In our final sermon in the book of James, we will see the importance of a church that prays for God’s will.

James reminds us that we claim to have a relationship with Jesus. If that is true, He wants us to represent Him well in our interactions with people each day. He wants us to be patient with people and our circumstances and trust God daily.

We are not the Judge or King. Only Jesus holds those roles. We can’t change anyone and aren’t called to control everything around us. Our responsibility is to humble ourselves before God, let Him reign as King in our hearts, and trust His will for every part of our lives. This week, let’s examine the areas where pride has crept in—whether in slander, our plans, or our ignoring His voice—and surrender those areas to Him.

James explains that genuine wisdom always comes from God through biblical principles. Whenever we violate God's Word, we can no longer claim that our actions are wise. God delights in allowing man to know His mind.

James confronts us with some tough questions concerning faith. While he agrees with Paul that salvation is by faith in Christ alone, he also emphatically teaches that faith without works is dead. He asks us, "What evidence proves that you are a Christian?" and "Would God verify your story?"

After discussing external trials and internal temptations, James encourages us to listen more, talk less, and obey God. He reminds us that the Word of God is the authority for our lives.

James is urging us to allow the Gospel truths and the Gospel power to keep transforming our lives so that we reflect the image of Jesus Christ. He wants us to recognize that in every circumstance (good, bad, stressful, painful, etc…), God wants to use it all to help us become more like Him.

It was a blessing to have Tobe and Amy Witmer here today to present their ministry, "Safe Helps Group." Safe Helps Group rose from the ashes in 2023 when twenty-eight-year-old Abigail Witmer Ernst died by suicide. Abbie was the daughter of Pastor Tobe and Amy Witmer of Newark, Delaware. She was a brilliant, successful married woman who could not resolve several issues within. In the weeks following her death, Safe Helps Group was born with the mission of sparing others from such a fate and their loved ones from such horrific loss.

You can see their ministry at www.safehelps.org.

Jesus offers a deep, unshakable joy that is rooted in hope. As the angels announced His birth, the shared that His coming would bring joy into our lives if we would turn from our sin and accept Him as our Savior.

Jesus came to bring peace to troubled hearts. We will see the announcement of peace, the recognition, and the application of peace.