WHAT IF PEOPLE COULD SEE YOUR SPOTS?
November 10, 2002 AM
Sermon Outline
Jas 1:27
INTRO: A while back one of our fine members suggested a sermon idea around this question: What if people could see your spots? The thought intrigued me. James wrote that a Christian should keep himself unspotted from the world (Jas 1:27). Suppose, though, everyone could see our spots. We represent ourselves to be pure, to be holy ... but thats how we want others to perceive us. In reality, we may be far from that representation. So, what if others could actually see my spots of impurity. Embarrassing!
I. LETS START WITH CLEANSING
A. Jer 13:23 Can a leopard change his spots?
1. we all know the impossibility of such a thing
2. and the question involves the deep seated, well taught evil which consumed Judah
3. she would not change ... and judgment from God was coming
B. 1 Cor 5:17 ...he is a new creature ...
1. note Eph 4:22-24 something dramatic happens!
2. Jno 8:24 the true believer has real hope
3. Acts 26:20 true believers can repent of sin, evil
4. Acts 22:16 believing, penitent can be cleansed
5. how, why? Rom 1:16 the power of the gospel to affect the hardest of hearts
C. So, the spots are gone
1. Heb 10:16-18
2. 2 Cor 7:1 but holiness is our choice, our responsibility, too
3. in Christ, we must continue in holy living (Acts 26:20, again) - or the spots of sin will begin to attach themselves ... so, Jas 1:27
II. KEEPING THE SPOTS OFF
A. Suppose we become spiritually careless? (Heb 2:3)
1. we begin to neglect our relationship with God
2. neglect leads to bad choices which are sinful
3. and quickly the spots are there ... defacing
B. But we carry on with the charade of spirituality
1. notice Rev 3:1 thou hast a name - reputation
2. most saints in Sardis were, however, dead ... and the Lord knew that
3. but they just kept on with the spiritual act
C. Suppose everyone could have seen the spots
1. the act would be over!
2. shear a sheep ... and his spots will show!
3. they were covering their spots with a spiritual show but the spots were still there
D. I know thy works ...
1. you do not have to impress me - I can be deceived
2. what spots is the Lord seeing - He knows if they have returned because of carelessness, neglect
3. He knows the heart that is not penitent, not seeking true holiness because of a changed heart - Eph 4:24
E. Still, 1 Jno 1:6-10
1. v. 6 suggests the actor - I have no spots
2. the balance of the passage is that of great hope
3. v.7 gives the contrast - habitually walking in the light - this person is instructed (Ps 119:105,130) - this person is penitent for recognized sin occurrences (2 Cor 7:10) - this person is cleansed
F. Where are we?
1. spotted, unspotted? hiding spots?
2. Ps 119:59 we must examine ourselves - we must be honest with ourselves - we must carry on with the real transformation (Rom 12:2)
3. a leopard cannot change his spots ... but you can be rid of yours
CLOSE: But the issue this morning is not whether or not I can see your spots. The issue is that God can ... and does. If there are some changes you need to make because of your spots, make them now!
Cecil A. Hutson
10 November 2002