All the Sermons

Warning! Danger! James 5:1-6 When James says, “Now listen,” That is to be understood very much in the tone of voice you might use when you are about to correct some very disobedient children, “Now listen!” Once again, he is using very strong language to let his audience know that he is very upset and very passionate about what he has heard is going on in the church. This stuff is really important! He talks tough, not like so many sermons you hear these days, funny illustrations, gentle words and big on grace. Many sermons today hardly mention sin except to say that you are forgiven f it. But, maybe James approach is appropriate sometimes. It is better for the people to hear the truth and maybe be jarred awake and into an urgency to do something about the problem. It would be far better than what happened to the rich man that Jesus talked about in connection with Lazarus. The story I am talking about is recorded in Luke 16, and I will go ahead and read to you verses 19-26. It’s

James 4:11-17 I love my little Maddie. She is so cute and adorable! And oh, does she have a temper! One of the funniest things she does is when we disappoint her or do not let her have her way. All of a sudden, she will do this: (If you’re reading this I am sorry you couldn’t see me slumped over, hunchbacked with my arms hanging straight down in front of me as I stomped across the floor with a big pouty face and sad-angry eyes). She seems to think that maybe we will change our minds if we see how upset she is. But unfortunately for her, even if she puts on an Oscar winning performance, we will not change our minds about what we believe is the right thing for her. And slowly, over many repetitions of similar circumstances we watch her grow and learn how to behave better. When she is slouched over like that and stomping around, she also sometimes slanders us, saying that we never let her have any fun, or, we don’t love her etc. It is a great sin. Other, even greater sins she commits

James 4:1-10 Before I really get started I want to share a little story that kind of illustrates the problem I want to talk about today.  A man was driving down the road one day and saw another car pulled over, lights blinking.  So he stopped to see if he could help.  But first he wanted to know something.  He asked, "What's your name?  And are you religious?"  The man said, "I'm Bob, and yes I am religious."  The helper said, "Me too. What sort of religion? You're not Buddhist are you?"  Bob said, "No. I'm a Christian."  The guy said, "Me too.  Are you Catholic or Protestant?" "Protestant."  "Me too. Are you Episcopalian or Baptist?"  "Baptist."  "Wow. Me too. Are you Baptist Church of God or Baptist Church of the Lord?"  "Baptist Church of God."  "Me too! Are you original Baptist Church of God, or are you Reformed Baptist Church of God?"  "Reformed B