Pursue Wisdom

The sermon given at Bethlehem Church in Austin, MN on March 3, 2024. This is the eighth sermon in the series Come Follow Me as we talk about what it means to be a disciple of Jesus by studying the book of Mark.

The sermon given at Bethlehem Church in Austin, MN on February 25, 2024. This was the seventh sermon in the series Come Follow Me as we look at what it means to be a disciple of Jesus by studying the book of Mark.

The sermon given at Bethlehem Church in Austin, MN on January 28, 2024. This is the third sermon in the series Come Follow Me as we look at the book of Mark through the lens of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus.

The sermon given at Bethlehem Church in Austin, MN on February 18, 2024. This is the sixth sermon in the series Come Follow Me as we talk about what it means to follow Jesus by looking at the book of Mark.

This is the fifth sermon in the series Come Follow Me as we talk about what it means to follow Jesus by studying the book of Mark.

This is the fourth sermon in the series Come Follow Me: Barriers to Believing the Message as we talk about what it means to follow Jesus by studying the book of Mark.

This is the second sermon in the series Come Follow Me as we talk about what it means to follow Jesus by studying the book of Mark.

The first sermon in the series Come Follow Me as we talk about what it means to follow Jesus by studying the book of Mark.

The core mission of the Church is to make disciples. Making disciples begins with the work of evangelism.

Evangelism is simply telling people the Good News of Jesus Christ. This Good News is more than just the message of salvation, it is the declaration that God’s Kingdom is coming into this world through the work of King Jesus. This is the message the world needs.

Text: Matthew 9:35-38
Big Idea: The message our generation needs to hear is that Jesus is the King of the universe.

To conclude the Think Deeply and Love Widely sermon series, Pastor Paul Steele sat down and talked with Professor Darrell Stribling from Moody about what it means to have a Christian Worldview. Everyone has a worldview, the framework of beliefs, philosophies, and traditions that shape the way we see the world, and as Christians we want to be intentional about shaping that worldview to align with what the Bible teaches us about God, ourselves, and the world around us.

The final sermon in the Think Deeply and Love Widely sermon. In this series we have focused on having a Christian Worldview.

The second sermon in the Think Deeply and Love Widely Series.

The first sermon in the Think Deeply and Love Widely series.

Everyone has questions. Some questions we can find the answer with a quick search on Google. Other questions are more intimidating. Questions that surround our faith can be scary because we worry about what the answer might be and whether or not those answer will affect our faith. What ends up happening is that we ignore the question, but that question still lingers in the back of our mind.

In Asking for a Friend we want to look at a few of these questions and see if there is a way to provide an answer to them that will not only strengthen our faith, but also help us see the world through a more Christian perspective.

We often equate faith with certainty and therefore doubt with a lack of faith. The problem is that many of us have questions and a lack of understanding about what the Bible says or how God is at work in our lives. No matter how hard we try we can’t come to a place of certainty. Does that we lack faith?

Text: James 1:5-8
Big Idea: What matters to God are not our questions, but our commitment.
Challenge: Write down any questions and uncertainties you have and give them to Pastor Paul so he can find answers to them.

Everyone has questions. Some questions we can find the answer with a quick search on Google. Other questions are more intimidating. Questions that surround our faith can be scary because we worry about what the answer might be and whether or not those answer will affect our faith. What ends up happening is that we ignore the question, but that question still lingers in the back of our mind.

In Asking for a Friend we want to look at a few of these questions and see if there is a way to provide an answer to them that will not only strengthen our faith, but also help us see the world through a more Christian perspective.

Jesus taught his followers not to worry and the Apostle Paul told the Philippians to rejoice. We can take a look at these teachings and come to the conclusion that it is sinful to be anxious or experience depression. The reality is that anxiety and depression are part of the human condition. The important thing is to learn to find our hope in Jesus.

Text: Psalm 61:1-4
Big Idea: When we experience depression or anxiety we need to anchor our hope in the love and promises of God.
Challenge: Check in on a friend you know struggles with depression

Everyone has questions. Some questions we can find the answer with a quick search on Google. Other questions are more intimidating. Questions that surround our faith can be scary because we worry about what the answer might be and whether or not those answer will affect our faith. What ends up happening is that we ignore the question, but that question still lingers in the back of our mind.

In Asking for a Friend we want to look at a few of these questions and see if there is a way to provide an answer to them that will not only strengthen our faith, but also help us see the world through a more Christian perspective.

When it comes to having a relationship with God we are usually given two paths to follow: being spiritual or being religious. The Bible tells us that there is an essential component to having a relationship with God and if you are missing that component, then it doesn’t matter if you are spiritual or religious, you will miss out on a relationship with God.

Text: Galatians 5:2-6
Big Idea: Having a relationship with God isn’t about being religious or being spiritual, it is about having faith in Jesus.
Challenge: Spend the week practicing a spiritual discipline that you don’t normally do: meditate, journal, study, serve.

Everyone has questions. Some questions we can find the answer with a quick search on Google. Other questions are more intimidating. Questions that surround our faith can be scary because we worry about what the answer might be and whether or not those answer will affect our faith. What ends up happening is that we ignore the question, but that question still lingers in the back of our mind.

In Asking for a Friend we want to look at a few of these questions and see if there is a way to provide an answer to them that will not only strengthen our faith, but also help us see the world through a more Christian perspective.

Marriage is a universal practice. We see evidence for marriage all throughout history and spread among different cultures. Yet, we find ourselves living in a time in history when the culture has different definitions of what marriage is. For people who follow Jesus we need to turn to the Bible to have the proper understanding for what God intended marriage to be.

Text: Matthew 19:3-12
Big Idea: Marriage is a life long love commitment between a man and a woman to represent God in this world together.
Challenge: This week pray. Pray for the church in the United States to return to a proper understanding of marriage.

Everyone has questions. Some questions we can find the answer with a quick search on Google. Other questions are more intimidating. Questions that surround our faith can be scary because we worry about what the answer might be and whether or not those answer will affect our faith. What ends up happening is that we ignore the question, but that question still lingers in the back of our mind.

In Asking for a Friend we want to look at a few of these questions and see if there is a way to provide an answer to them that will not only strengthen our faith, but also help us see the world through a more Christian perspective.

When we follow Jesus we will find ourselves out of step from the culture that we live in. When we have these situations it is crucial that we remember what is the most important thing: to represent Jesus well in what we say and do.

Text: Genesis 1:27
Big Idea: Christians enter into the trans* conversation with love and truth.
Challenge: This week pray. Pray for the Trans* people you know. Pray for Trans* influencers. Pray for policy makers.

Everyone has questions. Some questions we can find the answer with a quick search on Google. Other questions are more intimidating. Questions that surround our faith can be scary because we worry about what the answer might be and whether or not those answer will affect our faith. What ends up happening is that we ignore the question, but that question still lingers in the back of our mind.

In Asking for a Friend we want to look at a few of these questions and see if there is a way to provide an answer to them that will not only strengthen our faith, but also help us see the world through a more Christian perspective.

A.W. Tozer wrote: "What comes to our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” Our vision of God shapes our worldviews, what we believe about people, what we believe about ourselves, what we believe about the past, and what we believe about the future. It is crucial that have a proper understanding of God, and the foundation of that understanding is that our God is Trinity.

Text: 1 Peter 1:1-2
Big Idea: The God we worship shapes who we become.
Challenge: In prayer this week as God how doctrine of the Trinity should influence your life

Everyone has questions. Some questions we can find the answer with a quick search on Google. Other questions are more intimidating. Questions that surround our faith can be scary because we worry about what the answer might be and whether or not those answer will affect our faith. What ends up happening is that we ignore the question, but that question still lingers in the back of our mind.

In Asking for a Friend we want to look at a few of these questions and see if there is a way to provide an answer to them that will not only strengthen our faith, but also help us see the world through a more Christian perspective.

The truth of Christianity hinges the question: Did Jesus really rise from the dead? In other words, if Jesus remained in the tomb, then Christianity is not true. If Jesus did rise from the dead, then following him is the most important thing in our lives. There is good evidence for believing that the resurrection of Jesus did happen.

Text: 1 Corinthians 15:16-28
Big Idea: The reality of the resurrection empowers us to live lives of hope and purpose.
Challenge: Write out the reasons you believe the resurrection of Jesus happened and be prepared to share them.

God has created us to join Him in the work He is doing in this world. We can only do that if we make the most of the opportunities that are given to us. In this episode you will hear members of Bethlehem’s Worship Team read the events surrounding the resurrection of Jesus from Luke. Then Pastor Jenny Steele shares some thoughts about being willing to accept God’s call on your life.

Everyone has questions. Some questions we can find the answer with a quick search on Google. Other questions are more intimidating. Questions that surround our faith can be scary because we worry about what the answer might be and whether or not those answer will affect our faith. What ends up happening is that we ignore the question, but that question still lingers in the back of our mind.

In Asking for a Friend we want to look at a few of these questions and see if there is a way to provide an answer to them that will not only strengthen our faith, but also help us see the world through a more Christian perspective.

We live in a pluralistic society. Because of immigration, global travel, and the internet we are aware of the variety of different religions, philosophies, and thoughts that influence the lives of people. There are some superficial similarities between different religions that make people say that they all teach the same thing and therefore are lead to God. The reality is quite different. Each of these religions make exclusive claims about truth, God, and life after death, therefore they can’t all be true.

Text: Colossians 2:6-23
Big Idea: in a world full of options keep following Jesus, the one true way to God.
Challenge: Focus on Jesus this week: (1) Attend Good Friday Service (2) Attend Easter Sunday Worship service.

Everyone has questions. Some questions we can find the answer with a quick search on Google. Other questions are more intimidating. Questions that surround our faith can be scary because we worry about what the answer might be and whether or not those answer will affect our faith. What ends up happening is that we ignore the question, but that question still lingers in the back of our mind.

In Asking for a Friend we want to look at a few of these questions and see if there is a way to provide an answer to them that will not only strengthen our faith, but also help us see the world through a more Christian perspective.

Hell is a difficult Christian doctrine, yet Jesus taught about judgement and punishment, so it is something that Christians need to believe and understand. At the foundation of the doctrine of Hell is not a God who is vindictive and desires to see people suffer, but a compassionate God who offers people a pardon, a way of escape, from the destruction that is the future of the entire universe.

Text: Matthew 25:31-46
Big Idea: Hell is the result of not wanting Jesus to be King
Challenge: Do these two things: (1) Pray for people who need Jesus (2) Reaffirm your loyalty to Jesus.

What Happens When You Die?
Everyone has questions. Some questions we can find the answer with a quick search on Google. Other questions are more intimidating. Questions that surround our faith can be scary because we worry about what the answer might be and whether or not those answer will affect our faith. What ends up happening is that we ignore the question, but that question still lingers in the back of our mind.

In Asking for a Friend we want to look at a few of these questions and see if there is a way to provide an answer to them that will not only strengthen our faith, but also help us see the world through a more Christian perspective.

Death is something we all face. Not only do we face the death of those we love, but eventually we will face our own death and we want to be able to do so with hope. The hope we discover in the Bible is not just about life after death, it is also about life after life after death. The Christian hope is about Jesus bringing justice and restoration to His creation and the resurrection of His faithful followers to enjoy an eternity with Him.

Text: 2 Corinthians 5:1-10
Big Idea: We are to live our lives right now in anticipation of spending eternity with Jesus.
Challenge: Do something that pleases Jesus. What do you need to stop doing? What is something you need to start doing? Who is someone you need to love?

Everyone has questions. Some questions we can find the answer with a quick search on Google. Other questions are more intimidating. Questions that surround our faith can be scary because we worry about what the answer might be and whether or not those answer will affect our faith. What ends up happening is that we ignore the question, but that question still lingers in the back of our mind.

In Asking for a Friend we want to look at a few of these questions and see if there is a way to provide an answer to them that will not only strengthen our faith, but also help us see the world through a more Christian perspective.

Christians from every faith tradition believe that baptism is important. Jesus in Matthew 28:18-20 taught that baptism is crucial to disciple making and therefore if we are going to be disciples of Jesus we need to be baptize. Even if we don’t understand the reason for baptism, simply being baptized out of obedience to Jesus is good enough. But baptism is a gift God has given us to give us confidence in our relationship with Him. Understanding this purpose is a great benefit as we follow Jesus.

Text: Acts 2:36-42
Big Idea: Baptism provides us with an opportunity to declare that we are all in with Jesus
Challenge: Ask God what you should do about baptism

Everyone has questions. Some questions we can find the answer with a quick search on Google. Other questions are more intimidating. Questions that surround our faith can be scary because we worry about what the answer might be and whether or not those answer will affect our faith. What ends up happening is that we ignore the question, but that question still lingers in the back of our mind.

In Asking for a Friend we want to look at a few of these questions and see if there is a way to provide an answer to them that will not only strengthen our faith, but also help us see the world through a more Christian perspective.

One of the fundamental beliefs in Christianity is that God is good. Most of the time, when we are experiencing the good things of life, this is easy to believe, but it becomes harder to accept when we consider the reality of evil. We imagine that if we were loving and good and all-powerful we wouldn’t let bad things happen. This leads us to the conclusion that God is not good, all-powerful, or even real. This question is a crucial one to answer.

Text: Job 38:1-7
Big Idea: God addresses the problem of evil through Jesus and His faithful people.
Challenge: Resist evil by doing good.

Everyone has questions. Some questions we can find the answer with a quick search on Google. Other questions are more intimidating. Questions that surround our faith can be scary because we worry about what the answer might be and whether or not those answer will affect our faith. What ends up happening is that we ignore the question, but that question still lingers in the back of our mind.

In Asking for a Friend we want to look at a few of these questions and see if there is a way to provide an answer to them that will not only strengthen our faith, but also help us see the world through a more Christian perspective.

We are created in the image of God. One of the implications of that reality is that our standard for right and wrong comes from God and His character. To find out about God’s character we need to turn to the Bible, which is God’s revelation to His people. The Bible is essential in forming our morality to help us become the people God created us to be.

Text: Romans 2:13-16
Big Idea: The Bible shapes the beliefs and behaviors of God’s people as we influence the world.
Challenge: Read Ephesians 5:1-21 and (1) Confess sin (2) Think of a way to show love.

Everyone has questions. Some questions we can find the answer with a quick search on Google. Other questions are more intimidating. Questions that surround our faith can be scary because we worry about what the answer might be and whether or not those answer will affect our faith. What ends up happening is that we ignore the question, but that question still lingers in the back of our mind.

In Asking for a Friend we want to look at a few of these questions and see if there is a way to provide an answer to them that will not only strengthen our faith, but also help us see the world through a more Christian perspective.

Too often our culture makes us believe that science and faith are at odds with one another, and therefore we need to choose between them as we pursue what is true. The reality is that science and faith are not in conflict, rather, they should be viewed as tools we use to arrive at an accurate and true view of our world.

Text: Psalm 19
Big Idea: Science and religion are tools that we use to gain a better understanding of God and the world we live in.
Challenge: Read through Psalm 19 each day this week and ask God to reveal Himself to you through nature and the Bible. Himself to you through nature and the Bible.

Money is necessary for life. It is what we use to get the food, clothes, shelter, transportation, and everything else that we need for life.

Because of its prevalence in our lives most of us have done something dumb with our money. It is easy to do.

The reality is most Americans are lost financially. We have too much debt and too many obligations which lead to experiencing significant financial pressure each month. We need help when it comes to money.

The Bible says too much about money for us to be lost financially. God cares about how we use our money, which means that money is a spiritual issue.

Once we know the way home, we need decide that we will take the right path. People who are wise do what they know is right. People who are foolish choose to do their own thing, even though the right way was taught to them. We want to be wise.

For us to take the way of wisdom we need to make 4 decisions. These four decisions will lead us back home and allow us to be good stewards of God’s money.

Text: Proverbs 28:26
Big Idea: To be a good steward of God’s money we need to make the decision to be different than the world.
Challenge: Take the first step to becoming a good steward by tracking your spending and creating a budget.

Money is necessary for life. It is what we use to get the food, clothes, shelter, transportation, and everything else that we need for life.

Because of its prevalence in our lives most of us have done something dumb with our money. It is easy to do.

The reality is most Americans are lost financially. We have too much debt and too many obligations which lead to experiencing significant financial pressure each month. We need help when it comes to money.

The Bible says too much about money for us to be lost financially. God cares about how we use our money, which means that money is a spiritual issue.

When we discover that we are lost financially the best thing to do is not to panic, which is easy to do. We look at our debt and responsibilities and we wonder how we can ever get back on track. Panic sets in when we focus on the wrong things: debts, responsibilities, and wants.

Instead of panic we need to find contentment. Contentment sets in when we realize that God has given us what we need for life. We need to focus on what God has blessed us with and trust Him for our ongoing provision.

Text: 1 Timothy 6:6-10
Big Idea: To be a good steward of God’s money we need to find contentment with Jesus.
Challenge: Write a letter of thanksgiving to God.

Money is necessary for life. It is what we use to get the food, clothes, shelter, transportation, and everything else that we need for life.

Because of its prevalence in our lives most of us have done something dumb with our money. It is easy to do.

The reality is most Americans are lost financially. We have too much debt and too many obligations which lead to experiencing significant financial pressure each month. We need help when it comes to money.

The Bible says too much about money for us to be lost financially. God cares about how we use our money, which means that money is a spiritual issue.

The second step in getting unlost financially is to have a plan that allows us to be good stewards of what God has loaned to us. The reason God has blessed us is so we can bless others, so our plan needs to prioritize a way for us to bless people.

Text: Luke 12:13-21
Big Idea: To be a good steward
Challenge: Figure out how much money comes into your bank account and where it goes each month.

Money is necessary for life. It is what we use to get the food, clothes, shelter, transportation, and everything else that we need for life.

Because of its prevalence in our lives most of us have done something dumb with our money. It is easy to do.

The reality is most Americans are lost financially. We have too much debt and too many obligations which lead to experiencing significant financial pressure each month. We need help when it comes to money.

The Bible says too much about money for us to be lost financially. God cares about how we use our money, which means that money is a spiritual issue.

The first step in getting unlost financially is to discover where we are. We need to understand that everything belongs to God and that we are His stewards managing His resources. When we remember this truth everything else begins to fall into place.

Text: Matthew 6:19-21 and Luke 16:10-13
Big Idea: Christians are to be good stewards of their finances.
Challenge: Figure out how much money comes into your bank account and where it goes each month.

A new year brings with it a hope of a new start. All of us have at least one area in our lives that we would like to see changed.

The issue we face is that we have failed in the past and we don’t know why now would be any different. Our hope of a new start quickly turns into discouragement.

Thankfully, God isn’t after our perfection, but our progress. Our faithfulness to Jesus is seen in our continual transformation day by day and year by year.

Text: Philippians 3:12-14
Bottom Line: Our faith helps us make progress in our journey to become more like Jesus.
Challenge: Write down one goal for your spiritual formation and think of the step needed to accomplish it.

Advent plays an important role in the yearly rhythm of life for a disciple of Jesus. It is easy for us to be distracted with responsibilities, obligations, interruptions, tragedies, and every thing else life has for us. Advent is an intentional season of reflection on the first coming of Jesus to help motivate us to continue to prepare for his second coming.

The word advent means the arrival of a notable person. That person is Jesus, the Christ or the Messiah, the anointed one. Christmas is much more than the “birthday” of Jesus, but it is the coming of the King into the world.

In the Biblical record we read about a group of people, magi (often called wisemen), who came to Israel in search of the king the read about in the stars. Christmas, even today, invites us to search for the King who arrived and promised to save us from sin.

Text: Matthew 1:1-12
Bottom Line: This Christmas we need to give our loyalty to Jesus.

Advent plays an important role in the yearly rhythm of life for a disciple of Jesus. It is easy for us to be distracted with responsibilities, obligations, interruptions, tragedies, and every thing else life has for us. Advent is an intentional season of reflection on the first coming of Jesus to help motivate us to continue to prepare for his second coming.

Christmas Eve is the time when the fifth candle in the Advent wreath is lit. The Christ Candle brings together the hope, peace, joy, and love of the other four candles. This represents all the hope, peace, joy, and love that are wrapped up in Jesus.

The events surrounding the birth of Jesus produce a sense of wonder in the people who experienced them. The Gabriel’s visit to Zechariah and Mary, the miraculous pregnancies of Elizabeth and Mary, and the angelic vision Joseph had telling him it was okay to marry Mary. The angelic visitation, followed by the angel army, to the shepherds would have filled them with wonder.

We are so familiar with Christmas story that it not longer is awe inspiring to us. Our Christmas holiday gets focused on the traditions of the holiday, and reality behind the season is forgotten. How can we regain a sense of wonder in Christmas?

Text: Luke 2:1-20
Bottom Line: Christmas becomes a season of wonder when we remember the reality behind the holiday.

Advent plays an important role in the yearly rhythm of life for a disciple of Jesus. It is easy for us to be distracted with responsibilities, obligations, interruptions, tragedies, and every thing else life has for us. Advent is an intentional season of reflection on the first coming of Jesus too help motivate us to continue to prepare for his second coming.

The fourth week of Advent is a reflection on love. Our definition for love doesn’t come from our culture, but from the actions of God. God’s love isn’t primarily about the emotions He has towards us, but what He has done for us. This is first and foremost seen in Jesus.

We don’t know much about Joseph, who was the earthly father of Jesus. What we do know is that he was a righteous man. This means he was committed to God by keeping the covenant God made with Israel through Moses. This commitment shaped how Joseph lived and how he treated other people.

Text: Matthew 1:18-25
Bottom Line: Our commitment to God makes us available to His plan for our lives.
Challenge: Take a step of faith and do that hard thing God has called you to do.

Advent plays an important role in the yearly rhythm of life for a disciple of Jesus. It is easy for us to be distracted with responsibilities, obligations, interruptions, tragedies, and every thing else life has for us. Advent is an intentional season of reflection on the first coming of Jesus too help motivate us to continue to prepare for his second coming.

The third week of Advent is a reflection on joy. Biblical joy is finding delight in life in spite of your circumstances. With our modern technologies and luxuries it would be easy to assume that finding delight with life would be easy, but it is not. According to studies Americans are unsatisfied and unhappy about the state of their lives.

Mary, the mother of Jesus, lived in a time when life was difficult. Hard work was required for survival, the smallest of comforts seemed like luxuries, and they were ruled by the Roman Empire, with all of their violent oppression and heavy tax burden. In spite of this, Mary was able to have joy in her heart.

Text: Luke 1:46-56
Bottom Line: Our joy comes from God’s work in our lives.
Challenge: Thank God for the blessings in your life that bring your joy. Be specific about what those blessings are.

Advent plays an important role in the yearly rhythm of life for a disciple of Jesus. It is easy for us to be distracted with responsibilities, obligations, interruptions, tragedies, and every thing else life has for us. Advent is an intentional season of reflection on the first coming of Jesus too help motivate us to continue to prepare for his second coming.

The second week of Advent is a reflection on peace. The Biblical understanding of peace is more than an absence of conflict, but also includes a restoration of harmony. Harmony between God and people, between people, between people and creation, and even between our spirits and flesh.

Zechariah was the father of John the Baptist, the prophet God sent to prepare the way for Jesus. At the end of Luke 1, Luke records the prophecy Zechariah proclaims at the circumcision and naming of John. The prophecy ends with Zechariah declaring that the long awaited Messiah will lead his people to paths of peace.

Text: Luke 1:67-80
Bottom Line: God is at work to accomplish His plan.
Challenge: Write down the reasons why you are confident God is at work in the world.

Advent plays an important role in the yearly rhythm of life for a disciple of Jesus. It is easy for us to be distracted with responsibilities, obligations, interruptions, tragedies, and every thing else life has for us. Advent is an intentional season of reflection on the first coming of Jesus too help motivate us to continue to prepare for his second coming.

The first week of Advent is a reflection on hope. Isaiah’s prophetic ministry happened during a dark time in Israel’s history. The Northern Kingdom had been conquered by Assyria and the Southern Kingdom paid an oppressive tribute them. Isaiah and the other prophets were clear that this had happened because the nation had broken the covenant God had established with them at Mount Sinai.

It is in this context the Isaiah gave Israel an prophecy of hope. A prophecy about a light dawning and a new leader emerging, a leader who would lead by the power and presence of God.

This prophecy of hope continues to give us hope as we wait on Jesus to return and make everything right.

Text: Isaiah 9:1-7
Bottom Line: The future is not hopeless because we trust in the God who keeps His promises.
Challenge: Memorize Romans 5:3-5

Conflicts happen in relationships. People have different opinions, thoughts, desires, and motivations. All these things can lead to conflict in a relationship. Disciples of Jesus are to work for peace.

There are three ways we need to work for peace: with ourselves, with others, and with God. The only way to be a peacemaker is to live with humility.

Text: James 4:1-12
Bottomline: A disciple of Jesus lives a humble life before God and people.
Challenge: Identify what you did wrong in a relationship and take steps to seek forgiveness.

Communication is one of the key parts of life. Since it is something that we do every day it is not something we give a whole lot of thought to. We default to what seems natural.

The problem is that communication has the potential to do great harm to our relationships. All of us bear the wounds of a careless word that someone said to us. This is why James devoted so much space to teach about controlling the tongue. If we can control the tongue then we can control the other areas of our lives.

Having self-control in our communication is one way we can avoid evil.

Text: James 3:1-18
Bottomline: A disciple of Jesus seeks to live by the wisdom God gives to live the right life.
Challenge: Pray for wisdom this week, not only for yourself, but also for Bethlehem.

A disciple of Jesus should live each day by faith, but what does that mean? What does it mean to have faith?

Often we equate faith with belief. We think that we faith if we believe the right things about God or if we do the right religious activities.

While there is an element that is true: belief influences our behavior and traditions point us to the right path, it also misses a very important part of faith.

We need to start understanding faith in terms of a relationship and not just as belief. Faithfulness is an essential part of a healthy marriage. When we are faithful in marriage we believe the best about the other person, we trust their actions, and we are confident that they have our best interest at heart.

In a relationship we also begin to pick up on the habits, the preferences, and beliefs of the other person. As we are faithful to God, not only will we trust him and be confident about his character, but we will also adopt his character.

This means a person of faith will demonstrate God’s merciful and gracious character in the world.

Text: James 2:14-26
Bottomline: A disciple of Jesus will show compassion as an expression of faith.
Challenge: Show compassion. Who can you help this week?

God cares about how we treat people.

It is easy for us to get caught up in the way our culture evaluates the people. We can judge people based on their economic status, their education level, their political affiliation, or a dozen other factors. When we favor one group of people over another, that is sin.

In our text this week, James tells us that the way we treat people reveals how well we keep the commandments. That means we need to people people with love, respect, kindness, and mercy.

We are representatives of King Jesus. We need to treat people well.

Text: James 2:1-13
Bottomline: A disciple of Jesus treats everyone as a person created in God’s image.
Challenge: Pray for someone you need to forgive. Take steps to forgive that person.

How closely would you listen to instructions if your life depended on it?
We would be foolish not to follow the instructions of a wise and knowledgeable person.

This is James’ point in James 1:19-27. To be wise requires not to simply hear God’s word, but to truly listen to it, which requires doing it. We are not true disciples of Jesus if we merely hear Scripture and claim faith in Jesus. To be a disciple, the teaching we receive from Scripture has to be lived out in our lives.

Text: James 1:19-27
Bottomline: A disciple of Jesus does what God says.
Challenge: Read James 2. Find one way you can put your faith into action and do it.

When someone has our lives in their hands we want to know they have been tested. It is crucial that they have developed the skills necessary to help us. We would never go to someone for surgery that didn’t go to medical school and have the right training, because our very lives are at stake. We want them to have been tested and proven capable.

We are created in God’s image. That means we are to demonstrate his character in the world and to represent him. It is in God’s interested that we be tested so we can develop the right type of character. For us to represent God well requires testing.

This is the second sermon in the series Living by Faith that will take us through the book of James.

Series Bottomline: Disciples of Jesus live each day by faith.
Text: James 1:2-18
Bottomline: A disciple of Jesus endures the difficulties of life as they hope for God’s blessings.
Challenge: Send an encouraging note to someone going through a difficult time.

How do we follow Jesus today?

What does it look like to follow Jesus in our freedom, with the money and luxury we have at our disposal, the multi-cultural and multi-religious realities of our communities, and the social media age that influences our lives?

Our hope is that the wisdom discovered in James will give us insight on how to live as disciples today.

This is the first sermon in the series Living by Faith that will take us through the book of James.

Text: James 1:1 and Mark 3:31-35
Bottomline: A faithful life is lived by doing the will of Jesus.
Challenge: Read Colossians 1:9-10 and ask God for a knowledge of his will each day.

What is the purpose of the Law? What is the Gospel? How do we live as God’s people? These are all questions the apostle Paul answers in his letter to the Galatians. In this first sermon of the series Living in Grace, Pastor Paul Steele looks at the introduction of this letter and identifies three parts of Paul’s ministry that can help us understand our own ministry.

In the beginning of the Bible we read that God created a good world. He desired to have humans to co-rule this world with Him, with His wisdom, love, and grace. The problem is that we have decided to do things our own way, to define good and evil on our own, and that has brought corruption and evil into the world. Jesus came to restore this creation, and so we look forward to the day when he returns and makes everything right.

God gave the Church the mission of making disciples of all nations. At the forefront of the mission was a man named Paul. In this message, Pastor Paul explains the reason why the Apostle Paul was effective in his mission to take the Gospel to the world.