Christ Community Church (Johnson City, TN)

What is the gospel? We believe that we are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Solus Christus, Soli Fide, and Sola Gratia.How critical are these three "solas" or "onlys" to the gospel message?

Solus Christus, Soli Fide, and Sola Gratia. We are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.

We finish up the book of James as he calls for honest & plain words, confession with prayer, and pursuit of those wandering - all while humbly submitting to his lordship.

The BIG problem | 6.11-13The BIGGER performance | 6.14-15The BIGGEST promise | 6.16-18

What does it mean to be reformed from a historical angle?

In this first lesson we look at what it means to be Reformed from a historical angle.

Patience and steadfastness as we wait for the return of the Lord.

6.6 | An EXAMPLE, congregationally.An example of sowing to the Spirit…6.7-8 | An EXHORTATION, conceptually.Sowing and reaping ... God's design.6.9-10 | An ENCOURAGEMENT, comprehensively.Let us not grow weary in doing good...

James directs his words now toward the rich who have defrauded others unto the end of self-indulgent luxury.

...Belongs to Christ (v.24-26)...Restores the brother (v. 1)...Bears the burdens of others (v.2-3)...Tests his own work (v.4-5)

Boasting about tomorrow vs living humbly submissive to God as sovereign.

Two Kinds of SlaveryOne Kind of LoveWhat should we do

In(to) THE freedom, STAND FIRM. In THE freedom, do NOT submit AGAIN to any form* of slavery.*Legalism (Law) or Licentiousness (lust).[Interlude: 5.7-12 - the scope of the problem]Legalism's nature.Legalism's result.Legalism's cascade.Legalism's deception.Standing FIRM in THE freedom of Christ looks like:________________. v.5________________. v.6

Why do we fight, argue, and quarrel? The desires of our hearts. We need God's wisdom (James 3) to grant us humility and his grace.

Safety matters. 4.21From evil, sin and guilt (Law) … but NOT from discomfort or admonition. Theology matters. 4.22-27Redemptive history must be interpreted Christologically... if it is to be for our good.Covt at Sinai-Slavery-Flesh-Hagar-Present JerusalemCovt w/ Abraham-Freedom-Sarah-Jerusalem aboveGenealogy matters (spiritually speaking). 4.28-31Your family tree matters. ONLY children of promise are free(from slavery to sin and to the Law, through Jesus).

We need the wisdom from above - in our hearts, words, relationships.

The gospel of sonship. (4.1-11)The gospel in relationship. (4.12-14)The gospel in conflict. (4.15-20)Conflict in relationship.Confusion within (identity robbery by deception)Confliction in the process (of Christlikeness)Blessed anguish and perplexion.

James sets his gaze upon our words (and hearts).

The GLORY of sonship (4.1-7)The illustration (4.1-2)The interpretation (4.3-5)The implications (4.6-7)The GRAVITY of slavery (4.8-11)DISPROPORTIONAL devotion (4.8)DESTRUCTIVE (DECEIVED) desires (4.9-11)

Faith without works is dead.

The reality of PROMISE. (3.15-18)The NATURE of it.The PARTS of it.The PARTICIPANTS in it.The PRECEDENCE of it.The role of LAW. (3.19-29)ADDED (to promise) by God.NEEDED (as a tutor/guardian) by Us.

Pastor Jim was in Calgary, Canada with the Charles Simeon Trust two weeks ago, and Pastor AJ was in Guadalajara, Mexico last week - both for ministry engagement abroad.

Mostly dead | The authority of Jesus to preserve life.7.1-10 All dead| The authority of Jesus to restore life. 7.11-17 Life and death | The proof and offense of Jesus, the Lord.7.18-23

Look and see. 17.16Go and tell. 17.17-31 Go where? Tell what? Tell how?

• The Church in Antioch: A Discipling Community▪ 19-21, Scattered, Preaching, & Reaching▪ 22-24, Exhorted to Stay the Course▪ 25-26, Taught & Identified• CCC: A Discipling Community which…▪ …expands by taking the Word to others▪ …is strengthened through exhortation, encouragement, & teaching▪ …strives to remain faithful to the Lord▪ …grows by God's gracious hand▪ …follows Jesus Christ

SUNDAY COURSES | Creational Foundations: A Rhythm of Work and Rest

Among those ROOTED in Christ, in our community… RESEMBLANCE to Jesus – a sacrificial life | Acts 4.13 RESPONSE to reality – a dependent life | Acts 4.23-31 REALLOCATION of resources – a generous life | Acts 4.32-37 We believe. (What?)We see. (Who?)We share. (How?)We release. (Where?)

SUNDAY COURSES | Creational Foundations: People As God's Image Bearers

INTERGENERATIONAL, OMNI-EMOTIONAL WORSHIP.Ezra 3.10-13INTERGENERATIONAL, “BI-VOCATIONAL” STEWARDSHIPNehemiah 4.6-14INTERGENERATIONAL INTERDEPENDENT HEARING (of the Word)Nehemiah 8.1-4a, 5-6, 8; 12

No partiality, the royal law of liberty, and the triumph of mercy.

SUNDAY COURSES | Westminster Confession of Faith, Ch. 20: Of Christian Liberty and Liberty of Conscience

A painful persecution | 8.1-3A purposeful scattering | 8.4-8A potent gospel | 8.9-25A providential interception | 8.26-31A perfect and particular Word | 8.32-40"Beginning with this Scripture, he told him the good news about Jesus."

God calls us to be slow to anger and quick to listen - and also to truly receive and respond to His implanted Word.

It is (presently/eternally) serious.To RELY on works of the law is to be under the curse of God. It is (biblically) obvious.To be RIGHTEOUS before God is to live by faith.It is (absolutely) ________________To REDEEM us, Christ became the curse for us.

Boasting, the crown of life, temptation, our own hearts, and our unchangingly good God.

Westminster Confession of Faith, Ch 19: Of the Law of God

3.1 The PROBLEM of DECEPTION.3.2-6 The (ONLY) QUESTION:Has the gospel changed in your life?3.7-9 The (ONLY) REALITY:The gospel has never changed.

We launch into the text of James today! "Count it all joy... Ask for wisdom, and ask with faith..."

Identity before the world (2.15)Identity before God (2.19)Identity IN Christ (2.20-21)

Psalm 51.1-7

The truth of the Gospel requires the same now as it did then. Adding nothing to it. 2.1-6 Subtracting nothing from it. 2.7-10Defending all of it. 2.11-14

We'll jump into the first section of James next week, but today we discuss our thoughts on this book as we come into this discussion, noting particular passages which have been impactful for us.

11-12, Paul's Gospel & Paul's Gospeling is from Christ13-24, Paul's Life13-14, Persecuting15-16, Revelation17-24, GospelingWhy it matters for us...1) A Gospeled People2) God's Power & Pleasure3) A Gospeling People

The final podcast on the book of Exodus, as God comes down to dwell with his people in glory.

FEAR OF MANPrioritizing... self?Pleasing others (needing their approval)Impressing others (wanting their praise)Fearing others (fearing their opinion, their power)Protection from others (stuck in their influence, their wounding)FREEDOM in CHRISTChrist over us.Christ in us. Christ as us.

The Israelites construct the ark of the covenant, the lampstand, the altars, etc.

CHRIST IN ME:Living in the freedom and righteousness of JesusThe CONVICTION. (1.1-5)The CRISIS. (1.6-9)The CONNECTION.

Keep your heart (23)!By listening to God (20-22)By putting away lies (24)By looking forward (25-27)

SUNDAY COURSES | WCF, Ch 17: Of the Perseverance of the Saints

Husbands: Rejoice and Delight in Your Wife Wives: Honor and Build Up Your Husband Parents: Instruct and Discipline Your Children Children: Honor and Receive from Your Parents Siblings: Be With and Be For Your SiblingsChristians: Enjoy and Be Grateful for Your Christian Family

God moves by His Spirit to equip and stir up His people to build His house.