First Baptist East Students

Waiting Week 3

As James closes his letter, he leaves believers with a challenge: don’t waste your waiting. In James 5:13–20, we see four things followers of Jesus should do while waiting on Him — pray, confess, trust, and pursue people. Waiting is not passive. What we do while we wait reveals what we trust. This message walks through how prayer strengthens us in suffering, confession brings healing, trust aligns our hearts with God’s will, and pursuing wandering people reflects the heart of Jesus who first pursued us.

Waiting Week 2

In James 5:7–12, James calls believers to patience in the middle of suffering, frustration, and uncertainty. This message reminds us that patience is not doing nothing—it is trusting God while He is still working. While we wait, we are called to strengthen our hearts, be careful who we become under pressure, stay faithful even when life is hard, and remain honest in every circumstance because God is not finished working.

Waiting Week 1

Waiting has a way of revealing what we really trust. In James 5:1–6, James gives a strong warning about money, possessions, and living for the here and now like forever is not coming. This message reminds us that possessions do not last, everything we have belongs to God, and the way we use what we have reveals our hearts. While we wait for heaven, we are called to live today like we trust Jesus more than we trust this world.

Control Week 4 - Control your ambitions

What are you really building your life on? In this message from James 4:13–17, we take an honest look at ambition, success, and the plans we make for our future. The world tells us to chase status, security, and self-made success—but James challenges that mindset by reminding us how limited our control really is. Our lives are like a vapor, and when we build everything around ourselves, it ultimately leaves us empty. We unpack the difference between selfish ambition that ignores God and godly ambition that submits to Him and serves others. If you’ve ever felt pressure to have your future figured out or struggled to trust God with your plans, this message will challenge you to surrender control and pursue something that actually lasts.

Control Week 3 - Control against God

Ever found yourself in an argument and later realized it wasn’t really about what you were arguing about? In this message from James 4:1–12, we uncover what’s really behind the conflict in our lives—and it’s deeper than we think. We talk about the war happening inside of us, how unchecked desires lead to broken relationships, and how slowly drifting toward the world can put us at odds with God. But this isn’t just about identifying the problem—James gives us a strategy. From submitting to God to resisting the enemy, we see how real change begins within. If you’ve been dealing with tension, frustration, or constant conflict, this message will challenge you to stop fighting everything around you—and start addressing what’s going on inside you.