The last chapter of James deals with two very different ends of the spectrum of life: success and earthly wealth, and suffering in earthly trials. How do we hold these two parts of life in balance while maintaining a healthy relationship with God?
(Preaching through James. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on September 27, 2026.)
In considering how the ancient wisdom of the Bible might apply to modern life, it is of utmost importance to remember the core facet of human nature that leads to rebellion against God: pride, arrogance, and selfishness. Pride manifests in all the same ways throughout human history, and thus James’ advice for overcoming pride is just as relevant now as it ever was.
(Preaching through James. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on September 20, 2026.)
Perhaps the largest technological gulf between our era and the era of the New Testament writers is the internet. What wisdom does James have to offer for the social media era, and how should modern Christians behave online?
(Preaching through James. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on September 13, 2026.)
The second chapter of James is all about consistency; in how we judge and treat people, in how we think about ourselves and God, and the alignment of our thoughts, beliefs, words, and actions. Why is consistency so hard to cultivate, and why is it so important?
(Preaching on James. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on September 6, 2026.)
The book of James has been called “the Proverbs of the New Testament” because James uses many of the same stylistic and thematic elements of it’s Old Testament counterpart. How does this ancient wisdom, written 2,000 years ago, have any bearing on the technological and cultural complexities of modern life?
(Preaching through James. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on August 30, 2026.)
James gives an interesting take on our attitude toward the future when he instructs the reader to say “if the Lord wills.” What does an “if the Lord wills” attitude look like, and why is it important?
(This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on July 28, 2024.)
What is the point of reading or studying the Bible at all? James uses a particularly striking analogy to both consider the importance of the question, and to answer it.
(This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on July 21, 2024.)
In times of turmoil and instability, we need to be reminded of God’s faithfulness, and what exactly it is about God that makes Him so faithful. James wrote to people in such instability, and made sure that they knew how God was faithful, and why.
(This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on July 7, 2024.)
