Waite Park Church

This sermon explores a faith that eagerly anticipates Christ's second coming. Drawing from Romans 8 and the story of Mary and the Angel Gabriel, Kory challenges the notion of unconditional grace, stating that God's gifts, like hope, are not charity but an invitation to a covenant relationship. He calls believers to be active carriers of hope in a groaning world. This requires resisting the temptations of despair and desperation and instead embracing the confidence that God is working all present suffering for good.

Kari Britten explores James 5:7-11, offering encouragement for seasons of waiting and suffering. She reminds us that all believers live in the "in-between" before the Lord's coming. Drawing on examples like the farmer and the perseverance of Job, we are challenged to wait well by nourishing our souls with God's Word, expressing our emotions through prayer with others, and fixing our eyes on the ultimate hope of heaven.

This sermon, "The Danger of Wealth," explores James 4:13–5:6, challenging us to adopt a perspective of Godly abundance over worldly scarcity. Konrad Johnson warns against the arrogance of planning life without acknowledging God's will and urges us to use our resources—including time and money—to bless others, finding peace and guidance through prayer and faith in Christ's love.

In this message, "Tongues Aflame," Duane Fischer explores the powerful message of James 3:1-12 regarding the tongue. He highlights that controlling our speech is a crucial indicator of true spirituality, likening the tongue's influence to a small bit controlling a large horse or a small rudder steering a huge ship. The message calls for thoughtful, consistent, and honest speech [17:16] that uplifts and honors Christ, cautioning against impulsive, critical, or destructive words that can cause harm.

This powerful sermon on James 2:14-26, "Faith and Deeds," provides a call to active discipleship. Pastor Abby challenges us to understand that true faith is not simply a belief or profession, but one that is proven through practical action. Referencing the biblical examples of Abraham and Rahab, she underscores James' teaching that "faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." We are encouraged to put on the "gloves of our faith" and find ways to tangibly serve our neighbors and community in Christ's name.