Teach your children well

James1:19-27
Since the heart is like a garden, let us seek to sow good seed...
*Remember, we don't grow the seed, that's God's responsibility - Our duty is to sow the seed
1. Good seed must be sown (19b-21)
- We were given two ears and only one mouth so we may listen more than we speak
- We must listen and receive God's direction; We must let God have a chance to speak
- How good seed is sown is listening to the good word of God
- We must humble ourselves and receive the word however God wants to plant it
2. Good seed will bear fruit (22-25)
- It isn't about appearance, it's about the fruit we produce
- Our service to others will bear fruit
- When fruit begins to grow in our life, our eyes are opened to be people around us in need
- The person who hears the word yet does nothing with it is like someone who sees an imperfection or problem yet does nothing about it
3. Good seed will be mocked (26-27)
- There will be imitators, there will be those who see our lives and try to create the seed growth on their own without the work God put in to us
Are we sowing good seed in the heart of our children?
Are we faithful to trust God to bring growth?
Do we trust that fruit will come?
Are we aware of counterfeits?
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The Life of the Church

People are going to invest into what they feel will bring them life.
Because the life of our church comes from God, we must be united in Him...
1. United in our Confidence (1-8)
- When we commit ourselves fully to the Lord, we become a life giving help to those who we come near
- When we doubt that God is on our side, we lose the direction we desperately need to move towards where God wants us
- We must remember that the dynamic, personal, intimate relationship we need and want with Jesus is always available for us.
- The sort of church this broken world needs is a church that is confident in what we believe
2. United in our Hope (9-12)
- Those of us with limited resources are in a blessed position to discover how God can provide for us
- As a church, our obligation is to demonstrate an active reliance and belief in this hope in God
3. United in our Reality (13-18)
- We must be united in our knowledge of where we came from, where we are now, and where God is leading us
- Our willpower is not enough to overcome the sin that is within our life, only our love for God and His help is enough
Is there life in our church?
Are people finding hope and salvation here?
Is our confidence in God?
Is our hope in God?
Are we being real about sin and salvation?
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Why So Angry


February 2

Life Given, not Earned


January 26

James Part 2


January 19

Count it all Joy


January 12