Lake Community Church, Alexandria MN

From Stressed to Strengthened… and everything in between.  As we’ve been journeying through the book of James our hearts have been challenged to grow and persevere well, in times of pressure, in trials and in progress toward spiritual maturity.  To have our walk line up with our talk requires wisdom, decisive action, humility, and prayer while ultimately loving each other well.
The final message we will discuss in James will be one of prayer and restoration. This sermon will be “participatory” in nature – that’s right we’re going to do some good old fashioned, pondering (listening & thinking), praising (you know, really singing) and praying (just what it says).  Finally, we’ll be presented with the responsibility of loving our brothers and sisters well.  When faith falters and truth becomes a distant reality God brings us back to a place of restoration.

Last week we talked about how God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.  Pride is a heart issue that has outward signs that are recognizable.  This week, we are going to ask God to check our hearts.  There is nothing wrong with identifying something as wrong or right.  However, when do those moral convictions turn into slander or judgment?  There is nothing wrong with making plans for the future, but when do those plans turn into our will versus God’s will?  God cares about our innermost thoughts because he knows that what comes out of our hearts turns into actions. 
 
Here is the good news…  God is in the business of changing and shaping the hearts of man.  He has done it throughout the course of history and he can change our hearts as well.  Psalms 139:23-24 says, “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.  See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.”  When we ask God to test and know our hearts, HE DOES.  Then we will see that God replaces our desires with His desires. 

What does it mean to submit our lives to God?  Does it mean we have to live lives that are boring with a list of dos and don’ts.  In the book of James, we are going to see the dangers of trying to live life our way versus living for Jesus.  God desires us to humbly submit our lives to Him. 

“What causes fights and quarrels among you?”   This is how James 4 begins.  This question seems incredibly relevant today as we witness the many arguments that polarize our culture.  Disagreements and sometimes heated exchanges lead to damaged relationships and hurt feelings.  However, inside the family of God, should such arguments divide us?  

This Sunday we are going to look at the core reasons why there are fights and quarrels among us.  Even though they are shockingly obvious, these reasons still contribute to unnecessary quarrels among friends and family.  We will also take a look at the cure to such arguments.  What if you could live at peace with those around you?  What if you could mend some of the torn relationships in your life?  Wouldn’t that be both liberating and a testimony to the amazing work of Jesus in our lives?