Advent and the Messianic Prophecies Part 1

Advent and the Messianic Prophecies Part 1

  Be blessed as you listen to this sermon delivered at Word of Grace and do write a comment on how you have been blessed.
Messianic Prophecies: Discovering Jesus in the Old Testament

As we step into the season of Advent, the historic Christian rhythm invites us into four weeks of anticipation—four weeks of preparing our hearts to remember the birth of Christ and to look ahead to His promised return. Advent literally means arrival, and for centuries believers have used this period to rekindle awe for the greatest gift ever given: Jesus Christ.

Yet the story of Jesus does not begin in Bethlehem. It begins long before shepherds saw angels or wise men followed a star. The Old Testament—often viewed as ancient history, laws, and rituals—is in fact filled with signs, shadows, and promises pointing directly to Christ. These are known as Messianic prophecies, and they reveal that Christmas is not merely a New Testament event—it is a story God has been telling from the very beginning.

James : Faith in Action Part 5

James : Faith in Action Part 5

  Be blessed as you listen to this sermon delivered at Word of Grace and do write a comment on how you have been blessed. In many ways, the book of James echoes the teaching of Jesus. At least fifteen times, James alludes to the Sermon on the Mount in James. This book is not addressed to any particular church but is a wisdom book that echoes the Sermon on the Mount and Proverbs. The book of James is about how the word can be made flesh in our lives.
In all our preaching, our goal is to instruct your mind so that your heart is challenged and your life is changed.
INTRODUCTION
The Book of James, at first glance, seems like a random collection of wisdom nuggets. As we mentioned at the start of this series, James is perhaps the first book to be written. It was written around 49-51 AD. By this time, an error is already creeping into the churches; hence, the apostles see the need to write these letters addressing various issues in the churches in different parts of the world where the gospel had spread. They realised the need to set the course straight and call people’s attention to the plumb line, or else they were in danger of building churches on a wonky foundation that would not last.
James is addressing a few. If one were to summarise the book, he was addressing the disconnect between words and the profession of faith – waywardness was creeping into the church, and he was addressing various contexts in which it was appearing. He was also addressing the real-life challenges of persecution and trials.
Let’s get into our text for today

James : Faith in Action Part 4

James : Faith in Action Part 4

  Be blessed as you listen to this sermon delivered at Word of Grace and do write a comment on how you have been blessed. In many ways, the book of James echoes the teaching of Jesus. At least fifteen times, James alludes to the Sermon on the Mount in James. This book is not addressed to any particular church but is a wisdom book that echoes the Sermon on the Mount and Proverbs. The book of James is about how the word can be made flesh in our lives.
In all our preaching, our goal is to instruct your mind so that your heart is challenged and your life is changed.
The book of James is known for its practical wisdom—truths that don’t just shape what we believe, but how we live. In recent weeks, James 1 and 2 reminded us how God uses suffering to mature us, and how genuine faith expresses itself through works.
James Chapter 4 – War and Peace

How many of you left your hometown at one point or another? How do you feel when you move to a new city/country? Like you don’t belong, so you need to prove yourself, like you finally get to do what you want?

James is writing to the dispersed believers across the known world. They are dealing with persecution, but also opportunity. They are immersed in the gentile way of life and the ethos of the world seems to be getting into them a bit. He’s hearing a lot of words but not enough action, a lot of thoughts but not enough wisdom and a lot of plans but not God’s purpose. Do we see any of this in our own situation today?

James : Faith in Action Part 3

James : Faith in Action Part 3

  Be blessed as you listen to this sermon delivered at Word of Grace and do write a comment on how you have been blessed. In many ways, the book of James echoes the teaching of Jesus. At least fifteen times, James alludes to the Sermon on the Mount in James. This book is not addressed to any particular church but is a wisdom book that echoes the Sermon on the Mount and Proverbs. The book of James is about how the word can be made flesh in our lives.
In all our preaching, our goal is to instruct your mind so that your heart is challenged and your life is changed.
The book of James is known for its practical wisdom—truths that don’t just shape what we believe, but how we live. In recent weeks, James 1 and 2 reminded us how God uses suffering to mature us, and how genuine faith expresses itself through works.
This message from James chapter 3 turns our attention to something surprisingly small, yet incredibly powerful: the tongue.

Why Our Words Matter

Scripture places extraordinary weight on speech. From the opening pages of the Bible, God creates with words—“Let there be light.” Words also played a role in the fall, through the serpent’s deceptive conversation with Eve. And salvation itself is tied to confession: “If you confess with your mouth…you will be saved.”

James : Faith in Action Part 2

James : Faith in Action Part 2

  Be blessed as you listen to this sermon delivered at Word of Grace and do write a comment on how you have been blessed. In many ways, the book of James echoes the teaching of Jesus. At least fifteen times, James alludes to the Sermon on the Mount in James. This book is not addressed to any particular church but is a wisdom book that echoes the Sermon on the Mount and Proverbs. The book of James is about how the word can be made flesh in our lives.
In all our preaching, our goal is to instruct your mind so that your heart is challenged and your life is changed.
Have you ever looked at someone and said to yourself, “How do they even call themselves a Christian?” Usually, this question is not sparked by something they believe but something they did. Today, let’s turn that question back on ourselves. Let’s use this scripture, not to point fingers but to look into it like a mirror – resolving not just to hear but to be doers of the word of God. 

James : Faith in Action Part 1

James : Faith in Action Part 1

  Be blessed as you listen to this sermon delivered at Word of Grace and do write a comment on how you have been blessed. In many ways, the book of James echoes the teaching of Jesus. At least fifteen times, James alludes to the Sermon on the Mount in James. This book is not addressed to any particular church but is a wisdom book that echoes the Sermon on the Mount and Proverbs. The book of James is about how the word can be made flesh in our lives.
In all our preaching, our goal is to instruct your mind so that your heart is challenged and your life is changed.
James has around 9 main themes around which he writes. Today I am going to pick up on the theme of trials and suffering.

Maturing on the Move: From Shallow Faith to Deep Roots

Maturing on the Move: From Shallow Faith to Deep Roots

  Be blessed as you listen to this sermon delivered at Word of Grace and do write a comment on how you have been blessed.
Unless the Lord Builds the House

Why Dedication to God Changes Everything

In a world that runs on ambition, deadlines, and self-made success, the ancient wisdom of Psalm 127 reminds us of a deeper truth: “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labour in vain.”

This verse, shared during a recent Sunday sermon, reveals a profound and often overlooked principle — true significance is found not in what we build, but in who builds with us. Whether it’s our careers, families, dreams, or homes, when God isn’t at the foundation, all our striving is ultimately empty.

Honouring Father and Mother

Honouring Father and Mother

  Be blessed as you listen to this sermon delivered at Word of Grace and do write a comment on how you have been blessed.
Unless the Lord Builds the House

Why Dedication to God Changes Everything

In a world that runs on ambition, deadlines, and self-made success, the ancient wisdom of Psalm 127 reminds us of a deeper truth: “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labour in vain.”

This verse, shared during a recent Sunday sermon, reveals a profound and often overlooked principle — true significance is found not in what we build, but in who builds with us. Whether it’s our careers, families, dreams, or homes, when God isn’t at the foundation, all our striving is ultimately empty.

Why Join a Church?

Why Join a Church?

  Be blessed as you listen to this sermon delivered at Word of Grace and do write a comment on how you have been blessed.
Unless the Lord Builds the House

Why Dedication to God Changes Everything

In a world that runs on ambition, deadlines, and self-made success, the ancient wisdom of Psalm 127 reminds us of a deeper truth: “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labour in vain.”

This verse, shared during a recent Sunday sermon, reveals a profound and often overlooked principle — true significance is found not in what we build, but in who builds with us. Whether it’s our careers, families, dreams, or homes, when God isn’t at the foundation, all our striving is ultimately empty.

Overcoming the World the Flesh and the Devil

Overcoming the World the Flesh and the Devil

  Be blessed as you listen to this sermon delivered at Word of Grace and do write a comment on how you have been blessed.
Unless the Lord Builds the House

Why Dedication to God Changes Everything

In a world that runs on ambition, deadlines, and self-made success, the ancient wisdom of Psalm 127 reminds us of a deeper truth: “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labour in vain.”

This verse, shared during a recent Sunday sermon, reveals a profound and often overlooked principle — true significance is found not in what we build, but in who builds with us. Whether it’s our careers, families, dreams, or homes, when God isn’t at the foundation, all our striving is ultimately empty.

John 15 Part 3 – Study and Reflection

John 15 Part 3 – Study and Reflection

  Be blessed as you listen to this sermon delivered at Word of Grace and do write a comment on how you have been blessed.
As we conclude this study on John 15, it is essential to remind ourselves of the purpose behind studying scripture. John reminds us at the end of his book in chapter 20:31 Even these are written, so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and when you believe you shall have life everlasting in his name. We are told that the Word or scripture has life-giving power. How that power comes when the word is experienced or put into action. That has always been the understanding in biblical thought that upon hearing, one puts it into practice, and only then can it be said that you have truly understood.

Jesus finishes His Sermon on the Mount with a similar warning. It’s like Him saying: “Now you have seen how you ought to apply the law to your lives, you have heard me say how you need to forgive, love and live. Now, I expect you to put this into practice. If you do not, then you are like that foolish man who built his house on the sand (Matt 7:24-27).

So our prayer is that as you study, meditate and reflect upon this passage that you will ask the Holy Spirit to shed His light upon your heart on areas that need to be reshaped to conform to the likeness of Jesus.