James, Media, Sermons | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

Today, we complete our study through the letter of James. This letter is one big call to self-evaluation and deeper trust in Jesus. His purpose is to get us to look at different areas of our life and consider what those areas reveal about the actual condition of our hearts and faith. As he closes, he offers a pastoral warning against a wandering faith and encouragement for us to pursue those who are wandering.

Prayer, James, Media, Sermons | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

We are quickly nearing the end of our study through the eminently practical letter of James, as we study 5:13-18. James urges us to consider the power of prayer. It is important to note that it is not James' purpose to get to us to simply do more. Instead his aim is to get us to move beyond lip service to a whole-hearted, full-throttled, genuine relationship with God.

James, Media, Sermons | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

In James 5:7-12 James offers some pastoral encouragement for those experiencing trial and trouble. He reminds us to be patient until the coming of the Lord, anticipating Jesus' return with hearts set in faith on the Lord who will end all suffering.

Money & Finances, James, Media, Sermons | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

We return to our study of James and begin the last chapter, James 5:1-6. James speaks on the topic of money and its potential for being a serious, soul-damaging snare to our soul. This is a deeply personal, yet deeply practical word for us. James' pastoral teaching helps us be honest with ourselves, for our own good, by looking at different areas of our life and revealing what those areas say about the condition of our hearts.

James, Media, Sermons | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

The letter of James is the oldest, most practical letter in the New Testament. James was an Apostle, pastor and half-brother of Jesus. His letter is filled with pastoral exhortations to “be doers of the word and not hearers only.” (1:22) But, his goal is not merely to put us in our place by telling us what to do. Rather, his aim is to help us be honest with ourselves, for our own good, by showing us that being fully human is not found in doing whatever we want, but in living out of a real, whole- hearted, vital relationship with God. Today, in a very practical and deeply relevant section (4:13-17), James helps us work out how we understand the world and ourselves within it.

James, Media, Sermons | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

Today, in James 4:1-12, we reach the thematic center of the letter. As we’ve seen, James’ major concern for us is that we are growing in a whole-hearted relationship with Jesus. It is easy to think that God is merely after our morality, attendance, niceness or ritual. But, He’s not. He wants us. He wants our hearts. In this section, James offers a spiritual diagnostic of our souls, examines our sinful condition, diagnoses the source, and offers God’s gracious cure.

James, Media, Sermons | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

This morning we’re picking up where we left off in the letter of James, 3:13-18. As we’ve seen, James’ major concern for us is that we are growing in a whole-hearted relationship with Jesus. It is easy to think that God is merely after our morality, attendance, niceness or ritual. But, He’s not. He wants us. He wants our hearts. So, James wrote this letter urging us to move beyond lip-service, box-checking and pretense to the real deal. His entire letter is filled with examples of what a true, living faith looks like in the every day. Today we reach the all-important, yet often neglected, topic of wisdom. We all need it, but where do we find it?

James, Media, Sermons | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

This morning we are jumping back into the letter of James after taking a six week break to walk through our Disciple: Living for Jesus series. We will be picking up where we left off in James 3:1-12. As we’ve seen, James is primarily concerned that we are growing in whole-hearted, full-throttled, sincere relationship with Jesus- not merely playing religious pat-a-cake or pretend Christianity. Today, he turns his attention to our tongues and the importance of our words.

James, Media, Sermons | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

In James 2:14-28, James asks us to evaluate our faith versus our works, the heart of which is evaluating true faith versus false faith. Faith that does not work is dead. A faith that does not serve to create real, genuine changes in our lives and form the people we are becoming is not a true faith. True faith is a living trust and personal embracing with the person and work of Jesus. It goes beyond mere ascent to the truth and creates tangible spiritual fruit evident in our daily lives. While this fruit is not itself what makes us right with God, it is the inevitable result of a heart that trusts and depends on our Savior.

James, Media, Sermons | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

We are now moving into the second chapter of the letter of James. Today, in James 2:1-13, we reach the topic of partiality, or favoritism. We will see how the sin of partiality can be active in our lives and will discuss how we should respond with gospel-mindedness to one and other amidst our differences.