All Nations Presbyterian Church: Morning Sermon Series

James 3:1-12 - Watching Our Speech

On Sunday morning, we looked at the warnings around speech in James 3:1-12. Speech is uniquely powerful and dangerous. James applies this idea to teachers in the church: good teaching can have a big positive impact, and bad teaching can lead so many astray. This is also a problem for our personal speech to others: we can curse people we should not, and we can fail to worship God as we should. While James doesn't unpack the solution in this passage, there are hints. Jesus tells us that speech flows from our hearts. Left to ourselves, we cannot speak in a way that is consistent and faithful due to our sinful nature. But through the work of the Holy Spirit, our hearts can change. Consider how you speak to others. Can you encourage someone today? Do you need to pray for wisdom with your speech? Do you need to apologise to anyone for something you've said? 

Exodus 40:34-Leviticus 1:2 - Holy God, Sinful People

Last Sunday morning, we heard from Exodus 40:34-Leviticus 1:2 together. We especially saw that the end of Exodus speak to us of the awesome holiness and glory of God. At the same time, Moses’ inability to enter the tent of meeting reminds us that as sinners, we cannot approach the holy God on our own and live. So, is there any way for us to draw near to the holy God? This is the fundamental question that Leviticus answers. We saw that Leviticus 1:1-2 points us to the start of the answer: God calls and invites Moses into His presence. The only way for sinners like us to approach a holy God is if God Himself calls and makes a way, and God has done just that in Jesus Christ! This week, take some time to pray and thank God that He has made a way and called us to draw near to Him covered in Jesus’ blood and righteousness.

James 2:14-26 - Showing Faith with Our Works

On Sunday morning, we looked at the second half of James 2 together. James explored the relationship between faith and works. It is not enough to say you believe something; you show what you believe through what you do. Trusting in Jesus is not just a matter of understanding a few important facts. It is shown, and completed, in how you live out your faith. All of us are only saved through faith in Jesus, but that faith is always shown in practical ways. James showed this using the examples of Abraham and Rahab. This doesn't mean we need to do a certain amount of good works to be worthy of God's love. It means that true faith will always lead to a changed life, and changed in practical ways to love God and our neighbours. What can you do today in response to this? Who can you practically help as someone who trusts in Jesus?