Join Chuck Davis and Philip Davis as they provide an introduction to the Book of James.

It is the clear teaching of Scripture that Christians are not just to acknowledge a higher standard, but to live to the higher standard. It is a standard of purity and holiness

The standard is convincingly set forth throughout the Word of God:

1 Peter 1:13-16 - Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy."

Eph. 5:1 - Therefore be imitators of God as dear children

These are sobering words: they link us uniquely to God obviously bare serious, Biblical significance.

Simply explained, God’s call is that Christians are to be different.

So why do so many Christians participate in a pastime that has done such horrific damage to many people throughout history: DRINKING.

The question/comment comes up constantly: would a loving God truly condemn one to hell?

Might I suggest that this is not the correct question to ask?

What do you tell others when they ask you why you love God?

The answer is easy.

Do you know what God's truth is?  Do you know where to find God's truth?  Explore this subject in our lesson.

In John 4:23-24, we are told we are to "worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him" (v.23). Furthermore, we are told that we "must worship him in spirit and in truth" (v.24). Notice the elements for proper worship: "spirit" and "truth."  To worship in spirit means that we must have the right attitude in worshipping the Father. God does not want our worship to be vain or insincere. Spiritual worship is that which is done from a pure heart, and in accordance with God's will (this is not to be confused with emotion. Just because worship "feels good" doesn't mean it's spiritual)!  To worship in truth means we must worship in a manner that is pleasing to God, doing only the things which he has prescribed!  If we are to worship in truth, this MUST mean God has provided us THE TRUTH! Why is this important? Because we worship a God of truth (John 17:17), a God whom we can know (John 4:22) and whose commandments we can understand (John 8:31-32).

Scripture is clear about instrumental music in worship to God: IT IS SIN

There are certainly false teachers in the world, but when they exist in the church, and unopposed, they are the most dangerous. We need to be aware that they exist, and we need to know how they work. We should not be "ignorant of his (i.e., the Devil's) devices" (2 Cor. 2:11). False teachers are very dangerous. We need to be aware of them and beware of their false doctrine(s)!

The Lord intended for elders in each local church to be the primary line of defense against every threat to the faith. This is why Paul charged the Ephesian elders to take heed to themselves first (Acts 20:28).

But what happens when that line of defense fails?

Paul reminds the Romans that he received grace and apostleship from the same risen Savior of who he'd just spoken.  It is through Christ that all men have access to the grave of God.

Understanding the book of Romans would eliminate the confusion in the world regarding justification by faith, the purpose and the duration of the law of Moses and the place of baptism is God's scheme of redemption.

Analysis of Matthew 6:24-34

25 "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?

26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?

28 So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin;

29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

31 Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'

32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.