Preached by Pastor Mike Hess Sunday morning 03/14/2010.
Spiritual Fidelity
James 4:4-6
“And he said to all, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.” Luke 9:23-24
“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.” I John 2:15-17
I. Conflict with God (James 4:4)
“We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” I John 5:19
“In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” 2 Corinthians 4:4
“Worldliness is finding satisfactions in the world that one ought to find in God” Jay Adams
“Do not love the world” I John 2:15
“Do not be conformed to this world.” Rom. 12:2
“keep oneself unstained from the world” James 1:27
II. The Jealousy of God (James 4:5)
“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” Romans 8:5-8
“For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.” Galatians 5:17
III. God’s Abundant Grace (James 4:5)
“but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more.” Romans 5:20
“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16
Closing Thoughts
There is no room for prideful or self-sufficient thinking or living in the Christian life.
Your need for grace did not end at the moment of salvation.
