Galatians 4:4-5

We have a solid hope, an anchor for our lives, a rock to hold onto in the storms that batter us.  Our hope is based on the grace of God, we were saved from our sin by the sacrifice of Christ.  It is the mystery of the gospel, the Word became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14).  But our hope is not only based on the past it is also assured in the future in the hope of Christ’s return (Titus 2:13).

As “people of hope” this reality affects how we live.  To be hopeful means we:

* Have a sense of purpose (Romans 8:28)

* Have perseverance (Galatians 6:9)

* Have patience (Romans 8:22-25)

It cannot be put better than than Paul reminded us in Romans 15:13, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”  Now go forth and share God’s hope with the world!

 

James 1:13-18

It is important to keep in mind that God is not the one who brings temptation on us.  Satan is the one who is trying to pull us from God’s grip and our own “desires” can assist him in his persuit.  Desires are not inherently bad, originally they were given to us by God and are meant to draw us to Him and the good things He has for us.  However through the fall (sin) our desires may lead us away.

There is a line we cross when we begin to covet and we put ourselves before God which leads us into sin.  “For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus” as Paul reminds us in Romans 6:23.  The ultimate death is the death of our souls, it is separation from God for eternity.  However God gives us the gift of eternal life, every good and perfect gift is from Him.  The only solid and unchanging foundation is God’s truth.  God chose to give us a new birth, to be born again through the word of truth.  We are the first fruits of his creation and we will be redeemed and renewed through Him.

James 1:9-12

God’s values are not like those of the world around us and they are not those we would choose apart from him.  We are to have pride in low positions, as a servant. Whereas being rich, influential and popular are of low value in God’s eyes.  God saved us and glorified us, apart from him we are nothing.  If we think we can have “life” apart from God we are wrong, he offers “the life that is truly life” (1 Timothy 6:19).

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial and runs their race by faith and by hope.  We are still running this race but at the end of the race we will receive the crown of life.  Man’s days are like grass but God’s love is with us from everlasting to everlasting.

Matthew 1:1-17

There is good reason to look back and remember where you came from.  During Jesus ministry He was able to connect with the Jewish people about deliverance in the context of occupation and exile.  In the same way we must also ask “what is our place among the people” and “how is God using me”?

When we move out in faith for God we need a firm foundation.  We must know where we are going.  We must become His disciples and grow deeper, not just wider.  With this foundation we can prepare the next generation and provide a good example of what being a Christ follower actually is and looks like.  We must take up the standard and fill the place of those who move on.

We have an opportunity for a new beginning and to live an abundant life in Christ.

Note: Unfortunately due to technical difficulties the service audio recording stopped during the sermon and the recording is incomplete.  However we are posting the portion that is available.  We apologize for this inconvenience.

James 1:5-8

Present your request to our God who gives generously, without finding fault.  All He requires is that we trust Him and give Him our faith fully.  This faith starts with knowledge and submission, it is the kind of faith that walks to Jesus across the water without faltering and looking down.

If we are double-minded we may fall short.  If we are “double-hearted” and don’t fully commit ourselves to what is right we may not even try.  Our hearts must be in the right place and we must choose God’s priorities as our own.  We must be fully committed to Him, like the wingsuit jumper who hurls himself into the void, if we aren’t convinced we will fly we will not even start. As we are reminded in Deuteronomy 4:27-29 we may fall away, but if from there we seek God with all our hearts we will find him.  God has patience with us in our doubt but the decision is ours.  Will we fully commit and accept his gifts and his priorities?

James 1:2-8

God never promised us He would take our difficulties away when we chose to follow Him.  He doesn’t want us to suffer, but He is also capable of bringing growth and character out of the midst of them.  The road to maturity will inevitably include temptations, trials and tests.  We must choose to continue on with our Father in the midst of difficult circumstances and cling fast to our faith in Him if we are to weather them.  In the challenges we face our true character will be revealed.  We can persevere and endure the adversity or we can turn away.

How do we weather these storms?  We are to pray for wisdom from God.  We are to find joy not only in the things we love but also in our trials as we are taught to depend on Him completely.

James 1:1

James was the brother of Jesus and this context is important as you begin to read his words.  James describes himself as a “slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ”.  How easy would it have been to swallow his pride and acknowledge the lordship of his brother?  James is speaking to the twelve tribes in the Dispersion (or “sowing”), the Jewish Christians of his day.  They faced persecution and difficulty because of their faith.

Today in the United States we enjoy many freedoms but it is nevertheless becoming more unpopular and difficult to live a true Christian life in a society that is moving further and further from His will.  James provides a needed balance between grace, faith and works in the Christian life.  James argues that the authenticity of our faith will manifest itself in our hearts and in are actions, not just in the words we say.

If your life was a silent film and the viewer couldn’t hear your explanations and justifications for your actions would they be able to recognize that you are a Christian?  Do you live it out daily for the world to see?

Isaiah 26:3

We can experience the peace of God if we understand it and accept it.  In Hebrew the word for peace is Shalom which means “things as they were meant to be” or “as God intended them”.  In His creation God intended peace but this peace was ruined and spoiled by sin at the fall.  There is no peace for the wicked but we can make the choice to live differently.

There are three components of peace that we can experience:

* Peace with God through reconciliation.  By the redemption of Christ we are restorated to peace with God.

* Peace with each other.  We were intended for peace and harmony with those around us.

* Peace inside ourselves.  The peace that is described in Philippians 4:6-7 will “transcend our understanding” and “guard our hearts and minds”.

We are told not to be anxious about anything but fear is not an unreasonable response to the realities of the world around us!  So how do we have peace and confidence in the face of this world’s troubles?  We are to “humble ourselves and cast our cares on God” (1 Peter 5:6-7) because God is bigger than our fears and He holds the final word.  We know the God of Romans 15:13 and therefore we have hope if we will just trust Him.

Philippians 4:12-13

In this life there will be trouble but how will we respond?  Will we have strength and will we respond with hope?  Will we choose contentment or be discontented?

Contentment starts with meaning and purpose.  We have been designed by God for a purpose and fulfilling that purpose is where we begin.  Discontentment with sin and suffering and the bad things in this world is a proper reaction but bitterness and grumbling are not.  These are signs that we are straying from our purpose.  By seeking contentment we are not to be complacent or slothful, true contentment is created by action, not inaction.  As we are exhorted in Philippians we are to “press on” and “run the race that God has put before us”.  This is a call to action and acceptance of our purpose not resignation to a boring “religious” life.

The contentment that God is calling us toward is not dependent on our circumstances, it is rather an act of letting go of our selfish path and coming to grips with what God has prepared for us.  Pursuing our true purpose.