Rule of Life
Rules to live by.
We have RULES for everything. There are rules of the road, rules for the games we play, rule of law. Spiritually speaking, a RULE OF LIFE consists of core values, core beliefs, and core practices. It’s a CODE OF CONDUCT—rituals and routines, decisions and disciplines—by which we live our lives.
This series on the Book of James gets practical on how we can live for God, and choose some guiding principles by which we live our lives.
Week 1: Rule of Joy
06/04/23 | In Week 1, Pastor Matt explores the “Rule of Joy.” The Christian life promises us peace, freedom, and joy even when we go through difficult times, although it seems like so few of us actually experience it. Starting the series off in James 1:1-4, we see that God is the source of joy, not perfect circumstances, and that even though we may not choose our trials, joy is a choice that we can make. Following James’ advice in his letter, to have joy in a trial:
1) Look in the mirror (James 1:3)
2) Choose Your Transformation (James 1:3-4; 1 Peter 1:7; John 16:33)
3) Ask for Wisdom (James 1:5)
4) Have a Divine Perspective (Philippians 2:12-13; Romans 5:1-5)
Week 2: Rule of Freedom
06/11/23 | In Week 2, Pastor Jeff shows how we must Listen, Learn, and Live out God’s Word. When we do, we will live in true freedom to live out the passions God has given us. Reading from James chapter 1, as well as looking at how Jesus lived His life in relation to God and others, Pastor Jeff gives these Rules of Life:
1) LISTEN: Lead with Your Ears (in relation to others and in relation to God)
2) LEARN: Seek to Understand
3) LIVED OUT: Activate the Word
As James writes at the end of chapter 1, “But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.” (James 1:25 NLT).
Week 3: Rule of Faith
06/18/23 | Happy Father’s Day! In Week 3, we look at perhaps the most famous, as well as controversial, verse in the book of James: “In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” (James 2:17 NIV). Pastor Jeff unpacks what James is saying here, shedding much light on the original context, and showing what it means for us today: “A Faith that Saves is a Faith that Serves.” He then offers the following Rules of Life for this week:
1) Faith is More than an Empty Confession // Our attitude, actions & affections changes as a result of faith in Jesus!
2) Faith is More than False Compassion
3) A Faith that Works is…a Faith that Works!
“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?” 2 Corinthians 13:5 (NIV)
Week 4: Rule of Wisdom
06/25/23 | “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.” (James 3:13 NIV)
In Week 4, Pastor Jeff reads from James chapter 3 and shows that there is a Wisdom that comes from the World, and that there is a Wisdom that comes from God. James chapter 3 describes godly wisdom:
1) Godly wisdom begins with a pure life
2) Godly wisdom is characterized by the desire to get along with others
3) Godly wisdom is living with tender consideration for others
4) Godly wisdom is always submissive
5) Godly wisdom is a life controlled by mercy
6) Godly wisdom is characterized by being impartial and sincere
The wonderful news of the scriptures show that if we ask God for this wisdom from above, He will generously give it to us (2 Chronicles 1:7-12; Proverbs 1:7; James 1:5)!
Week 5: Rule of Humility
07/02/23 | How does one become an enemy of God? James writes: "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble," (James 4:6). In Week 5 "Rule of Humility," Pastor Matt shows that PRIDE, or being full of self, is what makes us an enemy of God. Yet God will generously give grace to those who admit their need for Him. As C.S. Lewis writes, “True humility is not thinking less of yourself, it is thinking of yourself less.” Reading from James chapter 4, we see that:
False Humility is:
1) Thinking Less of Yourself
2) Talking More of Yourself
True Humility is:
1) SERVICE: Thinking of Others More
2) WORSHIP: Thinking More of God
Looking for a place to serve at church?
Week 6: Rule of Patience
07/10/23 | In Week 6, Pastor Jeff concludes the series reading from James chapter 5 on how we can have patience even when we’ve been wronged. We see from what James writes:
1) Be patient with people
2) Persevere through problems
Then gives examples on how we can do this. Ultimately, we depend on the Holy Spirit to help us live out God’s Word in this way!