MIRROR [ THE WISDOM OF JAMES ]
In a world marred by discord and disillusionment, if we’re not careful, we slip into survival mode. What if there was a way to see the storms we face in this life as an invitation to something deeper? The letter of James, written by Jesus’ brother and the pastor of the first church in Jerusalem, helps us see that nothing helps us see the parts of our hearts that need to change, like the pressures we face in this life.
His letter is an invitation to take a look in the mirror and address our own brokenness instead of blaming external circumstances. It’s a nudge to examine our own hearts through the lens of the grace of Jesus.
James does this by offering us what many call the "Proverbs of the New Testament.” What he’s after is helping us navigate the trials we face in this life with the wisdom of God rather than our own. His letter is a timeless guidebook for navigating the complexities of faith and life.
For the next 5 weeks, we will be studying the book through The Daily, in our Groups, and at our Gatherings.
grace + peace,
The Downtown Hope Theology Team
IS THERE ANYTHING REALLY WORTH WAITING FOR? | James 5.7-11
MAY 12, 2024 | DAVID BEMPONG
Join us this Sunday as we wrap up our sermon series on James. In his final message to the church, James emphasizes one key point: Patience. But this isn't just any patience; it's deeply rooted in something profound beyond our wildest imagination.
THE PATH TO PEACE WITH OTHERS | James 4:1-10
MAY 5, 2024 | Joey Tomassoni
James starts the next section in our series "Mirror" with a question: Why do we fight? (4.1). His answer is both surprising and unsettling. Join us this Sunday as Joey walks us through James 4.1-10 to discover the source of our strife and the grace God gives to become a people who live at peace with one another.
HOW MUCH WEIGHT DO OUR WORDS REALLY CARRY? | James 3:1-12
APRIL 28, 2024 | Aaron Mayhew
There’s something every war, conflict, argument, fight, breakup, and downfall of entire nations has in common. They all started with something someone said, posted or commented. We’re living in an age of clickbait, comment wars, and increasing outrage; all driven by a war of words. Words are at the center of every relationship and everything we do. They have the power to make or break us and the people around us. According to one of the earliest church fathers, James, the brother of Jesus, the words we use don’t just reveal our opinions, they reveal something deeper about us. The things we say are like a mirror into our souls. This Sunday, we are going to talk about the weight our words carry and how to heal from the damage our words have done.
A FAITH THAT SINGS | James 2.14–26
APRIL 21, 2024 | Joey Tomassoni
In Chapter 2 of James, Jesus' half-brother pens one of the most evocative statements in the New Testament- that faith without works has no life in it- is effectively dead. Join us this Sunday as Joey walks us through one of the most contested passages in the New Testament to discover the significant relationship between our faith and our actions.
IS GOD STILL GOOD WHEN THINGS GO BAD? | James 1:2-18
APRIL 14, 2024 | David Bempong
James 1:2-18 explores the universal struggle of questioning God's goodness in adversity and learning to embrace trials as opportunities for growth and maturity. We’ll discover the importance of seeking wisdom from God and taking responsibility for our responses to temptation. Rejoice in the unchanging nature of God's goodness, providing a steadfast foundation amidst life's uncertainties.