As Paul journeys toward Jerusalem, the Spirit repeatedly warns him that suffering awaits. Friends beg him not to go, but Paul’s response cuts to the core of discipleship: “I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die for the name of the Lord Jesus.” This is not reckless ambition—it’s the fruit of a heart transformed by the Gospel. The Gospel calls us to die to self, strengthens us to endure hardship, and assures us that death itself has been conquered. Paul’s resolve reminds us that following Christ was never meant to be safe, but it is always worth it. When the Spirit calls you into costly obedience, will you shrink back—or press forward, trusting that Jesus is worth it?

Prayer connects ordinary believers to an extraordinary God who keeps His promises and draws His people to Himself. In James 5:13–20, we’re reminded to pray in every season, pray for one another, and pray boldly in the righteousness that comes through Jesus. Tune in to this week’s message and discover how ordinary prayers connect us to an extraordinary God who saves, restores, and sustains His people.

Life is filled with waiting — waiting for answers, for relief, for justice. In James 5:7–12, God’s word calls His people to patiently endure in the face of hardship, oppression, and uncertainty by trusting His sovereign rule and the certainty of Christ’s return. This powerful message points us back to the heart of the gospel. Just as Job endured suffering and ultimately experienced the mercy of God, so too Christ endured the cross to secure mercy and compassion for all who believe. And now, we live in a new hope — not wringing our hands in worry, but standing firm in faith, knowing that the Judge is at the door and His promises never fail.

Does God really hear the cries of those who are cheated, wronged, or overlooked? In his message centered on James 5:1–6, Pastor Josiah shares a powerful warning from James: selfish hoarding and dishonest gain may look like success in the world’s eyes, but before God they will testify against us. Earthly riches corrode, unjust dealings oppress the vulnerable, and self-indulgence leads to judgment. Yet in Christ, there is an eternal treasure that moth and rust cannot destroy. For the oppressor, God’s word declares judgment. For the oppressed, we can be comforted – God hears your cries and will bring the unrighteous to justice. And for all who believe, the gospel gives hope: true riches are found in Christ alone.

What fears or ambitions keep you from fully submitting your life to God’s will? In his sermon, “Stop Playing God,” Pastor Josiah shows us how James 4:11-17 calls us to humble ourselves in full submission before God. As Christians we need to stop criticizing our brothers and sisters, stop pretending we control tomorrow, and start entrusting every part of our lives to the Lord’s will. Our lives are but a vapor, and at the end of the day, only what is done in Christ will last. Because God alone is the final authority, we must quit playing God and joyfully submit our lives to Him.

Why do our desires so often leave us empty, even when they’re fulfilled? In this week’s message centered on James 4:1–10, Pastor Josiah unpacks both the problem and the promise regarding the difficulties we face in life. Our passions and worldly pursuits leave us restless, divided, and far from God. Yet God does not abandon us—but gives grace to the humble. In Christ, the true Bridegroom, we are invited to lay down our pride, resist the lies of the enemy, and draw near to the God who draws near to us. This passage is not just a warning but an invitation: to forsake the emptiness of the world and discover the joy of full devotion to Christ. What would it look like for you to go “all in” with Christ today?

Where do you turn for answers when life is hard? What type of wisdom is shaping your life or affecting your decisions? In his sermon, “Wisdom from Above” centered on James 3:13–18, Pastor Josiah unpacks the sharp contrast between false wisdom that is earthly, unspiritual, and demonic—and true wisdom that comes from God. Earthly wisdom seeks pride, ambition, and self-exaltation, but it inevitably leads to disorder and destruction. Godly wisdom, however, is marked by purity, gentleness, mercy, and peace. Most importantly, James shows us that true wisdom makes us peacemakers—sowing peace that produces a harvest of righteousness.

This sermon reminds us that wisdom is not measured by intelligence or worldly success, but by a transformed heart that reflects Christ. Only by embracing the wisdom from above do we become the kind of people who strengthen the church, bring peace into broken relationships, and share the hope of the gospel with the world.

If your words were placed on trial, what would they reveal about your faith? In this week’s sermon, Alex Trotter unpacks James 3:1–12, confronting the sobering truth that our words reveal the condition of our hearts. The tongue, though small, wields extraordinary power—to bless or to destroy, to build up or to tear down. For those in Christ, speech becomes a mark of transformation: increasingly God-honoring, gracious, and edifying, not because of self-discipline alone but because Christ is reshaping the heart. Even when we fail, every careless and sinful word has been covered by the blood of Jesus. For those outside of Christ, however, the tongue exposes the futility of self-reform; apart from the cross, our words testify against us before a holy God. True hope for taming the tongue lies only in the transforming grace of Jesus Christ.

Ultimately, this passage presses us to examine the fruit of our faith through the words we speak. Our speech is never neutral—it either confirms the reality of Christ at work in us or exposes our desperate need for Him. The cross of Christ is sufficient to forgive our failures and powerful enough to transform our tongues into instruments of praise. What difference would it make if every word you spoke was filtered through the cross of Christ?