Sermons by Matt Round
The Source of our Strength
Welcome to Chapel City Church! We are coming close to the end of our time in the Book of James. At this point in his letter, James gives some final instruction that centers around prayer. As Christians, we understand that prayer ought to be a priority in our lives. Jesus taught us how to pray, Paul taught us to pray without ceasing, and Revelation concludes with the…
Let Your Yes be Yes
Welcome to Chapel City Church! As we work our way through James chapter 5, we come to a verse that seems to stand on its own. James reminds his readers that their yes is to be yes, and their no to be no. But we need to understand the culture and context that he’s writing to if we are going to rightly apply that to our own lives. The warning isn’t just against…
Easter Sunday: Better Promises
Welcome to Chapel City Church! Today we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. This singular event is a watershed moment in human history. This is a day to remember that sin and death were defeated. It’s a time to rejoice in the fact that we have a living savior who is our great high priest and advocate with the Father. Resurrection Sunday reminds…
Good Friday: The Cup
Welcome to Chapel City Church! As we gather together to celebrate Good Friday, you might notice a different tone than our typical Sunday worship service. There is a somber tone to the songs. Our time in God’s word will focus on the cup of suffering that Christ drank on our behalf. We will spend time reflecting on the serious nature of sin, and on its deadly…
Temporary Treasures
This week we will open up James chapter 5 together. This chapter begins with a severe warning against those who would abuse their wealth. But before we assume that James has it out for rich people, or that it doesn’t apply to us because WE aren’t rich, let’s consider the context. We know that conflict is driven by selfish desires. We have seen how there…
Practical Humility
Welcome to Chapel City Church! Over the past two weeks we have looked at where conflict comes from. Although we would prefer to blame people or circumstances, James makes it clear that conflict is a result of selfish desires that take the place of worship and obedience. And because that’s the case, the solution is a repentant response that draws near to God in…
Where Conflict Comes From, part 2
Welcome to Chapel City Church! Last week we opened up James Chapter 4 and looked at where conflict comes from. As much as we would like to blame other people or blame our circumstances, it was clear that conflict ultimately comes from us. Our sinful motives, our selfish desires, wage war within us and lead us to war with others. So the question becomes, what do we really…
Where Conflict Comes From, part 1
Welcome to Chapel City Church! We would love to know how we can be praying specifically for you. If you have a prayer request or praise for what God has done, we would love to hear about it. Please consider filling out one of the connection cards available every Sunday, or reach out to our office through phone or email. This week we will open up James chapter 4. In some…
What Kind of Wisdom?
Welcome to Chapel City Church! Last week we looked at the untamable tongue, and the reality that our speech will be a reflection of our heart. This week, James will work through two types of wisdom. And while those two things might seem like separate topics, they are intimately related. How do we respond when things don’t go our way? How do we think about situations…
The Untamable Tongue
Welcome to Chapel City Church! The Book of James is not complicated, but it is very convicting! We have seen the call to count our trials as joy, to be slow to speak and slow to anger, to love others unconditionally, and to consider whether our living faith is a working faith. This week, we will work through perhaps the hardest part of the body to bring under control: the…
A Faith that Works
Welcome to Chapel City Church! As we continue working through James chapter 2, we are going to come to one of the most difficult passages in the whole letter. It isn’t grammar or content that make this passage difficult. Rather, it’s how James appears to say something different about faith and works than the other New Testament writers. Does James really say…
The Law of Love
Welcome to Chapel City Church! This week we will open up the second chapter of James with an example of what love looks like. He closed chapter 1 by pointing out that pure and undefiled religion meant caring for the outcast and the other, as well as being unstained by the world. Chapter 2 works through personal favoritism, and how that response goes directly against what…