In this message from James 2:14-26, we explore a challenging question: How do you know if your faith is real? James contrasts a faith that is merely a profession of words with a living faith that transforms the whole person and produces a life of obedience. Through the examples of Abraham and Rahab, we see that genuine faith is not proven by what we say, but by the way our trust in God shapes our actions. Join us as we continue our Practical Living for Jesus Followers series and discover why saving faith is never alone.

In James 2.1-13 8.2.26, we continue our series Practical Living for Jesus Followers by exploring James’ challenge to reject favoritism and love others the way Christ loves us. James warns against making judgments based on outward appearances and reminds believers that God calls us to show mercy rather than partiality. As recipients of God's grace, we are invited to extend that same mercy to others, allowing God's love to shape our relationships and transform how we see the people around us.

In James 1:21-27, we're challenged to move beyond simply hearing God's Word and begin living it. Using the illustration of a person who looks in a mirror and immediately forgets what they saw, James warns against self-deception and calls believers to respond to God's truth with faith, obedience, and action. True spiritual maturity is revealed not by what we know, but by transformed lives marked by controlled speech, compassion for those in need, and a commitment to live differently from the world around us. Join us as we continue our series, Practical Living for Jesus Followers, and discover the freedom and blessing that come from being doers of the Word, not hearers only.

How do we deal with anger in a way that honors God? In this message from James 1:19-21, we explore James' practical wisdom for followers of Jesus: be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. Drawing from Scripture and helpful insights on communication, conflict, and emotional health, this sermon examines why our natural anger so often falls short of God's purposes and how we can develop healthier, Christ-centered responses.

Together we'll consider the dangers of reacting too quickly, the power of truly listening, and the transforming work God wants to do in our hearts. Whether you struggle with frustration, conflict, resentment, or simply want to grow in wisdom, this message offers practical guidance for navigating anger with grace, humility, and spiritual maturity.

Temptation is one of the most universal struggles for Jesus followers, and James 1:12–18 shows how endurance, honesty, and a greater love for God help us face it with courage. This message draws from the myth of the sirens in The Odyssey to illustrate two ways people resist destructive desires—by limiting their ability to give in, like Odysseus tied to the mast, or by cultivating a stronger, more beautiful desire, like Jason listening to Orpheus’ music. James teaches that God promises the crown of life to those who persevere, and that temptation doesn’t come from God but from our own desires. Confession, humility, community, and spiritual honesty interrupt the cycle before it matures into sin and death.

The passage also turns our attention to the goodness of God, the Father of heavenly lights, who gives every good and perfect gift and births new life within us. When we cultivate habits that help us savor God—Scripture, prayer, silence, worship, gratitude—our desire for Him grows stronger than the lesser desires that tempt us. Like catching the aroma of a delicious meal from the kitchen, the presence of God in our lives is a foretaste of the greater joy to come. This sermon invites listeners to endure temptation with honesty and hope, and to pursue the better desire that leads to life. Next week: dealing with anger.

Have you ever daydreamed about what your life would be like if you had more money? I'm sure we all have. Lack of finances seem to make things really hard sometimes. At the same time, chasing after money and possessions can be a trap as well. This week in our series "Practical Living for Jesus Followers," James warns us about the deception of riches. Always wanting more is like the air we breath. It is not necessarily healthy. It can actually threaten our faith. But James shows us how our faith in Jesus helps us to avoid being deceived by the lure of always wanting more. It is amazing that a "primitive" book like the Bible, that is more than 2000 years old, has such helpful wisdom for us in 2026. Let's get wise about wealth together this Sunday.

This Sunday we begin an all-new series called Practical Living for Jesus Followers. We will be going verse by verse through the letter from James. The first area of practical living he speaks to is "How do we handle hardships in life?" It's not like we don't have enough. He tells us some amazing things about God. God wants to help us, and he will always help us. God wants to give us what we need, in particular, a new perspective and a new insight. If you're struggling with something in your life this week, you will want to learn this. James is even so bold to suggest that we can experience joy no matter what.