Give It To Me Straight
Who is responsible?
James 1:12-15
Trials -> Faith -> Perseverance -> Blessing
Trials can also produce temptation.
- For example: The people of Israel were tempted to seek their own solutions to their trials when Moses was gone on the mountain.
We love to shift the blame.
- “They started it!”
- Genesis 3:11-13
- God “Why did you eat?” Adam “It was the woman you gave me Lord.”
- Isaiah 6:1-5
- God is perfect and Holy.
- One who is perfect cannot be tempted to be not perfect, nor can they temp anyone else to be less than perfect.
WE are responsible for our sin.
Romans 7:18-19
1 Corinthians 10:13
There are four elements to overcoming sin in the life of a believer:
- God’s word
- Prayer
- The fellowship of the believer
- And most importantly, The Holy Spirit
God’s word in our lives
- Psalms 119:9-11
- 2 Timothy 3:16-17
- Knowing God’s word is the key to Loving God, Loving People, Living Truth and Proclaiming Jesus
The practice of prayer in our lives
- Matthew 26:41
- Jesus set an example of prayer that we should follow
The presence of community in our lives
- Hebrews 10:24-25
- We wander without community.
- Community is where we hold each other accountable, encourage one another, serve one another.
- Get connected: Click HERE to request help connecting
The power of the Holy Spirit in our lives
- Romans 8:5-9
- The Holy Spirit is the key. He lives in us and gives us power as followers of Jesus.
- The spirit produces the things of God in you.
- John 14:15-17
- Every believer is indwelled by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit interprets scripture for us, intercedes for us in prayer, is at the center of every gathering of believers, and is the source of our spiritual gifts.
Our sins they are many, God’s mercy is more.
James 1:15 teaches us that our sin gives birth to death in us, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus. He receives that death meant for us. (Romans 6:23)
Jesus paid the sacrifice for us and rose again on the third day. This is good news!
Romans 10:9-10
Series Information
James does not beat around the bush. He speaks right into the various challenges to us growing in our faith. James truly gives it to us straight in a manner that helps us self-reflect and then act.