15. The 2 1/2 Ounce Monster
​(Part I) 08/09/2020

Text: James 3:1-6​

We often hear of the danger of guns, knives and bombs, etc, but the human tongue is perhaps the most dangerous instrument in existence. As small as it is, it has done an incredible amount of damage. Today we will begin a two-week look at what James has to say about our tongues.

Text: James 3:7-12​

Last week we examined the destructive nature of our tongues. The tongue is an out-of-control fire that can do widespread damage. Today we will look at how our tongues can be controlled. James said that no man can tame them, but that doesn't mean there is absolutely no way to fix our speech. Our study will take us to the words of David and Paul as well as those of James.

Text: James 3:13-18​

James 3 concludes with important words concerning true wisdom.  There is a wisdom of this world; we seem to be born with it actively directing our old nature.  We should not live by the wisdom that comes from within or from below;  we need the wisdom from above.  "Show Me Your Wisdom"  is our study in this message.

Text: James 2:1-4

James is willing to confront problems within the church. In chapter 1 he addressed a lack of faith, anger, only hearing and not doing the Word and false religion among believers. As we enter chapter 2, he addresses another serious issue: prejudice. We will study this pertinent matter today.

Text: James 2:5-13

The Lord Jesus was once asked what the greatest commandment was.  The two-part answer He gave is evidently forgotten too often; or at least the second part of His answer is.  It definitely isn't obeyed as well as it should be.  Today we will learn that obedience to the second greatest commandment will keep us from practicing bias in the church.

Text: James 2:14-20

As we continue our study in the letter written by James, we come to a passage that is viewed by some as controversial; but in reality, these verses strike at the heart of the reality of our profession of faith.  Is our faith genuine?  How do we know it?  Or better yet, how can we show it?  We will examine the importance of "Making Our Faith Visible" today.

Text: James 1:13-16

During this message, we will ask the question: "Why Do I Sin?".  The Apostle Paul gives the general theological answer and James gives the specific practical answer in James 1;13-16. That will be our study today.

Text: James 1:17-18

In James 1:13-16 we learned about ourselves. In verses 17-18 we learn about the goodness of our Lord and the salvation that He gives.

Text: James 1:21-25

As Christians, we highly value the Bible. We understand and accept that it is the Word of God and not just the words of men. We read it, listen to it and memorize verses from it. How welcome in our lives really is it? What impact on our daily living does it have? Today we will consider how we should respond to the Bible as we look at James 1:21-25.

Text: James 1:19-21

One of the most familiar verses in the Book of James is Chapter 1, verse 19. This verse gives believers three short words of instruction. Perhaps because they step on toes, the meaning of the commands are debated. In this message we will examine this verse and seek to apply it appropriately to daily living.

Text: James 1:17-18

In James 1:13-16 we learned about ourselves. In verses 17-18 we learn about the goodness of our Lord and the salvation that He gives.

Text: Various

We begin a study of the Book of Ezra. Today, we will introduce the study by considering some of the reasons why it is valuable for us to study this book.

Text: 2 Chronicles 36:14-23; Ezra 1:1-2

Today we begin our study in chapter 1 of the Book of Ezra. Israel has been in captivity for 70 years. As Ezra begins, they are allowed to return to Jerusalem. The circumstances of that return show that the Lord is always in control. "Return and Rebuild" is the theme we will follow as we study Ezra.

Text: Ezra 1:3-11

Our study of Ezra continues as we conclude chapter 1 with the message "Return and Rebuild: Who Will Go? Who Will Help?"

Text: Ezra 1:3-11
The Persian King Cyrus was moved by the Lord to let captive Israel return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. The lessons from this decree of the king are very important for us today. Churches are sleepy, churches are dying and Christians are captive to the world and comfortable in the world. We need to be revived by the Lord. We need to return and rebuild, getting involved in the Lord's work. It is our hope and prayer that the Lord will use His Word to bring revival to us!

Text: Ezra 2

Returning to our study of Ezra, we will be looking in chapter 2 at those who returned to Jerusalem in order to rebuild the temple

Text: Ezra 4

Text: Various

Here we will review what we have previously studied in Ezra.

Text: Ezra 6:13-22

Today we will see the completed construction of the temple.

Text: Ezra 7:11-28

Continuing our study in Ezra, we will be looking at a helpful letter written by the Persian King Artaxerxes.

Text: Ezra 8:1-20, 24-30

Here we enter Ezra 8, as Ezra leads a group of spiritually-minded Jews to Jerusalem to help the spiritually-wandering ones there.

Text: James 2:1-4

James is willing to confront problems within the church. In chapter 1 he addressed a lack of faith, anger, only hearing and not doing the Word and false religion among believers. As we enter chapter 2, he addresses another serious issue: prejudice. We will study this pertinent matter today.

Text: Ezra 9:1-4

Beginning the 9th chapter of Ezra, we will be looking at what Ezra found once he arrived in Jerusalem.

Text: Ezra 9:5-15

In this message we will be challenged by Ezra's prayer that led to a revival in Judah.

Text: Ezra 10:9-44​

We will now be looking at the concluding verses of the book of Ezra in a message entitled "Revival".

Text: Various​

Today we will conclude our look at the Book of Ezra. This is a wonderfully encouraging and challenging book. In this message we will review what we have learned from it.