May 21, 2023 "Wake Up, Watch What You Say"

ReNew Ames Messages

What are we doing here? Why do we come on Sunday mornings when there are all sorts of other things we could be doing to be productive in life? Why do we play this church game at all? One of the biggest reasons is that we come to pay attention to the divine. That's one of the meanings of the word "religion." It comes from the Latin root "lig" which, in part, means "to pay attention." So worship is like a divine alarm clock that wakes us up. But paying attention to the divine isn't just receiving gifts from the divine (every good and perfect gift...), we're also called to do. So here are two ways we're called to do. Watch what you say. If we're religious and we don't keep a tight rein on our tongues, our religion is worthless. Just because words aren't physical it doesn't mean they can't be violent and cause great harm. Watch out for others. Religion that God accepts is to look after the most vulnerable people in society. Back to the word "religion." The root word "lig" can also mean "to tie." Religion is meant to tie us back to our spiritual origins in the divine. How do we do that? James' answer is to look after people who most need it. You mean religion isn't about doctrine? You mean religion isn't about believing the right things about God? You mean religion isn't about spiritual practices like prayer and fasting? Is that what James is saying? Nope. But what he is saying is that all of that stuff better make a difference in our lives. And our lives better make a difference in the world or it's like we look into a mirror and forget what we look like. We miss the whole point. Speaker: Aaron Vis Scripture: James 1:16-27 https://www.bible.com/events/49082777