James 1 (like selections from Matthew 7) tells us that believers should ask God for wisdom, believers should hear and do the word of God, and that not all who claim faith have it. James, in particular, tells us that we can deceive ourselves concerning God's character and promises (especially under trial when we might accuse God of tempting us), by hearing and not doing the word, and with worthless religion rather than religion that is pure and undefiled before God (i.e. visiting orphans and widows). May these warnings encourage your growth in the grace of God.

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Labels: faith, James, Matthew, temptation, trial, warning

Ezekiel 35:1-36:15 afflicts the comfortable and comforts the afflicted to keep the people of God on the straight and narrow path of Jesus Christ. Here God speaks to the mountains (Mount Seir and the mountains of Israel), representing two different groups of people, a message that points to the final destination of those two groups of people. For one, represented by Esau or Edom, the final destination is a deserted desert. For the other group, represented by the mountains of Israel the destination is the fruitful and full of the faithful new heavens and earth. The passage has two major purposes. First, it serves as a warning for those who may seem like a brother for a time but ultimately prove through their actions, attitude, and words that they are not. And second, it comforts afflicted sinners. Christians should not be comfortable in their sins, their sins should make them upset and troubled (even afflicted), but then the comfort of the gospel message of forgiveness applies. This is good news.

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Labels: edom, envy, esau, ezekiel, new creation, warning

Ezekiel 35:1-36:15 afflicts the comfortable and comforts the afflicted to keep the people of God on the straight and narrow path of Jesus Christ. Here God speaks to the mountains (Mount Seir and the mountains of Israel), representing two different groups of people, a message that points to the final destination of those two groups of people. For one, represented by Esau or Edom, the final destination is a deserted desert. For the other group, represented by the mountains of Israel the destination is the fruitful and full of the faithful new heavens and earth. The passage has two major purposes. First, it serves as a warning for those who may seem like a brother for a time but ultimately prove through their actions, attitude, and words that they are not. And second, it comforts afflicted sinners. Christians should not be comfortable in their sins, their sins should make them upset and troubled (even afflicted), but then the comfort of the gospel message of forgiveness applies. This is good news.

Click here or the title to listen.

Labels: edom, envy, esau, ezekiel, new creation, warning

Matthew 26 tells us the events surrounding the betrayal of Jesus Christ by one of the twelve -- Judas Iscariot. This passage was written for the new church that Christ would create with His resurrection and for us. The examples of Judas and the other disciples are warnings for the church. Judas warns the people that many will fall away, betray one another, and hate one another. The other disciples, in particular Peter, James and John, show us our need to pray, "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." This is a prayer for the church ("us"). Another way Matthew shows us how to be a church is through the institution of the Lord's Supper. The church is the many whose sins are forgiven (the many who love one another). Thus no matter what hardship may come, even if it is betrayal, you should continue to gather together.

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Labels: church, forgiven, holy kiss, Lord's Supper, love, Matthew, warning

Matthew 26 tells us the events surrounding the betrayal of Jesus Christ by one of the twelve -- Judas Iscariot. This passage was written for the new church that Christ would create with His resurrection and for us. The examples of Judas and the other disciples are warnings for the church. Judas warns the people that many will fall away, betray one another, and hate one another. The other disciples, in particular Peter, James and John, show us our need to pray, "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." This is a prayer for the church ("us"). Another way Matthew shows us how to be a church is through the institution of the Lord's Supper. The church is the many whose sins are forgiven (the many who love one another). Thus no matter what hardship may come, even if it is betrayal, you should continue to gather together.

Click here or the sermon title to listen.

Labels: betrayal, church, forgiven, Lord's Supper, love, Matthew, Sunday worship, warning

Matthew 23 contains the seven woes Jesus pronounces upon the scribes and the Pharisees and his lament over Jerusalem. These warnings really were reminders to the leaders of the early church of what it means to be a servant of the kingdom of heaven. The sermon divides the text into sections and then attempts to explain the section, look at how it points us to Jesus, and then how we might apply it. Whether you are a scribe or other leader in the church or not, if you follow Jesus you need to remember to point people to Jesus.

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Labels: christ, lament, Matthew, Pharisees, shema, warning, woe

Matthew 23 contains the seven woes Jesus pronounces upon the scribes and the Pharisees and his lament over Jerusalem. These warnings really were reminders to the leaders of the early church of what it means to be a servant of the kingdom of heaven. The sermon divides the text into sections and then attempts to explain the section, look at how it points us to Jesus, and then how we might apply it. Whether you are a scribe or other leader in the church or not, if you follow Jesus you need to remember to point people to Jesus Christ.

Click here or title to listen.

Labels: christ, lament, Matthew, Pharisees, warning, woe