Resilient
In January we started a Sunday teaching series, Resilient, going through the book of James.
The gutsy discipleship to which James calls us is entirely rooted in the heart-transforming gospel. As we get to know the letter we discover James as a shrewd observer of our real condition. He is not primarily concerned with behaviour but with the heart, and he knows, as well as any, that the heart will only be helped by grace.
He calls us not to our best efforts but to the Lord. Going through James will give us constant opportunities to see a radical vision of the Kingdom.
Episodes
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15. Resilient 14 // Prone to Wander - Stephen Dawson // James 5.19-20
15. Resilient 14 // Prone to Wander - Stephen Dawson // James 5.19-20
At first blush, James’ compassionate last words might seem at odds with the robust way he has spoken to hypocrites (echoing his older brother) and called them to account for their double standards.... -
14. Resilient #13 // Resilient in Community - Matt Carvel // James 5.13-18
14. Resilient #13 // Resilient in Community - Matt Carvel // James 5.13-18
Wisdom in community is not a po-faced and earnest thing: Celebration, healing, prevailing prayer and forgiveness are the pulsing blood of the community of Christ. Authority is given by the Lord to... -
13. Resilient #12 // Ruling in Prayer - Tobi Ford-Western // James 5.13-18
13. Resilient #12 // Ruling in Prayer - Tobi Ford-Western // James 5.13-18
The ‘prayer of a righteous person’ - does this mean that one needs to attain a certain level of holiness of life before being heard? No, we are righteous in Christ. But there is something to be said... -
12. Resilient #11 // Stability and Endurance - Joel Virgo // James 5.7-12
12. Resilient #11 // Stability and Endurance - Joel Virgo // James 5.7-12
Sitting tight, standing firm, staying confident in the midst of seeming stasis. All of these depend upon the depth of confidence possessed, and that in turn depends on the knowledge of and belief in... -
11. Resilient #10 // Rich Forever - Matt Carvel // James 5.1-6
11. Resilient #10 // Rich Forever - Matt Carvel // James 5.1-6
What’s wrong with being rich? Why are they told to ‘weep and howl’? Do riches make you de facto unrighteous? No, but Jesus does say it is harder if you are rich. You are carrying a greater burden and... -
10. Resilient #9 // What Is Your Life? - Joel Virgo // James 4.13-17
10. Resilient #9 // What Is Your Life? - Joel Virgo // James 4.13-17
Our endeavours should be both whole hearted and tentative: Wholehearted in the sense of commitment and others-oriented responsibility. Tentative in the sense of humility at circumstances beyond our... -
09. Resilient #8 // Human Passion Vs God Passion - Tobi Ford-Western // James 4.1-12
09. Resilient #8 // Human Passion Vs God Passion - Tobi Ford-Western // James 4.1-12
Where do personal conflicts come from? Grasping for prominence and fear of missing out can be so great as to compromise and exceed our care for others. How are our hearts to be captivated with His... -
08. Resilient #7 // Wisdom from Above - Matt Carvel // James 3.13-18
08. Resilient #7 // Wisdom from Above - Matt Carvel // James 3.13-18
We are not sovereign as we think - rather we are at the mercy of messages coming from above and below. ‘Wisdom calls’ as we read in Proverbs, but so does Folly. This latter ‘wisdom’ gains consensus... -
07. Resilient #6 // The Power of Speech - Stephen Dawson // James 3.1-12
07. Resilient #6 // The Power of Speech - Stephen Dawson // James 3.1-12
Does it matter what we say? Do we have the freedom to speak our mind? James looks at the power of the tongue and the life or destruction it can bring. -
06. Resilient #5 // Faith that works - Joel Virgo // James 2:14-26
06. Resilient #5 // Faith that works - Joel Virgo // James 2:14-26
James now attends to the integrity (or otherwise) between professed faith and enacted faith. He wants to draw our attention to the fact that your actions show forth what you really believe. -
05. Resilient #4 // Don't Discriminate - Matt Carvel // James 2.1-13
05. Resilient #4 // Don't Discriminate - Matt Carvel // James 2.1-13
If people in need revolt you and people who can ‘open doors’ attract you, you are at odds with the ethos and practice of Jesus. Love as He defines it is the opposite of sycophantic favouritism. -
04. Resilient #3 // Did You Do It? - Tobi Ford-Western // James 1:19-27
04. Resilient #3 // Did You Do It? - Tobi Ford-Western // James 1:19-27
It’s easy to listen to ideas, advice and commands and agree that they are good but not to follow through on their implications! God has said it, you agree with it; Did you do it? -
03. Resilient #2 // Don't be Deceived - Joel Virgo // James 1:9-18
03. Resilient #2 // Don't be Deceived - Joel Virgo // James 1:9-18
In the end, our ability to face trials and temptations has everything to do with our perception of the heavenly Father, in whom there is no shadow of turning, and from whom every good gift comes. -
02. Resilient #1 // The Joy of Trials - Matt Carvel // James 1:1-8
02. Resilient #1 // The Joy of Trials - Matt Carvel // James 1:1-8
James begins by urging his readers to gladly receive the trials that wash into their lives, since these trials produce steadfastness. -
01. I am Resilient
01. I am Resilient
In January we start a Sunday teaching series, Resilient, going through the book of James.
The gutsy discipleship to which James calls us is entirely rooted in the heart-transforming...
