Highland Baptist Church

Recorded 8/9/26

Pastor Larry Stephens brings a message on examining motives. The question is, "What kind of legacy do you want to leave?"

Examine the Atmosphere of Your Life Today:

James writes the equivalent

How is it that we seek wisdom for tomorrow and leave a lasting legacy?

4. Pass Down Wisdom and Knowledge- Provide biblical insights and practical wisdom to help others face life’s challenges. Proverbs 4:7 highlights the significance of seeking wisdom, as it reinforces the foundation of your legacy. Leaving a godly legacy for tomorrow happens today.

Do you ever wonder why there are so many church divisions over trivial things? Do you ever wonder why people in church culture fight and quarrel over things that make no sense? James asks this, but then answers. He identifies this fight as warfare (armed conflict); the origin of a war or any quarrel is sometimes hard to find, but James touches the sore spot here.

If the believer was taming the tongue, as James advises, they would not allow the sin of envy as self-centeredness rule in their lives and churches. It is your passions that drive you. Same word used here where we use the word “hedonism.”

We run from selfish ambition and run to Him. You are either in Christ Jesus and led by the Spirit of God, or void of the Spirit of God and lost and a friend to the system of the world. Now, James is writing to believers, so his words still echo, “these things ought not to be named among you.”

James then reminds the readers to resist, “resist the devil and he will flee from you.” The interesting word for resist carries the meaning to “stand against the devil.” One does not “stand against the devil” in their own power.

Acknowledge that God is the Lord of all—over your life, your decisions, and your circumstances. This entails comprehending that His ways are superior to yours (Isaiah 55:8-9) and that nothing is your own apart from Him (Psalm 24:1). Understanding this serves as the foundation for submission.

How do we resist worldliness and submit to Christ?

James 3: 13-18 “Seeking Wisdom from Above

July 26, 2026

James hopes that everyone in the communities he speaks to will take his warnings about having the right kind of wisdom to heart and reflect on their own lives. This kind of wisdom will build up and not tear down.

“Zeal” can either be a good, bad, or “foolish zeal.” In this case, “jealousy” or “envy” is used in the negative connotation. The word “jealousy” is only used positively in Scripture when referencing good jealousy, and it is when referring to God as a jealous God.

If ungodly wisdom (demonic)is left to fester, it will cause all types of division in the church.  Human ungodly interests in the church serve satanic interests, sometimes happening unaware. Do you know the fastest way to get to this place as a church? When we put our personal preferences over godly Christ-centered motivations.

In contrast to unfruitful and demonic “wisdom,” which is hardly wisdom, James lays out wisdom that is edifying to the Kingdom of God. Wisdom that is pure, which leads to bearing fruit for the Kingdom of God. This is wisdom from above that brings peace. The mark of a true peacemaker in the church is one who makes peace without compromising truth and does so for the unity of the church.

How do we nurture wisdom from above?

 Seek to be like Christ in Peacefulness, Gentleness, Reasonableness, Mercy, and hospitality. (Mat 11:29,Php 4:5,John 4).

Recorded 7-19-2026

Pastor Larry Stephens brings a sermon from James 3:1-12 on the importance of taming the tongue.

I. Seeking Wisdom in Taming the Tongue: Evaluating Responsibilities to Truth (vss. 1-6):

II. Seeking Wisdom in Taming the Tongue: Evaluating Consistency (vss. 7-12):

What are some ways that we can live a consistent life in Christ?

1. Fix Your Eyes on Jesus First.

2. Be Slow to Judge Others.

3. Extend Grace to Others, as It Has Been Given to You.

Recorded 7/12/2026

James 2: 14-26 “Seeking Wisdom in Works, Faith, and Justification."

By the power of God’s Spirit, you and I can cast away all sin of partiality and favoritism and look at all people the way God sees them, in need of a savior. Every mission trip you will ever go on is premised on this point. How do we balance faith and works?

James is saying that a person who says he has faith but shows no works “keeps on not showing works.”  People who are indwelt by the Holy Spirit are compelled to good works by God’s Spirit. Does our proclamation of faith in Jesus match our actions?

It is not works or faith, it is works and faith,and  James is not saying that works brings about salvation. It is the proof of real faith, live faith versus dead faith, which isn’t really faith at all. James is not here discussing “works” (ceremonial works) as a means of salvation as Paul in Gal 3; Rom 4, but works as proof of faith.

It is not “be made righteous” but “shown to be righteous.” James is discussing the proof of faith, not the initial act of being set right with

God (Paul’s idea in Rom 4:1-10).

How can we demonstrate faith and works?

Ecclesiastes 4:9 reminds us, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor.” Working alongside others not only strengthens your faith but also spreads God’s love to even more people.

Recorded 0/05/2026

Mark Conhran brings a message for John 8 on the freedom believers have in Christ Jesus.

Our true independence is found in our dependence on Christ alone. 

Recorded for the ordination service of Eric Hudson, 06/28/2026

Pastor Larry Stephens issues a challenge from James 2:1-13 to seek wisdom in ordination with respect of persons and also in mercy.

The ordination council both challenged and encouraged Eric to remain faithful to the ministry and continue following what the Lord has called him to do.

This is a lesson on humility and total trust in God to sustain and keep those He also calls.

Recorded 6-21-2026

Pastor Larry brings a message from James 1:19-27 on the importance of living out your faith. 

So how do we pray:

1. Pray that we seek to know God more and to live it out.

2. Pray for God to help us to listen well and tame our temper. 3.

Pray for the Lord to enable us to care for those who cannot care for themselves.

Recorded June 7, 2026

Pastor Larry Stephens begins a new sermon series through the Letter of James on "Seeking Wisdom."

James 1:1-18, “Seeking Wisdom in Times of Turmoil, Doubt, and Temptation”

I. Seeking Wisdom: In Times of Turmoil (vss. 1-5)

II. Seeking Wisdom: In Times of Doubt (vss. 6-13)

III. Seeking Wisdom in Times of Temptation (vss. 14-18)

This letter was written around 45 AD, during a time of heavy persecution of the church. The letter was written to the scattered Christians who fled Jerusalem because of extreme persecution. James, the brother of Jesus, is the author of this letter.

James explains that trials produce a steadfast and unshakable faith. The word here is that testing and pressing through, pushing through, produces staying power. This is what James calls “the full effect.” We can find wisdom in times of turmoil, doubt, and temptation by being secure in the word, seeking godly counsel from others, praying, and learning when to speak and when to listen.

Doubting God is like being on the waves of the sea, driven by the wind. Sometimes we are close, and then we are away from the wisdom of God. Therefore, to be like the one who is secure in their ways, we can pray the scriptures and identify the difference between doubt and disbelief. Doubt is a fight of the mind seeking understanding, while unbelief is a deliberate refusal to trust God.

We have faith because He has given it. God does not cause temptation; He offers freedom. Jesus Christ came to die a sinner's death, rise again, offering salvation to those who will repent and call upon Him, not to be tossed about on a sea of doubt.

In our time of response, let us pray in these specific ways:

Recorded for Graduation Sunday, 5/31/2026

Youth Minister Eric Hudson brings a timely message to the graduating class of 2026 from II Timothy, chapters 1 and 2.

Eric issued six challenges, not only for the graduates, but also for the whole body to consider.

2Ti 1:6  For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands,