Harbor Rock Tabernacle

When we remember times when we were personally hurt by physical or emotional abuse, relational abandonment or betrayal, or deep injustice, it feels overwhelming. In the span of 24 hours, Jesus Christ endured a devastating level of torture, abuse and rejection that no one has ever experienced in a lifetime, let alone a day. In every aspect, He suffered beyond our understanding. ..and didn't deserve any of it. It was because of our sin. What would cause God to do this for us? The only answers are His unfailing love, His incomprehensible grace, and His unimaginable plans for us. As we think back on His suffering, we are stirred to be so grateful to Him, and follow His example. Video of this service is available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDGufhLMTR0

It was a diverse crowd when Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey, coming to be sacrificed for our sin. His disciples, people whose lives had been changed, the curious, and the Pharisees were all there, largely praising Him. But the opposition of the jealous, hypocritical religious leaders influenced most in the crowd to turn on Jesus just 5 days later. This parallels James 4, which says that our pleasures wage war within us, even as believers. We are at constant risk of following the demands of self, which corrupts our hearts and minds like leaven changes bread. But when we are crucified with Christ, our old self is done away with, and we become alive in Him. So when we are fully surrendered to the Lord, self is no longer in control, and our lives evidence this discernible change.

James' teaching about obeying the Lord and providing clear evidence that we trust and serve Him isn't an issue of obligation....it's an issue of love. So what does love for the Lord look like, on a practical, everyday basis? As disciples, there must be an external expression of the internal wisdom we have from the Lord. We are called to be dramatically distinctive from a world that is gripped by self-centered, self-absorbed justification of sin, rooted in the enemy's bitterness about not being God. Our calling is to oppose his agenda and exemplify purity, gentleness, mercy, consistency and spiritual fruit. Video of this service is available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtPugqsWJgU

What we say, how we day it, and why we say it has a tremendous impact on how people view us and influence we have. In James 3, he cautions us about how we use our words. We live in a time where everyone is an expert, so it is vital that we handle the Word carefully, because the enemy will try to hinder accurate communication of the Bible. So it is essential that we guard what comes out of our mouths. Using the analogies of a horse, a ship and a fire, James calls us to examine whether our tongue is in charge, or we have Spirit-led control over it, using it to strengthen others. Video is this service is available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vw6uXNYBbIM

As we walk by faith, the integrity of our heart and the wisdom of our actions externally impacts our witness and our relationships. We can have a tremendous influence as ambassadors of Jesus Christ, or we can do damage by showing partiality and favoritism. There are multiple ways we do this, and James 2 says it makes us judges with impure motives. Doing so signals that we have forgotten that we are sinners, only saved by God's grace. So we need to carefully balance our convictions with love, following Jesus' example at all times and with all people. Video of this service is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqJjpC3PPa4

In his letter to Jewish believers, James encouraged them and us about the need to validate our faith and wisdom and humility through how we live. One of the enemy challenges us in this way is how we respond emotionally to frustration and difficulty. Are we disciplined and self-controlled or do we impulsively fly off the handle? Weakness in this often indicates that we are still allowing impurity in our lives, and that we are not doing exactly what God's Word says to do. This study reminds us of our responsibility to prove ourselves doers of the Word, and not just hearers. Video of this service is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BI0JNr4iLVQ

As we walk in humble, persevering faith, seeking the Lord's wisdom, with the goal of consecration and integrity, the test is whether we are deceived by the enemy's temptation. When we trust God's word and do what brings life, He will give us clarity. Then, it's a matter of whether we will live with conviction and courage. By asking 3 important questions, and finding strength and confidence in the Lord's consistency, we can then be "Living First Fruits Offerings".

When we're going through trials, our pride and need for pleasure demand attention. But God's ideal is that we would be humble, and have faith that perseveres because we love and trust Him. This authenticates us as His disciples. So when the enemy pushes temptation on us, enticing us to sin and rebel against the Lord, we need to listen for His voice. It is the right voice--the one that leads us to life and His blessing. When He speaks, He will encourage us, convict us, and ask us incisive questions that show His faithfulness and the fraud of the enemy's temptations. Video of this service is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDYZksHJ68k&feature=youtu.be

We are constantly searching for wisdom--everyday, situationally and about big decisions. The Bible says it is more valuable than gold, but that we will only obtain true wisdom when we fear and trust the Lord. As we go through these confusing and prophetic times, the world only offers self-focus and self-promotion. But the Lord promises in James 1 that when we seek wisdom with an unwavering faith, that He will give it to us liberally. His past and present faithfulness gives us reassurance that even when the answers aren't obvious, that He will ultimately work to help and bless us. Video of this service is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tl_haQ9ZE88&feature=youtu.be

Whether it is an attack by the enemy or a refining of our faith by the Lord, trials are difficult to go through. To live out our faith during trials, we have to understand their purpose and how to respond so we can live in victory. James wrote to Jews scattered by persecution, reminded of their past history of disobedience, and shows that the long-term cost of sin is much more severe than the short-term cost of trials. When our faith is tested, it is to make us more like Christ, so we are called to overcome our emotions and impulses and the enemy's opposition to "consider it all joy". This doesn't mean loving the trials--it means loving the Lord and His faithfulness to complete His work in us through them. Video of this service is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Od209s27-Og&feature=youtu.be