Click here for printable sermon notes.

The Book of James
Missionary Jeff Krohn
James 2:14–26

Relentless

54 imperatives

Eschatological urgency

James’ preoccupation

Timeline of Abraham’s life

Different worlds

James “post”; Paul “pre”

“Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance ... Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate. Costly grace is the treasure hidden in the field; for the sake of it a man will gladly go and sell all that he has … Costly grace is the gospel which must be sought again and again, the gift which must be asked for, the door at which man must knock. Such grace is costly because it calls us to follow, and it is grace because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ. It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life” (Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Cost of Discipleship, 47).

This Week’s Verse
Matthew 7:15–20 (ESV)
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?  So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit.  A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.

This Week’s Prayer
Father, I thank You for the grace You have shown me. Thank You, for the mercy You have given to me. Holy Spirit, work in me that the light of my faith in Jesus will be seen by all I encounter. Jesus, thank You for the very real sacrifice You made so I can have a life of faith with the hope of an incredible future with You. Amen.