(Section 3 ) The Perfect Man- James The Servant- The Mature Christian Series

THE PERFECT MAN AND SERVICE

Introduction: The practice of cliquishness is destroying the individual Christian and in turn,

his church. Somehow the Christian church has borrowed the "clique concept" from the world

and it is eating her alive. When people associate only in a small and exclusive coterie, they

alienate and severely damage others who are not part of that set.

The purpose of this lesson is to change cliquishness to that of Christian concern in

the welfare of others. Cliques must be unveiled so that each class member knows exactly

what it is --- a disease! (Roy R. Roberts pg.48)

I. The Problem of Prejudice

Society has its problems with prejudice, And, God help us, prejudice permeates

even the Christian church. ( R. R. R.)

Respect of persons is the N. T. phrase for undo and unfair partiality; respect of persons

means truckling or pandering or paying special attention to someone, because he is a

rich or influential or powerful or popular person. (William Barclay pg 73)

Almost every church has its cliques, and often, new Christians find it difficult

to get in. (W. W. pg 64)

Definition: 4382 respect to persons

The fault of one who when called on to give judgement has respect of the outward

circumstances of man and not to their intrinsic merits, and so prefers, , as the more

worthy, one who is rich, high born, and so powerful, to another man who does not

have these qualities

The Mature Christian ( The Perfect Man)

1. Receives the WORD

a. Swift to Hear (Hear * in NT = 566X ; Hear in NT = 130x)

Romans 10:17 Faith cometh by hearing

Eccl. 5: 1-7 A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of

death than the day of one's birth.

2It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of

feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.

3Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is

made better. 4The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart

of fools is in the house of mirth. 5It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than

for a man to hear the song of fools. 6For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so

is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity.

7Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart.

Mt. 13:9 Ears to hear; what the Spirit says to you during your trial.

Remember definition of Temptation --- adversity, affliction, trouble:

Sent by God and serving to test or prove one's character, faith, or holiness.)

b. Slow to Speak (Speak* in NT = 200x; Speak in NT = 150x)

Prov 10:19 Prov 13:3 Prov. 17:27-28 Prov 18:21 ---

The Christian should not be swift to speak and complain when trials come.

When you Speak: Titus 2:1 Speak sound doctrine

1Tim 2:7 Speak the truth (Eph 4:25)

c. 1 Tim Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth

in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.

Ephesians Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour:

for we are members one of another.

. Slow to Wrath --- Don't Fly Off the Handle

Wrath is a work of the Flesh --- Gal 5:19-20

Wrath is by nature --- Eph 2:3

Put off wrath because it worketh not the righteousness of God Eph 4:31

Pray without wrath --- 1Tim 2:8

God can not work in your life if you react with wrath--- Remember James 1:4

let patience have her perfect work

Wisdom from above is gentle James 3:17--- James 1:5 ask of God

d. The Mature Christian Has a Teachable Spirit (v21)

Casting off darkness --- Rom 13:12

Putting off former things --- Eph 4:22 (Filthiness of the flesh)

Superfluity (Defined)

Receive the WORD---Too often we have the wrong attitude toward the

Word as well as toward those who teach it, thus showing our own failure to deny self.

Lehman Straus pg 61

The sad condition of the church is the tragedy of its castaways, men and

women who are failing in the matter of self-discipline. Many Christians

are in real peril of failing to fulfil the purpose in their high calling and

thereby stand in jeopardy of being disapproved when our Lord will reward

His faithful servants. Those who stand the test in that day will be the

and women whose lives brought forth the sweet, pure fruit of the

engrafted WORD.

2. The Mature Christian Practices the Word

a. Be ye doers--- Many there are in our churches who read the Bible, respect the Bible,