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FAITH THAT WORKS - Part 10 James 5:7-20 Joshua Robinson 7/19/2026 Therefore be patient, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the soil, being patient about it, until it receives the early and late rains. You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not groan, brothers, against one another, so that you yourselves may not be judged. Behold, the Judge is standing right at the door. As an example, brothers, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we count those blessed who persevere. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord’s dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful. But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your yes be yes, and your no, no, so that you may not fall under judgment. Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises. Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him. Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. Then he prayed again, and the sky gave rain and the earth produced its fruit. My brothers, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. James 5:7-20 Wait Patiently Remember how . . . the farmer waits The prophets suffered and were patient Job persevered Therefore . . . Don’t panic when life gets hardDon't take matters into your own hands Wait for the Lord in all situations When life doesn’t make sense . . . Don’t quit Don’t become bitter Don’t force God’s timing Instead... Wait faithfully. Seek God's wisdom. Trust in the Lord. Waiting isn't doing nothing It's actively trusting God while refusing to abandon Him. Live Faithfully with Others While waiting... Don't turn against each other Trials don't only test our faith , , , They reveal our hearts and often strain our relationships Keep your word Let your yes be yes Remain Trustworthy Truth is . . . Faithfulness isn't only how we treat God. It's how we treat people while we're waiting on God. Hold Tight to God Seek God in All Situations Pray when suffering Pray when life is good Pray when sick Pray when struggling with sin There is Power in Prayer “The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much” Prayer isn’t the last resort - it is what sustains a life of faith Stop trying harder and instead seek the One who give strength In Summary Prayer and Action “Be a doer of the word” “show you my faith by my works” Don’t Quit on God - Don’t quit on Each Other Even if one strays Even if one fails to live a life of genuine faith There is always a way back and those sins will be forgiven

Give Online: https://pushpay.com/pay/gatecitychristian Website: https://www.gatecitychristian.com/ Decision Card: https://gatecity.churchcenter.com/people/forms/371658 FAITH THAT WORKS 7/12/2026 Come now, you rich, cry, howling over your miseries which are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments have become moth-eaten. Your gold and your silver have rusted, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will consume your flesh like fire. You have stored up such treasure in the last days! Behold, the pay of the laborers who mowed your fields—that which has been withheld by you—cries out against you; and the outcries of those who did the harvesting have reached the ears of the Lord of Sabbath. You have lived luxuriously on the earth and lived in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered the righteous man; he does not resist you. James 5:1-6 Where you place your FAITH matters "Come now, you rich, weep and howl..." The Lie: My security is found in what I own When I have this much then . . . When I finally have this I will be . . . Just a little bit more and . . . The Truth: There is no security outside of Christ rot garments decay gold and silver testify against them Testimony/Evidence Against - μαρτύριον ὑμῖν: Legal term meaning direct witness as in irrefutable evidence. courtroom language. Your bank account isn’t your judge - its your witness Application: Think: Where am I looking for security apart from Christ? Choose: What does the evidence of my life say I truly trust? Act: What is one step I can take this week to place my trust more fully in Christ? Faith is never invisible Whatever we trust eventually shows up in the way we treat people Your HEART is revealed by your actions It’s not possessions that matter - its people Money wasn't the problem. A heart that trusted money instead of God was Faith misplaced . . . Changes how we treat people Changes what we live for Changes what we prepare for What we trust SHAPES how we live If I trust wealth...I'll protect wealth If I trust comfort...I'll pursue comfort If I trust Christ...I'll love people because that's what Christ loves Application: Think: What does the way I treat people reveal about what I truly treasure? Choose: Where is God calling me to put people ahead of comfort, possessions, or self? Act: Who can I intentionally love, serve, or invest in this week? What we treasure is ultimately revealed by how we treat people James isn’t asking - “How much do you own?” He’s asking - “Who owns your HEART?”

Acts 13:13-41 Sermons in Acts - Part 3 7/5/26 Our final series looking at sermons in the book of Acts that are relevant to everyone who is on the Disciples Journey. Paul is in Antioch teaching believers who are in transition. • From the law to the Gospel. • From traditions to freedom. • From rules to choice. After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent a message to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the people, say it.” Acts 13:15 ESV Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement… With this invitation It is evident that the leaders of the synagogue in some way recognized the authenticity of who Paul and Barnabas were. By the way - this is a good example of a short question being asked and a long answer given. If you’ve ever heard the term “he’s an Act 13 type of guy” this is where it comes from. So Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said: “Men of Israel and you who fear God, listen. The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with uplifted arm he led them out of it. And for about forty years he put up with them in the wilderness. And after destroying seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as an inheritance. All this took about 450 years. And after that he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet. Then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years.And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.’ Of this man's offspring God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised. Acts 13:16-23 ESV From verse 16 – 23 Paul focuses on the following themes: • Men of Israel and you who fear God • According to the promise, God raised up for Israel a Savior Before his coming, John had proclaimed a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. And as John was finishing his course, he said, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. No, but behold, after me one is coming, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.’ Acts 13:24-25 ESV Paul continues in verses 24-25 with an anecdote that would have had much more meaning for his audience than it does for us. • The sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie Acts 13:26-29 ESV Paul’s response becomes pointed. • Jesus was not recognized as the promised redeemer • He was tried unfairly and condemned in his innocence • Killed on a cross – cursed in the eyes of the public Paul has not been particularly encouraging up to this point – but he couldn't leave these things out or the encouragement that is coming wouldn't be life changing. Acts 13:29-36 Paul gets to what the rulers of the Antioch synagogue wanted – words of encouragement. These are wonderful words. Man did his best to fight against God – even to kill Him – but God was greater than man’s sin and rebellion, and Jesus rose from the grave, winning over sin and death. God has fulfilled this for us their children: Then Paul applied the truth of Jesus’ resurrection. The resurrection means that Jesus truly is the unique Son of God, and it proves that He was utterly holy even in His work on the cross. Not cursed. Not condemned. But holy beyond comprehension. Holy as only the Messiah could be. AND because of this Paul can confidently proclaim the greatest news of all time. The most encouraging news anyone could ever hear. Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses. Acts 13:38-39 ESV How did the people respond to this “encouragement”? God’s word is incredibly consistent. Which makes sense because His nature is the same yesterday today and tomorrow. In this section of Acts 13 Paul uses scripture that would have been known to the hearts of those in the audience to encourage them with the good news of the gospel. Additional note: What was present in the early church was enough. Nothing needed to be added. Not what existed from the Jewish law. Nothing that man had added or would eventually add. Faith alone is what was needed to be saved. Application: Would you be able to help a believer who is transitioning from a law bound background to a faith-based belief using scripture?

Acts 11:4-18 Sermons in Acts - Part 2 6/28/26 Today we continue our review of sermons in Acts that had a great impact to the early church and are still relevant to as we are discipled and disciple others. Why are some reluctant to share the good news with those who are different? Now the apostles and the brothers who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, saying, “You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.” Acts 11:1-3 ESV Lesson for the church today: - Are there any customs that stand in the way of the Gospel being shared? - What was the sticking point for the Jews? Looking back to Acts 10 we read: The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days. Acts 10:45-48 ESV Another lesson for the church today – In God’s eyes a new believer is not inferior to in any way. The recent convert is valued by God as much as the seasoned saint. There is no additional level of heaven that needs to be earned. Peter begins his defense or rebuttal or answer to their criticism by giving a condensed version of the events in Cornelius’s household in Joppa. Condensed, but still precise. Casting out any doubt as to what happened and when. He is not trying to stand on Apostolic authority, or position, or reputation. Not trying to argue that those criticizing him don’t have the standing to say anything. Peter here is doing what we should do when criticized for following God’s instruction. He simply relates what happened. Knowing that the truth is better than any rhetorical defense he might present. A third lesson – let criticism break on the truth. On the Gospel message. Don’t argue with a fool – tell him the truth. Peter continues… As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning. And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God's way?” When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.” Acts 11:15-18 ESV And this my friends, fellow believers, is the key point to today’s message. Because God had given the same gift of Salvation to all. Regardless of their heritage, culture, looks, language, we – like Peter cannot stand in God’s way based on any personal discomfort or preference. We cannot harbor any notion of clean or unclean. Application: 1. Do you view any one as clean or unclean? Thereby limiting your ability to share the Gospel message. 2. Do you agree that new believer is not valued differently by God than a seasoned saint? 3. Have you ever withheld the gospel from someone who was different that you? What do you need to do to prevent that behavior?

Give Online: https://pushpay.com/pay/gatecitychristian Website: https://www.gatecitychristian.com/ Decision Card: https://gatecity.churchcenter.com/people/forms/371658 Acts 2:14-41 Gate City Christian Church 6/21/26 Sermons in Act Part 1 For the next three Sundays we will be visiting a unique time in the church that is very important to each disciple’s journey. We’ll be looking at three sermons that shaped the church and are still relevant today. The text we will focus on today starts in Acts 2:14 and runs through 2:41. In this first of recorded Christian Sermons are Peter presents 5 distinct, foundational Gospel truths. They are: 1. Jesus came and lived among us fully God and fully man. 2. Jesus lived a sinless life but died to pay for our sins. 3. Jesus rose from the dead. 4. Jesus ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father. 5. Jesus will come to earth again. These truths have come to be known as the Kerygma kayhr-rig-ma - from the a Greek word used in the New Testament for 'proclamation' It is related to the Greek verb Kerysso kahr-e-so literally meaning 'to cry or proclaim as a herald' and being used in the sense of 'to proclaim, announce, preach'. Amongst biblical scholars, the term has come to represent the core truths of the early church's teaching about Jesus. In verses 22-24 Peter proclaims the first foundational truth: 1. Jesus was sent to live among us by God. Peter lays it on the line when he calls them to account for killing Jesus. The second foundational truth: 2. Jesus lived a sinless life but died to pay for our sins. At this point, after hitting them with what was undeniable, he makes a proclamation that has to be taken on faith. 3.Jesus rose from the dead. This foundational truth is one that some struggle with. That Jesus rose from the dead was the disputed point. It’s not surprising. Resurrection would have been a totally foreign concept. Someone coming back from the dead? Really? And didn’t the chief priests tell the guard to spread the rumor that the disciple had stolen the body? Stating the third truth again in verse 32 , “God has raised this Jesus from the dead.” He then moved to the fourth foundational truth: 4. Jesus ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father. When Peter quoted Psalm 110:1 he used this verse to establish the fifth foundational truth. 5. Jesus will come to earth again. Jesus will rule over the kingdom of God because God will subdue every enemy which opposes Him. Jesus will come again in power to reign. This subjugation / defeat of every enemy must occur in heaven and on earth to fulfill this prophecy. Peter’s message here – the five foundational truths of Kerygma: Had a tremendous impact on the lives of those present. 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. The message is relevant today as it was on that original day of Pentecost. Application: What is your understanding of the 5 foundational truths? How do they impact your life? How would you communicate them to someone you’re discipling?

FAITH THAT WORKS James Part 8 06/13/26 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.” Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.” But as it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. Therefore, to one who knows to do the right thing and does not do it, to him it is sin. James 4:13-17 1. Stop Living Like You Control Tomorrow "Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city…'" We make plans as though tomorrow is guaranteed. Life is a vapor—brief, fragile, and dependent on God. The problem is not planning, but presumption. Pride assumes we are in control when we are not. Truth: You don't own tomorrow. God does. 2. Submit Your Plans to God's Will "Instead, you ought to say, 'If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.'" James is not condemning planning, but independent planning. God's will is not an add-on to our plans; Our plans belong under His authority. Faith says, "Lord, I will go wherever You lead." Truth: Faith plans, but humility submits. 3. Reject Self-Sufficient Pride Through Obedient Faith "But as it is, you boast in your arrogance… Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin." Self-sufficiency is pride. Pride says, "I've got this." Dependence on God is demonstrated through obedience. Knowing God's will means nothing if you refuse to do it. Sin is not only doing what God forbids . . . it is failing to do what God commands. Delayed obedience is disobedience. Truth: Humility is proving your dependence on God through obedience.