Free Methodist Church Of Santa Barbara

One of the best aspects of the book we are studying is how plainly the truth is told. Truth that the church needed to hear then and still needs to hear today. To grasp James' points, we don't need to unpack complicated doctrine or understand twisty arguments. Instead, he simply tells us what we need to know, expecting us to act on that knowledge. This is the heart of the lesson this week. What do we know and what do we do with what we know? They are not the same. We can have all the knowledge in the world but if we don't practice what we understand to be true, it is useless. Humanity has a strange capacity for collecting wisdom and then doing exactly the opposite with it. How often have you heard someone say, "Well, I knew the best thing to do, but for some reason, that's not what I did." James is giving us a good idea to think about here. On a Sunday where we take communion, it is an important truth to bring before the Lord. The Holy Spirit will be actively in our midst as we gather to worship t

The second verse of this week's text (James 1:18-21) are wise words in and of themselves: "...let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger" (v.19). If you've been around Christian circles, you have probably heard these verses used to rationalize why all anger is bad, or to embrace meekness at all costs. Images of a monastery with folks who have taken vows of silence and peace come to mind. But is that all there is to these verses? We've spent the last few weeks in James, and so far chapter 1 has been all about dependence on God. We learned to depend on God for faith and wisdom to endure trials, then to do the same regardless of our financial situation, and last week we learned how our dependence calls us to wait on God, not to shift blame to or take credit for God's blessings. So how can James 1:19-21 be used to support this general theme of dependence? In these verses, God is giving us both an encouragement and a warning. Our response to God's implanted Word says a lot about our reliance

James has always been a controversial book. It is very directive and this emphasis on action made Martin Luther think it ought not even be included in the Bible! So it's a little ironic that in the six verses we will examine this week, James urges us to wait! As we have already seen in the earlier verses of the first chapter, and as we will see throughout the remainder of the letter, he wants to help us learn how to deal with the inevitable difficulties and hardships we face in life. In this week's section he suggests that we often fall into two opposing responses. When times are bad, we often shift the blame to God. And when times are good, we often shift the credit to ourselves. Instead, James says we must do neither, but instead, wait. This may be one of the hardest things for us to do as modern people. But he promises that if we can, there is an amazing reward in store. Come with an open heart, and listen for places in your own life where Christ is saying to wait.

The book of James looks a bit like the Old Testament book of Proverbs dressed up in New Testament clothes. Its consistent focus on practical action in the life of faith is reminiscent of the Wisdom Literature in the Old Testament, encouraging God's people to act like God's people. The pages of James are filled with direct commands to pursue a life of holiness, and to remain consistent in the face of great trials and tribulations. It is here we resume our study of James, diving deeper this Sunday into James 1:9-11. In three simple verses, the Church is invited to examine the trial of poverty and wealth in the life of a believer. James speaks dignity over those who have little, while simultaneously encouraging humility in those who have much. It is a wonderfully rich text, bringing both conviction and perspective on how faith should inform material wealth. It breaks barriers between poor and rich; uniting believers in Christ and grounding the church in the gift of contentment. It properly situates hope to be

This Sunday, we delve into James' first idea. With a brief salutation, he launches in by telling the church to be glad for hardships because of what they produce in our lives. There is no explanation given nor is there any context for what he is talking about. What I appreciate about this is that all of us have pain. We could all stop and think of a difficult situation or season in our lives when what we faced tested us beyond what we thought we could endure. James doesn't need to spell out a certain or real scenario because we all know what he is talking about. What Sunday will focus on is how he frames those times as joy. That is the difficulty. How do we decide, in all honesty, to look at the pain in our life as a good thing?

A Servant's Letter | Overview of James/James 1:1 This week, we begin the book of James. This is a practical book for believers in Christ, and one that acts as a reminder through the generations of what conduct as Christians looks like. This is not a narrative, nor is it meant to give us new information. It is meant to wake up its readers to what they have forgotten or failed to live into. This is a general letter to the church, so it has no specific audience, which we will talk about. We want to get a grasp of this book, who wrote it, the language James uses as well as the images he draws on, and what we can understand as his purpose as an author. We will talk a bit about who we know James to be and tie this book to the Gospel.

This is our last week in Ruth! It has been a joy for me to go through this adventurous book with all of you. While a unique story in the Old Testament and difficult to completely understand the cultural and religious context happening, there are truths which come through in vibrant ways to enliven God's people today. When we read chapter 4, we see a transaction between two family members happening. On Sunday, these words will challenge and inspire us, I think. Who are we in business? How do we put ourselves on the line for those in our lives who need help? Do we honor and uphold the dignity of others when negotiate something? This is a passage about redemption, so we will also be thinking about what that word means and why it may be the key theme in all of Ruth. In summer, let us continue to find ways to honor the Lord. My high school pastor used to always say, "You never take a vacation from God! Even if you are away, find ways to worship Him." These words have been on my mind as we are all going in so m

This Sunday we will once again pick up our series on the book of Ruth. We have been traveling with Ruth and her mother-in-law. Their lives took a series of different turns. In the process, we have learned about God's kindness through his people and what it means to follow Him. We will catch up with Ruth in chapter 3, and experience her encounter with Boaz, who is a relative of Naomi. God's kindness once again shows up through Boaz, but the door was really opened as Ruth listened to and obeyed the wisdom of Naomi, not only as her mother-in-law but her mentor as well. Join us as we listen to God's kind words and re-discover the value of how he calls us to be mentored by and mentor the people he has placed in our lives. - Pastor Doug

This Sunday is Pentecost Sunday, one of the most important days of the Christian year. In Acts 2, Luke records how the Holy Spirit came on the believers who were gathered together in one place. Just as Jesus promised, the sound of a violent, wind-filled the house where they were praying. Tongues of fire came to rest on each one there, and they were filled with God's very presence to do the ministry prepared for them to do. This is the beginning of the church. We are going to sit with scripture from the gospel of John, where Jesus is talking about how it is beneficial for Him to go away so that the Advocate can come and live among us. Who better to hear from than the Lord Himself, telling the disciples who the Spirit is and why He is being sent. Pentecost is an important remembrance of the giving of the Holy Spirit, because we realize God has given His very life for each person. And, each one who believes in Jesus as Lord has the Holy Spirit living in them. We want to not only remember, but also celebrate al

For our communion meditation on Sunday we are going to reflect on a theme we have seen in Ruth thus far. As a reminder, I encourage you to read through the first two chapters of the book and notice how much of the book is about a necessary component of life: bread. In fact, the need for it is an organizing force around which the whole book is written. Without the need, there is not the same movement and we would have a very different story of this family. We want to reflect on how vital bread is to us and how God gives generously to us, as we partake of His blessed body.

This Sunday, we continue in the book of Ruth. In chapter 2, the story progresses significantly with Ruth going to find provision and God acting on her behalf. We want to explore how God operates to help humankind and if we really believe that in our lives. We will talk about those who are vulnerable and how the Lord uses His people to bring relief to them and to protect them. We want to think about the nature of kindness where it would be just as easy to take advantage of someone. I encourage you to read Ruth 2, beginning with Ruth 1, if you have not been with us thus far. It is a beautiful story, full of God's goodness. The bitterness we have been talking about is fading as He is bringing new life. As we honor the Lord, may we be mindful of what He is teaching us in this time of our lives.

This Sunday, we will take a break from our study of Ruth to share in the power of a testimony. This weekend I will have the honor of being ordained as a reverend for the Free Methodist Church. I am beyond grateful for our church community, and humbled by the call to serve the church as an elder. On Sunday, I will share my testimony in the hopes of offering an encouragement to the church and a reminder of how God's love radiates through people of faith. The church has been my home my entire life, a sanctuary where I grew in my faith and received the call to ministry. The church offered healing, provision of my needs, and hope. I look forward to sharing my story with you this Sunday, and serving our church as an ordained minister. Thank you for your love, prayers, and encouragement. I look forward to worshiping with you on Sunday. - Shannon Balram, Associate Pastor

Ruth 1:6-22 This Sunday, we delve into the first chapter of Ruth in earnest. In these verses, we find the most famous words from this book, "Where you go, I will go." Although many people have used them to indicate their commitment when getting married, these words speak to a strong bond found in a different kind of family relationship. This is not about romance; it is a decision Ruth makes to stay with a woman who clearly means the world to her. What a beautiful set of verses! There is a faithfulness here we want to think about. How does one just change one's life and follow someone else? We also see here how Naomi is headed home to Bethlehem. We will talk about what going back to a familiar means and looks like. Naomi is very much still in process of her grief, which comes out as bitterness and is something else we will talk about on Sunday. In the season of Easter, I pray you are reveling in Christ's love for you! He is Risen!

This Sunday, we begin a new six-week series on the book of Ruth. We will start with an overview, so we understand the context and how this historical narrative fits in with the rest of the Bible. Then, we will look at the first few verses, which set the stage for the rest of the story. Ruth is a beautiful narrative that is rich in history and the characters are fantastic. For this week, we will be focusing in on how our life stories can end up quite differently than we think and how loss is part of all our lives. We will accompany this text with some words from the Beatitudes, specifically Matthew 5:3-9, in preparation for receiving the Lord's Supper. We continue to celebrate Easter. Jesus is Risen! As we gather for worship, may the King, the resurrected One, be honored as we sing His praise and seek Him fully.

Our text this week is the second two of three appearance stories in John 20. Jesus has risen, and in the beginning of the chapter, he appears to Mary Magdalene is the garden outside of the empty tomb, revealing himself to her, and then sending her to tell his other disciples what she has seen. Later that day, he appears to his disciples in a locked room, when they are filled with fear and wondering what is going to happen next. He reveals himself to the disciples in their fear and grants them his peace. Thomas, however, is not with them when Jesus appears, and he can't believe that Jesus has risen and appeared to them. He needs to see it for himself, just like Mary and the other disciples have. A week later, Jesus appears to the disciples again, and this time Thomas is with them. When Jesus shows up, Thomas proclaims one of the most profound expressions of faith we find in the gospels. Join us as we see how Jesus encounters his disciples where they are and invites them into something new.

John 21:1-14, Luke 24:13-35 This Sunday, we have the honor of celebrating our Risen King, Jesus Christ! What a joy to gather in His name for the most important day of the year. As is our tradition, we will meet at the beach early in the morning to watch the sun rise and join our voices with Christians everywhere as we read scripture and sing amidst God's beauty. At the Sunrise, I will be sharing thoughts on one of my favorite post-resurrection scripture where Jesus meets some of His followers on the beach as a surprise. We want to think about what this passage teaches us about the Risen Lord and also what it means for us. Bring your blanket and beach chair! I look forward to greeting you early on Easter morning. For our text Sunday morning at church, we will be looking at another of my favorite passages of scripture: the walk to Emmaus. It is a beautiful picture of Jesus talking to some of His followers on resurrection day, but they don't know it is Him. As they walk, they are distressed and perplexed at

As Jesus is ushered into Jerusalem, we are brought into the most sacred of all times in the Christian year: Holy Week. Jesus has come into the city to die. We have come to this week after many weeks of Lent, eager for what God has for us as we remember what it means that He chose to die for everyone. What does it mean that sin now can die in us? What does it mean for our own death? In the book of Luke, there is a word we want to focus in on this week, which is not found in Mark's version. When the crowds are joyfully praising Jesus, they call Him a king. Jesus is the King! Why? How can that title help us understand again who He is us as we begin the holiest of all weeks? It is a very important title and we want to worship Jesus just like those on the road into Jerusalem did that day. We take communion on Palm Sunday in order to ready our hearts for all Easter means. Praying for you on this Lenten journey. If you have not really engaged with any spiritual practices in this season, it's not too late. The boo

We come now to a familiar passage in the narrative we have been studying: Peter denying the Lord. As we have seen, relationships have come to the forefront in the arrest and trial of Jesus. Last week, we talked about how no one (especially Peter, who was there) stood up for their Master when people were lying and giving false testimony against Him. This week, we see that not only does Peter have no intention of being a witness for the defense, he will pretend to not even know Jesus. On Sunday, we want to think about why we have the capacity for denial and what this looks like in our lives. While we know Jesus gave Peter the grace he most needed later, we want to sit with the lies he utters three times and anguish that ensues for him. I encourage you to take some time with this passage, meditating in these waning days of Lent, asking God for wisdom for your life as you consider what He has to say through this passage.

Accused This Sunday we will hear from four of our pastors, engaging the scripture above with different focuses: Denzyl: We'll briefly review the history of the religious high court, and roles of the priests in the trial of Jesus. Through this trial, we'll explore how their motives against Jesus are counterintuitive to their roles, and what it means to refer to Jesus, through his death and resurrection, as our High Priest. "For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin." - Hebrews 4:15 Colleen: When a group of people get together and decide something is true, when it is not, then what ensues can often be a tragedy. We know this to be true in our lives and in the world at large. When it comes to Christ, what then is our role? "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor." - Exodus 20:16 Jake: In our passage for Sunday, Jesus reveals to the mob the truth of who he is: the Son of God. Jesus's word

This Sunday we took a deeper look into Mark 14:43-52. We are going to open our hearts and minds to a story we may have heard many times. We might know the characters and the outcome. It is a story we often hear this time of year and it more or less blends in with the whole narrative of the crucifixion and the resurrection. It is a tragic story but perhaps we have become a little numb to how much it intersects with our lives. Within the passage we find different people and we see how they betrayed their relationship with Christ in significant ways. In the process we will find ourselves in the midst of these responses and lament how our own sinfulness is a part of our own betrayal of Christ. All this while remembering through Christ there will always be forgiveness, grace, mercy, resurrection and hope. Pray with me for open hearts and minds to what Christ wants to say to us. - Pastor Doug