Tongue Control, #6 in a series in James, 3:1-12

Theme: Controlled speech is an essential indicator of spiritual maturity.

The challenge of controlling your speech.

1. Based in its untamed and untamable nature. (7-8; see also Matthew 12:34-35; 15:18-19; Jeremiah 17:9)
2. Seen in its inconsistent and contradictory nature. (9-12)

The damage from not controlling your speech.

1. The small thing boasts of great things. (5; see also Psalm 19:1-4a; Romans 1:20-23)
2. This fire from hell sets great fires. (5-6)
3. This restless evil and potent poison defiles the entire body. (6-8)

The Importance Of Controlling Your Speech.

1. Essential to leadership. (1)
2. Essential to spiritual maturity. (2-4; see also 1 John 1:8)

Saving Faith Works, #5 in a series in the book of James

James 2:14-26

Theme: A saving faith is a working faith.

The problem—faulty faith.

1. Identifying the central issue. (14)
2. Illustrating the central issue. (14-17, 20, 26)

The solution—saving faith.

1. It is more than belief. (19-25; see also Matthew 8:28)
2. It is made visible by works. (18-26; see also Genesis 15:1-20; 22:1-19)
3. It is completed by works. (22, 26; see also Ephesians 1:3; 2:10; Philippians 2:14; 1 Timothy 6:18; 2 Timothy 2:21; 3:16-17; Titus 3:1, 8, 14)

Sermon #4 in a series on the book of James

Theme: A living faith replaces partiality with love.

The total rejection of partiality.

1. The clear statement. (1; see also Deuteronomy 1:16-17; 10:17; Romans 2:11)
2. The clear example. (2-4; see also Ephesians 4:1-3)

The tragic results of partiality.

1. Become evil-motivated judges of others. (4; see also Romans 14:1-23; 1 Corinthians 12:4-6; Galatians 5:14-15)
2. Become inconsistent. (5-7)
3. Become sinful lawbreakers. (9-11)

The only replacement for partiality.

1. Fulfill the royal law. (8; see also Matthew 10:16; Luke 10:25-27)
2. Live by the law of liberty. (12-13; Romans 6:22; 14:10-12; 1 Corinthians 3:10-15; 13:1-3; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Galatians 5:1)

Christmas Eve

The conclusion of the Advent Series, Jesus Is . . .

Earlier episodes were Jesus is . . .

The Breath of Life

The Remarkable Redeemer

The Wonder of Wonders

The Light of the World

And now, Jesus is the Glory of Christmas

Sermon #4 in Advent Series, Jesus Is . . .

The whole world was lost in the darkness of sin.

1. Darkness and creation. (Genesis 1:2-5; cf. Isaiah 45:7; Jeremiah 31:35; 2 Corinthians 4:6)
2. Darkness and fallen creation. (Isaiah 5:20; 16:11; Romans 3:10; 6:17; 2 Corinthians 4:4; 11:14; Ephesians 2:1; 5:8; Colossians 1:13; 1 John 5:19; Revelation 20:11-15)

The light of the world is Jesus.

1. Jesus is the Light. (Psalm 104:1-2; John 1:1-5, 9; 8:12; 9:5; 1 Timothy 6:16; 1 John 1:5)
2. Jesus brings light. (Psalm 18:28; 36:9; 110:105, 130; 139:11-12; Isaiah 9:2 cp. Matthew 4:16; Isaiah 42:6; Matthew 15:14-16; John 3:19-21; 11:9; 12:36, 46; Acts 26:18; Romans 13:12; 2 Corinthians 4:6; Ephesians 5:8-9; Colossians 1:12; 1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 22:5)

The third message in the Advent series, "Jesus Is . . . "

The testimony of people who saw and heard Jesus.

1. Some examples. (Matthew 1:18-25; 7:28-29; 8:27; 9:33; 13:54-58; 19:25; 22:22; 27:14, 54; Mark 1:27; 6:51; 15:5, 39; Luke 1:26-38, 42-43; 2:19, 33; 4:32; 9:32; 20:26)
2. What amazed them. (Matthew 8:27; 12:23; 13:54; Mark 2:1-12; 6:2; 9:8, 15; John 7:15)

The facts of who Jesus is and what He accomplished.

1. Jesus is Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14; 41:10; Matthew 1:20-23; 28:20; John 1:14; 14:16-20; 17:24; Acts 18:9-10; Romans 8:38-39; Hebrews 13:5; 1 John 5:20; Revelation 21:1-5)
2. Jesus provides salvation. (Romans 6:23; 8:28-30; 2 Corinthians 1:21-22; Galatians 4:4-5; Ephesians 1:4-6; 2:8-10; 4:30)

Second Sunday of Advent

Remarkable Redeemer

Jesus is the Redeemer

1. The basic idea of redemption. (Psalm 51:5; John 8:34; Romans 3:20, 23; 5:12 f.)
2. God, the Redeemer, provides redemption. (Psalm 19:14; Isaiah 44:6; Mark 10:45; Luke 1:68-69; 2:29-32; Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 1:18-19; 1 John 5:19)

Jesus redeems us from…

1. Sin. (Romans 3:24 with 6:7, 14; Titus 2:14; Hebrews 2:15)
2. Being under the Law and its curse. (Galatians 3:13; 4:5; Deuteronomy 21:23; 28:15-68)
3. From Satan’s realm of darkness. (Galatians 1:4; Colossians 1:13; 1 John 5:19)
4. Futility. (Galatians 4:8; 1 Peter 1:18; Ecclesiastes 1:2, 13-14, 17; 2:11, 17 etc.)

Jesus redeems us to…

1. Forgiveness of our sins. (Matthew 26:28; Luke 1:77-78; Acts 2:38; 10:43; Romans 10:13; Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14; 1 John 1:9)
2. Being justified and righteous. (Romans 3:24, 28; 4:5; 5:9, 17, 18, 19; 6:18; 10:10; 1 Corinthians 6:11; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 2:6; Ephesians 4:24; Philippians 3:9)
3. Everlasting life. (John 3:15-16, 36; 6:40; 10:27-29; 17:37; Romans 5:21; 6:22-23; Colossians 1:13; 1 Timothy 1:16; 1 John 5:11)
4. Being under grace. (John 1:14, 16-17; Acts 20:24, 32; Romans 5:2, 21; 6:14-15; 2 Corinthians 9:14; 2 Timothy 2:1; 2 Peter 3:18)
5. Purity. (Ephesians 1:4; 5:25-27; Titus 2:14; 1 Peter 1:15-16; 2:5; 1 John 3:3; Revelation 20:6)
6. The Holy Spirit being within us. (John 14:16-17, 26; Romans 8:9; Galatians 3:14; Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30)
7. Serving God. (Romans 6:13, 18; 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 4:1; 2 Corinthians 3:6; Ephesians 4:7-16; Titus 2:10, 14; 1 Peter 4:10)

Sermon #1 in 2025 Advent Series

Jesus is the Breath of Life.

1. The fact. (John 1:4; 5:21, 26; 14:6)
2. Exploring the fact. (Genesis 21:33; Deuteronomy 33:27; Psalm 90:2; John 8:57-58; 1 Timothy 6:16; Revelation 1:8; 22:13)

Jesus gives the Breath of Life.

1. He spoke creation into being. (Genesis 1:1, 3, 6, 9, etc.; John 1:1-3, 10; 8:57-58; 1 Corinthians 8:6, Colossians 1:16-17; Revelation 1:8; 22:13)
2. He shaped and breathed life into Adam. (Genesis 1:26-27; 2:7, 19, 21-22; Acts 17:24-29)
3. He gives eternal life. (John 3:16; 11:21-27; 14:6; 17:3; Romans 6:23; see also Ephesians 2:10; 4:7-8; 5:27; Philippians 4:13; 2 Peter 1:2-4, etc.)

God's Word - A Matter of Life and Breath

Theme: God's Word energizes your life.

A picture of worthless faith.

1. Self-deception of knowing without doing. (19-22, 26)
2. Carelessness of seeing without remembering. (23-24)

A picture of Word-energized faith.

1. Receiving God’s Word humbly. (21)
2. Studying God’s Word intently. (25)
3. Living God’s Word effectively. (19-22, 25, 27)

Life in the Torture Chamber of Temptations

James 1:13-18; 1 Corinthians 10:13

God’s perspective for our temptations.

1. Watch out for self-deception. (13, 16-18)
2. Recognize the primary factor in the desire to sin. (14)
3. Be fully aware of the process for sin. (14-15)

God’s provision for our temptations.

1 Corinthians 10:13

1. God will never allow you to experience anything you cannot move through with him, without sin, and without being crushed.
2. God will always provide the way for you to handle every temptation without sin.

Life in the Pressure Cooker of Trials

When trials put the pressure on…

What you need to know.

• Testing of faith produces endurance. (3; see also Romans 5:3-4; 1 Peter 1:6-7)
• Endurance is essential to maturity. (4; see also Romans 5:3-4; 1 Peter 1:6-7)
• Perseverance will be rewarded. (12; see also Matthew 6:19-21; Romans 5:3-4; Colossians 3:1; 1 Peter 1:6-7)

What you need to do.

• Adopt the right attitude. (2)
• Ask God for wisdom. (5-8; Romans 4:20-21; Deuteronomy 6:5; Matthew 22:37)
• Keep yourself in perspective. (9-11; see also Ephesians 1:3)

The End of the Beginning

Exodus 35:1–40:38

Four Principles for Living and Working with God:

God gifts His people for serving Him.

1. The people of Israel building the Tabernacle. (35:30–36:2; see also 31:1-6)
2. The people of the church. (Romans 12:1-8; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31; see also Ephesians 1:19; 3:7, 20-21; 4:7-16; Philippians 2:13; Colossians 1:29; 1 Peter 4:10-11)

God’s people are to obey Him completely.

1. To obey His commands. (35-40; 24:3, 7; Leviticus 19:37; Deuteronomy 8:1; 11:1; John 14:15; 2 Corinthians 2:9)
2. To do His work His way. (compare chapters 25-31 with 35-40; 39:32, 42-43; 35:1-3; cf. 25:8-9, 40; 26:30; 31:32, 42-43; see also 1 Corinthians 14:40; 2 Corinthians 9:6-12; Ephesians 6:10-20)

God’s people are to bless others and their faithful work.

1. Moses’ example. (39:43)
2. Our practice. (Romans 16:10-15, 23; Philippians 1:15-18; 2 Thessalonians 1:3-4; 3 John 12)

God demonstrates His approval with His presence and direction.

1. To Moses and all Israel. (40:34-38; see also 25:8-9)
2. To us. (see Psalm 90:17; 2 Corinthians 12:7-10)

Revelations from Rebellion

Exodus 32:1 -34:5

A Stark Contrast.

1. The people quickly deserting God. (32:1-10; see also Galatians 1:6-9)
2. Moses steadfastly holding to God. (32:11-35; 33:7-23; 34:9, 29-32)

A Solid Constant.

1. God being faithful to His promises. (32:10, 27-28, 35; see also Genesis 8:22; 12:1-3; Exodus 19:5; Leviticus 26:14-33; Deuteronomy 28:1-68; Malachi 3:6; 2 Timothy 2:13; James 1:17)
2. God being faithful to His people. (32:27-28, 33-34; 33:1-23; 34:10)

Sermon #18 in a series on the book of Exodus

Worshiping Immanuel

The Tabernacle’s Importance.

1. To Israel. (25:1-2, 8-9, 21-22, 40; 26:30; 29:45-46; see also 26:9; 27:21; 39:22; Numbers 9:15; 1 Kings 8:27; Hebrews 8:1-5; 9:11-12)
2. In Scripture.

The Tabernacle’s Design.

1. Materials. (25:1-9)
2. Elements. (25:10–27:21; 30:1-10, 17-38; see also Leviticus 24:4; John 1:29; 8:12; 10:9; 14:6; Romans 8:34; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 5:25-27; Hebrews 7:25; 9:11-12)
3. Priests. (28:1–29:46)
4. Builders. (31:1-11)
5. Support. (25:1-2; 30:11-16)

The Tabernacle’s Value Today.

1. It pictures worshiping Immanuel, God who is with us. (25:8, 22; see also John 1:14; Revelation 3:20; 21:3)
2. It pictures worshiping our holy, majestic and sovereign God. (25:1–31:18; see also Leviticus 10:1-7)
3. It pictures worshiping Christ for His salvation. (Leviticus 16:1-34; 23:26-32; Numbers 29:7-11; see also Hebrews 7:23-27; 8:1-6; 9:1-14, 27–10:4, 11-14)
4. It pictures worshiping God freely and generously. (25:1-7; see also 3:21-22; 11:2; 12:35-35; 1 Chronicles 29:14; 2 Corinthians 9:7)

Thanksgiving 2025

Let Us Give Thanks

Give thanks to God because He cares for our hurts and pains.

1. A few examples of our hurts and pains. (2, 3, 6)
2. God’s care for our hurts and pains. (2-6)

Give thanks to God because He supplies our physical needs.

1. A few examples of our physical needs. (8-9, 13-18)
2. God’s care for our physical needs. (8-9, 13-18)

Give thanks to God because He meets our spiritual needs.

1. God acts and speaks. (19-20)
2. God showers His people with lovingkindness. (10-11)

Sermon #17 in a Series on Exodus

Exodus 20:22 - 24:17

The Law

God’s Law for Israel.

1. The foundation and function. (20:1-17, 20; see also Genesis 2:16-17; 15:6; Leviticus 19:2, 19, 27-28; Jeremiah 29:11; Romans 4:3)
2. The features. (20:22–23:33)

God’s Law for Us.

1. Stating some relevant truths:

• law and grace.

(Exodus 34:6; Leviticus 19:2; Deuteronomy 32:4; John 14:34; Romans 3:4, 31; 5:1-2; 6:15; 10:4; Galatians 6:2; James 2:8)

• covenant and new covenant. (Exodus 19:5; Luke 22:20)

2. Synthesizing the relevant truths.

(Genesis 15:6; John 1:29; Ephesians 2:8-9; Hebrews 9:11-12; 10:10; 1 Peter 1:18-19)

God’s challenge for Everyone.

1. For Israel then. (24:1-18; see also 20:20)
2. For us today. (Deuteronomy 27:10; Matthew 28:20; Luke 14:16-33; John 3:14-16; 14:6, 15; 15:10; Acts 16:31; Romans 3:23; 6:23; 10:9-10; 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 12:3; 1 Peter 3:15)

Sermon #16 in a series on the book of Exodus

Positive Negatives

Commandments six through ten.

1. #6: You shall not murder. (13; see also 21:12-14; Genesis 4:3-15; 9:6; Matthew 5:21-22; 1 John 3:15)
2. #7: You shall not commit adultery.(14; see also Genesis 2:24; Leviticus 20:10; Deuteronomy 22:22; Matthew 5:27-28; 15:19; 1 Corinthians 10:13; 2 Corinthians 10:5)
3. #8: You shall not steal. (15; see also 22:1-15; Ecclesiastes 5:4-5; Malachi 3:8-10; Ephesians 4:28; James 2:15-17; 1 John 3:17-18)
4. #9: You shall not bear false witness. (16; see also 23:1-3, 6-7; Leviticus 5:1; 19:11-12; Deuteronomy 19:16-20; Ephesians 4:15, 25; Colossians 3:8-10)
5. #10: You shall not covet. (16; see also Psalm 68:16; 1 Timothy 3:1; James 1:13-15)

The response to and positive value of the Ten Commandments.

1. Israel. (18-21; see also 32:1-10; Numbers 11:1-35; 13:1–14:45; 16:1-50, etc.)
2. Ourselves.

Remember and Honor

#15 in a series on the book of Exodus, 12:8-12.

Remember the Sabbath.

1. The basic nuts and bolts. (8-11; see also 16:5, 22-30; 23:12; 31:12-17; Genesis 2:1-3 Leviticus 16:31; 23:3, 32; Deuteronomy 5:12-15)
2. The implications for Israel. (10; see also 31:14-15; 35:2-3; Numbers 15:30-36; Nehemiah 13:15-22; Isaiah 58:13-14; Jeremiah 17:19-27; Ezekiel 20:10-26; Luke 23:56 - 24:1)
3. The implications for us. (Acts 13:13 ff; 17:1-2; 20:7; Romans 14:5-6; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2; Galatians 4:8-10; Colossians 2:16-17; Hebrews 10:25; Revelation 1:10)

Honor your Parents.

1. The command to honor. (12; see also Leviticus 19:3; Deuteronomy 5:16; 21:18-21; 27:16; Proverbs 1:8; 4:10-11; 6:20-22; 23:22; 28:24; 30:11, 17; Isaiah 29:13; Matthew 15:4-9; Luke 2:51; John 19:26-27; Ephesians 6:1-3; Colossians 3:20; 1 Timothy 5:3-16)
2. The blessing with the command. (12; see also Deuteronomy 5:16; Ephesians 6:2)

Putting God First

# 14 in a series on the book of Exodus

Theme: Putting God first means giving Him exclusive supremacy.

No other Gods.

1. Clearing up the language. (3)
2. Exploring the implications. (3; see also Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 6:19-24; 22:36-38)

No idols.

1. What idols? (4; see also 25:18-20; 32:1-10; Deuteronomy 4:15-16)
2. Why no idols? (4-5)
3. Results of our response to this commandment. (5-6; see also Deuteronomy 24:16; Ezekiel 18:4, 20; John 14:15, 21, 23)

No misuse of God’s name.

1. Clarifying the language. (7; see also 23:1; Ezekiel 39:25; Matthew 5:33-37; 23:16-23)
2. Guarding our language. (7; see also Ephesians 4:29; James 3:3-12)

Sermon #13 in a series on the book of Exodus.

Exodus 19:1-25

Getting our bearings.

1. An overview of the events. (1-25)

2. What’s going on here?

a. God’s premise. (3-6, 9-13, 20-24; see also Deuteronomy 4:31-33; 32:9-11; Psalm 115:3; 135:6)

b. God’s promises. (5-6; see also Deuteronomy 7:6)

c. God’s conditions. (5)

Gleaning truth for ourselves.

1. God chooses, saves by His sovereign grace. (Deuteronomy 7:6-8; 10:14-15; John 15:16, 19; Romans 3:20; Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 1:14)

2. God is faithful to His promises. (Exodus 3:12; Deuteronomy 4:31; 7:6-8; 1 Corinthians 1:4-9; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24; 2 Timothy 2:13; Hebrews 10:23)

3. God commands and blesses faithful obedience. (5-6, 10-11; 1 Corinthians 3:12-15; 4:1-5)

4. God, who draws us close, must be respected and reverenced. (12-13, 21, 23-24; see also Deuteronomy 4:23-24; Ecclesiastes 5:1-7; Isaiah 57:15; Matthew 1:23; Ephesians 2:13; 1 Timothy 6:15-16; Hebrews 10:19-22; 12:28-29)