Did you know that in church history there were some who didn’t think the book of James should be included in what is called the “Canon of the New Testament”? Some thought that James perhaps contradicted the writings of the Apostle Paul when he said that “faith without works is dead”. Paul taught that we are saved by grace through faith! James took the matter a step further. What does your faith enable you and I to do?

I doubt if there are many people reading this that would think of themselves as a “law breaker”. If we’re believers, we’re all “law keepers”, right? Don’t be too quick to answer that question. This message contains one of the most powerful illustrations I’ve ever used. It’s not a “tear jerker” type of story, it’s simply a story that illustrates the text better than any other story I could use.

The word is “favoritism”. What does that word mean to you? Maybe it brings up memories from childhood about a brother or sister, or even a classmate. Did you know that in the early church, favoritism was a problem? People showed favoritism toward people with money and fine clothes. James tells his audience plainly, it is a sin! Like any other sin, it requires the forgiveness of Christ!

This is the second half of a 2-part message on the subject of anger. According to an author by the name of Clarence McCartney of years gone by, “Anger negatively impacts friendships, destroys peace and concord in the home, and generally wreaks havoc in groups of any size!” What has anger done in your life and circle? More than you know!

I am beginning to believe that anger just maybe one of the most sensitive issues in people’s lives. When I preached about anger from this passage in James years ago, more people requested copies of the message more than any message I’ve given over 37 years on the radio! That speaks volumes to me. We are all the victims of someone else’s anger; we are also victim makers! We’re both!

Do you remember the moment when one of your children showed some maturity in a situation, never shown before? It can be a “Kodak” moment in their life and yours. One of the signs of maturity in a Christian’s life is when they understand and apply the verses in James that we study today. James says that “God does tempt anyone to do evil”. He then tells us from where temptation actually comes. It may surprise some people!

The book of James quite possibly was a sermon given by James. It was then written down and the manuscript or book was sent to Jewish believers all over the known world. It’s a book that deals with practical Christianity; Christianity lived out in everyday life. James exhorted his listeners and readers to manifest or demonstrate a “real” faith, acting like a Christian! Not bad advice for us in 2020!

We have never done this before on CrossHope, but we began this message on the Sunday before Christmas with showing and hearing a Visual Story from our website, called “Unexpected Faith”. It was a powerful moment as we share the audio at the beginning of this message so that you may hear what the audience heard. It speaks for itself; listen to it at the top of this message.

Tolerance is an important word in our culture today in 2020. It’s become a political “doctrine” to be upheld! And yet Joshua, in one of his final messages to the people of Israel commands them not to tolerate the pagan gods and idols of the people of Canaan. Why did he say that? Because some of the people were actually invoking the names of the pagan deities and praying to them!

You may work for a company that has a “mission statement”. Most companies and organizations do. Some are quite serious, others are humorous. Most are quite creative. Do you have a personal mission statement? Is there a statement that sums up your life and purpose as a believer in Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God? We talk about one this week from the book of Joshua. It may surprise you; it will possibly change your life if you adopt it!