THIS EPISODE:Our words have more power than we give them credit for. The tongue is like a very small rudder that, with such small effort, can guide our lives (and others) to one place or another. The tongue can give life to ourselves and those around us. It can be used to keep us on course, to bless others… But it has the power to lead people astray, to destroy. lives, and relationships.James has some insightful words to say about the tongue. Let's unpack this and more in today's message…___PRIMARY TEXT:—James 3:1-12  (CSB)—3 Not many should become teachers, my brothers,[a] because you know that we will receive a stricter judgment. 2 For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is mature, able also to control the whole body. 3 Now if we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we direct their whole bodies. 4 And consider ships: Though very large and driven by fierce winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5 So too, though the tongue is a small part of the body, it boasts great things. Consider how a small fire sets ablaze a large forest. 6 And the tongue is a fire. The tongue, a world of unrighteousness, is placed[b] among our members. It stains the whole body, sets the course of life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. 7 Every kind of animal, bird, reptile, and fish is tamed and has been tamed by humankind, 8 but no one can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in God’s likeness. 10 Blessing and cursing come out of the same mouth. My brothers and sisters, these things should not be this way. 11 Does a spring pour out sweet and bitter water from the same opening? 12 Can a fig tree produce olives, my brothers and sisters, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a saltwater spring yield fresh water.

Grace Hill Church - Collierville, TN

Grace Hill: Radical ⇢ Speech

THIS EPISODE:Can you believe anything without acting upon it? It’s just part of the human psyche that faith in something causes and results in acting on that faith. Failure to act on what we say we believe indicates we don’t really believe.  In raising the question of faith that doesn’t save versus saving faith, it seems that James is making the case that it’s impossible to have faith without works.  But is that really true? Let's unpack this and more in today's message…___PRIMARY TEXT:—James 2:14-26  (CSB)—Faith and Works14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but does not have works? Can such faith save him?15 If a brother or sister is without clothes and lacks daily food 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, stay warm, and be well fed,” but you don’t give them what the body needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way faith, if it does not have works, is dead by itself.18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.”[a] Show me your faith without works, and I will show you faith by my works. 19 You believe that God is one. Good! Even the demons believe—and they shudder.20 Senseless person! Are you willing to learn that faith without works is useless? 21 Wasn’t Abraham our father justified by works in offering Isaac his son on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active together with his works, and by works, faith was made complete, 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,[b] and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 In the same way, wasn’t Rahab the prostitute also justified by works in receiving the messengers and sending them out by a different route? 26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.

Grace Hill: Radical ⇢ Faith

THIS EPISODE:Do you, with your acts of favoritism, really believe in Jesus? A hard question, I know—but exactly the hard truth that James challenges us to face today. How we treat one another is a gospel issue, and favoritism and faith in Jesus have no place together.“The world is always assessing people, sizing them up, putting them down, establishing a pecking order. And God, who sees and loves all alike, wants the church to reflect that generous universal love in HOW it behaves.” - N.T. Wright Let's unpack this and more in today's message…___PRIMARY TEXT:—James 2:1-5 (CSB)—My brothers and sisters, do not show favoritism as you hold on to the faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ. 2 For if someone comes into your meeting (this could be a church gathering, this could be a smaller setting) wearing a gold ring and dressed in fine clothes, and a poor person dressed in filthy clothes also comes in, 3 if you look with favor on the one wearing the fine clothes and say, “Sit here in a good place,” (or the place of honor) and yet you say to the poor person, “Stand over there,” or “Sit here on the floor by my footstool,” 4 haven’t you made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? 5 Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Didn’t God choose the poor in this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him?—James 2:8-13 (CSB)—8 Indeed, if you fulfill the royal law prescribed in the Scripture, Love your neighbor as yourself, you are doing well. 9 If, however, you show favoritism, you commit sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10 For whoever keeps the entire law, and yet stumbles at one point, is guilty of breaking it all. 11 For he who said, Do not commit adultery, also said, Do not murder. So if you do not commit adultery, but you murder, you are a lawbreaker. 12 Speak and act as those who are to be judged by the law of freedom. 13 For judgment is without mercy to the one who has not shown mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. 

Grace Hill: Radical ⇢ Worldview

THIS EPISODE:We all have an ache inside to belong, don't we? Whether with family or culture or a sports team or other shared interests, we're made to crave & enjoy community with each other. But there's also a dangerous kind of 'tribalism' that's set into our society. A polarizing 'us-vs-them' mindset that's destroying relationships, and is imminently destructive rather than life-giving.But there is a better way—a timeless way we can learn from James that shows us how to reflect something greater back to our culture and community. Can we see this become a shared reality in our own church family? Let's unpack this and more in today's message…___PRIMARY TEXT:—James 1:22-25 (CSB)—22 But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 Because if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like someone looking at his own face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of person he was. 25 But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer who works ​— ​this person will be blessed in what he does.  

Grace Hill: Radical ⇢ Reflection

THIS EPISODE:We all experience seasons of painful trial and suffering at some point in life. And what we think about God in walking through these seasons is immense in determining how these experiences will end up shaping us, for better or worse. Whether we're led toward doubt, pride and fear or toward a much deeper, truer experience of God's profound and constant goodness in the midst of it all.Let's unpack this and more in today's message…___PRIMARY TEXT:—James 1:2-18 (CSB)—2 Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing. 5 Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God ​— ​who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly ​— ​and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith without doubting. For the doubter is like the surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord, 8 being double-minded and unstable in all his ways. 9 Let the brother of humble circumstances boast in his exaltation, 10 but let the rich boast in his humiliation because he will pass away like a flower of the field. 11 For the sun rises and, together with the scorching wind, dries up the grass; its flower falls off, and its beautiful appearance perishes. In the same way, the rich person will wither away while pursuing his activities.12 Blessed is the one who endures trials, because when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. 13 No one undergoing a trial should say, “I am being tempted by God,” since God is not tempted by evil, and he himself doesn’t tempt anyone. 14 But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desire. 15 Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death.16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18 By his own choice, he gave us birth by the word of truth so that we would be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. 

Grace Hill: Radical ⇢ Suffering

THIS EPISODE:This message kicks off our twelve part series marinating together in the book of James. From this we will take wisdom, insight, action, and a bigger vision—not only for our lives, but also for our church. When applied, the results will be radical.We start considering the first four verses, and what it means to say that our trials and troubles are more than something we are meant simply to endure, but are intentionally meant to lead us toward greater maturity.What does this really mean to us? Let's unpack this and more in today's message…___PRIMARY TEXT:—James 1:1-11 (CSB)—James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ: To the twelve tribes dispersed abroad. Greetings.2 Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing. 5 Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God ​— ​who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly ​— ​and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith without doubting. For the doubter is like the surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord, 8 being double-minded and unstable in all his ways. 9 Let the brother of humble circumstances boast in his exaltation, 10 but let the rich boast in his humiliation because he will pass away like a flower of the field. 11 For the sun rises and, together with the scorching wind, dries up the grass; its flower falls off, and its beautiful appearance perishes. In the same way, the rich person will wither away while pursuing his activities. 

Grace Hill: Radical ⇢ Maturity

THIS EPISODE:We have far too much pulling on our time and attention today. From pandemic to politics, from ever-changing work/school dynamics to endless news cycles & social media distractions...Amid the ongoing inundation and mental/emotional roller coaster of it all, it's critical that we remember how to actually rest. Not just taking a physical/mental break, but experiencing a deep, lasting, “no matter the circumstances” kind of rest. This can be a very difficult thing to find, or even understand. But good news: There is hope for weary souls looking for this kind of deep, abiding rest, and it can be found in better understanding Jesus' simple invitation to “Come to me.”Let's unpack this and more in today's message…___PRIMARY TEXT:—Matthew 11:28-30 (CSB)—28 “Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take up my yoke and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” 

Grace Hill: Finding Rest

THIS EPISODE:As a Christ follower you constantly encounter people who need your voice speaking Jesus’ hope into their lives & circumstances as they try to navigate these difficult times. But why is it so hard for us to have meaningful spiritual conversations with people sometimes?  Maybe you're unsure of how they'll respond, or frozen by feelings of fear, insecurity or  embarrassment... Missional conversations do not start with tactics or strategies but with Christ ruling as Lord in our hearts. And in this episode we offer you a framework for having real missional conversations about Jesus in a secular age—practical tools you can use in having meaningful spiritual conversations with those in your life.Let's unpack this and more in today's message…___PRIMARY TEXT:—1 Peter 3:15—“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” 

Grace Hill: The Missional Life? ⇢ 05: Conversations

THIS EPISODE:In this series we've been discussing what it means to live a “missional life.” Today we’ll consider what it might look like integrating our missional identity and calling, with what we do for work. Most of us will spend ⅓ of our lives working—around 90,000 hours over the course of an average lifetime. And we all think about work in different ways don't we?Is a job just a job, or could it be something more? Is it possible that God's great calling in your life isn’t your vocation, but the location of your job?Let's unpack this and more in today's message…___PRIMARY TEXT:—Romans 10:8-15 (CSB)—This is the message of faith that we proclaim: 9 If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, Everyone who believes on him will not be put to shame, 12 since there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, because the same Lord of all richly blesses all who call on him. 13 For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. 14 How, then, can they call on him they have not believed in? And how can they believe without hearing about him? And how can they hear without a preacher? 15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news. 

Grace Hill: The Missional Life? ⇢ 04: Work

THIS EPISODE:Why am I here? What’s gone wrong? What’s the solution? What will “restoration” look like? These heavy questions stir consciously or unconsciously in every human heart.Our culture is teeming with narratives attempting to answer these questions for us. Followers of Jesus have the best, truest answers—and a great hope compelling us to order our lives in alignment with God’s character, and to live & share these deep truths with others around  us.Let's unpack this and more in today's message…___PRIMARY TEXT:—Romans 1:16-17 (CSB)—16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith, just as it is written: The righteous will live by faith.

Grace Hill: The Missional Life? ⇢ 03: Message

THIS EPISODE:An “ambassador” is someone committed to representing the values, culture & stories of another place or people group. Most of us understand this best in a geopolitical sense, but it's also a factor of our everyday life. The vast majority of us are an “ambassador” of something that we find deeply connected to, whether a sports team, political ideology, a movie series or even Apple products. As followers of Jesus we are called to live out our calling as representatives of the Kingdom of God. No matter where we live, we can seek for it to be “on earth as it is in heaven” by representing our Lord’s Kingdom.What does it look like, and how does it work? Let's continue unpacking this and more in today's message...___PRIMARY TEXT:—Romans 10:14-15 (CSB)—14 How, then, can they call on him they have not believed in? And how can they believe without hearing about him? And how can they hear without a preacher? 15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news. —2 Corinthians 5:17-21 (CSB)—17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come! 18 Everything is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation. 19 That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and he has committed the message of reconciliation to us. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.” 21 He made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.—1 Peter 2:9-10 (CSB)—9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. —2 Corinthians 5:20 (CSB)—20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.”—Matthew 5:3-10 (CSB)—3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the humble, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs. —Matthew 5:13-16 (CSB)—13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt should lose its taste, how can it be made salty? It’s no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. —John 13:34-35 (CSB)—34 “I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” —Matthew 28:18-20 (CSB)—“All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” —2 Corinthians 5:13-15 (CSB)—13 For if we are out of our mind, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 14 For the love of Christ compels us, since we have reached this conclusion, that one died for all, and therefore all died. —1 Corinthians 9:19-23 (CSB)—19 Although I am free from all and not anyone’s slave, I have made myself a slave to everyone, in order to win more people. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win Jews; to those under the law, like one under the law—though I myself am not under the law—to win those under the law. 21 To those who are without the law, like one without the law—though I am not without God’s law but under the law of Christ—to win those without the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, in order to win the weak. I have become all things to all people, so that I may by every possible means save some. 23 Now I do all this because of the gospel, so that I may share in the blessings.

Grace Hill: The Missional Life? ⇢ 02: Identity

Grace Hill: Sensitive Eyes

THIS EPISODE:If you're a follower of Jesus, you've been called to a life that bears witness to the place you live—a life lived on mission for the things of God. But between the faith we typically have and the radical, empowered faith we're called to is a gap. This is our “missional angst” where personal, social & cultural forces work to keep us from following Jesus the way we desire deep in our hearts. Let's unpack this and more in today's message...___PRIMARY TEXT:—Romans 10:14-15 (CSB)—14 How, then, can they call on him they have not believed in? And how can they believe without hearing about him? And how can they hear without a preacher? 15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news. —Matthew 5:13-16 (CSB)—13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt should lose its taste, how can it be made salty? It’s no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. —Matthew 28:18-20 (CSB)—18 Jesus came near and said to them,“All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” —Acts 1:7-8 (CSB)—8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” —Romans 10:14-15 (CSB)—14 How, then, can they call on him they have not believed in? And how can they believe without hearing about him? And how can they hear without a preacher? 15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news. —Philippians 2:13-16 (CSB)—13 For it is God who is working in you both to will and to work according to his good purpose. 14 Do everything without grumbling and arguing, 15 so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world, 16 by holding firm to the word of life. —2 Corinthians 5:20 (CSB)—20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.” —Ephesians 4:11-13 (CSB)—11 And he himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, growing into maturity with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness. 

Grace Hill: The Missional Life? ⇢ 01: Angst

THIS EPISODE:At every turn today we're constantly barraged by messages about the things we're lacking or missing in life, along with spotlighting the things we should consider that might make us more content—or at least distract us from our gnawing discontent for a time.In reality, we often don’t really understand what true contentment looks and feels like. More than merely feeling ‘satisfied’, contentment is a deeper state of mind and heart that, when authentically experienced, draws us closer to the heart of God. But it doesn’t just naturally grow in us, and we just mentally ‘flip a switch’ and turn contentment on. A content heart must be thoughtfully cultivated, and when we do, it unlocks so much more for us in understanding God’s best for our lives.Let's continue unpacking this and more in today's message with how contentment cultivates in us a kingdom-minded heart...___PRIMARY TEXT:—Matthew 13:44 (CSB)—44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure, buried in a field, that a man found and reburied. Then in his joy he goes and sells everything he has and buys that field.—Isaiah 55:1-3 (CSB)—Come, everyone who is thirsty, come to the water; and you without silver, come, buy, and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without silver and without cost!2 Why do you spend silver on what is not food, and your wages on what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good, and you will enjoy the choicest of foods. 3 Pay attention and come to me; listen, so that you will live.—Psalms 73:25 (CSB)—25 Who do I have in heaven but you? And I desire nothing on earth but you.—Ephesians 2:11-22 (CSB)—11 So, then, remember that at one time you were Gentiles in the flesh ​— ​called “the uncircumcised” by those called “the circumcised,” which is done in the flesh by human hands. 12 At that time you were without Christ, excluded from the citizenship of Israel, and foreigners to the covenants of promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus, you who were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace, who made both groups one and tore down the dividing wall of hostility. In his flesh, 15 he made of no effect the law consisting of commands and expressed in regulations, so that he might create in himself one new man from the two, resulting in peace. 16 He did this so that he might reconcile both to God in one body through the cross by which he put the hostility to death. 17 He came and proclaimed the good news of peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So, then, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with the saints, and members of God’s household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building, being put together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you are also being built together for God’s dwelling in the Spirit.

Grace Hill: Cultivating a Content Heart #3

Imagine a church where we sacrifice everything we can't keep to make a lasting a lasting impact on a generation we may not see.

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Grace Hill Church - Collierville, TN

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