Church of the Nazarene

http://bible.com/events/48832631 Church of the Nazarene James and the Art of the Ask God does not help those who help themselves. He helps those who ask Him (and trust Him). -"If you could say in one word what you want more of in life, what would that be?" -Response #1 - Happiness. Response #2 - Money. -There is nothing wrong with these desires. But what happens when these desires become the driving force for everything we do? ‭‭James‬ ‭4:1-3‬‬ What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. -The word for 'desires' in the Greek is 'hēdonē', which means 'pleasures or lust'. This is where the word 'hedonism' comes from. -James is clarifying what the problem is: the pursuit of pleasure above all. -These desires are not just destructive, they are fueling evil. James challenges these believers in two ways: 1. You don't ask God for what you need. (verse 2) 2. When you do ask God, you ask with wrong motives. (verse 3) So what does it look like to come to God with right motives? ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7:7-11‬‬ “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! What does it mean to come to God with right motives? -Jesus says to 'keep asking...keep seeking...keep knocking' (verse 7). In other words, don't just come to God once, but continue to bring your needs to Him. -Jesus says to trust that God is a good Father (verse 11). The bottom line: God does not help those who help themselves. He helps those who ask Him (and trust Him). Other verses for further study/reflection: Psalm 63:1-11 1 Timothy 6:10 Ephesians 5:3 Matthew 7:7 1 John 5:14-15 James in 8 Minutes This overview video on the book of James breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. In this book, James combines the wisdom of his brother Jesus with the book of Proverbs in his own challenging call to live a life wholly devoted to God. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qn-hLHWwRYY

James and The Art of The Ask James 4:1-3 Welcome back to our series through the book of James. Together we are going verse by verse through this very practical letter written by the half-brother of Jesus. Throughout our study of this letter James challenges us to confirm our love for Jesus by our actions. His famous line “faith without works is dead” is a central theme, sometimes in the background and sometimes in the forefront. Live like Jesus! Is the cry of James’ heart for his readers. At the end of chapter 3 James is unpacking for us the fruit of wisdom in our lives. Wisdom can be thought of how we view the world, how we make decisions, and yes, how we act. And for James there are only two sources of that Wisdom Heaven or Hell…Our wisdom is either sourced by God or sourced by the devil. If we live sourced by earthly or demonic wisdom, we will constantly be filled with envy and selfish desires. Where those things are present, we will only find evil and disorder of every kind. Contrast that to living sourced by God in heavenly wisdom. our lives are marked by graciousness, mercy, and ultimately leading to peace and righteousness. We are presented two distinctly different ways to live, and two distinctly different outcomes of our lives. As we come into our text in Chapter 4, James is inviting his readers to see the root source of the disagreements and fights they are dealing with. To see the source of that conflict, and most importantly, to see a different way forward. ‭‭James‬ ‭4:1-3‬‬ What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. James is writing to believers outside of Jerusalem, not to long after Jesus ascended to heaven and sent the Holy Spirit. To be a Christian was a very controversial thing. The church was likely comprised of people from all walks of life as we know the gospel was spreading throughout the land. It was a cultural melting pot, that apparently boiled over in conflict on occasion. And it was serious enough that James felt compelled to address it. With a head on approach James is challenging his readers to consider what’s causing the fights that are happening among them. ‭‭James‬ ‭4:1‬‬ What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? The word for fights here was typically used of military campaigns, larger battles, or wars. Quarrels is literally armed combat or physical altercations. Within these two descriptors James paints an encompassing portrait of large battles and personal conflict among the church. “Don’t these fights come from your desires that battle within you?” Desires here translates a word that we get the English word hedonism from. Hedonism says the goal of life, the ultimate place of meaning and purpose for our existence is for to find pleasure, to fulfill our senses. Hedonism is essentially a religion of lust These desires are never stagnant in our lives, in fact, James says they wage war within us. ‭‭James‬ ‭4:2‬‬ You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. “You Desire” is present and active. This is not a passing thought, it’s what our hearts are set on. It’s a yearning to have something for yourself, to achieve something. “You do not have, so you kill” From a desire in your heart, to murder in your life, the impact of our lust for things is never a “no harm no foul” event. “You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight” Covet is that burning in your bones, that quiet seething anger, while you grit your teeth. James says it’s those places of envy and selfish desire in your heart, that is creating the wars around you. Warren Wiersbe says "The wars among us are caused by the wars within us. We want to please ourselves, even if it hurts somebody else." As we conclude this verse, can we just for a moment step back and see how much self is contained within this text? Honestly, if we took out self, and removed the priority of our desires of this verse- there would be nothing left! ‭‭James‬ ‭4:3‬‬ When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. Without taking up one single argument of his readers, James universally shows where the conflict and tension is coming from. He highlights two breakdowns that have led to all the frustration, all the fights, and all the fallout. We fail to Ask God. We ask with wrong Motives. We have not because we ask not, and when we do ask, we ask with wrong motives… So what's the alternative? ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7:7-8‬‬ “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; k

Rooted What does it mean to be rooted in God and who God is? And what does it mean to be rooted in who God has called us to be? Exudes 3:1-6, 13-15 NIV “Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.” When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am.” “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” Then he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God. Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?” God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’ ” God also said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.’ “This is my name forever, the name you shall call me from generation to generation.” ‭ Who is God? In light of who God is, who am I? Who are we? Compassion always results in action God says I am who I am! When you feel like your faith isn’t enough let the faith of those along side you and those who have gone before you and those who are coming right behind you, after you, let their faith sustain you.

James: A Life Transformed A look at the Faith Journey of James This week in our James series we are going to pause our progression through the letter itself, to take a look at the heart transformation of the Man behind the letter. As we have walked through the book of James, it's easy to see he takes Faith in Jesus and how we act seriously. They are inseparable for James. But where did this passion come from in James’s heart? James has experienced life in Christ and he knows it's so transformative, so magnificent, so revolutionary that if it doesn’t change everything for us, we haven’t really experienced Jesus. ‭‭Mark‬ ‭3:20-21‬‬ Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.” The crowd of people trying to see Jesus is so big, is so excited, desiring to be in his presence, that Jesus and his disciples cannot even have a meal. Verse 21 records a different response from his family however. When Jesus’ family heard about him and all that was happening, they didn’t come to join the crowd, they came to take him back home because they reckoned he was out of his mind. ‭‭Mark‬ ‭3:31-35‬‬ Then Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him. A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, “Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.” “Who are my mother and my brothers?” he asked. Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.” Within the crowd that is pressing in, those on the inside, there are some noticeably absent from this inner circle of followers. His own family... In only a few words Jesus radically redefines what it means to be a part of HIS family. He says “Look It's not just who knows about me, it's not even those who are related to me. My family is those who do the will of God, those who have responded by faith in Me as their Lord” In one moment, Jesus embraced every seeker, every person who has the guts to bring their brokenness, their needs, and even their mess, before him. He stands with open arms to those who seek him, longing to transform and restore. Where are you in this story? Are you hungry for him, longing to be restored in his loving embrace? To know what it is to belong, to be forgiven and restored, to celebrate new life Or are you outside with James and the rest, thinking this Jesus thing is crazy? Maybe it’s skepticism, maybe its fear that keeps you outside. Fear of what Jesus might say, that you’ve said no to Jesus too long or too many times. Friends the beauty we find in the life of James is that it doesn’t end here in this moment of doubt. James will go on to live a completely different life than what we see here. And so can you… So what about James? We know that James’ journey began in familiarity but ultimately gave way to living faith, that changed the trajectory of his life forever. From a doubting onlooker to a dedicated disciple, it was a magnificent transformation... ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭15:3-8‬‬ For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born. Did you catch verse 7? Then he (the resurrected Lord) appeared to James, then to all the apostles, In words so simple they are easy to miss, I think we get a glimpse of what happened in heart and life of James that lead him to be the compassionate and zealous man we have come to know in his letter. James encountered the Resurrected Lord. I believe that transformation is the source of passion, the reason James is so thorough and to the point in his letter. He doesn’t want a single one of his readers to miss out on the life that is available in Christ. The grace offered to James in transformation is the same grace that God extends to you today. No matter where you are in your Jesus story today- it doesn’t have to end there. Your life can be different because of Christ. James in 8 Minutes This overview video on the book of James breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. In this book, James combines the wisdom of his brother Jesus with the book of Proverbs in his own challenging call to live a life wholly devoted to God. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qn-hLHWwRYY

http://bible.com/events/48825642 James and True Wisdom The wisdom of God is just as much about who we are to be than what we are to do. A review of last week's focus on false wisdom: 1. God is the only source of true wisdom. 2. If you hold on to your wisdom, God can't give you His. 3. Worldy wisdom is always hostile to God. ‭‭James‬ ‭3:13-18‬‬ Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. There is a kind of scorecard implied in the text. How are you doing? Pure? Peace-loving? Considerate? Submissive? Full of mercy? Impartial? Sincere? How do we grow in this True Wisdom? -"Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness." (James 3:18) -Living wisely (in true wisdom), produces fruit in us! -And ultimately, this fruit that is being produced is a pathway to something remarkable. ‭‭James‬ ‭3:17-18‬‬ Real wisdom, God’s wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced. You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor. The bottom line: The wisdom of God is just as much about who we are to be than what we are to do. Other verses for further study/reflection: Matthew 5:3-9 Psalm 111:10 Proverbs 3:13-18 Proverbs 1:7 Ephesians 5:15-17 Proverbs 12:15 Proverbs 10:23 Proverbs 2:6 James in 8 Minutes This overview video on the book of James breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. In this book, James combines the wisdom of his brother Jesus with the book of Proverbs in his own challenging call to live a life wholly devoted to God. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qn-hLHWwRYY

James and True Wisdom James 3:17-18 As a Church we are taking a verse-by-verse journey through the Book of James. We know that James, the half-brother of Jesus, is writing this letter to believers who are outside of Jerusalem, and they are facing the ongoing challenge of persecution and rejection. James is very blunt in his practicality of the faith. (There’s a famous movie line: “You can’t handle the truth.” Well, if you can’t, the book of James isn’t for you.) One of the key themes of the entire letter is that “Faith without works is dead” For James, if the faith we have in Christ, doesn’t change our everyday lives, it's useless, it's as good as dead. As we are coming into the conclusion of Chapter 3 in our study, we find James once again challenging us, this time not just in our faith, but in our wisdom. ‭‭James‬ ‭3:17-18‬‬ But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. James is calling his readers, you and me, to something different, a different way of life, a God given, Jesus oriented, spirit lead way of living. In verses 17 and 18 James goes to great lengths to help us see what this Heavenly wisdom alternative looks like in our lives. ‭‭James‬ ‭3:17‬‬ But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Wisdom from heaven is first of all pure -Wisdom that is from God is un polluted by sin or selfish ambition. Wisdom from heaven is then peace loving. -William Barclay says here “peace, used in a human context, its basic meaning is right relationships between individuals, and between individuals and God” Wisdom from heaven is Considerate or Gentle -The idea is that heavenly wisdom is gracious and patient. Not vengeful and harsh. It is sensitive to the needs of others. It’s yielding to others, not demanding to have things a certain way. Heavenly wisdom is submissive -Basically, heavenly wisdom isn’t stubborn. Heavenly wisdom is full of mercy and good fruit. - It is stuffed full, packed tight, with Mercy and good fruit. Quite a contrast to the produce of earthly wisdom: disorder and evil desire… Heavenly wisdom is impartial -Impartial carries the idea of not making distinctions between people. Treating everyone fairly and equally, especially those with whom we may disagree Finally, heavenly wisdom is sincere or without hypocrisy. -Heavenly wisdom is genuine and authentic. Real and true. Someone with heavenly wisdom is someone you can count on, you can go to them for advice, you know they are rock solid and dependable. If we are honest, whether we have been a Christian 30 years, 30 days, or still on the fence about this Jesus thing, these 7 things mark a completely different life than what we are inclined to live on our own. And I think that’s a big part of what James is saying. ‭‭James‬ ‭3:18‬‬ Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. James has already told us in Chapter 1 “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” God is longing, desiring to give us his wisdom. God is yearning that our lives would produce the fruit of Righteousness rather than a trail of destruction, disorder, and pain. Today, there is a way. There is a way to live a new life… God’s wisdom is a precious gift. Ask Him for it, and continue asking. James in 8 Minutes This overview video on the book of James breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. In this book, James combines the wisdom of his brother Jesus with the book of Proverbs in his own challenging call to live a life wholly devoted to God. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qn-hLHWwRYY

James 3:13-18 Two Kinds of Wisdom 13Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.17But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. There are two types of Wisdom Earthly Wisdom and Godly Wisdom If you hold on to your own wisdom you cannot receive God's wisdom If you hold on to your earthly wisdom you cannot receive God's wisdom God is the only source of True Wisdom Worldly wisdom is always hostile to God 1 Corinthians 3:18-19 18Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become “fools” so that you may become wise. 19For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness”3:19 Job 5:13

James was chosen because it is a practical book about living the effective Christian life. Key points touched on to date about the book of James: · James tells us to face trials with joy, courage and perseverance. · James was Jesus’ half-brother. · James had heard the words of Jesus and he remembered them. · James encourages justice. · James tells us that we must be more than a hearer of the word. Faith takes action! · James tells us to watch your mouth. We have the power to speak life and hope into someone’s life through our words. · James is known as the Proverbs of the New Testament. James was a Jew. He was familiar with the Old Testament. It only makes sense that James is concerned with wisdom since the original Proverbs centers on wisdom. James 3:13-16 (New International Version) 13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. Message title: James and False Wisdom. James is writing to early Christians and to us. He talks about a living faith. A living wisdom. Sometimes the words “wisdom”, “knowledge” and “understanding” are used synonymously. However, there is a difference in the meaning of each word. 1. Wisdom refers to the right apprehension of God, and of God’s truth. 2. Knowledge speaks of the accumulation of the large number of facts about the universe. Many people have smart phones and we have knowledge at our finger tips. 3. Understanding has to do with the correct use of knowledge. A person may have a PhD from one of the finest universities, and yet be lacking in basic understanding about human nature, about the events that transpire around us and can’t relate to people. True wisdom can be a measure of a person’s character. Just as you can identify a tree by the fruit it produces. True wisdom originates from the fear of the Lord. The Bible says “Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true wisdom. All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom.” Psalm 111:10 The English word “fear” in this verse is translated from the Hebrew word “yirah” which means “awe” or “reverence” in the context of this verse. The fear of the Lord that leads to wisdom encompasses the concept of experiencing wonder because of encountering God’s glory. It refers to an awe-inspiring awareness of God’s holiness. James doesn’t care about your diplomas or licenses. He wants to see your wisdom on display. You may be an expert engineer, advanced mechanic, or a housewife who is an excellent at cooking and baking, or a gifted teacher. James says that a truly wise Christian can be an expert in their field of achievement, but his or her life will be characterized by meekness instead of arrogance. We are to show people by the way we live our lives, not talk about it. We are to show others by our actions and our attitude. The all-pervading characteristic of the good life (according to verse 13) is meekness—the quality of humility, patience and submissiveness. We are to be people of humility. Do not get swayed over the idea of ‘humility’. There is great strength in humility. A person has self under complete control similar to a wild horse that was tamed enough to be ridden. The evidences of false wisdom are “bitter envy and selfish ambition.” “Bitter envy” denotes a fierce desire to promote one’s own opinion, and a harsh and resentful attitude toward others whom God may be using in a greater manner than He is using us. “Selfish ambition” describes one who constantly struggles to forward his own selfish interests. James does not just mention ‘envy’ he uses the adjective to say ‘bitter envy’. We know Bible stories that reference this type of bitter envy: · Cain and Abel. Cain killed his brother. · The brothers of Joseph sold him into slavery. · The Pharisees missed the fact that Jesus was the Messiah and they had Him crucified. Think about ‘bitter envy’ or ‘selfish ambition’: · Do you have discontent when others receive something good instead of you? · Has there ever been a time when you had more experience and you’re your peer received the promotion and you got upset? · Do you have strain in your relationships with others? The devil is determined to pit us against each other in our families, marriages, friendships and other relationships. Our inclination to think only of ourselves and pursue our interest above the interests of others fits into his plan. Ambition is not a bad thing. It’s when your desires are selfish. It’s when your needs must be met and ‘you don’t care who you step on to meet your needs.’ Bernie Madoff masterminded the biggest investment fraud in U.S. history. He was jockeying for greatness. He was driven by selfish ambition. He died in prison.

Pressing On "I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:14 The day after Christmas can feel like one big letdown. ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭3:10-14‬‬ I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. What we need most is a 'divine reset'. As our outlook shifts, so does our goal. Our ultimate direction is directly impacted by our day-to-day perspective. We must acknowledge the 'not yet' reality of life here on earth (verse 13). -No matter how much we long for good things, exciting things, fulfillment, wholeness, and completeness, we are living in a reality where it will always be "not yet". -We shouldn't be totally shocked by the disappointment we feel. It's actually to be expected. -We also see the hope in these words. Paul didn't say "I will not", but rather "not yet". -It will happen, it will come pass, it will be completed. It's "not yet" but it is coming. "I press on to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." (verse 14) -Paul says this is the one thing. As we shift our perspective, we become focused on this one thing: pressing on. -And what is the goal? To win the prize. And what is the prize? Heaven. -I am pressing on in spite of opposition, in spite of difficulty, in spite of disappointment. Why? Because this kingdom is not my home. ‭‭John‬ ‭14:1-4‬‬ “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God ; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” -Jesus doesn’t just tell us not to let our heart be troubled, He gives us a very specific reason why not. -Why not? Because He is preparing a place. A place to experience His fullness & His peace. -If Paul speaks of the "not yet" reality of life on earth, then Jesus is speaking of the final fulfillment of that longing. ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭43:18-19‬‬ “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. Other verses for study/reflection: -2 Corinthians 5:17 -Luke 9:62 -1 Corinthians 9:24 -Genesis 19:26 -Hebrews 12:1-2

Pressing On "I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:14 The day after Christmas can feel like one big letdown. ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭3:10-14‬‬ I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. What we need most is a 'divine reset'. As our outlook shifts, so does our goal. Our ultimate direction is directly impacted by our day-to-day perspective. We must acknowledge the 'not yet' reality of life here on earth (verse 13). -No matter how much we long for good things, exciting things, fulfillment, wholeness, and completeness, we are living in a reality where it will always be "not yet". -We shouldn't be totally shocked by the disappointment we feel. It's actually to be expected. -We also see the hope in these words. Paul didn't say "I will not", but rather "not yet". -It will happen, it will come pass, it will be completed. It's "not yet" but it is coming. "I press on to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." (verse 14) -Paul says this is the one thing. As we shift our perspective, we become focused on this one thing: pressing on. -And what is the goal? To win the prize. And what is the prize? Heaven. -I am pressing on in spite of opposition, in spite of difficulty, in spite of disappointment. Why? Because this kingdom is not my home. ‭‭John‬ ‭14:1-4‬‬ “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God ; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” -Jesus doesn’t just tell us not to let our heart be troubled, He gives us a very specific reason why not. -Why not? Because He is preparing a place. A place to experience His fullness & His peace. -If Paul speaks of the "not yet" reality of life on earth, then Jesus is speaking of the final fulfillment of that longing. ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭43:18-19‬‬ “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. Other verses for study/reflection: -2 Corinthians 5:17 -Luke 9:62 -1 Corinthians 9:24 -Genesis 19:26 -Hebrews 12:1-2

Newborn King: No Room Two thousand years ago there was no room for the Savior. Can the same be said of us today? When it comes to your heart, where is Jesus this Christmas Eve? Safe at home? Or out back in a shed somewhere? ‭‭Luke‬ ‭2:1-6‬‬ In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, With everything else God arranged for the birth of the Savior of the world – -generations of prophecies promising His arrival -the angels carrying out missions -the magi searching the sky -Mary’s pregnancy -Joseph’s dream Why couldn’t/didn’t God arrange for a place for Jesus to be born? The fact is, God did arrange a place…a manger. God did arrange the first rejection of the Savior just before His birth. And a visible reminder of the rejection that would happen again and again, even today. Do you have room today for Jesus? "In the Bleak Midwinter" by Christina Rossetti What can I give Him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part; Yet what I can I give Him: give my heart.

http://bible.com/events/48817119 Newborn King: No Room Two thousand years ago there was no room for the Savior. Can the same be said of us today? When it comes to your heart, where is Jesus this Christmas Eve? Safe at home? Or out back in a shed somewhere? ‭‭Luke‬ ‭2:1-6‬‬ In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, With everything else God arranged for the birth of the Savior of the world – -generations of prophecies promising His arrival -the angels carrying out missions -the magi searching the sky -Mary’s pregnancy -Joseph’s dream Why couldn’t/didn’t God arrange for a place for Jesus to be born? The fact is, God did arrange a place…a manger. God did arrange the first rejection of the Savior just before His birth. And a visible reminder of the rejection that would happen again and again, even today. Do you have room today for Jesus? "In the Bleak Midwinter" by Christina Rossetti What can I give Him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part; Yet what I can I give Him: give my heart.

http://bible.com/events/48815635 Newborn King: Ruler-Shepherd The all-powerful king is the all-compassionate king. The all-powerful king is the all-compassionate king. ‭‭John‬ ‭10:7-11‬‬ Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. Jesus is painting a specific picture here: -A picture of power - "I Am" -A picture of compassion - the gate for the sheep, the good shepherd -He promises safety. He promises pasture. Unlike others who have come before, He promises to care for the sheep. ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭2:6‬‬ “ ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” Why does this matter to you? Because our king is both all-powerful and all-compassionate, I am not my own and I am not on my own. The shepherd desires to be your king -And what do we do in response to to the one who gave His life for us? He is either king of all or He is not king at all. -Many of us are living as though we can call Him king, but live as if I am king. This king desires to be your shepherd -The truth is: we all need a shepherd. None of us, on our own, is truly capable of leading and guiding our own lives. -The powerful truth of Christmas is that you are not on your own.

Newborn King: Ruler-Shepherd East Rockingham Campus Newborn King: Ruler Shepherd Welcome to the fourth message in our Advent Series The Newborn King We are seeking to answer one last question: What kind of King is this? Answer: The King we celebrate at Christmas, is the King with all of the power. Yet he is the all compassionate King. ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭2:1-3‬‬ After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. King Herod was a prime example of worldly power. He was ruthless, violent, and he used any means necessary to maintain control. Most of his power was exercised not for Rome, but for his own prestige and image. ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭2:4-6‬‬ When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: “ ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” What Matthew quotes in verse 6 is the combination of two different prophecies of the Old Testament. Micah 5:2 and 2 Sam 5:2 are brought together to give an accurate picture of the Newborn King and how he would rule. “For out of you will come a ruler” The original language here for ruler carries all the things we might think of a King “Who will shepherd my people Israel” The imagery of a Shepherd brought in here, is that of compassionate and tender care. The one with all the power, is all compassionate. He is the one with all Majesty and all Mercy. Ask yourself, what kind of ruler do you want? One to control you? Or one to comfort you? ‭‭John‬ ‭10:11‬‬ “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. In John Chapter 10, we find Jesus declaring for himself, the kind of King he is. ‭‭John‬ ‭10:12-13‬‬ The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. There is an enemy that Jesus describes just a few verses before as the one who comes to steal, kill, and destroy. In the face of the enemy, the compassionate all powerful King fights for you. ‭‭John‬ ‭10:14-15‬‬ “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. That’s the story of Christmas. The one with all the power, stepping into our broken and fallen world, to lay down his life, demonstrating the power of Love and compassion. The beautiful truth of Christmas is that we are known and loved by the all-powerful King Christmas poses us a searching question: Is Christ your King? The reality of our human story is that we are all ruled by something. We can be ruled by so many things... Our lives can be ruled by our desire for acceptance. We can be ruled by a desire to succeed We can be ruled by our past mistakes Addiction may be the tyrant of your life. Anger or fear may reign over us. All of these things are power structures of evil, that rob us of our rightful life, our created purpose in Christ Jesus. The good news of the Newborn King is that your life can be different. To know Jesus as King is to flip the script on that power struggle. To know Christ as King means that “I am not my own, and I am not on my own” Wont you invite him to be your Shepherd King?

http://bible.com/events/48811986 Newborn King: Tomorrow Christmas is just as much about tomorrow as it is about yesterday. We often think about Christmas in terms of our own past, but the truth is, Christmas is really as much about the future as it is about the past. -People in the first century may have seen Christmas as an end, the ultimate culmination of the promise of God. -Christmas was really a beginning. -From our vantage point, we know that something very important was to come after that first Christmas. -On Christmas, the arrival of Jesus set in motion the kingdom. And while we can experience that here and now, we have yet to experience the ultimate fulfillment of His kingdom. -The promise of Jesus as king is not just the promise of a baby in a manger. We make a mistake when we only think of our King this way. Revelation 19:11-16NIV 11 I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. 12 His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. 13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. 14 The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: king of kings and lord of lords. -When the king first came to earth, He arrived in humble circumstances, clothed in rags. When the king returns, He wears a robe and with it an exclusive title: the King of Kings. -Jesus' first appearance on earth was marked with humility and sacrifice, but this is the picture of His second coming, and now He comes in glory and power. Isaiah 9:6-7NIV 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. -One of the most famous Christmas songs was written not based on the image of the arrival of the king, but rather the return of the king. -The words for the song "Joy to the World" were inspired by this passage from Psalm 98:4-9 "Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn—shout for joy before the Lord, the King. Let the sea resound, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy; let them sing before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples with equity." Bottom line: Christmas is just as much about tomorrow as it is about yesterday. So what does this mean for us today? 1. Promise - Christmas should cause us to shout for joy because our God keeps His promises. And He will again. 2. Peace - Since He is the king, we don't have to be. We can trust Him to be king today and to king of the future. 3. Passion - The anticipation of Christ's return should compel us to action. Scriptures for further study/reflection: Revelation 1:5 Revelation 6:15-17 Revelation 17:14 Revelation 19:16 Hebrews 1:3 Jude 1:25 Romans 14:10-12 Philippians 2:9-11 Matthew 24:30

East Rockingham Campus Newborn King: Tomorrow Welcome to the third message in our Advent Series The Newborn King As we continue in our series today, we are going to look at the plans that are already in place for Jesus to come again. ‭‭Luke‬ ‭12:40‬‬ You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” To celebrate Christmas as the arrival of a King, is not only to look back in remembrance of his first coming and what he has done, but it is every bit as much about looking ahead for his coming again. Our teaching text for today is found in Revelation 19:11-16 At first glance, Revelation 19 may not seem like much of a Christmas story for us today. This may not even “feel” like a Christmas message, but perhaps it should. To rightly know Jesus as king, according to the scriptures, demands that we see His coming again as part of his story. The Apostle John in writing Revelation, has been given glimpses into the unfolding of the last things, of the coming Judgement and Rule of God over all creation. As with most of Revelation there is a rich, almost perplexing mingling of symbol and reality. As we begin to unpack our text today, we must hold together the use of symbols, and the reality of what they tell us of the coming King. ‭‭Revelation‬ ‭19:11-12‬‬ I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. You can already tell that Christmas part 2 is going to be different. Upon his return, there will be no crown of thorns, only the royal crown of victory. ‭‭Revelation‬ ‭19:13-14‬‬ He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. His name is “the word of God” This is reminiscent of John 1:14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. ‭‭Revelation‬ ‭19:15‬‬ Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. The imagery of the winepress takes us back to Isaiah 63 and the picture of a man stomping grapes in a wine press to symbolize God’s wrath against evil. ‭‭Revelation‬ ‭19:16‬‬ On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: king of kings and Lord of Lords. The victory is won, Christ is King. As followers of Jesus and students of the bible we are stuck within this tension that the images of Revelation 19 of a mighty warrior are of the same Jesus we see in a manger at Christmas time. They are not two different people, they are not two different stories. It is one story, it is THE story of who Jesus is. The Newborn King we worship at Christmas will be the Returning King that will cause every knee to bow and every tongue to confess that he is Lord. What does that change this Christmas? It gives us profound HOPE. ‭‭Revelation‬ ‭21:3-5‬‬ And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

Newborn King: Upside Down A Christmas and a Kingdom not of this world. Welcome to the second message in our Advent Series: The Newborn King Throughout this advent season we are seeking to understand more deeply what it means that the coming of Jesus was the advent of a King. ‭‭John‬ ‭18:28-32‬‬ Then the Jewish leaders took Jesus from Caiaphas to the palace of the Roman governor. By now it was early morning, and to avoid ceremonial uncleanness they did not enter the palace, because they wanted to be able to eat the Passover. So Pilate came out to them and asked, “What charges are you bringing against this man?” “If he were not a criminal,” they replied, “we would not have handed him over to you.” Pilate said, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.” “But we have no right to execute anyone,” they objected. This took place to fulfill what Jesus had said about the kind of death he was going to die. There were many prophesies that foretold the sacrifice of the Messiah. Including those of Jesus Himself. ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭20:17-19‬‬ Now Jesus was going up to Jerusalem. On the way, he took the Twelve aside and said to them, “We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life!” ‭‭John‬ ‭18:33-36‬‬ Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” “Is that your own idea,” Jesus asked, “or did others talk to you about me?” “Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “Your own people and chief priests handed you over to me. What is it you have done?” Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.” Jesus doesn't answer Pilate's question. Instead He makes a singular declaration: "My kingdom is not of this world." It’s as if the King is saying (to Pilate in the first century and to us in the twenty first): If you are thinking that the rules of earth apply to my kingdom…you are mistaken. If you think of my kingdom the way you think of your own…you are confused. It’s not just that my kingdom is not from this world, but my kingdom is of a completely different nature than this world. In fact it is opposite what you know: Upside Down In John 8:23, Jesus helped us understand exactly that. Not only is His kingdom not of this world, but it is opposite: ‭‭John‬ ‭8:23‬‬ But he continued, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. ‭‭John‬ ‭18:36-37‬‬ Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.” “You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” What you say is true…I am a king But not a king of this world Not a kingdom like you have ever known. The opposite The Kingdom UPSIDE-DOWN And Pontius Pilate would have known all of that. And everyone in the crucifying crowd that day would have known Had they only remembered…Christmas Strange (Upside Down) Truths About the Birth of Jesus 1. God broke 400 years of silence to start the birth into motion. His people heard nothing until a flurry of angels rocked the world. 2. The decree from Caesar Augustus that sent Mary and Joseph on their journey was intended to fortify the Roman Kingdom, yet it led to the ushering in of the Kingdom of the Newborn King. There would never be another earthly kingdom that would ever really matter. 3. An angel appeared to a teenage girl. Just appeared out of nowhere. 4. The angel spoke to her. 5. The angel told her she would become pregnant because the Holy Spirit would “overshadow” her, whatever that meant. 6. And don’t forget an angel appears to Joseph as well. (Again, this was after 400 years of dead silence) 7. The angel takes away the right Joseph had to name his child. And he just accepts that. 8. Joseph acts in a way that was opposite of what was called for in Jewish law – which would have been to divorce Mary. 9. In fact, Joseph could have had Mary stoned. 10. When Mary visited Elizabeth and greeted her, the baby in her womb “leaped". This unborn baby (John the Baptist) recognized the Messiah, who was also, in that moment, unborn. 11. Elizabeth called Mary "the mother of my Lord", before she knew anything about the angel’s proclamation. 12. Joseph really should have traveled to Galilee. His actual home. But for no earthly reason he traveled to Bethlehem, his ancestral home. 13. Likewise, there’s no earthly reason why Mary would have accompanied Joseph on the 75-mile trip. According to Roman law, women didn’t have to register because they were exempt from m

Newborn King: Upside Down A Christmas and a Kingdom not of this world. Welcome to the second message in our Advent Series: The Newborn King Throughout this advent season we are seeking to understand more deeply what it means that the coming of Jesus was the advent of a King. ‭‭John‬ ‭18:28-37‬‬ Then the Jewish leaders took Jesus from Caiaphas to the palace of the Roman governor. By now it was early morning, and to avoid ceremonial uncleanness they did not enter the palace, because they wanted to be able to eat the Passover. So Pilate came out to them and asked, “What charges are you bringing against this man?” “If he were not a criminal,” they replied, “we would not have handed him over to you.” Pilate said, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.” “But we have no right to execute anyone,” they objected. This took place to fulfill what Jesus had said about the kind of death he was going to die. Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” “Is that your own idea,” Jesus asked, “or did others talk to you about me?” “Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “Your own people and chief priests handed you over to me. What is it you have done?” Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.” “You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” "The creator of the universe, greater than all but the Father, gave up his life for his creation. Rather than coming as the conquering king that so many expected, and the world would have understood, he came as the suffering servant of Isaiah 53. It is hard to imagine a greater role reversal than the creator dying on a rough Roman cross as a criminal. Yet that is what he did.” -Ed Jarrett “Much of our difficulty as seeking Christians stems from our unwillingness to take God as He is and adjust our lives accordingly. We insist upon trying to modify Him and bring Him nearer to our own image.” -A.W. Tozer ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2:1-4‬‬ Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:43-45‬‬ “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2:5-8‬‬ In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! So what is necessary to belong to the Kingdom of God that King Jesus rules, and ushered in at his first coming? REPENT! ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭4:17‬‬ From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” We, the church, are called to be a community who’s character helps bare witness to the claims that Christ life makes. We should look like Him; not like those who are subjects of our world and culture

http://bible.com/events/48804671 Newborn King: The Promise He is either King of all or he's not King at all. Hark! The herald angels sing 'Glory to the newborn King' ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭9:6-7‬‬ For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. -This newborn king will be greater than any earthly king. -He will reign unlike any king, even King David. -His kingdom will never end. -Isaiah spoke these words, and for generations and generations they waited for the king. ‭‭Luke‬ ‭2:30-33‬‬ For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. -This newborn king will be the son of God, the king of ALL kings. -Again, we see the promise: His kingdom will NEVER end. -It's not just that He was so powerful. It wasn't just that His kingdom was the greatest we've ever known. What is so important is this truth: This king came for you. So how will you respond to this king? ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭2:1-6‬‬ After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: “ ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭2:9-11‬‬ After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Bottom line: He is either king OF ALL or He is not king AT ALL. Other verses for further study/reflection: Micah 5:2 2 Samuel 7:16 Hebrews 1:3 Jude 1:25

Newborn King: The Promise He is either King of all or he's not King at all. Welcome to our Advent Series The Newborn King Throughout this advent season we are seeking to understand more deeply what it means that the coming of Jesus was the advent of a King. ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭3:15‬‬ And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” From the moment sin entered the human story, the countdown to Christmas was on. ‭‭Luke‬ ‭1:26-33‬‬ In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” “The focus of attention is not on the birth itself, but on the significance of the child, and on the role he will play in fulfilling God’s will” -Donald Hagner It’s not about the manger or the inn or the stable. It’s about that baby. The coming of a King, that would change everything. That's the miracle of Christmas. That's what we celebrate. ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭2:1-12‬‬ After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: “ ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. How will you respond to the news of The Newborn King this Christmas season and beyond? There are a million ways we can miss the profound significance of this season. Friends, after all we have been through the last 20 months, let's commit together, not to miss Christmas. To know the story isn’t enough, we must get into the Christmas story. Let us come and worship the Newborn King! Other verses for further study/reflection: Micah 5:2 2 Samuel 7:16 Hebrews 1:3 Jude 1:25

http://bible.com/events/48801251 James and the Tamed Tongue Your words are a super power. Will you use them for good or for evil? A review of our journey through James: -James is writing to believers who were facing difficult days and his letter is reminding them of what is critical. -In the trial and through the trial, God is working. -Do not doubt Him in the midst of the trial you are facing, but instead persevere. -Keep trusting Him, even in difficult circumstances, because our God is generous and He is at work. -This faith that we proclaim impacts how we live, because we don't just read the Word, we do the Word. -We are people of action and this impacts everything: -it impacts our attitude, how we respond to others (we are quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger) -it impacts the way we treat those that others ignore -it prevents us from showing favoritism or discriminating among God's children -To claim to have faith without acting on it is worthless. It's dead faith. -Abraham and Rahab were considered righteous because of what they did. Their faith resulted in action. Today, as we turn the page to chapter 3, we see another specific example of what this faith in action looks like. ‭‭James‬ ‭3:1-12‬‬ Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check. When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. Our words have incredible power. And James provides three specific visuals of something small having such great power: -bits in the mouths of horses (verse 3) -the rubber of a large ship (verse 4) -a small spark igniting a large fire (verse 5) "The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell." James 3:6 -James says that our mouths can be set on fire by hell. -When bragging, or lies, or gossip is flowing out of my mouth, that is not of the Lord. When harsh words, or yelling, or dishonoring others is flowing out of my mouth, that is not of the Lord. -Jesus himself spoke pointedly about this topic also. ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭12:36-37‬‬ But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” Your words are a super power. Will you use them for good or for evil? The challenge: Speak life-giving words to others every chance you get. Other verses for further study/reflection: Matthew 18:18 Proverbs 13:3 Ephesians 4:29 James is known as “the Proverbs of the New Testament” and that is evident in connection to James 3:1-12: -"The tongue has the power of life and death." – Proverbs 18:21 -"There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." – Proverbs 12:18 -"Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin." – Proverbs 13:3 -"A brother who has been insulted is harder to win back than a walled city, and arguments separate people like the barred gates of a palace." – Proverbs 18:19 -"The words of a good person are like pure silver, but an evil person’s thoughts are worth very little." – Proverbs 10:20 -"Without wood, a fire will go out, and without gossip, quarreling will stop." – Proverbs 26:20 -"Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles." - Proverbs 21:23 James in 8 Minutes This overview video on the book of James breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. In this book, James combines the wisdom of his brother Jesus with the book of Proverbs in his own challenging call to live a life wholly devoted to God. https://www.youtube.com

James and Rahab: Faith that Stands The courage to believe means the courage to act. "Faith without works isn’t faith at all, but simple disobedience." Dietrich Bonhoeffer ‭‭James‬ ‭2:17‬‬ In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. ‭‭James‬ ‭2:24-26‬‬ You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone. In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. -James points us to Abraham (verses 20-23), who everyone revered, but now he points us to Rahab – and he makes certain to remind us that she was a prostitute - the most famous prostitute in the history of God’s people. -It may make some of us uncomfortable that God would use someone like that. ‭‭Joshua‬ ‭2:1-7‬‬ Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim. “Go, look over the land,” he said, “especially Jericho.” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there. The king of Jericho was told, “Look, some of the Israelites have come here tonight to spy out the land.” So the king of Jericho sent this message to Rahab: “Bring out the men who came to you and entered your house, because they have come to spy out the whole land.” But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. She said, “Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they had come from. At dusk, when it was time to close the city gate, they left. I don’t know which way they went. Go after them quickly. You may catch up with them.” (But she had taken them up to the roof and hidden them under the stalks of flax she had laid out on the roof.) So the men set out in pursuit of the spies on the road that leads to the fords of the Jordan, and as soon as the pursuers had gone out, the gate was shut. ‭‭Joshua‬ ‭2:11‬‬ When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below. -There is a lot about Rahab we don't know, but James points us here because of one very important thing we do know: this faith, no matter how small it was, resulted in action. -Rahab was considered righteous “for what she did” (verse 25) -Rahab didn’t just privately believe in the God of Israel in her heart; she risked her life to support the Israelite spies who followed this only true God. ‭‭Joshua‬ ‭6:25‬‬ But Joshua spared Rahab the prostitute, with her family and all who belonged to her, because she hid the men Joshua had sent as spies to Jericho—and she lives among the Israelites to this day. The impact of Rahab's life and her obedience reached far beyond her life: -The woman who was once called a harlot became a godly wife and mother in Israel. -She and her husband became parents of a boy named Boaz, who would one day marry a widow named Ruth, who would be the great-grandmother of David. -From the faithfulness and lineage of this former prostitute, God brings not just the future king of Israel, but from her lineage also comes the Messiah of Israel, the Savior of the World. -It's impossible to read the lineage of Jesus in Matthew 1 without talking about Rahab. The courage to believe means the courage to act. Other verses for further study/reflection: Matthew 5:16 Matthew 1:5 Hebrews 11:31 2 Corinthians 13:5 James in 8 Minutes This overview video on the book of James breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. In this book, James combines the wisdom of his brother Jesus with the book of Proverbs in his own challenging call to live a life wholly devoted to God. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qn-hLHWwRYY

James and Rahab: Faith That Stands "Faith that’s alive is faith that ACTS." James and Rahab: The Faith That Stands When we say we love Jesus- we must also show that we love Jesus by our actions. ‭‭James‬ ‭2:24-26‬‬ You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone. In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. In one sweeping move from the father of the faith to a gentile prostitute, James makes it clear that regardless of how your journey of faith began, it is going to be proven through action. ‭‭James‬ ‭2:24‬‬ You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone. You may be wondering “Doesn’t this verse directly go against what the Apostle Paul taught?” At first glance, we might think that was true. ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2:8-9‬‬ For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. If we stopped there- we could find ourselves in the middle of a 1st century theological argument. But let’s go one more verse in Paul ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2:10‬‬ For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Paul is making the emphasis throughout his letters that it is only by grace, through faith in Christ Jesus that we are saved- that we are declared righteous. Paul is talking about being declared “NOT GUILTY” before God. That happens by Faith in Christ alone For James, he says genuine faith we place in Christ for our justification, is proven by how our lives are changed. By how the Love that has been poured into us, flows through us into our actions. These two men are not at odds with one another in theology. They were addressing very different people groups facing different challenges in their faith. ‭‭James‬ ‭2:25‬‬ In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? Rahab’s faith is not a side-note in the history of the Israelite people. You can find her story of Faith in Joshua Chapter 2 In bringing together the father of the faith, and perhaps one of the most dramatic converts to God, James has shown that the call of living faith is universal. ‭‭James‬ ‭2:26‬‬ As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. As we finish up today, it doesn’t matter if your story looks more like Rahab or Abraham. Our faith is called to follow through in action. Our lives should reflect Jesus as our priority. Yes, in extraordinary ways, but just as importantly, the everyday ordinary deeds of life. Will we be a people committed to putting faith in action? James in 8 Minutes This overview video on the book of James breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. In this book, James combines the wisdom of his brother Jesus with the book of Proverbs in his own challenging call to live a life wholly devoted to God. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qn-hLHWwRYY

James and Abraham: Faith that works Faith without works is dead ‭‭James‬ ‭2:14-23‬‬ What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. At the onset, it seems like there is a lot happening in this text, and indeed it is. However, the truth of the passage is clear and simple. Faith without works is dead. As we embark on this study, we should note two things that will help guide us through our study. 1. James is not comparing faith to works, rather he is contrasting living and dead faith. 2. Secondly, there is such a thing as “dead” faith, and it is essentially useless. ‭‭James‬ ‭2:14‬‬ What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? “Faith is not seen by James to be deficient as though it needed something extra, but he contends that true faith must find some expression other than verbalization or pious sentiment” - Ralph Martin (Word Biblical Commentary) James is therefore not opposing the Apostle Paul or the reality that it is only by faith that we are saved, however, James does insist that faith must change our lives, our very conduct, if in fact it is genuine. ‭‭James‬ ‭2:15-17‬‬ Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. The condemnation of James here is not against well wishes or encouragement, rather the failure to actually meet the needs right before them. In verse 17 he connects this failure to act in meeting the needs of the poor, to the failure of dead faith to produce action in our lives. ‭‭James‬ ‭2:18-19‬‬ But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. In these verses James brings in another voice as an objector to his position. This “objection”, if you will, allows James to ramp up and clarify his position even further. The reality for us today is that faith without works is on par with the faith of the demons. ‭‭James‬ ‭2:20‬‬ You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? “You foolish person” is directed to the objector of verse 18. In verse 14 faith without works has been described as no good, in verse 17 it’s dead, and here it is described as useless or un-effective- yet the objector fails or refuses to see it. ‭‭James‬ ‭2:21-23‬‬ Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. James emphasizes three aspects of living Faith in the life of Abraham from this story. First, that Abrahams faith was not confined to a re-ordering of his thoughts, or merely a verbal profession. Throughout his life Abrahams faith literally guided his life and was shown in its fullest extent in his wiliness to sacrifice his own son. Secondly, James sees that Abrahams faith found its fulfillment through his actions. And finally the genuine nature of Abrahams active faith was shown to be accepted by God. In conclusion today, let's look again at the question James ask's us in Verse 20. Imagine for a moment an emotional James pleading: “Are you insane? How do you not understand this? Do you really want to know that your faith without works is worthless?" "Do you want to know?" This question can be quite un-comfortable to face in our walk of faith. I think James' passionate pleading today is for our own good. Is our faith alive and thriving, or in need of resurrection and new life? James in 8 Minutes This overview video on the book of James breaks down t