The Living Faith of a Christian
presented on March 5, 2008
THE PILGRIMS AT VANITY FAIR
Then I saw in my dreams, that, when they were out of the wilderness, they presently saw a town before them, and the name of that town is Vanity; and at the town there is a fair kept, called Vanity Fair. It is kept all the year long. It bears the name of Vanity Fair, because the town where it is kept is lighter that vanity, and also because all that is sold there, or that comes there, is vanity; as is the saying of the Wise, “All that cometh is vanity.”
This is no newly begun business, but a thing of ancient standing. I will show you the original of it.
Almost five thousand years ago, there were pilgrims walking to the Celestial City, as these as these two honest persons are; and Beelzebub, Apollyon, and Legion, with their companions seeing that the path of the pilgrims lay through this town of Vanity, set up a fair; a fair where they would see all sorts of vanity, and it should last all the year long. Therefore at this fair are all such things sold as houses, lands, trades, places, honors, preferments, titles, countries, kingdoms, lusts, pleasures, and delights of all sorts, as wives, husbands, children, masters, servants, lives, blood, bodies, souls, silver, gold, pearls, precious stones, and what not.
At this fair there are at all times to be seen jugglings, cheats, games, plays, fools, apes, knaves, and rogues, and that of every kind.
Now, Christian and Faithful, as I said, must needs go through this fair. Well, so they did; but as they entered into the fair, all the people were moved and the town itself, as it were, in a hubbub about them, and that for several reasons; for their garments were very different from the kind sold at the fair; their speech was also strange since they spoke the language of Canaan. But, most of all the pilgrims took no interest in the goods offered for sale. They would not even look at them, and when called upon to buy, they would put their fingers in their ears, and cry, “Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity,” and look upward, signifying that their trade and traffic were in heaven.
One trader mockingly said unto them, “What will you buy?” But they, looking gravely upon him, said, “We buy the truth.” At that the pilgrims were taunted and mocked and some even threatened to strike them.
I. Can a person have a dead faith?
● Refer to James 1:21-27 and 2:14-18
● If we are saved by Grace, what part do our works play? This is what the book of James was written for. Even Martin Luther failed to see the point. Against those who are antinomians.
● What is a dead faith? A dead faith: When a person who has made a profession of faith at some point in their lives, (might attend church every Sunday) but lives, talks, and (yes) looks in every way like an unbeliever without remorse or repentance, this person is exhibiting a “dead faith”.
● You will know a true faith by its fruits.
● Matthew 7:17-21
● How can modern Christians be compared to Boy Scouts (what defines a true boy scout?)
● I John 2, 1-6, 15-17
● A true Christian life is “separate”
● Matthew 5:13-19
Modern Christian youth have been gradually seduced to the vanities of the world. This truth is reflected in the music they listen to, the movies they watch, what they read, the friends they associate with, and how they choose to dress themselves. Born-again Christians have no excuse to blend into our society. We must be in the world, but not of the world. How can we bring reformation to our nation when “Christian” boys are talking like Harrison Ford and girls are dressing like Britney Spears?
II. Applications
● You’re responsibility to your family.
- How do you treat your siblings?
- Do you show respect to your parents?
- Do you exhibit a positive attitude when performing your duties at home?
- Do you go the extra mile to spend time with your family?
- Do you really enjoy being with your family, or do you complain in secret?
● You’re responsibility to your friends
- If you were given a choice, would you listen to God’s council, or the council of your friends’?
- Do you listen to your parent’s council more than your friends’?
- Do you encourage your friends to do what is right, even when it’s unpopular?
- Do you treat your friends with more respect than your family? The point is that you are genuine.
- Do you speak ill of your parents in front of your friends?
- Are you just a follower, or a leader?
● You’re responsibility to your church
- Do you attend church? (Obviously yes for Little River)
- Do you enjoy church, or are your parents just making you go?
- Do you listen to what is taught? Do you make applications?
- Do you give of your time and energy to help the church in worship, or ministry?
● You’re responsibility to God
- Do you pray? How often?
- Do you read your Bible? How often? People say that God seems to be far from them. Problem is often with them.
- Do you put God’s wishes before your own?
- Who is the master of your life? (Be honest with yourself)
- Do you often thank God for His blessings? (This is hard when things aren’t going well)
- Do you recognize your own wretchedness before God, or do you consider yourself a pretty good person? (Do you recognize why you need Jesus?)
- Does your call as a Christian give your life meaning, or do you secretly with your miserable life would end?
● Are you a light, or do you just blend in?
● Do you live a double life? Do you worship God in your public life, while attending to your own interests during your private life?
● Do you enjoy your relationship with God?
● Is it important to you?
● Do you genuinely try to do what is right?
III. The other side of the coin
● Answer the Mormon views
● True faith will breath good works
● Do not trust your works
● You will sin. Continue to fight it.
● Do not lose courage
● The thief who was crucified next to Christ was not turned down because he had no time to do good works
