Churches in Glasgow

“``What makes a deed good? Is it the action or the heart behind it? Because anyone can do something good, but good deeds don't create faith. They reveal it. Scripture isn't impressed by appearances. Scripture says that faith without works is dead. To be doers of the word, to be quick to listen, show no favoritism. Because every trial, every word, relationship, every choice, they all reveal our faith. And before anyone sees what you do, they hear what you say. Faith isn't measured by our words. It's revealed by our lives. So when your life is read, what will it say about your faith?”

“And it was this man who was once persecuting Christians for preaching Jesus. And now he was preaching Jesus, and then we find out he becomes persecuted. There is one story that he was preaching Jesus, and they started stoning him and beating him up. They thought he was dead. And if that was me, I would probably be like, well, peace out. I'm never going there again. But Paul said, I got a few bruises. I'm heading back in. Go and preach the gospel some more. And so Paul's life was radically changed by Jesus. And I think this is where the encouragement comes in of like, no one is too far gone because I don't think anybody in this room has probably ever killed a Christian. And if God can save a man like Paul and use him for great good, then he can do the same for you.”

“This is the warning that Jesus gives us. The warning of the danger of the fires of hell. Not as just this place that we might go to someday off in the future when we die, but as a very present reality of what happens when we fail to root out the heart of our problem. Because we have a problem. And it's not a left problem or a right problem. It's not a white problem or a black problem. It's not even an American problem or a political problem. It's a problem that is a human problem. And it's a problem that originates in the human heart. And our hearts need to be changed.”

“Because this is this is hard, a hard pill to swallow if I'm being honest with you. But before we get there, remember this is your anecdote. This is your response. This is the practical, applicable things that you can put in your life to be someone that actually brings life. So here's the thing, shut your mouth and listen. Praise God. Everybody's like, yes, son. Honey, you hearing this? My wife can't nudge me because she ain't sitting up for praise God. But quick to listen. I'm learning this as a young parent. Sometimes if I would shut my mouth long enough to listen to my boy talk, it's Scott. I don't get as angry. Same thing for you and I and friendships that we have, and then just take your time speaking. And you're like me, I need to slow down anyway because you can't understand what I'm saying. But in general, just slow down. Take a minute. Why don't I listen to the situation? You've been given something that the whole entire world doesn't have, discernment to the power of the holy spirit. Use because any situation you step into with that kind of discernment, that kind of wisdom, you're able to respond much more clearly, much more confidently with authority and with passion, and with humility, and honesty, and love that can only come from a savior.”

“And then this, just stop getting mad so fast. And for some of us, it's not even necessarily being angry. Sometimes you get so you get on the defense. Someone says something and you get so defensive. Like, constructive criticism, you're like, there, no, it just brings the whole thing down. Right? And some of us, that's it's it's to become angry is to just, like, calm down, but for some of you, it's just, just, listen, not everybody's out to get you. I promise not everybody's out to hurt you. Sometimes people wanna help you be better. Sometimes people want you to improve in your life spiritually, mentally, physically. They want to be there for you. They want to help you become who God has created you to be. Because, again, if you are a son and daughter of the living king, you are made for something so much bigger and better than yourself. Mediocrity is not in your vocabulary. You were made for something great, but it starts remembering this. Because he understands how in the world am I gonna do this? The word's gotta be planted firmly in you. That's it.”

“You get your mouth under control, your whole body's gonna listen to you. You get that figured out? And for some of you, man, you're sitting in a situation or life where you are just so unhappy, you are sad, you're tired, you're beaten down by the reality of this world around you. And, man, if you would just change the things that you're saying about yourself, everything would change. You know, no one has to tear you down. You do a good enough job on your own. And what my bible says, I was fearfully and wonderfully knit in my mama's womb that he has a plan and a purpose for me in my life. He has something that he wants for me. And maybe for some of us, that's what you need to start believing. I mean, you're tearing yourself all over the place because you're believing what an ex husband, an ex wife, or an ex friend has said about you. That's not true. knows you, he loves you, and he sees you. And here's my truth too. Ain't nobody got a right to define you unless they're willing to die for you, and I'm pretty sure Jesus is the only one that's willing to die for you out here today. And if that's the truth, that's where my worth comes from. That's where my worth comes from.”

“But this week's no different. Here's that question for you. Is your language bringing things to life or burning things down? Your language bringing things to life or burning things down? Here's the thing. There might be it might be twofolded for you. There may be situations in your life that you are ushering in the of the living God. You are bringing life. You're bringing healing. You're bringing restoration. And and and write down those things because the reason you've gotten there is through the power of the Holy Spirit. Like, remember what he's done and what he's doing. But you also gotta evaluate this. Am I burning things down? Is there a relationship in your life that needs reconciliation? Are there conversations you need to have with your kids of just repentance? I'm sorry. I love you. I'm proud of you. I'm there for you. Coworkers that I have got to stop gossiping with because it leads nowhere. Whatever that may be for you, write those things down. Is there language bringing things to life or burning it down?”

“Where exactly is my faith? And if you're like me, maybe you've questioned it before, which again is not a bad thing. Maybe you've you're just not sure where you stand, and I love this this illustration. A favorite pastor of mine says that on a scale of one to 10, how sure are you that you are going to heaven tomorrow? If your answer isn't 10, we got some work to do. And our hope for you as followers of Christ and as a church and as a body of believers is that every day when you go to bed and every day you wake up with breath in those lungs, you feel like a 10. Is that you feel so confident in who you are, there is evidence to the faith that you possess. And again, James does a great job of our faith has to be a bothand. There there has to be, yes, faith, but there should be deeds that follow it. Our lives should reflect the faith that that we say we profess, that we say we hold so deeply and and closely to our life.”

“Because I think if we're gonna apply something as wonderful as James in our life, wanna give you an application tool as well. And the first thing is it's every situation before you speak and your your spouse is gonna love me. Pause. Just stop immediately responding. Just take a second. It'll feel like a lifetime. Take a second and and think this question, does this really need to be said right now? Is this what I need to say? Is this what the moment needs? Is this going to bring about something that brings spiritual maturity? Or sometimes why I just need keep my mouth shut? The second thing is this, examine. Why do I wanna say this? Because those thoughts come quickly. They come very, very quickly. Is what I'm saying bringing life or death? Is the words that the word that is about to come out of my mouth is not gonna bring life or death to this situation. And it's not immediate death. And it's not even immediate life. It takes time. And the last question is this, you have to choose, will these words bring life or death? And they're all they're all based upon each other. Does this does this need to be said? Why do I wanna say this? And will these words bring life or death? Pause, examine, and choose. Pause, examine, and choose. And Paul tells us what we need to choose today, church.”

“I'm sorry for the way you took what I said. Yeah. Come on. I'm so sorry you took what I said that way. What? That doesn't work because you are held responsible for the words that come out of your mouth. Now here's the truth on the other side of that too. I'm not held responsible for for how they are perceived, absolutely. But for the words that come out of my mouth, I am held solely responsible for that because they come from somewhere. They come from something, and it comes from my heart, my soul, my inner being, who who I am. It's not by chance. Right? Like, it's not one of things where it just happens one day and you start talking or belittling the people around you. It's a pattern. It's something we do over and over again. And, again, like James is gonna tell us today, it directly shows what our faith is.”