James 2:1-7 is about much more than just how to treat the rich and the poor. James is asking the Church: "Who do you really trust in to grow: money and influence, or the sacrifice of Jesus Christ?"

James saw the church of his day dividing people and forming cliques based on wealth and status. This is exactly what the world does, and the Church is not the world.

James Chapter 1 ends with three ways to see if we really are Christians. Are we really showing the world and ourselves that our heart belongs to Him? James shows us how we can start.

James uses the example of a man forgetting his reflection to show us what it's like when we hear Gods word, but do not obey it. James goes on to show us how Gods grace gives us the power to love and obey His word, bringing the hope of grace to everyone.

God is not after our behavior, He is after us. Once you realize that, according to James, true change will finally take place, inside and out.

James begins to shift into the main point of his letter: obeying the Bible is the mark of true Christianity. But in this he begins to show us that obedience isn't just skin deep. It is rooted in and fueled by God's undeserved grace.

James brings wisdom from God that is immediately ready for us to apply to our lives today. Right now. In an age of rage we must me slow to speak and quick to understand. This timely piece of scripture is one of the most important for us in today's chaotic world.

James reminds us that God is good. Always. He tells us the good news that no matter what our circumstances, God's heart never changes.

Sunday Morning Sermon: How do we help break the stone hearts of our neighbors? How do we make sure our own hearts are not becoming cold and cynical in a world that seems spiritually dead? Jesus shows us how in Luke 13.

With every external trial there is an internal temptation: to doubt God, to trust other things, to turn our backs on Him. James walks us through this reality and offers us a way of hope.