Sermon Notes February 01, 2026
James 5:1-11 — The Haves and the Have Nots “James”
James 5:1-6. “Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. 2 Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. 3 Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. 4 Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. 5 You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned and murdered the innocent one, who was not opposing you.”
- James is targeting wealthy people who make wealth the _________ of their life, who also use their wealth to ________________________ of the poor
- Two challenges for all us “average” wage earners:
James 5:7-9, ”Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. 9 Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!”
- You won’t get long-term patience on _________________________. If your focus is on “this life only,” you will find it ___________________ to get through “this-life-only” stuff.
See Revelation 21:4, 27; James 2:1-4; 4:1-2, 11-12, 5:1,4
James 5:10-11, ”Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.”
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Women’s Group
Women’s Group … The Women’s Group Meeting is held after services on the second Sunday of every month, except June, July, and August. The Women’s Group supports the church and the community through multiple programs.
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Bible Study
Bible Study… Brothers & Sisters — Lets get Back into the Bible —
Bible Study is held on Wednesdays at 10 am and 6:30 pm, most weeks. For more information, check the Sunday bulletin or call the church office at (219) 838-6986.
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Men’s Group
Men’s Group… The Men’s Group monthly meetings are held on the second Sunday after service every month. The Men’s Group plans social and outreach events, shares devotionals, and provides assistance with maintaining the church building. All men are welcome.
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You and communion
Daily rituals can make life easier. Having a routine for getting ready for work every morning, for instance, can help us start each day happier and more efficiently. But, we have to be careful that we don’t allow important matters, especially spiritual matters, to become ritualistic. This runs the risk of becoming mechanistic and robotic. Sometimes it’s extremely important that we be thoughtful and introspective. Taking communion is one such time.
Ask yourself what you are thinking about when you take communion. Are you simply consuming the emblems without thinking about what they represent? Are you taking communion in a way that respects the Bible’s instructions on how to do so?
Partaking of the Lord’s Supper is probably the most important part of our service. When done correctly, it can re-center us on Christ for the week ahead.
1 Corinthians 11:27-28 (NIV)
27 So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup.
Prior to taking communion, we are told to examine ourselves. It’s a time to reflect on our relationship with Christ. It’s a time to reflect on our sin and seek forgiveness. It’s a time to reflect on how we can improve our Christian walk.
Partaking of the Lord’s Supper is a serious matter. Were it not, there would be no instructions in the Bible on how to participate in this memorial. We should take care to not let it become “ordinary” or “robotic.” We should engage ourselves, heart, soul, mind and body every time we partake.
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Do Not Lean on Your Own Understanding
Read part 1 first, Trust In The Lord.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Don’t Lean on Your Understanding
The verse involves a positive–something you must do. But it also involves a negative–something you must not do. Don’t lean on your own understanding. Basically, the verse is telling us that we ought not to be self-reliant. We cannot pursue a course of action, a financial decision, a business move, a relationship, or an educational choice, simply based on our own understanding. It must be founded in our trust in God.
Self-reliance is such a deceptive trap. We begin to pride ourselves in something–our savvy, our looks, our intellect, our spirituality, our family, whatever. And when we do, it takes away our trust in the Lord. It has become trust in self. The result is a dangerous compromise that will lead to destruction.
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