Get Serious revisited

I began my sermon this morning with these words:

This morning we study a passage where the message is very hard – difficult to understand. This is one of the reasons I feel it is important to preach through a book of the Bible in order to receive the whole counsel of God – not just what we want to hear or easy “stuff” to preach on.


Two weeks ago we talked about having a REAL FAITH. Last week we looked at the need to TAME OUR TONGUE. The passage today consist of hard works; difficult to speak; hard to swallow.

These words remind me of BUCKLEY'S COUGH SYRUP. It is a Canadian cough mixture that has been around since 1919.

Their claim to fame: “It taste awful, and it works!”

Here is the clip I promised to post:

Me trying Buckley's cough syrup

We call this series ACTION REQUIRED – Because James is telling us to GET SERIOUS. These are hard words …. Here we go:

Where do you think all these appalling wars and quarrels come from? Do you think they just happen? Think again. They come about because you want your own way, and fight for it deep inside yourselves. You lust for what you don't have and are willing to kill to get it. You want what isn't yours and will risk violence to get your hands on it. You wouldn't think of just asking God for it, would you? And why not? Because you know you'd be asking for what you have no right to. You're spoiled children, each wanting your own way. You're cheating on God. If all you want is your own way, flirting with the world every chance you get, you end up enemies of God and His way. And do you suppose God doesn't care?
James 4:1-5 (MSG)

But He gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and He will come near to you.
James 4:6-7a (NIV)

To listen to this message click HERE for the podcast. Be patient - it takes a few moments for the download. I hope you discover the trustworthy sayings...