Meditations on James

PRACTICAL CHRISTIANITY 

INTRODUCTION

The studies that follow contain the substance of a series of short sermons I preached at the Wednesday lunch-time services at St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Canberra, Australia, during 2018. They were based on the book of James and were originally prepared to be relevant to my Wednesday congregation which consists of members of St Andrew’s and office workers who work in the major government administration centres located close to the church.  I have edited the material at various points to make it more applicable to a wider audience.  The bible translation I have mainly used is the Good News Bible because it uses inclusive language.  It would be helpful if you use the following chapters as bible studies, to have the text of the book of James open in front of you, as I have only given the verse references.  This also applies to some of the other biblical references.

It is my prayer that you will find the following messages to be practically helpful and challenging in your Christian life.

I dedicate this short piece of work to my parents who were great examples to me of practical Christianity which had a profound influence on my life and ministry.

Rev David Campbell
Senior Minister of St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church
Canberra, ACT, Australia.

CONTENTS

  1. PRACTICAL CHRISTIANITY
  2. REWRITING THE SCRIPT
  3. MAKING UP THE DEFICIT
  4. THE HAVES AND HAVE NOTS
  5. GOD, THE LANDSCAPE GARDENER
  6. IN ONE EAR AND OUT THE OTHER
  7. ARE CHRISTIANS RELIGIOUS?
  8. THE CHURCH IS IMPARTIAL
  9. THE RICHES OF POVERTY
  10. THE PEOPLE’S FRIEND
  11. A FAITH THAT WORKS
  12. TONGUE IN CHECK
  13. THE TONGUE IS NOT VERY TAME
  14. TWO KINDS OF WISDOM
  15. TANTRUMS IN THE CHURCH
  16. THE BEST WAY UP IS DOWN
  17. COMMUNION WITH GOD
  18. DEO VOLENTE
  19. IT’S NOT ALL ABOUT THE DOLLAR
  20. FARMERS ARE NATURALLY PATIENT
  21. THE PATIENCE OF JOB
  22. THE MINISTRY OF HEALING
  23. PRAYER IS A POWERFUL FORCE
  24. A SUMMONS TO ACTION