Worthless Religion


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Sermon Notes

January 16, 2010

Worthless Religion Aaron Brockett | James 1

James writes to convince them to live as if they believed it. radix: to return to the roots I will pray for the entire world. I will read through the entire Bible. I will sacrifice money for a specific purpose. I will serve one week in a different context. I will commit to a community of faith. Actions authenticate our beliefs What justifies my faith? Are my beliefs believable? “We are justified by faith alone, but not by faith that remains alone.” — Martin Luther

We are not saved by good works or fruit. We are saved to good works. We are saved for fruitfulness. Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. James 1:19-20 (ESV)

When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.

Proverbs 10:19 (NIV)

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.

Proverbs 15:1 (NIV)

Proverbs 17:28 (NIV)

Lead with your ears, follow up with your tongue, and let anger straggle along in the rear. God’s righteousness doesn’t grow from human anger. James 1:19-20 (The Message)

“Men have two ears, and but one tongue, that they should hear more than they speak. The ears are always open, ever ready to receive instruction; but the tongue is surrounded with a double row of teeth, to hedge it in, and to keep it within proper bounds.” Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. James 1:21 (ESV)

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 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. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 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. James 1:22-25 (ESV)

Information + Inspiration + Application = Transformation Information + Inspiration – Application = Inoculation

What is this passage teaching me about God? What does this passage want me to know? What does this passage challenge me to do? Why should I do it – what’s at stake? “the word that goes out from my mouth will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11 (paraphrased NIV)

“We fail in our duty to study God’s Word not so much because it is difficult to understand, not so much because we think it is dull or boring, but because it requires work. Our problem is not a lack of intelligence or a lack of passion. Our problem is that we are lazy.” — R.C. Sproul

If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. 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. James 1:26-27 (ESV)

Public Convictions Private Convictions Core Convictions