Northeast Christian Podcast Northeast Christian Church

Don’t you love the book of James? It’s filled with challenges and wisdom. It’s raw, real, and more direct than any other book in the Bible and it’s even more compelling when we learn about the man who wrote it. James, the younger brother of Jesus, only experienced conversion after he saw his risen Brother. His conversion is one of the biggest proofs of the resurrection of Jesus. James later became the leader of the early Christian church, a writer, and ultimately was martyred for his faith. More than any other writer, James leans directly into Jesus’ teaching and challenges each of us to put our faith into action. How did the son of a poor carpenter become so brilliant? … Because he became a slave to Jesus. May we all have faith like James.
1:19 You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God.[f] Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. 20 How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless?
You’re challenge today is – You have heard from James- now go do!

 “Let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” - Amos 5:24
Want to know God’s opinions on social justice? Look no further than the book of Amos. It’s a harsh book full of warning. God is just. And He links the sins of injustice and oppression with idolatry. This prophetic book is jam-packed with judgments and pleas for Israel, Judah, and the surrounding nations. But, even despite the coming judgment for these unrepentant people, God will remain faithful in the end.

This weekend, we celebrated what God has done over the past 10 Years of Love the ‘Ville!
 
Love The ‘Ville isn’t just a motto – it’s a movement. To Love the ‘Ville means to unleash God’s love into every area of our lives. We started by asking our neighbors, “How can we help?” one Sunday morning, and it has grown into a year-round movement of loving our schools, city, and world!

Yesterday, Tyler wrapped up our Roots to Branches message series sharing Jesus’ radical views on family undermining traditional and progressive views.
No matter where you came from, or what your family looks like… your family's pain does not define your future.
If you just choose to believe there is a big family here to hold you up!
The Good News is that the blood of Jesus covers many sins. We are stuck together. Together, we are the family of God.
We hope this challenging series has impacted you personally to reflect on your blessings, acknowledge past hurts, the power of praying over your family, and embrace the spiritual tool of forgiveness and selflessness. And most importantly to embrace your future forever family of God - your church.

This weekend, Terrence gave us the second of two spiritual tools to unleash the power of God in our families. Living a selfless life.
This is the 2nd key to unlocking generational change in our family through God’s power.
So, how do you practice this? Gratitude, humility, and intentionality.
You are a better person and a better Christian, when your life is aiming at the harder and more costly things of God.

The last two weeks, we’ve focused on the past - both brokenness and blessings. It’s vital for us to learn and honor the blessings of the past, but also to redeem the brokenness that was handed down to us. This weekend, we moved from past to present, and Tyler gave us the first of two spiritual tools to unleash the power of God in our families. Forgiveness.
We don’t earn forgiveness by forgiving others, we prove we’re forgiven when we forgive others.
Christian forgiveness is a loving gift of unearned grace. It does not circumvent social justice or restorative discipline. And it does not destroy the sinner, but rather it seeks to heal and convert the sinner.
The forgiveness of Jesus is better. Before we come to Jesus with a broken heart, fall on our knees and beg, or offer restitution… He’s already paid the debt. In the middle of our sins, Jesus loves us so much that he has already done the work to forgive us before we ask for it.
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. - 1 Peter 4:8
Family forgiveness is hard, but it’s essential. And by the power of Christ in you, you can forgive.