www.rossvillechurch.com

781 Salem Road, Rossville, GA 30741

1June 19, 2011

James 1 8 A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways.

Four By GraceFour By Grace will be leading worship for us Sunday morning, July 24 at 11:00.

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Romans 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 18 For they that are such serve notserve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own bellytheir own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

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Paul had just commendedcommended a number of good mengood men and womenwomen to the churches at Rome.

But now -- a warningBut now -- a warning!!

Mark themMark them which cause divisionsdivisions (dissension, disunion) and offensesoffenses (occasions to fall)

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Mark 9 42 And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in Me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.

HowHow do they cause these troubles?

By teaching doctrine contrarycontrary to the Bible.

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If the Bible says it's sin, it is sin.

Those who teach or live contrarycontrary to the Word of Word of GodGod, which we have learned, will lead uslead us astray.

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1 Timothy 5 22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thy-self pure.

To lay handslay hands on generally refers to setting aside for serviceservice in the church.

A church must be carefulbe careful of who is given a position of leadershipposition of leadership in the congregation,

Either formally with ordinationordination,

Or informallyinformally by speaking or gaining followers.

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18 For they that are such serve notserve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own bellytheir own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

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Simple = innocent or unsuspecting. Strong's Greek Dictionary

Be on guard; we pick uppick up bad habits so easily.

The mindsetmindset of such people is not to servenot to serve, but to be served; not to givenot to give, but to be given unto.

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Instead of being devoted servants to Christservants to Christ, they are slavesslaves to their own appetites.

Be on guardBe on guard against such people.

19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wisewise unto that which is goodgood, and simple concerning evilsimple concerning evil.

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Even the most diligent Christian can be deceived, if we let down our guard against evil.

Be wise (knowledgeable and clear) about good.

Focus on good; strive for good; know and do good.

It is good to be simple (innocent and naïve) about evil.

20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

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The battle at times seemsseems long and hard.

We get tiredtired; we want to lay downlay down our armor.

But in the scheme of God's Plan, it won't be longit won't be long.

When we finishfinish and look backlook back, it will seem but a momentmoment in time.

Learn to be patientpatient; good things are coming.

ImpatienceImpatience will drag us into sin.

20b The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

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Grace = graciousnessgraciousness -- marked by kindness and courtesy.

Grace is also the Divine influenceDivine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life. (Strong's Greek)

Grace includes such traits as gratitudegratitude; a grateful heart is a gentle and kind heart.

21 Timotheus my work-fellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you. 22 I Tertius, who wrotewrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord. 23 Gaius mine hosthost, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother. 24 The gracegrace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

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25 Now to Him that is of Power to stablish you according to my Gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, 26 but now is made manifest, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the Commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: 27 To God only wiseonly wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.

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25 Now to Him that is of Power to stablishstablish you according to my Gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ,

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StablishStablish = to set fast; to turn resolutelyresolutely in a certain direction; to steadfastly set. Strong's Greek

We won't be distracted.

26b made known to all nations for the obedience obedience of faithof faith:

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Faith and obedience can notnot be separated.

True faith will produce willing obediencewilling obedience.

A divided mind is the mind of one who wantswants to have faith in God, but has not yetnot yet fully trusted.

Not yet trusted God to bring joyGod to bring joy into his life; he seeks happiness in his own wayhis own way.

Not yet trusted God to provideGod to provide everything that he needs; he seeks what he wants in his own way.

James 4 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double-minded.

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We choose, either to walk afterwalk after the things of God, living life God's WayGod's Way;

Or, we choose to walk after the lusts of the lusts of the fleshflesh, living life our own wayour own way.

James 1 8 A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways.

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