\n\t\t\t\t\t\tDownload Audio\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\tText: James 1:22-27<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
I. Suppose we took a vote on the practices we are to preform. How would it go?<\/p>\n A. Obviously, the commandments of our Lord and Savior cannot be voted upon. We\nare required to follow them. But what if we did vote on them? How would the\nvote go?\n
B. Somewhere in Texas, some elders did poll their congregation.<\/p>\n
1. Should the church sing during worship?<\/p>\n
a. For: 90 %<\/p>\n
b. Against: 10%<\/p>\n
2. Should the church partake of the communion weekly?<\/p>\n
a. For: 78%<\/p>\n
b. Against: 22%<\/p>\n
3. Should the church worship on Sunday evening?<\/p>\n
a. For: 49%<\/p>\n
b. Against: 51%<\/p>\n
4. Should Christians attend Wednesday Bible class?<\/p>\n
a. For: 39%<\/p>\n
b. Against: 61%<\/p>\n
5. Should Christians give generously to the Lord?<\/p>\n
a. For: 20%<\/p>\n
b. Against: 80%<\/p>\n
6. Should Christians visit the sick in the hospitals?<\/p>\n
a. For: 15%<\/p>\n
b. Against: 85%<\/p>\n
7. Should Christians visit those in nursing homes?<\/p>\n
a. For: 12%<\/p>\n
b. Against: 88%<\/p>\n C. It sounds like these elders have their work laid out for them. What would such a\npoll look like here? Much better?\n D. Oh, I neglected to tell you how this poll was taken. The members were not asked\ntheir opinions on these matters. Nor were they asked what the Bible taught on\nthese matters. The elders conducted their poll by counting who actually did these\nthings.\n 1. If a person sang, that was a vote for. If they sat quietly, that was a vote\nagainst.\n 2. If they came to the service, that was a vote for. If they stayed away, that\nwas a vote against.\n E. Do you think our numbers would still look as good if we count only the things\neach of us did?\n
II. Too many people talk a good religion, but they don’t practice it<\/p>\n A. This is what James was pointing out. Listening to what we need to do and\nactually putting it into practice is often different – but it should not be.\n
B. Jesus illustrated this at the end of his sermon on the Mount – Matthew 7:21-27<\/p>\n
C. Nehemiah 9:34-35 – Even when God is generous, people don’t serve Him.<\/p>\n D. Luke 12:42-48 – Notice the most severe punishment comes on the one who knows\nthe master’s will, but then doesn’t do it.\n
E. Romans 2:13 – It is the doers, not the hearers who are justified.<\/p>\n
F. James 2:14 – Faith without works will not save a person.<\/p>\n
G. Don’t pass up the warning – Hebrews 12:25<\/p>\n
III. There are no end to the reasons people fail to do what they know they should<\/p>\n A. Plain neglect – they put it aside for other things, which seem more important at the\ntime.\n
1. James 4:17 – Know to do right, but fail to do it, it is a sin.<\/p>\n 2. Israel had that problem. They rather pursue the sensual and the profit. \nEzekiel 33:31\n
3. Jeremiah 48:10 – Cursed is anyone who neglects the Lord’s work<\/p>\n 4. And it is not just serving God by worship, but it is also the things we\nshould be doing for our fellow men – Proverbs 21:13; James 2:15-17\n
B. Some just assume someone else will handle it<\/p>\n
1. Numbers 32:6 – Should your brothers go to war and you sit here?<\/p>\n 2. I could ask you the same question. We are at war with Satan. His\ninfluence is showing gaining strength in our society. Some are fighting the\ngood fight. Should your brothers go to war while you sit here?\n
C. Others are just plain lazy. They will only do what is convenient.<\/p>\n 1. II Chronicles 24:5 – God’s temple needed repair. The Levites were sent\nout to gather funds, but they took their time. They didn’t find urgency in\nworking for the Lord.\n 2. II Chronicles 25:2 – The king was similar. Amaziah did what was right,\nbut not with his whole heart.\n
3. There is always tomorrow. We can put things off. <\/p>\n a. I really need to talk with my neighbor about Christ, perhaps\ntomorrow, if I get a chance. – Somehow the chance never comes.\n b. I should go and visit Sister so-and-so in the hospital, but I’m so\nbusy today, perhaps tomorrow I’ll have time.\n
c. If something is important to us, we will make time.<\/p>\n
D. Others are just careless in their service<\/p>\n
1. Like Jehu – II Kings 10:31 – He did things, but not everything.<\/p>\n
2. People like that work against God – Ezekiel 34:1-6<\/p>\n
3. [Sing “Don’t Scatter the Sheep”]<\/p>\n
4. God expects careful work from His servants.<\/p>\n
IV. I Met the Strangest Man<\/p>\n
A. He said he believes the Bible is the Word of God, but he never reads it.<\/p>\n B. He said the church would be more effective if more of its members were really\ndedicated, but he isn’t.\n C. He said he knows that church assemblies are times for edification and praise, but\nhe rarely attends.\n D. He said the younger generation needs stronger spiritual values and more visible\nspiritual leadership from adults, but he shows no spiritual values in his life and\nwon’t get involved with the young folk.\n E. He complained that the local church is not doing the work the Lord intended it to\ndo, but he refuses to help in any way.\n
F. He said he believes that God hears and answers prayers, but he does not pray.<\/p>\n G. He said he knows the Lord is coming again, but he lives as if the world will never\nend.\n
H. He was a strange man indeed, but he was not alone.<\/p>\nV. In the end, come judgment, the Lord will separate the righteous from the wicked –\nMatthew 25:31-46\n
A. Will you be on the right hand or the left?<\/p>\n
B. Will you do the Lord’s work with earnestness and purpose?<\/p>\n\t
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/HowTheChurchVoted.jpg\")
<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Download Audio Text: James 1:22-27 I. Suppose we took a vote on the practices we are to preform. How would it go? A. Obviously, the commandments of our Lord and Savior cannot be voted upon. We are required to follow them. But what if we did vote on them? How would the…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[119,32],"tags":[511,54],"class_list":["post-62220","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-audio","category-sermon","tag-apathy","tag-obedience"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":16347,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/how-do-i-decide-who-to-vote-for\/","url_meta":{"origin":62220,"position":0},"title":"How do I decide who to vote for?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"September 12, 2008","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: My question has to do with voting. Since I am able to vote, are there any Bible verses for which I can turn to for deciding who to vote for?\u00a0 It is important for me to select the best candidate for running this country. Thanks! Answer: Christians ought to\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":25643,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/should-a-christian-vote\/","url_meta":{"origin":62220,"position":1},"title":"Should a Christian Vote?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"November 1, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Matthew 5:13-16 \u00a0 I.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0David Lipscomb was a famous preacher from the late 1800's and early 1900's \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0He wasn\u2019t an apostle. He wasn\u2019t inspired. But he was a knowledgeable man, and his words carried a lot of weight. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0B.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0He taught that it was a sin for\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Audio"","block_context":{"text":"Audio","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/audio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":18002,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/any-suggestions-on-how-to-combat-a-proposal-to-ordain-homosexuals-in-the-elca\/","url_meta":{"origin":62220,"position":2},"title":"Any suggestions on how to combat a proposal to ordain homosexuals in the ELCA?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"February 25, 2009","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: Thank you so much for your web site. The ELCA is presenting a policy for a General Assembly vote in August to approve the ordination of same-sex cohabiting individuals. I am a documentary producer and have offered my services to oppose the approval of this proposal. Have you any\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":66597,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/should-we-follow-the-majority\/","url_meta":{"origin":62220,"position":3},"title":"Should We Follow the Majority?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"February 15, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"by Jefferson David Tant The title presents an interesting question. Following the majority is a common practice in our everyday lives. When elections are held, whether for the President of the United States or for our High School Student Body President, the \"majority\" always wins. In a presidential election, I\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":20766,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/majority-versus-elder-rule\/","url_meta":{"origin":62220,"position":4},"title":"Majority Versus Elder Rule","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"March 6, 2009","format":false,"excerpt":"by James R. Cope in\u00a0The Preceptor, Vol. 1, No. 5, March 1952. To Bible students and faithful Christians majority vote and rule in the church of Christ are as foreign to the Bible's teaching on church government as Russia is foreign to a democracy. The majority vote always means an\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":63790,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/willing-to-do-his-will\/","url_meta":{"origin":62220,"position":5},"title":"Willing to Do His Will","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"December 7, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Download Audio Text: John 7:14-24 \u00a0 I.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Two students enter a classroom. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0One is excited about the prospect of learning this subject. Though he hasn\u2019t started yet, he has plans on how he is going to put this knowledge to use in his life. He knows it\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Audio"","block_context":{"text":"Audio","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/audio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/62220","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=62220"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/62220\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=62220"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=62220"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=62220"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}