Matthew 28:19 – NLT - Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

· 2 Kings 22:1-2 - Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years. His mother’s name was Jedidah daughter of Adaiah; she was from Bozkath. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and followed completely the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left.

· 2 Kings 22:3-4 - In the eighteenth year of his reign, King Josiah sent the secretary, Shaphan son of Azaliah, the son of Meshullam, to the temple of the Lord. He said: “Go up to Hilkiah the high priest and have him get ready the money that has been brought into the temple of the Lord, which the doorkeepers have collected from the people.

· 2 Kings 22:8-10 - Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the secretary, “I have found the Book of the Law in the temple of the Lord.” He gave it to Shaphan, who read it. Then Shaphan the secretary went to the king and reported to him: “Your officials have paid out the money that was in the temple of the Lord and have entrusted it to the workers and supervisors at the temple.” Then Shaphan the secretary informed the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read from it in the presence of the king.

· 2 Kings 23:1-3 - Then the king called together all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem. He went up to the temple of the Lord with the people of Judah, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the priests and the prophets—all the people from the least to the greatest. He read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant, which had been found in the temple of the Lord. The king stood by the pillar and renewed the covenant in the presence of the Lord—to follow the Lord and keep his commands, statutes and decrees with all his heart and all his soul, thus confirming the words of the covenant written in this book. Then all the people pledged themselves to the covenant.

· Philippians 2:3-4 - Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

James 5:1-6 - Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered the innocent one, who was not opposing you.

Sermon Point #1 – Attitudes of a Giving Life

- Don’t hoard it greedily, steward it wisely.

Sermon Point #2 – Attitudes of a Giving Life

- Don’t handle it deceitfully, distribute it honestly.

Sermon Point #3 – Attitudes of a Giving Life

- Don’t spend it selfishly, share it generously.

James 5:7-12 - Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door! Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned.

Sermon Point #4 – Patience produces Character

Romans 5:4-5 – NCV - And patience produces character, and character produces hope. And this hope will never disappoint us, because God has poured out his love to fill our hearts. He gave us his love through the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to us.

James 5:13-16 - Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

Sermon Point #5 – Our church family needs one another

James 5:19-20 - My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.

James 3:1–8

Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 

We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check. 

When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 

Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 

Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 

The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. 

All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 

but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

Evaluate Your Actions

Luke 6:43–45

“No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. 

Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. 

A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.

James 3:9–12

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 

Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 

Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 

My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

Cultivate Your Heart

Luke 13:6–9

Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. 

So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’ 

“ ‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. 

If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’ ”

James 3:13–18

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 

But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 

Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 

For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. 

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 

Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

Seek Wisdom

Matthew 5:3–9

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

James 2:1-9 – NLT - My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong? If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.

Sermon Point #1 – Judgment creates pain and separation

Matthew 7:1-5 – NLT - “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

Sermon Point #2 – “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less.”

- C.S. Lewis

John 13:12-15 - When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.

James 2:14-26 - What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone. In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

James 2:17 – In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

Sermon Point #3 – Faith that is dead

- Lip service not lifestyle

Sermon Point #4 - Faith that is dead

- Leaves not fruit

James 2:22 – You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.

Sermon Point #5 – Dynamic Faith

- Steps out

James 2:21 – Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the alter?

Sermon Point #6 - Dynamic Faith

- Speaks out

James 2:25 – In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction?

Sermon Point #7 - Dynamic Faith

- Works out

James 2:26 – As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deed is dead.

“It is therefore faith alone which justifies, and yet the faith that justifies is not alone.”

- John Calvin

James 1:1-2 - James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings. Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,

Proverbs 17:3 – NLT – Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but the Lord tests the heart.

Sermon Point #1 – Trials

1) Recognize what’s really going on

James 1:2-3 - Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.

Sermon Point #2 – Trials

2) Cooperate with God’s growth process

James 1:4 - Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Romans 5:3-4 - Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.

1 Peter 1:6-7 - In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

Sermon Point #3 – Trials

3) Ask for God’s help

James 1:5 - If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

Sermon Point #4 – Trials

4) Keep a good attitude

James 1:6-7 - But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.

James 1:12 - Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

Sermon Point #5 – Temptations

1) Recognize the source of temptation

James 1:13 - When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone;

Sermon Point #6 – Temptations

2) Understand the process of temptation

James 1:14-15 - but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

Sermon Point #7 – Temptations

3) Learn how to overcome temptation

James 1:16-17 - Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

1 Corinthians 10:13 - No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

James 1:18 – NLT - He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.

Acts 13:36 - “Now when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his ancestors and his body decayed.

Sermon Point #1 – “The greatest tragedy in life is not death, but a life without purpose.”

- Dr. Myles Monroe

Sermon Point #2 – The biggest enemy of calling is comfort.

Acts 8:4-8 - Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there. When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was great joy in that city.

Acts 8:26-29 - Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian[a] eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake (which means “queen of the Ethiopians”). This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet. The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.”

Sermon Point #3 – Your purpose isn’t for you. Your purpose is God’s purpose.

Psalm 57:2 – NLT – I cry out to God Most High, to God who will fulfill his purpose for me.

Sermon Point #4 – We are created for heaven but we are living in this world.

Sermon Point #5 – We don’t find our purpose. We serve God’s purpose.

Psalm 78:70-71 – NLT – He [God] chose his servant David, calling him from the sheep pens. He took David tending the ewes and lambs and made him the shepherd of Jacob’s descendants – God’s own people, Israel.

Sermon Point #6 – If we want to serve God’s purpose, start serving God’s people.

Mark 10:45 – For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Sermon Point #7 – We aren’t called to seek a platform, power or position. We are called to serve people.

Ephesians 4:1 – NLT – Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God.

Sermon Point #1 – Calling is about who you are before what you do.

Sermon Point #2 – Calling isn’t about doing something important in the future, it’s about our faithfulness to Jesus today.

Colossians 3:17 - And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Mark 10:35-38a - Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.” “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said.

Mark 10:42-45 - Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Mark 11:1 – NLT - As Jesus and his disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to the towns of Bethphage and Bethany on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of them on ahead.

Mark 11:2-3 – NLT - “Go into that village over there,” he told them. “As soon as you enter it, you will see a young donkey tied there that no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks, ‘What are you doing?’ just say, ‘The Lord needs it and will return it soon.’”

Sermon Point #3 – The size of your assignment never determines the significance of your impact.

Sermon Point #4 – We are not called to be important, we are called to be faithful.

Sermon Point #5 – God is more concerned with who we are becoming than about what we are doing.

Ephesians 4:1 – NLT – Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God.

Proverbs 29:18 – MSG – If people can’t see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; But when they attend to what he reveals, they are most blessed.

Sermon Point #1 – What stops us from dreaming big dreams?

- A wrong view of life

Proverbs 4:25-27 – NLT – Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.

Sermon Point #2 – What stops us from dreaming big dreams?

- A wrong view of self

Ephesians 2:10 – NLT – For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.

Sermon Point #3 – What stops us from dreaming big dreams?

- A wrong view of God

Jeremiah 32:17 – “Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.

SERMON POINT #4 - A God honoring dream will seem risky.

Hebrews 11:6 NIV – And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

SERMON POINT #5 – A God honoring dream will require God’s involvement.

Ephesians 3:20 – AMP – Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]

Sermon Point #6 - A God honoring dream will change lives.

Ephesians 1:11-12 – MSG – It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone.

Sermon Point # 7 - Recognize and value the process.

1 Peter 1:6-7 – NLT – So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold–though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.

James 1:2-3 NIV - Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.

Sermon Point #8 - Refuse to let offense stop me.

Genesis 50:20 – NIV – You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

Sermon Point #9 - Remember God is always with me.

Genesis 39:2 – NIV – The LORD was with Joseph so that he prospered…

Genesis 39:20-21 – NIV – But while Joseph was there in the prison, the LORD was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor…

“I used to be afraid of failing at something that really mattered to me, but now I’m more afraid of succeeding at things that don’t matter.”

- Bob Goff

PT 1: Happiness is the temporary destination to eternal joy

Psalm 42:1 (NIV)

“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God”

Matthew 16:24-26 (NLT)

“24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. 25 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. 26 And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?] Is anything worth more than your soul?

Mark 8:35-36 (NLT)

35 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it. 36 And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?

PT 2: In order to find inner joy we must be willing to be authentic

James 1:2 (NLT)

2 Dear brothers and sisters,[a] when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.

PT 3: Joy provides us many directions of encouragement

Deuteronomy 31:8 (NLT)

8 Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

Genesis 1:27 (NLT)

27 So God created human beings in his own image.In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

Proverbs 27:6 (NLT)

6 Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy.

PT 4: Joy in our lives allows us to truly trust

Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NLT)

7 “But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. 8 They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought.Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.

1 Corinthians 13:12 – MSG – We don’t yet see things clearly. We’re squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won’t be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We’ll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us!

Matthew 28:16-17 - Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.

Sermon Point #1 – Why do we doubt?

- Questions we can’t answer

Sermon Point #2 – Why do we doubt?

- Situations that seem unfair

Sermon Point #3 – Why do we doubt?

- Hurt we can’t resolve

Sermon Point #4 – Our faith is a journey, not a destination.

John 20:24-25 - Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

Sermon Point #5 – “Doubt is not always a sign that a man is wrong; it may be a sign he is thinking.”

- Oswald Chambers

John 20:26-28 – NLT - Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!” “My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed.

Sermon Point #6 – God is not distant in our doubt.

Sermon Point #7 – The greatest doubters often become the strongest believers.

Sermon Point #8 – Deconstruction – A sincere examination of our beliefs; seeking to let go of what is untrue and hold on to what is true.

Matthew 5:43-44 - “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

1 Peter 2:25 - For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Sermon Point #9 – Don’t let a chapter of your life define the rest of your life.