Pastor’s Page | July 31st, 2025
Sermon Prep (Read James 4:7-10)
I have had numerous dogs in my lifetime and some have been good, some…well, let’s be nice about this…not so good. For example, my good dog is Bandit. He listens to me (for the most part). When I put a leash on him, if I pull him one way he goes that way. If I tell him to be still, he stops what he is doing and sits down (except when there is a squirrel involved). Bandit knows that I am the master (I feel powerful saying that!) and he is the pet, and he orders his life accordingly. Then there was Little Bear. Little Bear was my little demonic Pomeranian who believed that we all existed to serve his every need. Little Bear did not like being on a leash. He would snap at you as you tried to put it on, and then when you tried to walk him, he would sit down just to spite you. If you pulled him, he would pull back in a tug of war of wills. Taking this rascal for a walk was a nightmare! Not only did it make him miserable, but it upset me as his owner. Bandit, on the other hand, is a pleasure. Bandit has his routine, and even if I pull him away from that he still abides by my commands.
Here is the difference between the two. Bandit knew he was a dog, and he humbled himself before me as his owner. Little Bear thought that he should be the owner, and I should be on the leash. Now, do we not do the same with God? Do we think that God should submit to what we say, to our wills, to our desires?
In James 4:7-10, James is still discussing the issues that began in the beginning of chapter 3. There are proud people in the church guided by their own egos, ambitions, and evil desires who are causing chaos and disorder within the church because they are refusing to surrender their lives fully to Christ. They are lashing out at each other because they still see themselves as belonging on the throne where everyone does what they want instead of seeking God’s purpose and will. James has diagnosed the problem, and so here in James 4:7-10 he provides the solution. As you study this passage in preparation for Sunday, think of what James is calling us to do. What does it look like for us to surrender to God? To resist the Devil? To humble ourselves?
Now just as a way to finish the story. Bandit is now 15 years old, and he is my pride and joy (I apologize to my 3 daughters). Little Bear was the bane of my existence and after he bit our neighbor (though admittingly I was a bit happy he did…the neighbor was a brat), I took the opportunity to cast Little Bear into the darkest pit where there was weeping and the gnashing of teeth (he actually just went to a different home, but this is what I imagine his new home was like…he was such an awful evil dog). But at any point, our relationship could have been restored if Little Bear had humbled his little dog self and I would have exalted him to where he would have had everything his little doggie heart desired (Bandit not only gets his kibble and bits, but he also gets the fancy snack bones from Costco!). What would happen if we truly humbled ourselves before God, surrendered to Him, and made Him the center of our existence?
Here are some other verses to help prepare you for Sunday: Micah 6:8, Ephesians 4:2, 2 Chronicles 7:14, Proverbs 15:33, 1 Peter 5:5-6, Romans 12:16, John 3:28-30, Mark 9:35, Philippians 2:3-4, Matthew 11:29-30, Daniel 4:1-31, Deuteronomy 8:2-3, Mark 14:35-36, Luke 9:23-24, John 5:19, Colossians 1:10-12.
Updates, Thoughts and More
I am so proud of our church! We filled the flood buckets this past Wednesday night and I was amazed at the number of people who came out to help fill the flood buckets and pray over them. The highlight for me was when we all gathered in a large circle that took up half the gymnasium and prayed together. The Body of Christ is such a beautiful bride. We have close to 50 buckets to deliver, and we have raised over $8,000 to support the flood victims. Service is our passion!
Our Table Talk series finished up our study of the book of Revelation this past week. We will be taking a hiatus until after Labor Day where we will start a new series on “World Religions, New American Religious Groups, and Cults”. If there is a specific group or religion you would like for us to study, please let me know.
It is the time of year for us to start thinking about the leadership for 2026. The Church Nominating Committee is about to begin selecting nominees for the 2026 Church Leadership. They will be nominating at- large members of the Church Council, Trustees, and members of the following committees: Finance, Staff Pastor Relations (SPR), Missions, Education, and Nominations. We have a form located in the Narthex for you to write in the names of members you would like to suggest to the Nominating Committee. Please make sure to stop by and pick up a form and you can return it to the church office, or to the Welcome Desk.
We will be having a Blessing of the Backpacks during on August 10 th. This is a time when we invite all of our kids and all those involved in our education system to come forward and we will say a prayer of blessing over them. We encourage kids to bring their backpacks to be blessed for a great upcoming school year.
We are almost to August….which means that we are almost to FOOTBALL SEASON!!!! Oh, how I have missed you, football.
What’s Going On This Week
Sunday (08/03)
Sunday Service - 9am & 10:30am
Monday (08/04)
Stitching Angels - 1:30pm
Tuesday (08/05)
Men’s Meeting - 7:30am
Missions Committee - 1:00pm
Wednesday (08/06)
Prayer Warriors - 9am
Sip and Share - 10am
Youth and Kids - 6pm
Learning our Faith
Catechism of the Global Methodist Church (Ecumenical Affirmations)
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.
Do you believe in God?
Yes. I believe in God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. (Gen. 1:1-31; 17:1; Josh. 2:11; Ps. 8:3-8; Isa. 42:5; 1 Cor. 8:6; Eph. 4:6; Heb. 1:5; Rev 4:11; CoF I.)
Who is God?
God is the one true, holy and living God, the Eternal Spirit, the Holy Trinity. (Deut. 6:4; Lev. 19:2; Jer. 10:10; Matt. 28:19; John 17:3; Heb. 9:14.) 2
What is the mystery of The Trinity?
God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, distinct but inseparable, eternally one in essence and power. (Luke 3:21-22; John 15:26; Acts 2:33; Rom. 8:9-11; 2 Cor. 13:13; Gal. 4:4-6; Eph. 2:18; Titus 3:4-6; Heb. 9:14; 1 Pet. 1:2)
How is God Almighty?
God is infinite in power, wisdom, justice, goodness, and love. (Job 12:13; 42:2; Ps. 89:14; 107:1; Isa. 55:9; Jer. 32:17; Matt. 19:26; Luke 1:37, 18:7; Rom. 5:8, 11:33-36, 16:27; 1 John 4:7-16)
What is God’s relation to heaven and earth?
God is Creator, Sovereign, and Preserver of all things. (Gen. 1:1-31; Deut. 4:39; 1 Kgs. 8:23; Neh. 9:6; Ps. 8:1; Prov. 16:9; Isa. 44:24; Acts 17:24; Rom. 8:28; Rev. 4:11)
How does God rule heaven and earth?
God rules with gracious regard for the well-being and salvation of all, to the glory of his name. (Exod. 34:6; Ps. 104:31, 116:5; Joel 2:13; Mic. 7:18-20; John 3:16; Eph. 2:4-7; 2 Pet. 3:9)
Joke of the Week
A church in the Deep South, where the preaching style was a “talk back” sort of style, the pastor was getting the congregation excited about their prospective future.
The preacher said, “This church is like a crippled man who needs to get up and walk under the power of Jesus.”
The congregation replied, “Let it walk preacher, let it walk.”
Then the preacher said, “This church, like Elijah on Mount Carmel, has got to run.”
The congregation replied, “Let it run preacher, let it run.”
Then the preacher said, “This church has got to mount up on wings like eagles and fly.”
The congregation replied with enthusiasm, “Let it fly preacher, let it fly.”
Then the preacher added, “Now if this church is going to fly it’s going to take MONEY.”
The congregation replied with a lack of enthusiasm, “Let it walk preacher, let it walk.”
Memory Verse of the Week
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and He will flee from you.”
~James 4:7 (NIV84)
Quote of the Week
“A believing man will be a humble man. He will think little and speak little about himself. True faith carries us above this pride, self-esteem, and vainglory… He will…refrain from giving prominence to self in any of his proceedings. His great object will be to hide self; and not only to forget it himself, but to make others forget it too. The man that is still proud, boastful, vainglorious, self-confident has good reason to suppose that he has never yet believed.”
~Horatius Bonar
