James, chapter 4, we're going to read 17 verses. Are you ready?

Promise?

James chapter 4. I'm so excited about life. We're blessed. Can you believe we get to do this?

We get to just be together. And one of my favorite parts about Church Home in Seattle or in LA is that before the services start you can hear just the

the buzz of everyone talking and interacting. That is community. Whoa that was

very authoritative.

The rumblings back there.

I just love it.

I think it's so cool that people are building friendships and relationships,

and we ought to never take that for granted, should we?

OK.

So excited.

James, chapter four, you ready?

Now, this gets pretty serious.

Big picture, remember, this is written by the half brother of Jesus. Remember,

he did not believe in Jesus during Jesus life and ministry, but post-resirection, Jesus appears to James and says something probably like

I'm real it's me I'm alive I beat death I'm God and he's like my bro I'm so sorry so

he accepts him as God for who Jesus is and James becomes this radical

worshipper of Jesus and becomes a major voice in the first church, the early church, and not the least of which is this powerful

letter that we are given. Like I said, one of the earliest letters written in the New Testament.

And what you're going to find out real quick

is James is very direct, very direct in his language.

...