The First Level of Good
Gene Alphin
First Level of Good 1 of 4 • Sermon • Submitted
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James 4:17 (KJV 1900)
Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
The Book of James is a beautiful book that time should be lent in study.
James chapter
4:1-10 = Personal desires being submitted to God.
4:11-12 = Judging your brother and gossip
4:13-17 = The sin of leaving God our of one’s plans
17 Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.
It is interesting that here, in the last verse of the chapter, we have this verse tells us that we are guilty of not only the sin that we do but we are guilty of the things that we don’t do!
Sins of omission!
Are there things in your life that you KNOW you should be doing that you are not?
It is sin!
We have to many people who have been delivered from addiction and perversion but are still living in sin because they are not doing the will of God in their lives!
Stop the omission and the commission will cease!
GOOD: to meeting high standards or expectations of appearance, or quality
Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament and other early Christian literature
GOOD:
1. to being attractive in outward appearance, beautiful, handsome, fine in outward appearance
2. to being in accordance at a high level w. the purpose of something. or someone, good, useful
3. Moral quality, blameless or excellent
4. Pleasant, desirable, advantageous, please to men, pleasing to God, contributing to salvation
Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament and other early Christian literature
To do GOOD is a condition that includes how you dress, act, interact, with both God and everyone you come in contact with!
Good can only be defined by GOD!
Atractive to God!
Beauty
is in the eye of the beholder...
Who do you want to be attractive to?
Better way to say it, Who or what do you want attracted to you?
Example:
Luke 2:52 (KJV 1900)
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
Greatest Rule of Doing GOOD is:
Seek the favor of God to earn the favor of man.
Don’t get this backwards!
To many seek the favor of man and hope to earn points with God by coming to church or giving the home guys a buck…
BUT if we will seek the favor of God, he will grow in us the ability to earn the favor of man!
Definitions:
Romans 3:23 (KJV 1900)
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
GLORY:
the condition of being bright or shining, brightness, splendor, radiance
SHORT:
1. to miss out on something. through one’s own fault, to miss, fail to reach
2. to be in short supply, fail, give out, lack
3. to be in need, be needy, lack
Sooo… we have ALL missed out, failed to reach, lacked, was in need of the splendor, radiance and shining brightness of God because of our sin through our thoughts or actions!
SIN:
1. Human activity that is contrary to God’s will
2. Actions that violate the law or moral standard of God
In short is is failing God.
Origins of sin.
Sin begins in the heart.
7 But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.
10 I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.
27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
What is God looking for in your heart?
Sin
What is he talking about with the heart?
Thoughts which reveal motivations!
Motivations by themselves ARE sin.
I have heard it said that you can’t control your thoughts. True or false? True AND false!
You can’t control your first thoughts.
You CAN control the thoughts that follow!
That is where sin is dealt with!
james1.14-15
14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
Taught this from the perspective of blessing, this lesson is going to be from the perspective of commandment.
God gave us Five things to do to help us identify and protect ourselves from sin!