PASTOR'S CORNER

James 4:6-10 Winston Churchill was once asked, “  Doesn't  it thrill you to know that every time you make a speech, the hall is packed to overflowing?” “It’s quite flattering,” replied Sir Winston. “But whenever I feel that way, I always remember that if instead of making a political speech I was being hanged, the crowd would be twice as big.”  Humility is something that each and every one of must strive towards each and every day as children of the Living God. Why? By nature we are a proud, self-righteous, ignorant to the truth of scripture, haters, boasters and depraved to the core sinner who is deserving of the ultimate wrath of God. Jesus said “….., "What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person." Mark 7:20-2

James 4:1-6 BE CAREFUL WHO YOU MAKE FRIENDS WITH? That’s a tough one to answer isn’t it? We live in a society that tries so hard…… wanting to fit in! But the sad reality to that idea is like trying to put a square in a round hole. It won’t fit no matter how hard you try to make it fit. The only way a person can make it fit is shaving off the corners…….which is no different than compromising for the sake of others and this world. That could mean possibly compromising certain passages of scripture, or not speaking about the truth of the gospel to people for the sake of losing a friendship or employment. Let’s get a little closer to home….our so-called evangelical churches! Has the church allowed the world into our fellowship? YES.  Has the church changed in order to adapt to this fallen world? YES.  There are churches around the globe that have done it, or doing it right now!   A church in the States rein acted the kissing scene from Spiderman, to illustrate our Hero’s in

. James 3:13-18 We have been looking at a powerful little letter that speaks directly to heart of a professing believer. There is no beating around the bush…he gets right to the point and the concerns that face the Christian faith. We have seen…… Count it all joy when you face trials…..no excuses. Loving God even your trial and circumstance The importance of the sufficiency of Scripture in the Christian's life The vital importance of being doers of the word…practical Christian living. Not to show favoritism towards others, for we are all equal in our sins Faith without  active works is dead……“you will see my faith by my works" How the tongue could be used for both good and evil. We come to a portion of this letter that speaks about wisdom [worldly] that leads to……Destruction….deception and death…..which ultimately resides in Hell with Satan and his fallen angels. Where do you go…or where do you turn to in order to find wisdom understanding? The Spiritu

James 3:1-12 I came across a story of an ancient storyteller, who told this fable  “Once upon a time, a donkey found a lion’s skin. He tried it on, walked around, and frightened many animals. Soon a fox came along, and the donkey tried to scare him, too. But the fox, hearing the donkey’s voice, said, “If you want to terrify me, you’ll have to disguise your bray [loud cry of a donkey].”  The ancient writer’s moral of the story was ……“Clothes may disguise a fool, but his words will give him away.”  Think about that statement as we open James letter to the church as he addresses the seriousness of the tongue. What is the tongue capable of?  It can be used for both good and evil. For example: It can be used to tear down, It can be used to build up, It can be used to display anger, It can be used to show love “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Prov 15:1. It can be used to deceive, It can be used to bless, It can be used to hurt, It can be used to