Spend enough time around 57th Street and Seventh Avenue in New York City, and you’re bound to be asked for directions to Carnegie Hall. “Which way to Carnegie Hall?” “Where is Carnegie Hall?” “What’s the address for Carnegie Hall?”
Almost never does one ask the “how” question. Because everyone knows how you get to Carnegie Hall. You practice.
The punch line is often attributed to Jascha Heifetz or Artur Rubinstein, sometimes to an anonymous musician or taxi driver, and once even to a beatnik, who, in a 1960 telling, replied “Practice, man, practice.” At some point, the line was given a triple flourish: “Practice, practice, practice.”
Today, the joke doesn’t even need the framing device. Most just ask “How do you get to Carnegie Hall?” and sit back waiting for the inevitable response to come.
I. INTRODUCTION
a. Many avoid practice of anything because of its endless repetition—especially those of us with short attention spans. To support my theory, I found an online article titled “Ten Ways to Improve Your Attention Span”, but I couldn’t finish it.
b. The author identifies himself as James (1:1), and he was likely the brother of Jesus and leader of the Jerusalem council (Ac 15). Four men in the New Testament have this name. The author of this letter could not be the apostle James, who died too early (A.D. 44) to have written it. The other two men named James had neither the stature nor the influence that the writer of this letter had. OYBT James 1.
II. RECIPIENTS AND OCCASION OF THE LETTER
a. James writes to “The Twelve Tribes in the Dispersion”. The OT tells us the Jews (Israel) were deported into Egypt (Exodus 1:1-15), Babylon (2 Kings 24) and Rome (Romans 1:7; 15:3-4). We know from historical record that many of the Jews returned to Israel after their 70 years of captivity in Babylon (Jeremiah 29:8-10; Daniel 9:2) but not all.
b. Historical record also affirms Jews were forcibly deported and voluntarily emigrated to Egypt and Greece. James 1:1 refers to this as the tribes who were dispersed (Gk. diaspora). James’s letter, read in this context, frames our study this morning.
[Practice the HEARING & DOING of Scripture in this life; it prepares you for the next life. Practice Hard.]
III. FAITHFULNESS IN TRYING TIMES (2-18)
a. (2-4) Count it all for joy—James’s guidance to his beloved brothers and sisters reveals a purity of intent. Rather than scolding them about their response to the testing of their faith, he encourages and inspires them.
b. (5-8) If anyone lacks wisdom, let him ask God—He will give it when you ask in faith, and refuse to doubt. One who doubts is like a wave of the sea, tossed about: a double-minded man who is unstable in all his ways.
c. (9-11) Let the lowly boast in his exhaultation, and the rich in his humilitation—God, through natural and supernatural means, gives and takes as He pleases, that He may have his way in one’s life.
d. (12) Blessed is he who remains steadfast—he will receive the crown of life.
e. (16-18) Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above—coming down from the Father of lights, in whom there is no variation...that we should be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.
IV. HEARING & DOING THE WORD (19-25)
a. James now turns his attention to the practice of hearing and doing the Word, beginning with a list of the attributes of those who practice (i.e., everyone).
i. Be quick to HEAR, slow to speak, slow to anger. I’ve spent several decades working on this, and believe my progress is admirable—and measurable—it depends who does the measuring, and whether we have an official, certified and generous measuring device. James qualifies this way:
1. The anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore,
2. Put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness, and
3. Receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
ii. Be DOERS and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
1. One discipline demands the other. Hearing without doing is information, and doing without hearing (listening) is equally inept.
2. One who hears and does nothing, soon forgets. When we hear and do, we fulfill the command of Scripture.
[Practice the HEARING & DOING of Scripture in this life; it prepares you for the next life. Practice Hard.]
V. THE LAST WORD (26-27)
a. If anyone (1) thinks he is religious, and (2) does not bridle his tongue, but (3) deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless
b. Religion as God the Father intends, is pure and undefiled before Him is to
i. Visit orphans and widows in their affliction
1. Homelessness
2. Loneliness
3. Abandonment
4. No legal rights
ii. Keep oneself unstained from the world.
1. Sinful attitudes, activities
2. Social influence, affluence
3. Pagan gods & worship
[Practice the HEARING & DOING of Scripture in this life; it prepares you for the next life. Practice Hard.]
