Category: Sermon Notes

2026 THEME: Still the ONE!

SERIES THEME: The “Perfect” Christian

Title: Put Out the Fire!

Scripture: James 3:1-12

I. SMALL, BUT POWERFUL

If we want to reach God’s goal for us as Christ-followers, we must (control our tongue).
Two things James says:

1. The tongue is (small), but (powerful). See also Mt. 15:10-11, 17-19
2. The tongue is (necessary), but (dangerous).

II. HELPFUL, BUT INCONSISTENT

James is saying our tongues need to produce (good fruit) not (bad fruit).
See Mt. 12:34. What do we need to do?

1. (Cauterize) our lips. Is.6:5
2. Pray continually for (control).
3. (Discipline ourselves) regarding the use of our tongue.

Next week: 2026 Theme: Still the ONE!
SERIES THEME: The “Perfect” Christian
Series: On Being a Wise Guy
Scripture: James 3:13-18

2026 THEME: Still the ONE!

SERIES THEME: The “Perfect” Christian

Title: Don’t Just Stand There!

Scripture: James 2:14-26

I. DEAD FAITH

Salvation, not by works but by faith, is called (justification by faith).

Paul= (saved by faith not works)
James= (show) you my faith by (what I do)

What is a dead faith?

1. A dead faith is an (empty confession). V.14
2. A dead faith has (false compassion). Vv.15-17
3. A dead faith has (shallow conviction). Vv.18-20

II. LIVING FAITH

A case study in two parts:

1. Abraham (vv. 21-24)
2. Rahab (v.25)

4 characteristics of a living faith:

1. A living faith is (involved). (Vv.15-16)
2. A living faith is a (partnership). (v.17)
3. A living faith is (on display). (v.18)
4. A living faith is (from the heart).

Next week: 2026 Theme: Still the ONE!
SERIES THEME: The “Perfect” Christian
Series: Put Out the Fire!
Scripture: James 3:1-12

2026 THEME: Still the ONE!

SERIES THEME: The “Perfect” Christian

Title: Choosing One over Another

Scripture: James 2:1-13

I.  FAVORITISM DEMONSTRATED

Favoritism comes from two Greek words which mean “to receive by face.”

Tend to show favoritism in three ways: (Tony Evans)

1. Racism- (Color)
2. Classism- (Status)
3. Culturalism- (Way of life)

II. FAVORITISM DENOUNCED

Why is favoritism wrong?

1. 1. 1. 1. It is inconsistent with (who God is). The real issue is (the condition of the soul).
         2. It ignores the (universality of sin). Their behavior was condemned in the OT. See Psalm 72:4 and Pr. 17:5
         3. It goes against (Scripture).

3 principles to remember:

• • • • Let the (Scriptures)-not your heritage-be your guide.
      • Let (love) be your guiding principle.
      • Let (mercy) be the overflow from your life.

Next week: 2026 Theme: Still the ONE!
SERIES THEME: The “Perfect” Christian
Series: Don’t Just Stand There!
Scripture: James 2:14-26

2026 THEME: Still the ONE!

SERIES THEME: The “Perfect” Christian

Title: Have To or Want To?

Scripture: James 1:13-18

I. A PROPER RECEPTION TO THE WORD

How can we hear and understand the Word?

1. Quick to (listen). See also Pr.17:28 and 29:20
2. Slow to (speak).
3. Slow to (get angry).
4. Pursue a (pure heart).
5. Humbly (accept the Word). See also Gal. 5:23

II. A PROPER REACTION TO THE WORD

The difference:

1. (Doers) involves the whole person
2. (Hearers) speaks of a person who sits passively

How can we tell if we are doer or just a hearer?

1. There is no divorce between the truth and (our tongue).
2. There is no divorce between the truth and (the needs of others).
3. There is no divorce between the truth and (our witness to the world).

Next week: 2026 Theme: Still the ONE!
SERIES THEME: The “Perfect” Christian
Series: Choosing One over Another
Scripture: James 2:1-13

2026 THEME: Still the ONE!

SERIES THEME: The “Perfect” Christian

Title: Tripped by Temptation

Scripture: James 1:13-18

I. WHO IS TO BLAME?

4 facts about temptation we need to know:

1. Temptation is always (present in life). (v.13a)
2. Temptation is never (prompted by God) (v.13b)
3. Temptation follows a (consistent process). (vv.14-15)
4. Temptation flourishes on (inconsistent thinking) (v.16)

II. HOW CAN WE WIN?

4 ways to prepare ourselves for handling temptation;

1. (Quick to listen) (v.19a) See also Pr. 29:20
2. (Slow to speak) (v.19b)
3. (Slow to get angry) (v.19c-20)
4. Have a (clean heart) (v.21)

Round off: (Living what we believe) (Vv.22-27)

• Don’t just (look into a mirror).
• Don’t just (claim to be religious).
• Don’t (dismiss) orphans and widows.
• Don’t (compromise) morally or spiritually.

Next week: 2026 Theme: Still the ONE!
SERIES THEME: The “Perfect” Christian
Series: Have To or Want To?
Scripture: James 1:19-27

2026 THEME: Still the ONE!

SERIES THEME: The “Perfect” Christian

Title: The “perfect” Woman

Scripture: James 1:4 and varied Scripture

I. PERFECT? WHO’S PERFECT?

The word perfect is better rendered (mature).

II. EXAMPLES OF PERFECTION

Example #1: the mother of Moses (Ex. 1:8-2:10) Name: (Jochebed)
Here is what she showed:

1. (Courage) (2:2)
2. (Creativity) (2:3-9a)
3. (Care) (2:9b-10)

Example #2: the woman who saved her husband’s neck- (Abigail)
Here is what she showed:

1. She saw and responded to David’s (need).
2. She (interceded) for her husband.
3. She expressed her (devotion to the Lord).

Example #3: two women in Jesus’ life- (Mary & Martha)
What can we learn?

1. Sometimes better to set things aside and be in the (presence of Jesus).
2. We need to (balance our priorities).

Next week: 2026 Theme: Still the ONE!
Series: Tripped by Temptation
Scripture: James 1:13-18

2026 THEME: Still the ONE!

Title: The “Perfect” Christian

Scripture: James 1:1-12

I. INTRODUCING JAMES

Introducing the book

Introducing James:

1. 5 mentioned. Most believe this is Jesus’ half-brother
2. Did not believe (Jesus was the Messiah)
3. What changed him? (The resurrection)

II. INEVITABIITY OF TRIALS

Two inescapable truths about trials:

1. They are (inevitable). (v.2)
2.They have a (purpose). (vv.3-4)

What James has to say:

1. God is (sovereign) over our trials.
2. We learn to grow in His (likeness). (Rom. 8:28-29)
3. We learn to trust His (wisdom). (v.5)
4. We learn to live for His (reward). (v.12)

“He who has a why to live can bear with almost any how.”

Next week: 2026 Theme: Still the ONE!
Series: The “Perfect” Woman
Scripture: Select Scripture

2026 THEME: Still the ONE!

Title: The Satisfying Savior

Scripture: Eccl. 3; 2 Cor. 5:1-10; Ezekiel 1:4-28

I. A SCRIPTURAL VIEW OF DEATH

Ecclesiastes 3 view of death:

1. (Fatalism) (Vv.1-9)
2. (Skepticism) (Vv.10-11)
3. (Hedonism) (Vv.12-13)
4. (Deism) (Vv.14-17)
5. (Evolutionism) (Vv.18-19)
6. (Universalism) (Vv.20-22)

What does the Bible say?

1. Absent from the body, present with the Lord. (2 Cor. 5:8)
2. Fully justified, fully pardoned (Rom.5:1; 8:1)

II. A SCRIPTURAL VIEW OF HEAVEN

Pictures of heaven in the Bible:

1. Ezekiel 1:4-28
2. Pictured by John in Rev. 4 & 5
3. Revelation 21

The best part? Forever in the (presence of God and the Lamb) around His throne.

Next week: 2026 Theme: Still the ONE!
Series: The “Perfect” Christian (Book of James)
Title: Troubled by Trials
Scripture: James 1:1-12

2026 THEME: Still the ONE!

Title: The Show-Me Savior

Scripture: I Cor. 12:12-27

I. THE CHURCH AS AN EMPTY FRAME

What is the primary purpose of the church? (to glorify God).

What is our frame to be like?

1. Side #1- A (worshiping) community.
2. Side #2- A place to (receive instruction).
3. Side #3- A (fellowship).
4. Side #4- (True expression).

II. THE CHURCH AS A BEAUTIFUL PICTURE

Some humorous descriptions of a church:

1. The (donkey) church.
2. The (racehorse) church.
3. The (mule) church.

How are we to look?

1. We use our gifts (properly). (Verse 1-11)
2. We seek (unity) not (division). (Verses 12-13)
3. We see to (work together) without (judgment). (Verse 14-27)
4. We have (compassion and care) for each other. (Verses 25-26)

Next week: 2026 Theme: Still the ONE!
Sermon: The Satisfying Savior
Scripture: 2 Cor. 5:1-10; Ezekiel 1:4-28

2026 THEME: Still the ONE!

Title: The Sending Savior

Scripture: Mt. 28:16-20; Acts 1-2

I. COMMISSION TO A MISSION (Mt. 28:16-20)

5 essential elements to fulfilling the mission:

1. (Availability)- (V.16)
2. (Worship)- (V.17)
3. (Submission)- (V.18)
4. (Submission)- (V.19-20a)
5. (Power)- (V.20b)

II. CONFIRMATION OF THAT MISSION (Acts 1:1-11; 2)

Two words to note:

1. Baptize- Passive voice indicates entirely a (divine action).
2. Power- not in speaking in a foreign language but in the (resurrected Christ).

What happens in Acts 2?

1. The followers of Jesus were (one-minded).
2. The Spirit came. Proof came in three ways: It was (audible). It was (visible). It was (oral).

Next week: 2026 Theme: Still the ONE!
Sermon: The Show-me Savior
Scripture: 1 Cor. 12:12-27