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 – ________ and __________________ religion

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

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

1. Visiting ________; ________; keeping oneself ________ by the world.

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

C. These responsibilities are our job as Christians!

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

1. Must watch what I __________; who I _________________ with

2. Watch _____________, ____________, & dealings with people, approach ___________________.

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

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

II. James 4:4- Friendship with the world is __________________ 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 _______? My ___________?

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

3. Is there anything I would not be willing to __________ _____ for God?

C. Worldliness in Christians is __________________ ________________!

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

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

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

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

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

A. It is not possible to love the ___________ & __________ 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 ________________ 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 _______________ worship/service!

Conclusion:

A. There is no lasting gain or ______________________ 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 – ________ and __________________ religion A. 1:26 - A man’s religion will be useless if he fails to control his ____________. B. 1:27 – 3 examples of pure/undefiled religion here. 1. Visiting ________; ________; keeping oneself ________ by the world. B. Js 1 NOT written as instruction to local congregation but to the ___________. C. These responsibilities are our job as Christians! D. if it is to be, it is up to me. 1. Must watch what I __________; who I _________________ with 2. Watch _____________, ____________, & dealings with people, approach ___________________. E. individual responsibility is seen in 1:21; 4:7-8 1. These verses are all about personal _______________ & determination to avoid all sin & error! II. James 4:4- Friendship with the world is __________________ 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 _______? My ___________? 2. Is the majority of my happiness derived from the __________ things? 3. Is there anything I would not be willing to __________ _____ for God? C. Worldliness in Christians is __________________ ________________! D. Why loving the world makes us an ________________ of God. 1. Loving the world ______________ God of the honor due Him. 2. Loving the world prefers the ______________ to the Creator. 3. Loving the world causes us to __________ under foot the Son of God. III. Matthew 6:24 - There is no middle ground. A. It is not possible to love the ___________ & __________ 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 ________________ 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 _______________ worship/service! Conclusion: A. There is no lasting gain or ______________________ in sin. B. Where do you stand at this moment? Are your spiritual garments stained w/sin?