Monday, July 06, 2009
Sunday, July 05, 2009
RIP E.K. BAILEY, SM, & MJ / See you at Founder's Day @ Concord! The Peace of God You Need http://tinyurl.com/ktvc2x
Saturday, July 04, 2009
Positive thinking is expecting with certainty what you want to achieve as accomplished fact. http://tinyurl.com/m7zkxr
The difference between can and cannot are only three letters that will determine your life.
http://tinyurl.com/m7zkxr
http://tinyurl.com/m7zkxr
Friday, July 03, 2009
End each day with thoughts of peace and begin each day with thoughts of peace for happiness. http://tinyurl.com/lpnm3w
Thursday, July 02, 2009
Set peace of mind as your highest goal, and organize your life around it. Brian Tracy http://tinyurl.com/lpkypz
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
For everything there is a season,..A time to be born, and a time to die;...Ecclesiastes 3:1RIP http://tinyurl
com/l62ehz
com/l62ehz
RIP He will wipe every tear from their eye. There will be no more death or mourning or crying ... Revelation 21:4 http://tinyurl.com/l62ehz
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
RIP Michael Jackson, Farrah, and ED. Today is the tomorrow we worried about yesterday. http://tinyurl.com/lmwla4
Worry is like a rocking chair--it gives you something to do but it doesn't get you anywhere. http://tinyurl.com/lmwla4
Monday, June 29, 2009
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18 http://tinyurl.com/kqgybc
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me (Jesus) John 14:1 Bible http://tinyurl.com/kqgybc
Sunday, June 28, 2009
RIPMJThe British have a proverb about dying young: Death always comes too early or too late. http://tinyurl.com/nxpjf4
We would love to see you in the service today. If not, go to church online: www.HearGodsWordatBethlehem.com
Saturday, June 27, 2009
RIP MJ, FF, & ED And as if is appointed unto men once to die, but ...judgment Hebrews 9:27 http://tinyurl.com/kpyrmn
RIP MJ,FF,Ed An individual dies young because he (she) has completed his task. Pat Rodegast http://tinyurl.com/kpyrmn
Friday, June 26, 2009
There is nothing certain in a man's life except this: That he must lose it. Aeschylus, Agamemnon http://tinyurl.com/n9f3yj
Every man dies - Not every man really lives. William Ross Wallace RIP Michael Jackson http://tinyurl.com/n9f3yj
Thursday, June 25, 2009
God pours life into death and death into life without a drop being spilled. R.I.P. MJ http://tinyurl.com/n9f3yj
You can't put a die line on deliverance when the divine is involved. Dr. A. Louis Patterson http://tinyurl.com/mpycll
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Impossible is not a fact. It is an opinion formed by men who don't known God. http://tinyurl.com/lms9g6
Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who do not believe in God. http://tinyurl.com/lms9g6
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Faith is a bird that feels dawn breaking and sings while it is still dark. Rabind...Tagore http://tinyurl.com/kogcoq
Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Helen Keller Do you have faith in God? http://tinyurl.com/kogcoq
Monday, June 22, 2009
Simple Faith
Faith is simply the ability to take God at His Word and take the next step. "http://tinyurl.com/lkb3r8"
Sunday, June 21, 2009
This is the day the Lord has made for Fathers! Happy Father Day!! Men go to church! www.heargodswordatbethlehem.com
Friday, June 19, 2009
Drag your thoughts away from your troubles..by ear, by the heels, or any other way..Mark Twain http://tinyurl.com/l9e9rq
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Walking with God face to face is something any one can do, if only they seek it with faith. http://tinyurl.com/kvpoas
The soul can split the sky in two and let the face of God shine through. Edna Millay http://tinyurl.com/kvpoas
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour. Proverbs 14:9 http://tinyurl.com/l6cfd7
When you operate in integrity the results are you obtain favor from God. (Proverbs 11:27) http://tinyurl.com/l6cfd7
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
NEVER EVERRR worry about darkness! THATS when a star shine BRIGHTEST! Rev Run www.myspace.com/pastormichaeleaton
Darkness in all the world can not put out the light of even one small candle of God's joy. http://tinyurl.com/nw9r8f
Monday, June 15, 2009
When the devil says, "Give up," Pure joy of hope in God whispers, "Try it one more time." http://tinyurl.com/mqvxx3
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Hearing the Word of God is the devout receiving of the will of God. Dr. William Ames http://tinyurl.com/n7xhjg
Fwd: We would love to see you in the service this morning. It is not to late! www.HearGodsWordatBethlehem.com
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17 KJ Bible http://tinyurl.com/n7xhjg
Friday, June 12, 2009
Fwd: Never talk defeat. Use words like HOPE, belief, faith, victory. Norman Vincent Peale http://tinyurl.com/na76aq
Thursday, June 11, 2009
I talk to myself to remind myself who God is. Therefore I have hope! Psalm 43:5 http://tinyurl.com/nyum3j
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
This resting in God business means exactly that, resting. We're relaxed again. Stress-free. (Singles.com) http://tinyurl.com/nm4tso
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matt. 11:28
http://tinyurl.com/nm4tso
http://tinyurl.com/nm4tso
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
Joy is prayer- Joy is strength -Joy is a net of love by which you can catch soul. M. Teresa http://tinyurl.com/nvtutk
The sign of intelligent Christian is their ability to control emotions by the application of Joy. http://tinyurl.com/nvtutk
Monday, June 08, 2009
Your Christian joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your Christian joy. http://tinyurl.com/knnd2b
Christian joy is the firm confidence in God that all is well regardless of the circumstance. http://tinyurl.com/knnd2b
Sunday, June 07, 2009
Mature Christians do not think in absolutes. They are objective when they do not understand the will of God. http://tinyurl.com/ntqdcl
Somber Doctrines
When was the last time you laughed for the sheer joy of your salvation? People are not attracted to somber doctrines. There is no persuasive power in a gloomy and morbid religion. Let the world see your joy and you won't be able to keep them away. To be filled with God is to be filled with joy.
To exist as a Christian is to change, to change is to mature,to mature in Christ is recreating oneself endlessly. http://tinyurl.com/ntqdcl
Saturday, June 06, 2009
If you are going through hell, keep going (Christians don't belong there*). Winston Churchill *Eaton http://tinyurl.com/plf6ts
Great works for God are performed not by strength but by great perseverance in Him. http://tinyurl.com/plf6ts
Am I My Brother's Keeper? Yes I Am!! http://tinyurl.com/pf5npv Speaker this morning is Rev. Bruce Ford. Join us @ 8AM @ BBC!
Friday, June 05, 2009
Earth is supposed to be an early preview of heaven... I want to encourage you not to give up. Bernardo Fernandez http://tinyurl.com/q4fx87
True joy in the Lord enable you to preserve in troubled times. Never give up!! http://tinyurl.com/q4fx87
Thursday, June 04, 2009
Joy Is
Joy is not the absence of suffering. It is the presence of God. R. Schuller http://tinyurl.com/osk84o
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
More God
Minister Brian Frizell
Size of Your God
You can tell the size of your God by the size of your worry list. The longer your list, the smaller your God. http://tinyurl.com/mxcp4d
Monday, June 01, 2009
Lean On God
Every thing that a man leans upon but God, will be a dart that will certainly pierce his heart through and through. Thomas Brooks http://tinyurl.com/mru8wl
Depend On God
The more we depend on God the more dependable we find He is. Cliff Richard http://tinyurl.com/mru8wl
Saturday, May 30, 2009
RIP Lavon Sampson & Ju Ju Jones
RIP Lavon Camar Sampson (Jones) 24 years old dead Ju Ju Jones 26 with to young daughters...die in a car accident...Be safe tonight my sons and daugthers! http://tinyurl.com/mf34og
Hope Sees Stars
In the night of death, hope sees the stars, and listen to the memories of loved ones passed. http://tinyurl.com/mf34og
Friday, May 29, 2009
Life: A Gift of God
I look at life as a gift of God. Now that He want it back I have no right to complain. Joyce Cary
http://tinyurl.com/lwfb7u
http://tinyurl.com/lwfb7u
Death Distant Rumor????
Death is a distant rumor to the young. Andrew A. Rooney Death like many rumors lie to the young. http://tinyurl.com/lwfb7u
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Universal Death????
The Good Die Young
Each man carries within him the soul of a poet who died young” Antoine de Saint-Exupery http://tinyurl.com/pjczwa
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Infinite Hope
We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope. Martin Luther King, Jr. www.tinyurl.com/pq65sq
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Hope: In The Dawn!!!
Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try the dawn will come! A. Lamott http://tinyurl.com/pcm3dp
Never Give Up!!!!
Monday, May 25, 2009
Your Hope!!!
Your hopes are trying to take you airborne, above the storms, if you only let them. William James www.HearGodsWordatBethlehem.com Listen to "Get A Grip."
True Faith
Faith isn't faith until it's all you're holding on to. www.HearGodsWordatBethlehem.com Listen to "How to Get A Grip On Life."
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Hope Must Remain
If life is to be sustained hope must remain. Erik Erikson www.HearGodsWordatBethlehem.com Listen to "How to Get A Grip On Life."
Trouble for Christians
God does not let Christians go through troubles in this life. God only allows Christians to grow through troubles . M. Eaton www.HearGodsWordatBethlehem.com
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Hold On!!!!!!!!
Never think that God's delays are God's denials. Hold on; hold fast; hold out. Patience is genius.” Georges Buffon http://tinyurl.com/pu9tmh
Love Is
Love doesn't make the world go round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile. Franklin P. Jones http://...com/rbf5rf
Happiness
All you need for happiness is a good gun, a good horse, and a good wife. Daniel Boone www.HearGodsWordatBethlehem.com
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Why does the church exist? ...the church exist for nothing else but to draw men into Christ...C.S. Lewis www.HearGodsWordatBethlehem.com
Our valleys are God's mountain tops. Dave at Selah Inn Ranch Have a valley day! www.HearGodsWordatBethlehem.com
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Psalm 27:13 www.HearGodsWordatBethlehem.com
Charles Surgeon once remarked that `the best style of prayer is that which cannot be called anything else but a cry.` www.HearGodsWordatBethlehem.com
Monday, May 18, 2009
Saturday, May 16, 2009
The Greatest?!?
Amen, I say to you, unless you be converted and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of Heaven. Whosoever, therefore, shall humble himself as this little child, he is the greater in the kingdom of Heaven."
(Matthew 18:3-4)
The month of May has been designate “Humility Month”. We will learn the nature of people who live for God. That nature is humbleness. Humbleness has power. When you first think of humility, Power is the last word that would be used to describe humility. When you think of humility, you may think of meekness. When you think of meekness, you may think of weakness. Weakness is the very opposite of power. Therefore, with this mind set, it would not be plausible to think that you could get power from humility. However God says that you can get power from humility.
Canice Bourke has written a book entitled “The Power of Humility: Why Humility Must Be the Heart of Your Spiritual Life -- and How to Make It So.. Bourke begins The Power of Humility with Matthew's account of the apostles arguing over who was the greater. Overhearing this, Jesus set a child in their midst and stated, "Amen, I say to you, unless you be converted and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of Heaven. Whosoever, therefore, shall humble himself as this little child, he is the greater in the kingdom of Heaven." (Matthew 18:3-4)
Jesus' words, "Amen, I say to you," mean "pay attention. This is very important." The virtue of humility is so critical, Jesus said, that a person cannot enter Heaven without it. Saint Augustine wrote, "If you should ask me what are the ways of God, I would tell you that the first is humility, the second is humility, and the third is still humility. Not that there are no other precepts to give, but if humility does not precede all that we do, our efforts are fruitless."
With that in mind, anyone who seeks to follow the Lord is seeking humility. Bourke points out "that resemblance to our Lord is imperative if we wish to be saved." And how did Jesus say we are to be conformed to Him? "Learn of me, for I am meek and humble of heart." (Matthew 11:29) Bourke directs us to the Infant Christ. "If humility is a lowering of self, then as you kneel at the crib before the little newborn Infant, the eternal Father's Almighty Word who leapt down from His royal throne, you can in some poor manner realize how He has lowered Himself and what a long journey He has made to appear in such a condition."
Impressing upon the reader the necessity for humility in the spiritual life, Bourke then goes on to give some ways in which one can foster that virtue. The first is through prayer for humility. Humility also grows when one contemplates God's greatness and meditates on Christ's Passion. Fostering the virtue of humility by:
1. Praying of Humility
2. Contemplate God’s Greatness
3. Meditate Jesus’ Death
Everyone who is serious about growth in the spiritual life ought to humble themselves under the mighty hand of God. Prayer for Humility by Merry del Val He was accustomed to recite this prayer daily.
O Jesus meek and humble of heart, Deliver me.
From the desire of being esteemed,
From the desire of being loved,
From the desire of being extolled,
From the desire of being honored,
From the desire of being praised,
From the desire of being preferred to others,
From the desire of being consulted,
From the desire of being approved,
Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being humiliated,
From the fear of being despised,
From the fear of suffering rebukes,
From the fear of being forgotten,
From the fear of being ridiculed,
From the fear of being wronged,
From the fear of being suspected,
Deliver me, Jesus.
That others may be loved more than I,
That others may be esteemed more than I,
That in the opinion of the world, others may increase, and I may decrease,
That others may be chosen and I set aside,
That others may be praised and I unnoticed,
That others may be preferred to me in everything,
That others may become holier than I, provided that I become as holy as I should,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it. Amen.
Friday, May 08, 2009
Ask God To Protect You To Live Your Dreams!!!!
The will of God will never take you to where the grace of God will not protect you. Bernadette Devlin
Thursday, May 07, 2009
God Want You To Overcome You Pain To Live Your Dreams
Listen to the whole sermon below!!!
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Thursday, April 09, 2009
The Running Back, The Police Officer and The Compassion of Jesus
The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?" John 8:3-5 NIV
This month, many were outraged by the actions of Officer Robert Powell (video below on this story). Officer Powell of the Dallas Police Department made a traffic stop involving Houston Texans running back Ryan Moat in Dallas, Texas. Ryan and family had received a call from the Baylor Regional Medical Center letting them know that his wife’s mother was on her death bed.
In an attempt to make it to the Medical Center before his mother-in-law died. Moats having looked both ways drove through a red light. Officer Powell pulled him over in the Medical Center parking lot. Officer Robert Powell drew his gun as family member got out of the car to rush to the bedside. As Moat's was rightly upset, he tried to explain what was go on. Officer Powell says, “Shut your mouth. You can either settle down and cooperate or I can just take you to jail for running a red light.” Office Powell also says at some point, “I can screw you over.” Another officer came with word that Moats’ mother-in-law was really dying. Officer Powell said, “All right. I’m almost done.” However, thirteen minutes had passed away. Moat’s mother-in-law Jonetta Collinsworth 45-year-old dies before they could make it to her bed side.
Dallas Police Chief David Kunkle apologized to the Moat/Collinsworth family. Chief Kunkle says of Officer Powell’s behavior, “His behavior, in my opinion, did not exhibit the common sense, the discretion nor the compassion that we expect our officers to exhibit.”
As we look that our text today, we will see how Jesus uses his common sense, carefulness, discretion and compassion to teach us some valuable lessons.
Common Sense
In John 8:3, the teachers of the law and the Pharisees were trying to trap Jesus. However in order to trap Jesus it seem that they trapped a woman. It appeared to be a trap, because it takes two people to be caught in the act of adultery. They had the woman, but where was the man? Using my sanctify imagination, I believe they had conspired with the man to entrap the woman while both committed the act of adultery.
These same group of people paid Judas to betray Jesus. Now as the story is told, the woman is brought before the Pharisees and the woman is used as bait to trap Jesus.
Now, where is her partner, the man who committed this offensive act of adultery with this woman? It is apparent that he was allowed to go free.
As a teacher of the law surely Jesus was to say stone the woman to death. If Jesus allowed her go free, he could be accused of being disobedience to the Law of Moses. However, Jesus being God had good spiritual common sense. He knew that the Pharisees were trying to trap Him. We at times need to pray that God will give us common sense to see through the snares of the devil.
1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT, “ The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.”
Carefulness
Ryan Moat was guilty of running the red light. Officer Powell should have used his discretion and let him off with a warning. As a public servant, he should have escorted the Moat's family to the bedside of Jonetta Collinsworth.
It is the law, police officers can take you to jail for running a red light. However, they must use their discretion to determine whether you are a risk to society once you have ran a red light. Most of the time, a police officer will not take you to jail for running a red light. There are two more options that are at the discretion of an officer. He can write you a ticket or let you off with a warning. Officer Powell wrote Ryan Moat a ticket and also threaten him with going to jail.
Jesus had to interpret the law in the same manner that police officers are allowed to do. He uses His discretion and decided to let the woman caught in the act of adultery leave with a warning. Praise is to God for His grace!
Roman 5:20-21 (NIV)
“The law was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Compassion
Many people all over the world were outraged by Officer Powell reaction to NFL Player Ryan Moat. Due to Moat's NFL player status, we heard about this story. It could have been one of the countless stories of racial profiling. However, people of all races were outraged at Officer Powell's lack of compassion. Jesus in the text displayed compassion to the woman caught in the act of adultery.
Jesus said, “He who is without sin let him cast the first stone.” The Pharisees knew that they had sin in their own lives. Some may have committed the act of adultery with this same woman. Since she wasn't stone, we will just leave you with your imagination. They did not stone her and all of them walked away. After they left, Jesus let her off with a warning and said, “Go and sin no more.”
Compassion List 2009
1. Officer Robert Powell
2. Michael Phelps
3. AIG Employees
4. President Barak Obama
5. Jason Mesnick
6. Rihanna
7. Michael Vick
8. TI
9. Wall Street
10. Hulk Hogan
Hope for a Brighter Tomorrow
David said about him: 'I saw the Lord always before me. Because, he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore, my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will live in hope, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. Acts 2:25-27 (NIV)
On election night; I was glued to the TV screen. Four hours prior to the arrival of President-elect Obama, 250,000 people had gathered in and outside of Chicago’s Grant Park. I can remember the expression of hope that was firmly sealed on the faces of many Americans in the crowd (Video below of this event). Most faces would remain nameless. However, there were two faces that I recognized and one in particular that I wondered about. The faces that I identified were Oprah Winfrey and Rev. Jesse Jackson. The other person that I was wondering about was Sam Perry from Menlo Park, California. Oprah used his shoulder to lean on during the events of this historical night.
However as the night progressed, I would admiringly remember the smiling tears of Rev. Jesse Jackson. He was the first black man to run for president of the United State in 1984 and 1988. During his time of service to our community, Rev. Jackson coined the phrase, “Keep Hope Alive!” Many Americans can remember this famous quote that was symbolic to Rev. Jackson’s campaign for the highest office in the land, "The Presidency."
On the night of Nov. 5 in Chicago’s Grant Park, “Hope was definitely alive!” Hope was manifested on faces of Americans from all walks of life and various backgrounds.
However, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 14 percent between President Barack Obama's Election and Inauguration Day. This was the largest decline ever in the stock market. The Dow Jones also made the biggest decline on Inauguration Day.
Did the Dow Jones not witness history? Did those on Wall Street not vote for change? Did not those who buy and trade stocks believe that, “Yes We Can!” I quickly learned that if I wanted hope for our present economic times then, I might need a new source. This new source is really and old source that Grand Mama used to make it through the decimation of the Jim Crow Era.
As I reflect on the many American faces that were from all walks of life, “HOPE” appeared permanently affixed upon their faces as they waited to hear from President Barak Obama. There were many faces in that crowd that would remain nameless. As I reminisce about “The Great Cloud of Witnesses” of the past, I identified with Dr. Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks. I remembered one other person that I identified with, and that was Grand Mama and her generation. The shoulders of her generation were the props for Oprah, President Obama and Rev. Jesse Jackson as this historic event had come to pass.
Grand Mama did not look to man; she looked to God. Grand Mama was nameless in this “Great Cloud of Witnesses,” but God knew her intimately. Grand Mama prayed that she would live to see that historic night. Grand Mama told us that we could grow up and become president, and she believed this through the providence of God!
Providence of God
David is quoted in Acts 2:25 to give us insight to where we can find hope for a brighter tomorrow in America. We find hope in the providence of God. David says, "I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken." Therefore, I do not need to be shaken by the banking crisis, the housing crisis, the American automobile crisis or our present moral crisis. I do not need to look for hope for a brighter tomorrow in Washington or on Wall Street. God is my stimulus package. I, like David, can get my hope from the providence of God in my life. I can also have hope in God to heal my country. God does govern in the affairs of nations.
Benjamin Franklin said, "I have lived a long time, sir, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth is that God governs in the affairs of men." The key to believing that God is my stimulus package is being able to perceive God in my nation’s affairs. God is America’s only hope. We can find hope like David and Grand Mama in the perception of God.
Perception of God
David says because of the providence of God, I can perceive Him. When I perceive God in my circumstances, I can be happy even if my circumstance has not changed. “Yet, I can shout right now!” David says, “Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices.”
I can perceive God making His presence known; I can have hope for a brighter tomorrow in America. C.S. Lewis says, “When you come to know God, the initiative lies on His side. If He does not show Himself, nothing you can do will enable you to find Him.” Can you perceive God in America? Grand Mama did! Can you perceive God in your circumstance? Grand Mama did! Can you feel God in the atmosphere? Grand Mama did!
She leaned on hope over and over again. Grand Mama believed in God when it was said that Christianity was a white man’s religion. Grand Mama believed that God was up to something great.
I feel and know that God is up to something great. This is a divine moment for the glory of God. I believe in this dark hour that, “Yes, God Can!” I will shout right now, because of the promises of God. We find hope like Grand Mama did in the promises of God.
Promises of God
Arthur W. Pink says, "The permanence of God's character guarantees the fulfillment of his promises." David says, "My body also will live in hope, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay." What a great promise from God in this text. I remember what Rev. Jesse Jackson said, "Keep Hope Alive!" I remember what our President said, "Yes, We Can!" But, I will fondly remember what Grand Mama said, "Yes, God Can!"
God can provide a job in an unemployment crisis. God can provide money in a financial crisis. God can provide a home in a housing crisis. God can provide a car in an automobile crisis. God can provide a president in a government crisis.
God can provide holy men and women of God in a moral crisis to remind us that, “Yes God Can!” David and Grand Mama said, “My body also will live in hope.” God has not abandoned me to die! God will not let His holy ones decay! I have hope for a brighter tomorrow, because I put my hope in God.
Thank you, Grand Mama, for believing in God. Thank you, Grand Mama, for believing in me.
Sunday, March 11, 2007
True Faith In God
True Faith In God
The Alps is the name of one of the greatest mountain range systems of Europe. Alps come from the Latin words albus or altus. Albus means white. Altus means high. The Alps stretch from Austria and Slovenia in the east. It goes through Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, German and France in the West.
It said that the tracks were built over the Alps between Vienna, Austria and Venice, Italy before there was a train to make the trip. The people built it any way, because they knew that one-day the train would come.
They built the tracks over those high White Mountains by faith. This is the greatest illustration on faith that I have every heard out of James Chapter Two. This must have been what James was taking about when he said faith without works is dead.
James in Chapter Two had to deal with some very unspiritual mature behaviors. James was someone who the young folk would say who, “Kept it Real.” James kept it real by let the people know that favoritism is folly not faith. He kept it real by letting the people know that faith encompassed forgiveness and forbearing. He kept it real by letting the people know that faith will be fruitful! Let’s look at the lesson titled, “ The Favoritism of the Folly.”
The Favoritism of the Folly
(James 2: 1-9) NIV
1My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism. 2Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. 3If 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," 4have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? 5Listen, 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? 6But 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? 7Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong? 8If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing right. 9But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.
James shares in the above text something that was very disputing in the church. This disputing practice was show favoritism to what we in our day would call “Big Ballers” The King James calls this favoritism – respect of person. Other translations calls this prejudice or partiality. People in this church would see people who had material blessing as some one who had more intrinsic merits than poor people. This is not so with God. The rich, high born or powerful in the house of God does not have more inherent value than the poor.
.They were treating the church house like it was a club with a VIP section. If you showed up wearing “bling-bling” and FUBU, they would place you on the front row. If you show up wearing something you bought from Pay-Less, K-mart or Goodwill, you would just be lucky to get any seat. James in the text called favoritism discrimination. He calls these men judges with evil thoughts. A judge with an evil thought is worse than an average “Joe.” Judges are supposed to administer justice. Without justice, there wouldn’t be any peace in the church.
We as African Americans have experienced prejudice and discrimination at least once in our lifetime. February is Black History month. During this month, we are reminded that we have come very far as a race of people in America. We came from slavery to the discrimination of Jim Crow. We had to sit in back of the bus, drink from colored only water fountain and enter restaurants through the back door. However, God brought us though. The old folks used to sing the word of this song, “We’ve come this far by faith. Leaning on the Lord. Trusting in His Holy word. He never felt me yet.”
James was trying to get the people in the church of our Lord Jesus Christ to come this far by faith. People who discriminate do not have true faith in God. Discrimination causes a spiritual cancer in the church. That is why today many African American believe Christianity is a white man’s religion. Many prominent leaders in history claimed to be Christian but they owned slaves. That is why many African American Christians cannot divorce theology from social action. We essentially are saying, “Faith without works is dead.” God condemns the thoughts and the practice of racistism.
God condemns racisms or any kinds of favoritism. Discrimination should not be in our churches!
The Forgiveness of the Forbearing
(James 2:10-13) NIV
10For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. 11For he who said, "Do not commit adultery,"also said, "Do not murder." If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker. 12Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!
People how are judgmental do not have true faith in God. The word mercy in James 2:13 means kindness or good will towards the miserable and the afflicted, joined with a desire to help them. The word judgment mean a sentence of condemnation, damnatory judgment, condemnation and punishment. James says in the above text. Mercy should triumph over judgment. It is better to want to help someone in a difficult situation than to judge them because they are in the situation.
I was asked once as to how I would handle a situation. The church wanted to give a baby shower for young couple who was married and were expecting a child. There was also a young teenage girl in the church that was pregnant outside of wedlock. They both were due about the some time. The people want to give the couple a baby shower, but they did not want to give the teenage girl a baby shower. They asked, “Pastor Eaton what would you do?” I responded that since this was a baby shower it seems to me that the baby that needs the most help was with the teen mother. This is a good example of how mercy should triumph over judgment. The church was trying to judge the teen mother and curse the baby. However, mercy should triumph over judgment. Here is another instance of how mercy triumph over judgment in the life of Billy Graham.
Billy Graham, the great evangelist, tells of driving through a small southern town and being stopped by a policeman and being charged with speeding. Graham admitted his quilt, but was told by the officer that he would have to appear in court. The judge asked, "Guilty, or not guilty?" When Graham pleaded guilty, the judge replied, "That’ll be ten dollars -- a dollar for every mile you went over the limit." Suddenly the judge recognized the famous minister. "You have violated the law," he said. "The fine must be paid, but I am going to pay it for you." The judge took a ten dollar bill from his own wallet, attached it to the ticket, and then took Graham out and bought him a steak dinner!
Billy Graham used that illustration in his sermons to explain God’s grace. That is how God treats us as repentant sinners! He paid for our sins with his son and now we get to dine with him in heaven.
People who are judgmental think they are righteous. However, they are self-righteous. James had to let the self-righteous people know if they keep the whole law and stumbles at one point they are guilty of breaking all of the law. Therefore, they should let mercy triumph over judgment.
The people in this church were judging the poor for being poor. They were buying into what we call today the Prosperity Gospel. Its central doctrine is to promote that health and prosperity are promised to all believers, and are available through faith. This is faith that is folly. In Matthews 8:20, Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head." Peter said in Acts 3:6, “…Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." Could Peter have gotten a sit in this church? Could Jesus get a sit in this church James was addressing? They would have judged wrongly and miss the savior. Mercy should have triumph over judgment.
The Faith of the Fruitful
(James 2: 14-26)
14What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? 15Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? 17In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 18But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. 19You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. 20You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? 21Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God's friend. 24You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone. 25In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
People who have no works do not have true faith in God.
If you are judging me because I am poor and do not help me your faith is dead. A person is justified by what he does and not by a faith in theory. They say they built the tracks over the Alps between Vienna, Austria and Venice, Italy before there was a train to make the trip. They built it any way. They knew that the train would come one day. They did not judge that it was ludicrous to do so. They had true faith to build.
Faith in this text is the conviction or belief respecting man's relationship to God. We must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. We diligently seek Him by true faith. True faith will move you to action. Abraham believed God and he moved to were God lead him to go. Abraham is known for going without knowing. He had to give up his homeland, people, and idiot gods to find a city whose foundation was God. Are you willing to give up your life as you know it and go to a place without knowing all of the details? I always like to say, “If God tells you to go you better went!” A question for you, “Where is God trying to get you to go?” (ministry? marriage? In business? In South Dakota?)
In the same way Rahab the prostitute was considered righteous for what she did. She risked her life and the life of her family by lodging to the spies. Rahab also sent them off in a different direction so they could get away. Are you willing to risk your life as a Christian for what you believe? We in America do not have to risk our life for our faith. However, there are many Christian in our world today who risks their lives just to go to church. This is something that we take for granted.
Faith always involves a practical element of risk. What is God trying to get you to risk? What is God trying to get you to do? If God is trying to send you a train you better start building the tracks by faith. If God is trying to send a plane you better start building the runway by faith. If God wants you to go, you better leave by faith. If God wants you to be an author you better write by faith. Mark Beaird said, "Faith enables us to understand what God does. Faith enables us to see what others cannot see. As a result, faith enables us to do what others cannot do." James says to close this chapter, “As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.”
Points to Ponder
1. People who discriminate do not have true faith in God.
2. People who are judgmental do not have true faith in God.
3.People who have no works do not have true faith in God.
Pastor Michael Eaton wrote the lesson of James Chapter 2. Pastor Eaton is the Senior Pastor of the Holiday Hills Baptist Church. Michael and his wife, Kimberly lives in Abilene, Texas.
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