The Main Thing - May 22, 2022

by Pastor Chuck Ryan

“The Main Thing...”
Text: James 4:7-10; Romans 13:11
Thesis: James, in keeping with the theme of the other New Testament writers, is calling all
believers, to take their relationship with Christ with the utmost seriousness.
1. “Submit yourselves then, to God. (Vs. 7a)”
A. Submission, to most people, is a repulsive request and very challenging.
B. God is calling believers to surrender their heart, soul, mind, and strength to Him. This
encompasses their will and affections!
* “He answered, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul
and with all your strength and with all your mind…” Luke 10:27
C. Submission to God, through Jesus Christ, is the only path to eternal life.
* “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him
shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
* “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except
through me.” John 14:6
D. Submission to God is not just a “one time event” but a daily
acknowledgement of our need for God and our allegiance to God.
2. “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (Vs. 7b)”
A. The devil is a real being and not a figment of someone’s imagination.
* “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion
looking for someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8
B. The devil is not to be feared but resisted.
* “I can do everything through him (Christ) who gives me strength.”
Philippians 4:13

C. When we resist the devil, he cannot stand up against the Holy Spirit of God lives within you. He will flee.

that powerfully

3. God promises you and I, that if we “come near to God, he will come near to you.” (Vs. 8a)
A. This is a great promise that we need to exercise daily.
1. Stand on the promises of God!
4. “God is calling all Christians to become very serious about their salvation. (Vss. 8b-10)
A. When it comes to repentance, a sense of remorse is a sign of sincerity.
* The Apostle Paul also states: “And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has
already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now
than when we first believed.” Romans 13:11
B. If “we humble ourselves before the Lord, he will lift us up.” (Vs. 10)
“The Main Thing is to keep the Main Thing the Main Thing!”