Friendship With the World

Friendship with the World

Introduction:

Someone has said James’ writing is a handbook on how to live Christianity 24/7. It not enough just to think you are religious. Religion is not just a matter of what you think & claim – but it is a matter of individual response of the heart to God. Before looking at James’ writing take a look at 2 scriptures in Romans. Rom. 12:1-2, 9. teaches of the necessity of being spiritually minded. We must be aware of the need to transform mind from carnal to spiritual. Rom. 8:6-8. James also dealt with Christian living and the need to decisively put worldliness away from our lives.

I. James 1:26-27 – pure and undefiled religion

A. 1:26 - A man’s religion will be useless if he fails to control his tongue.

B. 1:27 – 3 examples of pure/undefiled religion here.

1. Visiting orphans; widows; keeping oneself unstained by the world.

B. Js 1 NOT written as instruction to local congregation but to the individual Christian.

C. These responsibilities are our job as Christians!

D. if it is to be, it is up to me.

1. Must watch what I do; who I associate with

2. Watch thoughts, words, & dealings with people, approach temptation.

E. individual responsibility is seen in 1:21; 4:7-8

1. These verses are all about personal repentance & determination to avoid all sin & error!

II. James 4:4- Friendship with the world is hostility toward God.

A. The world is everything that God is against.

B. How to know if I’ve become too friendly w/the world?

1. Do I love things of this world more than God? My soul?

2. Is the majority of my happiness derived from the temporal things?

3. Is there anything I would not be willing to give up for God?

C. Worldliness in Christians is spiritual adultery!

D. Why loving the world makes us an enemy of God.

1. Loving the world robs God of the honor due Him.

2. Loving the world prefers the created to the Creator.

3. Loving the world causes us to trample under foot the Son of God.

III. Matthew 6:24 - There is no middle ground.

A. It is not possible to love the world & God at the same time.

1. 6:33; 22:37 – follow these commandments – there will be no room left in our heart, soul, mind to love the world.

IV. We must practice pure & undefiled religion.

A. We must identify religion FIRST with God!

B. When man responds to God’s instructions & expresses his faith in Jesus – than one may experience pure & undefiled religion.

C. Anything else is vain worship/service!

Conclusion:

A. There is no lasting gain or advantage in sin.

B. Where do you stand at this moment? Are your spiritual garments stained w/sin?



Friendship with the World Introduction: Someone has said James’ writing is a handbook on how to live Christianity 24/7. It not enough just to think you are religious. Religion is not just a matter of what you think & claim – but it is a matter of individual response of the heart to God. Before looking at James’ writing take a look at 2 scriptures in Romans. Rom. 12:1-2, 9. teaches of the necessity of being spiritually minded. We must be aware of the need to transform mind from carnal to spiritual. Rom. 8:6-8. James also dealt with Christian living and the need to decisively put worldliness away from our lives. I. James 1:26-27 – pure and undefiled religion A. 1:26 - A man’s religion will be useless if he fails to control his tongue. B. 1:27 – 3 examples of pure/undefiled religion here. 1. Visiting orphans; widows; keeping oneself unstained by the world. B. Js 1 NOT written as instruction to local congregation but to the individual Christian. C. These responsibilities are our job as Christians! D. if it is to be, it is up to me. 1. Must watch what I do; who I associate with 2. Watch thoughts, words, & dealings with people, approach temptation. E. individual responsibility is seen in 1:21; 4:7-8 1. These verses are all about personal repentance & determination to avoid all sin & error! II. James 4:4- Friendship with the world is hostility toward God. A. The world is everything that God is against. B. How to know if I’ve become too friendly w/the world? 1. Do I love things of this world more than God? My soul? 2. Is the majority of my happiness derived from the temporal things? 3. Is there anything I would not be willing to give up for God? C. Worldliness in Christians is spiritual adultery! D. Why loving the world makes us an enemy of God. 1. Loving the world robs God of the honor due Him. 2. Loving the world prefers the created to the Creator. 3. Loving the world causes us to trample under foot the Son of God. III. Matthew 6:24 - There is no middle ground. A. It is not possible to love the world & God at the same time. 1. 6:33; 22:37 – follow these commandments – there will be no room left in our heart, soul, mind to love the world. IV. We must practice pure & undefiled religion. A. We must identify religion FIRST with God! B. When man responds to God’s instructions & expresses his faith in Jesus – than one may experience pure & undefiled religion. C. Anything else is vain worship/service! Conclusion: A. There is no lasting gain or advantage in sin. B. Where do you stand at this moment? Are your spiritual garments stained w/sin?