The Three "Overlooked" Sins
Notes
Transcript
In the book of James we learn how to “do church.” James writes God’s word concerning ‘faith without works cannot be called faith. It is dead, and a dead faith is worse than no faith at all. Faith must work: it must produce;, it must be visible. Verbal faith is not enough; mental faith is insufficient. Faith must move into action.
In the book of James we learn how to “do church.” James writes God’s word concerning ‘faith without works cannot be called faith. It is dead, and a dead faith is worse than no faith at all. Faith must work: it must produce;, it must be visible. Verbal faith is not enough; mental faith is insufficient. Faith must move into action.
James 4:11–17 “11 Do not speak against one another, brethren. He who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks against the law and judges the law; but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge of it. 12 There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy; but who are you who judge your neighbor? 13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.” 14 Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.” 16 But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil. 17 Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.”
James 4:11–17 “11 Do not speak against one another, brethren. He who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks against the law and judges the law; but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge of it. 12 There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy; but who are you who judge your neighbor? 13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.” 14 Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.” 16 But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil. 17 Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.”
James writes to Christians. Here he speaks of three sins which Christians often overlook. Note these three sins: 1) the sin of criticism—hurting and destroying the Christian brother, 2) the sin of carelessness—hurting yourself as a child of God, 3) the sin of callousness—hurting the work of God, Hardhearted.
James writes to Christians. Here he speaks of three sins which Christians often overlook. Note these three sins: 1) the sin of criticism—hurting and destroying the Christian brother, 2) the sin of carelessness—hurting yourself as a child of God, 3) the sin of callousness—hurting the work of God, Hardhearted.
Probably the “key chapter is chapter 1. One of the most difficult areas of the Christian life, yours and mine..... is that of “testings and temptations. Anyone here this morning ever feel like this? I sure do!!!!!James reveals our correct response to both: to testings, count them all joy; to temptations, realize that God is not their source.
Probably the “key chapter is chapter 1. One of the most difficult areas of the Christian life, yours and mine..... is that of “testings and temptations. Anyone here this morning ever feel like this? I sure do!!!!!James reveals our correct response to both: to testings, count them all joy; to temptations, realize that God is not their source.
I. The Sin of Criticism—vv. 11–12
I. The Sin of Criticism—vv. 11–12
A. Justice.
A. Justice.
James 4:11 “11 Do not speak against one another, brethren. He who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks against the law and judges the law; but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge of it.”
James 4:11 “11 Do not speak against one another, brethren. He who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks against the law and judges the law; but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge of it.”
We should not speak evil of anyone. When someone fails, forgive them. Pray for each other.
We should not speak evil of anyone. When someone fails, forgive them. Pray for each other.
Paul writes in Galatians 6:1–2 “1 Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.”
Paul writes in Galatians 6:1–2 “1 Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.”
B. The Bible warns us against judging. Note the words of Jesus in Matthew 7:1–5. Note these words to those who judge: “Thou hypocrite …” Only hypocrites judge others.
B. The Bible warns us against judging. Note the words of Jesus in Matthew 7:1–5. Note these words to those who judge: “Thou hypocrite …” Only hypocrites judge others.
Matthew 7:1–5 1 “Do not judge so that you will not be judged. 2 “For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. 3 “Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 “Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye? 5 “You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.”
Matthew 7:1–5 1 “Do not judge so that you will not be judged. 2 “For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. 3 “Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 “Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye? 5 “You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.”
Do you all understand what this scripture means in Matthew? EXPLAIN
Do you all understand what this scripture means in Matthew? EXPLAIN
If we judge others, then God will judge us. Note these words: “… Thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.”
If we judge others, then God will judge us. Note these words: “… Thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.”
James 4:12 “12 There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy; but who are you who judge your neighbor?”
James 4:12 “12 There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy; but who are you who judge your neighbor?”
Only God, who made the law, is able to be the judge. We all have our own faults. Note: “Who art thou that judgest another?”
Only God, who made the law, is able to be the judge. We all have our own faults. Note: “Who art thou that judgest another?”
II. The Sin of Carelessness—vv. 13–16
II. The Sin of Carelessness—vv. 13–16
The sin of always saying “Tomorrow!” I’ll do it tomorrow, I’ll look into it tomorrow.........
The sin of always saying “Tomorrow!” I’ll do it tomorrow, I’ll look into it tomorrow.........
A. LET’S TAKE A LOOK AT OUR Attitude and the future—v. 13. “Look here, you people who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we are going to such and such a town, stay there a year, and open up a profitable business’
A. LET’S TAKE A LOOK AT OUR Attitude and the future—v. 13. “Look here, you people who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we are going to such and such a town, stay there a year, and open up a profitable business’
B. Are we even aware of paying Attention to the future?—v. 14. Life is very short. It is like a fog, that soon vanishes. James 4:14 “14 Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.” The writer of Proverbs tells us not to boast about tomorrow! How many times have we come up with a plan, a thought, maybe we think of it as a dream?..........What about bragging and boasting, I did this or look at what I did.
B. Are we even aware of paying Attention to the future?—v. 14. Life is very short. It is like a fog, that soon vanishes. James 4:14 “14 Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.” The writer of Proverbs tells us not to boast about tomorrow! How many times have we come up with a plan, a thought, maybe we think of it as a dream?..........What about bragging and boasting, I did this or look at what I did.
Proverbs 27:1–2 “1 Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth. 2 Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; A stranger, and not your own lips.”
Proverbs 27:1–2 “1 Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth. 2 Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; A stranger, and not your own lips.”
C. We need to be in the heart of Acceptance to the future, to God’s will, God’s plan—
C. We need to be in the heart of Acceptance to the future, to God’s will, God’s plan—
James 4:15–16 “15 Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.” 16 But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil.”
James 4:15–16 “15 Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.” 16 But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil.”
“What you ought to say is, ‘If the Lord wants us to, we shall live and do this or that.’ Otherwise you will bragging about your own plans, and such self-confidence never pleases God”
“What you ought to say is, ‘If the Lord wants us to, we shall live and do this or that.’ Otherwise you will bragging about your own plans, and such self-confidence never pleases God”
III. The Sin of Callousness—v. 17
III. The Sin of Callousness—v. 17
Many commit sins of omission, avoiding, hiding, again, procrastination.......—knowing but not doing. Note the words of Jesus in:
Many commit sins of omission, avoiding, hiding, again, procrastination.......—knowing but not doing. Note the words of Jesus in:
Matthew 23:23–24 23 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others. 24 “You blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!”
Matthew 23:23–24 23 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others. 24 “You blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!”
Also, note the punishment upon those not fully obeying their masters in:
Also, note the punishment upon those not fully obeying their masters in:
Luke 12:47 47 “And that slave who knew his master’s will and did not get ready or act in accord with his will, will receive many lashes,”
Luke 12:47 47 “And that slave who knew his master’s will and did not get ready or act in accord with his will, will receive many lashes,”
A. Are we taking the time and putting forth the effort to Know God’s will? Sometimes we are truly innocent, we haven’t a clue but we have been given a “conscience” that guides our way. We might not have taken the time to pray about something, we might not have gone to the Bible to see what God says about a certain situation. We have to reach out to God to be able to focus on God’s will and guidance.
A. Are we taking the time and putting forth the effort to Know God’s will? Sometimes we are truly innocent, we haven’t a clue but we have been given a “conscience” that guides our way. We might not have taken the time to pray about something, we might not have gone to the Bible to see what God says about a certain situation. We have to reach out to God to be able to focus on God’s will and guidance.
What about Knowing and doing God’s Word—
What about Knowing and doing God’s Word—
Joshua 1:8 tells us: “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. Obeying His Word means success; refusal to obey means failure.
Joshua 1:8 tells us: “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. Obeying His Word means success; refusal to obey means failure.
C. Knowing, listening, reading and doing God’s work.
C. Knowing, listening, reading and doing God’s work.
Mark 16:15 “15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.”
Mark 16:15 “15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.”
Satan, knowing his time is short, is doing everything in his power to put these three sins on God’s people. Remember they were:
Satan, knowing his time is short, is doing everything in his power to put these three sins on God’s people. Remember they were:
1) the sin of criticism—hurting and destroying the Christian brother,
1) the sin of criticism—hurting and destroying the Christian brother,
2) the sin of carelessness—hurting yourself as a child of God,
2) the sin of carelessness—hurting yourself as a child of God,
3) the sin of callousness--
3) the sin of callousness--
He knows the power of these sins and how they will affect you and I. The Christian life is a time of rejecting the temptations of Satan. The Christian must be aware of the ways in which Satan works to destroy God’s people.
He knows the power of these sins and how they will affect you and I. The Christian life is a time of rejecting the temptations of Satan. The Christian must be aware of the ways in which Satan works to destroy God’s people.
AMEN,
AMEN,
Please stand and turn to Hymn # _____________
Please stand and turn to Hymn # _____________