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Practical Christianity Message 36 of 51
Staying Close to God
Pastor Anthony King· June 5, 2022
James 4:8
0:0048:25
“Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.”
James 4:8
The series
A Study in James
Our proximity to God is determined by us.
God never moves away, He only comes near.
If God is distant, you moved.
Sin hinders God from hearing your prayers.
But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.Isaiah 59:2
Then shall they cry unto the LORD, but he will not hear them: he will even hide his face from them at that time, as they have behaved themselves ill in their doings.Micah 3:4
If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:Psalm 66:18
You cannot pursue God and pursue your sin at the same time.
For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.Psalm 5:4
He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.Psalm 101:7
Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.Psalm 45:7
God does not desire superficial words or empty worship.
God desires deep heart change.
This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.Matthew 15:8
God is not impressed by religious theater.
To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats. When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts? Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting. Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them. And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood. Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;Isaiah 1:11-16
The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.Proverbs 15:8
He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.Proverbs 28:9
God desires that our heart and hands would be clean.
Our heart is our inward man, while our hands are the visible part of our life.
Hypocrisy repels the presence of God.
Repentance brings God’s presence near.
Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.Isaiah 55:6-7
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.1 John 1:9
It is our responsibility to abide in Jesus.
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.John 15:4
Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. James 4:8
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