Sins of Omission – James 4:17

Sins of Omission – James 4:17

2004058

Topic # 2293 (omission; sins of)

Introduction:

A. Rom. 3:23 - for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

1. "sin" comes from a Greek word which means to "miss the mark." archery - one aims at the target and misses it - or the mark.

a. We must point our lives in the direction of Christ. He is our target. His standard is what we live by.

B. This statement/principle further demonstrated in James 4:17.

1. have you ever realized that you could do perform some act of good - but for some reason did not do it?

a. sometimes justify it by excuses, too busy, etc.

b. procrastinate

2. "the ability to do good in any case imposes an obligation to do it."

3. the way of Christianity is to do good. Not only to ourselves, but to others as well.

I. Jesus talked about sins of omission.

A. Lk. 12:47-48.

1. v. 47 - talking about the one who knew what his master wanted him to do.

a) the one who knows what God commands & requires

b) this person is going to have much more to answer for than someone who didn't know.

2. We must do what God has commanded.

B. Consider Mt. 25:24-30 - what was this man's sin?

1. it was what he did not do. Notice: excuses didn't cut it

2. v. 29 - do what we need to do - blessed; we will suffer if we don't.

2. penalty: v. 30

II. Common Sins of Omission

A. A regular prayer life.

1. 1 Sam. 12:23

a. Saul about to annoint Saul as king over Israel - He is about to stand down and become the last judge of Israel.

b. to cease prayer cause one to fall short of the glory of God!

B. Failure to assemble

1. well known passage - Heb. 10:24-27

2. willfully missing a service – when opportunity to be there – demonstrates a lack of thankfulness

3. a desire to get by with the minimal service.

C. A lack of spiritual growth.

1. 2 Pet. 1:3-11

a. v.5 - give all diligence. are you growing as Peter describes here and in 3:18?

b. How many Christians like what is written in 3:9?

2. how many take it for granted that their sins have been forgiven? How many consider lightly what Christ did for us and never proceed?

3. We must work to excel at our Christianity! Be all you can be!

4. Js. 4:17 - remember!

D. Not Bearing Spiritual Fruit

1. "bear fruit" - "to show by our lives that we are under the religion of Christ."

a. Paul identifies the fruit of the spirit in Gal. 5:22-23

2. Jhn. 15:8 - have to bear fruit:

a. be faithful in good works

b. be zealous, humble, always abounding in the work of the Lord!

3. Are we abounding in the work of the Lord?

4. 15:2 - are you in danger of being "cut off?"

E. Other sins of omission to be aware of:

1. not helping those in need.

a. Mt. 25:42-43

b. Phil. 2:3-4

2. not being patient & longsuffering with others

3. not forgiving one another

4. not singing from the heart

5. not confessing openly that we are Christians

6. not submitting to the government.

III. We Must Understand that it is not only a matter of "Thou Shalt Not."

A. We glorify ourselves by "I don't do that;" "I don't do this;" but what am I doing for the Lord? Must eliminate bad AND do that which is good!

1. Christianity not all about quitting vices and habits - but adding virtue and good deeds.

2. Eph. 4:22-24; 31-32 - both positive & negative

3. Gal. 6:9-10

B. we must not spend all our time & energy eliminating the negative. We must devote attention to accentuating the positive.

Conclusion

A. we sin when we do not obey the gospel! Js. 4:17

B. Have you obeyed the gospel? Do so today!

C. I N V I T A T I O N



Sins of Omission – James 4:17 2004058 Topic # 2293 (omission; sins of) Introduction: A. Rom. 3:23 - for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. 1. "sin" comes from a Greek word which means to "miss the mark." archery - one aims at the target and misses it - or the mark. a. We must point our lives in the direction of Christ. He is our target. His standard is what we live by. B. This statement/principle further demonstrated in James 4:17. 1. have you ever realized that you could do perform some act of good - but for some reason did not do it? a. sometimes justify it by excuses, too busy, etc. b. procrastinate 2. "the ability to do good in any case imposes an obligation to do it." 3. the way of Christianity is to do good. Not only to ourselves, but to others as well. I. Jesus talked about sins of omission. A. Lk. 12:47-48. 1. v. 47 - talking about the one who knew what his master wanted him to do. a) the one who knows what God commands & requires b) this person is going to have much more to answer for than someone who didn't know. 2. We must do what God has commanded. B. Consider Mt. 25:24-30 - what was this man's sin? 1. it was what he did not do. Notice: excuses didn't cut it 2. v. 29 - do what we need to do - blessed; we will suffer if we don't. 2. penalty: v. 30 II. Common Sins of Omission A. A regular prayer life. 1. 1 Sam. 12:23 a. Saul about to annoint Saul as king over Israel - He is about to stand down and become the last judge of Israel. b. to cease prayer cause one to fall short of the glory of God! B. Failure to assemble 1. well known passage - Heb. 10:24-27 2. willfully missing a service – when opportunity to be there – demonstrates a lack of thankfulness 3. a desire to get by with the minimal service. C. A lack of spiritual growth. 1. 2 Pet. 1:3-11 a. v.5 - give all diligence. are you growing as Peter describes here and in 3:18? b. How many Christians like what is written in 3:9? 2. how many take it for granted that their sins have been forgiven? How many consider lightly what Christ did for us and never proceed? 3. We must work to excel at our Christianity! Be all you can be! 4. Js. 4:17 - remember! D. Not Bearing Spiritual Fruit 1. "bear fruit" - "to show by our lives that we are under the religion of Christ." a. Paul identifies the fruit of the spirit in Gal. 5:22-23 2. Jhn. 15:8 - have to bear fruit: a. be faithful in good works b. be zealous, humble, always abounding in the work of the Lord! 3. Are we abounding in the work of the Lord? 4. 15:2 - are you in danger of being "cut off?" E. Other sins of omission to be aware of: 1. not helping those in need. a. Mt. 25:42-43 b. Phil. 2:3-4 2. not being patient & longsuffering with others 3. not forgiving one another 4. not singing from the heart 5. not confessing openly that we are Christians 6. not submitting to the government. III. We Must Understand that it is not only a matter of "Thou Shalt Not." A. We glorify ourselves by "I don't do that;" "I don't do this;" but what am I doing for the Lord? Must eliminate bad AND do that which is good! 1. Christianity not all about quitting vices and habits - but adding virtue and good deeds. 2. Eph. 4:22-24; 31-32 - both positive & negative 3. Gal. 6:9-10 B. we must not spend all our time & energy eliminating the negative. We must devote attention to accentuating the positive. Conclusion A. we sin when we do not obey the gospel! Js. 4:17 B. Have you obeyed the gospel? Do so today! C. I N V I T A T I O N