James, the half-brother of Jesus, was a leader in the early church. He was known for his compassion, leadership, and influence over the early church. In this letter he writes very practical ways to live out their faith. In James 2 we have a long example of why we are to treat everyone the same in Christ. Another way to say it is that we are not invited to show favoritism to anyone. In this time period, Jewish people coveted recognition and honor from others. It was typical to give a better seat to the wealthy people in the church. James wasn’t going to allow culture to influence the teaching of Jesus. Listen in as Pastor Neal Benson teaches on James 2:1-13. We learn the gospel changes how we see, treat, and care for people.
In week two of the James sermon series we're going to take a deeper look into how we should approach God’s word. Why does James speak about our conduct? How does he tell us to receive God’s word? What might we be missing in our personal time of devotion in God’s word? As we seek to answer these questions, we'll see that there is a difference between receiving instruction and applying instruction. The genuineness of our faith is evident in how we apply God's word and instruction in our lives. Listen in as Blaze McEntee explains that the way we live isn't what determines our salvation; instead, our salvation should determine how we live.
The book of James is a letter of wisdom full of short wisdom speeches and metaphors that helped the early church follow the teachings of Jesus. As we study this book together, you’re going to see that James' letter is primarily influenced by the book of Proverbs and Jesus' teachings from the Sermon on the Mount. In chapter one, James gives an overview of almost every topic he will talk about. Then in chapters two through five he will expand on each of these topics. Listen in as Pastor Neal Benson teaches about finding joy in our trials and our position in life and how to not be deceived by the things of this world.
In John 15, Jesus uses an agricultural example to teach a spiritual lesson about remaining rooted in Christ. As time passes, those remaining in Christ will undergo deep transformation as they are formed in His image. The disciplines and the formations we’ve studied over the last ten weeks are powerful tools in shaping us, but without remaining in Christ the formation they bring may be fleeting. Listen in as Pastor Neal Benson focuses on abiding in Christ in the final sermon of the "Formed" sermon series!
A recent study found that 71% of Americans say the Bible is the word of God. Another study tells us that only 48% of Americans interact with their Bible three to four times a year. In Psalm 1 we learn the value of Scripture and how the blessed person is formed through spending regular time in Scripture. One of the primary reasons that people don’t read their Bible is they don’t think it’s applicable. In Psalm 19 we read that the Law of the Lord is perfect. We learn that God’s precepts are trustworthy. Listen in as Pastor Neal Benson teaches us how regular time in God’s word forms the direction of my life.
This summer at Coastline, we’re talking about being formed in our relationship with Jesus. Part of that formation involves fasting. Most of us would prefer to talk about anything but fasting. Fasting reminds us of our vulnerability. Fasting reminds us of our relationship with food. When we stand before God hungry, we suddenly know who we are. We are ones who are poor that are called to be rich in ways we don’t understand in this world. We are the ones who are broken who have been mended by the grace of Jesus. We are the ones who are empty that are longing to be filled not with the perishable but with the imperishable food of God. Listen in as Neal Benson shares how fasting continually sets our minds back on the Lord.
This week in our Formed sermon series, we'll see that the Holy Spirit is the key to all transformation. Regardless of the means God uses or the spiritual discipline involved, it is the work of the Holy Spirit that brings about formation. We however, must do our part and allow the Holy Spirit to do his part. Listen in as teaching pastor, Doug Meye, explains that gospel authenticity invites the work of the Holy Spirit.
Our community is a very powerful tool in our spiritual formation. It will inevitably make us more or less like Jesus. Listen in as Community Life Pastor, Teller Emmer, talks about how we become the average of the people we spend the most time with. Is our community making us more like Jesus, spurring us on to love and good deeds? Or do we become a different person when we are with them, acting one way on Sunday and another with our friends or at work?
When you talk about worship in a church the first thing that most people think about is worship through music. But when we look at the entirety of Scripture, we read that worship is more than singing. In Psalm 96 we are instructed to sing a new song to the Lord; however, Psalm 96 is about more than singing. It shows us that worship includes singing, sharing the good news of Jesus, and giving. Listen in as Pastor Neal Benson teaches us that worship is not about what we feel, but who we know.
Listen in as Blaze McEntee preaches on the spiritual discipline of prayer. In his message, he answers three questions regarding prayer: Who are we praying to? Is there a right or wrong way to pray? and When should we pray? Throughout the message we see God’s heart for His people to come to Him in truth and authenticity. Be encouraged as you hear about God’s desire for us to continually draw near to him through prayer.