Blessed in What He Does

Text: James 1:21-25

 

I.         Sin is the breaking of law - I John 3:4

            A.        Sin is universally found in mankind - Romans 5:12

            B.        Thus, we cannot be surprised that rebellion (going against authority) is also widespread

            C.        Obedience then is submitting to authority. It is subjecting your will to the will of God

II.        Rebellion

            A.        Listening to the wrong people

                        1.         Eve listened to what Satan said - Genesis 3:4-6

                                    a.         They lost their innocence and tried to hide from God in their guilt and shame - Genesis 3:7-8

                        2.         Saul listened to the people

                                    a.         Saul was commanded to destroy the Amalekites - I Samuel 15:3

                                    b.         But Saul kept their king, Agag, alive - I Samuel 15:15

                                    c.         It was what the people wanted according to Saul - I Samuel 15:19-21

                                    d.         But in listening, Saul rebelled - I Samuel 15:22-23

                        3.         Aaron heeded the people - Exodus 32:1-6

                                    a.         It may have been popular but it was opposed to the will of God

                        4.         Pilate is another example - Matthew 27:22

            B.        Doing with the wrong motives

                        1.         If you don’t have love, it is without profit - I Corinthians 13:3

                        2.         Love is why we keep the commands - John 14:15

            C.        How is it that we laws allowing drinking, drug use, fornication, divorce for any cause, abortion, etc?

                        1.         Because sin is popular with the people

                        2.         Why is it that we seem to move from bad to worse morally? Because people are motivated by money - I Timothy 6:9-10

            D.        Following your conscience

                        1.         Paul sincerely thought that he was doing right by persecuting the church - Acts 9:1-2

                                    a.         Yet, he lived with a good conscience - Acts 23:1; 24:16

                                    b.         Paul thought he should work against Christ - Acts 26:9-10

                        2.         “It feels right to me”

                                    a.         Then you place your own feelings above what God has said

                                    b.         What you may think may be wrong - Proverbs 14:12

                        3.         Man cannot direct his own way - Jeremiah 10:23

            E.        Calling your actions religious - Matthew 7:21-23

                        1.         How many people live in rebellion against God, but call themselves “Christians?” - Luke 6:46

                        2.         It is what Saul had done. His rebellion was all right because they were going to use it for sacrifice

III.       Submission

            A.        We are only saved because God graciously offers us salvation

                        1.         Our works were works of rebellion - Ephesians 2:1-3

                        2.         But God decided to save us - Ephesians 2:4-9

                        3.         Thus, we are restored to our true purpose - Ephesians 2:10

            B.        God’s grace teaches us - Titus 2:11-14

            C.        The message is that we must submit to the will of God - Romans 6:17-18

            D.        We have to obey the truth - I Peter 1:22-23

            E.        We cannot obey without listening to Christ - Acts 3:22-23

                        1.         We have to look to Christ - Hebrews 12:2

IV.      The result are blessings

            A.        Blessed are those who keep the commandments Revelation 22:14

            B.        Why? Because God’s laws are for our good - Deuteronomy 10:12-13

            C.        Following God produces happiness - Psalms 128:1-4

            D.        By carefully listening and applying God’s law, we become blessed - James 1:25

                        1.         You are blessed if you do these things - John 13:15-17

                        2.         As Jesus said - Luke 11:27-28

V.        The example of the Philippians

            A.        They always obeyed - Philippians 2:12

                        1.         Yet, they were commanded to work their own salvation

                        2.         The attitude of submission is shown by fear and trembling

            B.        God wants them to desire to work for Him - Philippians 2:13

            C.        Without grumbling or complaints - Philippians 2:14

            D.        What are they to do? Shine as lights - Philippians 2:15-16

            E.        This will bring joy to Paul - Philippians 2:17

            F.        This will bring joy to the Philippians 2:18

            G.        Are you blessed because you are obeying the Lord?