What good is a lion if it’s made of stone? In this episode, we dive into the second chapter of James to tackle one of the most provocative questions in the New Testament: Can a faith without works actually save you?

We explore:

• Why "faith minus works" isn't faith at all.

• The difference between intellectual belief (which even demons have) and saving trust.

• How the "breath of Christ" turns a sedentary, "taxidermied" faith into a living mission.

• Practical ways to be ambassadors of the Gospel in our local communities.

Are you "kissing the hand that is slapping you"? This week, we examine James 2:1–13 and the tendency to faunt over the rich while marginalizing the poor. James argues that partiality isn’t just being rude—it’s a violation of the "royal law" to love your neighbor as yourself.

Join us as we discuss:

• Why "minor" sins of favoritism shatter the whole law like a pane of glass.

• How Jesus fulfilled the law to give us a new "law of liberty".

• Why mercy must have the final word in our church community.

Challenge yourself to move beyond loving neighbors in the abstract and begin truly knowing the brothers and sisters sitting right next to you.

Do you ever look in the mirror and immediately forget what you saw? James suggests that many Christians do the exact same thing with the Word of God.

In this week’s episode from First Reformed Church in Edgerton, MN, we dive into the second half of James chapter 1. We discuss why our anger doesn't produce the righteousness of God, how the "noise" of our own hearts can drown out the Gospel, and why the most blessed life is one of active obedience rather than mere intellectual assent. Listen in as we explore how to move from being a casual hearer to a faithful doer of the Word.

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of many kinds." How is this possible? In this week's sermon from First Reformed Church in Edgerton, MN, we look at the internal work of the Holy Spirit during times of pressure. Using the biological reality of "stress wood," we learn how God uses the very things we want to escape to make us "perfect and complete, lacking in nothing".

Key takeaway: Your trial is not a sign of God’s absence, but a tool of His grace to anchor you in Christ.

What is the "chief end" of man? In this sermon, we explore why the answer to our modern identity crisis isn't found in a new algorithm, but in the historic truth that we were made to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. From the creation of the world to the bodily ascension of Jesus Christ, we see that God places a high status on humanity. Join us as we discuss how to reclaim our humanity in 2026 by prioritizing local relationships and embracing our creaturely limits.

What was Mary actually "pondering" in her heart?. It was more than just maternal feelings; it was a deep understanding of God’s mercy and His sovereign reign. In this Christmas Day message, we conclude our series on the "Mothers of Jesus" by looking at the scandalous favor of Mary and her song of upheaval. Join us as we trace the faithfulness of God from the genealogies of the Old Testament to the humble feeding trough of the Messiah.

In our sin, we are all like the shepherds: "children of the dirt" with no ladder to climb to reach God. In this Christmas meditation, we look at the beauty of the Gospel that shines in the dark and lowly places of our lives. Discover why the announcement to the shepherds wasn't an accident, but a proclamation that the message of salvation is for all people.

In this sermon, we continue our series on the women in Jesus' genealogy by looking at "the wife of Uriah." We dive into the depth of David’s sin, the bold confrontation by the prophet Nathan, and the beautiful way God restores Bathsheba’s life through the birth of Solomon. If you’ve ever felt like your story is too messy for God to use, this message is a reminder that the Prince of Peace was born into a family line that knows exactly what you’re going through.