I. EXORDIUM:
Have you seen the Pope? Have you walked side by side with the Pope?
II. AUDIENCE PROFILE:
General religious people
III. OBJECTIVES:
To show what Religiousity is all about from the Bible.
IV. TEXT: James 1:27
Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit orphans and widows in their afflictions, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.
V. THESIS: One Pure Religion in the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ.
VI. TITLE:
RELIGIOUS PERSON
VII. EXPLICATION:
A. Author: James, the brother of Jesus (Matthew 13:55, Mark 6:3)
Matthew 13:55 Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? And his brothers, James and Joses and Simon and Judas,
Mark 6:3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at Him.
James, became a believer after resurrection. (Acts 1:14, 1 Corinthians 15:7, Galatians 1:19)
Acts 1:14 these all were continuing with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.
1 Corinthians 15:7 Afterward He was seen by James, then by all the apostles.
Galatians 1:19 But I saw no other of the apostles, except James the Lord's brother.
B. Date of Writing: Considered as oldest book in the New Testament. - Around 45 A.D.
C. Purpose of Writing: To build up faith of Jewish Christians scattered around all nations, more on practical applications.
D. Theme: Description of relationship between faith and works.
VIII. MAIN BODY:
A. Characteristics of a Religious Person:
1. Pleasing To God
2. Helps Orphans
3. Helps widows in their poverty
4. Takes care of self to not be polluted in the sins of this world.
IX. CONCLUSION:
Challenge them to accept the pure religion that Jesus is offering (Acts 4:12, John 14:6)
Acts 4:12 And there is salvation in no other One; for there is no other name under Heaven given among men by which we must be saved.
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father but by Me.
