James tells us to rejoice when going through trials. Does he know something we don't know? There is a formula: Trials + Endurance = Maturity. If we know this formula and want to be more like Jesus, then we too can have joy in our trials.

We don't have to be afraid because: 1) God's Supremacy and 2) God's Presence. We don't have to fear because 1) our greatest fear has been taken care of in Christ, 2) We have a father who is in control - He cares for us, 3) We are not alone, God is with us. God is with us ... we have all we need, we are safe.

We all experience anxieties of some kind but how can we handle them. The key is humility. Today we will look at the aspects of humility: 1) The Heart of Humility, 2) The Expression of Humility, 3) The Promises of Humility. There are three promises of humility in this study, 1) vs 5 - God give grace to the humble, 2) vs 6 - God will lift you up, 3) vs 7 - God cares for you.

Today we will be looking at three factors that determine if we have hope. Hope is determined by 1) what we call to mind, 2) Our view of who God is, 3) By where we find our satisfaction. The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

We all want to live as long as we can. Sometimes we want to deny it. What are we without the resurrection?

1) Jesus without the resurrection - Jesus' resurrection is at the center of Christianity. 2) Faith without the resurrection - Without the resurrection your faith is in vain. 3) Sin without the resurrection - Without the resurrection you are still in your sin. 4) Hope without the resurrection - without the resurrection we will all perish. But their is a resurrection, Christ has been raised from the dead, Christ is alive!

Jesus is the suffering servant talked about in Isaiah 53. Jesus suffered and died on the cross that we might be free from sin.

Here are four more things that have not changed: 1) Our call to seek Jesus hasn't changed, 2) Our call to love our church hasn't changed, 3) Our call to serve our neighbor hasn't changed, 4) Our call to proclaim the Gospel hasn't changed. Our calling has not changed ... and ... our Savior has not changed.

Right now we are going through many changes in the world....but there are some things that never change. 1) God never changes, 2) Our salvation never changes, 3) Our future in heaven never changes. God is our rock and our fortress, we do not need to be afraid.

Right now we are going through many changes in the world....but there are some things that never change. 1) God never changes, 2) Our salvation never changes, 3) Our future in heaven never changes. God is our rock and our fortress, we do not need to be afraid.

As a church we are to find ways to love and serve those around us, whether needy widows or needy relatives or our spouses and children. The answers aren't always easy or clear but we're called to do the hard work and reflect the gospel by loving those around us with discernment.