Derwood Alliance Church

In this podcast episode, the challenging words found in James 5:1-6 are discussed with a central theme of the importance of our posture towards wealth and material possessions.When living in an affluent area, it can be easy to become deceived by the power of wealth and comfort. There is a temptation to rely on our riches rather than fully trusting in God. James doesn't mince words, using intense language to warn the rich about the coming judgment if they continue to hoard their resources and oppress the poor.But James isn't simply dishing out financial advice. Rather, he is getting to the heart issue of what we worship and where we find our security. A parallel to the story of the rich young ruler is mentioned, someone who was unwilling to give up his possessions to follow Jesus. This example highlights how wealth can become an idol that causes us to turn away from wholehearted devotion to Christ.The key question posed is: What is your posture towards wealth and material things? Do you have an open-

Are you struggling with your relationship to wealth and possessions? In this sermon on James 5:1-6, we are challenged to ask ourselves, "What is my posture?" We are reminded that everything we have is a gift from God, entrusted to us for His purposes. It's not necessarily about how much we have, but about our heart's attitude towards what we have. Are we open-handed or tight-fisted with our blessings? Do we reflect Christ in all our interactions, regardless of a person's status? This message will challenge you to reassess your priorities and practice the way of Jesus. It's time for a posture check!

This episode discusses James 4:13-17, exploring how Christians should approach planning for the future while trusting in God's sovereignty. Pastors Mark and Devin unpack key themes from a recent sermon on this passage. Key points:- The danger of prideful planning- The brevity of life- Submitting plans to God- Key characteristics for godly planning:a) Humilityb) Endurancec) Trust- Open-handed approach to plans- Application to church planting- Practical takeawaysHashtags: #JamesEpistle #ChristianPlanning #TrustingGod #Humility #ChurchPlanting #GodlyWisdom #FaithOverFear #KingdomFocus

In this sermon, Devin explores James 4:13-17, challenging believers to examine who truly controls their future. Drawing from Scripture and personal anecdotes, he unpacks what it means to submit our plans to God's will with humility, endurance, and trust.Key points:- James confronts the arrogance of planning without considering God's willOur tendency to over-plan and feel in control of our future- The brevity of life compared to God's eternityJames compares life to a mist that quickly vanishesPsalm 39 prayer for wisdom to understand life's fleeting natureEncouragement to gain perspective on our short lives vs. God's eternal plan- Submitting to God's plan through wrestling and surrenderStory of Jacob wrestling with God (Genesis 32)- Characteristics of submitting to God's plan: HumilityEnduranceTrustDevin encourages us all to examine our own plans and submit them to God's will. The sermon ends with a powerful prayer of surrender, asking God to guide every step and illumina

This podcast episode discusses the challenge of overcoming a critical spirit, based on a recent sermon on the book of James. Mark & Devin explore how easily people can fall into patterns of criticism and judgment, both within the church and in broader society. Key points covered: 1. The pervasiveness of critical attitudes in modern culture - Constant evaluation and criticism encouraged by consumer culture - Social media and anonymous commenting enabling harsh judgments - Political polarization fueling criticism of opposing views 2. Defining a critical spirit - Putting oneself in a position of superiority over others - Focusing on negative aspects and ignoring positives - Criticizing, condemning, and judging rather than helping 3. The danger of critical spirits within Christian communities - Theological disagreements leading to divisiveness - Judgmental attitudes contradicting Christ's teachings on love and grace - How church hurt can push people away from faith 4. James' teachings on taming the

In this sermon on James 4:11-12, we explore the topic "How to Cure a Critical Spirit." The message begins by highlighting our culture's tendency to constantly evaluate and judge everything around us, from restaurants to Uber drivers. This mindset can easily seep into our church life and personal relationships, leading to a critical and judgmental attitude towards others. Mark defines a critical spirit as, "an attitude focused on the negative, coming from a position of superiority, judgment, and condemnation." It's important to note that having strong convictions and biblical understanding is not the same as having a critical spirit. The difference lies in how we approach and treat others who may not share our beliefs or practices. James, the brother of Jesus, addresses this issue after covering various challenging topics in his letter. He recognizes the tendency for readers to become judgmental of others and takes a moment to warn against developing a critical spirit. The sermon

Can unmet desires and jealousy be the root cause of our conflicts? Join Mark and Devin as they dive into a rich discussion inspired by Pastor Mark's recent sermon on James chapter four. They unpack the crucial themes of peace and conflict, examining how our internal struggles often manifest in external quarrels. By contrasting the life of a peacemaker with those caught in the throes of envy, they explore the underlying motivations that drive our actions and highlight the importance of addressing the deeper issues within our souls.But the journey doesn’t stop there. Listen as they challenge us to reflect on what it really means to be "all in" for Christ. They explore the tension between cultural influences and a biblical worldview, referencing eye-opening research from Arizona Christian University. Through an insightful discussion on moralistic therapeutic deism and the pervasive impact of social media, we are reminded of the need for intentionality in our faith journey. Drawing from scriptures

Are you at peace or at war within yourself? In James 4, we're challenged to examine our hearts and motivations. Our unsatisfied desires can lead to conflicts, both internally and with others. But there's good news! God offers us a path to peace.To find true peace, we need to be all in for Jesus. This means humbling ourselves, resisting temptation, drawing close to God, and being broken over our sin. It's not about perfection, but about aligning our lives with God's will.Remember, "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him." Choose Jesus as your ultimate pleasure, and experience the peace that surpasses all understanding.

What Makes a Good Father? A Father's Day Message

James 2:1-13

James 2:1-13

James 1:19-27

James 1:19-27