Our Focus

1. Our Focus Peter Fitch, St. Croix Vineyard Sunday, February 2, 2014 Studies in James, Part 3

2. James 1:19-27 19 This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. 22 But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.

3. James 1:19-27 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; 24 for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. 25 But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.

4. James 1:19-27 26 If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless. 27 Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

5. In desiring to know God . . . • It’s important to know ourselves . . . the ones who approach • It’s important to know what He values. Some say: • Knowledge • Power • Character • Mission • Belief or Faith

6. James, beautiful in simplicity . . . • Care for others • Fix yourself • Do what you say

7. Care for Others • In tone, with empathy, placing the interests of others above your own • Learning to listen more than you speak • Learning to restrain anger (it’s not as righteous as you think . . .) • In action, take care of people when they’re in distress

8. Fix yourself • Fixing yourself really means: work with God to get better • Run away from things that are holding you back • In humility, receive the Word implanted that is able to save your soul (life-long process)

9. Do what you say • No hypocrisy • Far better to be honest about failings • Don’t keep comparing yourself to others or making excuses for yourself • Study God’s ways and put them into practice and you will emerge as a stronger and better person who effectively cares for others

10. This is trimming the wick • You will be making yourself into the kind of person that God wants to be close to • You will know yourself more accurately and you will come to know God as well

11. SCV’s particular focus It came to me during the lily of the valley song. The picture took place on a grassy hill and there was a group of people walking up the hill along a lightly travelled dirt path. (It somehow reminded me of a pilgrimage) The people were dressed like shepherds from biblical times and walked with wooden crooks. Once arriving to the top of the first hill there was a beautiful view of more valleys and hills, but the dirt path had faded away. The people looked up into the sky and saw a bright shining star (even though it was a sunny day) and gazed at it. Then they continued to walk down the other side of the hill. (Kathy Hull, January 19, 2014)

12. A Pilgrimage • Lightly travelled path • Top of hill • Bright star, even in day, but no more path • Possible mistakes: going back, or going forward without keeping an eye on the star, or going forward in pride and suspicion of others who are on the other side of the mountain (even groups that go back can see the star when they look)

13. Practical Thoughts • A chance to talk (café) • Allow worship leaders more freedom about how they would like to design first part of service • Include more people at staff meetings • Plan several open meetings a year to give an opportunity for everyone to know where we’re going

14. Keep trying to do last year’s priorities (welcoming people, kindness, welcoming God, explain what we’re doing) • Be a little more organized (Rosie and Kelly) • Starting closer to 10:30 • Stretching our hopes for the budget