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Biblical
references in Gahanna-Jefferson Church of Christ's nondenominational sermon
outlines are linked directly to text of the
King James version of the Bible.
Bible quotes you hear in the streaming audio may be from the New King James
version of the Bible.
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Introduction.
1. What kind of religion do we have? Is it like a...
a. Spare tire (used only in the case of an emergency)?
b. Wheelbarrow (easily upset and must be pushed)?
c. Bus (ridden only when it goes your way)?
2. Whatever kind of religion we have, it is of no value unless it is pleasing to
God in heaven.
3. In
James 1:27, we find a definition of what constitutes pure and undefiled
religion before God.
4. To be sure that our own religion is acceptable before God, let’s notice some
attributes of pure and undefiled religion as indicated in this verse and its
immediate context.
Body.
I. AN INVOLVED RELIGION.
A. It involves doing something on our part.
1. This is clearly implied in the phrase to visit.
2. The context prior to this verse also makes it clear that we must be doers and
not hearers only -
James 1:22-25
3. This echoes the teachings of Jesus Himself.
a.
Matthew 7:21
- Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven,
but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
b.
Luke 6:46
- But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I
say?
B. If we are not doers, we are deceiving ourselves -
James 1:22
1. And usually, it is only ourselves we are deceiving!
2. We are certainly not deceiving God, nor Satan.
3. And it unlikely that we fool others, especially our children.
4. Having an involved religion must be important, for later in his epistle James
emphasizes again the necessity of our faith working -
James 2:14-17, 26
5. In fact,
we can conclude that a religion which is not a involved religion is a dead
religion!
II. A PRACTICAL RELIGION.
A. God did not intend for our religion to consist solely of "going to church".
1. Extending our heart to God in worship is certainly important.
2. But so is extending our hand to man in service! -
James 1:27
B. In the New Testament, much emphasis is placed upon doing good:
1. From the writings of Paul:
Galatians 6:10
- Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all,
especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Titus 2:14
- who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless
deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
Titus 3:8
- This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm
constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain
good works. These things are good and profitable to men,
Titus 3:14
- And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent
needs, that they may not be unfruitful.
2. From the apostle John:
1 John 3:17-18
- But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need,
and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My
little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.
3. Until we apply the Word of God by showing kindness and compassion for the
poor and helpless, all the preaching, teaching, and studying we may do cannot
make our religion pure and undefiled!
III. AN INDIVIDUAL RELIGION.
A. Implied by the use of singular pronouns in the text:
3. “himself”, “he” -
James 1:24
4. “he”, “this one” -
James 1:25
5. “anyone”, “he”, “his”, “this one’s” -
James 1:26
B. Now, there is a place for corporate giving:
1. That is, where we give in conjunction with others.
Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the
churches of Galatia, so you must do also: On the first day of the week let each
one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no
collections when I come.
C. But it was never intended to replace our individual and personal
responsibility!
1. Some might think...
a. That their giving on Sunday fulfills their responsibility to the poor, the
widows, etc.
b. That it fulfills their obligation to preach the gospel.
2. He still expects us to fulfill our personal service to the poor, widows, and
orphans as we have the ability and opportunity.
3. Just as we find in the Old Testament.
a. Though the third year tithe was for the widows and orphans.
b. They were to always help them whenever they had the opportunity!
4. To practice pure and undefiled religion, we must make it personal.
a. We can’t pay someone else to do our work for us!
b. We cannot excuse ourselves by saying “I gave at the church”!
IV. A PURE RELIGION.
A. This sounds redundant, but in our day it must be emphasized...
1. Our society has become increasingly immoral and materialistic.
2. Such is wreaking havoc upon many in the Lord’s church.
B. Our religion is for nothing, unless it is:
1. Pure - without blemish.
2. Undefiled - untainted.
3. Capable of keeping us unspotted from (by) the world.
C. But if we are sinners, how can we ever be pure, Undefiled, and unspotted?
1 John 1:8-10
- If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth
is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our
sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not
sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.
1. It is possible, only by the blood of Christ!
a. Which can cleanse us and make us pure if we walk in the light with God -
1 John 1:7
b. This involves keeping the commandments of God -
John 2:3
1) For example, experiencing the initial cleansing of the blood when we obey the
commands to repent and be baptized for the remission of sins -
Acts 2:38
2) And, experiencing the continuous cleansing of the blood when we confess our
sins to God -
1 John 1:9
2. It is possible only by the help of God!
a. Who not only provides the blood of Christ to cleanse us from sin...
b. But also a way of escape in times of temptation -
1 Corinthians 10:13
3. Yes, with Christ’s blood and God’s help, it is possible to be pure,
undefiled, and unspotted by the world!
4. And this is what makes the religion of Jesus Christ unique!
a. Other religions may be practicing, practical and personal.
b. But only the true religion of Jesus Christ can present one pure in the sight
of God -
John 14:6
Conclusion.
1. What kind of religion do you have?
a. Is it a involved religion?
1) Does it go beyond the walls of a building?
2) Does it go beyond the printed pages of the Bible?
3) Does it go beyond a superficial hearing of the Word?
b. Is it a practical religion?
1) Does it consist of more than just going to church, reading, and praying?
2) Does it reach out and manifest itself in compassion to those in need?
c. Is it a individual religion?
1) Going beyond what we may do in conjunction with others?
2) Including our personal involvement apart from what others may do?
d. And is it a pure religion?
1) Involving our cleansing by the blood of Christ as we in faith repented and
were baptized?
2) Involving our cleansing by the blood of Christ as we confess our sins and
repent of them?
3) Does it include putting away sin with the help of God that we might be
unspotted by the world?
2. If not, then whatever religion we have is useless and we are simply deceiving
ourselves!
3. Let’s always encourage one another to be sure and have a pure and undefiled
religion before God!
Don Treadway,
04/11/2004 |
