When Doing Right Becomes Vanity

Many people go through the motions of doing the right things,

but it is all in vain.

Introduction

• The word "vain" means "without value, empty, useless, void, worthless."

• Such things as: and old rusty can, last year's calendar, a broken tool, etc.

• Priceless or valuable things can become vain or worthless, damaged or misused to the point of becoming worthless.

• The whole theme of Ecclesiastes is that life is vanity if tried to be done without God.

Worship Of Idols Is Vanity• 1 Corinthians 8:4-6 “Therefore concerning the

eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that there is no such thing as an idol in the world, and that there is no God but one. For even if there are so-called gods whether in heaven or on earth, as indeed there are many gods and many lords, yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things, and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him”.

Worship Of Jesus Can Be Vanity

• Matthew 15:8,9 “This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far away from Me. But in vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men”.

• John 4:20-24; • James 1:26,27 “If anyone things himself to be religious,

and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless (vain). This is pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father, to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself n stained by the world”

• Jesus, is the Christ --

Worship Of Jesus Can Be Vanity

• As the Savior. • Matthew 1:21 “And she will bear a Son; and you shall call

His name Jesus, for it is He who will save His people from their sins”.

• As a Sacrifice. Hebrews 10:5-10.• As a Peacemaker between God and man. • Romans 5:1 “Therefore having been justified by faith, we

have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; • John 8:24 “I said therefore to you, that you shall die in

your sins, for unless you believe that I am He, you shall die in your sins”..

Worship Of Jesus Can Be Vanity• As the Author of eternal salvation. • Hebrews 5:9 “And having been made perfect, He

became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation”.

• He is only valuable in all these ways to those that accept Him, and obey His will.

• There are many who worship Jesus but reject God and His will.

The Blood Of Christ Can Become Vain• As that which forgives or remits sin. • Matthew 26:28 “for this is My blood of the covenant,

which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins”. • Acts 2:38 “And Peter said to them, repent, and let

each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit”.

• Revelation 1:5 “And from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us, and released us from our sins by His blood”

The Blood Of Christ Can Become Vain

• Hebrews 9:11,12• As that which purchased the church. • Acts 20:28 “Be on guard for yourselves and for

all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood”.

The Blood Of Christ Can Become Vain

• But the blood is only valuable to those who apply it to their lives in obedience.

• To all others it is vain. • Hebrews 10:26-29.

The Church Of Christ Can Become Vain• Was built by Christ. • Matthew 16:18. Upon the foundation that Jesus is the

Christ, the Son of the living God.• Is made up of the saved. • Acts 2:47 “And the Lord added to their number daily

such as were being saved”.• Is the pillar and ground of the truth. • 1 Timothy 3:15 “but in case I am delayed, I write so

that you may know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth”.

The Church Of Christ Can Become Vain

• Is the body of Christ. • Ephesians 1:22,23 “And He (God) put all things

in subjection under His (Jesus) feet, and gave Him (Jesus) as head over all things to the church, which is His (Jesus) body, the fullness of Him (God) who fills all in all”.

The Church Of Christ Can Become Vain

• But it is only valuable to those who are a part of it and are loyal to Christ within it.

• Ephesians 5:23 “For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body”.

• All others, those who reject the church, or those who bring reproach upon it, cause it to be vain for them.

The Gospel Of Christ Can Become Vain

• Is the power of God unto salvation. • Romans 1:16 “for I am not ashamed of the

Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek”.

• Is the plan of God for salvation. • 1 Corinthians 1:18-25.

The Gospel Of Christ Can Become Vain

• Is that in which we are to stand. • 1 Corinthians 15:1-4.• Is that we are to preach. • Mark 16:15,16.• But preaching is valuable only to those who love

and obey the truth.• Those who reject it, cause it to become vain and

worthless to them.

Conclusion

• So we can see that even proper and right things can become vanity if not handled properly.

• How is your worship towards God been lately?• Does your life reflect the same attitude as your

daily living?• Or are you worshipping Him in vain?