One of the first, if not the first, epistle written in the New Testament is the Book of James.  When we understand the times, and the identity of the author, we can get a very clear picture of why this book was written to these earliest Christians.  But this message is as contemporary as today's newspaper.  This book is the most practical book of the New Testament, written by a prominent person in the early church, #James.  #BookofJames,

James’ Position in the Church

The Premier Leader in the Early Church

Of the 4 men named James in the N. T. only one could have written this letter.

He was the half-brother of Jesus. 13:55,56/ Gal. 1:19

Matthew 13:55-56 (NASB)

55“Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary, and His brothers, James and Joseph and Simon and Judas?

56“And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this man get all these things?”

Galatians 1:19 (NASB)

19But I did not see any other of the apostles except James, the Lord’s brother.

Called by his contemporaries, “James the Just” and “Old Camel Knees.”

Paul called him “a pillar” in the church.  Gal. 2:9

He was present at Pentecost. Acts 1:13,14

7. He apparently became Pastor of the church in Jerusalem. Acts 15

8.  He was martyred in 62 AD.

James was not a believer during the earthly ministry of Jesus.  Although he loved his big brother, He was not a disciples.  It was not until after the resurrection that James becomes a Christian.  1 Corinthians 15 tells us that Jesus appeared to James after the resurrection and James was saved. 

James was a Christian, not because he was was Jesus' half brother, but because he put his faith in Jesus.  That is how all of us are related to Jesus, by faith.

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

Dr. Kelly Carr, Pastor

Winning With Your Super Friends!

Romans 12:3-8, Ephesians 4:1-16

Definition:  A Spiritual Gift is a “Supernatural” ability (SuperPower), given by the Holy Spirit to Every believer at their Conversion, to be used to minister to Others and therefore build up the Body of Christ, the Church.

Superman has a Team called “Super Friends.”

God has a TEAM called “The Church.”

Read the Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-12, 15-16 & Romans 12:3-5

Insert the word “TEAM” for “body.”  Or “Church Family” for “body.”

We like “Dirty Harry,” “Rambo,” and “Die-Hard.”  We like the Rugged Individualist who wins against all odds.  America was founded by people who had a high value on Rugged Individualism.  We wanted Freedom.  However, when it comes to church and spiritual life, and most of life in general, we need to belong to a team to really make a difference for God.

We work best as a team when …

We recognize the need to belong.

We know our own individual spiritual gifts.

We fully understand the value we personally bring to the church.

We truly appreciate the value others bring to the church.

We really commit to work together as a church team.

 

3 Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit.  Ephesians 4:3

16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.  Ephesians 4:16

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

Dr. Kelly Carr, Pastor,

#SuperPower, #SpiritualGifts,

Message Series: Feb. 7, 2021

Finding Your SuperPower! #4

 Activating Your SuperPower #SuperPower, Spiritual Gift

Once You Know Your Spiritual Gift, God expects you to Use it.

1 Peter 4:10

“God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them ... “ 1 Peter 4:10  NLT

Definition:  A Spiritual Gift is a “Supernatural” ability (SuperPower), given by the Holy Spirit to Every believer at their Conversion, to be used to minister to Others and therefore build up the Body of Christ, the Church. #Church

Activating a Credit/Debit Card.  Now you can use it.

The Six Musts for Activating Your Spiritual Gift.

You Must Acknowledge Your Spiritual Gift.

Accept the Gift you Have, not the Gift you Wish you had.

1 Corinthians 12:11 

11But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.

Beware of the Sin of Negligence.

Hebrews 5:12-14

You Must Make the Activating Call.

1 Corinthians 12:31, 14:1

You Must Start Using Your Spiritual Gift so God can Bless it.

Acts 9:20

“And immediately he (Paul) began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, ‘He is the Son of God.’”

You Must Monitor Your Spiritual Gift.

James 3:1  “1Dear brothers and sisters,£ not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly.”

You Must Give Away Your Spiritual Gift to Receive the Blessing.

Acts 20:35

“‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

You Must Only Use Your Spiritual Gifts In Love.

1 Peter 4:8

 8Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.

#SpiritualGifts, #SuperPower, #Teaching, #Proclaiming, #Supernaturalability,

Dr. Kelly Carr, Pastor

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

Finding Your SuperPower! #3, The SuperPower Survey (Spiritual Gifts) based on Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12,  & Ephesians 4.  While Spiritual Gifts do have a huge impact on and benefit for the individual believer, Spiritual Gifts are not for My benefit, but for Others. Take the Survey

Definition:  A Spiritual Gift is a “supernatural” ability (SuperPower), given by the Holy Spirit to Every believer at their Conversion, to be used to minister to Others and therefore build up the Body of Christ, the Church.

The Holy Spirit displays God’s power through each of us as a means of helping the entire church. 1 Corinthians 12:7  TLB

Did you know that discovering your Spiritual Gift will help you find your Purpose in Life?  It will also be a source of great JOY in your life. 

This Week.

10 LITTLE KNOWN FACTS ABOUT SPIRITUAL GIFTS

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

#SuperPower, #SpiritualGifts, God Loves You Very Much!

Series: Finding Your…SuperPower!  Message 1  God's Amazing Spiritual Gifts. Many of us grew up watching superheroes at the movies, on TV, or reading about them in comic books.  In fact, many people have a secret desire to actually “be” a superhero.  Every superhero story has the point in the story where the “normal” person actually discovers their superpower.  Then they have to learn the limits of their new powers and how to put them to work.  It is usually a trial and error process with a lot of mistakes and it is always a work in progress. Dr. Kelly Carr, New Hope Community Church

God wants to do a new thing in your life in 2021.  Will you let Him? He said,

"Behold, I will do something new, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert." Isaiah 43:19. This new thing will be greater than what He has done in the past. 

There is a precondition.  He says we must be willing to put Him first.

In this message, Kelly Carr, will list 3 reasons which the Bible says that Jesus came to earth, 3 Reasons for Christmas.  I think you will be encouraged to know why He was sent. The Greatest Gift of Christmas

This is an Encouraging Truth about Christmas. Whatever else Christmas may mean to you, it means that God is With Us! Right Now! In our Adversity! To Help Us! and as a Savior, to Save Us! Let this #Christmas message be an encouragement to you.

The “Good News” of Jesus’ birth changed the shepherds forever.  But can that same good news still change lives today?

These shepherds were changed because of their response to the good news.  Their positive response to the message of Christ gave them something that no one could ever steal from them.

4 Changes Anyone Can Make Because Jesus was Born: