Preached by Chris Broom, 8/22/2010

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James Series part 7, Spiritual Maturity – A Warning Against Worldliness – Outline

#1 Warning Against Selfishness – James 4:1-3

- We think selfishness doesn’t hurt others, but what it does is it leads us to do what leads to
disorder (every evil practice).

James 4:11-12 where does slander and judging begin? With selfishness.

Principle of spiritual maturity = pendulum syndrome – we see we are too far in
one direction so we swing ourselves too far the opposite direction.

John 7:24 – stop judging and make a right judgment

1 Cor 5:1-5 – deal with the “elephant” in the room. Protect your family! (Paul did)
It is all about the heart in the way this is done – it HAS to be done in love for the
church and the person in sin.

1 Cor 5:6-11 – protect the fellowship! Because of selfishness, people in the world
don’t want to deal with the sin in their church

1 Cor 5:12-13 – there is a place to make judgment!

James 5:1-6 – selfishness leads to greed! When greedy we are handcuffed and
limited and can’t help others.

James 4:4-6 – friendship with the world is hatred towards to God. Selfishness
leads to spiritual adultery! Consider how hurtful adultery feels when done to
you and then consider how God feels when we do this to Him!! God does feel
(contrary to belief of people in the world). God felt at the Cross when He gave His
only son; in Genesis when He saw the sin His people were in; He was jealous of
His people in Hosea) Exodus 34:15-16 – disciples marry disciples

2 Kings 17:35-41 – the decisions you make will be followed through to your
children. Selfishness leads to a world of unfaithfulness. Are you so concerned
with worldly affairs that you neglect spiritual needs?! It’s the easiest way for
Satan to get to us.

James 1:27 – pure religion – keep from world pollution

#2 Warning Against Pride

James 4:7-10 – Ten warnings/commands that demand immediate action in this
scripture:

1-submit to God

2-resist the devil (and he will flee)

3-come near to God (He will come near to you)

4-wash hands, sinners (clean up)

5-purify hearts (double-minded)

6-grieve

7-mourn

8-wail (do 6-8 when in pride)

9-change=laughter to mourning – joy to gloom

10-humble before LORD – He will lift you up!

HUMBLE TODAY – get out what’s in your life and come back to GOD!!

Or else you hurt yourself and you hurt others.

First you pull back from God, then from God’s people.

1-drift (you’re late for church)

2-you start missing church (Heb 10:25)

3-then you are late and miss contribution (Malachi 3:6)

4-then you neglect the lost (stop sharing/loving)

Jesus can give sympathetic help. He was tempted by all things (Heb 4:14-16)

Categories: James Series, Sermons, Video
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