Practical Wisdom from James
Aug. 1-29, 2021

 “Timely wisdom for our world today.” That’s how Dr. Martha Moore-Keish describes the Book of James in her recent commentary. (James. A Theological Commentary. Westminster/John Knox Press, 2019.) She goes on to cite how the Book of James is unique in the New Testament for its focus on actions. In chapter 2 verse 17, James writes that “faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” In this sermon series, we will explore four ways that faith is lived according to James. Together, we will see how James, the brother of Jesus and leader of the early Christian church in Jerusalem, provides practical wisdom for how we follow Jesus today.​ Rev. Dr. Rodger Nishioka preaches this sermon series.

Aug. 1	Listening Matters
Aug. 8	Actions Matter
Aug. 15	Words Matter
Aug. 22	Praying Matters
Aug. 29	Wisdom Matters (Youth Sunday)

Wisdom Matters (Youth Sunday)
Village Youth Elie Patterson, Espie Lemon and Ella Hans - Aug. 29, 2021

We have walked through the letter from James, learning about what matters: listening, actions, words and prayer. In this sermon, we finish the series in James as our youth reflect on wisdom matters. Their experiences over the summer have lent them wisdom they have brought home with them. How have the experiences in your life brought you wisdom? And where might God be working in the midst of that wisdom? Our scripture reading is James 3:13-18. 

Bulletin 8-29-2021

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Praying Matters
Rev. Dr. Rodger Nishioka - Aug. 22, 2021

Rev. Dr. Rodger Nishioka concludes the preaching series from the Book of James. We’ve talked together about how listening matters, actions matter and words matter. In this sermon, he talks about how praying matters. James 5:16 reads: The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. Rodger believes that. He talks about what that means and why that is so. 

Bulletin 8-22-2021
Sermon Transcript 8-22-2021

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Words Matter
Rev. Dr. Rodger Nishioka - Aug. 15, 2021

Growing up many of us may have heard the saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.” We know that is not true. Words have tremendous power. They can hurt deeply. They can also heal. James warns us to be careful with our words. Our scripture reading is James 3:5b-12. 

Bulletin 8-15-2021
Sermon Transcript 8-15-2021

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Actions Matter
Rev. Dr. Rodger Nishioka - Aug. 8, 2021

Many have come to appreciate James for his practical wisdom and most have come to understand that while we cannot earn our way to God’s grace, faithful followers of Jesus need to not only talk about faith but do it. Our scripture reading is James 2:14-17.

Sermon Transcript 8-8-2021

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Listening Matters
Rev. Dr. Rodger Nishioka - Aug. 1, 2021

James gives us a practical formula for how we are to live as followers of Jesus: listen first, speak slowly and be even slower to get angry. Our scripture reading is James 1:17-21.

Bulletin 8-1-2021
Sermon Transcript 8-1-2021

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