THE FOUR KEYS TO FACING HARD TIMES (1 OF 8)
by Craig Smith
Scripture: James 1:1-18
This content is part of a series.
The Four Keys to Facing Hard Times (1 of 8)
Series: Real Religion
Craig Smith
James 1:1-18
I. Introduction
Welcome to Mission Hills. Whether you're joining us in the Big Room, at The Mill or online, we're so glad that you're here. This is actually kind of a special weekend, for a couple of reasons. First, it was exactly one year ago, on the first weekend of May, that I was here as a guest preacher, with no intention of applying for this job and yet...exactly one year later, here we are.
The second reason this is a special weekend is that we're beginning a new series today on the book of James. And I'm super excited about it because there's so much to love about the book of James. I love how practical it is and I think you'll find that what God has to say to us through this book will really change some of the ways that you approach life. I also love the book of James because it was written by James. And if you don't know anything about James, here's the most important piece to start with: James was the brother of Jesus himself...well, half-brother...same mother...very different father! But here's the thing that I find so fascinating about James: James didn't always believe his older brother was God. In fact, the Gospel accounts of Jesus' life record a time that James came to get Jesus and take him home because they thought he was crazy. How much proof do you think it takes to go from ''my older brother thinks he's actually God'' to ''I think my older brother is actually God''? I'm thinking a LOT of proof!
But it's this relationship between James and Jesus that makes his opening words so interesting to me:
II. Main Body
A. Some Background About James
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
Did you notice how James identified himself here? He doesn't play the older-brother card. He doesn't say ''the brother of Jesus''...he says ''the servant of the Lord Jesus Christ.'' James finds his identity in who he serves. This is fou ...
Series: Real Religion
Craig Smith
James 1:1-18
I. Introduction
Welcome to Mission Hills. Whether you're joining us in the Big Room, at The Mill or online, we're so glad that you're here. This is actually kind of a special weekend, for a couple of reasons. First, it was exactly one year ago, on the first weekend of May, that I was here as a guest preacher, with no intention of applying for this job and yet...exactly one year later, here we are.
The second reason this is a special weekend is that we're beginning a new series today on the book of James. And I'm super excited about it because there's so much to love about the book of James. I love how practical it is and I think you'll find that what God has to say to us through this book will really change some of the ways that you approach life. I also love the book of James because it was written by James. And if you don't know anything about James, here's the most important piece to start with: James was the brother of Jesus himself...well, half-brother...same mother...very different father! But here's the thing that I find so fascinating about James: James didn't always believe his older brother was God. In fact, the Gospel accounts of Jesus' life record a time that James came to get Jesus and take him home because they thought he was crazy. How much proof do you think it takes to go from ''my older brother thinks he's actually God'' to ''I think my older brother is actually God''? I'm thinking a LOT of proof!
But it's this relationship between James and Jesus that makes his opening words so interesting to me:
II. Main Body
A. Some Background About James
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
Did you notice how James identified himself here? He doesn't play the older-brother card. He doesn't say ''the brother of Jesus''...he says ''the servant of the Lord Jesus Christ.'' James finds his identity in who he serves. This is fou ...
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