James 5:13-18 The Prayer of Faith

^13 Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. ^14 Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. ^15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. ^16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

^17 Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. ^18 Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.

It is obvious that faith and miracles or intimately connected. What is "prayer offered in faith." How is it different from other prayers? What is this faith that makes prayer effective? How do we "get" that kind of faith?

The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Jas 5:13

Mark 2:1-12 Breaking Barriers

Jesus Heals a Paralytic

2 A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. ^2 So many gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. ^3 Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them. ^4 Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on. ^5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

^6 Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, ^7 “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

^8 Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? ^9 Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? ^10 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins....” He said to the paralytic, ^11 “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” ^12 He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”

The above passage is clearly about a person with disabilities and how others around him did all within their power to remove any barriers he faced. There are many around us who experience barriers, not only physical, but emotional and spiritual. What are some of those barriers and what are we doing to make access to God easier for them?

The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Mk 2:1

James 2:8-13 Law, Judgement and Mercy

In this passage, James calls us to live righteous lives, lives that look righteous and lives that are filled with the righteousness of mercy. He writes

James 2

^10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. ^11 For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” ^b also said, “Do not murder.” ^c If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.

^12 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, ^13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!

^b Exodus 20:14; Deut. 5:18

^c Exodus 20:13; Deut. 5:17

What do you think righteouness lived today looks like?

James 2:1-9 A Slanderous Favouritism

As we have found in the past, there is some focused attention that is appropriate, like the attention that parents focus on their children or that God focuses on his children. But there is another kind of attention that is lethal. James describes it...

James 2

2 My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism. ^2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. ^3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” ^4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

^5 Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? ^6 But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? ^7 Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong?

^8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” ^a you are doing right. ^9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.

^a Lev. 19:18

Do you feel that there is that kind of discrimination in our culture, our homes, our church community?

James 1: 27 True Religion

James pictures Mother Theresa in these words...

^27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

How does true religion come to expression in our lives given these standards?

James 1:19-21, 26 The Problem of Untied Tongues

When it comes to community, we sometimes fail to use some of the best tools God has given us for building community! James talks about listening, speaking and anger. With James we will explore this truths as we look at the following passages...

James 1
^19 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, ^20 for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. ^21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

^26 If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.

Another part of James' letter that refers to this issue though it will not be the focus of the message:
James 3

3 Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. ^2 We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.

^3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. ^4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. ^5 Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. ^6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

^7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, ^8 but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

^9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. ^10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. ^11 Can both fresh water and salt ^a water flow from the same spring? ^12 My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

^a Greek bitter (see also verse 14)

The truth is, our tongues need to be reined in, or we need to be somewhat "tongue tied." What are some guidelines you have learned to controlling your tongue?

John 1, Luke 2 The Miracle of the Incarnation

I think this stands as the greatest miracle in all of creation. In a sense, even the resurrection from the dead pales in comparison for the resurrection is only undoing what we have done. The incarnation however is combining the creator and the creature, the divine and what he made. This is a miracle above miracles. On this Christmas morning we will put this miracle into that perspective.

2 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. ^2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) ^3 And everyone went to his own town to register.

^4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. ^5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. ^6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ^7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

The Shepherds and the Angels

^8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ^9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ^10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. ^11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ ^a the Lord. ^12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

^13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

^14 “Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”

^15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

^16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ^17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ^18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ^19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ^20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ^2 He was with God in the beginning.

^3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. ^4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. ^5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood ^a it.

^6 There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. ^7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. ^8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. ^9 The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. ^b

^10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. ^11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. ^12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— ^13 children born not of natural descent, ^c nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

^14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, ^d who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

^15 John testifies concerning him. He cries out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’” ^16 From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. ^17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. ^18 No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, ^{e f} who is at the Father’s side, has made him known.

^a Or darkness, and the darkness has not overcome

^b Or This was the true light that gives light to every man who comes into the world

^c Greek of bloods

^d Or the Only Begotten

^e Or the Only Begotten

^f Some manuscripts but the only (or only begotten) Son

The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (electronic ed.) (Jn 1:1). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

^a Or Messiah. ``The Christ” (Greek) and ``the Messiah” (Hebrew) both mean ``the Anointed One”; also in verse 26.

The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (electronic ed.) (Lk 2:1). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

Luke 126-38 A Miraculous Conception

A virgin was promised a child.
In contrast to Isaiah's prophecy, this one is filled with life and hope and the atmosphere of judgment is pushed away by the brilliance of this promise.
In our series of miracles, we have discovered that does these things so that people will pay attention to what he is doing. This is true for advent also.

The Birth of Jesus Foretold

^26 In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, ^27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. ^28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

^29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. ^30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. ^31 You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. ^32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, ^33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.”

^34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

^35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called ^a the Son of God. ^36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. ^37 For nothing is impossible with God.”

^38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.

^a Or So the child to be born will be called holy,

The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (electronic ed.) (Lk 1:26). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

Luke 1:1 - 25, 57-66 A Miracle in History - Pay Attention!

The promise of and the birth of John the Baptist was a shocker to those who knew of it. Israel, who had just gone through some 430 years of the absence of God should have taken not. This first Sermon in Advent will look at how God grabs our attention if he can get it no other way. The scripture passages follow:

Introduction

1 Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled ^a among us, ^2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. ^3 Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, ^4 so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.

The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold

^5 In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. ^6 Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commandments and regulations blamelessly. ^7 But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren; and they were both well along in years.

^8 Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, ^9 he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. ^10 And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.

^11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. ^12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. ^13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John. ^14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, ^15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth. ^{a 16} Many of the people of Israel will he bring back to the Lord their God. ^17 And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

^18 Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”

^19 The angel answered, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. ^20 And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their proper time.”

^21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. ^22 When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak.

^23 When his time of service was completed, he returned home. ^24 After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. ^25 “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”

The Birth of John the Baptist

^57 When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. ^58 Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy.

^59 On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah, ^60 but his mother spoke up and said, “No! He is to be called John.”

^61 They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who has that name.”

^62 Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child. ^63 He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, “His name is John.” ^64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue was loosed, and he began to speak, praising God. ^65 The neighbors were all filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea people were talking about all these things. ^66 Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, “What then is this child going to be?” For the Lord’s hand was with him.

The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (electronic ed.) (Lk 1:57). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

^a Or been surely believed

^a Or from his mother~s womb

The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (electronic ed.) (Lk 1:1). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

How did God get your attention?

Isaiah 7 The impossible will happen - see the sign?

Isaiah's prophecy concerning a virgin giving birth happens in a passage filled with judgment to unbelieving King Ahaz. How are we to understanding this prophecy regarding the impossible?

7 When Ahaz son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, was king of Judah, King Rezin of Aram and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel marched up to fight against Jerusalem, but they could not overpower it.

^2 Now the house of David was told, “Aram has allied itself with ^a Ephraim”; so the hearts of Ahaz and his people were shaken, as the trees of the forest are shaken by the wind.

^3 Then the LORD said to Isaiah, “Go out, you and your son Shear-Jashub, ^b to meet Ahaz at the end of the aqueduct of the Upper Pool, on the road to the Washerman’s Field. ^4 Say to him, ‘Be careful, keep calm and don’t be afraid. Do not lose heart because of these two smoldering stubs of firewood—because of the fierce anger of Rezin and Aram and of the son of Remaliah. ^5 Aram, Ephraim and Remaliah’s son have plotted your ruin, saying, ^6 “Let us invade Judah; let us tear it apart and divide it among ourselves, and make the son of Tabeel king over it.” ^7 Yet this is what the Sovereign LORD says:

”‘It will not take place,

it will not happen,

^8 for the head of Aram is Damascus,

and the head of Damascus is only Rezin.

Within sixty-five years

Ephraim will be too shattered to be a people.

^9 The head of Ephraim is Samaria,

and the head of Samaria is only Remaliah’s son.

If you do not stand firm in your faith,

you will not stand at all.’”

^10 Again the LORD spoke to Ahaz, ^11 “Ask the LORD your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights.”

^12 But Ahaz said, “I will not ask; I will not put the LORD to the test.”

^13 Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of men? Will you try the patience of my God also? ^14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you ^c a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and ^d will call him Immanuel. ^{e 15} He will eat curds and honey when he knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right. ^16 But before the boy knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, the land of the two kings you dread will be laid waste. ^17 The LORD will bring on you and on your people and on the house of your father a time unlike any since Ephraim broke away from Judah—he will bring the king of Assyria.”

^18 In that day the LORD will whistle for flies from the distant streams of Egypt and for bees from the land of Assyria. ^19 They will all come and settle in the steep ravines and in the crevices in the rocks, on all the thornbushes and at all the water holes. ^20 In that day the Lord will use a razor hired from beyond the River ^f—the king of Assyria—to shave your head and the hair of your legs, and to take off your beards also. ^21 In that day, a man will keep alive a young cow and two goats. ^22 And because of the abundance of the milk they give, he will have curds to eat. All who remain in the land will eat curds and honey. ^23 In that day, in every place where there were a thousand vines worth a thousand silver shekels, ^g there will be only briers and thorns. ^24 Men will go there with bow and arrow, for the land will be covered with briers and thorns. ^25 As for all the hills once cultivated by the hoe, you will no longer go there for fear of the briers and thorns; they will become places where cattle are turned loose and where sheep run.

^a Or has set up camp in

^b Shear-Jashub means a remnant will return.

^c The Hebrew is plural.

^d Masoretic Text; Dead Sea Scrolls and he or and they

^e Immanuel means God with us.

^f That is, the Euphrates

^g That is, about 25 pounds (about 11.5 kilograms)

The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (electronic ed.) (Is 7:1). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

Psalm 119:18 The Reformation: A Return to the Word

Today is Reformation Sunday. We remember how God used people like Martin Luther to renew our confidence in God's character and God's grace over against our character and works. As Luther returned to the Word of God, he went through an intense struggle to rediscover this Grace that God offers.. This sermon will focus on that struggle. Our scripture passage is
Psalm 119:18
“Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.”

What has a return to the Word done to you in your life?

Have you struggled with being "righteous enough for God?" How, why, when....

Luke 11:14-36 Faith and Miracles

It has been said
It takes faith to see a miracle.
It has also been said
There is nothing like a miracle to create faith.

The truth is, we are surrounded by miracles. By faith we see them. By faith, we acknowledge that creation was made out of nothing says Hebrews. What a miracle! The scripture passage we will look at is from Luke 11:14-36...

Jesus and Beelzebub

^14 Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute. When the demon left, the man who had been mute spoke, and the crowd was amazed. ^15 But some of them said, “By Beelzebub, ^a the prince of demons, he is driving out demons.” ^16 Others tested him by asking for a sign from heaven.

^17 Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them: “Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall. ^18 If Satan is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand? I say this because you claim that I drive out demons by Beelzebub. ^19 Now if I drive out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your followers drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. ^20 But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come to you.

^21 “When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are safe. ^22 But when someone stronger attacks and overpowers him, he takes away the armor in which the man trusted and divides up the spoils.

^23 “He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me, scatters.

^24 “When an evil ^b spirit comes out of a man, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ ^25 When it arrives, it finds the house swept clean and put in order. ^26 Then it goes and takes seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first.”

^27 As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out, “Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you.”

^28 He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”

The Sign of Jonah

^29 As the crowds increased, Jesus said, “This is a wicked generation. It asks for a miraculous sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah. ^30 For as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so also will the Son of Man be to this generation. ^31 The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, and now one ^a greater than Solomon is here. ^32 The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now one greater than Jonah is here.

The Lamp of the Body

^33 “No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead he puts it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light. ^34 Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are good, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are bad, your body also is full of darkness. ^35 See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness. ^36 Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, it will be completely lighted, as when the light of a lamp shines on you.”

^a Greek Beezeboul or Beelzeboul; also in verses 18 and 19

^b Greek unclean

^a Or something; also in verse 32

The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (electronic ed.) (Lk 11:14). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

Yet, sometimes God breaks through our unbelief with a miracle.
What miracles can you point out in your life every day?
What miracles has God surprised your faith with?

1 Corinthians 2:1-5 Miracles and Persuasion

Paul acknowledged that his sermons were weak. I wonder how we would react to hearing Romans preached to us in a two hour monologue. He had people falling out of windows because his sermons put them to sleep. But for all its weakness, the power (dynamite) of God's Spirit accompanied Paul's weak preaching to produce demonstrations of God's saving power. In 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 we read

When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. ^{c 2} For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. ^3 I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. ^4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, ^5 so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.

^c Some manuscripts as I proclaimed to you God's mystery

The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (electronic ed.) (1 Co 2:1). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

In what ways have you experienced God's power that persuaded you to place your faith in him? Your feed forward is appreciated.

Matthew 15:21-28 Yet, Faith Expects Miracles

The Faith of the Canaanite Woman
<sup>We have already looked at this passage once with a special focus on what Jesus called "the children's bread." God doing what he always does and sometimes doing something a little differently in answer to his children's prayers - that's what miracles are, that is the children's bread. This time we are going to focus on the same passage from the perspective of asking the question - what is this faith that enables us to see miracles happen? We will focus on some of the characteristics of faith demonstrated in the behaviors of this Canaanite women.

21</sup> Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. ^22 A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession.”

^23 Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.”

^24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”

^25 The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said.

^26 He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs.”

^27 “Yes, Lord,” she said, “but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.”

^28 Then Jesus answered, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.

The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (electronic ed.) (Mt 15:21). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

Even though God works miracles all around us, Faith anticipates God's focused attention for the sake of his children. Miracles are, after all, "the children's bread." That attention was obviously first focused on Israel, but in Christ, it came to be focused also on the Gentiles. This woman's faith insisted.

Does your faith expect miracles today?

Kickoff Service - Mark 4:35-41 Arrested by a Miracle

Jesus Calms the Storm

^35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” ^36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. ^37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. ^38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”

^39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

^40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

^41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (electronic ed.) (Mk 4:35). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

There are different ways of interpreting this dramatic short story - most of them hinge on what the disciples lack of faith was in. The simple scriptural truth is that the wind and the waves always obey God. And Jesus asleep on a cushion describes his deep confidence in God's miraculous control of the wind and waves. The disciples do not share that confidence (like we often do not share that confidence).

The call of this passage is to see God in control, all around us, all the time, evidence to the contrary taken into consideration. To be full of faith is to be resting on the cushion in a storm tossed sea. This sermon will focus on that confidence, knowing the miracle of God's sovereign control is all around us all the time, a theme fitting for the beginning of another church year.

Some questions for reflection....
What parallels do you see in this passage to the story of Jonah?
Why does Mark use "exorcism" language in this passage?
If you were in the boat - who would you be
- a person who gets frustrated with God over his lack of attention
- or like Jesus, snoozing out the storm

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James 1:19 - 27 An Evening Service Scripture Study - Holiness is Visible!

^19 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, ^20 for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. ^21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

^22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. ^23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror ^24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. ^25 But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.

^26 If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. ^27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

James 1:16 - 19 An Evening Service Scripture Study - First-Fruits-R-Us

^16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers. ^17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. ^18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

James 1:12-15 And Evening Service Scripture Study - Understanding Temptation

^12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

^13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; ^14 but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. ^15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

James tells us that "evil desire" is the key to falling for temptation. What do you think this "evil desire" really is?

James 1:1-12 An Evening Service Scripture Study - Asking for Wisdom

1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,

To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations:

Greetings.

Trials and Temptations

^2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ^3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. ^4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. ^5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. ^6 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. ^7 That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; ^8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.

^9 The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. ^10 But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. ^11 For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business.

^12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

Isaiah 60: The Glory of God - the Joy of a Believer

One of the common confusions about the Glory of God is that his Glory is something to be feared. After all, there are illustrations in the Old Testament where Glory and judgment are connected. But the theme that comes to us from Isaiah and many other passages is that our greatest joy is the Glory of the Lord in at least two senses.
Paul writes
^11 In him we were also chosen, ^c having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, ^12 in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.

^c Or were made heirs

The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (electronic ed.) (Eph 1:11). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

Our Joy is because of his Glory - the two are intimately connected.
Our Joy is a demonstration, it is the expression of the Glory of God.
The passage that I will work with is Isaiah 60 which follows:

The Glory of Zion

60 “Arise, shine, for your light has come,

and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.

^2 See, darkness covers the earth

and thick darkness is over the peoples,

but the LORD rises upon you

and his glory appears over you.

^3 Nations will come to your light,

and kings to the brightness of your dawn.

^4 “Lift up your eyes and look about you:

All assemble and come to you;

your sons come from afar,

and your daughters are carried on the arm.

^5 Then you will look and be radiant,

your heart will throb and swell with joy;

the wealth on the seas will be brought to you,

to you the riches of the nations will come.

^6 Herds of camels will cover your land,

young camels of Midian and Ephah.

And all from Sheba will come,

bearing gold and incense

and proclaiming the praise of the LORD.

^7 All Kedar’s flocks will be gathered to you,

the rams of Nebaioth will serve you;

they will be accepted as offerings on my altar,

and I will adorn my glorious temple.

The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (electronic ed.) (Is 60:1). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

Have you seen the "glory" of God on people? What does it look like? On a community? What does that look like? Your comments are deeply appreciated.