City Baptist Church - Weekly Sermons

Many times, we tend to find fault in the lives of others. In pointing out other's failures, we strive to fulfill a need that is found only in Jesus Christ. Last week's message reminds us that speaking evil of others is not what God intends for His children. We need to acknowledge Jesus in every decision we make, and avoid the spirt of pride and self-glorification. Key Verse: James 4:11-12

In last Sunday's message, guest speaker Pastor Mike Hollen brought a great challenge on grace! We get grace, to give grace, for God's glory! As receivers of God's grace we should share it with those in need. Scripture: Hebrews 4:16

"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded." - James 4:6-7 Sin is a serious thing, and only by submitting to God can we truly overcome the desires of our flesh. As we continue this challenging truth from last week's message, James gives a blueprint to do just this: submit to God's authority, draw close to Him, and truly repent.

God gave us His Spirit to help us live a life that is separated from the world. Last Sundays message challenges us to remember that being a friend of the world is like an "enemy of God." Rather being a friend to the world, we should be a light and source of love that points others to Him! Scripture: James 4:1-5

"But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy." - James 3:17 God promises to give us wisdom as we pursue and ask Him for it. We desperately need this wisdom, in order to live a life that will point others to Him. This past Sunday's reminder is that true wisdom is found only in Jesus Christ.

"Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell" - James 3:5-6 James reminds us that when ruled by our flesh, the tongue can truly be a destructive thing. But when we allow the Spirit of God to take control, it becomes a way for us to edify, encouragement, and share His love with others. Only in Jesus Christ, can we get our tongue under control!

"For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." - James 2:26 Last Sunday's message gives us a challenging truth. Our faith must be shown by our work Our works for the Lord are a result of an overflow of our faith and love in Jesus Christ. Faith without works, is dead.

"My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons." - James 2:1 James chapter 2 starts with a challenging truth. God's unconditional love is extended to all - no matter the background or situation. Just as He has freely shown love to us, we ought to show it to whoever is in need. We look on the outside, but God always looks at the heart.

James main concern for the scattered believers was that their faith would result in action. As Christians, God's foremost desire is that our belief in the Word of God, would be revealed in our willingness to live out the Word.  James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves..

Our study of James continues as we see how the outside trials of life, will often move to an inward temptation. James gives us some warnings and encouragement to face temptation, with a victorious attitude that only comes through our relationship with Christ. James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

James 1:5-12 is an important passage when facing unexpected trials and temptations in life. The good thing is, God has and answer for you, and it can be found in today’s message. James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

In this first sermon of a new series in the book of James. We begin by looking at James encouragement to live joyfully, even in the difficult situations of life, because God is working through that situation for your good. James 1:2-3 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

Having Spiritual Vision, or seeing the world and your circumstances with a spiritual lens is an important aspect of living the victorious Christian life. In the middle of uncertain circumstances, we see Elisha encourage us to remember that if God is for us, who can be against us. 2 Kings 6:16-17 And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.

God’s power is something that every believer needs in their life. In today’s message, we look at how we can get back to seeing God’s power in our lives through a familiar story in the life of Elisha. 2 Kings 6:6-7 And the man of God said, Where fell it? And he shewed him the place. And he cut down a stick, and cast it in thither; and the iron did swim. 7 Therefore said he, Take it up to thee. And he put out his hand, and took it.

This teaching series is all about people that God can use in an extraordinary way. In 2 Kings 5, we see the story of how God used a servant girl, to change a mans life forever. 2 Kings 5:2-3 And the Syrians had gone out by companies, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maid; and she waited on Naaman’s wife. 3 And she said unto her mistress, Would God my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria! for he would recover him of his leprosy.

A temptation that many believers face is that we so easily resign ourselves to believing that God cannot use us any more. When the opposite is actually true, God wants to do great things with your life, however, we have to approach Him with a heart that desires His work. Not because of their own strength, or wealth, or ability, but because of Christ within us. Psalm 40:4 Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.

As the mantle of leadership is passed from Elijah to Elisha. We see in Elisha’s response to God’s call, examples of how we can approach the will of God for our lives. When we surrender to His will, holding nothing back, that we can truly experience a greater eternal impact. 1 Kings 19:19 So he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth: and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him.

The showdown at Mt. Carmel was complete, the fire from heaven had fallen, the false prophets had been removed from Israel, and even the rain had returned by the miracle of God. You would think Elijah would be thrilled, but things were not perfect, and soon great discouragement came to his life. In today’s message, we look at encouragement when we are in a difficult place. 1 Kings 19:18 Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.

As Israel continues to struggle with their commitment to the one true God. Through Elijah, God orchestrates a showdown on Mt. Carmel to prove once and for all that He is the one worthy of worship. As the people are confronted with this truth, their hearts are challenged to make a decision, either serve God, or serve the false idols they had been giving themselves too. 1 Kings 18:21 And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.

As we pick up from last week, we continue a new series at City Baptist Church about the life of Elijah and Elisha, ordinary people who God used in a remarkable way. In this weeks message, we continue the story of Elijah, and how God prepared him for service, through some trying and difficult circumstances. 1 Kings 17:23-24 And Elijah took the child, and brought him down out of the chamber into the house, and delivered him unto his mother: and Elijah said, See, thy son liveth. 24 And the woman said to Elijah, Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in thy mouth is truth.