A lot of times, there is tension between what the Bible says and how we actually feel. If we want to become the powerful Christ-soaked community God has in mind, we need to be aware of spiritual road blocks and dead ends in our own lives. Reality Check is a hard hitting look at the church of Jesus Christ through the eyes of James. James wrote his book to Christians everywhere on the practice of Christianity. There are six areas where we all need a reality check, and in the coming weeks we'll be investigating these topics.
May 17-18 Problems (James 1:1-18) - Pastor Al Detter
Perhaps you thought coming to Christ limits problems. It doesn’t. Chances are, problems and trials will increase. Maybe spiritual maturity will limit problems. Sorry. Maturity helps us to view problems in a spiritual way. Sometimes our problems make us feel like God doesn’t have our best interests in mind. He does. This sermon will help us understand the role of problems in producing maturity and that we don’t serve a capricious God.
May 24-25 Communication (James 1:19-26 3:1-12) - Pastor Mike Watson
Our language is a great indicator of our spirituality. Loose control over what comes out of our mouths can render our religion worthless. Proper communication is critical for maintaining healthy relationships with God and man. Christ followers struggle like everyone else in using their words wisely and in a positive constructive manner. James says, “Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing.” It’s our responsibility to take charge over our words and to become fully aware that the tongue has the power to issue both life and death.
May 31-Jun 1 Favoritism (James 2:1-13) - Pastor Al Detter
We’re supposed one in Christ and to love each other as Christ loved us. Yet we tend to show partiality towards others. Sometimes we cater to the loftier among us and avoid the downtrodden. Sometimes cliques emerge and others feel left out. James calls us to the “royal law of love”. He classifies showing partiality in the genre of murder and adultery. We are to honor all and refrain from judgment. We are to make the church the most loving place on the planet.
June 7-8 Faith (James 2:14-26) - Pastor Mike Watson
Faith is far more than just believing in God. It’s a seamless blend of belief and action. The Bible teaches that it’s impossible to please God without faith. Faith in God is qualified when accompanied by demonstrations of obedience and caring for others. Faith without such action is lip-service.
June 14-15 Tomorrow (James 3:13-18, 4:13-17) - Pastor Mike Watson
A great concern for many is what will tomorrow look like? People go to great lengths to try and orchestrate future events. James calls such attempts boasting. Boasting is an exaggerated sense of our abilities. Since God alone knows what tomorrow brings, we must learn to deeply rely on Him to move us into and through the future. When we live as if all future based decisions are solely in our control, we live in dangerous conditions.
Jun 21-22 Prayer (James 5:13-20) - Pastor Al Detter
When things get tough, James says, “Pray”, and he gives some pointers on how to pray fervently. Yet experience seems to say that people of faith pray often with little or no results. Why does it seem like prayer doesn’t work? Is it because we sin or have a lack of faith? If God answered prayer so powerfully in the Bible, why not now? Or aren’t we to expect answers to our prayers from God these days? This sermon will deal realistically with how to pray in tough times and what we can expect when we pray.
