Teaching

Having already explained how believers are to see one another (2:1-13), now James turns to talk about how we ought to serve one another (2:14-26). He does this by reminding us of the point he already made in 1:22-25: that faith always produces fruit. Join us this Sunday as we look at what happens when true faith goes to work! The result of having faith in Christ is a vibrant kind of care for one another within the family of Christ. This week, we begin looking at how we must serve one another.

In the book of James, we will be exploring the relationship between faith and works. Before we can fully appreciate James' message, it's essential to understand that faith always precedes any good works. Good works never produce faith (because faith isn't something we produce); instead, faith always produces works. For this, we can be thankful! Join us for this Thanksgiving Sunday as we reflect on the gifts that God has given to us in salvation. Because we are saved by grace, through faith, for good works, we have many reasons to be thankful! This Sunday, we'll talk about these gifts from God as we prepare our hearts for the holiday.

In James 2:1-7, James showed us why faith is incompatible with partiality: It dishonors God when we judge each other's value using any external standard in place of Christ. Instead, if we love Christ deeply, we must love each other completely. James helps us understand what that looks like in 2:8-13. Join us this week as we continue our study in James 2. Having already taught us how we can never think about each other (with partiality), this week we will learn how we must always see each other. Loving Christ deeply means loving each other completely!

n James 2, we begin to learn what life looks like for those who are “doers of the Word” and have a genuine relationship with Jesus. Right away, James begins by explaining how we must see each other in light of who we know Christ is.

In James 1, we've seen what it looks like to live with Christ in a difficult world. In Him, we can face our trials with joy and temptations with power, but only as we live according to the Word of God, our source for wisdom. Accordingly, we must be doers and not only hearers of that word. But before we start “doing,” there's one more foundational truth we must first understand. This week, James begins to teach us what it looks like to be “doers of the word.” While the next four chapters in this book will explain in detail how to apply the truth of Scripture to life, James spends the final verses in chapter one explaining the heart that is the foundation for our doing.

First Kings 11 provides a sobering warning from Solomon's life. He started so well and ended so miserably. It wasn't a matter of head knowledge or theological clarity. He allowed many compromises along the way which led him to catastrophic failure. How did that happen? What happened in his heart and life? And why do so many start well but not finish well? We will look at 1 Kings 11 and be warned by the example of Solomon. We will also look to the Greater Solomon, the Greater Son of David, the Lord Jesus Christ and see how we can take specific and clear actions to live well, to serve well, and to finish well — all to the glory of Jesus Christ!

Having shown us why we must study the Word, James will now teach us how to study the Word. Since the Scripture is the agent of change that the Spirit uses in my life, I must be quick to hear and embrace it. But what does that look like in practice? In this passage, James provides three foundational principles for effective Bible Study.

Context: James has proven God's goodness (not only in saving us), but also in empowering us to fight our sin effectively. Having clearly convinced us that our greatest problem lies within, he is now going to teach us how to use the Word of God effectively in our lives. This week, he starts by teaching us why we must study the Word!