Hanover Baptist Church Messages

Archive for December, 2008

Real Religion (Part 1)

Outline—James 1:20–25

  1. Precept (v. 22)
  2. Picture (vv. 23-24)
    1. A man of habit
    2. A man of plans
    3. A man of forgetfulness
  3. Promise (v. 25)

Take Home Points

  • Ours is not a religion of meditation and general inactivity.
  • Like the seed stolen by the birds, we have good forgetters. Unless theword is meditated upon, penetrates the heart, a response is settled upon,and communion with God is finished, there will be no effect. Listen and donot fail to respond.

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What Is Religion?

Outline—James 1:19–22

  1. Spiritual Grip (vv. 19–20)
    1. Manner of instruction (v. 19a)
    2. Items of instruction—Get a hold on yourself (v. 19b)
    3. Purpose of instruction (v. 20)
  2. Spiritual Graft (v. 21)
    1. Remove (v. 21a)
    2. Receive (v. 21b)
    3. Result (v. 21c)
  3. Spiritual Grit (v. 22)

Take Home Points

  • A man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life God desires—if anger guides, the law of God does not.
  • Listening is a high form of flattery.
  • Be sure you are silent for the right reasons.
  • Only God can produce good from the soil of your soul. Actively cultivate the fruit of the Word in your life.

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The Goodness of God

When trials come, what questions arise about God deep within?

Outline—James 1:16–21

  1. Guided in trials (vv. 16–18)
    1. Person and characteristics of God (vv. 16–17)
    2. Precision and comprehensive purpose (v. 18)
  2. Guarded in trials (vv. 19–20)
  3. Grateful in trials (v. 21)

Take Home Points

  • We are a privileged people (we are that now).
  • What does being a firstfruit mean to you?
  • God does not send sorrow and grief to drive Him from you. Pay attention to what God gives and who He is.

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Outline—James 1:12–16

  1. God’s proposal (v. 12)
    1. Promised grace—happy
    2. Promised end—when he is approved
    3. Promised crown—of life
  2. Man’s problem (vv. 13–16)
    1. Pouting tantrum (v. 13)
    2. Personal battle (v. 14)
    3. Process unleashed (vv. 15–16)

Take Home Points

  • The world always makes sin a laughing matter.
  • No where is the cycle of death more evident than in the prospect of hell, and the cycle of life more evident than heaven.
  • You may not be all that happy with the life you are forced to live as your faith is tried, but remember it will be swapped with the best life there is.
  • Review the contrast:
    • Testing Trial -> Faith -> Patience -> Endures -> Perfect Work -> Crown of Life
    • Testing Temptation -> Lust -> Drawn Away -> Sin -> Full Grown -> Death
  • The great challenge is to choose well: faith over lust.

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