Redemption Church Sermons (Huntington, WV)

James presents a contrast between the wise and the unwise by looking at the outward signs, inner characteristics, and results. The wise are marked by attractive behavior lived out in humble sincerity. The life of the wise brings peace and godliness everywhere it's found. The unwise are marked by pride that is lived out in selfishness. The life of the wise brings disorder and sinfulness.

The most dangerous member of the church is behind our teeth. The tongue. It has the danger to condemn us, control us, capacity to destroy us, combat us, and conflict within us. Having come to Jesus for forgiveness and power we can use our words to bless God and others as God intends and we want.

While we are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Genuine faith produces good works in the life of a true Christian. Genuine faith is not indifferent, but involved. Genuine faith is not independent, but in partnership with works. Genuine faith is not intellectual, but of the heart.

Prejudice is incompatible with Christianity. It contradicts God's nature, is illogical, and violates the command to love our neighbor. Instead, let the Scripture be our standard, let love be our law, and grace be our message.

The word of God changes God's people. But only if we prepare ourselves for it intentionally, receive it willingly, and live it authentically. We prepare with an open heart, closed mouth, calm spirit, and clean heart. When received rightly the word affects our speech, love of neighbor, and relationship with the world.

Everyone will face temptation their entire lives. When our evil desire latches on to an opportunity we sin which brings forth deathlike results. Instead, let's fight temptation by refusing to believe the lie and choosing to see God as a generous giver of life.

God is making his people into the image of Christ through trials. Overview: Every believer will inevitably face trials. These trials will be custom made by God. He will send them in his timing in order to shape us into the image of His Son. We endure them through sound theology, prayer for wisdom, and faith. The result will be abundant life now and eternal life later.

James is a practical guide to testing our faith to see if it's genuine. Do we have genuine endurance? (Chapter 1). Do we have merciful love? (Chapter 2). Do we have gentle humility? (Chapters 3-4). Do we have lasting patience? (Chapter 5).

Even when our love for God and obedience to Him leads into the fire, He will be in it with us and see us through it. We can bank on this because all of God’s promises belong to His children through our Suffering Savior, Jesus. Including God’s promise to be never leave us or forsake us so we can boldly say that a day walking with God in the fire is better than any day anywhere else without Him.

The Word of God must drive our walk with God. And because the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Because Jesus died on behalf of ruined sinners like you and me. And was raised from the grave in power. The transforming power of the Word of God, by the lavish grace of the God of the Word, forever belongs to the children of God.

Worshipping anyone but God is idolatry, even if you call it religion. And you were born to worship so resist the worship of counterfeit god’s by walking in the joy of worshipping Jesus.

God's glory is displayed when His immeasurable love shines through underestimated people into unexpected places accomplishing extraordinary healing.

Jesus' cry of “It is finished!” secures God's promise to finish every work He begins and insures the child of God can persevere to the end. We can rest in this promise even when it is hard to carry on knowing that the work God has begun in us will be completed.

Because of Jesus we can be called friends of God. And our friendship with God becomes both the inspiration and the empowerment of our friendship towards others, leading us to be godly friends who value what God values and therefore boldly live God’s will and speak God’s truth.

Fools who turn to God for mercy get mercy and fools who don’t, don’t. So wise fools walk with God and they walk with Him prayerfully. So might God graciously transform us into people who are living in intimate relationship with Him marked by an ongoing conversation with our Father through prayer.

The redemptive plan of God is unstoppable. The question is will you stand by passively or get active. God’s kingdom will come with or without you! But because of the finished work of Jesus on the cross, you can link arms with the King of kings in His invincible work.

It's countercultural to own our identity as sinful and broken people but the reality is that our own worst enemy in this life is ourselves. But oh! What a friend we have in Jesus! And owning our identity as sinner is an essential step towards receiving mercy.

The temptation we all face is to think that we're alright, that we've got it all together, and we're just fine they way we are. But that causes us to miss the greatness of God's grace. When we realize how truly broken, needy, and helpless we are, then we will truly see the grace, mercy, and love of God for what they really are.

When by grace alone through faith alone in Jesus alone, God transforms a nobody into somebody, it’s good news for everybody. And we should respond with thankfulness, hopefulness, and boldness.

Your daily grind matters to the Mission of God.

God’s divine providence testifies that He is worthy of obedience even when it’s difficult.

To move forward we must be closer. To be closer we must be together. Willing? Available?