Keeping Ourselves unspotted from the world (Lesson 97)
Introduction:
1. We learn from James 1:27 that "keeping ourselves unspotted from the world" is an important part of "pure and undefiled religion before God." 2. To help us remain free from the world's stains God has revealed a wealth of information and instructions in His Word. 3. In this lesson we are concentrating on a principle that Jesus mentioned in the Great Commission -- He will be with His followers until the end of the world. 4. Remembering that the Lord is always present will help us to keep ourselves unspotted from the world. 5. The first point we need to make is that . . . Discussion: I. THE LORD IS ALWAYS WITH HIS FOLLOWERS
A. (Matthew 28:19-20) When Jesus gave the Great Commission He promised to always be with His followers. B. (Hebrews 13:5b) To be more specific, the Lord will not leave or forsake His followers. II. THIS PRINCIPLE IS ILLUSTRATED MANY TIMES IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
A. God promised to be with Isaac (Genesis 26:3). B. God promised to be with Jacob (Genesis 31:3). C. God was with Joseph, even during times of difficulty (Genesis 39:2, 21). D. God promised to be with Moses (Exodus 3:12). E. God promised to be with Joshua (Joshua 1:9). F. David stated a number of times that God was with him (Psalm 23:4; 139:7-8). G. The Old Testament shows many times that the Lord is always with His followers. H. This leads us to the main point we are emphasizing. III. THE FACT THAT THE LORD IS ALWAYS WITH HIS FOLLOWERS WILL HELP US REMAIN UNSPOTTED FROM THE WORLD
A. At the end of Psalm 139, David made a request for his life to be right with God (see vs.23-24). B. (Philippians 4:5) Notice how "the Lord is at hand" is tied in with practicing "moderation" [forbearance]. C. (Hebrews 13:5-6) Covetousness, contentment, and courage are connected with the Lord's promise to never leave or forsake His followers. D. Not only is God always with His followers, but He sees all, and He knows all. 1. See Hebrews 4:13 2. Achan's disobedience illustrates this point. 1. (Joshua 6:18) Before the Israelites took Jericho, God told them not to take certain things. 2. (Joshua 7:1) Achan disobeyed. 3. Israel was affected by Achan's sin (Joshua 7:2-5). 4. Achan was identified, and he was punished (Joshua 7:19-26). 5. Achan hid his sin from his fellow Israelites, but he did not hide it from God. 6. Achan should have remembered that God was present and that God saw and knew what he did. 7. Perhaps this would have helped Achan to remain unstained by the world. Conclusion:
1. Let us remember that the Lord promised to always be with His followers. 2. Remembering that the Lord is always with us will help us in keeping ourselves unspotted from the world so we can practice pure and undefiled religion.
