This sermon covers James 1:19-27. Religion is not a significant part of the evangelical vocabulary. We are quick to state that Christianity is not a religion, it is a relationship. However, in his epistle, James uses the term religion in the positive context of true and pure religion. The hallmark of such a religion is that it is the special combination of intently hearing the word of God and enthusiastically doing what the word says! It's that point where we practice what we preach, caring for the most vulnerable of people in gentleness and genuine Christian love.
4. Proverbs 29:20
Do you see a man who is
hasty in his words? There
is more hope for a fool
than for him.
5. Implanted Word – Jer. 31:33
For this is the covenant that I will
make with the house of Israel after
those days, declares the LORD: I will
put my law within them, and I will
write it on their hearts. And I will be
their God, and they shall be my
people.
7. 24 “Everyone then who hears these
words of mine and does them will be
like a wise man who built his house
on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and
the floods came, and the winds blew
and beat on that house, but it did not
fall, because it had been founded on
the rock.
8. 26 And everyone who hears these
words of mine and does not do them
will be like a foolish man who built
his house on the sand.27 And the rain
fell, and the floods came, and the
winds blew and beat against that
house, and it fell, and great was the
fall of it.” (Mt. 7:24-27)
9. James 1
25 But the one who looks into
the perfect law, the law of
liberty, and perseveres, being
no hearer who forgets but a
doer who acts, he will be
blessed in his doing.
OF
First Point
True religion begins with receiving God’s Word.
James 1:19-21
19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
Proverbs 29:20
Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
Sirach 5:11-14
Be quick to hear,
but deliberate in answering.
12 If you know what to say, answer your neighbor;
but if not, put your hand over your mouth.
13 Honor and dishonor come from speaking,
and the tongue of mortals may be their downfall.
14 Do not be called double-tongued
and do not lay traps with your tongue;
for shame comes to the thief,
and severe condemnation to the double-tongued.
For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Je 31:33). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
Second Point
True Religion grows by remaining in God’s Word.
James 1:22-25
22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.
Matthew 7, Sermon on the Mount:
24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.
26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” (Mt. 7:24-27)
7 times the word “perfect” appears in the Book of James. Last week we looked at two of these:
James 1:4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
James 1:25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.
Third Point
True Religion is pure and practical
James 1:26-27
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.