ReligionReligion

• Outward expression of Outward expression of worship; diligent worship; diligent observanceobservance• Pure religion is “before Pure religion is “before

God”, James 1:27God”, James 1:27• Vain religion is before men Vain religion is before men

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33

Heart First Given to Heart First Given to GodGod

Otherwise, defiled, Matt 15:1-Otherwise, defiled, Matt 15:1-2020

Raising our traditions above Raising our traditions above God’s commands, 15:1-6God’s commands, 15:1-6 Pure religion is confused with Pure religion is confused with

external activities instead of external activities instead of hearts and lives that are hearts and lives that are submissive to God, Matt 15:4-6 submissive to God, Matt 15:4-6 (Matt 7:22)(Matt 7:22)

God’s word defines pure God’s word defines pure religion, Matt 15:3, 6religion, Matt 15:3, 6

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Heart First Given to Heart First Given to GodGod

Without the heart, religion is Without the heart, religion is hypocritical, Matt 15:7-9hypocritical, Matt 15:7-9 Façade of honor – lip service, Façade of honor – lip service,

Lk 18:9-14 Lk 18:9-14 Going through motions, Isa Going through motions, Isa

29:1329:13 Applications…Applications…

From the inside out, Matt 15:10-From the inside out, Matt 15:10-2020

Worship (cf. 1 Cor 11:23-29)Worship (cf. 1 Cor 11:23-29) Charity, Matt 6:1-4Charity, Matt 6:1-4

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Redefining ReligionRedefining Religion

Development, Rom 1:21-23Development, Rom 1:21-23 Failure to glorify God, 1:21Failure to glorify God, 1:21 Failure to give thanks, 1:21Failure to give thanks, 1:21 Elevation of human wisdom, Elevation of human wisdom,

1:221:22 Pride, cf. Jeroboam, 1 Kgs Pride, cf. Jeroboam, 1 Kgs

11:38; 12:26-3311:38; 12:26-33 Change the nature of God, 1:23Change the nature of God, 1:23

God’s wrath, Rom 1:18-20God’s wrath, Rom 1:18-20

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Redefining ReligionRedefining Religion

Sinful errors of self-defined Sinful errors of self-defined religion, Col 2:8-23religion, Col 2:8-23 Denial of the fullness of Christ, Denial of the fullness of Christ,

Col 2:8-10 Col 2:8-10 Inferior, carnal and prideful, Inferior, carnal and prideful,

Col 2:16-19 Col 2:16-19 Cannot overcome sin, Col 2:20-Cannot overcome sin, Col 2:20-

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Practice Pure ReligionPractice Pure Religion

James 1:25-27James 1:25-27

Christ is our way of life, Gal Christ is our way of life, Gal 2:202:20 Eliminates the “Sunday only” Eliminates the “Sunday only”

ChristianChristian Eliminates relying on human Eliminates relying on human

traditiontradition Eliminates hypocrisyEliminates hypocrisy Overcomes the temptation to Overcomes the temptation to

develop our own religion, Jas 1:25develop our own religion, Jas 1:25

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Practice Pure ReligionPractice Pure Religion

James 1:25-27James 1:25-27

Obedient hearts and holy lives, Obedient hearts and holy lives, Heb 10:19-25; 1 Pet 1:13-16Heb 10:19-25; 1 Pet 1:13-16 HeartHeart: Controlled by truth, purity : Controlled by truth, purity

and compassion and compassion ConductConduct: Reflects fear of God : Reflects fear of God

and commitment to His work (Jas and commitment to His work (Jas 1:25)1:25)

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Pure ReligionPure Religion James James 1:25-271:25-27

More is needed for God’s More is needed for God’s approval than being outwardly approval than being outwardly religious (Acts 10:1-2; 11:14; religious (Acts 10:1-2; 11:14; Gal 1:13-14)Gal 1:13-14) Pure religion conforms to the Pure religion conforms to the

word of Christ (Col 3:17)word of Christ (Col 3:17) Pure religion is the expression of Pure religion is the expression of

obedient hearts and holy livesobedient hearts and holy lives