James said the tongue is like a bit in a horse's mouth, a ship's rudder, and a spark that sets a forest on fire. His readers blessed God in worship and then cursed people made in God's likeness. He pointed out that fresh water and salt water cannot flow from the same spring. We recognize the problem; our Sunday words and our everyday words often sound like two different people.

(James 2:14-26)  James imagined a believer who saw a brother without clothes or food and said, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” but did nothing. He called that faith dead. Even the demons believe God is one, and they shudder. Abraham and Rahab were counted righteous because their faith acted. It is easy to confuse agreeing with God for trusting God. Faith that saves is faith that moves.

James told his readers to be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger, because human anger does not produce the righteousness of God. When the word confronted them, their instinct was to talk back and defend themselves. James called them to close their mouths and open their hearts, receiving the implanted word with meekness. But receiving it is not enough; those who hear the word without doing it are like a man who looked in a mirror and immediately forgot his own face. (James 1:19-27)

 

The walls were finished, the covenant was renewed, and the people celebrated with genuine joy. However, after Nehemiah left, everything fell apart again. Levites were not being paid, the Sabbath was being broken, and men had married foreign wives again. When Nehemiah returned, he called down curses, beat people, and pulled out their hair. It is a sad ending to a story that started with so much hope. That’s why it’s so important to remember Ezra and Nehemiah are not the end of the story. These books point us forward to the true conclusion of the story, the cross and resurrection. The end of these books remind us that even when things seem to be over, God is still working to bring redemption.

Nehemiah was a courageous leader, who successfully led the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls. However, he often became furious with the Jewish people for their sin. He cared deeply about accomplishing God’s will, but he was not patient or gentle when the people fell short. Like Nehemiah, we often try to force people to do what is right, but many refuse to budge. Even though people continue to be stubborn and rebellious, we now have what Nehemiah didn’t have. Jesus has come and given us all that we need to be patient, gentle, and kind, as we wait for God to fulfill his promises.

The returning exiles came home full of hope, but the reality was brutal. The land was ravaged, neighbors were hostile, and the temple project came to a complete stop for many years. The people lost heart and focused on their own houses while God's house sat in ruins. God had to send Haggai and Zechariah to convince the people to resume the work. This is a story like each of our stories, filled with moments of fear, discouragement, apathy, and stress. However, through it all, God's purposes do not fail. We must have the courage to press on in faith. (Ezra 1-6)

Drawing from the Sermon on the Mount, he reminds us that following Jesus is about more than seeking a future destination. It is about adopting the lifestyle of Jesus now: slowing down, caring for others, pursuing God's kingdom, and sharing the greatest story ever told with the world.

Thank you for worshiping with the church of Christ on McDermott Road. We pray this message encourages you to know Jesus more deeply and to live faithfully for Him.

Matthew 6:33

 

 

We all mess up. Parents fail their children. Spouses hurt each other. We lose our tempers, say things we regret, and make decisions we wish we could take back. The question is not whether we will fail as family members, but what we will do when we do. John’s letter offers both a sober diagnosis—“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves”— and a glorious remedy: God is “faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” This Father’s Day, we honor fathers who are willing to humble themselves, confess their failures, and model the kind of grace-filled living that makes families strong.  (1 John 1:5-10)

 

Few things are harder than being told we’re wrong—especially by someone close to us. In family relationships, criticism and correction can quickly become sources of conflict. Peter’s instruction addresses the dynamics of difficult relationships: responding with a gentle and quiet spirit, winning others over without words, and trusting in God rather than relying on our own defensiveness. When someone says we’re wrong, our natural instinct is to fight back or shut down. But the Gospel calls us to a better way—one that prioritizes peace and reflects the character of Jesus.  (1 Peter 3:1-7)

 

Change is one of life’s few guarantees. Whether it’s a move, a new job, a health diagnosis, a child leaving home, or any number of other transitions, change can leave us feeling disoriented and afraid. But Christians are people who live by faith, not by sight. Faith means trusting that God is at work even in the midst of disruption. God’s character does not change. His love does not waver. His purposes do not fail. Listen for encouragement that no matter what changes we face, God remains our solid foundation.