Prayer, scripture, community, and a life of service are among the basics of following Jesus. When Jesus was asked about how we should pray, Jesus gave an answer.

While Paul and James may use the same words, and in the words of Scot McKnight, they use different dictionaries. While that maybe true, in this section of Scripture, James is talking about works of peace, mercy and love while Paul is talking about works of the law. James is clear; faith is not merely a confession, it is action.

The economy of this world, also called the economy of chaos, values people based on their access to wealth, power, and fame; it will always devalue those with less access to those things. James invites us into a new economy where the script is flipped. In the economy of God’s kingdom, the poor are, in fact, the rich. The economy of God’s kingdom is based on the currency of faith and mercy, and begins with the investment of loving our neighbors.

In chapter 2, James calls us to a better way of living in this world. Because we often read this book through the lens of Paul, James often misunderstood; however, Paul is not the best lens through which to read James. As a devout Jew, James is best read through the Law and Prophets.

Clarifying questions around these two topics from James 1.

In chapter 2, James calls us to a better way of living in this world. Before we study this chapter more fully, our pastor transparently reflects on the personal convictions, conflicts and struggles he’s had while studying this chapter.

Faith, religion, and Christianity are often reduced to a set of doctrines, traditions, and church attendance. According to James, religion is about the posture of our hearts and the lives we live. In this week’s sermon, we will explore the importance of intention.

A few insights about Bible translations and how to choose which one suits you best.

In this message we launch out of James and into Palm Sunday. In our journey from Palm Sunday to Good Friday, we land on one very important question: Which Jesus do you want?

Righteousness often gets a bad rap. Over the centuries, we have reduced it to a one dimensional idea used to talk about objective standards; however, righteousness is a beautiful reality with a lot of depth, and in this section of the text, James begins to talk about its establishment.

A deep dive on this week’s sermon, From Trials to Temptations, we discuss congregational questions that came from that discussion.

Our view of God determines our view of reality and the way we engage it. When our view of God is correct, then the way we deal with reality mirrors a good God to a big world. In this sermon we discuss sin, a short doctrine of God and the reason for being born again.

A deep dive on this week’s sermon, From Trials to Temptations, we discuss congregational questions that came from that discussion.

As we continue through the book of James, we begin where he begins, speaking about trials and the way we engage them. James is inviting us to trust the process of going through the trial with the faith that will produce in us something better than escaping the trial.

Scriptures referenced during this week’s sermon:

Leviticus 19:9-10, Deuteronomy 6, Deuteronomy 15:7, Proverbs 3:11-17, 11:28, 14:31, 22:16, 28:27, 30:8, Ecclesiastes 5:10-17, Ezekiel 7:19, and Amos 4:1-5.

A deep dive on this week’s sermon, Trust the Process, we talk about practical ways to do just that.

As we continue through the book of James, we begin where he begins, speaking about trials and the way we engage them. James is inviting us to trust the process of going through the trial with the faith that will produce in us something better than escaping the trial.

Scriptures referenced during this week’s sermon:

Leviticus 19:9-10, Deuteronomy 6, Deuteronomy 15:7, Proverbs 3:11-17, 11:28, 14:31, 22:16, 28:27, 30:8, Ecclesiastes 5:10-17, Ezekiel 7:19, and Amos 4:1-5.

Each week listeners send questions about the sermon. Our response to those questions are a weekly episode called the “B Side.” The “B Side” is our chance to take a deep dive into questions inspired by the previous week’s sermon.

For the early church, Christianity was about a way of living. of being the presence of Jesus, of being the first fruits of the new creation. Through this series, we will learn what it means to be the church in this place we call home.