Jeremy Hoover

One of the things that holds churches back from advancing with God's work is complaining. Not the ordinary, garden-variety complaining about the weather or a sports team, but the insidious complaining about work and people within the church!

Moses encountered this problem with the Israelites in Numbers 11. It was only when his focus was returned to its proper place--on God--that he was able to rally the Israelites around God's work.

In the same way, Jesus' disciples prevented ministry done in Jesus' own name because they didn't "know" the person involved! Jesus corrected them by reminding them that if someone is not against him, they are for him. This is a lesson the church needs to learn today.

The solution to the complaining problem is commitment--instead of holding back God's work by complaining and criticizing, pitch in and find a way to contribute. Together, we can build the kingdom Jesus proclaimed.

Sermon: Complaints vs. Commitment

This Sunday we'll be looking at Numbers 11:4-29 and Mark 9:38-41.

Complaining can be one of our biggest downfalls as a church. It's at the root of many problems. On Sunday, we'll look at complaining and see how God handled it in Numbers and how Jesus handled it in Mark.

Hint: It has to do with being more committed to God's work than your own ambitions!

For a sneak peek, download the sermon slides here.

James spends quite a bit of time in his letter to Christians discussing the difference between "godly" wisdom and "earthly" wisdom. By earthly wisdom, he doesn't mean the practical insight that people obtain through years of observation and accumulated experience.

Rather, he's contrasting our ability to relate to others. The ability to forgive, submit to, and keep peace with another is a sign that godly wisdom is present in your life. An inability to do so, combined with fighting, argumentation, and gossip is a sign that you operate through earthly wisdom--a wisdom that looks out for yourself instead of others.

James teaches us (3:13-4:3) that godly wisdom is based on action that recognizes God's concern for others and is rooted in dependency on God. He also teaches us (1:5) that if we don't have this wisdom but we desire it, all we need to do is ask God, and God, who is not looking to show partiality or judge, will give his wisdom freely to those who ask.

What would be different in your life, family relationships, work relationships, or friendships if you treated those people with godly wisdom?

Sermon: Godly Wisdom

You can preview the slides for Sunday by downloading a PDF of the slides here.

Text: James 3:16-4:3
Topic: Godly Wisdom
The main idea: Godly wisdom is based on action that recognizes God's concern for others and is rooted in dependency on God.

We all know self-righteousness when we see it...in others. But we often miss self-righteousness where it resides most easily...in our own lives. In this way, we're much like the Israelites Amos preached to, who kept up appearances through acts of worship while neglecting the weightier matters of God's justice and righteousness.

In this sermon, I contrast self-righteousness with the selflessness that God desires us to have so we can serve others with God's justice and righteousness in mind.

You may also download the accompanying slides here (PDF).

Sermon: Selflessness vs. Self-Righteousness

If you want a sneak peak at the slides for Sunday, download them here.

We often think our obligation to the church is to attend, give our regular contributions, and help out when we can. But for Paul, our obligation is to love and serve each other.

As he writes to a church in conflict (Romans 12:9-21), he reminds them that "church" isn't about leadership positions or even structures, but about the concern and care that come about in close relationship with each other.

Christ's church is a group of people who love and serve each other.

Sermon: The Church's Obligation to Each Other

We all know the church should be more of a family than a loosely-connected group of individuals. Paul confirms this with what he writes to the Roman believers in Romans 12:9-10, 16, 18.

The main point of my sermon will be that Christ's church is a family that loves and serves each other. We'll explore how this applies to our church experience.

Download a PDF of my sermon slides for Sunday, read the bible passage, and prepare to learn about your obligation to your fellow believers.