Immediately after discussing faith, James shifts to our words and how they shape our lives. In some of his bluntest and most direct writing, he treats the believer’s speech far more seriously than many Christians do today.

James uses Abraham, the father of faith, to demonstrate that faith must be accompanied by action to be complete. Belief is good and necessary, but by itself it is incomplete. Belief must be expressed through action in order to mature into genuine faith. Remember, even demons believe—but they do not have faith.

This Sunday Andrew Runnels shared a word, encouraging us all to look at Jesus. And after we’re done with that, look again and again.

This Graduation/Mother’s Day message highlights the legacy that sincere faith leaves in the lives of our children and grandchildren. It’s within this context that Paul declares, “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.” The message also includes a few spontaneous testimonies of God’s redemption and answers to a mother’s prayers.

James begins to address the definition of faith in this section of his letter. From our perspective here in 2025, we have a well-rounded understanding of faith drawn from all the New Testament writers, most notably Paul. Yet James was laying some of the very first groundwork for defining faith to an infant church—well before Paul came on the scene. So, hear James’ teaching on faith as some of the earliest instructions given to the New Testament Church.

This Easter message focuses on the type and shadow found in Numbers 21, where the people of Israel are bitten by venomous snakes—a representation of judgment and curse. In response, God provides a way of deliverance: by looking upon a bronze serpent lifted on a pole, they would live. This Old Testament account points us to the cross of Calvary and to our Savior, who took our judgment upon Himself.

The phrase “in view of God’s mercy” from Romans 12 invites us to gaze upon the cross and become living sacrifices. This message takes us back through the first eleven chapters of Romans, where Paul proclaims the heart of the gospel. As Passion Week begins, may we keep our hearts fixed—in view of God’s mercy.

James begins the second chapter with a discussion on favoritism, specifically toward those with wealth. The abject poverty of the early church created a strong temptation to cater to the rich—even when they were treating believers poorly. Financial strain can lead us to make unwise judgments, even within the church. James' wisdom is clear: show no favoritism.

One of our faithfull and older members, Keith Nutt, preached to us a message about the word of God. Encouraging us with the word to “settle” ourselves in it, “until” it does its perfect work in our hearts. Listen to the stories and exhortation of this man’s history with the word of God.

In the final verses of chapter one, James emphatically exhorts the church to do the word. Twice, he warns that hearing the word without living it out leads to self-deception. This highlights a prevalent issue among believers: some assume they are spiritual simply by being around church, scripture, or other spiritual activities, yet they remain unchanged because they do not practice what they hear.