http://www.farnhambaptist.org.uk Farnham Baptist Church Podcasts en Farnham Baptist Church Podcasts Farnham Baptist Church no Farnham Baptist Church Sermons office@farnhambaptist.org ℗ & © 2010 Farnham Baptist Church 720 James the brother of Christ is telling us "avoid sham faith". Don't be counterfeit in your beliefs and in particular in this chapter, be careful what you say. What you say is extremely important and James seems to home in here, in the middle of this chapter, on taming the tongue. The Bible is not a video, not a picture. God chooses to communicate with us using Words. He spoke Creation into being. James is keen for us to be genuine; to be authentic believers. Hypocrisy and sham are out as far as he's concerned. Nowhere is this more significant than what we say; words and deeds go together and especially so for the public speaker. Words are key to godly living. However, we are not merely to listen to the Word but also to do what it says, for otherwise we are simply deceiving ourselves. The way we speak needs to be very carefully thought through. Most of us who speak in church use notes to help us stick to our carefully thought through message. Wild words get us into trouble. Judgement will be stricter for those who teach the Word regularly. However, James is not only concerned with the teacher, but with all of us. His theme is that if we can control our tongue then we can control ourself. If you have control over the words you say then you can have control over all of your life. If we can control what we say, then we can also control what we do. http://www.sermoncloud.com/farnham-baptist-church/taming-the-tongue http://media.monkserve.com/EKK/1592/taming-the-tongue.mp3 Sun, 31 Jan 2010 21:15:58 GMT John Ross The ever-practical James tongue,hypocrisy 25:45 The book of Ezra, with Nehemiah, is the last book in the historical section of the Jewish Old Testament. These two chapters tell of the construction of a replacement temple by a much depleted Jewish nation. This is prophetic encouragement to get on with the job. Sometimes we feel discouraged in our task - the Bible provides us with the big picture to encourage us. God has acted through the pagan king Cyrus to release His people from exile in Babylon with the express purpose of rebuilding the temple although this will be a pale reflection of the original. The new temple was commissioned by King Cyrus, to be paid for out of the royal treasury. Darius later reaffirmed this commission, showing us that God works in a secular world. Even here there is no formal equity between state and church - the church operates under the state. BUT, that is to see things from a human perspective... in reality, the God of Heaven has authority over all earthly kingdoms and powers. Eventually, the temple is completed. It was a joint effort of both the spiritual and secular. This temple may have been a pale reflection, but it reminds us that a greater glory is to come. http://www.sermoncloud.com/farnham-baptist-church/rebuilding-the-temple http://media.monkserve.com/EKK/1592/rebuilding-the-temple.mp3 Sun, 31 Jan 2010 20:30:03 GMT John Ross Ezra the Scribe temple 35:17 Ezra's record of events is placed in its historical and biblical context. As we look at these events we observe two types of risk that the Israelites' enemies posed: 1. They made a dangerous offer that seemed generous at first, but that would have been toxic to God's people if they'd taken it up. 2. The opposition that these enemies put up went on for about 60 years (vv 4-23). To expand a little - about 200 years earlier, God had ejected the 10 tribes of the Northern Kingdom and replaced them with foreigners who followed all kinds of mixed up religions. It was these people who offered to help the Israelites rebuild the temple. If the offer had been taken up, the holiness of the temple would have been compromised, but worse, God's people would have been exposed to the alternative beliefs of the incomers, whose dominant culture was to merge all beliefs into one. Does this sound familiar? Distinctiveness is an unpopular truth; living distinctively, wholeheartedly for God, will lead to opposition, because the opposers don't like the implications for themselves. There's a real danger in partnering with someone who isn't wholeheartedly for God. In your work, life and relationships, be careful of the various influences and protect your distinctive life for God. The determined and prolonged opposition faced by the Israelites shows that we need to be in this for the long haul; to keep going, because God is faithful (He's in it for the long haul!) and because Heaven is wonderful. When we meet difficulties and opposition, we need to keep worshipping God, remembering that He is faithful and that Heaven is wonderful! http://www.sermoncloud.com/farnham-baptist-church/dealing-with-opposition http://media.monkserve.com/EKK/1592/dealing-with-opposition.mp3 Sun, 24 Jan 2010 10:04:41 GMT Philip Sweeting Ezra the Scribe perseverence,opposition,distinctiveness 37:25 James' big purpose in writing this letter is to expose counterfeit Christians and to show what genuine Christianity looks like. Counterfeit Christianity might look like the real thing, but under the skin it is hollow and worthless. This is a very practical chapter. Here we learn how to spot both the fakes and the genuine article. This is because counterfeit Christians dishonour God. As we read the chapter, we see that this is a salvation issue; it's of the utmost importance. The thing that counterfeit Christians hold onto is worthless and dead. Three differences: 1. Genuine Christianity doesn't judge people like the World does; it doesn't share the World's standards. 2. Genuine Christianity sees the need for mercy, unlike counterfeit Christianity, which sees no need for mercy. James highlights that we will be law-breakers, but we are reliant on God's mercy, which He will not withhold. But, because of this, we need to show mercy to others. Judgement without mercy will be shown to those who withhold mercy from others. Where do you stand in your life? Does mercy win over judgement? 3. Genuine Christianity is demonstrated by actions; it is seen. You can't just say you're a Christian; if your life betrays your heart by the absence of faith-driven action, if your faith doesn't make a difference to the way you live, then it's worthless and dead. If our lives were investigated, would there be evidence of our faith in God? What would be the verdict? Are you feeling uncomfortable? You know what to do. NOTE: this is NOT saying that we are saved by works, but that works demonstrate the reality of the faith in Christ that saves us. http://www.sermoncloud.com/farnham-baptist-church/a-faith-worse-than-death http://media.monkserve.com/EKK/1592/a-faith-worse-than-death.mp3 Sun, 24 Jan 2010 10:09:10 GMT Jonathan Shulver The ever-practical James faith,mercy,judgment,action 37:25 James wants us to know what authentic Christianity looks like. It's so easy to be deceived, to ask why God 'allows' trials and disaster. Our first instinct is to speak out, but we should listen first - to the word of God - and not react instinctively. Such instinctive reaction does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Verse 21 tells us to get rid of moral filth. What saves us is the Word of God planted in us; we are the soil, not the farmer. As Christians born of God we CAN put these things off, but sometimes we choose not to. This is selfish and deceitful. There are no excuses; God says "Get rid of it", so who are we to contradict or ignore Him? True, this side of Glory we won't be able to do this perfectly, but increasingly we will be able to, because real faith works. We might hear the Word, but unless we DO it we deceive ourselves and we risk our salvation over this. It's not about learning or agreeing, or even understanding, but about DOING - that's what brings blessing. Keep a tight rein on your tongue. Let your faith shape your life, not just on Sunday, but on every day of the week. http://www.sermoncloud.com/farnham-baptist-church/trials-and-obedience-pt-2 http://media.monkserve.com/EKK/1592/trials-and-obedience-pt-2.mp3 Sun, 17 Jan 2010 10:29:04 GMT Philip Sweeting The ever-practical James deceit,trials 22:44 This will be a quick introduction to the book of Ezra and look at one or two of the big themes from the opening chapters. The events leading up to the events of this book include the dedication of the Temple by King Solomon, when the Glory of the Lord filled the temple, preventing the priests from carrying out their duties. That's why sacrifice was needed; because this was the meeting place between God and His people. Countless animals were sacrificed on the altra, there would have been blood everywhere! Next we meet Jeremiah, prophesying the destruction of the temple and the exile of God's people, although they would return. Now we see King Nebuchadnezzar with his army, having invaded Israel. He's removing the temple goods and taking them back to place in the temple of his false god. Some years later, Nebuchadnezzar returns, and destroys Jerusalem; temple, houses, everything. Eventually, King Cyrus overthrows Babylon, bringing us to the time of Ezra. After all that has gone before, God places it on Cyrus' heart to allow the Israelites to return home, with the stolen temple artefacts, to rebuild the temple. This is like a second Exedus. The books of Ezra, Nehemiah and Haggai all cover the same period, but from different perspectives. We look at three major themes of the book: 1. God's in charge - expect surprises! For example, He uses a pagan king Cyrus to rebuild Israel. 2. To be God's people, sacrifices are needed. What was the very first thing God's people did when the got home, before starting on the temple? They sacrificed to God. They needed to deal with their own sin, they needed a place of atonement so they could pray to God with confidence. God doesn't change; if we need to be confident in our relationship with God we need a place of sacrifice too. But today, that place isn't a temple, our church... it's the Lord Jesus. The place of atonement of us is the cross of Christ. 3. Ultimately, God is planning something better. Even as the last stones are being put in place, we know that God is ultimately planning something better. This temple will not be as glorious as the first. God's glory will not fill this temple as it did the last one. The better temple will be Jesus as he walks upon the Earth. Over the coming weeks we will see how the book of Ezra points us to the coming of Jesus, the new and permanent meeting place between God and Man. http://www.sermoncloud.com/farnham-baptist-church/introduction-to-ezra http://media.monkserve.com/EKK/1592/introduction-to-ezra.mp3 Sun, 17 Jan 2010 10:27:14 GMT Jonathan Shulver Ezra the Scribe atonement,sacrifice,temple 32:40 James 1 is a general epistle; it's for all people, scattered all over the world. He is clear that we can either be *for* God or *against* Him. Ask youself, is your faith genuine Christianity, or a sham? One test is to consider how you react when disaster strikes you. "Consider it joy..." seems agonisingly tough, but tough times give us an opportunity to grow in our maturity and knowledge of God. That is why we can be joyful; learning to rely on God for His wisdom. Remember, you can be deceived - desire gives birth to sin, and sin leads to death. If we fall into sin, it's our fault, not God's. We all face trials, and we should see them as testing that leads us to maturity. http://www.sermoncloud.com/farnham-baptist-church/trials-and-obedience-pt-1 http://media.monkserve.com/EKK/1592/trials-and-obediance-pt-1.mp3 Sun, 17 Jan 2010 10:30:35 GMT John Ross The ever-practical James faith,deception,testing,trials 20:11 There is no relationship between putting God 1st and having an easy life... but neither does suffering indicate separation from God. Jehosephat had done everything right - put the nation back on the right footing with God, but now faces annihilation by a huge army. In these desparate times Jehosephat and the nation "resolved to enquire of the lord". When Jehosephat turned to the Lord, he brough the people together at the temple, not because that was the place for prayer, but because it was the place of sacrifice - the place of atonement. Where do we need to go today in our times of distress and trouble? Not to church, but to the cross of Jesus - the place where Jesus' sacrifice atoned once for all our sins. This is the place where our access to God is opened up, through Jesus, in whose name we pray - and our prayers are heard by God. Jehosephat prayed in humility and so must we - looking to God for a solution. He has power and might and through His atoning work we are on His side and He cannot fail! http://www.sermoncloud.com/farnham-baptist-church/the-battle-is-the-lords http://media.monkserve.com/EKK/1592/the-battle-is-the-lords.mp3 Sun, 10 Jan 2010 16:07:25 GMT Jonathan Shulver There is no relationship between putting God 1st and having an easy life... but neither does suffering indicate separation from God. Jehosephat had done everything right - put the nation back on the right footing with God, but now faces annihilation ... humility,prayer,atonement 33:17 Thankfulness is at the heart of being a Christian. It's rooted in the nature of God, and our longing to emulate His character. Thankfulness is related to delight in something, but is also to do with our relationship with the giver and with the extent to which we deserve, or rather, do not deserve the gift. The gift of forgiveness is both amazing but also underserved. This is what drives our thankfulness towards God. Are you thankful? Would your friends describe you as being thankful? Most people are not especially thankful. Why is this? Tonight we're going to see one of the main reasons we find it hard to be thankful people. Proud people don't say "thanks" (Rom 1:18-20) http://www.sermoncloud.com/farnham-baptist-church/give-thanks-to-the-lord http://media.monkserve.com/EKK/1592/give-thanks-to-the-lord-jan-2010.mp3 Sun, 03 Jan 2010 15:35:52 GMT Philip Sweeting Thankfulness is at the heart of being a Christian. It's rooted in the nature of God, and our longing to emulate His character. Thankfulness is related to delight in something, but is also to do with our relationship with the giver and with the extent ... thankfulness,pride,forgiveness 29:29 When considering marriage, we think very seriously about committing to each other until death, but God's love is eternal! His very nature is Love, and being eternal, it is an everlasting, boundless love. When hard times come, don't let your circumstances change your understanding of God's love - rather, let your understanding of God's love change the way you view your circumstances! Did you spend longer at Christmas praising God for His goodness, or complaining about the supermarket queues? Let us never forget that there is food on our plates because God's love endures forever. As you eat - give thanks to the Lord As you enjoy God's creation - give thanks to the Lord And give thanks for His eternal love. Be thanksful, now and for ever. http://www.sermoncloud.com/farnham-baptist-church/give-thanks-to-the-lord-for-he-is-good-his-love-endures-for-ever-ps-1361 http://media.monkserve.com/EKK/1592/give-thanks-to-the-lord.mp3 Sun, 03 Jan 2010 10:07:08 GMT Jonathan Shulver When considering marriage, we think very seriously about committing to each other until death, but God's love is eternal! His very nature is Love, and being eternal, it is an everlasting, boundless love. When hard times come, don't let your ... praise,thanks,eternal_love 30:21