The instructions of the Proverbs begin with a very basic word: listen. Those who live by wisdom are those who have learned to listen well and to listen to the right people. The text of Proverbs 1: 8-19 is framed as a conversation between a father and son, but the meaning is for all of us: learn to resist those who pursue ill-gotten gain by learning to listen to those who speak God’s wisdom. When you do, God makes you attractive to a world in need of true wisdom.

This week, we’ll see from Proverbs 22:29, the goodness of work and how we are called to do that work to the best of our ability. This will lead to serving God in places not normally open to us and give opportunities to influence culture and share the news of Jesus.

God wants us to be wise, and He has given us the Proverbs to help. Wisdom is skill in the art of living and the gateway to wisdom is the fear of the Lord—to revere God's ways above all else.

What does it mean to truly live with integrity? In this message, we explore James’ powerful final words—calling us to be people who wait with patience, pray with persistence, work on changing our speech patterns, and lean into community. Using the story of the Challenger disaster and the Reuleaux triangle as metaphors, we’re reminded that what looks solid isn’t always sound—and lives depend on the real thing.

The words of James about arrogant merchants and oppressive landowners works on two levels. It reminds us to remember our lives are contingent on God. So, put aside the arrogance and accept our human limitations. At the same time, James offers a word of comfort to those who are suffering for their faith, to assure them that God has not forgotten them; they can trust him and be patient in their pain.

Even Christian people, James tells us, can find themselves at odds with God when pride pulls us into self-centred living. As James shows us, the heart of renewal is the humility to turn back—to “humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”

James contrasts two kinds of wisdom: wisdom that comes from heaven versus the so-called "wisdom" that is "earthly, unspiritual, demonic."
He shows us that not all "wisdom" is equal—as a matter of fact, much of what passes as "wisdom" is anti-God. True wisdom involves living a life that follows the norms of God's kingdom, including peace and humility, in contrast to the way of envy and selfish ambition.

Words build worlds, and words can burn them down. They are powerful, and often so damaging. In James 3:1-12, we see James calling us to consistency – to maturity, integrity, and cohesion – between our faith and our words.

James calls us to live an integrated faith, one where belief and action line up. The opposite is both dead and deadly.

James addressed the problem of favouritism, calling his audience and us to follow Jesus by honouring the poor and loving impartially.