Preached by Pastor Mike Hess Sunday morning 01/03/2010.
Redeeming the Time – True Biblical Religion
James 1:26-27
Introduction:
“who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.” Titus 2:14
Three Characteristics of Pure Religion
I. A Controlled Tongue (1:26)
“The problem with our words is an intensely spiritual one, a problem of the human heart.” Paul Tripp
“The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” Luke 6:45
Question: Who should be setting the standard for our language?
Two common areas of struggle:
1. Filth – Ephesians 4:29 – “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”
2. Speaking truth – Ephesians 4:15 – “Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the heard, into Christ.”
Ephesians 4:25 – “Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor, for we are members of one another.”
II. Caring for those in Need (1:27a)
“But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.” 1 John 3:17-18
“Honor widows who are truly widows” 1 Timothy 5:3 – Honor here means to show respect or care, to support or to treat graciously.
III. Cleanliness from the World (1:27b)
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world – the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions – is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” 1 John 2:15-17
“Worldliness is that system of values, in any given age, which has at its center our fallen human perspective, which displaces God and his truth from the world, and which makes sin look normal and righteousness seem strange.” David Wells
Closing Thoughts
1. If we were to take inventory of our words right now what would we find? Perhaps we need to ask those who know us best?
2. There are many religions to choose from today – But there is only one relationship that can make you right with God – a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
3. When Christ saved us we were helpless and without hope. Now that we know Christ we can offer help to the helpless through the power of the gospel.
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