Fatal Deception: Are We Kidding (Part 1) Ourselves to Death? James 1:21-27

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1 Fatal Deception: Are We Kidding (Part 1) Ourselves to Death? James 1:21-27 Introduction: The story I am about to tell you is true. There is no intention to be ethnically insensitive or make stereotypical comments about regions of our country. The story is offensive, but extremely instructive and revealing for our learning purposes today. Deceive: An illusion, fraud, trickery, to be ensnared, seduced, to counterfeit, to lie to fool someone so completely that what is false is accepted to be true. (Webster s New World Dictionary) 1

2 Fatal Deception: Are We Kidding (Part 1) Ourselves to Death? James 1:21-27 God s Antidote to Spiritual Deception: James 1: Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the Word planted in you, which can save you. 22 Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the Word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it-he will be blessed in what he does. 26 If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. 2

3 Fatal Deception: Are We Kidding (Part 1) Ourselves to Death? James 1:21-27 Step 1 We must receive the truth objectively James 1:21 Step 2 We must respond to the truth practically The Command = Be doers of the Word James 1:22 The Illustration = Look in the mirror James 1:23-25 The Application = Are you deceived? (3 Tests) James 1:

4 Fatal Deception: Are We Kidding (Part 1) Ourselves to Death? James 1:21-27 A Game Plan for Doers: 1. Determine a regular time, place, and book of the Bible to begin reading/studying. 2. Set aside twenty minutes. 3. Use the 2 PROAPT Method to apply God s Word to your life this week. Discussion Questions: 1. Why is deception so dangerous to our spiritual lives? 2. What aspect of this message really hit home with you? Why? 3. Read verse 21 out loud and discuss its implications for your heart to be a fertile and objective place where God s Word can grow. 4. What does it mean to be a doer of God s Word? In what ways do you see yourself as a doer of the Word? In what ways are you much more a hearer than a doer of the truth? Is there a specific area the Holy Spirit convicted you of with regard to applying God s truth in your life? How will you do that? 5. Discuss the three tests of the spiritually deceived described in verses What does your report card look like in these areas? 6. STOP! Read the last part of verse 25! Why does God want you to apply and practice the truth you know? Whose interest and good does He have in mind? 4

5 Fatal Perception: Confronting the (Part 2) Prejudice in All of Us James 2:1-13 Major Concept: Those with a genuine faith value people for who they are, not for what they have. 1

6 Fatal Perception: Confronting the (Part 2) Prejudice in All of Us James 2:1-13 James 2: My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism. 2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. 3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, "Here's a good seat for you," but say to the poor man, "You stand there" or "Sit on the floor by my feet," 4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? 5 Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love Him? 6 But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of Him to whom you belong? 8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing right. 9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. 11 For He who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not murder." If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker. 12 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment! 2

7 Fatal Perception: Confronting the (Part 2) Prejudice in All of Us James 2:1-13 The Context: James 1:27 The pure and faultless worship God desires involves remaining unpolluted from the world system. The Command: James 2:1 Don t play favorites! The Illustration: James 2:2-4 A hypothetical scenario (rich & poor) The Explanation: James 2:5-11 Three reasons why discrimination and Christianity are totally incompatible! #1 It s inconsistent with God s character James 2:5 #2 It s inconsistent with sound logic James 2:6 7 #3 It s inconsistent with Scripture James 2:8-11 The Application: James 2:12-13 An appeal and a warning 3

8 Fatal Perception: Confronting the (Part 2) Prejudice in All of Us James 2:1-13 Application/Discussion Questions: 1. What are some common areas of prejudice in our day? As a group, list 6 8 of them. 2. Have you ever been on the receiving end of discrimination? Briefly describe the situation. How did it make you feel? 3. Why is it so critical for prejudice to be a non-factor in the life of the church of Jesus Christ? Give Biblical, personal, and practical reasons for your answer. 4. What type or group of people do you tend to be most prejudiced for or against? How does this impact how you do or don t show Christ s love to them? 5. As a group, develop a Biblical response (practical steps) to overcome your particular issues with prejudice: i.e. The next time I become aware that critical thoughts and prejudice are occurring, I will... 4

9 Uncovering Counterfeit Christianity (Part 3) Fatal Assumptions: Exposing the Myths of Being Born Again James 2:14-26 Religion in America: Kenneth Woodward - Newsweek Religion: Are you a believer? Provocative new surveys reveal a nation where most claim to be religious but few take their faith seriously. Measure of Religious Commitment Committed 19% Secular 30% Modestly Religious 22% Nominally Religious 29% Source: Ray C. Bliss Institute, The University of Akron Implications: How do you know if you re really born-again? Matthew 7:

10 Uncovering Counterfeit Christianity (Part 3) Fatal Assumptions: Exposing the Myths of Being Born Again James 2:14-26 James 2: What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? 15 Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 18 But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that - and shudder. 20 You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? 21 Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God's friend. 24 You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone. 25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. The Issue: What kind of faith saves a person? James 2:14 2

11 Uncovering Counterfeit Christianity (Part 3) Fatal Assumptions: Exposing the Myths of Being Born Again James 2:14-26 Myth #1: James 2:15-17 I know my faith is real because I emotionally feel it! Illustration: Sincerity and emotion without action. James 2:15-16 Conclusion: Sincerity + Emotion Action = fatal assumption. James 2:17 Myth #2: I know my faith is real because I intellectually believe it! James 2:18-20 An objector s defense. James 2:18a James rebuttal. James 2:18b-20 Conclusion: Accurate Knowledge + Emotion Action = fatal assumption. The Truth: Genuine faith always produces a changed life. James 2:21-26 Exhibit A = Abraham James 2:21-24 Exhibit B = Rahab James 2:25 Summary Illustration James 2:26 3

12 Uncovering Counterfeit Christianity (Part 3) Fatal Assumptions: Exposing the Myths of Being Born Again James 2:14-26 Theological Backdrop: Who is right James or Paul? James Focus Paul s Focus Vindication FAITH Justification Fruit of Salvation FOCUS Root of Salvation Laxity PROBLEM Legalism To Demonstrate WORKS To Merit God s Favor God s Grace 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, that no one should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:8-10 (NAS) Discussion Questions: 1. What is the major thesis of James argument in this passage? Read verses 14, 17, 20, and 26 out loud in your group. 2. What two myths does James expose as being counterfeit faiths and unable to bring about salvation (spiritual new birth)? Give examples of how you have seen these two myths play out in our day and in your life and relationships. 3. Why do you think James used Abraham and Rahab to illustrate what genuine faith looks like in real life? What did they have in common? What differences were there? 4. Discuss the Niagara Falls illustration as it relates to the truth of this message. How does it help clarify what is meant in Scripture by faith? Have you ever gotten in the wheelbarrow? 4

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