Throughout the wisdom writings found throughout the Bible, one common theme is the necessity of understanding your surroundings. We saw last week how the rich laid up for themselves treasure in the last days. In this week’s passage, James teaches...

Throughout Scripture, money is presented as the most compelling rival to God because it offers power, control, identity, comfort, and pleasure in a way that really no other idol does. James, echoing his brother Jesus, insists that we need to ask the...

In this last sermon through our series in Daniel, we’ll look at Daniel 6 which shows Daniel facing persecution in a drama of political maneuvering, ending with Daniel in the lions’ den. His experience in the face of danger is a picture of what...

We live in a time that feels unsteady and uncertain with the ever-present chorus of bad news. And yet at the end of the day, this means that this is a crucial time to remember that Easter doesn’t represent a sentimental word of spiritual...

On Palm Sunday we remember Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, a day often considered a kick off to Holy Week or a time of pageantry. And yet this famous scene shows us the world at its most confused. The people have pinned their hopes and...

How many of us live our lives by our Google calendars or planners? Despite the chaos of our hectic schedules is there maybe something self-validating and self-justifying about announcing our busyness to whomever will listen? In this week’s passage,...

"What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you?” James’ question 2,000 years ago is as pressing and relevant in 21-century churches and one we would do well to ask in our marriages, families, neighborhoods, and workplaces. Wherever two...

After looking at some big themes and questions of the Christian life, James begins to zero in on why we struggle to live the good life. This Sunday we turn to the very everyday, practical, and relatable problem of how we use our words, how they...

This Sunday James hones in on the nature of saving faith. This passage evokes confusion among readers of Scripture: we celebrate the biblical teaching that we are saved by grace alone through faith alone and yet doesn’t James contradict this...

This week we turn to an immediate application of the principles of receiving and responding to God’s Word. James 2:1-13 is a case study highlighting the destructiveness of the seemingly “minor” sin of showing partiality. By showing favoritism...