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1. Pray in Every CircumstanceJames 5:13; Psalm 62:8"Is any among you afflicted? let him pray."Discussion Question: When hardship, disappointment, financial pressure, family struggles, or unexpected circumstances come into your life, what is your typical first response? How can you become more intentional about turning to God in prayer rather than allowing worry, frustration, or fear to take over?2. Develop a Consistent Prayer Life1 Thessalonians 5:17; 1 Timothy 2:1–2"Pray without ceasing."Discussion Question: What are some practical ways you can cultivate a more consistent prayer life? What obstacles tend to keep you from spending time in prayer, both individually and with your church family?3. Praise God in Times of JoyJames 5:13; Deuteronomy 8:12–14"Is any merry? let him sing psalms."Discussion Question: Why is it sometimes easier to pray when we are suffering than to remember to praise God when life is going well? What can you do to make praise and thanksgiving a more natural part of your daily life?4. Let Scripture-Filled Songs Shape Your HeartColossians 3:16; Psalm 100:1–2"Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord."Discussion Question: What hymns or Christian songs have encouraged you during particularly difficult seasons of life? How can singing biblical truth help strengthen your faith, redirect your thoughts, and encourage others?5. Don't Suffer AloneJames 5:14; Hebrews 10:24–25"Let him call for the elders of the church."Discussion Question: Why does God intend for believers to experience suffering within the context of a church family rather than in isolation? Are you actively involved in a local church where others know you, pray for you, and care for you?6. Become the Hands and Feet of ChristGalatians 6:2; Hebrews 6:10"Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ."Discussion Question: What are some practical ways you can minister to someone in your church who is experiencing sickness, grief, or another difficult season? Have you ever experienced the encouragement of someone who came alongside you during a time of need?7. Trust God Rather Than Relying on SuperstitionJames 5:14; Psalm 103:2–3"Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases."Discussion Question: Why is it important to understand that the oil mentioned in James 5 does not possess magical or mystical healing power? What does this passage teach us about the relationship between prayer, faith, and the Lord's power?8. Trust God and Use the Means He Provides1 Timothy 5:23; Colossians 4:14"Use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities."Discussion Question: Why should Christians never view prayer and medical treatment as competing alternatives? How can we demonstrate faith in God while also gratefully using the medical knowledge, treatments, and resources He has provided?9. Pray Boldly While Submitting to God's WillJames 5:15; 2 Corinthians 12:7–10"My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness."Discussion Question: How can we pray confidently for physical healing while still submitting to God's sovereign will? What can we learn from Paul's experience with his thorn in the flesh and Jesus' prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane?10. Remember That Our Ultimate Healing Is EternalJames 5:15; 1 Corinthians 15:51–57"For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality."Discussion Question: How does the promise of resurrection and eternal life change the way you view sickness, suffering, and even death? How can the assurance of our future healing encourage you or someone you know who is facing a serious illness or loss?

1. The God Who Knows Every WordScripture: Psalm 139:1–4“O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.”Discussion Question: How should the reality that God knows every word we speak—even before we say it—change the way we communicate at home, at work, and in private?2. The Temptation to Make False PromisesScripture: James 5:12“But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.”Discussion Question: Why are we sometimes tempted to make promises we do not intend to keep or to use impressive words to make ourselves seem more trustworthy?3. The Idol of ApprovalScripture: Galatians 1:10“For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.”Discussion Question: When has the desire to please others tempted you to exaggerate, agree to something you could not do, or avoid giving an honest answer?4. The Idol of ControlScripture: Matthew 5:37“But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.”Discussion Question: How might vague answers, such as “I'll try,” “We'll see,” or “Maybe,” become ways of keeping control rather than communicating honestly?5. The Idol of FearScripture: Proverbs 29:25“The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.”Discussion Question: Why does pressure sometimes make dishonesty seem like the easiest way out, and how can trusting God help us tell the truth when the consequences are uncomfortable?6. Recognizing the Respectable Forms of LyingScripture: Ephesians 4:25“Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.”Discussion Question: Which forms of dishonesty are easiest to excuse—a half-truth, white lie, exaggeration, silent lie, evasive answer, or a lie intended to protect someone—and why?7. Truthfulness in Our Closest RelationshipsScripture: Ephesians 4:15“But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:”Discussion Question: How can dishonesty damage trust in marriage, family, friendships, or the church, and what does it look like to speak the truth in love?8. Confession and the Pursuit of ReconciliationScripture: Proverbs 28:13“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.”Discussion Question: If you realize you have deceived someone, what steps should you take to make things right rather than continuing to cover up your wrongdoing?9. What Our Words Reveal About Our FaithScripture: James 2:17“Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.”Discussion Question: Why does a persistent pattern of dishonesty raise serious questions about the genuineness of a person's profession of faith, and how should we respond to that warning?10. Reflecting the Character of Our Faithful GodScripture: Colossians 3:9–10“Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:”Discussion Question: What is one specific change you can make this week so that your words and actions more clearly reflect the truthfulness and faithfulness of God?

1. Rejecting the Prosperity GospelJames 5:10Discussion Question: How might we subtly assume that if we obey God, serve in the church, and live faithfully, He owes us a trouble-free life? How should the example of the prophets correct that thinking?2. Finding Hope in ScriptureRomans 15:4Discussion Question: When you experience hardship, how can reading about the suffering and perseverance of God's people in Scripture strengthen your hope? What biblical example has encouraged you most?3. Faithfulness When No One NoticesGalatians 6:9Discussion Question: Where might God be calling you to remain faithful even when your service seems unnoticed, ineffective, or unappreciated? How does the truth that you do not have to be well known to be well used by God encourage you?4. Setting an Example Through Endurance1 Timothy 4:12 Discussion Question: Who is watching how you respond to hardship—perhaps your children, grandchildren, friends, or fellow church members? What might they learn about God by observing your response to suffering?5. Practicing Active EnduranceHebrews 12:1–2Discussion Question: The sermon describes endurance as actively remaining under the weight of hardship rather than giving up. What does active endurance look like in your current circumstances, and what practical step could you take this week to keep moving forward in faith?6. Trusting God When Hardship Comes UnexpectedlyJob 1:21Discussion Question: How do you typically respond when suffering arrives unexpectedly and turns your world upside down? What can Job's response teach us about worshiping God even when we do not understand what He is doing?7. Depending on God's Sustaining Grace2 Corinthians 12:9Discussion Question: When have you reached a point where you realized you could not endure a difficult situation in your own strength? How did God sustain you, and where do you need His sustaining grace today?8. Trusting God's Compassion in the Middle of the TrialLamentations 3:22–23Discussion Question: When painful circumstances make God seem distant, what truths about His compassion and mercy can help you continue trusting Him? How can you distinguish God's unchanging character from your changing feelings?9. Redefining What It Means to Be BlessedJames 1:12Discussion Question: How does our culture define being blessed, and how might those definitions influence the way we evaluate our lives? What would it look like to consider yourself blessed while faithfully enduring a difficult season?10. Living in Light of the Final VictoryRevelation 21:4 Discussion Question: How does the promise of Christ's ultimate victory and the end of suffering change the way you face present trials? What would it look like to live this week with the confidence that God knows the end of your story?

Evangelist Aaron Coffey's sermon for our Homecoming Sunday morning worship service (October 11, 2026).

1. Discuss the things our founding fathers acknowledged about God and Government.2. Discuss how government is a divine institution and how rulers are God’s servants.3. How does the government restrain evil and promote good?4. Discuss what the Church is to do in their relationship to government. 5. How important is morality to the American government?

1. Waiting on Christ Question: Where are you currently tempted to become impatient, and how would remembering Christ’s return change the way you respond? 2. Trusting God to Right Every Wrong Question: What happens in our hearts when we feel that someone has wronged us and we believe God is not doing anything about it? 3. Faithful Labor, Total Dependence Question: What is one area where you need to work faithfully while simultaneously trusting God with the results? 4. Trusting God’s Timing Question: Where are you most tempted to become discouraged because God’s work seems to be taking longer than you expected? 5. The Harvest Is Worth the Wait Question: How does an eternal perspective change the way you view a difficult season you are experiencing right now? 6. Strengthening Your Heart Question: What does it practically look like for you to “stablish” or strengthen your heart when you are under pressure? 7. Groan Up, Not Out Question: When you are stressed or suffering, who is most likely to receive the overflow of your frustration? 8. Guarding Your Tongue Under Pressure Question: What do your words tend to reveal about your heart when you are tired, disappointed, inconvenienced, or mistreated? 9. The Lord Is Near Question: How should the reality that Christ is near change the way you respond when you feel alone, mistreated, or overwhelmed? 10. Live Ready for His Return Question: If you genuinely believed Jesus could return today, what would you change about the way you are living this week?

July 5, 2026

Preached July 19, 2026

Preached on Father's Day 2026

Key Themes & Outline The Illusion of Security (Wealth witnesses against hoarding, vv. 1–3): Wealth is a stewardship trust, not a security blanket. Hoarded possessions corrode the heart and witness against individuals on Judgment Day.The Illusion of Independence (Wealth cries against injustice, v. 4): Exploiting or withholding fair, timely wages from laborers cries out to the Lord of Angel Armies (Lord of Sabaoth).The Illusion of Indulgence (Wealth fattens for slaughter, vv. 5–6): Living self-indulgently numbs people to spiritual needs and fattens them for judgment. Loving money leads to forgetting Jesus, the Just One who was condemned and murdered without resisting.

Sermon Outline 1. The Arrogance of Our Assumptions (13, 16) 2. The Brevity of Our Breath (14) 3. The Comfort of God’s Control (15, 17) Sermon Discussion Questions 1. Who Is on the Throne? Question: What are some areas of your life where you are most tempted to act as though you are in control rather than God? 2. Planning Without Presumption Proverbs 16:9 “A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.” Question: How can we make wise and responsible plans without becoming presumptuous about what God will allow? 3. The Idol of Control Proverbs 3:5–6 “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Question: How does the desire to control circumstances contribute to anxiety, anger, disappointment, or conflict with other people? 4. Remembering Our Ignorance Proverbs 27:1 “Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.” Question: Why can remembering that we do not know the future actually strengthen our faith rather than weaken it? 5. Living as a Vapor Psalm 90:12 “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” Question: If you genuinely believed that your life is a vapor, what would you do differently with the time God has given you? 6. The Comfort of God’s Control Matthew 10:29–31 “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father... Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.” Question: How should God's sovereign control change the way you respond when something happens that you did not plan or cannot control? 7. Trusting God When We Don't Understand Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Question: Why is it possible to trust God's will even when we cannot understand why He has allowed something to happen? 8. “If the Lord Will” James 4:15 “For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.” Question: What would it look like for “If the Lord will” to become an attitude of your heart, rather than merely a phrase you say? 9. Do It Today James 4:17 “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” Question: Is there something God has already shown you that you need to obey, but you have been postponing? 10. Everything Is Grace 1 Corinthians 4:7 “For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive?” Question: What changes in your attitude toward your life when you begin to see your family, possessions, opportunities, plans, and even your next breath as gifts of God's grace rather than things you have earned?

Judgmentalism Judged (James 4:11-12) 1. WHOSE SEAT ARE YOU SITTING IN? James 4:12 “There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?” Question: Where are you most tempted to “sit in the judge’s seat”—in your family, workplace, church, friendships, or online? 2. ASSUMING BEFORE KNOWING 1 Samuel 16:7 “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” Question: When have you recently made an assumption about someone's motives or character without knowing the whole story? 3. WHAT IS YOUR MOTIVE? Ephesians 4:15 “Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.” Question: When you speak about another person’s failures or weaknesses, is your goal to build them up, help them, or tear them down? 4. ARE YOU A JUDGE OR A FRUIT INSPECTOR? Matthew 7:20 “Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.” Question: How can we distinguish biblical discernment from a judgmental spirit? 5. WHAT UNWRITTEN LAWS HAVE YOU CREATED? James 2:8 “If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing well.” Question: What personal or “unwritten” standards do you sometimes expect other people to follow—and become irritated when they don't? 6. ARE YOU ALLOWING CHRISTIAN LIBERTY? Romans 14:4 “Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls.” Question: Are there areas of Christian liberty where you tend to treat your personal convictions as though they were biblical commands? 7. HOW BIG IS YOUR LOG? Matthew 7:3 “Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?” Question: What faults in other people tend to bother you most—and could those frustrations reveal something you need to examine in yourself? 8. HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN THE GOSPEL? Romans 2:1 “For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things.” Question: How does remembering your own need for grace change the way you respond when someone else sins? 9. CAN YOU SPEAK TRUTH WITHOUT SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS? Colossians 4:6 “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” Question: Is there someone you need to speak truth to, but you need to examine your attitude and motive before you do it? 10. HOW CAN YOU BE MORE GRACIOUS THIS WEEK? Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Question: Who is one person toward whom you can intentionally show more grace, patience, mercy, or kindness this week? “If you really want to be like God, don’t be judgmental—be gracious.”

Grace to the Humble (James 4:7-10) 1. Getting Under God’s Authority “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” Question: What does actively submitting yourself to God look like in your everyday life, and what is one area where you are currently resisting His authority? 2. Resisting the Enemy “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” Question: Where are you most vulnerable to the devil’s temptation, accusation, or division, and what would it look like to actively resist him this week? 3. Do You Really Want God? “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” Question: Do you primarily seek God Himself, or do you tend to seek God mainly for what He can do for you? What reveals the difference? 4. Returning to God “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” Question: Is there an area of your spiritual life where you have gradually pulled away from God? What would “drawing near” look like in that area? 5. An Undivided Heart “He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” Question: Where are you most tempted to live with “one foot in the church and one foot in the world”? What competing love or desire is pulling your heart away from Christ? 6. Repentance That Goes Deeper “Godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.” Question: When you become aware of sin, do you tend toward genuine repentance, excuses, minimizing, or merely feeling bad about the consequences? What is the difference? 7. Living in God’s Sight “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips.” Question: How does comparing yourself with other people affect your humility? How might regularly remembering God’s holiness change the way you see yourself? 8. Trusting God’s Timing “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you.” Question: What situation in your life is hardest for you to entrust to God’s timing, and what would humble trust look like there? 9. Choosing the Way Down “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Question: Where does your culture encourage you to “climb the escalator”—to become more impressive, successful, powerful, or recognized—and how does Jesus call you to choose a different way? 10. Grace for the Humble “But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’” Question: Where do you most need God’s grace right now, and how might humility position you to receive and depend upon that grace?

1. WHAT HAS YOUR HEART? “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” — Matthew 6:21 Question: What people, possessions, accomplishments, or experiences are most likely to compete with God for your heart? 2. FRIENDSHIP WITH THE WORLD “Know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God?” — James 4:4 Question: What is the difference between loving the people of the world and becoming a friend of the world system? 3. WHERE DO YOU SEEK APPROVAL? “For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.” — John 12:43 Question: In what areas are you most tempted to measure your worth by other people's approval rather than God's approval? 4. WHAT DOES GOD'S JEALOUSY MEAN? “For I the LORD thy God am a jealous God.” — Exodus 20:5 Question: How does understanding God's jealousy as covenant love—not insecurity or selfishness—change the way you view His commands and correction? 5. WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO GET FROM THE WORLD? “Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” — Matthew 6:24 Question: What does your use of time, money, entertainment, or possessions reveal about where you look for comfort, pleasure, identity, or security? 6. DO YOU BELIEVE GOD'S GRACE IS GREATER? “But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.” — Romans 5:20 Question: When you become aware of your sin and failure, do you tend to run toward God for grace or away from Him in shame? Why? 7. WHERE DO YOU NEED MORE GRACE? “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” — 2 Corinthians 12:9 Question: What weakness, temptation, relationship, failure, or circumstance in your life is currently reminding you of your need for God's grace? 8. WHERE IS PRIDE KEEPING YOU FROM GRACE? “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” — James 4:6 Question: What does pride look like in your life right now—excuses, defensiveness, comparison, self-reliance, unwillingness to confess, or something else? 9. ARE YOU LIVING WITH ONE FOOT IN EACH KINGDOM? “No man can serve two masters.” — Matthew 6:24 Question: Where are you experiencing the tension of wanting both Christ and the world's values, pleasures, or approval? 10. WILL YOU COME HOME TO GRACE? “I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee.” — Luke 15:18 Question: What would it look like for you this week to acknowledge your sin, surrender your pride, and actively receive God's greater grace?

1. LOOK INWARD: Where Does My Conflict Begin? Scripture: “From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?” — James 4:1 Question: When you experience conflict with another person, how naturally do you look for the cause in what they did rather than examining what is happening in your own heart? 2. IDENTIFY YOUR SELFISH DESIRES Scripture: “Abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.” — 1 Peter 2:11 Question: What desires tend to become especially powerful in your heart when you are frustrated—comfort, control, recognition, security, being right, success, approval, or something else? 3. WHAT IDOL AM I DEFENDING? Scripture: “Little children, keep yourselves from idols.” — 1 John 5:21 Question: Think about a recent argument or conflict. What were you willing to say, do, or withhold in order to get what you wanted? What might that reveal about an idol you were defending? 4. IS MY ANGER REALLY ABOUT GOD? Scripture: “For the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” — James 1:20 Question: When you become angry, how can you tell whether your anger is genuinely concerned about God's holiness or whether you are experiencing “self-righteous indignation” because one of your own desires has been violated? 5. WHAT DO I EXPECT PEOPLE TO GIVE ME? Scripture: “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 4:19 Question: Is there something you are expecting your spouse, children, parents, friends, employer, church, or career to provide that only God can ultimately give—security, significance, approval, comfort, or identity? 6. WHAT DOES MY PRAYER LIFE REVEAL ABOUT MY HEART? Scripture: “You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.” — James 4:3 Question: If God examined the motives behind your most frequent prayers, what would they reveal that you truly value? 7. AM I WILLING FOR GOD TO SAY NO? Scripture: “Not my will, but yours, be done.” — Luke 22:42 Question: What is something you are currently asking God to change or provide? Are you genuinely willing to trust Him if His answer is “no” or “wait”? 8. CAN I REPLACE ACCUSATION WITH CONFESSION? Scripture: “Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.” — James 5:16 Question: In a current conflict, what would change if you stopped saying, “You made me…” and instead confessed, “When this happened, my sinful desire for ______ took control, and I responded by ______”? 9. WHAT WOULD IT LOOK LIKE TO SEEK GOD'S KINGDOM FIRST? Scripture: “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” — Matthew 6:33 Question: In a conflict or difficult circumstance you're facing, what would change if your first question became, “How can God be glorified here?” rather than, “How can I get what I want?” 10. HOW DOES CHRIST CHANGE THE WAY I HANDLE CONFLICT? Scripture: “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” — Romans 5:1 Question: How should the security, identity, approval, and hope we already possess in Christ change the way we respond when someone disappoints, ignores, criticizes, or frustrates us?