Sermons

Today as we turn to chapter 5 the danger of riches and wealth is added again to the picture. We must be on guard that we don’t fall into the trap of the love of money, but instead endure as those focused on God’s will and to grow up unto spiritual maturity until Jesus returns. Let us not fall into the world’s trap, but instead be fixed on Jesus and His mission.

Now, we would never verbalize or even think of the idea of wanting to play God or think we are God, but when we speak against others and roll through life without submitting to God’s will and depending on Him we do. This is what James addresses in our Scripture text today. Sometimes life is tough, as we encounter other people and the differing plans and tasks that need to be made, but how we handle both demonstrates who is piloting our ship. So, as the song says, Jesus Savior pilot me!

Today James addresses the conflict and quarrels in the church in Jerusalem by getting to the source. The source of our quarrels and conflicts finds it’s root in the wisdom of the world instead of wisdom from above. The wisdom of the world points to self and exalts what one’s self wants versus humbling oneself before God and putting others first. As James will reflect on, there is great difference between the Roman Empire and the Kingdom of God and we truly cannot satisfy the demands of both. So, it is with us in our culture and day. The call for us is to turn to God and submit our lives to Him.

As we reflect on the resurrection of Jesus and how it impacts us today we must ask ourselves, “Are we alive from the dead?” If not, what does that mean? If we are, what should our lives look like? We will dive into these questions this morning as we look at what God says about being alive.

In our day we see the increase, power and abundance of sin, but remember “grace abounds all the more”. Sin has increased all the more and become even more blatant, but Jesus has brought the “reigning of grace through righteousness to eternal life through Himself”. That is what our focus during holy week is about, as we celebrate the grace of Jesus making us ALIVE!

James tells us that no one can tame the tongue. It is small, but its impact is great. So, how are we disciplining the most powerful muscle in our body? James today gives us encouragement to control our tongues. It is an unceasing effort, but what we say is a big deal for it reflects our spiritual identity and maturity. So, let us discipline the tongue.