Sermon Central
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James - A Faith That Works
Contributed by David Owens on Jun 7, 2021 (message contributor)
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1. Turing Trials Into Triumphs
Contributed on Jun 7, 2021
The first subject that James addresses in his letter is how to face our trials. His suggestion is shocking: we should welcome our trials with joy. But his reason for the suggestion makes sense when you understand things from God's perspective.
A. In Max Lucado’s book, In The Eye Of The Storm, he tells a story about a parakeet named Chippie. 1. Chippie the parakeet never saw it coming -one second he was peacefully perched in his cage, and the next he was sucked in, washed up and blown over. 2. The problem began when Chippie’s owner ...read more
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2. James - A Faith That Works (2021)
Contributed on May 31, 2021
In this introductory sermon for a series on the Book of James, we explore two questions: who is the author and who are the recipients. The sermon also drives home the point that we must be doers of the Word of God and not hearers only.
Introduction: A. One day, a couple of weeks before Christmas in the mid1980s, I was driving on the back roads of Arkansas from El Dorado, Arkansas to Memphis, TN. 1. I was on my way to take my graduate class finals and I was running late. 2. I set the cruise control about 8 miles over the speed ...read more
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3. Becoming Wise Guys And Wise Gals
Contributed on Jun 14, 2021
In this section of James we learn that trials require wisdom, wisdom requires prayer, and prayer requires faith.
A. One day a man was driving down a country road when his car sputtered to a complete stop near a field with a few cows in it. 1. The driver got out of his car and lifted the hood to see what was the matter. 2. Then he noticed that one of the cows had come over to the fence nearby, and suddenly ...read more
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4. The Trials Of Too Much Or Too Little Money
Contributed on Jun 21, 2021
In James 1:9-12, James helps us understand that in order for us to persevere in our trials with joy, we must adopt God’s eternal perspective on poverty and wealth.
Allow me to start with two stories to get us thinking about perspectives on having too much or too little money. 1. I read about an exclusive school in Hollywood that was attended by children of movie stars, producers, and directors. a. One day, the children were asked to write a composition on ...read more
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5. How To Handle Temptation
Contributed on Jun 29, 2021
James moves from how to handle trials to how to handle temptations. Even though temptation is inevitable and giving into temptation is inexcusable, we can learn that temptation is predictable and conquerable.
Introduction: A. Once there was a little boy who always went next door to play alone in the neighbor’s yard even though his mom had warned him against doing so. 1. This frustrated and worried his mom so she asked him why he was so disobedient. 2. He replied that Satan tempted him so much and he ...read more
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6. Religion That Makes A Difference
Contributed on Jul 5, 2021
James uses very confrontational language as he drives home the point that if we don't put God's Word into practice, then why did we bother to hear it. Religion that makes a difference is religion leads to godly language, godly love, and godly lifestyle.
Introduction: A. I heard about a man who came into worship late one Sunday. 1. He asked someone in the back of the auditorium, “Is the sermon done yet?” 2. The person wisely answered, “The sermon has been preached, but it has yet to be done.” 3. Wow! You talk about a statement that is truthful and ...read more
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7. Faith That Saves
Contributed on Jul 19, 2021
What is saving faith? Is it something you say, feel, or think? No, saving faith is something you do. Faith is something that must produce action and must be practiced. That's what James says in James chapter 2.
Introduction: A. One day a nun who worked for a local home health care agency was out making her rounds when she ran out of gas. 1. Thankfully, there was a gas station just down the street. 2. So she walked to the station to borrow a gas can and get enough gas to start the car and drive to the ...read more
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8. Show No Favoritism
Contributed on Jul 19, 2021
In James 2:1-13, James tackles the age long problem of prejudice and favoritism. It is often a problem in the world and in the church. The solution to the problem is the Royal Law found in Scripture.
Introduction: A. There’s story told about a Chicago bank that once asked for a letter of recommendation on a young Bostonian who was being considered for employment. 1. The Boston investment house where the young man worked could not say enough about the young man. 2. In their letter of ...read more
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9. Taming The Tongue
Contributed on Jul 26, 2021
James devotes most of chapter 3 to our challenge of controlling the tongue. In this sermon, we examine James' pronouncements about the tongue and then look at improper and proper uses of the tongue.
Introduction: A. If your tongue has ever gotten you into trouble, then please raise your hand. 1. Turn to your neighbor and say, “I’m not surprised!” 2. We are not surprised, because it happens to all of us. 3. All of us have had the experience of saying something, and then wishing we had not said ...read more
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10. The Wise, The Unwise, And The Otherwise
Contributed on Aug 4, 2021
In James chapter 3, James contrasts two kinds of wisdom: worldly wisdom and godly wisdom. The fruits that result from these two kinds of wisdom couldn't be any more different from each other.
A. Let’s start our sermon this morning with a quote: “Life is hard and it’s harder when you’re stupid.” 1. We chuckle at that because we all know it’s true. 2. Some people attribute that quote to John Wayne. 3. I don’t know if the Duke did or didn’t say those words. 4. The line doesn’t appear in ...read more
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11. The Cure For Conflict (Pt. 1)
Contributed on Aug 23, 2021
James begins chapter four with a question about what causes fights among us. He spends 12 verses discussing the causes and cures for conflict. In this sermon, we will focus on the first 6 verses that address the causes of conflict.
Introduction: A. A boy once asked his dad, “Dad, how do wars begin?” 1. “Well,” said his father, “Take the First World War, it got started when Germany invaded Belgium.” 2. Immediately the boy’s mother interrupted, “Honey, tell the boy the truth. It began because somebody was ...read more
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12. The Cure For Conflict (Pt. 2)
Contributed on Aug 30, 2021
James offers several cures for conflict. We think the problem in conflict is the other person. But James says the cure begins with us submitting to God, drawing near to God, resisting the devil and to stop judging others.
Introduction: A. One day a proper Englishman found himself seated on a train with two ladies who were arguing about whether to have the window opened or closed. 1. One lady claimed that she would die of heatstroke if the window stayed closed. 2. The other lady said she would die of pneumonia if ...read more
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13. What Is Your Life
Contributed on Sep 6, 2021
James applies the need for humility to our mindset about our lives and our plans. As he discusses the fact that our life is just a mist that appears for a little while then vanishes, we learn some sins to avoid and some things to do.
Introduction: A. One day a doctor called one of his patients into his office to deliver some very important news. 1. “I have received the results of your tests and I have some bad news and some good news.” 2. The patient was quiet for a moment, sensing the gravity of the announcement, “Let me have ...read more
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14. Money Talks
Contributed on Sep 13, 2021
In James 5, James comes down very hard on the rich and the sins that often accompany materialism. What we do with our money declares what we value and love. So, what is your use of money saying about you?
Introduction: A. One evening a husband was balancing the checkbook and said to his wife, “You know the old saying, ‘money talks’? Well, ours just said, ’So long!’” 1. I know that we all feel that way sometimes, don’t we? 2. The world we live in runs on money, and it seems that we never have enough ...read more
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15. Hurry Up And Wait
Contributed on Sep 20, 2021
The three points of this sermon and a good bit of the content is borrowed from a sermon by Ray Pritchard (see the resources at the end of the sermon). The key to facing hard times is learning to wait on the Lord.
Introduction: A. Once there was a boy who asked a girl to go to the school formal dance. 1. She agreed, and he decided to rent a tuxedo, but the rental store had a long line, so he waited and waited, and finally he got his suit. 2. Then he decided to buy flowers, but the flower shop had a long ...read more
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16. Prayer Power
Contributed on Sep 27, 2021
James has mentioned prayer several times in his letter. In chapter 5, James focuses on prayer's power and place in the life of a Christian, especially as it relates to our need for healing.
Introduction: A. The story is told of a five year old boy who told his daddy that he’d like to have a baby brother and that he was willing to do whatever he could to help bring that about. 1. The boy’s father paused for a moment and then replied, “I’ll tell you what, if you pray every day for two ...read more
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17. Remembering The Lessons From James
Contributed on Oct 11, 2021
In this concluding sermon from the series on James, we summarize the main lessons from James that we want to be sure to remember and to put into practice.
Introduction: A. Today as we conclude our sermon series on the letter of James, I want us to do a unique review of the book. 1. First, we will look at an 8 minute video summary created by a nonprofit called BibleProject, and then I will share a list of the lessons from James that I hope we will ...read more