A Living Faith (James 4:1-10)

On any given Sunday morning, there are certain passages and corresponding messages that everybody likes to hear. Messages like: no matter how much you mess up, how many mistakes you make, God is gracious and forgiving.

Everybody likes that message. People will line up after the service to tell the pastor how much they liked that kind of sermon.

Or, messages like: “You know, you work so hard, you get so busy, you’re tired. God wants you to be rested. God wants you grab a pillow and lay your head down. That message will win approval as well.

Then there are messages like: You need to submit, you stinker. You are sinful, stubborn and stiff-necked. You are self-centered and self-promoting. Your desires are often self-serving and even your ability to perceive your own brokenness is blinded by self-deception, so that there is only one option: You need to bend the knee! You need to submit your will! You need to confess your sin! You need to repent and you need to do it now!

Since I bring this up, take a wild guess about what kind of message you think you're going to get this week. That's right! Buckle up.