Intro
I want us to look at today – most important message I could give
Learning the word – studying it; memorizing it; all fine
But the real test is DOING IT!
Message entitled “God’s Word – Doing it!”
Read passage / Pray
Trans: We see James tell us in the very first part…
1. DON’T JUST LISTEN (vs 22)
Listening is vital when to communication – needed
Imagine kids – give instructions to clean-up room; specific instructions so there is no misunderstanding
- Clean under bed; clean closet; organize books
They come back after a while and tell you…
Memorized instructions; quote it back to you; tell you what each word you said means
Ask “Did you do it?” Childe “Well….NO”
How ridiculous would that be?
How happy would we be as parents?
We would be upset…not because they didn’t listen – but because they didn’t execute
We need to study; memorize; meditate; read – many verses tell us to
Trans: But James says don’t just listen to God’s word…
2. DO WHAT IT SAYS (Vs 22)
It’s great that you listened; you studied it; memorized it
Know Greek & Hebrew meaning – defined special words
But did you execute it – did you do what it says?
James says if you only listen and don’t do what it says…you are a fool…you are deceiving yourself
The Word is full of instructions; even gives great details
But DO YOU DO WHAT IT SAYS?
Joshua 1:8 “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful TO DO everything written in it. THEN you will be prosperous and successful”
Here are some simple ones that I thought of:
Heb 10:24-25 – Go to church and assemble with other believers
- Do you allow other things to interfere or take priority?
Mal 3:9-10 – If you don’t tithe – cheating God – you are under a curse
Matt 6:15-15 – Forgive others – and you will be forgiven; Don’t forgive others – you won’t be forgiven
Eph 4:32 – Be kind and compassionate to one another
Matt 28:19 – Make disciples
Matt 6:33 – Seek God First in all things – job; family; dating; finances
1 Thes 5:16-18 – Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; give thanks in all circumstances
Phil 2:3 – Treat others better than yourself
Matt 5:44 – Love enemies – pray for them that persecute you – in that way, you will be ACTING (DOING) as true children of God
Listen these are the simple ones – how well are we doing with executing them in our lives?
Trans: James tell us that if you don’t just listen but we do what the word says…
3. GOD WILL BLESS YOU
If you don’t want God to Bless you – raise your hand
No? Of course not – we all want God to bless us – honestly that’s what we pray for the most – right?
Also know – God wants to bless us beyond our comprehension
Listen – there are blessings in doing what God’s word says
Lk 6:38 “Give and it shall be given…”
Forgive – you will be forgiven
Give thanks – you will be thankful
Ask, seek, knock – don’t give up – keep on
You act friendly – you will get friends
Seek God first – all things added to you
All great battles won; blessings given; God was sought first before anything else
When He was not sought first – terrible outcomes
If you will humbly pray – he will heal
God will bless your doing – there is joy in the DOING part of God’s word
CONCLUSION
We must be a people that will take God’s Word
Memorize; meditate on it; read it; study it – all necessary
But – none of that is any good UNLESS WE DO WHAT IT SAYS!
If we are going to go deeper with God – we must become a people who begins to DO WHAT THE WORD says
Pray
