Practicality of Authentic Worship

Introduction|

Attention:

Let me ask you a simple question: what is worship? Worship has been defined as an “awed response to the saving acts and praiseworthy character of God.” Jesus’ teaches two critical aspects about worship: 1) worship must be spiritual—worship God in spirit, and 2) worship must be scriptural—worship God in truth. However, an overlooked aspect of worship is practicality. Worship must be practical. However, practical worship is overlooked and forgotten within the lives of many believers.

Need Element:

Authentic worship involves practical adoration to our Lord and master. When our worship lacks controlled speech, concerned service, and calculated separation, we miss out on the opportunities to give God glory, honor, and praise in our everyday life. Everyone wants an exciting worship encounter on Sunday. However, worship is an all-encompassing act of praise and adoration to Christ. When worship is equated to only a liturgical setting (e.g., Sunday Worship Service), we miss out on the joys of practical worship in everyday life. In our time together this morning, I want to talk about authentic worship that is functional not just liturgical.

Background:

James expands upon salvation by discussing the proper response to the Word of God and the gospel. Now, he uses obedience to address authentic worship that is both practical and applicable. separation

Textual Idea:

James reminded his readers that God desires authentic worship from his children.

Big Idea:

God desires authentic worship from us!

Interrogative:

What does an authentic worshiper look like?

Outline|

I. An authentic worshiper controls his speech (vv. 26)

Explanation:

One of the marks of an authentic worshiper is a controlled tongue. I want you to notice the deception of the ‘religious’ man (vv. 26a). The word seem suggests thinking or considering. In context, this man considers himself to be religious. The word religion, in our passage, carries the idea of expressing devotion or worship. Thus, religion is “specific ways in which a heart-relationship to God is expressed in our lives.” If anyone seems to be a worshiper of God, yet he “does not control his tongue….the religion of this man is worthless” (, Greek). The word bridleth is a word picture of controlling a horse with a bride. In the context of the passage, it suggests continually controlling one’s speech. The ‘religious’ man who does not control his speech “only deceives his own heart” (vv. 26b). Jesus says: “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh” (). We can become deceived into thinking that our faith is authentic when it is worthless. The word vain suggests uselessness or worthlessness. However, this word also describes idolatry. Thus, in the eyes of God, uncontrolled speech and self-deception are in the same class as idolatry. While this man thinks his worship is worthy, his worship is actually worthless! “If anyone’s tongue is habitually unbridled, though his church attendance is impeccable, his Bible knowledge envied, his prayers many, his tithes exemplary, and though he “considers himself religious … he deceives himself, and his religion is worthless.”

Illustration:

A preacher with a hammer in hand, doing some work on a church workday, noticed that one of the men seemed to be following him around. Finally, the preacher asked why. The man answered, “I’m just listening to hear what you say when you hit your thumb.”

Argumentation:

Why should we control our speech?

We should control our speech because it can reveal the true nature of our heart () and it can destroy our testimony in a matter of moments!

Application:

We can make two points of application.

First, we must examine our speech.

If you are continually using your speech for gossip, you are not controlling your tongue. If you are angrily responding to others, you are not managing your tongue. If your speech is continually characterized by profanity, you are not controlling your tongue.

Secondly, we must examine our hearts.

If our speech reveals the nature of our heart, our speech might reveal a heart problem that only Jesus can help.

II. An authentic worshiper helps the helpless (vv. 27a)

Explanation:

Another mark of an authentic worshiper is serving the helpless! I want you to notice the description of a genuine worshiper of Christ. James says: “pure and undefiled religion is this. . .” James is fixing to describe genuine worship. One person says: “real religion means that everything in the believer’s life is to bear the mark of service to God.” We need to remember that our service to God often involves serving others. Thus, pure and undefiled religion is to visit the “the orphans and widows in their affliction” (, Greek). The word visit refers to going to see a person with helpful intent or caring for someone. You might say it this way: “pure and undefiled religion is to look after the orphans and widows in their affliction” (, Greek). One of the ways our religion is demonstrated is by loving the unlovable and helping the helpless.

“In the ancient world, with an absence of money-making possibilities for women and any kind of social welfare,” writes Douglas Moo, “widows and orphans were helpless to provide for themselves”

The word affliction carries the idea of distress or trouble. It is not only seeing those who need, but it is also caring for those in need by helping and serving them in their time of need. Thus, Christians “whose religion is pure will initiate their father by intervening to help the helpless.”

Illustration:

When I think through the halls of Christianity, one of the most significant examples of helping the helpless is found in the work of George Muller. After moving to Bristol, England, in 1832, Muller devoted his life to helping and caring for orphan children. Starting with only a few children, he eventually had 2,000 under his care.

Argumentation:

Why does pure and undefiled religion help the helpless?

Throughout the ministry of Jesus, he modeled it in his earthly ministry and commanded it from his followers. The Bible provides us with three reasons: 1) Jesus modeled it; 2) Jesus commanded it; and 3) Jesus deserves it! To quote James, “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction” ().

Application:

First, we need to open our eyes to the needs of others.

Secondly, we need to help others.

Douglas Moo says: “One test of pure religion. . . is the degree to which we extend aid to the “helpless” in our world—whether they be widows and orphans, immigrants trying to adjust to a new life, impoverished third-world dwellers, the handicapped, or the homeless.”

As a pastor, it warms my heart to see the evidence of this in the hearts of many of our members. So, I want to thank you for loving the unlovable and helping the helpless!

III. An authentic worshiper practices separation (vv. 27b)

Explanation:

While the first condition of an authentic worshiper is visiting the fatherless and widows, the second requirement for a genuine worshiper is separation from the world. James says: “pure and undefiled religion is this. . . to keep oneself unspotted from the world” (, Greek). The word keep suggests preserving/keeping something unharmed or undisturbed. While the first requirement focuses on others, this requirement focuses on the spiritual status of the servant. Thus, the person must keep himself “unspotted from the world.” The word unspotted indicates both an inward and outward position of purity that is not rebukable. For the believer, inner purity is connected to the sacrifice of Christ upon the Cross for our impurity.

Peter remind us that we “were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (, KJV).

Yet, our outward purity is also connected to the testimony of Christ upon the unsaved.

Paul reminds us that we are to “come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you” (, KJV). As followers of Jesus Christ, we are to practice separation from the world because we are a “are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy” (, KJV).

As followers of Jesus Christ, we are to practice separation from the world because we are a “are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy” (, KJV). As believers, we are to keep ourselves pure from the world. The word world does not refer to the material universe. However, it refers to “the fallen world system within which believers must somehow navigate God-honoring lives.” It suggests the ideologies, methodologies, and philosophies of humanity that stand in direct opposition to the Lord “which acts as a corrupting agent.” The process of spiritual defilement starts with friendship with the world (). This friendship with the world produces love for the world (1 ). A love for the world leads to being conformed to this world (). Being conformed to this world can result in being condemned with this world (). We do not keep ourselves unspotted from the world by withdrawing from it, but by avoiding the various ungodly influences of the world’s values and practices.

As believers, we are to keep ourselves pure from the world. The word world does not refer to the material universe. However, it refers to “the fallen world system within which believers must somehow navigate God-honoring lives.” It suggests the ideologies, methodologies, and philosophies of humanity that stand in direct opposition to the Lord “which acts as a corrupting agent.” The process of spiritual defilement starts with friendship with the world (). This friendship with the world produces love for the world (1 ). A love for the world leads to being conformed to this world (). Being conformed to this world can result in being condemned with this world (). We do not keep ourselves unspotted from the world by withdrawing from it, but by avoiding the various ungodly influences of the world’s values and practices.

Illustration:

In the Old Testament, we have a perfect example of a man who did not keep himself unspotted from the world. Abraham’s nephew Lot allowed the worldliness of his day to influence him. It started by simply moving closer to the wicked city of Sodom. However, before long, he was living in the town. The Bible tells us that over time, the wickedness of Sodom “vexed [Lot’s] righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds” (). In the end, Lot was willing to allow his daughters to be gang-raped by the men of the city. He lost his wife because of her love of the town. In the end, the morals of his daughters are non-existence to the point that they were willing to get their father drunk and sleep with him. Wiersbe writes: “Lot lost everything. It was Abraham, the separated believer, who had a greater ministry to the people than did Lot, the friend of the world.”

Argumentation:

Why is it important for believers to keep themselves separate from the world?

I want to give you a couple of reasons for us to keep ourselves unspotted from the world: 1) it helps us serve Christ and 2) it helps us share Christ. “The best way to minister to the needs of the world,” writes one person, “is to be pure from the defilement of the world.”

Application:

We can make two points of applications from this requirement.

First, we must recognize the influence of the world in our hearts and minds.

The ideologies, methodologies, and philosophies of the world surround us daily. From social media to the radio, we are confronted with secular humanism, relativism, and narcissism. Every day, the world pushes the ideas of self-gratification, self-identity, and subjective thinking. The world calls out the pleasures of sex, alcohol, and drugs. Sadly, we have accepted the music, movies, and messages of the world that promote many of the ideologies, methodologies, and philosophies mentioned above.

Secondly, we must make the decision to live for Christ to allow the Word of God to guide and govern our lives.

Conclusion/Application|

Reiteration:

Authentic worship must be spiritual, authoritative, and practical. From a realistic perspective, A genuine worshiper controls his tongue, helps the helpless, and practices separation for the world.

Action:

As followers of Christ, our speech gives God glory and honor. I want to encourage you to watch what you say, how you say it, and when you say it. When we fail to control our speech, our worship becomes worthless in the eyes of God and others. Also, our service gives God glory and honor. I want to encourage you to continue loving the unloved and helping the helpless. You can volunteer at a homeless shelter or pregnancy center. You can take time out of your busy schedule and spend time with someone lonely. Finally, our separation gives God glory and honor. I just want you to examine your own heart and life. Let me ask you a simple question: does your life look different from those who do not know Christ?

Appeal:

Maybe, God has spoken to your heart about your speech. Would you respond to him by asking him to forgive you and help you? God might have spoken to you about caring for others. Would you react to him this morning by committing to serve him with your life? Finally, God might have spoken to you about your lack of separation from the world. Would you respond to him this morning?