This sermon explores the importance of avoiding hypocrisy, embracing humility, and respecting God's holiness as guided by James 4:11-12.
Good morning, beloved family of God! I am so delighted to be here with you today, standing on this sacred platform, sharing in the joy of the Lord that binds us together in unity and love. There is no place I would rather be than in this sanctuary, in this moment, with each one of you.
Our gathering here today is not just a mere meeting, it's a divine appointment. We are here to lean in, to listen, and to learn from the timeless truths of God's Word. The Bible isn't a dusty, ancient book; it is the living, breathing Word of God, as relevant today as it was when it was first penned.
Today, we will be turning our hearts and minds to the book of James, specifically James 4:11-12. As you flip through your Bibles, let me read these verses aloud: "Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?"
In the words of James, we are reminded of the importance of refraining from speaking ill of one another. This is a call to stop the act of hypocrisy. It's a common human tendency to look at the faults of others while ignoring our own. We often find it easier to point out the speck in our brother's eye while ignoring the log in our own. This is the very essence of hypocrisy that James warns us against.
The act of speaking evil against one another is not just harmful to our relationships, but it's also a direct violation of God's law. When we judge others, we are essentially setting ourselves up as the lawgiver, a role that belongs only to God. This is a dangerous position to be in, for it elevates us to a place we were never meant to occupy.
The act of judging others also reveals a lack of understanding of our own position before God. We are all sinners, saved by grace. None of us are perfect, and we all fall short of the glory of God. When we judge others, we are forgetting our own need for grace and mercy. We are forgetting that we too are in need of forgiveness.
Speaking evil against one another also disrupts the unity of the body of Christ. As believers, we are called to love one another, to bear with each other, and to forgive each other. When we speak ill of our brothers and sisters, we are causing division and discord within the body of Christ. This is not what God desires for His church.
Finally, judging others takes our focus away from where it should be - on God. When we are busy judging others, we are not focusing on God and His will for our lives. We are not seeking His kingdom and His righteousness. Instead, we are focusing on the faults and failures of others. This is not what God has called us to do.
Transition. James' call to halt hypocrisy is a call to love, unity, humility, and focus on God. It's a call to remember our own need for grace and mercy, and to extend that same grace and mercy to others. It's a call to build up the body of Christ, not tear it down. And most importantly, it's a call to keep our focus on God, the only true lawgiver and judge.
Humility, a virtue often overlooked, is a key element in our walk with God ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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