Forge Church

James is still concerned about the responses of his churches when it comes to godly response to need. His illustrations would shock pagans, but must be dealt with within the churches. He sets up a diabribe argument with a opponent who holds to faith-alone for Salvation, and with argument, with Scripture, and with history, dismantles that belief system. A radically changed life is called out for in the lives of those with faith claims, to show proof of the presence of saving faith.

In this passage, James points out that favoritism is rife in the churches. He comes at it rationally, and biblically, laying out his case that faith and favoritism is a toxic blend. It is God intent that the church be the only place where age, wealth, parentage, color, education, ethnicity, etc., have no place. All that is leveled in our worship and honor of Jesus Christ, the Glory of God.

James is building towards godly expressions that he sees as critical for the early churches. He is urging, commanding, illustrating, all to get his listeners to realize that the old life must die, and the new life in Christ must begin to be displayed....but displayed how? James does not want them to be deceived here, so is very specific as to what true religion is, and how it is displayed.

James moves from gentle command to the in-your-face variety, reminding the scattered believers in Jesus that Gopd is at work in their trials, but He is not a tempter. James presents the life cycle of sin, and its antidote.

James begins his general epistle to scattered followers of Jesus as Messiah, knowing that they are experiencing trials. The first blast is one of "Be constantly rejoicing." He follows that with what is produced by the trials that come/are coming...endurance, maturity, peace.

This an introduction to the Epistle of James, first born son of Joseph and Mary, and 1/2 brother of Jesus of Nazareth. During the lifetime of Jesus, James was not a believer. Only after a post-Resurrection appearance did James believe in Jesus as Messiah, Christ. He rose to leadership in the Jerusalem fellowships, living until AD 62, when he was martyred. James' Epistle ws the first New Testament document follow the death of Jesus, sent to minister to scattered Jewish believers.

This 6 verse conclusion of the 4th Servant Song is deep and rich, with amazing statements of provision for us. The Servant shouldered our willful sins AND our inadvertent sins, taking on Himself the penalty and consequences of all that for all mankind, resulting in a sufficient guilt offering to restore man to God , and satisfy God's character. We, His family, a greatly blessed.

The full reasons for the Servant's suffering are being made clear. He was despised and shunned by Israel, then there arose a believing remnant who had formerly rejected Him. 700 years before the birth of Yeshua (God Saves) in Bethlehem, God guarantees the outcome of the Servant's suffering. He took all sin and its consequences on Himself, satisfying God's need to deal with sin, making a way back to God for all mankind.

Here in this 5th episode, we see the Servant abused and exhalted, That is an enigma, but Lord God is guaranteeing the outcome of the first Advent of the Servant. While that was 700 years ahead of the Isaiah text, and 2000 years behind us...the prophetic statements point to the power and authority of God to accomplish His will with His servant.

This study on the 3rd Servant Song of Isaiah introduces the reality that the Servant will suffer.....and that He willfully chooses to submit Himself to the beatings, the tearing of the beard, and the mockery and spit. How did he get to that point of trust in Adonai Yahweh? He was discipled into it....morning by morning. We need to follow in His footsteps.

The second Servant Psalm helps form the backbone for Isaiah'e Book of Comfort in chapters 40-66. Here, the Servant of God speaks of failure, rejection by Israel.....700 years ahead of Isaiah's writing. Here both exegesis and theology come together to help us grasp how the Servant responded to that seeming failure, and how Yahweh sent Him forward to a greater commission....not just israel, but all the nations.

The 1st Servant Song in Isaiah 42 has the LORD addressing all mankind to introduce His Servant, then He turns to describe the service that He is guaranteeing that the Servant will accomplish in the earth. Out of this passage comes a New Covenant for both Israel and for the nations, mediated through the Servant. We are called to likewise serve, the establish by Holy Spirit was is the LORD's justice in the earth.

This is an introduction to the Servant Songs of Isaiah. In following podcast episodes we will be studying God and His Servant, a series of prophetic statements spoken by God Himself. 700 years will pass before some of these statements come to pass, and some are yet to come. Jesus arrived in the fullness of time, as will His 2nd Coming.

There are many ways to engage the Bible using this spiritual discipline of study. The point is not to do it to amass knowledge.....it is to pursue intimacy with God Himself.

Two additional forms of prayer need to be drawn in and practiced. Petitionary prayer, done in the Biblical order, acknowledges that God already knows what you need, and He rejoices when you ask aright. Intercessory prayer is outward focused, both on micro and macro needs, as the Lord the Spirit prompts us and our compassion.

Empires and nations have been overturned by the consistent outpouring of the discipline of Service. We need this discipline in the teeth of this culture that keeps hammering away at "It's all about me." themes Instead, Jesus modeled a different Kingdom, one in which servants rule, and rulers serve. Take that to heart, and listen to be prompted by the Lord Of Service, moved to lay aside our priorities, and pick up the towel, like Jesus.

Lectio Divina, or "divine reading" has been a scriptural reading practice in the Western church for 1700 years, but in the last 50, the ongoing search for more and more Bible knowledge has wrung some Evangelicals dry. It is for more intimacy with God that some, like myself, have take a confessional leap to include Lectio Divina in their devotion to God and Scripture. In this podcast, we will practice this spiritual discipline,

The two spiritual disciplines of frugality and simplicity are entwined together, and call us to seek heaven's counsel for life priorities. This 21st Century makes for difficult choices as to how we spend, invest, play, and work-as-worship. Lord God wants to walk us through the choice making process so that we begin to live quietly, live with "enough" and then listen for how to use resources in the Kingdom.

This week, we look at one of the spiritual disciplines of engagement, of action, that flows from thanksgiving and gratefulness.....it is gratitude, and gratitude has a face.

Our days are often filled with sighs, grumbles, self talk. In this podcast, we look at Luke 18, and the parable Jesus spoke about the 2 men who prayed in the Temple....one rehearsing his view of himself in comparison to others, and the other man crying out to God for mercy. From that parable came the Kyrie, and the Jesus Prayer. The breath prayers we embrace can focus and correct us, and even enhance our praise.