Wawasee Bible Sermon Audio

Part 10 – SERIES: James - Faith In Motion In James 4:13-17, James is confronting our natural tendency to handle life as if God really doesn't even exists. In these four verses James emphasizes what we should not say and do as well as what we should say and do in light of our future. He challenges us to not live like christian atheists.

Part 9 – SERIES: James - Faith In Motion In James 4:11-12 James addresses the issue of speaking evil against other believers. When I speak against others, I speak against God's Word... And when I speak against God's Word, I speak against God... and I put myself in the place of God. Instead I must be humble and know my place. We ended the message by looking at six keys to discerning and judging appropriately and not be judgmental.

Part 8 – SERIES: James - Faith In Motion In 4:1-10 James challenges us to quit "cheating on God". He makes it very clear that the problem isn't from without, or with other people, the problem is us. It's the sin and pride within us. Using some strong language, James tells us we must quit "cheating on God" and committing spiritual adultery. Ezekiel 16 and all of Hosea teach the same thing vividly in the Old Testament, and it's likely that James had Scriptures like these in mind as he was writing. Instead we must humble ourselves before the Lord. To be humble means "to know your place". We also briefly discussed how Christians should engage with culture through the filter of "receive, reject, or redeem".

Part 7 – SERIES: James - Faith In Motion James 3:13-18 marks the hinge point of the entire book of James. It's here that we find James' main argument. There are two types of wisdom. Wisdom #1 is from below and is earthly, unspiritual, demonic, jealous, selfish, and vile. Wisdom #2 is from above and is pure, peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy, full of good fruits, impartial, sincere, righteous. Godly wisdom is characterized by meekness (strength under control) and is sourced in five places: 1) Reverence for God; 2) Conversion to Christ; 3) Scripture; 4) Prayer; 5) the Holy Spirit.

Part 6 – SERIES: James - Faith In Motion The tongue may be small, but it wields incredible power — both for life and death. James makes clear that the tongue isn't the problem, it's the heart of the person the tongue belongs to. All the tongue does is reveal the heart. Because of this it is small but power, a savage monster, and an impossible mixture of good and evil. The big question to consider is what does your tongue reveal about your heart?

Part 5 – SERIES: James - Faith In Motion James 2:14-26 can be one of the most misunderstood and troubling passages in the New Testament. Some see a contradiction with Paul's writings, but nothing is further from the truth. James's main point in 2:14-26 is that faith that isn't shown isn't really known. In other words, true biblical faith results in good works. Faith without works is dead. True faith can and must be shown. These good works do not save you, rather they prove you. The first deed of faith is repentance. How are you stepping out in faith?

Part 4 – SERIES: James - Faith In Motion James is very straightforward in his commands to the Church. In 2:1-13 he makes it clear that Christians shouldn't play favorites, as it's not consistent with who they are in Christ. He gives 3 reasons by way of illustration: 1) Playing favorites and showing favoritism is wickedness. 2) God doesn't play favorites or show partiality. Everyone is on equal footing before God. 3) God's Law doesn't play favorites, if you break any of it you're accountable for all of it. Finally, he ends by exhorting us: rather than play favorites, we should show mercy, just as God shows us mercy.

Part 3 – SERIES: James - Faith In Motion In 1:19-27 James gives some very practical wisdom in how to live out our faith in Christ. In a nutshell, we should be quick and doubly slow. Using many practical and vivid illustrations, James instructs us to be slow to anger, putting away all moral filth. Instead we must receive and respond to God's Word. We should be quick to hear it, and then quick to put it into action in our lives, doing what it says. Finally, James encourages us to be slow to speak, knowing when (and when not) to open our mouths.

Part 2 – SERIES: James - Faith In Motion It's said that wisdom is "knowledge rightly applied". For James, wisdom is "faith rightly put in motion". His letter is a continual comparison of wisdom from above v. wisdom from below, encouraging us to choose God's wisdom and rightly put our faith in motion. This week he addresses trials—painful circumstances that God allows to shape our conduct and character. Will you embrace your trial and let God use it as a test to shape you? If you will it leads to life! Or will you ignore the test and give in to temptation, which leads to death and more pain? It's your choice.

Part 1 – SERIES: James - Faith In Motion We start a new series through the book of James. While the book of James is beloved by many Christians, very few seem to know much about the man who wrote it. The writer of the book of James was Jesus' little brother (Mark 6:3; Galatians 1:19), yet James remains humble and never mentions that fact. James was an incredible man of faith, and one of three men (along with Peter and John) to whom Paul defers and declares to be a "pillar of the church" (Galatians 2:2). He lead the church in Jerusalem and writes his letter to Jewish Christians scattered around the Middle East. Before diving into the text of his letter, take some time to learn about and from James!

Easter Sunday 2017 – John 11:1-57 Jesus declares himself to be the Resurrection and the Life. Only days or weeks before his own death and resurrection, Jesus gets word that his friend Lazarus has died. Curiously, Jesus answers a plea for help from Lazarus's sisters (Martha and Mary) with love—by DELAYING. Lazarus was sick, on the edge of death, and Jesus purposefully delays coming to help. In times of great devastation Jesus points us to himself. He responds to death with tears and outrage. In his love, Jesus has died for you, risen to new life, and given you new life. Do you believe this?

Palm Sunday – Matthew 21:1-11 Pastor Kirk (our Equipping Pastor) taught from Matthew 21:1-11 on Palm Sunday. When Jesus came to Jerusalem the people had a correct response (joy, shouting, excitement!) but it was for the wrong reason. They wanted him to save them from Rome, not from their sin. Jesus comes to you today, do you receive and follow him for the right reason or the wrong reason? Jesus didn't come to make you happy, but to make you holy.

Part 5 – SERIES: Heroic This week we move into the book of Haggai. Haggai is likely an old man when he prophesies to the people who have returned from exile. God uses him to stir his people out of complacency and back to action. Haggai challenges them to consider their ways and choose to obey. God does the same with us through Haggai today.

Part 4 – SERIES: Heroic Heroic faith is a repentant faith—continually turning back to Jesus. As the book of Ezra ends, it's a low point for God's people. They have seen him to incredible and gracious things for them, yet they have quickly forgotten him and turned away in sin. The people become faithless, but God remains faithful. He shows them incredible grace and mercy (just as he does to us), and it leads them to true repentance.

Part 3 – SERIES: Heroic Ezra was a brilliant scholar of God's Word and a gifted leader. He was also humble. In every instance of favor, rather than take credit due to his strong leadership (which he could have), he declared that it was because "the good hand of the Lord was upon me." He uses this phrase 6 times in Ezra 7-8. The good hand of the Lord is for all who would seek him. We see the evidence of the good hand of God in his provision, his sustaining power, him giving us courage, wisdom, and victory.

Part 2 – SERIES: Heroic Heroic faith is faith that honors the Lord and seeks Jesus’ Kingdom first, even in the face of adversity. Heroic includes trusting God’s Faithfulness, especially in the midst of life’s struggles and opposition to God’s work. When God is working in your life, expect opposition. But when God is working, he overcomes all opposition—so persevere! When you do persevere, Jesus gets great glory and you get great joy!

Part 1 – SERIES: Heroic We start a new series called "Heroic", working through the Old Testament books of Ezra and Haggai. Heroic faith is faith that honors the Lord and seeks Jesus' Kingdom first, even in the face of adversity. Heroic faith begins with seeing God's Providence—in the ways that he keeps his promises, provides for his work, and rewards heroic faith with joy.

Part 5 – SERIES: A Generous Life We close our series by looking at Psalm 65. Psalm 65 was written by David to be sung at one of the harvest festivals. It celebrates God's generosity made manifest in the harvest and trusts him for more provision in the future. In Psalm 65 we see that God is WAY better to us than we deserve. He forgives my sin, answers my prayers, provides for me, and prepares my future—all in ways that are better than I deserve!

Part 4 – SERIES: A Generous Life This week we look at examples of an Expanding Giver and an Extravagant Giver in God's Word. To become an Expanding Giver requires me to slow down, open my eyes, soften my heart, bend my back, and extend my wallet. We see a good example of this in the Good Samaritan. An Extravagant Giver is looking to invest in Jesus' Kingdom—long term, outliving themselves. Barnabas does this, as does the woman who breaks the jar of expensive perfume to pour it on Jesus. Our giving comes out of three buckets: Budget, Assets, and Future. Consider how you might be generous with your assets. Ask, "What do I have?", present it to the Lord in prayer, and see what he might do through you!

Part 3 – SERIES: A Generous Life We continue on the journey to live a Generous Life by looking at Abraham. Abraham demonstrates the 3rd type/level of giver on our journey: The Tithing Giver. The tithing giver is giving their first fruits (10% of their income) to the Lord. They count their blessings and cultivate a thankful heart. They practice the biblical principle of tithing, remembering that God's principles always work. They live for eternity while enjoying today.