Were you part of a church where relationships became uncomfortable? You were there to worship Jesus but there was tension between you and others in the congregation? Because we are sinful, we will always wound one another. There is no way to avoid it. What are we to do about it? How do we restore the church to a place of relational health? In our final teaching from James, we find out the secret to making a church last.

James - The Healing Power of Confession and Prayer - Audio - MP3
James - The Healing Power of Confession and Prayer - Quicktime and iPhone Audio - M4A
James - The Healing Power of Confession and Prayer - Manuscript - PDF
James - The Healing Power of Confession and Prayer - Sermon Handout - PDF
James - The Healing Power of Confession and Prayer - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

Tags: Confession, Prayer

Do you know someone for whom great prayers of healing were assembled, yet they died? In these verses, it seems as if prayers by the elders for healing should never fail. Is that what James is saying? When our prayers for healing are not answered, shouldn't that cause us to question God, the Bible and our faith? Discover what James is telling us in these perplexing verses on healing.

James - The Prayer of Faith that Heals - Pt 2 - Audio - MP3
James - The Prayer of Faith that Heals - Pt 2 - Quicktime and iPhone Audio - M4A
James - The Prayer of Faith that Heals - Pt 2 - Manuscript - PDF
James - The Prayer of Faith that Heals - Pt 2 - Sermon Handout - PDF
James - The Prayer of Faith that Heals - Pt 2 - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

Tags: Prayer, healing

Were you ever admitted to the hospital as a patient? Life as a hospital patient can be incredibly embarrassing. It begins with the gown. They were obviously designed by someone who never wore one. While the hospital humbles us, it also makes us realize how fragile life is. It teaches us to turn to our true hope; Jesus our savior and healer. In this message, we discover the role prayer plays in healing and unexpected ways God answers our prayers.

James - The Prayer of Faith that Heals - Pt 1 - Audio - MP3
James - The Prayer of Faith that Heals - Pt 1 - Quicktime and iPhone Audio - M4A
James - The Prayer of Faith that Heals - Pt 1 - Manuscript - PDF
James - The Prayer of Faith that Heals - Pt 1 - Sermon Handout - PDF
James - The Prayer of Faith that Heals - Pt 1 - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

Tags: Prayer, healing

When you hit your finger with a hammer, what do you say? When you celebrate because your Iowa Hawk-eyes scored a touch down, what comes out of your mouth? We hear swearing every day. What does God think about it? What role should it play in our life? Is there a time it is acceptable?

James - A Theology of Swearing - Audio - MP3
James - A Theology of Swearing - Quicktime and iPhone Audio - M4A
James - A Theology of Swearing - Manuscript - PDF
James - A Theology of Swearing - Sermon Handout - PDF
James - A Theology of Swearing - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

Tags: Words, Swearing, Oaths

Are you going through a trial? If we are not in one, we are sure to experience one. How do you make it through when trials are long and hard? In this text, James tells us where to find hope when we can't imagine a bright future.

James - Patience in Trials - Audio - MP3
James - Patience in Trials - Quicktime and iPhone Audio - M4A
James - Patience in Trials - Manuscript - PDF
James - Patience in Trials - Sermon Handout - PDF
James - Patience in Trials - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

Tags: Trials, Patience, Return of Christ

Is there anything wrong with the American Dream? Who doesn't to retire in luxury? In this challenging passage, James give us a different way to look at our riches. While it is not wrong to be rich, it is spiritually dangerous. Riches bring a false sense of comfort and identity. Our desire to hoard them rather than use them increases our guilt before God. In strong language, James teaches us how to avoid being destroyed by the wealth we possess.

James - What Rich People Need to Hear - Audio - MP3
James - What Rich People Need to Hear - Quicktime and iPhone Audio - M4A
James - What Rich People Need to Hear - Manuscript - PDF
James - What Rich People Need to Hear - Sermon Handout - PDF
James - What Rich People Need to Hear - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

Tags: Riches

In this last message of the third section of James, we learn how pride taints our thinking. We plan our days and our lives with pride, rather than submitting ourselves to God's plans for us. As we refine our skills, we see ourselves as the secret to our success. When it comes to our choices, if nobody will notice, we are quick to cut the corners. Where do these attitudes come from? James tells us these are all subtle ways pride seeps into our think and, unless repented of, shuts of the flow of God's grace into our lives.
CT Studd Poster from sermon - "Only one life will soon be past, only what is done for Christ will last"
James - God of my iPhone - Audio - MP3
James - God of my iPhone - Quicktime and iPhone Audio - M4A
James - God of my iPhone - Manuscript - PDF
James - God of my iPhone - Sermon Handout - PDF
James - God of my iPhone - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

Tags: Planning, Abilities, Skills, Beauty, Sin

Walk through the checkout line at Walmart. The covers of magazines trumpet the dirty laundry of celebrities. Someone is getting divorced. Another was caught drunk at a party. While a newspapers can be sued if they print an untrue story, they are not charged with a crime if they destroy a reputation with the truth. After all, that is considered news. According to James, repeating unhelpful information is a crime, even if it is true. In this message, James helps us see why the reason we repeat unhelpful information about others is because of the pride in our own hearts.

James - Slander - Audio - MP3
James - Slander - Quicktime and iPhone Audio - M4A
James - Slander - Manuscript - PDF
James - Slander - Sermon Handout - PDF
James - Slander - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

Tags: Slander, Gossip

How much pride is in your life? Most of us picture ourselves as more humble than we really are. For God's grace to be operative in our hearts, James tells us to cultivate humility. What does humility look like? What steps can we take to become more humble? Giving us ten brief commands, James tells us how to develop humility in our life. Best of all, he ends with a promise from God that we can rest in when we travel down that difficult path.

James - The Ten Commandments of James - Audio - MP3
James - The Ten Commandments of James - Quicktime and iPhone Audio - M4A
James - The Ten Commandments of James - Manuscript - PDF
James - The Ten Commandments of James - Sermon Handout - PDF
James - The Ten Commandments of James - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

Tags: humility

What happens when we fail God, not just once, but again and again. Is there a time when God says enough is enough? Is there a limit to the grace God is willing to extend for the continual sin in our lives? In this message, we discover the depth of God's forgiveness. The one thing that is necessary to receive it and the one thing that can stop it from flowing into our lives.

James - He Gives More Grace - Audio - MP3
James - He Gives More Grace - Quicktime and iPhone Audio - M4A
James - He Gives More Grace - Manuscript - PDF
James - He Gives More Grace - Sermon Handout - PDF
James - He Gives More Grace - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

Tags: Grace, Sin, Pride, humility

I have performed a few weddings. I have yet to meet a bride that is not concerned about her wedding day. Some women join a gym to get into shape for their wedding night; others go on a crash diet. When it comes to the atmosphere, ceremony and dress; the bride is involved with everything. She wants that day to be perfect. Truth be told, while a fiancé wants his bride to look her best, one thing that can ruin the wedding more than anything else is a bride's infidelity before her wedding night. Nothing can fan the flames of white hot jealousy more than a two-timing bride. In James 4:4, we discover God can have those same jealous feelings over us. Join me in discovering how we can get God that angry?

James - Spiritual Adultery - Audio - MP3
James - Spiritual Adultery - Quicktime and iPhone Audio - M4A
James - Spiritual Adultery - Manuscript - PDF
James - Spiritual Adultery - Sermon Handout - PDF
James - Spiritual Adultery - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

Tags: Adultery

You would expect the church to be a place where the peace of Christ reigns in the heart. Unfortunately, that is often far from the truth. The church has become known as a battlefield of wills. What should we do when our church changes in a way we didn't expect? How should we respond when we don't like what our church has become. In this message, James gives us godly wisdom on how to navigate church conflict.

James - What's Wrong with a Good Church Fight? - Audio - MP3
James - What's Wrong with a Good Church Fight? - Quicktime and iPhone Audio - M4A
James - What's Wrong with a Good Church Fight? - Manuscript - PDF
James - What's Wrong with a Good Church Fight? - Sermon Handout - PDF
James - What's Wrong with a Good Church Fight? - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

Tags: Church Conflict, Church Leadership

James taught us there is something called Fake Faith. It is a counterfeit faith in Jesus that will not save in the end. The way you can tell the difference between saving faith and fake faith is that only saving faith changes our lives. Saving faith doesn't just prompt us to acts of mercy and compassion but it even changes the way we think. It gives us a different set of values, a whole new understanding of what is foolish and what is wise.

James - Saving Faith Changes My Thinking - Audio - MP3
James - Saving Faith Changes My Thinking - Quicktime and IPhone Audio - M4A
James - Saving Faith Changes My Thinking - Manuscript - PDF
James - Saving Faith Changes My Thinking - Sermon Handout - PDF
James - Saving Faith Changes My Thinking - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

Tags: Church Conflict, Division, Diotrephes, Jealousy, Selfish Ambition

What is the most destructive part of the body? The fist. The foot. It is the little piece of flesh behind our teeth called the tongue. When we were little we learned that sticks and stones can break our bones but words will never hurt us. Unfortunately, that is far from the truth. Our words, like fire, can spread and cause incalculable amounts of damage . In this message, James challenges us to get our mouth under control. If we can get our tongue under control, the rest of our life will fall in line.

James - Tongue - Weapon of Mass Destruction - Audio - MP3
James - Tongue - Weapon of Mass Destruction - Quicktime and IPhone Audio - M4A
James - Tongue - Weapon of Mass Destruction - Manuscript - PDF
James - Tongue - Weapon of Mass Destruction - Sermon Handout - PDF
James - Tongue - Weapon of Mass Destruction - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

Tags: Tongue, Judgment

Can you put your hand in a fire that will not burn? Is it possible to separate fire from heat? According to James, the two are so closely connected they can not be divided. It is the same when it comes to our faith in Christ and the texture of our lives. There is an inseparable connection between the two. Join us as we discover what saving faith looks like in action.

James - The Real Deal - Audio - MP3
James - The Real Deal - Quicktime and IPhone Audio - M4A
James - The Real Deal - Manuscript - PDF
James - The Real Deal - Sermon Handout - PDF
James - The Real Deal - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

Tags: Faith, Abraham, Rahab

Did you make a commitment to Christ as a child in summer camp? Millions are led to believe their eternity in heaven is secure if they can point to a day when they believed. Is it true that those who are not saved are simply those who haven't believed in Jesus? James disagrees. While we are saved by faith alone, James reminds us, saving faith is never alone. It will always be accompanied by works. There are millions who think their eternity is secure and they are good with God because at one time they placed their faith in Jesus. Unfortunately, they will spend an eternity apart from him because their faith turned out to be fake. What does fake faith look like? What is the crucial difference between faith that saves and faith that doesn't? Join us as we learn the important difference.

James - Fake Faith - Audio - MP3
James - Fake Faith - Quicktime and IPhone Audio - M4A
James - Fake Faith - Manuscript - PDF
James - Fake Faith - Sermon Handout - PDF
James - Fake Faith - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

Tags: Faith, Works, heaven, Hell

Playing favorites is part of life. It is easier to talk to an old friend than to make a new one. If you are young, it is convenient to ignore those who are old. It is always more fun to hang out with someone who is rich than befriend those in financial quicksand. Last week, we learned that partiality is more than just bad manners, it is sin and foolishness. This week, James takes us a step deeper as we learn how favoritism can lead to devastating eternal consequences.

James - The Peril of Partiality - Audio - MP3
James - The Peril of Partiality - Quicktime and IPhone Audio - M4A
James - The Peril of Partiality - Manuscript - PDF
James - The Peril of Partiality - Sermon Handout - PDF
James - The Peril of Partiality - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

Tags: Favoritism, Judgment, Guilt, Hell, Ten Commandments

We all have our favorite sports team. Some of us are fans of Iowa, others are fans of Iowa State. Playing favorites on the field is one thing but playing favorites in the church is a different matter. In our culture, we celebrate, beauty, wealth and athletic skills. We fawn over the successful and ignore the rest. According to James, favoritism may be part of our culture but it is must not be part of the church. In God's eyes, it is nothing less that sin.

James - The Folly of Favoritism - Audio - MP3
James - The Folly of Favoritism - Quicktime and IPhone Audio - M4A
James - The Folly of Favoritism - Manuscript - PDF
James - The Folly of Favoritism - Sermon Handout - PDF
James - The Folly of Favoritism - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

Tags: Favoritism, Partiality, Poverty, Riches, Weath, Royal Law

What qualifies someone for heaven? If you have been around Faith Church for a while, the answer should be obvious. It is faith in Jesus Christ, our savior, who died in our place for our sins. In this passage, James throws a Christian curve ball. While we are saved by faith alone, faith is never alone. It always gives evidence of its presence in our lives. What is that evidence? Join us as we discover what real religion looks like.

James - Do Something! - Audio - MP3
James - Do Something! - Quicktime and IPhone Audio - M4A
James - Do Something! - Manuscript - PDF
James - Do Something! - Sermon Handout - PDF
James - Do Something! - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

Tags: Tongue, Language, Poverty, Compassion, Purity, Morality

When was the last time you looked in a mirror? For most of us, it wasn't more than a few hours ago. There is another kind of mirror that gives us an even truer picture. It is the mirror of God's Word. Instead of showing us what we look like on the outside, it reveals the truth about what is on our inside. In this message, learn to look good on the outside and inside of your life.

James - Do Something! - Audio - MP3
James - Do Something! - Quicktime and IPhone Audio - M4A
James - Do Something! - Manuscript - PDF
James - Do Something! - Sermon Handout - PDF
James - Do Something! - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

Tags: Obedience

What makes you angry? When was the last time you raised your voice? In the trials of life, it is hard to keep our temper under control.. How important is our attitude in a trial? In this message, James gives us honest answers about how we should handle life's difficult moments.

James - Anger in My Trial - Audio - MP3
James - Anger in My Trial - Quicktime and IPhone Audio - M4A
James - Anger in My Trial - Manuscript - PDF
James - Anger in My Trial - Sermon Handout - PDF
James - Anger in My Trial - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

Tags: Anger, Trials

We know to expect trials in our Christian life. But what are we to do when they seem to go on forever? Eventually, we start to doubt God's purposes for us. We doubt God's love for us. Sometimes we even doubt God's existence. In this last message of the James - Trials and Testing mini-series, we learn how to make it through the long and difficult trials Christians face. We learn why God allows us to face deep and dark challenges when he loves us so much.

James - God is Good - Audio - MP3
James - God is Good - Quicktime and IPhone Audio - M4A
James - God is Good - Manuscript - PDF
James - God is Good - Sermon Handout - PDF
James - God is Good - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

Tags: Trials, Hope, Endurance

My favorite part of football is the slow motion replay. When you slow things down, you can see the athleticism of the players and disputable calls become clear. James takes the temptations we face, he slows them down to show us how they work, frame by frame, so we can develop a ready defense against them. Do you find yourself giving in to temptation all the time? Are their particular temptations you have lost control over in your life? Join Dr. Trucksess as we learn how to discover a strategy to beat the temptation we face in life.

James - Sin in Slow Motion - Audio - MP3
James - Sin in Slow Motion - Quicktime and IPhone Audio - M4A
James - Sin in Slow Motion - Manuscript - PDF
James - Sin in Slow Motion - Sermon Handout - PDF
James - Sin in Slow Motion - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

Tags: Temptation, Sin, Accountability

Whose fault is it anyway? When things don't go the way we expect, we are quick to blame someone or something else for our problems. Unfortunately, when we blame others, we eliminate the possibility of a change. In this message, we learn how the Blame Game is played and how to get out of it. What will it take to end the Blame Game? What will it take to avoid falling to the temptations we face every day? Join Pastor Kurt as we discover answers to these questions.

James - The Blame Game - Audio - MP3
James - The Blame Game - Quicktime and IPhone Audio - M4A
James - The Blame Game - Manuscript - PDF
James - The Blame Game - Sermon Handout - PDF
James - The Blame Game - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

Tags: Blame Shifting, Temptation, Sin

In these tough economic times, money is harder to come by. Struggling to make the ends meet leads to discouragement. Lack of money is one of the most difficult trials we will face. How are we to get through it? James give us practical words of advice as we face discouragement in our time of financial need.

James - The Trial of Money - Audio - MP3
James - The Trial of Money - Quicktime and IPhone Audio - M4A
James - The Trial of Money - Manuscript - PDF
James - The Trial of Money - Sermon Handout - PDF
James - The Trial of Money - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

Tags: Money, Poverty, Weath, Rewards

Last week, we learned that God always has a purpose in our trials; to bring us to spiritual maturity. Like a good pastor, James knows we need more than just the purpose of our trials to make it through, we need practical help. God promises to give it! Learn how God helps us through our trials to turn them into brighter tomorrows.

James - Get Wisdom! - Audio - MP3
James - Get Wisdom! - Quicktime and IPhone Audio - M4A
James - Get Wisdom! - Manuscript - PDF
James - Get Wisdom!- Sermon Handout - PDF
James - Get Wisdom! - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

Tags: Trials, Doubt, Wisdom

Why is life so hard? I thought God loved us? It feels like life became tougher after I came to Jesus. These are questions that, like ghosts, haunt our minds when life is tough. While the trials of life are never easy, James gives us solid answers about why God allows them to come into our life and how we can grow in them. There is a ray of light even in our darkest moments.

James - There is Joy in My Trial - Audio - MP3
James - There is Joy in My Trial - Quicktime and IPhone Audio - M4A
James - There is Joy in My Trial - Manuscript - PDF
James - There is Joy in My Trial- Sermon Handout - PDF
James - There is Joy in My Trial - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

Tags: Trials, Suffering, Discipline, Consequences, Spiritual Maturity