Higher Purpose Ministries

DYNAMIC Faith!

 

Dynamic means forceful or powerful. It can also mean changing. Dynamic power is power that changes and transforms.

 

Many people are looking for something that will make a real difference in their lives. People are looking for answers that will truly make a change in their lives.

 

So many people today feel Burned Out and Exhausted. What we need is something from God that will make a true and lasting difference in our lives.

 

James talks to us about something authentic that has the power to change our lives and has worked for thousands of years.

 

See what James says about "DYNAMIC Faith."

James 2:20-26

20 But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?

21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?

22 You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected;

23 and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,” and he was called the friend of God.

24 You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.

25 In the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?

26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.  (NASB)

Dynamic Faith is the third type of Faith James mentions in chapter 2.

3rd    Type of Faith is   Divine / Demonstrative Faith    James 2:20-26

It is Genuine Faith.  Real Faith Acts on what it claims to Believe.

There is evidence to support the claims that Faith makes.  James calls that evidence, works.  Works do not produce faith.  Faith produces works.  Works demonstrate that the faith we claim to have is really real.

James brings 2 illustrations from the Old Testament that everyone in his audience would be very familiar with.  They were 2 very different people with 2 very different resumes.  One is a man, one is a woman.  One was the father of faith, the other came by it as an outsider.  One is Abraham.  The other is Rahab.  Both possessed a Dynamic Faith that changed them and was visible and demonstrable to others.

Dr. Kelly Carr, Pastor, New Hope Community Church, 3849 FM 1827, McKinney, TX 75071,  4 miles north west of Princeton, Texas.

God Loves You Very Much!

#BookofJames, #James, #Faith,

Deadly Faith!

 

Those two words, "deadly" and "faith" do not seem to go together. However, James tells us that not ALL faith is good faith. In fact, some types of faith are actually deadly.

 

Real Faith is supposed to produce life. Real faith is supposed to produce obedience. Real faith is supposed to produce fruit. Real faith is supposed to produce change. So, by those criteria, we have to ask ourselves ... "Is Our Faith Real?"

 

See what James says about "Deadly Faith." 

 

James 2:14-19

Three Types of Faith

Two Types of Deadly Faith

1st      Dead Faith    James 2:14-17

“Everybody talkin’  ‘bout Heaven ain’t goin’ there.”

James 2:14-19

14 What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him?

15 If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food,

16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?

17 Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.

18 But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”

19 You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.

Dr. Kelly Carr, Pastor, New Hope Community Church, 3849 FM 1827, McKinney, TX 75071,

#BookofJames, #James, #DeadFaith,

She is remembered as "The Ambitious Mom" and she often receives a bad rap for the bold request she made of Jesus. She traveled with Jesus and the disciples and may even have been related to Jesus' family. So maybe she thought she had an inside track in asking for this special blessing. The other disciples were upset by her request and Jesus even questioned her about it. However, what may have been a bold and ambitious request seems to have come from a very devoted disciple and loving mom.

Her name was Salome, and she may have been Jesus' aunt. She asked if her sons, James and John could be seated on Jesus' right and left when He set up His Kingdom. Considering all of the other saints in the Old Testament and New Testament and since then, it seems a bit ambitious to all of us. But she cared about her boys.

Maybe there is something we can all learn from Salome's request. Join us on Sunday morning as we examine, "The Ambitious Mom."

Matthew 20:20-21

20  Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Jesus with her sons, bowing down and making a request of Him. 21  And He said to her, "What do you wish?" She said to Him, "Command that in Your kingdom these two sons of mine may sit one on Your right and one on Your left." (NASB)

How to be Ambitious for your Children in a Godly way.  Great Christian Life Coaching for Parents.

4 Habits of Ambitious Parents:

Dr. Kelly Carr, Pastor, New Hope Community Church, 3849 FM 1827, McKinney, TX 75071,

#MothersDay2021, #Parents, #Parenting, #AmbitiousMom, #LifeCoaching, #ChristianLifeCoach,

Religion has to do with the outward observance of our faith. However, James makes a distinction between "good" religion and "bad" religion. He lived in Jerusalem and had a front row seat of the most religious people of his day. He had literally seen religion at its purest and best and at its lowest and worst. What amazes me is that even though he had seen the worst, he did not merely give up and quit practicing religion, altogether.

 

This week, James gives us some wise instruction about "religion." And he gives us 3 acid tests of what is "good."

 

Some people wrongly think that "no religion is better than bad religion" and so they just give up on going to church altogether. That is not the advice of James. I think you will be both surprised and pleased with what he says.

 

James 1:26-27

26 If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless.

27 Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

Here is the first test, but you will have to listen to the message to hear the rest.

Test #1       Pure Religion Keeps the Tongue on a Short Leash.  (Wouldn't the world be a much more pleasant place if everyone did this?)

          What does James have in mind?  Let’s be specific…

          Foul Language  

          Lying  

          Gossip

          Critical and Condemning Speech

          Tactless Speech

          Sins of the Tongue Start in the Heart.  Luke 6:45

45 The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.

Question:  How well did you do on the first acid test?

Dr. Kelly Carr, Pastor, New Hope Community Church, 3849 FM 1827, McKinney, TX 75071, May 2, 2021

God Loves You Very Much!

#James, #BookofJames, #Religion, #LifeCoaching,

This is a great session for the Christian Life Coach to refer to the person who wants to avoid religion in life.  It is also good practical life coaching applications for our speech, the importance of helping others in need, and the importance and personal responsibility of each person to "guard his or her heart."

Ever wish you had listened better? Maybe when the teacher told everyone to put their books away for the big test? Maybe when your date showed up at the front door? Maybe when they gave the deadline for dropping the class?

 

There are many reasons for listening. There is great POWER in listening. In fact, listening saves lives.

 

This week James gives us wise instruction on how to listen, and what to listen to, and how to respond in a way that makes things better, not worse.

 

His words apply whether you are a Fortune 500 CEO, a manger, a husband, a wife, a student, or if you just like getting your order right at Whataburger.

Excellent for any, Christian Life Coach.

James 1:19-25

19 This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger;

20 for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.

21 Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls.

James gives the 3 Be's of Getting Along with People

1st  Be Quick to Hear / Listen.

2nd Be Slow to Speak

3rd  Be Slow to Anger

So many practical bits of wisdom and relationship skills in this brief passage.

Dr. Kelly Carr, Pastor, New Hope Community Church, 3849 FM 1827, McKinney, TX, 75071, Higher Purpose Ministries,

www.NewHopeCommChurch.com

#James, #BookofJames, #ChristianLifeCoach, #Listening, #ListeningSkills,

Temptation is something that everyone can relate to.  Both Christians and non-Christians face temptation.  In James 1:13-18, Pastor James talks to his flock about what temptation is, where it comes from, and what happens to us and in us when we give in to it. 

James discusses the source of temptation.  Some people actually wanted to blame God for their temptation, but God is not to blame. 

James also discusses the terrifying sequence of giving in to temptation.  We abbreviate it as L.S.D.  Lust, Sin, and Death.  This message actually describes and defines the 3 different types of Death listed in the New Testament.

We also discusses the Steps to Victory over Temptation.  God has outlines some very specific things Christians can do to overcome temptation when it knocks on your door.

Dr. Kelly Carr, Pastor, New Hope Community Church,

3849 FM 1827, McKinney, Texas 75071,

Sunday, April 18, 2021,

#NewHopeCommunityChurch #James #BookofJames #Temptation

Remember, God Loves You Very Much!

In Prosperity and Adversity.  How many times has a Minister uttered those words to a naive couple during a wedding ceremony.  Yet these words involve two of the greatest tests of life.  Christians are tested in the area of adversity, often in financial adversity.  Many can relate to this test and God's faithfulness during these times of adversity.  There is also a test of prosperity.  Many Christians seem ill equipped to handle the tests of prosperity.  Can you be faithful to Christ in both circumstances. 

James discusses these two tests that he knew his congregation would be facing as they were literally being sown into the gentile world around theme. 

Can you pass the test in the Crucible of Adversity?

Can you pass the test in the Crucible of Advantage?

James 1:9-12 (NASB)

9  But the brother of humble circumstances is to glory in his high position;

10  and the rich man is to glory in his humiliation, because like flowering grass he will pass away.

11  For the sun rises with a scorching wind and withers the grass; and its flower falls off and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed; so too the rich man in the midst of his pursuits will fade away.

12  Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

James says there is a "crown" for all who can stand the tests.

Kelly Carr, Pastor, New Hope Community Church, 3849 FM 1827, McKinney, Texas 75071,

#Prosperity #Adversity #BookofJames

This morning we want to talk about The Cross of The Christ.  The Cross is the central symbol of Christianity. Why is it such an important symbol. How did Jesus Christ transform this instrument of torture and pain into a symbol of life and victory? 

There is no Christianity without the Cross.  There is no Gospel without the Cross.  It is central to our message and to our identity as Christians. 

Matthew 27:26-46

We will examine the why the Cross was so essential to the life and ministry of Jesus Christ and why Christians must never be ashamed of it.

We will look at ...

#1  The Cruelty of the Cross

#2  The Cruciality of the Cross 

#3  The Conquest of the Cross 

and at who was responsible for the Cross from an earthly perspective.

New Hope Community Church, 3849 FM 1827, McKinney, TX 75071,

Dr. Kelly Carr, Pastor,

#Cross, #TheCross, #PalmSunday,

God Loves You Very Much!

James has the heart of a shepherd and he is writing to a flock that has been scattered due to persecution.  He knows that they have faced difficult times already and they will be facing more trials as they adjust to new and unfamiliar environments.  Rather than focusing on the pain, James encourages them to focus on the positive benefits of their trials.  God is at work.

Like a Good Coach, James, helps his people to look beyond the temporary pain to the very real and authentic benefits of their trials and suffering.  James emerges as a first century, Christian Life Coach, for tough transitional times.

James 1:2-4  God's Greenhouse for the Soul

New Hope Community Church, 3849 FM 1827, McKinney, TX 75071,

Dr. Kelly Carr, Pastor, Christian Life Coach,

James 1:2-4

2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,

3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.

4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.    (NASB)

How do Christians Make it Through Tough Times?

Pastor James gives them 3 Strategies that Really Work…

1st  By Having a Positive Attitude. 1:2  Joy

2nd  By Using the Spiritual Resources  God has given them.  1:3

3rd  By Focusing on God’s Purpose in Trials    1:4

Though written almost 2,000 years ago on another continent, the wisdom of James's words ring true for every Christian today.  He was no ivory tower theologian.  He was constantly persecuted for his beliefs and eventually died as a first century Christian martyr.  His positive message is a motivator for anyone who is going through trials to consider faith in Christ who gives strength and purpose.

Let James' simple and transformational message take root in your thinking.  The positive benefits over the course of your life will be immense.  You will become a source of positive encouragement and blessing to others.

This is a message that every Christian Life Coach can learn from and pass on to their clients.

#James, #BookofJames, #Trials, #Joy, #Christian, #LifeCoach,

Does Anyone here need Wisdom today?  We all do.  James tells us How to Make Wise Decisions in life.  James audience had to flee for their lives under the real threat of persecution.  They are facing many difficulties and trials that will require godly wisdom.  #James 1:5-8 tells them and us how to find real wisdom for all of life's situations. 

James 1:5-8

5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

6 But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.

7 For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord,

8 being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

Imagine that you have to cross a very wide field and it is covered with landmines.  But supposed someone gave you a map that revealed the location of each landmine.  You would be able to avoid them.  If there happened to be a section where you could not avoid the landmines, you could at least prepare and overcome them.  The wise person would use that information well.  Or imagine if you knew where all the prizes were located.  You could also use that information to your advantage. 

James tells us that God can give us precise and godly wisdom for every situation in life.  God is generous with His wisdom where His children are involved. 

Earthly Dilemmas Require Heavenly Wisdom / Solutions.

We All Need Wisdom for Life’s Problems.  1:5

God’s Wisdom is Available to all.

God’s Wisdom is not merely Knowledge.

God’s Wisdom is different than the World’s.

True Wisdom is seeing life from God’s

cf. 1 Kings 3:5, 9ff

1 Corinthians 2:14 (NIV)

14 The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Listen for the rest of the outline.

New Hope Community Church, 3849 FM 1827, McKinney, TX 75407,

Dr. Kelly Carr, Pastor

#James, #BookofJames, #Wisdom,