James 2 (also read Matthew 5:7 and 5:17-20) is fairly difficult to apply in a Presbyterian church. After all, most Presbyterians assume that the seats in the back pew are the seats of honor. In any case, this message encourages sharing the gospel with the poor in word and deed as signs of genuine faith. The two major themes are partiality and works.

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Labels: faith, good works, honor, James, Matthew, partiality

Luke 11:1-13 shows us what to pray for, when to pray, and how to pray. Jesus teaches his disciples how to pray by giving them an example approaching God as Father (meaning the approach is within an intimate relationship, with honor and respect), an attitude of forgiveness toward others, and with balance (not all requests for necessities and health). He shows them that it is not disrespectful to pray at midnight (or any other time) but instead that we can pray at any time. And ultimately prayer should be asking for the Holy Spirit -- this is the primary content of prayer.

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Labels: forgiven, honor, luke, prayer, spirit

Luke 11:1-13 shows us what to pray for, when to pray, and how to pray. Jesus teaches his disciples how to pray by giving them an example approaching God as Father (meaning the approach is within an intimate relationship, with honor and respect), an attitude of forgiveness toward others, and with balance (not all requests for necessities and health). He shows them that it is not disrespectful to pray at midnight (or any other time) but instead that we can pray at any time. And ultimately prayer should be asking for the Holy Spirit -- this is the primary content of prayer.

Click here or the title to listen.

Labels: forgiven, honor, luke, prayer, spirit

1 Corinthians 4 shows by the personal examples of the church's leadership during apostolic era that we will be united with the apostles if we are not concerned about status, honor and praise. Paul and Apollos are examples so that the people might not go beyond, "It is written" (that is, the written word of God) and might not exalt one person among them at the expense of another. And the only "well done" that is ultimately important is the Lord's. The spectacle of the apostles shows that the church should be upside down from the world. Where the world would see being last of all in the procession of a Roman legion as weakness and folly, it is the wisdom of God that the first will be last. And the apostles are last, prisoners and slaves, being led to the arena for slaughter rather than starting their reign as kings with Christ. And the third example that we should not be concerned about status, honor, and praise is shown by imitating Paul like a son imitates his father. This message gets at the heart of what the gospel does.

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Labels: 1 corinthians, honor, praise, servant, status, unity

1 Corinthians 4 shows by the personal examples of the church's leadership during apostolic era that we will be united with the apostles if we are not concerned about status, honor and praise. Paul and Apollos are examples so that the people might not go beyond, "It is written" (that is, the written word of God) and might not exalt one person among them at the expense of another. And the only "well done" that is ultimately important is the Lord's. The spectacle of the apostles shows that the church should be upside down from the world. Where the world would see being last of all in the procession of a Roman legion as weakness and folly, it is the wisdom of God that the first will be last. And the apostles are last, prisoners and slaves, being led to the arena for slaughter rather than starting their reign as kings with Christ. And the third example that we should not be concerned about status, honor, and praise is shown by imitating Paul like a son imitates his father. This message gets at the heart of what the gospel does.

Click here or the title to listen.

Labels: 1 corinthians, honor, praise, servant, status, unity