Test Your Faith (James) No.15- Repentance Sunday

Last week was a hard sermon, as James taught us to look within ourselves for the cause of fights within the church. Our selfish, individualistic, arrogant pursuit of our own desires & passions put us at odds with each other, and with God. It was a tough message, but James provided a beautiful, soft landing, reminding us that God gives MORE GRACE! Have you ever experienced the joy, the liberation that comes when God answers our humble prayers for more grace? It’s something the unredeemed can’t understand; joy (supernatural satisfaction) flowing from our humble repentance. Because genuine, humble repentance at cross, is the only place where that harvest of righteousness can begin. Many people seek that experiential bliss with God, those moments where his presence is unmistakable. Scripture teaches nothing brings us closer to God than when we draw near to Him in humility to pray for more grace! In fact, humble repentance provides more intimacy w/God & is more powerful than anything else in a Christian’s life. Humble repentance brings us closer to God than any earthly blessing, worship song, or spiritual experience. That’s why understanding what true humility & repentance looks like is an important test of our ropes of faith. In fact, the most powerful repentance isn’t personal induvial repentance, but corporate, community repentance. (James 4:6-10) But He gives more grace. Therefore it says, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hangs, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning & your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord and He will exalt you.