Northpoint Church-new Braunfels, Texas

The scriptures call us to a place of quietness, stillness & rest. These are difficult in our day - we like busyness, activity, etc., etc., etc..... Let's dive in to BE QUIET.

Faith Perseveres under pressure.The background of James. James 1:1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings.Focus of the Letter:James 1:2-32 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.Don’t forget your __________________. Just ____________ it.Let’s put our focus on - ___________________.James 1:22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.1. There is incredible ________________ in the “action” of faith.                                                                a. Jesus said….Matt. 7:24-27 ____________________ comes when we take action.  b. Jesu

Faith is tested. Question: How do we respond to testing?James 1:1-41 James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings. 2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 1. My ______________________. 2. Count it all ________________. When I keep my joy - I keep my strength. What does this say? keep looking up, keep leaning in, keep reaching out. 3. When you fall into various _________________________. Trials & Test come.Various. various colors, shapes, sorts, manifold - many sided4. _________ this, that the trying (testing) of your faith works patience. (endurance)In the midst of the trial, in the midst of the test, & in the midst of the temptation, God is good and supplying what you need, giving the grace that is necessary to continue. The

Faith Obeys.Obedient defined: willing to do what someone tells you to do or to follow a law, rule, etc.: willing to obey;  submissive to the restraint or command of authority:  willing to obeyJames 1:19-2719 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you(soul). 22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it--he will be blessed in what he does. 26 If a

Faith SpeaksJames 3:1-12 1 Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check. 3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5 Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. 7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, 8 but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restl

“Faith Submits”Submit – to give over or yield to the power or authority of another; to subject to some kind of treatment or influence.Spiritually Maturity – allowing your Bible formed beliefs to __________________ what you think, say and do.Question:What does it mean for faith to submit?  It means ________________________Him to follow peaceably even when you ______________________.How does faith submit?1.  It gives God a __________________________.James 4:5  Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose:  he jealously desires the Spirit, which he has made to dwell in us?Another translation, The spirit, which He has made to dwell in us jealously, desires us.Jeremiah 31:3 / John 3:162.  Heart adjustment + _______________________________ = Life James 4:7-8  Submit therefore to God.  Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.  Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hears you do

Faith is active. Faith is alive. Faith has substance. Faith gives substance. Faith pleases God. Faith Perseveres under pressure.Faith is Tested.Faith Obeys.Faith Speaks.Faith Submits. Jesus wants all of who we are. All in. All for Him. James was written to a group of believers from Jerusalem that had been scattered because of a great persecution against the church in their city. My Faith. My Strength. 1 John 5:4-5  4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our  faith. 5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?Our faith is kind of a big deal.Heb. 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.Biblical Faith is all about ___________________________.                                 &nbs

You + Me = We. The power of partnership.Without ____________________ - we’re in trouble. Gen. 2:18-2518 The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him." 19 Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field and all the birds of the air. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. 20 So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds of the air and all the beasts of the field. But for Adam no suitable helper was found. 21 So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs and closed up the place with flesh. 22 Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. 23 The man said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called 'woman, ' for she was taken out of man." 24 For this reason a man will leave his fath

You + Me = We. The husband has some big shoes.Without Action, we’re in trouble. Eph. 5:21-3325 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 1. “the husband has some _________________________ to fill”John 13:34-35 A new command I give to you that you love one another, As I have loved you that you should love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." 2. Husband’s - “Love _____________________.” Leadership is defined as ______________________. a. What is influence? the capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something, or the effect itself.b. _______________________ do we influence?  John 13 / Gal. 5:13Love Leads. With Humility. With Transparency. With Serving. With Prayer. With Truth. With Wisdom. With Vision. With Patience. With Kindness. With building up. 3. Love leads by ________________________________.I Cor. 13:4-8 NIV 4 L

Marriage is a life long journey. God designed marriage for our good. For our growth. After the wedding the Realness of marriage begins to work in our relationship.We learn how to live together….We learn what love is….We learn how to love….We learn how to serve….We learn how to be about the other…..The scriptures tell us - to work out our salvation with fear and trembling - we are continually learning how to put Jesus first in all things.We must choose to be about GROWTH in our marriage / relationships. In marriage - we choose one another continually.

Trust Me, I’m A….What is ___________________?a. Value exchange:  b. Delayed Reciprocity: c. Predictability: d. Exposed Vulnerability:2.   Where does trust come from?Trust comes from ______________.What is Intimacy?_____________________________.Rom. 12:9-16 9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.  Rejoice with those who rejoice - Mourn with those who mourn. Go to the Limits with others. 3.   Why is closeness __________

C.S. Lewis gives this definition, “A miracle is an interference with nature by supernatural power.” One of the greatest miracles to have ever taken place was in Bethlehem a little over 2,000 years ago, when God interfered with the natural way of bringing children into this world through a virgin who gave birth to a child. The Story of Jesus' birth was marked by angelic visitations, prophecies, dreams and miraculous signs. As we celebrate Christmas, remember God's power is still at work in the earth today - still at work, still able, still active….God with us. Because He is with us we can....Pray bold prayers. Walk in Humility. Trust Him. Love fiercely. Be Faithful. Believe.

John 16:33 CEB I've said these things to you so that you will have peace in me. In the world you have distress. But be encouraged! I have conquered the world.”What things? - If you want to live a happy life - wash peoples feet - If you want to Make a real difference - love one another - I’m sending you another helper to live in You. - Abide in Me - Stay close - Know this: It’s to your advantage that I go away - I will send the Holy Spirit

Who is the Holy Spirit? What is His role on earth? In us? In the gathering of believers? Jesus gives us a glimpse of one of His functions in John 14. John 14:15-18If you love me, keep my commandments.And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another comforter that He may abide with you forever-The spirit of Truth whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him but you know Him for He dwells with you and will be in you.I will not leave you orphans I will come to you.

Your story Matters. Jesus wants you to tell your story. Mark 5:19 19 However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, "Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.”Inn this message, we venture into the world of “Forgiveness Stories”. Forgiveness Defined: to let go, give up a debt, forgive, to remit.Listen to what the Lord said:Psalm 86:5 For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You.Luke 23:34 Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." And they divided His garments and cast lots. Eph. 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.We are grateful for God’s forgiveness story at work in our Lives. But, there’s another side to this story

Life is Relationships. They encourage us. They fill us. They stretch us. They grow us. They also: discourage us, they drain us, they can break us, they can embitter us. Both sides are true.  Relationships can be messy. Yet, God created relationships/partnerships because we NEED them. Listen to God’s word on it….Gen. 2:18 God said, "It's not good for the Man to be alone; I'll make him a helper, a companion."Eccles. 4:9-129 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up. 11 Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.John 13:34-3534 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that y

I’m a Dad. Being a Jesus loving Father is one of the highest callings any man can ever achieve in his life.”All of us have had different family experiences. With our Moms, With our Dads - whatever our experience has been - be it good or bad, healthy or sick, functional or dysfunctional. In Christ - We have a Faithful Heavenly Father.Psalms 27:10 10 When my father and my mother forsake me,Then the LORD will take care of me.Psalms 68:5-6 5 A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows,Is God in His holy habitation.6 God sets the solitary in families…Isa. 9:6 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.Isa. 64:8But now, O Lord, You are our Father; We are the clay, and You our potter; And all we are the work of Your hand.Luke 11:13If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy S

Life is Relationships. They encourage us. They fill us. They stretch us. They grow us. They also: discourage us, the drain us, they can break us, they can embitter us. Both sides are true. Relationships can be messy. Yet, God created relationships/partnerships because we NEED one another. Big Thought: There’s something about together. Together defined: with each other, connected, agreement, harmonyTogether there is unlimited potential and possibilities. Gen. 11:4-6 And they said, Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth. But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built. And the Lord said, Indeed the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them.

Life is Relationships. Doing life alone is a bad choice. 

One of the biggest enemies we face is that of fear. God has countered fear by making courage available to us.Fear has the ability to effect all of our relationships on earth.- keeps us from trusting- hinders intimacy- can cause us to isolate ourselvespaints an inaccurate perceived reality: no one likes me, everyone is talking about me, etc…- keeps us from giving- hinders us from demonstrating care- causes us to pause in praying for one anotherFear desires to control our livesHow do we fight fear?With The wordBy The spiritWalking in obedienceBeing connectedWhat's the word say?2 Tim. 1:7 God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind.1 John 4:4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. Joshua 1:9  Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” We must push through fear. Walk on. Courage is o