The North Church Women

Steadfast Faith that Works, James 2:14–26, Charisse Compton 10.11.23

Steadfast Faith that Works, James 2:14–26

A living faith works! It cannot do otherwise. That is the claim of James 2:14–26. And while James would have us evaluate our lives to see whether our faith is indeed a working one, he would also want us to know that in Jesus, God has made us his “friend.” Because of this new status as the “friend of God,” our work is redeemed! The fruitless works we performed before salvation, trying to prove our worth and value have, in Jesus, become the fruitful and treasured offerings of devotion to a God who redeemed us from those dead works to follow his Son. In Jesus, we find rest and joy as we lay down those dead works and exchange them for his easy yoke and light burden.

Steadfast Love, James 2:1–13, Pam Larson 10.4.23

Steadfast Love, James 2:1–13

The theme running throughout James 2 is that true biblical faith is living, not dead. It will be evidenced by love (verses 1–13) and by works (verses 14–26, next week’s lesson). Faith is not mere intellectual assent, but a heart of trusting and treasuring Jesus that overflows into loving action that reflects his character. True consistent biblical faith is evidenced by loving as God loves. Partiality is inconsistent with the example of Jesus, the grace of God, and the command to love.

Steadfast: The Lord is Your Keeper, Charisse Compton, MOMS 10.3.23

Steadfast: The Lord is Your Keeper

Charisse Compton

Psalm 121

 

 

Steadfast Faith in Action, James 1:19–27, Amy Katterson 9.27.23

 James 1:19–17 can be divided into 3 general points:

• 1:19–21 Be hearers (receive with meekness)
• 1:22–25 Be doers (persevere in obedience)
• 1:26–27 Be true (test your faith)

As those who have been granted new life through God’s implanted word, we are called to the active exercise of faith, particularly as we grow to reflect Christ’s self-controlled speech, merciful care, and purity of heart. 

Remember, God is pleased to bless even our small, beginner steps of obedience! This week, perhaps you may spend some time praying for clarity and requesting input from a trusted friend about what faith in action might look like for you in these areas. 

Steadfast When Tempted: James 1:12–18, Pam Larson, 9.20.23

Steadfast When Tempted, James 1:12–18

This week the focus is on God’s goodness in trials. In life’s journey through the “dark forests”, we are not confronted with lions, tigers, and bears BUT trials, testings and temptations. And OH MY, what a precious gift from God we have in the midst of these difficulties … Jesus and the promise of eternal life! We can be confident that our good God gives only good gifts! He is never changing and we are HIS, through His word-work in our lives. “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 5:10-11) Jesus is God’s supreme, best, “good and perfect” gift, sent from heaven for us, full of grace and truth! He is our ultimate example of steadfastness.

Steadfast Through Trials: James 1:1–11, Pam Larson, 9.13.23

Steadfast Through Trials: James 1:1–11

STEADFAST JOY IN TRIALS (vv.2–4) Jesus is faithful and steadfast when we walk through the storms of life. When we go through trials, we discover what kind of faith we really have. Trials reveal our faith, and they also strengthen our faith and Christ-like character.

STEADFAST FAITH IN PRAYER FOR WISDOM (5–8) We need God’s wisdom to understand God’s purpose and see His perspective on trials so that we might remain steadfast and mature to completeness. ASK for his wisdom! He does not find fault with us or demean us. What good news to have a God who does not give in that way! He gives kindly and generously, without reserve or hesitation, knowing we desperately need Him. He delights to supply us with all we need.

STEADFAST IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES (9–11) Only with God’s wisdom can we truly have his perspective on the momentary nature of riches and store up for ourselves real treasure in heaven (Mark 10:21). We can’t “count it all joy” when we encounter trials apart from the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. When a trial comes, is your first inclination to pray for wisdom to view trials in such a way? How many times have we read this admonition but failed to pray? Remember that he is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble. (Psalm 46) Run to Jesus in prayer!

Introducing James: Faith at Work, with Dr. Brian Tabb

James Helps Us See What Faith Looks Like in Action

• Rejoicing and Remaining Patient in Trials (1:2–3; 5:7–11)
• Praying with Confidence (1:5–8; 5:15–18)
• Obeying God’s Word (1:22–25; 2:14–26)
• Visiting Orphans and Widows (1:27)
• Avoiding Partiality and Showing Love and Mercy (2:1–13)
• Using Our Words to Bless, not Curse (3:5–12)
• Pursuing Peace (3:13–18)
• Friendship with God, not with the World (4:4)
• Humbly Submitting Our Lives and Plans to God (4:6–7, 13–17)
• Bringing Back Those Who Wander from the Truth (5:19–20)

A Word to the Wise: Exploring the Proverbs, L7, Jenni Naselli 7.26.23

Proverbs 31: An Industrious Woman Who Fears the Lord

The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord, and uniquely feminine displays of wisdom come from fearing the Lord.

What do we do when we compare our lives with the Proverbs 31 wife and become discouraged because we come up sorely lacking? Where do we turn with our discouragement and guilt?

This is where the good news of the Gospel comes in. God created women to be industrious nurturers because they fear the Lord. But we are all daughters of Eve, who each ask, “Did God really say ...?” and turn away from His good design to eat the deadly fruit. We all fall short in so many ways.

If your heart, like mine, is convicted by this good passage, then I encourage you to call out to Jesus, the source of all Wisdom. Confess your sins and shortcomings. Cry out to him for forgiveness and mercy. Ask him to give you his wisdom and goodness and joy in serving others. Ask him to help you to fear the Lord and to become truly wise.

 

A Word to the Wise: Exploring the Proverbs, L6, Amy Katterson, 7.18.23

Elbow Grease: Wise Work

Work is a gift from God, invested in faith to bear enduring fruit. Although the world tells us that work itself is our problem, we hear in the Word that sin is our problem, and the work of Christ has settled that for us. Now we may labor in the strength that God supplies and work in wisdom, the way Proverbs exhorts us.

A Word to the Wise: Exploring the Proverbs, L5, Julia Dembeck 7.12.23

Made for Friendship

We need purposeful friendships for our continued faithfulness to the gospel. God matures us as believers through friendship with one another—through consistent fellowship and through giving and receiving mutual counsel with candor and wise care. And while we will never be nor will we ever have the perfect friend, we can have confidence that God is at work in us and in our friendships.