Pure & Undefiled Religion
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Introduction
Introduction
Greetings...
In light of our guest speaker, brother Whiddon, who will give us an update about the work we “as a congregation” help support, Hope Harbor I though it would be appropriate to examine a familiar text for our lesson this evening found in .
With that in mind I thought it best to look at a tried and true passage from James, we all know and hopefully love.
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.
Tonight I want us to be reminded of two important truths concerning this text.
First...
Pure Religion Is Practiced
Pure Religion Is Practiced
It involves doing something.
It involves doing something.
This is clearly implied in the word “visit.”
If you look at the previous verses we see we are to be “doers of the word, and not hearers only” ().
Throughout the N.T. we see made abundantly clear.
So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
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.
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"!
Summery
Summery
“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"!”
Quote taken from Mark Copeland’s sermon: Pure And Undefiled Religion
Pure Religion Is Personal
Pure Religion Is Personal
It involves more than “going to services”
It involves more than “going to services”
Read
Now notice all the personal pronouns.
As anyone can see there is a personal responsibility here we each must understand.
Thankfully there are places like Hope Harbor and others that are doing their work in this greatly needed area of taking care of children in need, but we must not shirk our responsibility just because they are doing the work too.
Summery
Summery
To practice pure religion we must make it personal and be involved in this greatly needed work.
Conclusion
Conclusion
I know so many here that practice what they preach and I pray this continues as long as you shall live.
Let it be that God is glorified through our endeavors and the work we help support with Hope Harbor.