Weekly Sermon

James 1:27 reads, “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” 

As we have previously noted, James 1:26-27 presents a clear contrast between a faulty religious life that is lacking in spiritual substance and a faithful religious life that is rooted in spiritual substance.  This contrast is seen in that verse 26 closes with the statement, “This man’s religious is vain;” whereas verse 27 opens with the statement, “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this.”  Even so, verse 26 presents the case of a religious life that is vain, being spiritually profitless; whereas verse 27 presents the case of a religious life that is valuable, being spiritually pure.  Therefore, as we focus our attention upon verse 27, we observe more closely the case of a religious life that is valuable, being spiritually pure – “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this.”

Grammatically, this verse can be divided into three parts.  First, there is the declaration of God’s classification for pure religion – “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this.”  Second, there is the description of loving compassion in pure religion – “To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction.”  Third, there is the description of separated character in pure religion – “And to keep himself unspotted from the world.”

Weekly Sermon

James 1:26-27 reads, “If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.  Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.”

With James 1:26-27 we come to the fifth paragraph of this epistle.  Again we remember that the Holy Spirit inspired purpose for this epistle is to provide pastoral counsel for a spiritually mature walk in the believer’s life.  Even so, this fifth paragraph gives counsel concerning an unbridled tongue in relation to a pure religious life.  The contextual situation and setting for the paragraph is established through the opening line of the paragraph -- “If any man among you seem to be religious.”  Consisting of only two sentences in two verses, this short paragraph presents a clear contrast between a religious life that is lacking in spiritual substance and a religious life that is rooted in spiritual substance.

Outlines in Psalms

“To the chief Musician.  A Psalm of David.”

  I.  The Lord does completely know me. (Psalm 139:1-6)
 II.  The Lord is continually present with me. (Psalm 139:7-12)
      III.  The Lord has wonderfully created me. (Psalm 139:13-16)
      IV.  The Lord does abundantly care for me. (Psalm 139:17-18)
             V.  I stand contrary against the Lord’s adversaries. (Psalm 139:19-22)
            VI.  I submit consistently unto the Lord’s examination. (Psalm 139:23-24)

Weekly Sermon

This sermon is a companion to five previous sermons:  In the Way of This Life - Psalm 119:1    
                                                                                       In the Ways of Our Lord (Part 1) - Psalm 119:3    
                                                                                       In the Ways of Our Lord (Part 2) - Psalm 119:3    
                                                                                       In the Ways of Our Lord (Part 3) - Psalm 119:3    
                                                                                       In the Ways of Our Lord (Part 4) - Psalm 119:3    

Psalm 119:1-3 reads, “Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.  Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.  They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.”  To this Psalm 119:29-30 adds, “Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously.  I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me.”

In Psalm 119 we encounter the words “way” and “ways” eighteen times and the word “path” two times, indicating that the pathway of our lives is an important subject of this psalm.  With the phrase “in the way,” Psalm 119:1 introduces us to the first category of truth concerning this subject matter – the way of this life.  Thereby we learn that we all must travel along the pathway of this life, and that we all must deal with the matter of challenges, choices, and consequences in the way of this life.  With the phrase “in his way,” Psalm 119:3 introduces us to the second category of truth concerning our walk along the pathway of life – the way of our Lord.  Even so, the intention of this psalm is to exhort us and encourage us to choose the way of our Lord as the direction of our daily walk.  Yet this psalm also employs the word “way” in relation to a third category of truth – the way of sin’s lies.  Even as the psalm exhorts us and encourages us to walk faithfully in the way of our Lord, it also exhorts us and encourages us to depart away from the way of sin’s lies. 

Already in our study concerning the ways of our Lord, we have learned that there is a need for rejection, that is – for rejection of the ways of sinful iniquity.  Even so, Psalm 119:1 declares, “Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.”  Herein we find that those “who walk in the law of the LORD” are also those who walk “undefiled in the way.”  In like manner, verse 3 declares, “They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.”  Indeed, those who walk in our Lord’s ways are also those who do not involve themselves in sinful iniquity.  Thus in verses 29-30 the psalmist made his request and expressed his commitment, saying, “Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously.  I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me.”  The psalmist had made his determined choice to walk in the way of truth as revealed in the Lord’s Holy Word.  In union with this choice, he also desired to be kept away from “the way of lying.”  Now, in this context this phrase, “the way of lying,” is not referring to the personal practice of speaking lies.  Rather, this phrase is referring to the way of sin’s lies and falsehood.  Even so, in verse 101 this way is described with the phrase, “every evil way;” and in verses 104 & 128 this way is described with the phrase, “every false way.”  So then, what is involved for us to depart away from the ways sin’s lies even as we walk in the ways of our Lord?

Weekly Sermon

This sermon is a companion to four previous sermons:  In the Way of This Life - Psalm 119:1    
                                                                                        In the Ways of Our Lord (Part 1) - Psalm 119:3    
                                                                                        In the Ways of Our Lord (Part 2) - Psalm 119:3    
                                                                                        In the Ways of Our Lord (Part 3) - Psalm 119:3    

Psalm 119:1-3 reads, “Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.  Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.  They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.”

In Psalm 119 we encounter the words “way” and “ways” eighteen times and the word “path” two times, indicating that the pathway of our lives is an important subject of this psalm.  With the phrase “in the way,” Psalm 119:1 introduces us to the first category of truth concerning this subject matter – the way of this life.  Thereby we learn that we all must travel along the pathway of this life, and that we all must deal with the matter of challenges, choices, and consequences in the way of this life. 

With the phrase “in his way,” Psalm 119:3 introduces us to the second category of truth concerning our walk along the pathway of life – the way of our Lord.  Even so, the intention of Psalm 119 is to exhort us and encourage us to choose this particular way, the way of our Lord, as the direction of our daily walk along each step of the way as we face life’s many different challenges.  In addition, Psalm 119:1-3 reveals that the consequence for choosing the way of our Lord as the particular direction for our daily walk is that our Lord’s favor and blessing will be poured out upon our lives.  So then, what is involved for us to follow the way of our Lord step by step in our daily walk?  In the first three parts of this message, we considered the first six of the nine elements that are revealed in Psalm 119.  They were the need for determination, the need for conviction, the need for passion, the need for education, and the need for adoration, and the need for meditation.  In this fourth part of the message, let us consider the final three of these elements.

Thought for Meditation

Many claim that we must become more appealing to this present world,
in order that we might be more able to reach this present world.
Yet when we become more appealing to this present world,
we become less appealing to the Lord our God;
and thereby we become less useful to Him in His service for His glory.

Weekly Sermon

Psalm 119:1-3 reads, “Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.  Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.”

Psalm 119 is the longest of the psalms, containing 176 verses.  By the inspiration of God the Holy Spirit, these 176 verses are divided into twenty-two sections of eight verses each.  Under the inspiration of God the Holy Spirit, the psalmist employed the poetic device of an acrostic.  In the Hebrew the first word of each verse of each section begins with the same letter.  This pattern continues throughout the psalm from section to section for each letter of the Hebrew alphabet consecutively. 

Often it has been said that the theme of Psalm 119 is the Word of God, and the Word of God is certainly a significant part of the subject matter throughout the entire psalm.  However, there are a number of other significant subjects that also run throughout the psalm.  First, throughout the psalm the psalmist presents himself as a servant of the Lord who is suffering for the Lord’s sake.  Furthermore, throughout the psalm the psalmist expresses his own right relationship with the truth of God’s Word.  Finally, throughout the psalm the psalmist indicates his desire to walk in fellowship with the Lord Himself through the truth of God’s Word.  Thus the theme of Psalm 119 might be better viewed as – The desire of the Lord’s suffering servant to seek the Lord through His holy Word.

Psalm 119 begins with a pronouncement of the Lord’s blessing.  This pronouncement establishes a foundation for the entire psalm, as the psalmist expresses his desire for the Lord’s blessing upon his life, whether it be the blessing of fellowship, the blessing of guidance, the blessing of deliverance, or the blessing of provision.  Even so, Psalm 119:1-3 pronounces the blessing of the Lord, saying, “Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.  Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.” 

The opening line of verse 1 reveals that our Lord’s blessing will be poured out upon those who are “undefiled in the way” of their daily walk.  Brethren, we can only expect our Lord’s blessing upon our lives when we walk in spiritual uprightness and blamelessness.  We can only expect our Lord’s blessing upon our lives when we remain spiritually undefiled in our daily walk.  Yet what is required for us to remain spiritually undefiled in our daily walk?  Psalm 119:1-3 answers the question by revealing five ingredients to a spiritually undefiled walk.  All five of these ingredients are necessary in order for us to maintain an undefiled character and conduct in the way of our daily walk.

Weekly Sermon

1 Peter 2:6 – “Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.”

 I.  Our Lord Jesus Christ is a Living Stone. (1 Peter 2:4)
II.  In Christ we also are lively (living) stones. (1 Peter 2:5)

Weekly Sermon

This sermon is a companion to two previous sermons:  By the Renewing of Your Mind (Part 1) - Romans 12:2     
                                                                                       By the Renewing of Your Mind (Part 2) - Romans 12:2    

Romans 12:1-2 reads, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

In Romans 12:1 God the Holy Spirit pleads with us to present ourselves as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto the Lord our God.  Then in verse 2 God the Holy Spirit gives two commands that we must obey if we are truly to present ourselves as such a living sacrifice unto the Lord our God.  The opening portion of the verse presents the first command – “And be not conformed to this world.”  Then the second command follows – “But be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.”  Brethren, we are not to be “conformed to this world.”  We are not to be in the same form or in agreement with this present evil world.  Rather, we are to be “transformed.”  We are to be changed into a different form and a different character than this present evil world.  Yea, we are to be changed into the same form and character as our Lord Jesus Christ.  Even so, 2 Corinthians 3:18 declares, “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image [as the glory of the Lord] from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

In addition, Romans 12:2 reveals that the means of this transforming work is “by the renewing of your mind.”  We are commanded to be “transformed by the renewing of [our] mind.”  This means that we ourselves must involve ourselves in the renewing of our minds.  We ourselves must seek out, and commit ourselves to the things that will make for the renewing of our minds.  What then are the things that will make for the renewing of our minds?  Already in the first two parts of the message, we have considered four answers to this question – (1) We must commit ourselves to the truth of God’s holy Word; (2) we must commit ourselves to put away from us any and all sin; (3) we must commit ourselves to live wholly unto the will of God; and (4) we must commit ourselves to the truth of our new life in Christ.  Now in this second part of the message, let us consider one additional answer to this matter.

Weekly Sermon

This sermon is a companion to five previous sermons:
             Be Not Conformed to This World (Part 1) - Romans 12:2
             Be Not Conformed to This World (Part 2) - Romans 12:2
             Be Not Conformed to This World (Part 3) - Romans 12:2
             Be Not Conformed to This World (Part 4) - Romans 12:2
             Be Not Conformed to This World (Part 5) - Romans 12:2

Romans 12:1-2 reads, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

In Romans 12:1 God the Holy Spirit pleads with us to present ourselves as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God.  Then in verse 2 God the Holy Spirit gives us two commands that we must obey if we are truly to present ourselves to live unto the Lord our God.  The first of these two commands is found in the opening portion of the verse – “And be not conformed to this world.”  The word “conformed” means “to be formed together,” that is – “to be made into the same form, or to be brought into agreement.”  Brethren, we are not to have the same form as this present evil world; and we are not to be in agreement with this present evil world.  We are not to think like this world thinks, feel like this world feels, behave like this world behaves, talk like this world talks, or look like this world looks.  We are not to have the same philosophy, the same priorities, the same purposes, the same desires, the same interests, the same habits, or the activities that this world has.  Brethren, we are not to make our decisions or have our mind set like this world does.  We are to “be not conformed to this world.”

Yet the question might be asked – Why are we not to be conformed to this world, and how important is it to our Christian lives that we not be conformed unto this world?  God’s holy Word reveals a great number of answers to this question.  Already in the first five parts of this message (see above), we have considered ten of these answers.  We are to “be not conformed to this world” –

  1.  Because this world stands opposed to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
  2.  Because this world stands opposed to true Christianity and the true followers of Christ.
  3.  Because this world is willfully without God.
  4.  Because this world is under Satan’s deception.
  5.  Because this world is following Satan’s direction.
  6.  Because this world is evil and wicked by nature.
  7.  Because we have been delivered out of this world. 
  8.  Because we are not of this world, but of the Lord our God. 
  9.  Because we are to be the spiritual light of the world.
10.  Because this world will corrupt our Christian lives.

Weekly Sermon

This sermon is a companion to three previous sermons:  Be Not Conformed to This World (Part 1) - Romans 12:2
                                                                                          Be Not Conformed to This World (Part 2) - Romans 12:2
                                                                                          Be Not Conformed to This World (Part 3) - Romans 12:2

Romans 12:1-2 reads, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

In Romans 12:1 God the Holy Spirit pleads with us to present ourselves as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God.  Then in verse 2 God the Holy Spirit gives us two commands that we must obey if we are truly to present ourselves to live unto the Lord our God.  The first of these two commands is found in the opening portion of the verse – “And be not conformed to this world.”  The word “conformed” means “to be formed together,” that is – “to be made into the same form, or to be brought into agreement.”  Brethren, we are not to have the same form as this present evil world; and we are not to be in agreement with this present evil world.  We are not to think like this world thinks, feel like this world feels, behave like this world behaves, talk like this world talks, or look like this world looks.  We are not to have the same philosophy, the same priorities, the same purposes, the same desires, the same interests, the same habits, or the activities that this world has.  Brethren, we are not to make our decisions or have our mind set like this world does.  We are to “be not conformed to this world.”

Yet the question might be asked – Why are we not to be conformed to this world, and how important is it to our Christian lives that we not be conformed unto this world?  God’s holy Word reveals a great number of answers to this question.  Already in the first three parts of this message (see above), we have considered eight of these answers.  We are to “be not conformed to this world” (1) because this world stands opposed to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, (2) because this world stands opposed to true Christianity and the true followers of Christ, (3) because this world is willfully without God, (4) because this world is under Satan’s deception, (5) because this world is following Satan’s direction, (6) because this world is evil and wicked by nature, (7) because we have been delivered out of this world, and (8) because we are not of this world, but of the Lord our God.

Weekly Sermon

This sermon is a companion to two previous sermons:  Be Not Conformed to This World (Part 1) - Romans 12:2
                                                                                      Be Not Conformed to This World (Part 2) - Romans 12:2

Romans 12:1-2 reads, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

In Romans 12:1 God the Holy Spirit pleads with us to present ourselves as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God.  Then in verse 2 God the Holy Spirit gives us two commands that we must obey if we are truly to present ourselves to live unto the Lord our God.  The first of these two commands is found in the opening portion of the verse – “And be not conformed to this world.”  The word “conformed” means “to be formed together,” that is – “to be made into the same form, or to be brought into agreement.”  Brethren, we are not to have the same form as this present evil world; and we are not to be in agreement with this present evil world.  We are not to think like this world thinks, feel like this world feels, behave like this world behaves, talk like this world talks, or look like this world looks.  We are not to have the same philosophy, the same priorities, the same purposes, the same desires, the same interests, the same habits, or the activities that this world has.  Brethren, we are not to make our decisions or have our mind set like this world does.  We are to “be not conformed to this world.”

Yet the question might be asked – Why are we not to be conformed to this world, and how important is it to our Christian lives that we not be conformed unto this world?  God’s holy Word reveals a great number of answers to this question.  Already in the first two parts of this message (see above), we have considered six of these answers.  We are to “be not conformed to this world” (1) because this world stands opposed to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, (2) because this world stands opposed to true Christianity and the true followers of Christ, (3) because this world is willfully without God, (4) because this world is under Satan’s deception, (5) because this world is following Satan’s direction, and (6) because this world is evil and wicked by nature.

Weekly Sermon

This sermon is a companion to a previous sermon:  Be Not Conformed to This World (Part 1) - Romans 12:2    

Romans 12:1-2 reads, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

In Romans 12:1 God the Holy Spirit pleads with us to present ourselves as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto the Lord our God.  Then in verse 2 God the Holy Spirit gives us two commands that we must obey if we are truly to present ourselves to live unto the Lord our God.  This first of these two commands is found in the opening portion of the verse – “And be not conformed to this world.”  The word “conformed” means “to be formed together,” that is – “to be made into the same form, or to be brought into agreement.”  Brethren, we are not to have the same form as this present evil world; and we are not to be in agreement with this present evil world.  We are not to think like this world thinks, feel like this world feels, behave like this world behaves, talk like this world talks, or look like this world looks.  We are not to have the same philosophy, the same priorities, the same purposes, the same desires, the same interests, the same habits, or the same activities that this world has.  Brethren, we are not to make our decisions or have our mind set like this world does.  We are to “be not conformed to this world.”

Yet the question might be asked – Why are we not to be conformed to this world, and how important is it to our Christian lives that we not be conformed unto this world”?  God’s Holy Word reveals a great number of answers to this question.  Already in the first part of the message, we have considered three of these answers.  We are to “be not conformed to this world” (1) because this world stands opposed to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, (2) because this world stands opposed to true Christianity and the true followers of Christ, and (3) because this world is willfully without God.

Meditations in Exodus

Exodus 2:11 reads, “And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out unto his brethren, and looked on their burdens: and he spied an Egyptian smiting an Hebrew, one of his brethren.”

Furthermore, Hebrews 11:24-26 declares, “By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.”

Finally, in Acts 7:21-23 Stephen gave the report, “And when he was cast out, Pharaoh’s daughter took him up, and nourished him for her own son. And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds.  And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel.”

These three passages of Scripture speak concerning a choice that Moses made when he was forty years old.  He had been adopted by Pharaoh’s own daughter and had been raised in the palace as her own son.  He had all the privileges of world available to him.  Yet he chose “to visit his brethren the children of Israel,” viewing the children of Israel truly as his own people.  Indeed, “he went out unto his brethren,” the children of Israel, in order to look upon their burdens, having a desire to determine what he might do to deliver them from those burdens (See Acts 7:25).  Yea, as Hebrews 11:24-26 reveals, He chose “rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt.”

Weekly Sermon

This sermon is a companion to previous sermons:   By the Mercies of God - Romans 12:1
                                                                                  I Beseech You Therefore, Brethren - Romans 12:1-2
                                                                                  A Living Sacrifice - Romans 12:1

Romans 12:1-2 reads, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

In Romans 12:1 God the Holy Spirit pleads with us to present ourselves as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto the Lord our God.  Then in verse 2 God the Holy Spirit gives us two commands that we must obey if we are truly to present ourselves to live unto the Lord our God.  The first of these two commands is found in the opening portion of the verse – “And be not conformed to this world.”  The word “conformed” means “to be formed together,” that is – “to be made into the same form, or to be brought into agreement.”  Brethren as God’s people we are not to have the same form as this present evil world; and we are not to be in agreement with this present evil world.  We are not to think like this world thinks.  We are not to feel like this world feels.  We are not to behave like this world behaves.  We are not to talk like this world talks.  We are not to look like this world looks.  We are not to have the same philosophies that this world has.  We are not to have the same priorities that this world has.  We are not to have the same purposes that this world has.  We are not have the same desires and interests that this world has.  We are not to have the same habits and activities that this world has.  We are not to make our decisions like this world does.  We are not to be conformed unto this world.

Yet the question might be asked – Why are we not to be conformed to this world, and how important is it to our Christian lives that we not be conformed unto this world”?  God’s Holy Word reveals a great number of answers to this question, and these answers from God’s holy Word are worthy of our notice.  Let us then begin to consider them.