What you do = What you really believe...

Augustine said “Where Scripture speaks, God speaks.”

It’s easy to draw huge crowds by preaching soft topics… Preaching (if you call it that) fun and exciting or trending topics….  Jumping from one thing to another talking about the things that make us feel better about ourselves we might eventually get around to a few important doctrines here or there…

But when we do that, when we find ourselves focusing on the parts of the Bible that we like, tailoring it to what we want to hear…  we begin to ignore the passages that are difficult to understand, likewise the passages which confront our sinfulness begin to be left out that or we twist them to fit the context of our lifestyle… The result is we create a Christianity that appeals to us…

This is why we must commit ourselves to the teaching the entirety of God’s Word. Just because we don’t like what a verse says doesn’t mean we get to remove it from God’s Word…

There is true value found in God’s word and there is a great need for the competent and complete teaching of the Holy Scriptures. Not simply to tickle the ears of the people but to lead them to repentance and to eternal life.

James is one of those tough books. There will be times as we go through this series in which you are going to feel uncomfortable. And to that I say GOOD! Don’t shirk from that discomfort, embrace it. Embrace the message which God is whispering in your ears through His words and don’t look back!

So a little context of the author, audience, and purpose as we get started –

Who is James?

James was a Pastor in the early church (Acts 15 & 21). He is most likely the half-brother to Jesus…

Who is James writing to?

We see this in verse 1:  James is writing predominately to the Jewish Christians who had been a part of the church in Jerusalem. We know that according to Acts 8 following Stephen’s martyrdom the believers from Jerusalem had been scattered due to intense persecution.

What is James all about?

The book of James focuses heavily on the central theme obedience. James’ premise is that the way we live, the things we do, our responses to trials, all is a direct result of our faith.

What we do = What we really believe…

The book is comprised of 108 verses and out of those we find 59 different commands. Obedience is cover to cover…

In today’s culture no one wants to hear about obedience, following Biblical commands and laws are ridiculed as outmoded archaic practices… Start talking about living Biblical principles and people start to whine and cry about legalism and run away…. 

In James 1 we are looking at facing trials in life. How do you face your trials? Do you face them under your own strength and understanding? Living in that constant state of anxiety and frustration?

Or do you allow the Sovereign God of the Universe to guide you in His wisdom, trusting in his resources and his reward, drawing closer to him, growing more Christ-like until you reach the finish line and are crowned with eternal life? 

Living a James Life requires a radical commitment to a God centered life. 

Join us over the next 12 weeks as we explore the commands for Christian living found in the book of James and apply them to our lives.

If you miss a week be sure to log on to the church website and listen to that week’s message!

http://www.fbcislamorada.org

See you Sunday! 

Don't Be Tobiah

As we wrap up our study of Nehemiah this week we are going to look at 3 men who are named as enemies of the work which God is doing among his people.

God had such a magnificent plan and work in store for Nehemiah but as I am sure you are well aware God’s work is never finished without interference form the enemy.

Three men stood opposed Nehemiah, and as we look at who they are they stand representative of the present-day enemies of the gospel.

Who are these conspirators?

Sanballat the Horonite. His name means ''hate in disguise.''

Sanballat represents the wisdom of this world and its opposition to Christ and His gospel. Most organized religion hates Jesus Christ. Paul spoke of it as being a form of deception when he said, ''And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore, it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness, whose end shall be according to their works'' (2Cor 11:14-15).

Tobiah the Ammonite His name means ''the servant,'' or possibly, ''the Lord is good.''

He is a representative of those who make a formal profession of faith.

They have a good name but a bad heart.

While this man, Tobiah was a sort of puppet for his master Sanballat. We see that Tobiah had the ear of many of the leaders in the area and even in Jerusalem. And due to his connections he was able to work often behind the scenes to manipulate what was taking place in the temple and behind the city walls.

Finally, we see Geshem the Arab. This man's name means ''a violent shower.''

In the case of Nehemiah and his workers, he brought a shower of ridicule and criticism. Constantly mocking the work God was doing. We see men like this today who openly mock the things of God! 

As we look at these three men it would be easy to point fingers and say well this person is Tobiah and this person is Geshem or Sanballat but rather than pointing fingers at others I would challenge each of us to look at our own hearts and pray – God, am I Sanballat? Am I Tobiah? Am I Geshem?

Knowing where we truly stand in our relationship with God is essential to our obedience!

Everyone knew Sanballat and Geshem were enemies of God there was no secret there but Tobiah… Tobiah had everyone fooled – except Nehemiah (and God!)

Don’t be Tobiah today!

See ya Sunday!

What do you want to be remembered for?

 Nehemiah was truly a man of prayer, the book opens in chapter 1 with him humbling himself before the Lord in prayer, every time Nehemiah faces a challenge where does he turn to the Lord in prayer, and at the close of the book we see Nehemiah go to the Lord one final time in prayer.

It’s amazing though as you read Nehemiah’s final prayer (chapter 13) there is one thing that is strangely missing. Not once does he refer to what most men would consider his greatest accomplishment… the reconstruction of Jerusalem.

If we were writing this today, we would be singing the praises of Nehemiah not for purifying his people from sin but for the beauty of the walls and the strength of the people inside them… This was true in that day as well and rather seeking out praise of men, or even the praise of God for the very evident physical achievements he is seeking out the favor of God not for these things but for the work of purification in the lives of the people.

If only more people today would be less concerned about receiving a pat on the back and more about the souls of their fellow man we would not live in such a mess of a world…

Just my 2 cents for the morning… 

May we all be delivered...

This week in the midst of the gun violence dominating our news the upper keys lost a familiar face. I don’t normally write things such as this in my blog but I thought it was needed to provide this face a voice as he had long lost his.

Archie “Boyd” Bagwell Jr passed away on Thursday at Plantation Key Nursing Center having battled for some time with terminal cancer. Boyd wasn’t much to most who saw him, but to those who took the time to get to know him he was a kindhearted individual who did not seek to be a drain or an inconvenience on anyone. 

Boyd’s brother Bruce was exceedingly grateful to those who went out of their way to care for Boyd in his final days. He was amazed at the level of care his brother received not just in medical attention but in love and expressions of friendship from our church and from those associated with us. 

We don’t know where Boyd’s spirit has gone which makes his passing while expected, tragic. I do believe however that regardless of where he is now, his desire would be for the rest of us to embrace the forgiveness offered by God through Christ.

As far has his earthly shell, Boyd’s remains will be cremated with the plan to put them in the ocean. 

We will plan a Celebration of Life service for Boyd this fall once our winter visitors have returned with the hope that some of Boyd’s family from North Carolina will be able to join us then as well.

In closing I am reminded of Matthew Henry’s prayer for the grace needed to die well a prayer that each of us should pray daily!

“I must pray for grace to deliver me from death and to carry me well through my dying moments:

Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know and consider how fleeting I am, that my days are as a few handbreadths and all mankind stands as a mere breath! My days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no abiding.

Lord, so teach me to number my days, that I may get a heart of wisdom, and make me to discern my latter end!

Lord, make me always ready, dressed for action with my lamp burning, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour I do not expect.

Keep me all the days of my service, waiting till my renewal comes; and then shall you call, and I will answer.

Bring me to my grave like a sheaf gathered up in its season; satisfy me with life, whether it be long or short, and show me your salvation.

And when I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, be with me, that I may fear no evil; let your rod and your staff comfort me.

Let goodness and mercy follow me all the days of my life, and let me dwell in the house of the LORD forever. May steadfast love and faithfulness be with me.

Ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, and receive me; guide me with your counsel, and afterward receive me into glory. “

Psalm 39:4-5, 1 Chronicles 29:15, Psalm 90:12, Deuteronomy 32:29, Luke 12:35, Luke 12:40, Job 14:14-15, Job 5:26, Psalm 91:16, Psalm 23:4, Psalm 23:62, Samuel 15:20, Psalm 49:15, Psalm 73:24

In America --

As I prepared this week to finish Nehemiah 9 I found this silly illustration, I decided not to use it on Sunday but thought it was worth sharing none the less. You may have seen it or heard parts of it before as it's not new but it is unlikely you have seen the commentary included at the end so read and enjoy!  

Yakof Smirnof, a Ukrainian comic from the 80’s & 90’s was famous for his word play associated with American and Russian culture… For instance - he was amazed by the products available in our stores. He saw powdered milk – just add water. He saw powdered eggs – just add water. He saw baby powder – wow, what a country.  -- some of his other attributed colloquialism's are: 

• In America, we park on the driveway and drive on the parkway.
• In America, we put Braille dots on the keyboards at drive up ATMs and have handicapped parking at the front door of the skating rink.
• In America, our feet smell and our noses run.
• In America, when we transport something by car we call it a shipment and when we transport something in a ship we call it cargo.
• In America, we park $20,000 cars on the street so that we can store $200 worth of junk in our garages.
• In America, the #2 pencil is the most popular, but it is still #2.
• In America, we chop trees down so that we can chop them up.
• In America, we have interstate highways in Hawaii.
• In America, when everyone is driving slow, we call it rush hour….

This weekend in churches across our great country people are going to be crying out in prayer that God would bring healing to the brokenness and justice to the sinfulness across the country. 

Many will turn to 2 Chronicles 7:14 which says “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

However, if we truly desire the healing that we claim to come upon our nation, we need to be repentant instead of blaming other people…

This is addressed to the believers, not the pagan leaders. 

I’m reminded of a story - about a man who goes to a doctor and says “You have to help me, I hurt everywhere. If I touch my arm, it hurts, if I touch my leg it hurts, if I touch my head it hurts, and if I touch my chest it hurts.” The doctor does some tests and comes back with the answer. “You have a broken finger.” 

Friends don’t blame the oval office, supreme court, or congress, the blame lies with us as Christians.

This scripture tells us to “humble ourselves” admit we need help, “and pray” ask God for forgiveness of our sins, “turn from our wicked ways” don’t cheat on your taxes, don’t patronize improper movies, quit worshiping other things. “I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 

It’s up to us as believers. The ball is in our court.

Look at what Ezra prayed in the book of Nehemiah 9:32-38

So now, our God—the great, mighty, and awe-inspiring God who keeps His gracious covenant do not view lightly all the hardships that have afflicted us, our kings and leaders, our priests and prophets, our ancestors and all Your people, from the days of the Assyrian kings until today. You are righteous concerning all that has come on us, because You have acted faithfully, while we have acted wickedly. 

Our kings, leaders, priests, and ancestors did not obey Your law or listen to Your commands and warnings You gave them. When they were in their kingdom, with Your abundant goodness that You gave them, and in the spacious and fertile land You set before them, they would not serve You or turn from their wicked ways.

Here we are today, slaves in the land You gave our ancestors so that they could enjoy its fruit and its goodness. Here we are—slaves in it!

Its abundant harvest goes to the kings You have set over us, because of our sins. They rule over our bodies and our livestock as they please.

We are in great distress.

In view of all this, we are making a binding agreement in writing on a sealed document containing the names of our leaders, Levites, and priests.

Friends, we do not come to this moment in our own strength. We do not come sufficient in ourselves. We do not come because of the beauty of covenant community. We come mainly—like Ezra—because God is a great, mighty, awesome, covenant-keeping, loving God, who will help us, and who will show his love for us through the covenant.

Will you truly humble yourself today and seek God’s face in prayer? Repenting of your hidden wrongs and asking him to first heal your heart and then heal your land? Much as the people in that day we too are in great distress in this world today – maybe we need to look at where we’ve come from a little harder and remember God’s mercies anew… 

Have a great weekend hope to see you Sunday!