"Jesus, Holy God With Us"
Holy God, Wholly Given: Lent in Leviticus
Pastor Matt Erickson
Leviticus 1:1; Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23; 1 Corinthians 3:16
March 9, 2025

One of the central themes of Leviticus is the presence of God with God’s people. God is the One who delivered His people from enslavement in Egypt and now stands at the center of their identity and direction. God is with them. So, too, in Jesus, God is with us. In fact, one of Jesus’ most memorable titles is Emmanuel, which means “God with us.”

"The Hidden Power of Patience and Prayer"
Authentic Faith: Growing with James the Disciple
Pastor Matt Erickson
James 5:7-20
March 2, 2025


James’ final exhortations call the believers to deeper patience in suffering and persevering prayer amidst sickness. Why might these be the final words he wants to offer to them?

"Making the Most of the Time"
Authentic Faith: Growing with James the Disciple
Jenny Ellefson
James 4:13-5:6
February 23, 2025

How we live each day reflects our sense of what matters most and how much time we have. In the churches that James is writing to, people’s lives were reflecting misplaced priorities and a false sense of security in the future. But James steps forward to correct them with hard truths and pointing them toward life. 

"Fighting the Right Enemy"
Authentic Faith: Growing with James the Disciple
Gabriel Douglas
James 4:1-12
February 16, 2025

The church is often known as a place where people fight with one another. But there is only one enemy worth fighting and that is the devil. And there is only one way to resist the devil successfully and that is by submitting to God.

"Living Well in God's Wisdom"
Authentic Faith: Growing with James the Disciple
Pastor Matt Erickson
James 3:13-18
February 9, 2025

There are many forms of so-called wisdom out there, but not all of them help us live well. What does it look like to find God’s true wisdom and how does it shape our everyday living?

"Tame Your Tongue"
Authentic Faith: Growing with James the Disciple
Pastor Femi Ibitoye
James 3:1-12
February 2, 2025

James has already encouraged us to be quick to listen and slow to speak, but now he investigates more deeply the challenge of controlling our mouths and what we say.

"Faith That Works"
Authentic Faith: Growing with James the Disciple
Steven Jaehnert
James 2:14-26
January 26, 2025


Today we explore one of the most well-known passages within James about how faith is shown by how we live in our actual lives. We are saved by grace, but our faith should be visible in our works.

"Faith That Doesn't Play Favorites"
Authentic Faith: Growing with James the Disciple
Pastor Matt Erickson
James 2:1-13
January 19, 2025


The way we treat others, especially those who might be considered “lower” or “outcasts,” says a lot about our faith. As we mark MLK Day, it is a good time to consider whether our faith is healing our prejudices and shaping our love for others.

"What We Hear, Say, and Do"
Authentic Faith: Growing with James the Disciple
Pastor Nic Fridenmaker
James 1:19-27
January 12, 2025


James cautions believers to be good listeners and also to be slow to speak. There is a relationship between what we hear and receive in our lives, and how that translates into the way we speak and act. Sometimes our mouths can get ahead of us.

"When Trouble Comes"
Authentic Faith: Growing with James the Disciple
Pastor Matt Erickson
James 1:1-18
January 5, 2025


This week we will set up the book of James, offering helpful background, and plunging into James’ exploration of how to respond to trials and temptations.