Word and Work pt. 1 - The Law of Liberty
James 1:17-27
The book of James has always been controversial. It's been accused of legalistic, but it contains great wisdom and great truth.
In today's passage, we wrestle with the question of what makes us good. There are a lot of messages out there in the world about how we can be good, but all of them leave us wanting something else. God's word to us is that we can only be saved by receiving God's word, the gospel, and putting it into action.
*Apologies for sound quality on this one
Acts 26
As Paul stood before the court, he poured out his testimony. He had seen a wonder that had changed his life. Yet, he found his story dismissed.
The world is full of false wonders, hoaxes, and deceptions - but that does not mean that all wonders are false.
The gospel of Jesus is a world-changing wonder, and generations of believers testify to its reality and power. This wonder must be at the center of our mission.
How to Pray on Dark Days
Psalm 130
In this sermon from earlier this summer, Paul Hines shares great wisdom from the Psalm of Ascents about praying when things are difficult.
Sacred things should be shared.
In this sermon, Deacon Dave Morris opens up the scriptures about the sabbath, as Jesus' disciples are criticezed over a minor point of law. Jesus' argument gives a much deeper insight into our relationship with the Father.
Mark 2:23-28
We must be born again.
The Lord has brought us this far, and He is faithful.
As I leave for sabbatical, I am confident of the Lord's provision for all of us. The first eight years at St. Timothy have been wonderful, and I am convinced that the best days are still ahead.
~Fr. Micah
Each one has been given a manifestation of the Holy Spirit for the common good.
The Holy Spirit empowers all believers to build the church and the Kingdom.
Today we look at 1 Corinthians 12:7
By this we know -
The apostle John wrote his first letter to a church in doubt. There had been division and question, and so he writes a short letter that is full of reassurance. Concluding, he writes that three testify - the water, the blood, and the Spirit. These three still reassure us of our faith in a world of doubt and question.
What about church planting? In Acts 11, we learn about a group of ordinary believers that began one of the most influential churches in the ancient world - through faithful witness and the favor of God.
Structure and Stretch
Early believers in Jerusalem needed to make a choice. Stay or Go. The situation was dangerous.
The way they responded in Acts 8 shows us so much about mission. Some stayed and some went, but the creative tension between them allowed for a remarkable new mission to the Samaritans.
The way we face matters. 1 John 3.
The early church was frustrated because it's experience of sin did not match its expectation of righteousness. It's still a problem today!
John wrote to assure them (and us) of God's love and progress in us, even if what we are is not what we will be someday.