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Humbly Submit to God
James 4:7-10 is one of the hardest hitting passages in this epistle.
One might wonder how popular James would be if he were to preach in our day.
Preachers in our day often flatter their hearers. In our last text James called his readers murderers and adulteresses. In this week’s text James calls them sinners and double minded.
Many churches in our day are all about happiness and joy. James tells us to be miserable, to mourn and to weep.
Many popular preachers aim to build their hearers’ self-esteem. James repeatedly tell us that we must humble ourselves before God.
Others say that preaching should almost exclusively speak in the indicative of what God has done for us in Christ. James strings together ten imperatives exhorting us to active obedience.
The context of James’ exhortations is his concern for the quarrels and fights among his readers which are rooted in their proud worldly selfishness.
The cure for such conflicts is to humble ourselves before God.
The Law Leading Us to Christ
An evening sermon from GBC elder Mike Kelley.
Jesus, Our Great High Priest
In Hebrews 4:14-16 there is good news for weary Christians. We have a great high priest (Jesus) who has offered to God a perfect sacrifice for our sin. Our high priest’s greatness and grace motivate us to press on in the midst of temptations and trials. Because of who Jesus is and what he’s done for us we are welcomed into the presence of God where we find the help we need to persevere.
Fan the Flame! Endurance in Gospel Ministry
A sermon in our morning service from GBC elder Mike Kelley.
Murder and Adultery in the Church?
During the LA riots in the early 90s, Rodney King was quoted saying, “Can we all get along?”
In this week’s passage James asks a similar question: “Why are there quarrels and conflicts among you?”
This is a great question! Human interaction is characterized by conflict – among nations, among political parties, within families, among friends and neighbors, and even within churches (which is the primary context to which James speaks).
James, however, answers the question that Mr. King could not. He says that the conflicts among us are because we are controlled by strong desires. We fight because we want something.
When we don’t get what we want we “murder” those who were in the way. James, like Jesus, identifies our anger and harsh words as murderous.
James also says that we can even be guilty of trying to manipulate God, through our prayers, to help us achieve our selfish agenda.
James says that the root cause of our conflicts is spiritual adultery. James speaks metaphorically (like the Old Testament prophets) of our unfaithfulness to God which causes us to seek satisfaction from the world rather than from the Lord. Such adultery invites judgment, but God offers grace to those who humble themselves.
Recent Sermons
Thirsting for God
Psalms 42-43 go together. They are Psalms of lament with an almost identical refrain. 42:5 42:11 43:5.
These Psalms are of special value to believers who feel overwhelmed or struggle with depression.
We can relate to the Psalmist as he describes his own spiritual drought, longing for God to satisfy his thirst.
He also describes his situation as being overwhelmed by the floods of sorrow.
Yet within this Psalm we find the answer to our despair. “Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him.”
Martyn Lloyd-Jones used Psalm 42 in the first chapter of his famous book, “Spiritual Depression”.
He tells us that a key to overcoming depression is to stop listening to ourselves (complaining and worrying) and to start talking to ourselves (about the hope we have in God).
Please read Psalms 42-43 before coming to church.
God Speaks Through His Word
This Sunday I plan to complete our consideration of Psalm 19.
Last week we looked at the first six verses which declares how God speaks to all humanity through His creation (General Revelation)
This week we will consider the Lord’s speech to His people through the Scriptures (Special Revelation) in verses 7-11, and then our response in verses 12-15.
As you read over Psalm 19 before coming to church consider the following questions:
Do you notice that the first six verses use the name God and verse seven and following use LORD. Why do you think that this is?
How are general revelation similar to each other? How are they different?
Where can you see the gospel in this Psalm?