Warsaw Evangelical Presbyterian Church

With a title like this, you might think that we’re unpacking Tolstoy’s novel, but that’s not actually the case. As we turn our attention to James 4:1-12, there is little doubt that it feels like we could camp within this text for the next couple of weeks. That’s because it can feel like verses 1-3, 4-6, or 7-10, or 11-12 are all separate and different from each other, with different themes. But if...

Sometimes we say things like, “I don’t know what tomorrow may bring.” The problem is that we don’t often keep this in mind as we go about our day. We fill our schedules with plans and appointments, we make checklists, and we live by our calendars. Come into my office and you’ll find loads of Post-It Notes with things to do. If you saw my phone, you’d see that our family shares at least 2-3 Google...

Over the years I have met people with wealth who have seen it as a privilege and responsibility. People have used it to give back to God and to bless others. They live with an eye toward eternity. At the same time, I have met people for whom it is a vehicle to indulge in their own selfish pursuits and to hoard it for themselves. They live with an eye for the here and now. In James 5:1-6, it is app...

“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” James 3:17 Many of us are familiar with the story of King Solomon, who, in 1 Kings 3, was told by God that he could ask for anything he wanted and would receive it. Instead of asking for a long life, riches, popularity, or power like many of...

3  Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.  2  For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.  3  If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well.  4  Look at the ships also:...

“In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” James 2:17 How do faith and actions fit together? What role do good works and obedience play in the life of the Christian? Did the reformers place too much emphasis on “faith alone” that now we’ve lost the other side of the coin? Is there any truth to the idea that many people have walked away from the faith because t...

There’s an old preacher phrase that goes something like this: “No sin is too heavy for Christ to bear, and no sin is too light for Christ to spare.” The idea is that we often try to trivialize our wrongdoing by projecting our thinking onto God. Well, James spends most of the first part of chapter 2 dispelling that idea. Even something as seemingly benign by showing favoritism is offensive to God....

19  My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,  20  because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.  21  Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. 22  Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive...

"When tempted, no one should say, 'God is tempting me.' For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone." James 1:13 Trials and temptations both have a similar impact on our lives, but they are significantly different. Trials arise from the challenges and crises of life. Temptations mainly arise from within our hearts, from our inner motivations. Trials are as numerou...

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” James 1:5 We often say things like, “God has a plan for you.” We believe that to be true, but how do we figure out where that plan is supposed to go? Wouldn’t it be nice to have step-by-step directions for making our real-life decisions? Most of us don’t get that luxury...

“I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.” Revelation 21:2 Have you ever known people who like to know how a story ends before they read the entire book? For some people who are impatient or who have little time for reading; before reading the first chapter, they read the last chapter. If the ending catches...

Most of us would probably admit that, ideally, we’d like to have something corrected or changed about our bodies. From our weight to our hair to an allergy or a disease, we all recognize that our bodies are not perfect. Yet, we also might not be too sure about what a “perfect” body would be. As we learned last week, the Christian church believes in the resurrection of the dead. That is the joy of...

Matthew 21:5-9 (ESV) - “Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’” The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees a...

For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”? Or again, “I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son”? - Hebrews 1:5 (ESV) Who do you say Jesus is? Is He more than just a man, yet not as great as YAHWEH? Is He closer in status to the angels? Throughout history, some have viewed Jesus as an exalted being, yet not fully divine. This Sunday, we c...

“Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” Matthew 26:36 Gardens are usually wonderful, peaceful places where we can calm our spirits and focus on what is important. But on the night Jesus spent in the Garden of Gethsemane, he was in agony. Gethsemane means “oil press,” and was a place where olives were crushed...

When we took our trip to Israel a couple of years ago, amongst the many places we visited was a stop at Caesarea Philippi. This was a settlement at the foot of Mount Hermon where a spring forms the headwaters of the Jordan River. At the time of Jesus’ ministry, this area was called Panias and was dedicated to the worship of the Greek god Pan. It is from this place of idol worship that Jesus asked...

As we are often reminded, in the first century, there were many persecutions against Christians. That persecution has continued to follow believers in Christ at many times and in many places around the world. Even in our own church when we highlight our missionaries, we often do so in a way that seeks to keep them safe since we don’t want them to be put in harm’s way. The apostle Peter wrote a let...

“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” - Ephesians 4:3 Conflict is an inevitable part of life, but as followers of Christ we are called to pursue peace and reconciliation. In the midst of conflict we have the opportunity to demonstrate God’s love and bring healing to broken relationships. When facing conflict in our marriages and families, we begin by examin...

"So then he who marries his betrothed does well, and he who refrains from marriage will do even better." - 1 Corinthians 7:25-40 Singleness, a growing phenomenon in our culture today, stands in stark contrast to the past. Less than a century ago, singleness was uncommon, with people often marrying straight out of high school or a few years after. Today, we see a shift toward independence...

“Honor your father and mother”— which is the first commandment with a promise —“so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” - Ephesians 1:2-3 For whom do you think this was written? Was Paul writing to young children in their parents’ home? Was it written to teenagers? Was it written to adults/parents? Keep in mind that the culture in Israel often had 3 or more...

As we reflect on marriage again this week, we will consider the way of wisdom described in Proverbs 31. However, Proverbs 31 is really a famous summary of the many virtues and blessings of godly Wisdom, personified as a woman earlier in the book (Proverbs 1:20-23; 8:1-9:12) and contrasted with another woman named Folly (see Proverbs 9:13-18). Verses 1-9 and 10-31 follow much the same pattern. In P...

Not everyone can say this, but I’m thankful for the home I grew up in. It certainly doesn't mean that it was perfect, and I have lots of examples of what to do and what not to do. But I am thankful for the provision, sacrifice, love, care, and nurture that I received. The Bible makes it clear that God is passionately concerned about the care and nurture of children. The words that we will hear on...

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.”  Ephesians 5:25 In many North American weddings, the moment a bride begins her walk down the aisle is pivotal. Everyone stands to join the groom in watching her as she processes to meet him. Of course, that moment is important for the groom as well because he loves his bride and longs to have her with him. As...

“Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.”  1 Corinthians 12:7 Having been around the hospital to visit parishioners, I’ve seen the highs and lows. I’ve also grown aware and appreciative of the intertwined complexities of the human body. People truly are beautifully and wonderfully made! As Paul writes to the Corinthians, he describes the body of believers in t...

“ He ( Paul is talking about leaders)  must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.” People look up to Christian leaders, expecting that the loving grace of God will shine through them. The apostle Paul considered it vital for Christian witness that overseers (elders and pastors) and deacons have a good reputation with those who...