True Religion James 1:21-27

Knowledge unapplied is useless

Command 1:21-22

“Word” = the commands taught by Jesus Christ “implanted” = written in you the moment you believed Receive the Word

Receive the Word Jeremiah 31:33 “But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days,” declares the Lord, “I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” Receive the Word

“Word” = the commands taught by Jesus Christ “implanted” = written in you the moment you believed “receive” = to welcome, accept, submit to Receive the Word

Receive the Word Involves two things... Turn away from what it prohibits Practice what it commands Receive the Word

Motivation 1:21-25

it will “save your souls” “save” = to deliver, rescue “soul” = your life, yourself “save your soul” = “rescue your life” “keep you from dying” Why submit to the Word?

Ezekiel 18:26-27 When a righteous person turns away from his righteousness and does injustice, he shall die for it; for the injustice that he has done he shall die. Again, when a wicked person turns away from the wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he shall save his life (nephesh = “soul”). Why submit to the Word?

Why submit to the Word? Psalm 6:2,4 Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am pining away; heal me, O Lord, for my bones are dismayed... Return, O Lord, rescue my soul; save me because of Your lovingkindness. Why submit to the Word?

it will “save your souls” = deliver you from premature death disobedience brings self-deception obedience brings God’s blessing Why submit to the Word?

shame at Christ’s Judgment conflict with others illness and death Consequences of sin self-deception uselessness shame at Christ’s Judgment conflict with others illness and death Consequences of Obedience divine wisdom usefulness to others reward at Christ’s Judgment peace with others healing and protection Why submit to the Word?

The cost of obedience is nothing compared with the cost of disobedience Why submit to the Word?

Application 1:26-27

Avoid. evil speech (v26) evil influence of the world (v27) Practice Avoid... evil speech (v26) evil influence of the world (v27) Practice... charity towards the vulnerable (v27) Application

“The world does not need a definition of religion as much as it needs a demonstration.” Martin Luther Application

Care for the vulnerable Youth Impact Aggieland Pregnancy Outreach Faithful to the Fatherless Hope Pregnancy Center OWLS Brazos Church Pantry SOS Ministries Care for the vulnerable

Matthew 7:24–27 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock...

Matthew 7:24–27 ...Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and great was its fall.”

True Religion James 1:21-27