Relevant Religion?
In our culture “religion” is called many things, “relevant” is not one of them. “Religion” conjures up images of some massive cathedral standing as a monument to another time, a time before science, progress, advanced intelligence, technology, tolerance, and other relevant issues.
I’m pretty sure if I had a dollar for every person who tells me, “I like Jesus, but I hate the church,” I’d be a rich man. Or, I’d at least be able to buy the Nissan Xterra I want. The concept of church, or church people, leads many to think of hypocrisy, inauthenticity, narrow-mindedness, intolerance, right-winged political conservatism, and bigotry. In their view, the expiration date on any kind of organized institutional “church” or “religion” is long passed. Religion at best, in the words of Karl Marx, is “opium for the masses.”
Into our contemporary context comes the New Testament book of James. The author, James, was the half-brother of Jesus. They grew up together! From what we can tell, James probably didn’t believe in Jesus as the Son of God until after the resurrection. Jesus rising from the dead after being crucified changed everything. You might listen to your brother too if he came back from the dead!
Several things become apparent as one peruses this James. The author hates hypocrisy. He hates inauthentic faith. He hates religiosity that is fake and ingenuine. The Letter of James is one of the most in-your-face books of the New Testament. He tells it how it is! James follows in the footsteps of his brother Jesus, who more than anyone else, opposed the hypocritical religious leaders of his day. James says, “So you say you have faith?…show me the money! Put your money where your mouth is! Walk the talk!” His message is one that is extremely relevant for our day. The last thing the world needs is another professing follower of Jesus, or church, that is full of hypocrisy. Or as James calls it, “double-mindedness.”
Our current series at Antioch Community Church through the book of James is entitled: “Relevant Religion.” Religion that is relevant in our day is a faith in Jesus Christ that is genuine, authentic, true, and makes a difference in the world. James calls the contemporary church toward this kind of faith.
–Andy O’Rourke
Sermons from this series
The Bad Side of Bling
June 21, 2009God’s future judgment will come upon everyone who misuses money and power. James explains four characteristics of this worldview. Andy O’Rourke preaches on James 5:1-6.
A Clash of Two Worldviews
June 14, 2009As followers of Jesus, we must approach the future from a biblical worldview. Pastor Andy O’Rourke preaches on James 4:13-17.
A Call to Maturity
June 7, 2009Pastor Andy O’Rourke preaches on James 4:1-12.
The Way of the Wise
May 31, 2009God calls us as followers of Jesus to live in a way that demonstrates the fruit of true wisdom rather than false wisdom. Pastor Andy O’Rourke preaches on James 3:13-18.
“Chop, Chop, Tongue, Tongue”
May 24, 2009Nathan Walker speaks on James 3:1-12, where Jesus reveals to his readers the power and significance of the tongue.
A Faith That Works
May 17, 2009Pastor Andy O’Rourke preaches on James 2:14-26.
Faith Without Favoritism
May 7, 2009Pastor Andy O’Rourke preaches on James 2:1-13.
Relevant Religion is Obedience!
May 3, 2009Pastor Jamie Buchanan preaches on James 1:19-27.
“God Made Me Do It”
April 26, 2009Craig Ray preaches on James 1:13-18.
How to Survive the Crucible
April 19, 2009Pastor Andy O’Rourke preaches on “How to Survive the Crucible”, the first sermon in the Relevant Religion series. (James 1:2-12)