Family Bible Church weekly message

* Last week, we transitioned in James' letter to discussion of the Perfect Way of Wisdom. * James initially reveals the Contrast between Worldly Wisdom and Heavenly Wisdom. He declares that World Wisdom is of a earthly, sensual, and demonic nature, and is evidenced by envy, self-seeking, and confusion. Heavenly Wisdom, on the other hand, was Wisdom that comes from God and is evidenced in purity, peace, gentleness, submission, mercy, and good fruits. * Clearly, these two forms of wisdom ARE NOT compatible. James next addresses the Conflict that exists with believers following worldly wisdom. He first presents arguments AGAINST the wisdom of the world and then instructions FOR Walking in the Wisdom of God. * This message was presented on November 5, 2023 by Bob Corbin.

* Four weeks ago we began to consider the Perfect Law of Liberty - summed up in our call to love our neighbors as ourselves - and then, subsequently, the application of that Law of Liberty in our lives. * As we transition into the next section of James' letter, we will see him transition from the Application of the Perfect Law of Liberty to the Perfect Way of Wisdom. Yet, as we transition, we will note that James' assertion that TRUE FAITH is evidenced by TRUE WORKS is also true regarding when it comes to a consideration of WHICH WAY of Wisdom you are following. * Last week, as part of our study of the Importance of Words, saw that those who set themselves up as teacher would receive the stricter judgment (assessment). As we considered the wording of that warning, we turned to Romans 8:1 where we are told, "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus ..." But, the verse continues as does the flow of thought. Consider Paul's statement in Romans 8:1-9 * Those who "are in Christ Jes

* Three weeks ago we began to consider that ultimate expression of truly comprehending that God is the giver of every good gift and every perfect bestowment will be: that we will want to BE doers of His Word and not hearers-only; we will want to Receive, Apply, Study and Continue in - the Perfect Law of Liberty. That Perfect Law of Liberty is our call to love our neighbors as ourselves. * Two weeks ago we began to consider how James applied this truth within the realm of our practical theology ... how we live out what we believe. * First we considered James exhortation regarding Loving without Partiality. Last week, we considered how True Faith will be revealed in True Works - such that faith without works is dead. * Today, we want to consider James' teaching regarding the importance of words revealed in three different aspects. * This message was presented on October 22, 2023 by Bob Corbin.

* This is now the sixth week that we have been studying the letter of James to the twelve tribes which were scattered as a result of the persecution of the church. * James opened his letter to them by exhorting them to consider their troublesome situations as joyous events which have been allowed in their lives to strengthen their endurance and prove the genuineness of their faith. He instructed them that our troublesome times are not caused by God - who is the giver of every good gift and perfect bestowment - but ultimately arise as a result of our misguided burning passions. James challenged them to be doers of the word - the Perfect Law of Liberty - and not to deceive themselves by being hearers only. * James then begins to apply this exhortation to our practical theology ... how we live out what we believe. * Today, we will consider the second of these applications: Faith vs. Works. This portion almost prevented the letter of James from being included in what was accepted as the inspired Word of God.

* Last week, toward the end of the message ... we began to consider ultimate expression of truly comprehending that God - the Father of Lights - is the giver of every good gift and every perfect bestowment. If we truly believe this, we will want to be DOERS OF THE WORD and not hearers-only. We will want to Receive, Apply, Study and Continue in - the Perfect Law of Liberty. * That Perfect Law of Liberty is our call to love our neighbors as ourselves. It is the Freedom that we have to serve others without the fear of making ourselves unclean in the process. * As troublesome situations come into our lives, causing us to either to grow in our faith or exposing our need to repent of sin, we are provided opportunities to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily and follow Christ! (Luke 9:23ff) * James now begins to build upon this theme by applying this Pearl of Wisdom to three different areas. * We will consider the first of those today - Loving without Partiality. * This message was presented on October 8,

* Over the first three weeks of our study of this book of James, we have seen that God is the giver of every good gift and perfect bestowment. As such, He does not trouble (try/tempt) any person but rather only allows the troublesome situations that He knows that you can handle and will help conform you into the image of Christ by perfecting your endurance against the troublesome situations that the world will present you. * We saw last week, that our intense desires are generally what draw us away from God. These desires and passions lead to sin, and then sin leads to death. * When we humbly recognize that we cannot handle the troublesome situation, we are exhorted to ask God (the giver of good gifts) for wisdom who will give all liberally. * What then is the natural result of this information. What should I do as a result? I should turn to Him for wisdom and ... DO what God is calling me to do, and BE what God is calling on me to be! * James immediately applies this to our relationship with the Perfec

* Last week, in our study of the book of James, we considered what it meant to "Count it all joy WHEN you fall into various trials." We saw that the word for "joy" actually DOES mean to be gleeful and happy. We saw that the term for "testing" means to be tested and proven as genuine, real, or legitimate. We also discussed that the Greek word for "patience" used here is the word "hupomonae" which literally means "to remain under." Hence, the assaying of our faith, through trials which determine it's genuineness, actually help to cause our faith to be matured and complete in order that it is not lacking in any manner. * If, as we are engaging the trial, we recognize that we lack the wisdom to deal with it, we are instructed to ask God for wisdom in how to handle it because He has promised to liberally give wisdom to all who seek it! * Last week, we purposefully skipped over a critical word in our study in order to deal with it more fully in this message. It is the word translated as "trial" in verse 2. Th

* Last week we began a study of the book of James by considering James' declaration that God (the Father of lights) is the giver of good, moral gifts and every perfect bestowment. * This statement was made at the end of James' opening words, and immediately after the exhortation for the Jews of the Dispersion not to be led astray. * What was it then that James had declared? What was subject which we should be careful of not being led astray about ... and should be regarding as a good, moral gift and perfect bestowment? * We find the answer to that question immediately after his introduction. "Count it all joy WHEN you fall into various trials." * The early believers were facing extreme trials of their faith, how should they respond? Why were seemingly bad things happening to good people? * We will be considering this portion over the space of two weeks. For today, we want to consider our response and reaction to trials - WHEN YOU FALL INTO TRIALS. * This message was presented on September 17, 2023 by

* Today, we begin a study of the book of James. * This is thought to be the earliest written New Testament book (44-49 AD) ... written only 15-20 years after the death of Jesus. The next is considered to be Paul's letter to the Galatians in 49 AD; then Matthew and Mark in the 50-60 AD range. * Today, we want to consider the author of the letter, his intended audience, and the general theme of the book. * This message was presented on September 10, 2023 by Bob Corbin.

* This message is a continuation of last week's message on Sanctification. * Sanctification is being "set-apart." In the Hebrew it is derived from the word 'qodesh' and in the Greek 'hagios.' The words are primarily translated as "holy" in the Bible. In fact the "Holy Bible" literally is the "hagios biblios" - "the set apart book." Because it is God's Word, it is set apart from all other books. Those who are set-apart unto God are "holy." The Greek word which in most New Testament translation is translated as saints is "hagioi" - holy ones. * God calls those who receive Christ as their Savior to be holy as He is holy - to be set apart as He is set apart. * In the Bible, we see three "phases" in the sanctification of believers - Positional Sanctification, Practical Sanctification, and Perfected Sanctification. Each of these phases are built upon the understanding of the Holiness of God. * This message was presented on August 27, 2023 by Bob Corbin.

* Sanctification is integrally and intricately entwined with our salvation ... Hence, it is paramount that we first understand what the Bible declares about "Salvation." The Condition of Man: Due to the fall of Adam (Genesis 3) ... All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23) ... such that there is none who are seeking after God on their own (Romans 3:10) but that all are seeking their own desires. The Love of God: But God loves His creation mankind (John 3:16) - whom He made in His image and likeness (Genesis 1:26-27) - and He desires for all of them to be delivered from the penalty of their sins and to come to the knowledge of that truth (1 Timothy 2:3-6). That is why He sent His Son to pay for the penalty of the sins of ALL mankind (1 John 2:1-2; 1 John 4:10,14; John 3:16). The Plan of God: Jesus (God the Son) came to earth, grew and was tempted in every way such as we are - yet without sin (Hebrews 4:14-16). As the perfect man, He willingly offered Himself as a sacrifice on our

* This is the final message in this series on the book of Acts. As we have considered "The Acts of the Apostles," we have seen that it is more aptly titled "The Acts of the Holy Spirit." From the beginning, we have seen how the Holy Spirit empowered and filled the servants of God to distribute the message of redemption through the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. * It is appropriate then, that the book should close with a testimony of Paul's evangelistic ministry in Rome. * Over the past couple of weeks, we have seen how God sovereignly oversaw Paul's travel to the city of Rome. * Today, that journey is finalized. This is Luke's final statement regarding the pattern of Paul's ministry and the faithfulness of God to truly send the gospel message to the "ends of the earth." * This message was presented on August 13, 2023 by Bob Corbin.

* This the 41st message in this series on the book of Acts. It is, as well, the penultimate of the series. * Over the past couple of weeks, we have seen the sovereignty of God guiding Paul to the city of Rome in order that he might have an audience with Caesar. * This has been accomplished, first of all, through Paul being imprisoned by Rome on account of false charges brought against him by the Jews, and the unwillingness of several Roman officials to perform the justice on his behalf that they clearly saw. * Within the judicial process at Caesarea, YHWH afforded Paul several opportunities to share Jesus with "important" Roman officials, and King Agrippa. * Last week we saw how God revealed His sovereignty as well on the journey to Rome by re-directing the ship twice in order to bring them to an unplanned stop on the journey - the island of Malta! * Today, we will examine some of the details of this stop at Malta - specifically, how YHWH delivered Paul twice during this episode and the impacts of these del

* Over the past couple of weeks, we have been considering the transition of Paul's ministry from proclaiming the gospel in a traveling ministry to the ultimate fulfillment of God's prophetic proclamation to him that Paul would bear His name before kings (cf. Acts 9:15-16) We have seen how God used Paul's wrongful imprisonment to begin the process of moving him along to Rome, just as Jesus had promised him (cf. Acts 23:11). * In the spring of 2020, we studied Paul's second letter to the church of Corinth. The title of the series was "Embracing Affliction" because that is the theme of Paul's letter. In 2 Corinthians 11, Paul provides a list of the afflictions and trials which he had endured up to the point of writing that letter. In the list, he states that he had been shipwrecked three times, and that he had spent a day and a night in the deep! What is truly amazing about that statement is that he wrote that letter to them prior to this voyage we will be considering today! * As we began that series, we con

* Over the past couple of weeks, we have been considering the transition of Paul's ministry from proclaiming the gospel in a traveling ministry to the ultimate fulfillment of God's prophetic proclamation to him that Paul would bear His name before kings (cf. Acts 9:15-16) We have seen how God used Paul's wrongful imprisonment to begin the process of moving him along to Rome. * Last week, Paul appealed his case to Caesar. * Today, we see that while waiting at Caesarea to be transported to Rome, Paul has the opportunity to begin the final fulfillment of this prophecy - as he is afforded the opportunity to present the Gospel to King Agrippa. * Sadly, we also see today the two primary responses to the presentation of the Good News of Christ's death, burial and resurrection. * This message was presented on July 23, 2023 by Bob Corbin.

* Over the past couple of weeks, we have been considering the transition of Paul's ministry from proclaiming the gospel in a traveling ministry to the ultimate fulfillment of God's prophetic proclamation to him that Paul would bear His name before kings (cf. Acts 9:15-16) We have seen how God used Paul's innocent attendance at the Temple to fulfill a vow to begin the process of moving him along to Rome. * Last week, we began the final six week segment of our study of the book of Acts by beginning to look specifically at the Sovereignty of God being reveal in the transition of Paul to Rome. Specifically, we saw how God unveiled a plot by the Jews to kill Paul and moved the Roman commander to protect Paul with a force of 470 Roman soldiers in order to convey him to Caesarea. * Today, we continue this account with Paul being able to present his case before the secular authority. * This message was presented on July 16, 2023 by Bob Corbin.

* History can be aptly broken into "His Story." It is the account of what God has done in the world and amongst the nations. As we have been studying the book which is titled "The Acts of the Apostles" we can as well state that it could be more aptly called, "The Acts of God." Throughout the account written by Luke regarding the beginning of the church, we have seen the power and personal engagement of God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - displayed in wonderful ways both in the lives of individuals, and multitudes, as He has overseen and interceded in affairs at the personal, local, and national levels. * We have seen how Jesus specifically called Saul of Tarsus to stop persecuting His church and to begin promoting His church, and then how He orchestrated Ananias to come and heal Saul - preparing each of them for the moment. Jesus told Ananias, "Go, for he [Saul] is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suf

* Paul had been pressing back to Jerusalem. As he had told the elders of Ephesus along the way, "And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me." (Acts 20:22-23) * Last week, we saw the beginning stages of this prophetic declaration. * Paul was fulfilling a vow to YHWH and submitting to the leadership of the elders of the church at Jerusalem, when he was falsely accused of bringing a Gentile into the temple. He was beaten and would have been killed if the Roman soldiers hadn't come to rescue him. * On the way to the barracks, the commander of the soldiers was told many different stories regarding who Paul was. He was shocked when Paul spoke to him in Greek to request the privilege to speak to the people. When Paul spoke to the people, he spoke to them in Hebrew. The people listened until he explained how Jesus the Messiah had sent him to the Gentiles.

* We have titled this exegetical study of the Book of Acts - "Unveiling the Mystery." That "Mystery" is the church. In our study of Paul's letter to the Ephesians, we saw the proclamation of how God had extended His grace in Christ Jesus to both the Jews and the Gentiles. In Christ, both Jews and Gentiles come to the Father, through the Spirit, as "one new man." Through the sacrificial death of Christ, and His ensuing victory over death, the middle wall of partition - the works of the law - had been removed. This new work was the result of the new covenant - and would be referred to as "the church." * God began "the church" through the original apostles of Christ. We saw how they gathered in prayer waiting for the power of the Holy Spirit to come upon them as Jesus had declared. Then 3,000 Jews were saved and added to their number on the day of Pentecost. * When persecution arose, the church scattered from Jerusalem and began to take the good news of redemption in Christ to other regions. God used P

* Paul has been hurrying to get to Jerusalem in time for Pentecost. We are not told why. * Over the past two weeks, we have consider part of Paul's ministry along the journey - with the church in Troas and then his exhortations to the elders of Ephesus. * In today's passage, we get to ponder the situation when two individuals, or groups, believe that they have a “word from the Lord” ... or that the Spirit is “leading them” ... and those beliefs are leading in different directions! What happens when a group within the church feels “led” in a way that different than those who are in authority? * Today, we must ask ourselves - "How do we respond when what we believe is the best solution - which 'clearly is the will of God' - is not that which is followed?" * This message was presented on June 18, 2023 by Bob Corbin.