On a weekly basis our ministers deliver sermons based in God’s Word that seek to encourage, challenge, and edify the church. Check out the Waterview livestream to watch our services as they happen.
"Together" is a biblical word. "Togetherness" is a concept from God. We see it in so many parts of God's plans for us. In this lesson, we'll explore where we see this and why "Together is Better."
The Old Testament law was more than just the Ten Commandments. Jewish Rabbis identified 613 laws. So when a Jewish lawyer asked Jesus, "Teacher, which is the great commandment of the law?" the answer Jesus gave probably surprised everyone who heard it. Even today, the simple answer Jesus gave amazes, challenges and intrigues us. What he said then is still just as powerful for us today almost 2000 years later.
As Christians we believe Christ offers the best hope for unity among all peoples. But what does that unity look like? On what is it based, and how does it work? Paul writes to his Ephesian audience to answer those very questions.
In a time of uncertainty, how do we live in hope of God’s promises here and now? In Romans, Paul explains God’s original vision for his creation; in spite of the present state of creation, the Gospel announces God’s program of restoration through the person of the Spirit.
Real faith is more than words and, according to this epistle, is really measured in how we respond to various trials of life. In James chapter 5, James guides us with practical steps for our faith when we encounter severe mistreatment. James addresses how the rich were abusing the poor, but there are valuable lessons for all Christians to learn when our faith is tested.
One thing all of us have in common is we don't know what the future holds. James says, "You do not know what tomorrow will bring." In James 4:13-17, people of faith are reminded our plans must include God. Anything short of life without God's will is arrogance.
The third chapter of James is one of the most challenging passages in the Bible. Controlling the tongue is so difficult James declares, "No human being can tame the tongue." But at the end of the chapter, James gives us the tools that are from above to help with our struggle. With the help of God, a person of faith can control their tongue.
Wing Mingdao was one of China’s famous church leaders of the 20th Century. Mingdao preached Jesus in China and served a 20-year prison sentence for it. In his cell, the leader discovered life slowed. It was unhurried and unchosen. In those times, he learned so much. Author Ronald Boyd-MacMillan met him years later. In his book Faith the Endures, he details their exchange. “Young man, how do you walk with God?” I listed off a set of disciplines such as Bible study and prayer, to which he mischievously retorted, “Wrong answer. To walk with God, you must go at walking pace.” The words struck Boyd-MacMillan’s heart like a hammer striking a gong. He explained that most of his life was spent “running for Jesus.” He learned that walking pace is different. With three short years and much to do, Jesus was never rushed. His life demonstrated a deliberate pace. Listen to how Luke captured his habits. One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. (Luke 6:12) Jesus knew that to “walk with God” meant you walked with him. God took millennia to carry out his plans. It is foolish to think we can put God on our schedule. So, stop and slow down. Live your life at God’s pace. Then you will learn to walk with God. -Robert G. Taylor-
In James 1, we considered how faith responds to personal trials. James 2 teaches us how faith responds to the trials of others. In this test of faith, James forces us to come face to face with how we deal with partiality and poverty.
The book of James is a vivid expression of how real faith looks when practiced as a true servant of Jesus. In the first chapter, the common theme is how Christians should think when they are tested. Since our actions are preceded by thoughts, James tells us how to think about common trials so we can live out our faith as God would have us
