From Jeff Robinson’s book “Taming the Tongue,” here are 9 categories of sinful speech (pg 33-60) 1. Gossip and Slander. Gossip: Sharing something about someone that wouldn’t say in front of them; Slander: “open, intentional sharing of damaging information another person” 2. Critical Talk: ungodly criticism. 3. Sarcasm: Mockery and scorn of another (not to […]
James 2:14-26 “A Faith that Works” (Preached at Cross of Christ Fellowship in Naperville on 7.13.25) Intro: “It doesn’t matter what you believe, as long as you believe something” –Wrong: 1. CONTENT: Matters What you Believe In; 2. MANNER: Matters what your Belief is like (real or fake) -James shows us there is a kind […]
Douglas Moo has really helpful insights on James 2:14-26 in commentary on James (Pillar). Here’s a few quotes from him: “James is not arguing that works must be added to faith. His point, rather, is that genuine biblical faith will inevitably be characterized by works… James, in a sense, proposes for us in these verses […]
James 2:1-13 “Partiality, Prejudice, and the Gospel” (Preached at Cross of Christ Fellowship in Naperville, Illinois on 7/6/25) Intro: Centennial Beach Discrimination (age, weight, income, race, background, education); Public outcry (media) -GOOD human longing for justice and equality in society (Christians and Non-Christians both want this!) -Evil of racism, sexism, agism, and prejudice against some […]
James 1:19-27 “Hearers AND Doers of the Word” (Preached at Cross of Christ Fellowship in Naperville, Illinois on 6/29/25). Intro: ‘I could never become a Christian; there’s too much hypocrisy in the church!’; How do we respond? -Jesus was also against religious hypocrisy; James, Jesus’ half-brother, was against religious hypocrisy -This portion of the letter […]
“I could never become a Christian; Christians are a bunch of hypocrites!” This is a common objection to Christianity. How could I believe in something where so many of its supposed followers do not practice what they preach? Yet the sentiment behind this—an opposition to religious hypocrisy—is actually rooted in biblical conviction. Jesus himself calls […]
Hosea 11:1-11 “Take Me Home” INTRO: A son grows up and abandons his father; Israel is like that to God; now they will go to exile away from home -But amazingly, God has a LOVE THAT WON’T GIVE UP on His people, and will one day bring them back! -THIS IS GOD: God has A […]
HOSEA 11 THOUGHTS Hosea 11 is one of the high points in the book of Hosea. After many chapters of mainly indictment and judgment (4-10), we see a chapter that speaks of God’s love, mercy, and redemption for a wayward people. Here we get a glimpse at the beautiful, astonishing, wonderful love of God for […]
Hosea 8-10: “Reap what you Sow” INTRO:REAP WHAT YOU SOW! -Agriculture: sow seeds in ground and reap the harvest later. -Analogy=Our actions (seeds) have consequences (reap the results). -Never change oil on car; Work at instrument daily; Choose sports/activities over church -ANALOGY IN HOSEA: Hosea 7:7; 10:13; 10:12 –CONTEXT: Preaching God’s Word to Northern […]
