Reading Large Portions of Scripture

Weekly Update – June 13th, 2024

On Sunday morning, we took the time to read through the entire book of James.  For the last six months have spent most of our Sunday morning gatherings dissecting this letter written by James, the half-brother of Jesus. James is writing to many within with the church who have been scattered throughout for their faith in Jesus Christ (1:1).  They have undergone suffering (1:2, 5:7), injustice (5:4) and persecution (5:6) leading to the temptation to distrust God (1:16), mistreat others (2:1) curse their fellow brothers and sisters in Christ (3:10), fight and quarrel (4:1) and misjudge (4:11). But to how James encourages them towards a right faith and a proper hope in Christ, we need to understand the fullness of his message. That then is the case in point as to why we read the entire book. 

Reading entire books of scripture is not only a special task for the end of series for a Sunday morning service.  No, reading books of the Bible as a whole, provides a great benefit to the reader.  For in reading entire books, you get the complete thought of the author.  Consider the phrase, “do not grow weary in doing good.”  It is a popular phase that we might like to quote to ourselves in a variety of circumstances.  But even here, there is a context.  That phrase comes from 2 Thessalonians 3:13.  It is written within the context of chapter 3 which is speaking about lazy believers.  This is then written within the context of chapter 2 before it, which is speaking about false teaching.  Chapters 2 and 3 are then preceded by chapter 1 which speaks of the true teaching of the gospel.  In other words, there is a true gospel message, not all teach it, instead there are false teachers who will lead many astray, and their actions will show it.  But you, do not become weary in doing good.  Follow what is good and taught in the scriptures and display a life of action that accompanies the teaching of the gospel.  Normally you would not get that from pulling 2 Thessalonians 3:13 out of if context.  But when you understand the letter as a whole, you get why the apostle Paul wrote this verse and how we ought to apply it.

James is the same way.  It is easy to take what Martin Luther said to heart about this letter.  He said that James was merely an “epistle of straw” because of the misunderstanding from chapter 2 about the relationship with faith and works.  But to understand the phrase… “a person is justified by works and not by faith alone” (2:24), we must understand the contents of this book as a whole.  Throughout the book of James, we have seen multiple verses that help us understand what James means by “justified by works.”  In 1:3 we saw, “the testing of your faith produces steadfastness” and the “one who remains steadfast under trial…will receive the crown of life” (1:12). Then in 3:14, we saw that if our hearts are full of “bitter jealousy and selfish ambition” there will be “disorder and every vile practice” (3:16).  Instead, we should seek the wisdom from above which leads to a “harvest of righteousness” (3:18).  At the same time, we must also remember that “friendship with the world is enmity with God” (4:4).  In other words, what all of James has been pointing to is the necessity of displaying our faith through our actions.  Our faith in Jesus is not merely knowledge based, for as James says, “even the demons believe-and shudder!” (2:19).  Instead, we must know the message of James as a whole to understand some of the confusing phrases within it.  That means that James is not telling us that we must work our way to God. Instead, he is telling us that true faith displays itself through our actions. 

As you consider your own Bible reading, read individual Scriptures and meditate on them, but also consider reading entire books or large portions of Scripture as well.  Try to read a large portion of Scripture in one sitting so that you might take away big concepts, as it might aid you in applying specific truths from the individual verses contained within.  Then trust in the Lord to do his work through applying the Scriptures to your heart as he transforms you from one degree of glory to another (2 Cor. 3:18).

Serving Him with You,
Pastor Michael Nelson

Written by Pastor
Michael Nelson

Fighter Verse for the Week

For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.
- Psalm 139:13-14

Announcements:

Men’s Bible Study: This men’s study is based on the book, The Exemplary Husband. The study is held on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday night of each month at 8:00pm in the library. If you are interested see Clint Blankenship.

Annual Church Picnic: The annual church picnic potluck will begin at 5pm on Sunday, June 30th, at Freedom Park. We hope that you will plan to join us!

Vacation Bible School: Mark your calendar. This year, we will host Vacation Bible School on Monday, July 8th-Friday, July 12th from 5:45-8:00pm. You can register your kids HERE. We also need lots of volunteers. Check out the sign up sheet in the hall.

Food Pantry: We are in need of spaghetti-o’s, ravioli, dry pancake mix, and maple syrup.

Nursery Volunteers Needed: Nursery volunteers are needed each week during the 10:30am service time. Contact Betty for more information on how you can serve.

Equipping Hour

We have three classes held at 9:15am on Sunday mornings. “Firm Foundations” meets in the Sanctuary, a biblical exposition of 1 Peter meets in the Fellowship Hall, and a Ladies’ class studying the New Testament meets in the classroom next to the nursery. You can find more information HERE.

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You can also mail your offering to: 1416 Main Street, Grandview, MO. 64030

Home Groups

Home Groups typically meet on the first and third Sunday of each month. Please contact Pastor Michael if you would like to join a Home Group. You can find more information HERE.

Prayer

An updated Prayer Guide can be accessed HERE. 

Prepare for Sunday

Guide for Worship can be found HERE.