Scripture: Jas. 4:1-4, 2 Sam. 12:8, Mic. 6:8, Phil. 3:18-19, 1 Tim. 6:6-10, Jas. 4:7-10

Main Points:

1. Want Is the Enemy of God (and God’s people): Want is a simple idea, but it has a major

impact on our lives. Our level of want is directly tied to our belief in God’s sufficiency.

2. Contentment Is the Only True Wealth: Contentment must precede gain, because it will not

follow it. We fool ourselves if we think that the satisfaction of our wants will bring us joy.

3. The Only Way Up Is Down: We are not here to have our every want satisfied. We will only

find contentment when we are fully surrendered to Jesus and accept his provision and

blessing with gratitude.

Sermon Title: James: Real Faith. Real Life.

Scripture: Jas. 2:14-18, 1:26-27, Matt. 15:11, Eph. 4:29, Matt. 25:45-46, Gal. 6:9-10, John 15:1-2, Eph. 4:21-23

Main Points:

1. Control Your Tongue: Scripture places a great deal of emphasis on the use of our tongue. This is more than words, it’s about responsible language. If we truly belong to God, then we have a responsibility to use our tongues in a way that honors him.

2. Care for Orphans/Widows: Love for the “least” is demonstrated with action and not just words. A heart transformed by God will see the depravity of others and choose to act.

3. Avoid Worldly Corruption: Love for God is measured by holiness. Our decisions to live for his glory and not our own is our way of remaining in him. Otherwise, we will be cut off.

Notes: Historically, there have been individuals who had a great deal of disdain for the book of James. Some (notably John Calvin and Martin Luther) did not believe that it belonged in scripture. They saw in it an emphasis on righteousness that they felt was destructive to the nature of the Gospel of Jesus. They believed that it placed too great an emphasis on human effort over divine mercy. This study is meant to show that these concepts are not exclusive to James. The concepts expressed are those of Jesus and later emphasized by Paul to the early church as well. It is important for us to strike a healthy balance between grace and holiness. If we are a good person, but have no relationship with God, then we are not truly saved. If we say that we love God, but do not live a life of holiness, then we are not truly saved. It takes both working on a healthy level in our lives. We accept the gracious gift of God as the means of our salvation. We accept the call to live a life of holiness as those who are set apart for the glory of God and saved by his grace.

Say Yes- 1 Samuel 1:1-28; 2 Samuel 2:12-26

-Persistence is greater than misconceptions. Say yes to pursuing God's plan.

-Faithfulness is greater than feelings. Say yes to submitting to God's sovereignty.

-Preservation is greater than perversity. Say yes to displaying God's holiness.