Stonebridge Podcast

Main point: Nurturing peace in the church comes from submitting to God rather than our worldly desiresKey Scripture: James 4:1-12Why Churches Fight: Serving our Desires (4:1-6)When we allow our passions and desires to shape our interactions with one another in the church we are betraying our faith and acting as enemies of GodWhat do I really want? What am I zealous to accomplish or acquire? And if I cannot have it, is it really worth dividing over, or destroying others to get it?Every step in the Christian life is made possible only by the grace of God that comes through the person and work of Jesus ChristHow to Bring Peace: Submitting to God (4:7-10)God gives grace to the humble so that we can submit to God instead of our worldly desires, and so bring peace to one another in the churchResist the devil (v.7)Draw near to God (v. 8)Repent from your sin (vv. 8b-9)Let God exalt you (v. 10)Putting Peace into Practice: Refusing to Slander (4:11-12)Submission to God means keeping his law, and keeping his law means loving our brothers and sisters in Christ and refusing to slander themTheological Triage: Understand the IssuePastoral Triage: Understand the Person

Main Point: With eyes fixed on Jesus, be zealous in fleeing earthly wisdom and pursuing heavenly wisdomKey Scripture: James 3:13-18Wanted… a truly wise person (v.13)Flee earthly wisdom (vv.14-16)Pursue heavenly wisdom (vv.17-18)

Main Point: Beware of the danger your tongue can do, and surrender it to Christ, who alone can tame itKey Scripture: James 3:1-12The Terrible Responsibility  of Teachers (3:1)Given the greater influence that teachers have among God's people, there is therefore a greater responsibility expected from themEven qualified leaders have in their body the one member that can ruin the whole thing—the tongueThe Temptation  We All Share (3:2-12)The power of the tongue for good (vv. 2-5a)The power of the tongue for evil (vv. 5b-8)A powerful dilemma (vv. 9-12)The sad reality is that our words as God's people sometimes give life, and other times deplete it, which is completely contrary to our faithCutting, careless, and contaminated speech is out of step with our faith and contrary to God's vision for his creationThe Only One Who Can Tame the TongueWe are to let the word of Christ dwell richly in us, so that its way of speaking becomes our manner of speechIs what I'm about to say true? Helpful? Holy? Productive?

Series: Steadfast Faith (James)Main Point: A faith that saves is a faith that worksKey Scripture: James 2:14-26When our Lord returns and our claims of faith in Christ are evaluated, will there be any evidence on that day that our faith is real? Your Faith: A Faith that Saves (2:14-17)The faith that saves is faith in Jesus ChristIt's possible to have all the right doctrine, and still have a dead faithWorks reveal the true object of our faithConfession without obedience is unremarkableWorks confirm the genuineness of faithJustification: to be declared righteous before God's throne, not guilty of our sinWhen we trust in Christ we receive our verdict in advance of that final trial. We are already declared ‘not guilty' of our sin even though the final judgment is yet to come. This is what Paul emphasizes when he talks about being justified by faithWhen we stand before God in the final judgment, our works will provide evidence that our faith in Christ is real. Works confirm the genuineness of our faith. This is what James emphasizes when he talks about being justified by worksDo I have a living faith?Do I believe in Christ?Has my belief in Christ produced obedience in my life?Examine Your Life: A Faith that Works (2:18-26)Ask the Lord: What steps of obedience do you want me to take today?Are there sins I need to repent of?Are there commands I need to finally obey?Are there opportunities I need to embrace?Exercise Your Faith: Put Saving Faith to Work

Main Point: When mercy triumphs over judgment, there is no room left for partiality among God's peopleKey Scripture: James 2:1-13The Warning: Show No Partiality (2:1)The Symptoms and Nature of Partiality: Judgmental Distinctions (2:2-4)When we show partiality, we are taking on God's role as judge, and issuing verdicts in advance without even knowing the people we're judgingThe Risks of Partiality (2:5-11)Partiality causes us to oppose people whom God approves (v. 5-6a)Partiality rarely gives you what you're looking for (vv. 6-7)Partiality is out of step with the kingdom law of Christ (8-11)The Remedy for Partiality: When Mercy Triumphs over Judgment (2:12-13)Remember what the gospel of Jesus tells us: that God has mercy on sinnersFavoritism thrives where love is cold and mercy is withheld

Pastor: Keith KnightMain Point: The Living Word is Worthy of our Attention, Admiration, and ActionKey Scripture: James 1:19-27Listen Intently (v.19-21)‘Quick to hear'  - attentive to God's Word‘Slow to speak' - thoughtful and deliberate‘Slow to anger' - Not easily rattled even when persecutedLook Continually (v.22-25)Listening only is the path to self-deceptionThe blessing of the Law is found through the freedom in followingLive Righteously (26-27)Our Speech (26)Our Action (27)Faith can't be measured only by what we don't do

Main Point: When God tests you with trials and suffering, he's not tempting you, he's aiming to reveal himself and deepen and refine your love for himKey Scripture: James 1:12-18The primary message of the book of James is our steadfast faith in the gospel should work itself out in a life of persevering obedienceSuffering is God's painful path to joy (verse 12)Where  temptation comes from; how it works; and where it leads (vv. 13-15)Knowing God's goodness and the power of the gospel is essential in overcoming temptation. (vv. 16-18)

Pastor: Brandon LeveringMain Point: Remaining steadfast under trial requires a posture of joy, the provision of God's wisdom, and a spiritual perspectiveKey Scripture: James 1:1-11

Pastor: Brandon LeveringMain Point: Fulfilling the Great Commission is more than making individual disciples or growing existing churches; it also means establishing new churches wherever disciples are being madeKey Scripture: Acts 14:19-23

Pastor: Bradon LeveringSeries: Multiplying our Gospel ImpactScripture: Acts 13:1-5Main Point: Global missions remains one of the most urgent priorities of the local church

Pastor: Brandon LeveringSeries: Multiplying our Gospel ImpactScripture: Acts 16:1-5Main Point: The local church is a necessary and strategic training ground for equipping the next generation of pastors, church planters, and missionaries

Pastor: Brandon LeveringSeries: Multiplying our Gospel ImpactScripture: Acts 1:1-11Main Point: The mission of Jesus continues through his church, which is meant to multiply through Spirit-empowered witness

Pastor: Randy ScheilScripture: Psalms 42-43Main Idea: When we are discouraged, God may seem absent, but he is with us to help us

Pastor: Keith KnightSeries: God in the VaporScripture: Ecclesiastes 12:8-14Main Point: Only trusting God's revelation over our observation will point us to the right conclusion

Pastor: Steve DuffySeries: God in the VaporScripture: Ecclesiastes 11:7-12:7Main Point: Let the lordship of Jesus compel you to joyful living in all seasons of life

Pastor: Brandon LeveringSeries: God in the VaporScripture: Ecclesiastes 11:1-6Main Point: In the face of life's uncertainties, give boldly, work boldly, and trust God boldly.

Pastor: Brandon LeveringSeries: God in the VaporScripture: Ecclesiastes 10:8-20Main Point: Godly wisdom opens our eyes to walk faithfully with God on the often uneven path of life

Pastor: Brandon LeveringSeries: God in the VaporScripture: Ecclesiastes 9:11-10:7Main Point: True success is defined by faithfulness to God and faith in his purposes

Pastor: Josh CaseySeries: God in the VaporScripture: Ecclesiastes 9:1-10Main Point: In light of death, let us redeem the time by finding our daily joy in Jesus Christ, who has conquered the grave

Navigate politics wisely by respecting authority, fearing God, and enjoying life.

Our search for meaning in life can only be found through the foolish plan of God's eternal wisdom.

Pastor: Steve DuffySeries: God in the VaporScripture: Ecclesiastes 7:14-22Main Point: Let the mysteries of Christ carry you in living to please God in all oflife's circumstances

Pastor: Brandon LeveringSeries: God in the VaporScripture: Ecclesiastes 7:1-13Main Point: Let death's certainty teach you how to truly live

Pastor: Brandon LeveringSeries: God in the VaporScripture: Ecclesiastes 6:7-12Main Point: At some point in our search for meaning and lasting gain, we have to reckon with God

Main Point: A Life Invested in Christ Yields True Wealth

Pastor: Josh CaseySeries: God in the VaporScripture: Ecclesiastes 5:1-7Main Point: Live each day with quiet and consistent faith before God

Intro: Bernard Millard from our Partnership Church in Chemnitz, GermanyPastor: Brandon LeveringSeries: God in the VaporScripture: Ecclesiastes 4:1-16Main Point: Though our relationships are so often marked by brokenness, Christ is forming us into a redeemed community that reflects his glory

Main Point: Until you understand the necessity of the cross, you will not recognize the risen Lord

Main Point: Jesus has come, and is coming again; receive Him with royal rejoicing! 

Main Point: God will execute justice and uphold righteousness according to his plan. So, trust him with humility and joy

Main Point: God is working out his sovereign purposes in our lives in a beautiful yet mysterious way

Main Point: With Christ as your greatest joy, engage in and enjoy every aspect of your daily labor!

Main Point: What you consume, create, or collect was never meant to satisfy your soul

Main Point: It's good to wrestle honestly with life's big questions, but don't think that human wisdom alone can supply the answers

Main Point: Our only hope for lasting gain in a fleeting and fruitless world is God himself.

Mission Partners WeekendMain Point: Let's partner together for the sake of the Gospel to reach the world for Christ

Main Point: Assurance of God's provision today drives out anxiety of our problems tomorrow

Main Point: Entrust your souls to the Lord while doing good

Main Point: As Kingdom laborers, make obedience to Christ the performance measure in all labor the Lord calls us to

Main Point: Though our work is never quite done and rarely amounts to what we hoped, because Jesus' work for us is finished, we can enjoy our labor and leave results in God's hands

Main Point: True success is not measured by the abundance of our possessions, but by our faithfulness to Christ

Main Point: Work is neither a curse nor a cure-all, but a calling by God to participate in the flourishing of his creation through the redemptive work of Christ

Main Point: What God envisioned in the beginning will be finally and fully true in the end, where all who belong to Christ will enjoy God's presence, blessing, and rule forever

Main Point: The Church is the New Temple, built on the Cornerstone of Christ, with living stones, filling the earth with His  Presence

Main Point: Jesus became the dwelling place to whom people can now go to meet with the God of heaven

Main Point: When we practice false worship and freely pursue sin, we forfeit the presence of God. True worship is centered on Christ, dependent on the Spirit, and aimed at the Father's glory above all else

Main Point: God has a plan to build a home with His people forever, through His Word, displaying His glory

Main Point: God's vision for humanity is a life of worship, lived in God's presence, for the sake of his glory

Main Point: Be encouraged by the work of God in and through Christian community

Main Point: Sharing the treasure we have in Christ begins with prayer, and requires wisdom and grace

Main Point: Whether at home or at work, always remember you are serving the Lord Christ