Richland Center Free Methodist Church

Most of us have heard God’s Word many times. We know the verses, we recognize the language, and we’re familiar with what Scripture says. But hearing alone isn’t the goal. James reminds us that God’s Word is meant to shape how we live, not just what we know.
In James 1:19–27, we’re challenged to move beyond listening and into obedience. This sermon follows James’ clear progression: hearing God’s Word, accepting it with humility, and then putting it into action. Using everyday examples like mirrors, speech, and practical care for others, James shows what genuine faith looks like when it takes root in real life.
Join us as we consider what it means to let God’s Word truly sink in—and to live it out in ways that reflect Christ to the world around us.
Recorded Sunday, February 1st, 2026Message by Pastor Tim WardScripture: James 1:19-27

Not every struggle comes from pressure outside of us. Sometimes the danger is quieter and closer—desires that take shape in the heart long before they show up in our actions. What begins as a passing thought can slowly gain influence, shaping choices we never planned to make.
In James 1:13–18, James shifts the focus from enduring hardship to examining where temptation truly comes from. He makes a clear distinction between trials that test our faith and temptations that grow from misplaced desire. This message traces that progression honestly and carefully, while also lifting our eyes to the steady goodness of God, who does not deceive, manipulate, or change. By understanding both the source of temptation and the character of God, we learn how clarity replaces confusion in moments of moral pressure.
Scripture References
James 1:13–18
Philippians 4:8
Matthew 6:13
1 Peter 5:8
Hebrews 12:1
Romans 6:23
John 14:6
Job (general reference)
Key Points / Exposition
1. A Fisherman Never Wastes Bait on the Cooler
In a boat, the cooler holds fish already caught; no need to cast there.
Parallel: God’s people already “in His cooler”—in covenant relationship—are not tempted by God. • God is holy, cannot be tempted, and never tempts (James 1:13). • Misunderstanding of sovereignty corrected: God may permit trials but does not engineer evil.
Satan targets believers, not unbelievers already under his sway.
2. There’s a Lure for Every Fish
“Each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire” (James 1:14). • Temptation is personalized; the devil studies our particular weaknesses much like an angler selects specific bait.
Categories of bait illustrated: • Soft, flesh-like lures – sensuality (David & Bathsheba). • Shiny spinnerbaits – pride, fame, materialism (Rockefeller’s “more”). • Stink bait – gossip, critical spirit, unforgiveness.
Repeated maxim: “The root of all sin is self.”
Free will emphasized; Satan can entice but never force.
3. Swallowing Hook, Line, and Sinker
Fishing image: patient nibble vs. sudden lunge; either way, deep swallow means death.
James 1:15 progression: Desire → Sin → Death.
Mental chain: Thoughts → Feelings → Actions → Consequences. • Sin begins in unchecked thoughts; lingering desire “conceives.” • Once full-grown, sin separates from God—spiritual death (Romans 6:23).
Warning against “playing on the weed-bed edge” or “window-shopping” with sin; Jesus equates heart-level lust with action.
4. Three Safeguards Against Temptation
Remain in God’s Presence
God is the source of “every good and perfect gift” (James 1:17).
Daily worship, conversation, delight, and satisfaction in Him keep us off Satan’s radar.
Feed on God’s Word
Jesus countered Satan in the wilderness solely with Scripture.
Practice daily reading, meditation, and memorization; let the Spirit interpret and apply.
Stay in Christian Community
Technology enables fellowship even on frigid Sundays.
“Many strands woven together” form an unbreakable rope; mutual encouragement fortifies against isolation and defeat.
Major Lessons & Revelations
God’s unchanging goodness contrasts sharply with Satan’s calculated malice.
Temptation is not an external accident but an internal agreement with selfish desire.
Spiritual death is the inevitable payout of unrepented sin; eternal life is God’s free gift through Christ.
Victory is possible and normal for believers who dwell in Christ, digest Scripture, and walk with the church.
Practical Application
Cultivate constant awareness of God’s presence—pray, sing, laugh, rest in Him throughout the day.
Schedule a non-negotiable daily Bible-feeding time; journal insights, memorize verses that address personal weak points.
Identify “favorite lures”: write them down, pray specifically, and set practical boundaries (filters, accountability, budget, etc.).
Practice generous, cheerful tithing to break greed’s grip.
Engage weekly with other believers—small group, phone check-ins, video prayer meetings.
When temptation strikes, immediately flee (Philippians 4:8; Hebrews 12:1) and counter with spoken Scripture.
Conclusion
Like impatient fish, we often snap at bait and risk eternal loss. Yet Christ offers the “cooler” of grace.
Invitation: accept or renew faith in Jesus—the only way to the Father (John 14:6)—and commit to staying in His presence, Word, and community for ongoing victory.
 
Recorded Sunday, January 25th, 2026Message by Pastor Tim WardScripture: James 1:13–18

Few things test our faith like seasons we didn’t choose. Trials have a way of showing up unannounced—through loss, pressure, uncertainty, or waiting longer than we expected. In those moments, joy often feels out of reach, and endurance can feel thin.
In James 1:2–12, we’re invited to see trials differently—not as interruptions to faith, but as places where God is actively at work. How is perseverance is formed, why does wisdom matter in hardship, and how does God shape mature faith through real-life testing. Consider how believers can remain grounded, hopeful, and steady when circumstances are anything but easy.
Come discover how God uses trials to strengthen faith—and learn how to endure with faith when life presses hard.
Recorded Sunday, January 18th, 2026Message by Pastor Tim WardScripture: James 1:2-12

Worry has a way of creeping into everyday life. It shows up in unanswered questions, uncertain futures, and the quiet pressure to hold everything together. Even moments meant for joy can feel crowded out by anxiety and restlessness.
In Philippians 4:4–9, Paul writes from prison yet calls believers to rejoice, pray, and guard their hearts and minds in Christ. Joy is not rooted in circumstances; prayer reshapes our anxieties, and disciplined thinking helps us live with a peace that reflects trust in God’s nearness.
Recorded Sunday, January 11th, 2026Message by Pastor Tim WardScripture: Philippians 4:4-9

We spend a lot of time chasing what we think we need—security, comfort, success, approval—only to discover that even when we get it, something still feels missing. The question beneath our striving is often simpler than we expect.
Drawing from Philippians 4, Pastor Tim reflects on Paul’s surprising contentment in both need and abundance and explores how Paul’s perspective challenges our assumptions about fulfillment, strength, and provision. \Consider what it means to learn contentment, how reliance on Christ reshapes our desires, and how God’s promise to supply our needs reframes the way we evaluate success and lack.Recorded Sunday, January 4th, 2026Message by Pastor Tim WardScripture: Philippians 4:11-13, 19

As a new year begins, many people pause to think about what they want to change, improve, or commit to doing differently. Resolutions are made with good intentions, yet so often they fade as routines return and distractions creep back in. Still, the desire behind them reflects something deeper—a longing for purpose, direction, and faithfulness.
In this message from Matthew 28:18–20, Pastor Tim invites us to look beyond short-lived promises and consider a resolution that Jesus Himself gives to His followers. The Great Commission calls believers to live with confidence in Christ’s authority, obedience to His commands, and a willingness to participate in His ongoing work in the world. Together, we’ll reflect on what it means to follow Jesus not just at the start of a new year, but every day that follows.
Start the year by embracing a resolution that doesn’t expire—step into the life Jesus calls you to live.
Recorded Sunday, December 28th, 2025Message by Pastor Tim WardScripture: Matthew 28:18-20

Christmas Eve gathers us in a sacred moment; candles lit, familiar carols sung, hearts warmed by a story we know by heart. Yet even in the first Christmas, the glow of wonder was quickly followed by danger, disruption, and hard decisions. The Magi returned home by another way. Mary and Joseph fled into the night. Christmas did not pause life, it sent them back into it, changed.  
Drawing from Matthew’s account of the Magi, the flight into Egypt, and the quiet years that followed, this message explores what it means to carry Christmas beyond the moment. Pastor Tim reflects on how the birth of Christ reshaped homes, work, and everyday faith, and how encountering Jesus still calls us to live differently once the decorations come down. Christmas was never meant to be an escape from life, but a transformation within it.
Don’t leave Christmas behind; carry Christ into life.
Recorded December 24th, 2025 — Christmas EveMessage by Pastor Tim WardScripture: Luke 2:1-23

The season is filled with lights, wrapping paper, and carefully chosen gifts. Attention is drawn to what is under the tree and how much effort goes into giving the right thing to the right person. Yet beneath all the activity, it’s easy to miss the deeper question of what truly matters at Christmas.
In Matthew 2:1–11, the Magi travel far, bearing costly gifts for the child they recognize as King. Their journey reminds us that Christmas has always been about more than material offerings. This message explores the difference between giving gifts and offering ourselves, examining what it means to seek Jesus, bow before Him, and respond with lives shaped by worship, obedience, and devotion.
This Christmas, pause the pursuit of presents and come fully into His presence.Recorded December 21st, 2025Message by Pastor Tim WardScripture: Luke 2:1-11

The weeks leading up to Christmas are often filled with noise; schedules packed tight, expectations running high, and traditions that sometimes feel more demanding than meaningful. In the midst of all the familiar songs and decorations, it’s easy for joy to fade into routine or get buried under stress and distraction.  
Through Mary’s song of praise and the angelic announcement to the shepherds, this message traces where true Christmas joy is found and how it first entered the world. These moments reveal a joy rooted in God’s faithfulness, humility, and saving grace. Together, they invite us to rediscover a joy that grows from trust, gratitude, and wonder.
Recorded December 14th, 2025Message by Pastor Tim WardScripture: Luke 1:39-55 & Luke 2:8-14

As the season of Advent begins, life often pulls people in a dozen directions at once. Families juggle expectations, work presses in, and even good traditions can crowd the heart. Yet in the middle of that pressure, Matthew tells a quiet story about a man named Joseph — a man suddenly facing shame, confusion, and a future he never planned.
Instead of reacting out of fear or frustration, Joseph chose faithfulness. He listened. He trusted. He obeyed. He took Mary as his wife and embraced the child she carried. Through Joseph’s example, we’ll consider how Advent invites us to slow down, notice the people God has placed around us, and treat each relationship as something entrusted rather than assumed. Valuing relationships often begins with quiet, steady obedience.
Join us this Advent season as we learn to guard what God has given, and choose relationships that reflect the heart of Christ.
🗓️ Sunday, December 7th, 2025🕥 10:30 AM CST