As we light the third candle of Advent, we reflect on the theme of rejoice. The promise of the Advent—Messiah—is seen throughout the Scriptures, and the people of God have been waiting and preparing for Him. Now, the fulfillment has arrived in Jesus. As Mary, the angels, and the shepherds show us, the miraculous coming of Jesus should restore our wonder and lead us to rejoice together, even in a weary world. 

As we light the second candle of Advent, we reflect on the theme of prepare. John the Baptist prepared people for the coming of Jesus, and Jesus prepared John as he struggled and doubted in prison. Let’s look to their stories to prepare our lives for Jesus and allow our hearts to be prepared by Him.  

Advent means a “coming” or “arrival”— a watching and waiting for the coming of Jesus. Advent begins the church year as we're invited to enter God’s eternal story, joining with God’s people— past and present—waiting together. As we begin our series today, we light the first advent candle, and we understand what it means to actively watch and wait for Jesus.

Today, God’s Word will help us to see how God works when His people are persecuted for their faith and witness.

James taught us about trials and temptation, wisdom and speech, faith and works, truth and sin, wealth and poverty, and patience and prayer. As this sermon series ends today, will we be a hearer only, deceiving ourselves? Or will we put into practice what we have learned, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts? If we do, James promises we will be blessed in our doing.

James continues to confront us with practical, yet convicting, truths on how to live with steady faith in a troubled world. Last week, he showed us a life marked by true humility—one that submits fully to God. Today, he warns us of the dangers of arrogance and boasting, reminding us to steward our plans and riches with humility and dependence on God.

As James continues to emphasize full integration between our beliefs and actions, he encourages us to cease from quarreling and fighting. Instead, he urges us to humbly submit ourselves to God and His ways. 

As we continue today in our study through the book of James, the author will ask his readers, “Who is wise and understanding among you?” In doing so, James will present two different approaches to wisdom and invite us to live seeking the wisdom from above.

In the first two chapters, James calls us to live fully integrated lives where our beliefs and actions align. He continues this theme in chapter 3 by specifically addressing the importance and the power of our words. If our heart (the source) has been changed by Christ, this should be evident in our words. 

In this text, James shows us the relationship between faith and works, reminding us that that true saving faith will, by nature, produce good works. In contrast to a workless, dead faith, a living, dynamic faith is revealed through our actions. Today, James challenges us to examine the genuineness of our faith to see if it has produced fruit in our life.