Concord United Sermons

The earliest church was characterized by 3 main beliefs: 1) Belief in Jesus’ resurrection (Acts 2:22-24), 2) Belief God was uniquely made known in Jesus (Acts 2:36), and 3) Belief in salvation by grace offered to all (Acts 15:7-11 - Jerusalem Council). Throughout the coming centuries, early Christians, guided by the Holy Spirit and reflecting on the firsthand testimony of the apostles, further developed these beliefs by pursing them to their logical conclusions. While these three beliefs do not contain everything there is to know about Jesus, they do contain enough to lead us to His saving grace and commit our lives to following Him.  

Scripture - Acts 2:22-24,36 & Acts 15:7-11

The earliest church was characterized by 3 main beliefs: 1) Belief in Jesus’ resurrection (Acts 2:22-24), 2) Belief God was uniquely made known in Jesus (Acts 2:36), and 3) Belief in salvation by grace offered to all (Acts 15:7-11 - Jerusalem Council). Throughout the coming centuries, early Christians, guided by the Holy Spirit and reflecting on the firsthand testimony of the apostles, further developed these beliefs by pursing them to their logical conclusions. While these three beliefs do not contain everything there is to know about Jesus, they do contain enough to lead us to His saving grace and commit our lives to following Him.  

Scripture - Acts 2:22-24,36 & Acts 15:7-11

Prayer is the language that God gives us to communicate with God.  A vital practice of our faith is prayer.  James notes the significance of prayer. We are to praise God, pray for the sick, and those in trouble.  We are to confess our sins to each other and pray for each other.  Practice of prayer is transformational for all involved.

 

Scripture - James 4:8a; James 5:13-18

Prayer is the language that God gives us to communicate with God.  A vital practice of our faith is prayer.  James notes the significance of prayer. We are to praise God, pray for the sick, and those in trouble.  We are to confess our sins to each other and pray for each other.  Practice of prayer is transformational for all involved.

Scripture - James 4:8a; James 5:13-18

Pentecost Sunday is the annual celebration of the birth of the church.  Pentecost is a time to remember the purpose of the church, including living in community and caring for each other. The author of James often notes “brothers and sisters” in his writing, as he is speaking to the collective group of Christians.  Faith is not limited to our actions as individuals, but also our actions as a community of faith.  James speaks of how we take care of the poor, widows, and orphans. 

Scripture - Acts 2:1-12,42-47; James 1:27-2:17

Pentecost Sunday is the annual celebration of the birth of the church.  Pentecost is a time to remember the purpose of the church, including living in community and caring for each other. The author of James often notes “brothers and sisters” in his writing, as he is speaking to the collective group of Christians.  Faith is not limited to our actions as individuals, but also our actions as a community of faith.  James speaks of how we take care of the poor, widows, and orphans. 

Scripture - Acts 2:1-12,42-47; James 1:27-2:17

There is the adage that “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.”  That is not true.  Our words cause damage in our close relationships and with those we do not know.  Practicing our faith includes taming our tongue, as James teaches.  The book of James notes more than once the significance of what comes out of our mouths, and how it is evidence of practicing our faith or not.

Scripture - James 3:1-12

There is the adage that “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.”  That is not true.  Our words cause damage in our close relationships and with those we do not know.  Practicing our faith includes taming our tongue, as James teaches.  The book of James notes more than once the significance of what comes out of our mouths, and how it is evidence of practicing our faith or not. 

Scripture - James 3:1-12

Ralph Waldo Emerson is quoted as saying, “What you do speaks so loudly I cannot hear what you say.”  This applies to our faith as well.  Our faith, our trust, and dependence on God can be relegated to our beliefs, doctrines, and principles, yet never applied to our everyday life.  The author of James challenges that faith is not merely knowing but in acting through faith.  At times, the book of James can be accused of countering Paul’s words about faith not being about works.  This is true that our faith is not about earning, or acting enough to earn God’s grace and love.  The other piece is that as Christians, we are called to live out our faith through actions.  Faith is not solely intellectual; it is practical.  We can know all about God’s word, yet we are called to practice our faith within the world, within our relationships at home, work, school, and the “marketplace”. 

Scripture - James 1:19-25; 2:14

Ralph Waldo Emerson is quoted as saying, “What you do speaks so loudly I cannot hear what you say.”  This applies to our faith as well.  Our faith, our trust, and dependence on God can be relegated to our beliefs, doctrines, and principles, yet never applied to our everyday life.  The author of James challenges that faith is not merely knowing but in acting through faith.  At times, the book of James can be accused of countering Paul’s words about faith not being about works.  This is true that our faith is not about earning, or acting enough to earn God’s grace and love.  The other piece is that as Christians, we are called to live out our faith through actions.  Faith is not solely intellectual; it is practical.  We can know all about God’s word, yet we are called to practice our faith within the world, within our relationships at home, work, school, and the “marketplace”. 

Scripture - James 1:19-25; 2:14