Wholeness, Wisdom & the Word

Today we look at James chapter 1

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Whoever Invests the Most Time Wins.

Unity does not happen accidentally. 

It happens intentionally.

Joshua 24:14-15

“So fear the Lord and serve him wholeheartedly. Put away forever the idols your ancestors worshiped when they lived beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord alone. But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”

James 1:1-4

This letter is from James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am writing to the “twelve tribes”—Jewish believers scattered abroad. Greetings! Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

God is on a mission to make you whole.

James 1:5-8

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.

1. Understand wisdom is available

2. Believe God gives wisdom

3. Ask God for it

4. Apply it in your life

Proverbs 16:16

How much better to get wisdom than gold, and good judgment than silver!

Wisdom maintains your wholeness.

James 1:19-21

Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.

God’s Words

+ Wisdom

- Worldly Patterns

= Safety

Psalms 119:105

Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.

Psalms 119:165

Those who love your instructions have great peace and do not stumble.

James 1:22-25

But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.

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We pray this message blesses you, speaks to your heart, and challenges you to grow!

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Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 NLTFools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others.

Proverbs 12:15 NLTThose who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all. All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.

Acts 2:41-42 NLT The early church was marked by community.Small Groups offer people a place to connect.Every person wants to be seen, known, and loved.For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.

Matthew 18:20 NLTSmall Groups offer people a place to protect on another.If you don’t have someone in your life you can confess everything to, then you’re right where the enemy wants you to be.Small Groups offer people a place to grow.Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.

Proverbs 13:20 NLTDiscipleship is one Christ-Follower helping another Christ-Follower take their next step.Bottom Line: Be a disciple and make disciples.Find a Small Group!....

youarevital.church/next-stepsTake a next step....https://linktr.ee/youarevital.churchYou Are Vital!

You'll put God in His place and then take your place, you'll put the devil in his place.

"Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!"

"He must increase, but I must decrease."

This was John's testimony when the Jewish leaders sent priests and Temple assistants from Jerusalem to ask John, "Who are you?" He came right out and said, "I am not the Messiah."

John 1:19-20 NLT

"Well then, who are you?" they asked. "Are you Elijah?" "No," he replied. "Are you the Prophet we are expecting?" "No." "Then who are you? We need an answer for those who sent us. What do you have to say about yourself?"

John 1:21-22 NLT

John replied in the words of the prophet Isaiah: "I am a voice shouting in the wilderness, 'Clear the way for the Lord's coming!'"

John 1:23 NLT

John knew who he was and what he was called to do. Then John went from place to place on both sides of the Jordan River, preaching that people should be baptized to show that they had repented of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven.

Luke 3:3 NLT

"For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God."

Colossians 3:3 NLT

But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to watch him baptize, he denounced them. "You brood of snakes!" he exclaimed. "Who warned you to flee the coming wrath? Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God."

Matthew 3:7-8 NLT

John knew the world required his voice. Don't let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.

1 Timothy 4:12 NLT

The following day John was again standing with two of his disciples. As Jesus walked by, John looked at him and declared, "Look! There is the Lamb of God!" When John's two disciples heard this, they followed Jesus.

John 1:35-37 NLT

John understood his role. He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.

John 3:30 NLT

John the Baptist knew the voice of God. I didn't know he was the one, but when God sent me to baptize with water, he told me, 'The one on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.' I saw this happen to Jesus, so I testify that he is the Chosen One of God.

John 1:33-34 NLT

If You Put God in His Place and Take Your Place -

THEN, You Will Put the Devil in his Place.

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YOU. ARE. VITAL!!! and You Can Make a Difference!

We pray this message blesses you, speaks to your heart, and challenges you to grow!

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There is no substitute for the local church.

1. We are a Bible-based church.

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 NLT

Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won't collapse because it is built on bedrock.

Matthew 7:24-25 NLT

But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn't obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.

Matthew 7:26-27 NLT

2. We are a spirit-empowered church.

We don't believe people just need information, they need transformation. For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.

Colossians 1:13-14 NLT

3. We are a life-giving church.

The Scriptures tell us, "The first man, Adam, became a living person." But the last Adam-that is, Christ-is a life-giving Spirit.

1 Corinthians 15:45 NLT

So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us. We want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ.

Colossians 1:28 NLT

4. We are a great commission church.

Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

Matthew 28:19-20 NLT

And so my judgment is that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. Instead, we should write and tell them to abstain from eating food offered to idols, from sexual immorality, from eating the meat of strangled animals, and from consuming blood.

Acts 15:19-20 NLT

5. We are a relational church.

Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.

Galatians 6:1 NLT

Share each other's burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.

Galatians 6:2-3 NLT

Jesus replied, "You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment.

Matthew 22:37-38 NLT

A second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments."

Matthew 22:39-40 NLT

So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.

John 13:34-35 NLT

Love is the most important characteristic of a disciple.

Loving the Least Then these righteous ones will reply, 'Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?'

Matthew 25:37-39 NLT

And the King will say, 'I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!'

Matthew 25:40 NLT

Loving the Lost For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard.

Romans 3:23 NLT

Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood...

Romans 3:24-25 NLT

Loving those who are Different But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere-in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

Acts 1:8 NLT

Loving our Enemies

"You have heard the law that says, 'Love your neighbor' and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven..."

Matthew 5:43-45 NLT

Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.

Romans 12:17-18 NLT

Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, "I will take revenge; I will pay them back," says the Lord. Instead, "If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads." Don't let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.

Romans 12:19-21 NLT

What am I building my life on?

Because of God’s grace to me, I have laid the foundation like an expert builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 3:10-11 NLT

“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock.

Matthew 7:24-25 NLT

But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”

Matthew 7:26-27 NLT

Therefore, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “Look! I am placing a foundation stone in Jerusalem, a firm and tested stone. It is a precious cornerstone that is safe to build on. Whoever believes need never be shaken.

Isaiah 28:16 NLT

Building your life on Christ means to make Him Lord of your life.

“So let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!”

Acts 2:36 NLT

If you build on the foundation that “Jesus is Lord,” it means that even when you don’t agree or understand, you commit to follow and obey.

“So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say?

Luke 6:46 NLT

I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built.

Luke 6:47-48 NLT

But anyone who hears and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a house right on the ground, without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins.”

Luke 6:47-49 NLT

“If you love me, obey my commandments.”

John 14:15 NLT

Pleasing God takes priority over pleasing ourselves and others.

We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us.

1 John 3:16a NLT

The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.

Lamentations 3:22-23 NLT

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We pray this message blesses you, speaks to your heart, and challenges you to grow!

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We’d love to connect with you!!

Fill out a digital connect card to let us know you are here:

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The Vital Church Family is Busy Busy… Growing Together, Serving, and Learning!!

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www.youarevital.church

We are Called to Let Our Light Shine & Share the Good News of the Gospel!!

Jesus Paid for Ours Sins... making it Just As If I'd Never Sinned.

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We’d love to connect with you!!

Fill out a digital connect card to let us know you are here: 

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The Vital Church Family offers a variety off opportunities for you to Connect, Serve, and Grow!!

Check Out Our Upcoming Events: ⁠

Find our upcoming events here: ⁠⁠⁠

⁠https://youarevital.churchcenter.com/...⁠⁠

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www.youarevital.church

HE IS RISEN!! 

Happy Easter Vital Church Family.  We are so grateful and Blessed to serve & worship with you this morning.

Today’s Message is a call to get MORE from your life by GIVING all of it.

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Sermon Notes:

He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” Matthew 26:38 NLT

He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me.  Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” Matthew 26:39 NLT

Then he returned to the disciples and found them asleep. He said to Peter, “Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour? Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. 

For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!” Matthew 26:40-41 NLT

You ALWAYS Have the Power to Surrender.

Surrender is the Key to Changing Your Life.

If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it. Matthew 10:39 NLT

"If” is the Hinge to the Door of Possibility

• If you remain in Him, you will bear much fruit (John 15:5)
• If you humble yourself, then you will be exalted (Matthew 23:12)
• If you don’t give up, then you will reap a harvest (Galatians 6:9)
• If you believe, then you will see the glory of God (John 11:40)
• If you give up your life, you will find life (Matthew 10:39)

Surrender is NOT a One-Time Event. It is a Moment by Moment CHOICE.

Then Jesus left them a second time and prayed, “My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will be done.” Matthew 26:42 NLT

So he went to pray a third time, saying the same things again. Matthew 26:44 NLT

An Encounter with Jesus will set you free but a life of Surrender Will Keep You Free.

You were made to be with God.

What are our options to deal with the problem of sin?

1. Try really hard to be perfect
2. Find someone who is perfect to be a substitute on our behalf

For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:21 NLT

Repentance is Turning FROM Your Old Way of Thinking (from your sinful nature, from satisfying your selfish desires), & Turning TO a NEW LIFE  in Christ (a New Way of Seeing Yourself and others, & Turning to a Life Producing Fruit Honoring God).

I preached first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that all must repent of their sins and turn to God—and prove they have changed by the good things they do. Acts 26:20 NLT

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We pray this Vital Church Services meets you where you are, speaks to your heart- challenging you to grow, and blesses your life. We believe YOU are Vital, and You can make a difference!!

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We’d love to connect with you!!

Fill out a digital connect card to let us know you are here: 

https://youarevital.churchcenter...

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The Vital Church Family offers a variety off opportunities for you to Connect, Serve, and Grow!!

Check Out Our Upcoming Events: ⁠

Find our upcoming events here: ⁠

https://youarevital.churchcenter.com/...⁠

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www.youarevital.church

Join us for our special 5th Sunday FAMILY SERVICE.

We pray this message blesses you, speaks to your heart, and challenges you to grow!

We’d love to connect with you!!

Fill out a digital connect card to let us know you are here: 

https://youarevital.churchcenter.com/...⁠⁠⁠

The Vital Church Family is Busy Busy… Growing Together, Serving, and Learning!!

Check Out Upcoming Events: ⁠⁠

https://youarevital.churchcenter.com/...⁠⁠⁠

www.youarevital.church

We kicked off a new series called "Let There Be Light" where we are looking at how to be a light to the people in our world and share the message of Jesus with them. Today's message looked at the story of Jonah and setting the foundation of having God's heart for people. 1. God is merciful and full of compassion for people.2. God desires to know all people.3. Your obedience to God is life changing. Find our upcoming events here: https://youarevital.churchcenter.com/...www.youarevital.church