Perseverance
We're going through the letter to the seven churches, not letters, it's one letter and it's written to seven different churches. They all got the same letter and they all kind of got to read each other's mail; because within this letter, there is a message to each of the seven churches that are in Asia Minor, first century. John the Apostle was kind of an overseer of those things, and Jesus, through John, is delivering a message to them.
Spiritual Realms and the Community
The very first section of Revelation. Revelation 1:1, it says:
The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.
Jesus, All Dressed Up
Everybody, I am Beth Coker, and I hail from southern Oregon. The first service Ryan introduced me and he gets off the stage and it's like, “Oh my gosh, I forgot to tell them you're coming.” I said “Ryan, I got this,” so I'm just excited to be back here with you again this morning.
And the last time I was here, the Phoenix Suns were rocking it on the basketball court, and this time the Cardinals are the only undefeated team left in the NFL. Phoenix, you're doing something right here. Awesome.
The Tongue
Everybody, I am Beth Coker, and I hail from southern Oregon. The first service Ryan introduced me and he gets off the stage and it's like, “Oh my gosh, I forgot to tell them you're coming.” I said “Ryan, I got this,” so I'm just excited to be back here with you again this morning.
And the last time I was here, the Phoenix Suns were rocking it on the basketball court, and this time the Cardinals are the only undefeated team left in the NFL. Phoenix, you're doing something right here. Awesome.
Kinetic Faith
Well, we're going to be in James chapter two, if you want to grab a Bible turn there. You can do it on your on your phone, but the phone is going to try and get you to think about other things while you're turning to the book of James, so use the book if you can. This thing is called a book. It's been around awhile. It's pretty good. But yeah, James, chapter two is where we're going to be and we're in the series “Kinetic Righteousness.”
The Law Gives Freedom
We're going to read out of James two, starting in verse one. If you are able to stand, why don't you stand with me and let's read the word of God here. James 2:1: My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. If 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,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
The Righteousness of God
Good morning, Living Streams, how are you guys doing today? Really? That bad, huh? You guys doing all right? OK, OK. Still waiting for the coffee to kick in. First service, I feel like gets that excuse. Second service? I don't know. It's wearing off. You guys should be a little more awake. Well, if you haven't noticed, I'm not David Stockton. He's a little bit less hairy than me. David Stockton is at home.
Wisdom from Heaven
Well, let's go to Matthew, 7:7-12: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone?” Nobody answer that, please. Some of you might have been there before. I've been close. “Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?”
Amazed at His Word
Well, let's go to Matthew, 7:7-12: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone?” Nobody answer that, please. Some of you might have been there before. I've been close. “Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?”
The Good Gifts of Wisdom, Unity and Restoration
Well, let's go to Matthew, 7:7-12: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone?” Nobody answer that, please. Some of you might have been there before. I've been close. “Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?”
Judgment
If you want to grab a Bible and turn to Matthew Chapter six. That's what we're going to be today. Jesus has been talking to us for a little while. We've been on the Sermon in the Mount for the last four months. Basically, it's been all red letters. Everything that we've been studying and reading — our culture today is trying to tell us what is righteousness, what is justice — and we want to be about …
Worry, Anxiety and Over-Concern
If you want to grab a Bible and turn to Matthew Chapter six. That's what we're going to be today. Jesus has been talking to us for a little while. We've been on the Sermon in the Mount for the last four months. Basically, it's been all red letters. Everything that we've been studying and reading — our culture today is trying to tell us what is righteousness, what is justice — and we want to be about …
Treasures in Heaven
We’re in Matthew, Chapter six, if you want to grab a Bible and turn there. Today we're looking at the words of Jesus again in the Sermon on the Mount and praying that his Spirit will open our eyes and our ears and our hearts to get a vision for the righteousness of God.
The Lord's Prayer
Thank you, thank you. I’m actually having a really hard time. That song, you know, Jesus we love you, Jesus we love you. I’m really struggling in a beautiful way. I do love him. I do sense his presence. I don’t even want to transition. I just want to sit in that moment for a second and just feel it. Do you know how much he loves you? Do you know how much he loves us? Do you? He loves you so much.
Giving and Prayer
We’re going through the Sermon on the Mount and we’re kind of coming to the end of this little mini-series within the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus gives six examples of the greater righteousness that he wants us all to live into. And he talks about anger and lust and divorce and keeping your promises and bearing false witness and how to love each other and not respond in resentment, but deal with people correctly.
Love Your Enemies
We’re going through the Sermon on the Mount and we’re kind of coming to the end of this little mini-series within the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus gives six examples of the greater righteousness that he wants us all to live into. And he talks about anger and lust and divorce and keeping your promises and bearing false witness and how to love each other and not respond in resentment, but deal with people correctly.
Resentment and Revenge
We’re going to talk about resentment today. Yeah. Resentment is where we’re going. We’re going through the Sermon on the Mount. We’ve talked about anger. We’ve talked about lust. We’ve talked about divorce. We’ve talked about deceit. And really how prevalent those are in our lives, even as believers in Christ…
Father's Day
This is weird for me, because usually I teach third through fifth graders and they are neither. Quiet nor respectful up there. So the fact that you guys listen just freaks me out a little bit. So, to make me more comfortable, if anyone wants to act up and I can throw you out of here, it would be really good for me. And I don’t have my candy bucket…
Bearing False Witness
We’re going to pick up another thing today. We’re going to talk about oaths. Say that word. It’w impossible to say without feeling weird. Basically, Jesus has been equating anger with murder, harkening back to those days when the command was Thou shalt not murder. What people had done with that command,
Divorce
This morning it is my joy to be with you and to share from the word of God. About a month ago, the media and newspaper headlines blew up with the announcement of one of America’s most influential, affluential, philanthropic, visible couples, that they were divorcing. Now they had always appeared to be the Mazda automobile version of the American couple…