Real Life - Favorites

James 1:16-27   The Point James is Making . . . ·         Don’t talk about what you believe; live out what you say you believe.   Truth Statement:  To talk about religion but not live out genuine faith is worthless.  (James 1:26)   We may have become so inoculated by our religiosity that we have become desensitized or numb to the truth regarding our heart.    A Practical Truth About Real Life . . .   Real faith displayed in real life involves meeting real needs. (James 1:27)   ·         James mentions three needs: 1.      To visit orphans—literally means to care for; look after; select 2.      To visit widows 3.      To keep oneself unstained from the world—literally means that we are to be set apart.   To Care for Orphans . . .   ·         There are 104,000 children currently in foster care in the United Sates that are legally available for adoption. (Focus on the Family, www.icareaboutorphans.org) ·         There are over 500 children available for adoption through foster care in the state of Arkansas.  (C.A.L.L.—Children of Arkansas Loved for a Lifetime, www.thecallinarkansas.org) ·         The United States has over 300,000 churches.   Implication:  It is the responsibility of the Christian community to engage in the care for orphans.  The question is not “Should I be involved,” but “God, how are you leading me to be involved?”   ·         Adoption o   Adoption is the story of the gospel. §  Ephesians 1:5; Galatians 4:4-6; Romans 8:12-17, 23-24 ·         Foster Care ·         Host Home ·         Sponsorship ·         On Mission