Sermons | Local Church in Wabash, Indiana | Bachelor Creek

Do you ever feel the pressure of prayer? Sometimes we don’t know when to pray; sometimes we don’t know how to pray; and sometimes we don’t know why we should pray. James addresses all these questions and more in James 5:13–20. Prayer is the most misunderstood and underutilized resource Christians have at their disposal. By following the wisdom in this passage, we learn that earnest prayer and expectant prayer is effective prayer.

The waiting is the hardest part. We live in a world where we expect things to happen right now, and when we don’t get what we want when we want it, we grow impatient, which leads to grumbling and complaining. In James 5, James teaches us how to wait well by practicing patience, following the example faithful men and women in Scripture, and holding on to the hope of Christ’s imminent return.

We’ve all made plans that didn’t go the way we expected. The problem with our planning is that we think we’re in control, but life has a way of reminding us that our lives are transient and uncertain. Arrogantly boasting in our own plans disregards God’s sovereignty and causes us to miss what matters most. James 4:13–17 calls us to submit our plans to God, embrace humble dependence and trust in His wisdom.

Conflict is all around us. We see wars between countries and fighting in politics, marriages, and even in churches. It’s become so commonplace that many just accept that it’s a way of life. The book of James gets to source of why we fight in the first place, the devastating consequences of fighting, and most importantly, how we can get to a place of peace with God and one another. What conflict kills, humility heals and repentance repairs.

We’ve all heard it before, and most of us have probably said it: “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.” It sounds good, but the problem is it’s not true. Words hurt. James says that words have incredible power to both bless and curse. Words are like rudders that dictate the direction of our lives. We can’t tame our tongue on our own. In fact, we need the Holy Spirit to take control, because if He directs your tongue He directs your whole life.

Jesus searched out the un- in society. And it made all the difference. He searched out the un-wealthy. He searched out the un-desirable. He searched out the un-acceptable. Jesus took the un-wealthy and made them rich towards God. He took the un-desirable and made them beautiful in the eyes of heaven. He took the un-acceptable and welcomed them into His arms.

To be human is to be tempted. Every one of us faces temptation in our lives. In James 1:13–18, James tells us where temptation comes from, what makes it so enticing, and what happens when we give in to temptation. But he doesn’t stop there. Most importantly, James teaches us how we can overcome temptation. Because every good and perfect gift coms from above, every temptation is an opportunity to choose God over sin.

Trials. Nobody likes them yet everyone faces them. Trials are like death and taxes; they’re just a fact of life. The book of James teaches us to reframe the way view trials and tests. Instead of dwelling on what happens to us we should seek to see what God is doing through us. Trials develop us to persevere, mature, and ultimately prepare us for the blessed promise of what’s to come.

We often move on too quickly in life, failing to thank God for what He has done and discerning what He wants us to learn. On Celebration Sunday, we look back at the victories and blessings of God through Bachelor Creek in 2023. We also take time to look at the challenges and obstacles we’ve faced and how we’re overcoming those. Ultimately, we look ahead to the new year in anticipation of what God will do in 2024!

Can you imagine a world without Christmas? On that first Christmas night, the town of Bethlehem was large oblivious that the Messiah was in their midst. The lowly shepherds, though, we open to the angelic proclamation. But the biggest surprise of all were the wise men who were looking. Today, many people still live unaware of God’s work in our world. The challenge for us this Christmas is to be open and aware of God’s presence. Wise men still seek Him.