Posts by Josh Moody

Jeremiah 26-29, Ecclesiastes 8, John 4:1-14, James 5:7-12 James 5:7-12: Patience is not easy even in the best of times. We find it hard to be patient standing in line to get into a movie that we have been longing to see, or waiting in line at a checkout after we have bought something we wanted to buy.…

Jeremiah 23-25, Ecclesiastes 7:15-29, John 3:22-36, James 5:1-6 James 5:1-6: If there was something intrinsically wrong with money itself, then Abraham, Joseph, David, and many other great heroes of the Old Testament would be in trouble. But money can be a serious and dangerous trap. James now turns to talk to those people who are not just wealthy,…

Jeremiah 19-22, Ecclesiastes 7:1-14, John 3:16-21, James 4:11-17 James 4:11-17: James now addresses the power of the tongue and its misuse in two further ways. First with regard to slander, and then second with regard to boasting. With regard to slander, James is at first simply straightforward. “Do not slander one another.” What could be more clear? And…

Jeremiah 16-18, Ecclesiastes 6, John 3:1-15, James 4:1-10 James 4:1-10: James now turns his attention to what causes fights and quarrels between Christians. Of course, Christians are meant to live at peace with each other, love each other, forgive each other, and submit to each other out of reverence for Christ. But, nonetheless, Christian communities can become factious,…

Jeremiah 14-15, Ecclesiastes 5, John 2:12-25, James 3:13-18 James 3:13-18: What is real wisdom? What are its characteristics? James now describes two different kinds of wisdom. And each is characterized by a certain sort of fruit. First, there is wisdom that is not from God. That kind of wisdom is characterized by envy and selfish ambition. And so…

Jeremiah 12-13, Ecclesiastes 4, John 2:1-11, James 3:1-12 James 3:1-12: Speech can be a great power for good, but it also can cause great damage. This reality of the power of the words – whether for good or evil – is what James now addresses, and calls us to use words for good and not for evil. First,…

Jeremiah 10-11, Ecclesiastes 3:16-22, John 1:43-51, James 2:14-26 James 2:14-26: We come now to one of the most controversial parts of Scripture! It is for this reason that Martin Luther infamously called James “that strawy epistle,” recognizing how James – particularly this passage we are looking at today – has been interpreted to be in conflict with Paul’s…

Jeremiah 7-9, Ecclesiastes 3:1-15, John 1:35-42, James 2:1-13 James 2:1-13: Favoritism can seem a small thing – indeed in certain circumstances a natural thing, or even a favorable thing. Is it not right to give honor to those who have acted in a way that deserves honor? Should we not reward those who compete well and succeed? But…

Jeremiah 5-6, Ecclesiastes 2:17-26, John 1:29-34, James 1:19-27 James 1:19-27: It is so easy to speak too much – and listen too little. Here James is giving us practical instruction about how (and why) to listen, as well as how (and why) to speak. First, Christians of all people are to be quick to listen and slow to…

Jeremiah 3-4, Ecclesiastes 2:1-16, John 1:19-28, James 1:12-18 James 1:12-18: The question of suffering can lead to much confusion among Christians. Why? For what purpose? We looked at how James answered some of those questions in our study yesterday. Here he gives three further perspectives. First, the great thing when you are under pressure is to persevere.…