Rolling Hills Community Church // Nashville South Campus

Advent is the waiting - the preparing our hearts for Jesus. We celebrate the first coming of Jesus at Christmas, and we prepare our hearts for His Second Coming. The entire Old Testament was pointing God’s people to our Blessed Hope, Jesus. Jesus came to bring salvation to both the Jews and the Gentiles - to all who are far off from God. There are more prophecies about Jesus’ Second Coming than even His first coming. Our hope is in Jesus today. When Jesus returns He will make all things right. But, until then, we wait in expectation and hope. Come, Lord Jesus!

God wants us to experience Generous Living. The most famous verse in the Bible says, “For God so loved the world that He gave…” John 3:16. Therefore, we are most like God when we love and when we give. The first key to Generous Living is to rejoice always. This is a true mark of spiritual depth and maturity. Jesus was full of joy and there will be rejoicing in Heaven. When we are grateful, we rejoice. Let’s learn to rejoice always as we grow to be like Jesus.

God longs to bring Revival in His Church today. We are on the precipice of Great Spiritual Awakening in our nation. And, these Spiritual Awakenings have always started with Revival in God’s Church. Revivals occur when God’s people become fully devoted to His heart and mission. So often, we drift from the things of God and find ourselves devoted to the things of this world. Yet, God is constantly drawing us back to Himself. When the people of God become fully devoted to Him get ready, Revival will come. And, Revival will impact our lives, but also our nation and world. Come, Jesus, Come. Revival starts here.

The Book of James is so practical in how we live out our faith in Jesus. In James 5, he points out that our faith is seen in how we use our money, our suffering, and our prayers. As Christ-followers, these three areas should look different from the world - how we invest our money, how we are patient in our sufferings, and how we pray. May we be people who grow deeper and stronger in our faith. Let’s mature in our love and faith in Jesus.

So why should we be faithful to God? Why choose friendship with Him over the world? Because God chose to enter into a relationship with us, fully knowing we would betray Him. Even after all the times we’ve walked away, made mistakes or said things we regret, God remains faithful.

God chose to send His Son, Jesus, to redeem what was already His. We were created in His image, but sin had taken us away. So, what did God do? He bought us back from sin and slavery with the blood of His Son. Jesus paid the price for our redemption. And, when you understand all that God has done for you through Christ, the pull of the world loses its appeal.

We have all been impacted by words. Words are powerful. James talks about the impact of words on our lives and others. We all carry hope and wounds from words said to us by a parent, coach, teacher or friend. And, at the same time, we too have the power to build up and destroy others with our words. James calls to us to live out our faith with our words. How we use our words - what we say, post, write and more - matters. As a disciple of Jesus, do our words reflect Christ? Have you declared Jesus with your mouth, and have you professed Him with your life?

Salvation only comes through faith in Jesus. It is Jesus who saves a person. It is not about what we do, it is about what He has done. Jesus died on the cross for our sins and then conquered death so we can have eternity with God. However, James will say that “faith without works is dead.” While works do not save us, our good works for Jesus are the evidence of our faith. Can people look at your life and see your faith in Jesus? Behavior always follows belief. Are we living out our faith in Jesus? Let’s renew our commitment to Jesus today and live every day for Him.

Favoritism has always been a problem for God’s people. Even in the Old Testament, there was dysfunction in families because of prejudice and favoritism. Favoritism is still a problem for Christians today. However, James calls believers in Jesus not to show favoritism but to live by a higher standard - love. How can we love others this week? Let’s start at home with our spouse, children, and/or roommates, and then love the people in our church, school, and work. Let’s show mercy and not judge. Let’s love others like God loves us. Spiritual maturity is measured in love.

There are many people who have heard about Jesus. There are many people who have a Bible in their home. But, there are few people who actually live out their faith in Jesus. James tells us to “be doers of the Word and not hearers only.” We are called to live out our faith. Works do not save us, only Jesus saves us, “through faith,” but works are evidence of a transformed life in Jesus. If someone listens to what you say and watches how you live, will they see your faith in Jesus? Let’s not just listen to God’s Word today, but let’s live it out every day.