This is What We Do

The Extraordinary Story of Elijah\(1 Kings 17-18)

James 5:13-18

This is what we do. This is who we are.

1. We are a praying church.

2. We are a singing church. > Mark 12:30; Psalm 8:2

3. We are a confessing church.

> James 5:16

4. We are a prophesying church.

> 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22

Jesus is Coming

James 5:7-8

Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen. You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near.

Get in it for the long haul!

1. Jesus is coming... really. 1 Thessalonians 5:2-4; 6-11

Matthew 24:32-37

2. I have great examples of long-haul faith. James 5:11; Job 13:15, 16:18-19, 19:25, 42:12

A study in the letter of James!

James 4:1-10

The problem with my relationships is my broken relationship with God.

The Solution: Five Stations

1. Humble yourself before God. James 4:7a; Luke 14:11

2. Resist the devil. James 4:7b; Ephesians 6:10-11

3. Come close to God. James 4:8a; Hebrews 4:16

4. Wash your hands. James 4:8b; Matthew 23:25b

5. Let there be tears. James 4:9; Matthew 5:3-4

1 (repeat) Humble yourself before God and HE WILL LIFT YOU UP! James 4:10

Luke 1:26-38 ESV

Big Idea | God wants us to be bearers of the greatest gift ever given.

1. God doesn’t look at people the way we do. 1 Corinthians 1:27; 1 Samuel 16:7

2. People will respond to what we have inside. Luke 1:41, 44; John 7:38-39a

3. God allows us to choose.

Psalm 95:6-7 NLT

Bow Your Knees Come, let us worship and bow down.

Let us kneel before the Lord our maker, for he is our God.

We are the people he watches over, the flock under his care.

Matthew 2:10-11 NLT

When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Big Idea | You might wanna kneel.

Two things to ponder when you pour out your heart:

1. Kneel in pursuit.

Mark 10:17 NLT

As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

2. Kneel in repentance.

Luke 5:8 NLT

When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m such a sinful man.”

3. Kneel in submission.

Luke 22:41-42 NLT

He walked away, about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”

Philippians 2:9-11 NLT

Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Matthew 2:9-18 NLT

Big Idea: When I pour out my heart to God, I find refuge; I find my safe place.

How?

1. Remember God's faithfulness in the past

2. Trust God's provision for your future.