Fellowshipmtz

James 4:10-12

James applies the emphasized principle of humility in verses 6-10 to what we SAY about others (though modern day social media did not exist in the first century, I am confident James would want us to examine our posts and tweets in light of his warning).  To "speak evil against" is to "judge".  To "judge" is to cease being a doer of the law by making oneself equal with GOD (at least in respect to judgment).

James 4:9 with Nehemiah 8

Stop! To get the most from this message, go back and listen to the previous week's message, "A Church Mourning & Weeping".  After gaining an appreciation for why and when the church ought to mourn, today's message turns a "180" as we consider Ezra's admonition, "This day is holy to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep."

James 4:9

James commands the church, "Be miserable and mourn and weep."  By and large, and for a variety of reasons (not the least of which is PRIDE), I think the church is largely uncomfortable with grief and sorrow.  As an example, I daresay our hymnals have many more songs devoted to joy and rejoicing than to sorrow and grieving!

James 4:8 - "Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.  Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, double-minded people!"

Back from vacation, I resume our church's "regular" teaching from James' epistle.  Very importantly, James' instruction is both an INVITATION and a PROMISE!

Not exactly sure how long, but for roughly 10-15 years I have studied and considered the Bible's teaching on Sabbath (REST) and how it does and does not apply to Christians in the Church.  This brief update, recorded here as a "Call to Worship" offers a glimpse into my most recent conclusions.  (I wrote a brief two page article that I can make available upon request.)

Acts 4:23-31

The apostolic church experiences its first wave of persecution when Peter & John are arrested and strictly forbidden to speak about Jesus of Nazareth.  What is the Church to do? (then and now!)  John Davis (recent MDiv graduate from Southern Seminary in Louisville) teaches/preaches today.

Acts 21:1-16

Believe it or not, sometimes good Christians disagree on God's will and intention.  From Acts 21, Joe Kunzeman (an Overseer at our church) contrasts Paul's determined intention to GO to Jerusalem with other believers (including prophets) urging Paul NOT to go to Jerusalem.  The dynamics of the text provide a basis for addressing our own different persuasions as believers.

1 John 5:1-5

Seminary Old Testament professor at Lincoln Christian University, Dr. Paul Kissling, teaches from the New Testament in this visit to our church.  New birth, love, and obedience are all discussed.

James 4:6-7

GOOD NEWS / BAD NEWS:

James 4:6-7

How the problem is diagnosed and understood will determine what solution is applied.  Our contemporary western culture overwhelmingly believes in the essential goodness of man -- as exemplified by Luke Bryan's song, "Most People Are Good" ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liqktLC7xR0 ).  But G. K. Chesterton (1874-1936) thinks otherwise (an audio excerpt from his book, ORTHODOXY, is embedded in the Sunday message.