June 30, 2024 - The Bible is a book unlike any other book—it is the Holy Bible—and because it holds that position it must be approached differently than any other book. James teaches that the Christian must be quick to hear it, slow to speak it, slow to be angered by it. Additionally, the Christian must adopt the attitude of meekness and physically put away “all filthiness and rampant wickedness” as he or she humbly submits to the Word.

For more information about Heritage Church, visit our website at: https://heritageshawnee.org

June 23, 2024 - The Bible is a book unlike any other book—it is the Holy Bible—and because it holds that position it must be approached differently than any other book. James teaches that the Christian must be quick to hear it, slow to speak it, slow to be angered by it. Additionally, the Christian must adopt the attitude of meekness and physically put away “all filthiness and rampant wickedness” as he or she humbly submits to the Word.

For more information about Heritage Church, visit our website at: https://heritageshawnee.org

June 16, 2024 - In James 1:16-18, James provides perspective on trials and testing and adds the command for Christians: “Do not be deceived.” God’s goodness must not be questioned because he leads us into difficult circumstances. He uses cosmological and astrological language to fix the Christians mind on the stars above and then connects them to the promise: “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of Lights.”

For more information about Heritage Church, visit our website at: https://heritageshawnee.org

June 9, 2024 - James reintroduces the theme of trials and testing and teaches the church that God is the author of our trials. They exist to refine the Christian, that one day he might reward their perseverance and so “pedestal them in glory.” What he is not the author of are our temptations. Temptations well up from our fallen nature and lure and entice us to sin. Christians must cut off the life cycle of sin where it begins—in the phase of temptation.

For more information about Heritage Church, visit our website at: https://heritageshawnee.org

June 2, 2024 - As we learn to embody the kingdom of God, James shifts discussion to the level of our mindset and attitude. What is vain and what is worth boasting in? The answer is: it depends on your circumstances—how much money you have, whether you live on the margins, or how beautiful you are. To the rich and physically-privileged Christian, he commands they focus on their humiliation that came with their conversion. To the lowly Christian, he commands them to focus on the riches and inheritance they are given through Jesus Christ.

For more information about Heritage Church, visit our website at: https://heritageshawnee.org

May 26, 2024 - James 1:5-8

For more information about Heritage Church, visit our website at: https://heritageshawnee.org

May 19, 2024 - James 1:2-4 addresses the nature, response to, and purpose of trials in life. It encourages believers to view trials as opportunities for joy, understanding that these challenges test faith, fostering perseverance.

For more information about Heritage Church, visit our website at: https://heritageshawnee.org

May 12, 2024 - The book of James teaches the church how to embody the Kingdom of God even amidst the hardships and trials of life. The book is many things at once—it is a letter but (at times) thunders like Old Testament prophecy; it is wisdom literature but is applied like a sermon; it is loosely ordered like Psalms and Ecclesiastes and yet follows a definite pattern. Each of these nuances make the book unique in Scripture. The main themes that carry the book forward are riches and poverty, wisdom, and trials. This week we look at James 1:1 which shows us three things: The author of the letter, the recipient of the letter, and the greeting from a local pastor to his scattered church.

For more information about Heritage Church, visit our website at: https://heritageshawnee.org

May 5, 2024 - Psalm 89 is a Psalm written by one of the wisest men of the ancient world, whose wisdom is still shaping our theology and worship 3,000 years after his death. Ethan the Ezrahite teaches what it looks like to express confidence during doubt as he looks at the promises of the Davidic Covenant and how they seemingly do not align with Israel’s current experience. Despite his doubts and complaints, before he ever utters a word to God, he expresses two resolutions that inform the permanent direction of his life and worship: He will sing of the steadfast love of the lord forever and he will make his faithfulness known to all generations. Through history the church can see what Ethan was not privileged to see—that David’s covenant, and its promises of an eternal house and eternal throne, find their ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. God was faithful to his covenant.

For more information about Heritage Church, visit our website at: https://heritageshawnee.org

April 28, 2024 - Psalm 88 is the darkest of all the Psalms. It is the desperate cry for help from a leper who is drawing near death after wrestling with a disease that has left him without strength, isolated, and lonely. Psalm 88 gives opportunity for the church to learn how to participate in “weeping with those who weep” as they care for the vulnerable. For those who are suffering, it demonstrates that there are others who undergo “wintry nights of the soul.” Complaints may always be taken to God in prayer.

For more information about Heritage Church, visit our website at: https://heritageshawnee.org