and its effects.

With few pleasantries, James immediately begins his exhortation to the scattered church. His desire for them is to mature into complete and whole followers of Christ, not distracted by the world's ways. May we, too, be rooted on the solid rock so we will not be tossed to and fro by the waves of life.

In keeping with the rest of his letter, the greeting from James is short and to the point. This piece of literature, penned in the prophetic, wisdom style typically reserved only for the Old Testament, will challenge and exhort us. But to understand the contents of the letter, we must first look at its author. Who was James? And why does he care about the way people live?

To close out our series in Hebrews, we listened as the entire book of Hebrews was read aloud in one sitting. We encourage you to listen as the early church would have. No written copy of the Scriptures. No pen and paper. Just simply receiving and meditating on the glorious truths about Jesus the Messiah.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. If this is true, we are called to entrust our lives to Him, following in the path of others who have done the same. We can be confident that He will shepherd us to the end. *The speaker is one of our global church planting partners. His name is withheld for security purposes.

Concisely and clearly, the preacher exhorts his listeners about the way they view marriage and money. What we do in these areas reveals what we truly believe about finding our satisfaction in Christ or the things of this age. We are instructed to hold marriage in honor, hold money loosely, and hold Jesus supremely.

As the preacher begins to close his message, he gives some pastoral instructions and encouragements for the church of Hebrews. Those who are apprentices of Jesus are called to love each other, care for "the other", and remember the sufferer.

In Christ, we have received a Kingdom that cannot be shaken. Our response of gratitude spurs us on to care for each other as the church - pursuing peace, holiness, and eternal realities instead of temporal pleasures.

After eleven chapters of exposition on the supremacy of Christ, the preacher of Hebrews spurs his hearers to consider Jesus. Only by looking to His resistance against sin can we remain steadfast amidst the pressures of this age.

Abraham & Sarah were promised a place and a people. But years later, there was still no fulfillment of the promises. By faith, they looked forward to the final homeland, where God prepares an eternal place of rest for his people. 

Enoch pleased God and avoided death. And the book of Hebrews makes it clear that Enoch pleased God by faith alone. Because Jesus has tasted death for everyone, we too can please God and avoid eternal death.

By faith, Moses experienced an unseen reality, trusting in God's promises more than Egypt's fleeting pleasures. Through the life of Moses, we are reminded of the true King, the true people of God, the true treasure, and the precious blood of Jesus.

Abel is only mentioned briefly in the Scriptures, and we don't hear him speak. However, his blood cries out from the ground, asking God how long until justice is had. The answer comes 77 generations later when the blood of Jesus is shed and speaks better things over us. *The speaker is one of our global church planting partners. His name is withheld for security purposes.

After a long list of naming heroic feats performed through faith, the author of Hebrews tells us of "the others". These were a group of people who suffered by faith, knowing that a better resurrection was in store.

Rahab the prostitute. Listed alongside the likes of King Daniel, the prophet Moses, and the patriarch Abraham. Her story bears witness to the truth that God saves and sends sinners and outsiders.

Abel. Enoch. Noah. Abraham. Sarah. Isaac. Moses. Joshua. Rahab. Gideon. David. Samuel. The Prophets. The list reads like a "Hall of Failures", not a "Hall of Faith". But faith is what caused these men and women to be approved through God. And that same faith is offered to us, so that we might be approved by the Father.

The truly righteous One is coming, and He's bringing with Him vengeance and vindication. Other than Christ, there is no other sacrifice for sins. And it is through faith in Him that we receive salvation.

In a crescendo of truth, the preacher of Hebrews summarizes all he has been saying about the saving work of the triune God. In light of these new covenant realities, we can now partner with God and each other until the day that all things are made new.

God appeared into the world, taking on flesh in the person of Christ, that He might be the final sacrifice offered for mankind. His blood is like no other, because it has the power to remove sin completely. Past. Present. Future.

Located within the Tabernacle, the Most Holy Place was the supreme sacred space in all of ancient Israel. It represented access to God's presence, and could only be entered by one person, once a year on the Day of Atonement. But when Jesus appeared in flesh, He brought something greater. God's presence is now available for everyone at all times through the work of the gospel.