Saturday, April 5, 2025

Sermon: Keeping Yourself Unspotted from the World

(For Mature Christians Living Like Gentiles)

Text: "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this: To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world." (James 1:27, KJV)

Introduction

Many Christians today claim maturity in faith yet live no differently from the world. They indulge in the same sins, entertain the same lusts, and chase the same empty pursuits as unbelievers. James warns us that true religion is not just about words or rituals—it’s about holiness, separation, and practical righteousness.

1. The Danger of Worldly Assimilation

"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." (1 John 2:15)

Many "mature" Christians blend in with the world:
- Same entertainment (vulgar movies, ungodly music)
- Same greed (materialism, covetousness)
- Same speech (crude jokes, gossip, complaining)
- Same priorities (career over Christ, comfort over conviction)
Question: If your life was examined without your testimony, would anyone know you belong to Christ?

2. The Call to Separation

"Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing." (2 Corinthians 6:17)

Holiness is not legalism—it’s love for Jesus.
Separation is not isolation—it’s refusing to conform (Romans 12:2).
We are in the world, but not of it (John 17:14-16).
Example: Lot "vexed his righteous soul" by living in Sodom (2 Peter 2:7-8). Are you grieving the Spirit by what you tolerate?

3. Practical Steps to Remain Unspotted

A. Guard Your Heart

"Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." (Proverbs 4:23)

What you watch, listen to, and dwell on shapes you.

B. Renew Your Mind Daily

"Be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." (Romans 12:2)

Scripture, prayer, and fellowship keep you sharp.

C. Walk in the Spirit

"Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh." (Galatians 5:16)

The flesh craves sin; the Spirit craves holiness.

D. Be Accountable

"Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend." (Proverbs 27:17)

Find godly believers who will challenge you.

Conclusion: A Wake-Up Call

Many Christians are asleep, thinking they are "mature" while living like the world. But judgment begins at the house of God (1 Peter 4:17).

Examine yourself (2 Corinthians 13:5).
Repent where you’ve compromised.
Decide today: Will you serve God or the world?

"Choose you this day whom ye will serve… but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." (Joshua 24:15)

Prayer: Lord, expose any area where I’ve blended in with the world. Give me a heart that loves You more than sin, more than comfort, more than approval. Set me apart for Your glory. Amen.

Would you like any additional Scriptures or applications tailored to a specific area of struggle?

How "Mature" Christians Live Like the World (With Examples)

Many believers today claim to be spiritually mature but show little difference from unbelievers in their daily lives. Jesus said, "By their fruits you will know them" (Matthew 7:16), yet many professing Christians bear the same fruit as the world. Here are clear examples of how believers act just like everyone else:

1. In Their Entertainment Choices

Worldly Behavior:

Watching movies/TV shows filled with profanity, sexual immorality, and glorified sin (e.g., Game of Thrones, vulgar comedies, horror films obsessed with darkness).
Listening to ungodly music (explicit rap, pop songs promoting lust, rebellion, and materialism).
Binge-watching Netflix instead of spending time in prayer or Scripture.

Biblical Response:

"I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes." (Psalm 101:3)
"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest… think on these things." (Philippians 4:8)

Question: Would Jesus watch what you’re watching? Would the Holy Spirit feel comfortable in your entertainment choices?

2. In Their Speech

Worldly Behavior:

Cursing (using the same foul language as unbelievers, just "softer" versions).
Gossiping (disguised as "prayer requests" or "venting").
Sarcasm, crude jokes, and mocking (Ephesians 5:4 warns against "foolish talking").
Complaining (just like the world, instead of giving thanks in all things—1 Thessalonians 5:18).

Biblical Response:

"Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying." (Ephesians 4:29)
"If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue… this man's religion is vain." (James 1:26)

Example: A Christian who says, "Praise the Lord on Sunday" but spends Monday gossiping about coworkers.

3. In Their Relationships & Sexual Conduct

Worldly Behavior:

Dating like unbelievers (sleeping together before marriage, moving in together, flirting with temptation).
Marriages full of strife, unforgiveness, and divorce (just like the world).
Indulging in pornography (while pretending to be godly).
Lusting on social media (double-tapping sensual posts, fantasizing).

Biblical Response:

"Flee fornication." (1 Corinthians 6:18)
"Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge." (Hebrews 13:4)

Example: A Christian couple living together before marriage, saying, "We’re saving sex for marriage," yet sleeping in the same bed, fueling temptation.

4. In Their Priorities (Money, Career, Comfort)

Worldly Behavior:

Chasing wealth (working 60+ hours a week, neglecting family and church).
Living in debt (overspending on luxury to impress others).
No time for God (too busy for prayer, Bible study, or serving).
Fear of man (caring more about social media likes than God’s approval).

Biblical Response:

"No man can serve two masters… Ye cannot serve God and mammon." (Matthew 6:24)
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness." (Matthew 6:33)

Example: A Christian who tithes but spends recklessly on vacations, cars, and designer clothes—just like the world.

5. In Their Lack of Spiritual Hunger

Worldly Behavior:

No prayer life (only prays at meals or in emergencies).
Bible is dusty (knows more about sports/news than Scripture).
No burden for souls (never shares the Gospel).
No discernment (accepts every worldly trend—yoga, astrology, secular psychology).

Biblical Response:

"As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby." (1 Peter 2:2)
"Pray without ceasing." (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

Example: A Christian who posts motivational quotes online but never quotes Scripture.

Conclusion: Time for Self-Examination

"Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith." (2 Corinthians 13:5)

If you blend in with the world, repent.
If you love what God hates, confess.
If you’ve grown lukewarm, return to your first love (Revelation 2:4-5).

True maturity is Christlikeness—not comfort in compromise.

Would you like specific Scriptures for repentance in any of these areas?

Biblical Repentance: Turning Away from Worldly Compromise

If you recognize yourself in any of these areas, true repentance is needed. Repentance isn’t just feeling guilty—it’s a change of mind that leads to a change of action. Here’s how to repent biblically in each area:

1. Repentance for Ungodly Entertainment

Key Verse:
"Abstain from all appearance of evil." (1 Thessalonians 5:22)

Action Steps:

Delete ungodly movies, shows, or music from your devices.
Replace them with edifying content (e.g., sermons, worship music, Christian films).
Pray: "Lord, purify my eyes and ears. Help me hate what You hate."

Warning: "The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light." (Matthew 6:22)

2. Repentance for Corrupt Speech

Key Verse:
"Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but only what is good for necessary edification." (Ephesians 4:29)

Action Steps:

Confess any gossip, cursing, or crude jokes to God.
Ask forgiveness from those you’ve hurt with your words.
Practice speaking life (Proverbs 18:21).

Warning: "By your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." (Matthew 12:37)

3. Repentance for Sexual Sin & Impure Relationships

Key Verse:
"Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body." (1 Corinthians 6:18)

Action Steps:

Break off ungodly relationships (2 Corinthians 6:14).
Set strict boundaries (no sleeping over, no private alone time if tempted).
Seek accountability (Proverbs 27:17).

Warning: "For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality." (1 Thessalonians 4:3)

4. Repentance for Materialism & Wrong Priorities

Key Verse:
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth… but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven." (Matthew 6:19-20)

Action Steps:

Give generously (start tithing if you don’t—Malachi 3:10).
Cut unnecessary expenses (live simply to invest in eternity).
Fast from distractions (social media, shopping, etc.) to seek God.

Warning: "For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?" (Matthew 16:26)

5. Repentance for Spiritual Laziness

Key Verse:
"Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." (James 1:22)

Action Steps:

Start a daily Bible plan (even 10 minutes a day).
Pray aloud (even short prayers—1 Thessalonians 5:17).
Share the Gospel (start with one person this week—Mark 16:15).

Warning: "Because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth." (Revelation 3:16)

Final Call: Return to Your First Love

"Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works." (Revelation 2:5)

Don’t just feel bad—change!
Don’t justify sin—forsake it!
Don’t delay—today is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2).

Prayer of Repentance:
"Lord, I confess I’ve loved the world more than You. Forgive me. Cleanse me. Give me a hatred for sin and a hunger for holiness. I turn away from compromise today. Fill me with Your Spirit and lead me in Your ways. In Jesus’ name, Amen."

Next Step: Find an accountability partner (a strong Christian) to help you stay on track.

The Sin of Boasting: A Sermon on Humility

Scripture: "Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips." (Proverbs 27:2)

Introduction

Boasting is a dangerous sin that creeps into the hearts of many believers. It is an expression of pride, self-exaltation, and a lack of dependence on God. The Bible repeatedly warns against boasting because it shifts glory from God to ourselves. Today, we will examine why boasting is not good, the biblical warnings against it, and how we can cultivate true humility.

1. The Nature of Boasting

Boasting is the act of excessively praising oneself, one’s achievements, possessions, or abilities. It often stems from:

Pride – An inflated sense of self-importance (Proverbs 16:18).
Insecurity – A need to prove oneself to others.
Forgetting God’s Grace – Failing to acknowledge that every good thing comes from God (James 1:17).

The Apostle Paul warns, "For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?" (1 Corinthians 4:7).

2. Biblical Warnings Against Boasting

A. Boasting in Ourselves is Foolish

Jeremiah 9:23-24 says:
"Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they understand and know me."

Human achievements are temporary, but knowing God is eternal. When we boast in ourselves, we set ourselves up for a fall (Proverbs 16:18).

B. Boasting Leads to Destruction

King Nebuchadnezzar boasted about his greatness, and God humbled him until he acknowledged that "the Most High rules over the kingdoms of men" (Daniel 4:28-37).
The Pharisee in Luke 18:11-12 boasted about his righteousness but was not justified before God, unlike the humble tax collector who cried for mercy.

C. God Opposes the Proud

"God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble." (James 4:6)
When we exalt ourselves, we invite God’s resistance rather than His blessing.

3. The Right Kind of Boasting

Not all boasting is sinful—if we boast in the Lord.

"Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord." (2 Corinthians 10:17)
"But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Galatians 6:14)

We should boast in:

God’s Salvation – What Christ has done, not what we have done.
God’s Strength – Acknowledging our weakness and His power (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).
God’s Faithfulness – Testifying of His goodness rather than our own.

4. Cultivating Humility

To overcome boasting, we must pursue humility:

Examine Your Heart – Ask God to reveal pride (Psalm 139:23-24).
Give God the Glory – Always redirect praise to Him (1 Chronicles 29:11-14).
Serve Others – Follow Jesus’ example of humility (Philippians 2:3-5).
Remember Your Dependence on God – Without Him, we can do nothing (John 15:5).

Conclusion

Boasting is not good because it robs God of glory and sets us up for a fall. True greatness is found in humility, recognizing that everything we have is by God’s grace. Let us strive to be like Christ, who "humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!" (Philippians 2:8).

Prayer:
"Lord, forgive us for the times we have boasted in ourselves. Teach us to walk in humility, giving You all the glory. May our lives reflect Your grace, not our pride. In Jesus’ name, Amen."

The Essence of Prayer: A Sermon for Mature Christians

Text: "Pray without ceasing." — 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (KJV)

Introduction

Prayer is the lifeline of the Christian faith. For the mature believer, it is not merely a ritual or a religious obligation but a profound communion with the living God. The essence of prayer transcends words—it is the alignment of our hearts with the heart of God, the surrender of our will to His divine purpose, and the intimate fellowship that sustains our spiritual walk.

Today, we will explore:

The Definition of True Prayer
The Posture of a Mature Praying Christian
The Power of Persistent Prayer
The Purpose of Prayer in Spiritual Maturity

1. The Definition of True Prayer

Prayer is not just asking God for things; it is fellowship with the Father. Jesus modeled this in Matthew 6:9-13 (The Lord’s Prayer), where He began with worship ("Hallowed be Thy name") before presenting requests.

For the mature Christian, prayer is:

Worship – Acknowledging God’s sovereignty (Psalm 95:6).
Conversation – Speaking and listening (John 10:27).
Submission – "Not my will, but Yours be done" (Luke 22:42).
Warfare – Pulling down strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:4).

Question: Is your prayer life more about getting things from God or knowing God Himself?

2. The Posture of a Mature Praying Christian

Maturity in prayer is reflected in our attitude, consistency, and depth.

A. Humility Over Formality

Jesus condemned the Pharisees’ long, showy prayers (Matthew 6:5).
True prayer comes from a broken and contrite heart (Psalm 51:17).

B. Faith Over Doubt

"But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering..." (James 1:6).
Mature believers pray with confidence in God’s character, not just His actions.

C. Persistence Over Convenience

The parable of the persistent widow (Luke 18:1-8) teaches us to pray and not faint.
Mature Christians don’t quit when answers are delayed; they press in deeper.

Question: Are you praying only when in need, or is prayer your lifestyle?

3. The Power of Persistent Prayer

Mature believers understand that prayer is spiritual labor (Colossians 4:12).

A. Prayer Changes Things—Starting With Us

Often, God uses prayer not just to alter circumstances but to transform us (Romans 12:2).
Jacob wrestled with God and came out with a new name and a limp (Genesis 32:24-28).

B. Prayer Releases Divine Intervention

Elijah prayed earnestly, and heaven responded (James 5:17-18).
The early church prayed without ceasing, and the place was shaken (Acts 4:31).

C. Prayer Aligns Us With God’s Will

Jesus in Gethsemane prayed until His will surrendered to the Father’s.
Mature Christians don’t just seek answers; they seek God’s heart.

Question: Are you willing to pray until God’s will becomes your desire?

4. The Purpose of Prayer in Spiritual Maturity

The deeper we go in prayer, the more we:

A. Grow in Discernment

Through prayer, we develop spiritual sensitivity (Hebrews 5:14).
We distinguish God’s voice from distractions.

B. Walk in Authority

Jesus spent nights in prayer, then walked in power by day (Luke 6:12-19).
Prayer is the source of spiritual authority over darkness.

C. Live in Dependence

"Without Me, you can do nothing" (John 15:5).
Mature Christians don’t rely on their strength but on God’s sustaining grace.

Conclusion: A Call to Deeper Prayer

Mature Christianity is marked by a prayer’s heart. Let us:

Return to First Love – Pray not out of duty but devotion (Revelation 2:4).
Resist Superficiality – Go beyond "bless me" prayers to intercession and worship.
Remain Persistent – Build a prayer life that outlasts emotions and circumstances.

Final Challenge: Will you commit to being a Christian who doesn’t just believe in prayer but lives in prayer?

Let us pray. 🙏

"Prayer is not overcoming God’s reluctance but laying hold of His willingness." — Martin Luther*