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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.

FAITH THAT WORKS James Part 7 06/07/26 What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? You lust and do not have, so you murder. You are envious and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures. You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity toward God? Therefore, whoever wishes to be a friend of the world sets himself as an enemy of God. Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: “He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us”? But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Be subject therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be miserable and mourn and cry. Let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you. James 4:1-10 Key Words Greater – μέγας (megas): larger, mega, superior Subject Yourselves – ὑποτάσσω (hupotassó): obey surrender oneself to Resist – ἀνθίστημι (anthistémi): faith filled opposition Draw Near ἐγγίσατε (engisate): to draw or come near; to approach 1) The WAR Within - The Battles Around You Reveal a War Within You “Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members?” It all traces back to the heart Desire becomes Demand Demand becomes Conflict/Sin Asking isn’t the problem - Your heart when asking IS When pleasure rules your life your not living life with God STOP - Blaming others and look at what’s going on inside Truth: The greatest battle in your life isn’t around you—it’s within you. 2) The Wrong Love - Friendship with the World = Enemy of God “You adulteresses…” “enmity toward God” Strong language reveals spiritual betrayal - opposite of relationship Intentional friendship with the World is: Pursing satisfaction outside of God Worldliness is loving the gifts more than the Giver Demanding your desires be met by others Attacking God when those desires are not met STOP trying to live in two kingdoms You must choose you either grow closer to God or the World Truth:Whatever captures your heart will eventually determine your loyalty 3) The Way Back - Begins with Surrender and Obedience “But He gives a greater grace.” The answer isn’t “try harder.” God gives GREATER grace “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” You either live under God’s grace or you’re in opposition to Him - CHOOSE Submit yourselves therefore to God Resist the devil - Turn from your desires/demands/conflict Draw near to God - Embrace His desires for your life Cleanse your hands - STOP sinning Purify your hearts - REPENT and CHANGE Grieve over sin - Make the change LAST Humble yourselves before the Lord - Follow His WILL “And He will exalt you.” Truth: Victory over sin begins with surrender, not self-reliance Remember: The conflicts around you reveal the desires within you, and the answer is not getting what you want but humbling yourself before God

Give Online: https://pushpay.com/pay/gatecitychristian Website: https://www.gatecitychristian.com/ Decision Card: https://gatecity.churchcenter.com/people/forms/371658 FAITH THAT WORKS James Part 6 05/31/26 Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good conduct his works in the gentleness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. This wisdom is not coming down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruits, without doubting, without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. James 3:13-18 1. True Wisdom Is Seen, Not Claimed "Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show..." Wisdom isn’t . . . What you know? What can you explain? How long have you been a Christian? Wisdom is . . . Good conduct Good works Gentleness Anyone can claim wisdom; real wisdom is evidenced through how you live 2. False Wisdom Produces Conflict False Wisdom grows where there is . . . Bitter jealousy Selfish ambition It’s fruit is . . . Disorder Every evil thing The problem doesn’t start with behavior but rather in the heart The issue isn't lack of information. The issue is self-centeredness. When self becomes the goal, chaos (sin) follows 3. Godly Wisdom Produces Peace (vv.17-18) Heavenly Wisdom is . . . Pure Peaceable Gentle Reasonable Full of mercy Full of good fruits Unwavering Without hypocrisy "And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace." Heavenly wisdom doesn't merely know truth it produces . . . Peace Righteousness Healthy relationships Godly fruit Evidence of God’s wisdom is not what you say but what grows out of a life committed to him Todays Application: “And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace” Is the wisdom you are acting on in your life making peace? Are you living in such a way that your actions bear fruit that benefits others or are you using faith for your purposes? Where is God calling you “make peace” in your interpersonal relationships? What would it mean for you to “sow in peace” right now in your current relationships and current circumstances? Can you think of any relationships where God is calling you to “sow peace” so that someone may come to know Him? Remember God tells us to ask for “wisdom” so if you don’t know the answer - ask. Then when you hear from Him and be a “doer of the word!”

Give Online: https://pushpay.com/pay/gatecitychristian Website: https://www.gatecitychristian.com/ Decision Card: https://gatecity.churchcenter.com/people/forms/371658 FAITH THAT WORKS James Part 5 05/23/26 Do not, many of you, become teachers... we will receive a stricter judgment. For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the entire body as well. Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths... we direct their entire body as well. Look at the ships also... they are still directed by a very small rudder ... So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. Behold how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, the very world of unrighteousness; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our existence, and is set on fire by hell... But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men... From the same mouth come blessing and cursing... Does a fountain pour forth from the same opening fresh and bitter water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? James 3:1-14 1. Your Words Carry Weight “Let not many of you become teachers, my brothers, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment.” Words can heal, destroy, disciple, and deceive The more influence your words have, the greater your accountability before God. Modern Day this applies to: Parents Pastors Life group leaders Online influencers Friends Spouses CoWorkers Social Media Chat Blogs/Podcasts All are guilty! “For we all stumble in many ways…” “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” — Matthew 12:34 Truth: Your tongue is one of the clearest measurements of your spiritual maturity. Application: Stop treating your words like they are disconnected from your discipleship. How you talk to: your spouse, your children, the waiter, people online, people you disagree with, people who hurt you – reveals whether Christ is ruling in you! 2. Small Things Can Control Entire Lives So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. Your tongue may be small, but it can direct: relationships, churches, families, social movement, political movements, course of human events One conversation can alter somebody’s life forever There is POWER in words: Negative - A single sentence can: crush a child, divide a church, destroy trust, provoke bitterness start years of conflict, end a relationship Positive - Likewise a single sentence with life can encourage faith, restore hope, stop a destructive decision, pull someone out of addiction, and point someone to Christ. Truth: Never underestimate the direction words are taking your life and that of others Your tongue is steering somewhere - Always . Application: Pay attention to the words going out that is not just your personality but rather it is evidence of what God is doing within. 3. An Untamed Tongue Can Destroy Everything “See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!” A tiny spark can burn an entire forest down If: it only takes one rumor, one careless statement, one stretching of the truth, one lie Then: all that’s required is ears to listen and a willingness to pass on something juicy. Consequence: Is people suffer needlessly “The tongue is a fire, the very world of unrighteousness The tongue is weapon that will be yielded for God or Evil - Daily Satan loves division, slander, lies, accusation, hatred, and destruction. God wishes to build up, encourage, hope, joy, life and a future in Jesus Christ No one can tame the tongue Because it cannot be tamed doesn’t mean it can’t be changed, trained, and restrained Deep change and growth in the soul is possible Truth: An uncontrolled tongue reveals an unsettled heart. Application: Go face in your heart what comes from your tongue After you’ve found peace, use your words to go make it right with those you hurt. 4. A Heart Changed by Christ Must Produce Different Speech “With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men who have been made in the likeness of God.” Ex: worship on Sunday, rage on Monday, praise toward God, cruelty to people “These things, my brothers, ought not to be this way.” We must decide who we are - Choose Who you Serve An unhealthy mouth reveals an unhealthy heart Truth: A transformed heart produces transformed speech. Application: The goal is not merely “talk less badly.” The goal is Christlikeness. Ask: Does my speech sound like Jesus? Does it build others up? Does it reflect grace and truth? Does it bring peace or chaos? Does it sound different from the world? “Let no rotten word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for building up what is needed… ”Eph 4:19 Words matter and God keeps records so use them wisely!

Give Online: https://pushpay.com/pay/gatecitychristian Website: https://www.gatecitychristian.com/ Decision Card: https://gatecity.churchcenter.com/people/forms/371658 FAITH THAT WORKS James Part 4 05/17/26 What use is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead by itself. But someone will say, “You have faith; and I have works. Show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected. And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness,” and he was called the friend of God. You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. And in the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. James 2:14-26 1. Dead Works Cannot Save You James on Works “You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone” Early Christians were still trusting in self Paul on Works “For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.” Romans 3:28 “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them” Ephesians 2:8–10 The Jews trusted in circumcision , ritual ,heritage, external obedience Paul rejects dead works - James rejects dead faith Different errors - Same Gospel You cannot earn salvation or obligate God. Christ alone saves and Life Change is always the result 2. Dead Faith Cannot Save You “Can that faith save him?” (v.14) Empty faith - “foolish fellow” A faith that talks but never moves A faith that claims Christ but resists obedience A faith that knows truth but never surrenders Example: Someone is hungry and in need You say spiritual words - You do nothing “Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead by itself.” If there is no repentance, obedience, pursuit of holiness, and/or surrender Then the issue is not weak faith - It is dead faith “They profess to know God, but by their works they deny Him . . .” Titus 1:16 Living Faith means Action - A Changed Life 3. Justifying Faith Is Always Obedient Faith Abraham as an Example Paul uses Abraham to show righteousness is not earned Genesis 15 - Abraham believed GodJames uses Abraham to show real faith obeys Genesis 22 - Abraham obeyed God “You see that faith was working with his works, and by works faith was perfected.” Faith and obedience are not enemies - Obedience is faith expressed “By faith Abraham… obeyed.” Hebrews 11:8 Obedience does not replace faith . . . Obedience reveals faith . . . Faith becomes visible through action 4. If There Is No Obedience, There Is No Living Faith “faith without works is dead.” Dead faith - knows doctrine - says the right words - may attend church …but never yields to Christ “Even the demons believe—and shudder.” Demons have correct theology - What they lack is surrender “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation…” 2 Corinthians 5:17 “And by this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him” 1 John 2:3–4 Faith alone saves, but the faith that saves is not faith alone it always has good works with it Final Conviction Dead works cannot save youDead faith cannot save you Only living faith unites a sinner to Christ—and living faith always produces a changed life.

Give Online: https://pushpay.com/pay/gatecitychristian Website: https://www.gatecitychristian.com/ Decision Card: https://gatecity.churchcenter.com/people/forms/371658 FAITH THAT WORKS James Part 3 Joshua Robinson 05/10/26 My brothers, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism. For if a man comes into your assembly with a gold ring and dressed in bright clothes, and there also comes in a poor man in dirty clothes, and you pay special attention to the one who is wearing the bright clothes, and say, “You sit here in a good place,” and you say to the poor man, “You stand over there, or sit down by my footstool,” have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers: did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? But you have dishonored the poor man. Is it not the rich who oppress you and they themselves drag you into court? Do they not blaspheme the good name by which you have been called? If, however, you are fulfilling the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you are committing sin, being convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all. For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of freedom. For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. James 2:1-13 ESV 1. Favoritism - Not In Christ Asks “what does this person bring me?” Why? Because you’ve become judges with devil motives Favoritism is rooted is self, pride, gain, comfort, image, fear, benefit Favoritism happens all the time inside and outside the church • politics, race, education, personality, • social status, appearance, success, influence, • theology tribes, people who are easy vs people who are exhausting. Ask yourself: Who gets your best attention? Who gets avoided after service? At work? Who are you patient with? Who drains your compassion quickly? Favoritism isn’t merely how you treat people it is also how you value you them 2. In Christ - Ranking Dies “Did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith…?” James 2:5-7 ESV “there is neither Jew nor Greek… slave nor free… male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:8 ESV In Christ old categories no longer matter: Wealth Status Image Power Influence God embraces and moves toward weak people overlooked people broken people unimpressive people Kingdom is built on mercy not human worth Not by status, worth, intelligence, morality, influence, or appearance We all enter the same way - through Christ We all how the same value, status, and importance in Gods Kingdom In Christ what matters: Loving God Keeping his commands Jesus destroys distinctions and unites us all - for all have value 3. Give to All - Without distinction “For God so loved the world” “Go therefore to all nations” We don’t love out of compulsion, we love because Christ first loved us You do not overcome favoritism through feelings.You overcome it through intentional obedience. See people as Christ does -- Stop Categorizing -- Love Other Like Christ So this week: • Move toward someone you normally avoid • Talk to someone no one else notices • Invite someone who cannot advance your life • Spend time with someone outside your comfort zone Stop treating people as categories and start seeing image bearers