Sermon Central
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James - Faith In Action
Contributed by Tim George on Feb 5, 2001 (message contributor)
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1. The Man Who Discovered What He Already Knew
Contributed on Feb 5, 2001
Many people spend their whole lives searching for something of value when it is closer than they could ever imagine. James was such a man who needed to discover what he already knew.
Once there was a band of poor Brazilian goat headers who decided to make a long journey to California in search of gold. They took with them bags of rocks they used in a gambling game. Unfortunately, most of them died on the dangerous journey. One young man made it to San Francisco with nothing but ...read more
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2. Wising Up In A Dumbed-Down World
Contributed on Feb 5, 2001
In a world where being undecided is a badge of honor, how do we learn to make wise decisions?
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive ...read more
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3. When Life Hits You In The Face
Contributed on Feb 5, 2001
Since we all have troubles how do we face those troubles?
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” (James 1:2-4) A recent request for sick leave to the U.S.S. Saratoga read: ...read more
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4. Keeping Life In The Proper Perspective
Contributed on Feb 5, 2001
James wants us to learn that it doesn’t matter what your status in life is – it matters what your status in heaven is!
“Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation, but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away. For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will ...read more
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5. It Depends On How You Look At It!
Contributed on Feb 8, 2001
Satan and God have two very different ways they want us to look at trouble and temptation in our life.
"Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one ...read more
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6. To Hear The Truth
Contributed on Feb 14, 2001
In our trials and temptations we often yell for help in many ways but the question is, will we listen to the One who can help us in our times of trial and temptation?
"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures. So then, my beloved brethren, let ...read more
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7. God's Poets
Contributed on Feb 28, 2001
James warns us that believers can be guilty of wearing the Word, talking about the Word, singing about the Word but not doing the Word. How do we become doers of the Word?
“Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (James 1:21-22). There once was a famous inventor who unveiled a new invention. He ...read more
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8. Mirror, Mirror
Contributed on Mar 7, 2001
We may not always like what we see in the mirror of God’s Word but what we see there is always the truth and always the best!
“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the ...read more
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9. Celebrating In The Losers Cirlce
Contributed on Mar 17, 2001
James tells us the story of a rich man and a poor man who came to church one day. One appeared to be a winner – the other a loser. How should a group of losers who have been made winners by Christ treat such people?
No body likes a loser. Have you ever seen a losers circle at the racetrack? When is the last time you saw the runner-up on a box of Wheaties? People generally think little of losers. That makes it all the more hurtful to some when someone like Ted Turner is quoted as saying, “Christianity is for ...read more
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10. The Law Of Liberty
Contributed on Apr 19, 2001
What is it that motivates us to live the Christian life? It is the Law of Liberty.
So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty. (James 2:12) Once when Alabama was playing Auburn, Coach Bear Bryant sent in his 2nd string quarterback with instructions to run on every play and he had better not pass the ball. Alabama led by three points and only had to ...read more
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11. What Is Real Faith?
Contributed on Apr 29, 2001
What is the difference in a stillborn faith and saving faith?
“What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for ...read more
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12. Loose Lips Sink Ships
Contributed on Jul 7, 2001
James 3:1-12 is God’s memo to the church warning us of the danger of misplaced words in the Body of Christ. In the church loose lips do not sink ships but they can make shipwreck of people’s lives!
“My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.” (James 3:1-2) During WWII soldiers were warned not to speak ...read more
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13. The Power Of The Tongue
Contributed on Jul 13, 2001
James reminds us that our words can be the most powerful force known to man. Words can set the course of individuals and nations. Consider what God has to say to us about the way we speak.
“For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, ...read more
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14. True Wisdom
Contributed on Jul 18, 2001
It is vitally important that you understand how completely dependent you are on God. Everyone claims to have the answers to life’s questions but only God truly does!
”Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. ...read more
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15. Playing War
Contributed on Aug 5, 2001
There is a war that rages among us today that is just as serious. It is the war that rages in the souls of men and women. Why do people have so much trouble getting along with each other? Chapter four of the book of James gives us the answer.
"Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask ...read more
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16. Grace For Those Who Need It
Contributed on Aug 20, 2001
How can we live up to these commands of the book of James? The answer is surely not our own power or ability. Only God and his grace can enable us to live this life.
"But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." (James 4:6-7) Adrian Rodgers, the well-known pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis, tells the story of a young man ...read more
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17. Grace Is Where You Started
Contributed on Sep 2, 2001
God has given us a safety net to work over as we cross the bridge of life. That safety net is God’s grace.
"But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament ...read more
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18. The Problems With Playing God
Contributed on Sep 17, 2001
This passage deals with how pride tends to cause us to play God and the problems that go along with that.
"Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge ...read more
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19. The Son Will Come Out Tomorrow
Contributed on Sep 17, 2001
In the musical Annie, Annie was an eternal optimist. Her reoccurring promise was, “The sun will come out tomorrow.” Unfortunately, real life is not always as promising as the little orphan said it was. God wants you to know that tomorrow can be hopeful bu
”Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you! Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have heaped up treasure in the ...read more
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20. Rescue Mission
Contributed on Sep 18, 2001
Consider how James ends. James is writing to a severely persecuted and battered people. He is on a rescue mission and there is no time for pleasantries!
“Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.” (James 5:19-20) There are many famous last words in the annals of history. Lou Gehrig ...read more