5.8.40 8.27.2017 James 1.26-27 Get Real!

James 1:26–27 ESV

26 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. 27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

Start:

▾ Start:

5.8.40 8.27.2017 James 1.26-27 Get Real!

Entice:

• Entice:

Engage:

• Engage:

Expand: It is comparatively easy to talk a good game. If you are going to brag, boast, or belittle then just learn to shut yer trap! Real religion. Authentic devotion, is not a matter of self-promoting, duplicitous talk. It's about doing!

• Expand: It is comparatively easy to talk a good game. If you are going to brag, boast, or belittle then just learn to shut yer trap! Real religion. Authentic devotion, is not a matter of self-promoting,

In our own minds...

We are all the

Star

the star player

With

unmixed motives

unmixed motives

Always

doing the right thing

Reality does not really work

That way

then just learn to shut yer trap!

duplicitous talk. It's about doing!

then just learn to shut yer trap!

Real religion.

Authentic devotion..

is not a matter of self-promotion. talk. It's about doing!

is not a matter of

Self-promotion.

or

Loose-talk.

It’s not about

Pretense or Pretending

Real Religion Mans

Real Religion

has always Meant

And will always mean

Doing

The redeemed

should not be known for their

should not be known for their

• Excite: The redeemed should be the should not be know for their self-promotion, their loose lips or a frail grasp of the real world.

self-promotion

-promotion, their loose lips or a frail grasp of the real world.

their

loose lips

or

alienation

The best testimony to redemption is not a performance for the world or even the church. It’s not about what I think, my blunt truthfulness or pretending to be more mature than I really am. The best testimony to Christ’s work in my life or your life, the clear mark of “real religion” is simply performing acts of ministry and kindness. Not showing off, not broadcasting what a good boy you are

Just

The best testimony to redemption is not a performance for the world or even the church. It’s not about what you think or your truthfulness. The best testimony to Christ’s work in your life is simply performing acts of ministry and kindness. Not showing off, not broadcasting what a good boy you are

Just

Be

Serving

Being

Being

Real

Real

Real

Getting real means acting real.

• Explore; Getting real means acting real.

Real and fake spiritualities have their own distinct characteristics.

• Explain: Real and fake spiritualities have their own distinct characteristics.

▾ Body of Sermon:

1 Imitation. v. 26

▾ 1 Imitation. v. 26

1.1 Fake religion is narcissistic.

• 1.1 Fake religion is narcissistic.

1.2 Fake religion is mouthy.

• 1.2 Fake religion fails simple tests.

1.3 Fake religion is delusional.

• 1.3 Fake religion is self-delusional.

1.4 Fake religion is useless.

• 1.4 Fake religion is useless.

2 Genuine. v. 27

▾ 2 Genuine. v. 27

2.1 The real thing is pure.

• 2.1 The real thing is pure and unalloyed. (Motive)

…Right Motive

2.2 The real thing is centered.

• 2.2 The real thing is for God. (Audience)

One Audience

2.3 The real thing is balanced.

▾ 2.3 The real thing is balanced. (Goal)

Proper Goals

2.3.1 It is externally focused on the needs of the "least of these".

• 2.3.1 It is externally focused on the needs of the "least of these".

Matthew 25:34–40 ESV

34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

2.3.2 It is internally focused on personal purity.

• 2.3.2 It is internally focused on keeping the individual pure.

There should be

▾ Shut Down

No Drama in doing...

We can’t do everything…

But we should do something!

We can’t care for all

We can’t care for all

But we should do something!

But we should care for some!

But we should care for some!

There is nothing that repulses non-christians more than

There is nothing that repulses non-christians more than

•

Pretend

Pretend

Detached

Un-healthy

Detached

Mouthy

Un-healthy

Caustic

mouthy

Christians.

caustic

Christians.

There is nothing more attractive to a hurting world than

There is nothing more attractive to a hurting world than

Authentic

Authentic

Engaged

Engaged

Healthy

Healthy

Compassionate

Compassionate

Self-controlled

Self-controlled

Christians

Christians

Come, Know Jesus.

Come, Know Jesus.

Come serve Jesus.

Come serve Jesus.