God has made a way for sinners like us to be made right with Him. That way is Jesus. All have sinned and fallen short of God's glory. But God counts us as righteous apart from our own works. We don't get to brag unless our boast is in Christ. We are blessed to have our sins covered in the blood of Jesus. Do you see yourself as guilty before God? Blessed and happy are those who enjoy peace in their soul because God gives them a perfect righteousness that is not their own. Our only hope is to cling to Jesus — there's no other way to the Father.

This sermon examines James chapter 1, verses 9 through 18, focusing on how believers should navigate trials and temptations by anchoring their identity in God's unchanging character. The preacher contrasts the temporary nature of worldly status with the eternal value found in Christ, urging both the poor and the rich to boast only in their spiritual standing. A central theme is the rejection of the lie that God tempts individuals to sin, clarifying that temptation arises from personal desire while affirming God's absolute moral purity. The message emphasizes that every good gift originates from the immutable Father of lights, who remains constant despite fluctuating circumstances. Ultimately, believers are called to persevere through hardship with steadfast faith, relying on the Holy Spirit for victory over sin and hope in the crown of life.

Purity in the Church & The Danger of Compromise 1 Corinthians 5 In today's devotional, Pastor Jason Van Bemmel explores the challenging but necessary instructions given in 1 Corinthians 5. When the Corinthian church began boasting about their tolerance of gross sexual immorality, the Apostle Paul delivered a strong message about church discipline and the danger of compromising with worldly influence. In this episode, we cover: Church Discipline: Why the church must not tolerate or celebrate unrepentant sin, and how excommunication is ultimately aimed at the restoration of the individual. The Danger of Leaven: How tolerating just a little bit of immorality acts like leaven, spreading negative influence and cheap grace throughout the entire congregation. Christ Our Passover Lamb: A look at how Jesus fulfilled the Passover, calling believers to live spiritually as "unleavened bread" in sincerity and truth. Judging Inside vs. Outside: Understanding our call to be salt and light in the world without completely isolating ourselves, while maintaining strict boundaries against scandalous sin within the church family. Thank you for watching! www.foresthillpca.org

While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. The goodness of the Gospel is for everyone. God is the God of both Jews and Gentiles, and He judges righteously. The only way for sinners to escape that judgment is by faith in Jesus – not by deeds of the law. Abram was a pagan Gentile, but God found him and gave him a promise. And Abram believed that promise. He was not justified by his works or even by his circumcision. Justification is a free gift of God, so none of us can boast of our own works. Stop trying to earn grace. God loves us because He chose to love us. We are counted righteous before God because of our standing in Jesus. Are you resting in Jesus alone?

James 4:11–17 delivers a sobering call to humility, warning against slander and arrogant boasting about the future, both of which stem from a misplaced sense of control and pride. The passage first condemns the sin of speaking against or judging a brother, not as a blanket prohibition on all criticism, but as a clear rejection of malicious, prideful speech that violates the law of love and undermines God's authority as the sole judge. It then turns to the danger of presumptuous planning, urging believers to acknowledge life's fragility—comparing it to a fleeting vapor—and to frame all future intentions with the humble phrase, 'if the Lord wills.' This recognition of divine sovereignty is not meant to instill anxiety, but to foster trust in God's providence, enabling patience in suffering, gratitude in blessing, and confidence in His ultimate good. The chapter concludes with a powerful moral imperative: knowing what is right and failing to do it is itself sin, underscoring that true faith is not passive but actively submits to God in every area of life, including speech, planning, and the awareness of mortality.

The sermon on Proverbs 27 emphasizes wisdom in humility, self-awareness, and foresight, urging believers to avoid boasting about the future or indulging in pride. It highlights the dangers of envy, uncontrolled anger, and self-praise, contrasting them with the value of honest rebuke, faithful friendship, and prudent counsel. Through vivid metaphors—such as the refining of silver—the proverb underscores the importance of discipline, vigilance in stewardship, and the impermanence of earthly wealth and status. Ultimately, the passage calls for a life marked by godly wisdom, self-examination, and faithful diligence, trusting in God's sovereignty while preparing for life's uncertainties with discernment and humility.

This Sunday School lesson examines Galatians 6:13-14 to contrast the false gospel of works-based righteousness with the true gospel of grace. It highlights the Judaizers' vain attempt to justify themselves through Mosaic lawkeeping and their ulterior motives for boasting in human accomplishment. In opposition, the lesson emphasizes that believers must glory exclusively in the cross of Jesus Christ as the sole basis for justification. The lesson further explains that salvation involves a spiritual crucifixion where the believer dies to the world and sin. This transformation results in a complete shift of affection from worldly allurements to devotion to God.

What do we do when evil seems to prosper and the wicked appear to get away with it? In Psalm 52, David reflects on the betrayal of Doeg the Edomite and reminds us that God sees every act of injustice and every destructive word. Contrasting the temporary success of the wicked with the enduring security of those rooted in God's steadfast love, David calls us to trust the Lord, wait confidently for His justice, and find refuge in the God who judges rightly, keeps His promises, and never forsakes His people.