January 2021

Church: Clear on Who We Are

(Bible Reading: Ephesians 1:15-23)

Lets be clear on who we are as a Church

1 We are sinners made alive in Jesus……

by responding to the Gospel of Jesus

2 We gather around Jesus and His Gospel……

as people who belong to Jesus and want to live for Him.

3 We seek to grow as followers of Jesus……

• by growing in knowing Jesus,…
• growing in living for Jesus…
• growing in sharing the Gospel of Jesus

Next week: Lets be clear on what we’re doing

Preacher: Steve Blencowe

True Wisdom is Gospel Wisdom

James 3:13-18

1. If you claim to be wise, show it in your actions (v13)

2. Wisdom and understanding are seen in actions motivated by meekness (v13)

3. Wisdom and understanding are not seen in jealousy and selfish ambition (v14-16)

4. Godly wisdom is – pure, peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, sincere. (v17-18)

5. It is the gospel of Jesus that makes us truly wise!

Preacher: Steve Blencowe

The Tale our Tongues Tell!

James 3:1-12

1. Tongues are POWERFUL(3:1-6)

2. and Tongues are UNTAMABLE (3:7-8)

3. The Tale our Tongues Tell ABOUT US! (3:9-12)

Fix your heart and you’ll fix your tongue!

Preacher: Steve Blencowe

Faith that doesn’t save!

James 2:14-26

1. ‘Faith’ that cannot save (James 2:14-20)

• a useless example (v14-17)
• the ultimate example of ‘faith’ that cannot save (v19)

2. Faith that saves (James 2:18-26)

• faith and actions – “don’t just say it, do it!” (v18)
• two examples of faith that saves

1. Abraham (v20-24 see also Gen 12:1-4, 22:1-20, Heb 11:17-19)
2. Rahab (v25-26 see also Joshua 2:8-13)

3. what James is NOT saying

• Take context into account
• Notice the way words are used
• Compare with the rest of the Bible
• Faith in Action – don’t just say it, do it!

Preacher: Steve Blencowe

The Gospel Flatters No-one!

James 1:19-27

1. Be quick to listen… v19-20

to the implanted word v21

the perfect law that gives freedom v25

(Jeremiah 31:33)

2. … to the truth… v21

the truth that doesn’t not flatter

but the truth that saves

3. And keep walking… v22-25

… not just talking v26-27

Preacher: Steve Blencowe