Once, I was at a Red Robin, eating a burger. While I was eating that burger, I discovered a hair. It wasn’t mine. Do you think I kept eating that burger? Of course not!
That hair did not belong on my burger.
James, a pastor of the early church in Jerusalem, was concerned about a kind of speech that did not belong in the mouths of God’s people. But to the churches to whom James wrote, and to us today, that kind of speech seems pretty normal.
The Greek word James uses for this speech is literally “to speak against.” To speak against someone is to tear them down with your speech.
James shows us that this sinful speech pattern is shockingly evil, an action tantamount to pushing God off His throne. I know that sounds bad. And you’ll see from James 4:11–12…it is! Maybe worse than you can imagine.
James is concerned that we humbly back away from God’s throne, let Him be God, and learn to keep our mouths shut and our hearts humble in our relationship with other sinners.
If you’re like me, this Sunday you’ll find yourself in need of God’s grace as sin is exposed. James won’t be pulling any punches. But the good news is that God has no shortage of grace for sinners like you and me. He's already given us His Son!
Let’s learn together to think and speak about others in a way that is submissive to God and not exalting ourselves above God. Let's learn to speak in a way that is appropriate for the mouths of God’s people.
Grace and peace,
Isaiah
If your kids are keeping count, the word of the day will be speak.
Update on Alaska Team STM. We are sad to announce that the Alaska Team was canceled by Wildwood Bible Church in Eagle RIver, Alaska due to forest fires which make it unsafe to fly into the campgrounds. Please pray for God’s protection of the campground and for the kids who would have come to still hear the Gospel.
CBC Outing! Angels vs Astros, Wednesday July 13th at 6:30 p.m. Here is a link to a google form set up by Polus Ting where you can reserve how many tickets you’d like. Tickets ($8) can be picked up (and paid for) this Sunday and next. This is an excellent opportunity for your eternal family to meet your neighbors and coworkers!
Inviting the Neighborhood to VBS: After service on Sunday, July 24th, we will be going into the church neighborhood to invite neighbors to VBS...and have Gospel conversations, if the Lord allows! (Please bring your own lunch.)
Vacation Bible School. Sunday, July 31st to Wednesday, August 3rd, 6–9 p.m. Registration is open at the church website. Please invite your friends! (For children Pre-K to 6th grade this fall). Invitations will be available at the church this Sunday.
Cornerstone Bible Church Missions Conference! Saturday, August 20th, 8:30 a.m.–12:45 p.m. Our missionaries Joshua Lee and Marcus Denny will join Pastor Joshua in preaching on the Great Commission. Save the date!
Service Teams. If you are interested in serving on the Welcoming Team, the Communications Team or the After-School Tutoring Team, please contact us.
Bible Reading Project will resume later this summer.
Weekly Pre-Service Prayer. While the whole church will be joining together at 9 a.m. on the first Sunday of the month, there will be a weekly, pre-service prayer time from 8:15–8:45 a.m. in the Upper Room. The focus will be praying for that morning’s ministry, our missionaries and other requests
Among other items, we’ll pray for the short-term teams that have launched this week! Please take time to review the prayer guide here so you can share.
Important: July Equipping Hour and Children’s Ministry Schedule (9 a.m.):
Pebbles (Infant to Pre-K): There will be childcare only on July 3rd at 9 a.m. Childcare will still be offered during the main worship service (10:30 a.m.).
Rock (K–6th): Children’s ministry will meet on July 3rd, 10th, and 17th. There will be no children’s ministry on the 24th and 31st.
Equipping Hour: On July 10th, 17th and 24th, we will continue learning our Two Ways to Live outline and drawings, finish our book Before You Share Your Faith, and discuss evangelism.
VBS Volunteer Meeting: On July 31st, there will be a volunteer meeting for everyone serving at VBS.
Order of Service
Welcome and Call to Worship
Singing
Announcements
Scripture Reading: James 4:1–12
Pastoral Prayer: Francis Orejudos
Preaching of God’s Word: “How Bad Can It Be?” – James 4:11–12
Singing
Link to Outline and Questions