Receive the Word Well
Scripture: James 1:19-25
Introduction:
Selective hearing – Wendy – I forget ….it used to be I was playing a game…. Thinks I am not listening to her. I have improved some – still room. Today’s text – not listening to God – when we are doing something else…
I. Lay Aside Your Wrath (vv 19-21)
EXPLAIN
SWIFT to hear
SLOW to speak
SLOW to wrath
In our actions we are given an example here. Whether our dealing is with God or other people, we are instructed to be SWIFT to hear, SLOW to speak, and SLOW to wrath or anger.
v.20 - When a Christian gives way to venting the wrath inside of himself or herself, the righteousness of God is elusive to this person. When I release my frustrations constantly on people there is NO room for the love of God in my heart. Also, when I am venting my anger – God’s righteousness in his justice is hindered by my actions.
In a medical study of nearly 30 men in Florida, after going through stress tests, fear, and mental stress tests, doctors concluded that anger reduced the amount of blood flow and increased pressure from the heart into vital organs. Anger has so many affects on us physically – it’s no wonder that God’s desire is for us to remove our anger. There are various instances throughout the Biblical text that teach us about anger.
Proverbs 14:29
A patient man has great understanding,
but a quick-tempered man displays folly.
Recall Uzziah [you ZIE uh], and his anger management problem in 2 Chronicles 26, where in verse 19 his anger lead to leprosy :
2 Chron 26:19
19 Uzziah, who had a censer in his hand ready to burn incense, became angry.
While he was raging at the priests in their presence before the incense altar in the LORD’s temple, leprosy broke out on his forehead.
ILLUS.
Much like the spread of leprosy on Uzziah’s forehead, our anger has a tendency to spread as well.
In the spring of 1894, the Baltimore Orioles came to Boston to play a routine baseball game. But what happened that day was anything but routine. The Orioles’ John McGraw got into a fight with the Boston third baseman. Within minutes all the players from both teams had joined in the brawl. The warfare quickly spread to the grandstands. Among the fans the conflict went from bad to worse. Someone set fire to the stands and the entire ballpark burned to the ground. Not only that, but the fire spread to 107 other Boston buildings as well.
Daily Bread, August 13, 1992.
APPLY
So many times I think we want to question God and ask why? Anytime you ask a child to do something it seems like they have the same question. The parent is asking the child to do it for the right reasons – to benefit the child, but the child has such a limited grasp of the situation. We are similar…
God asks us to put away our anger – and so our response – we should put away our wrath.
II. BUT Why???!?! (vv 22-25)
EXPLAIN
Why would God desire be for us not to be filled with wrath? Other than those answers we’ve already explored: If we are filled with wrath we cannot live out His Word in our life.
Christianity is more than just about listening (v. 19). It is important to listen as James just pointed out, but it is also necessary to be a DOER OF THE WORD. Buuuutttt……Why?
James says if we are a hearer only and not a doer – we deceive ourselves. But he doesn’t leave it at that – he continues to make it abundantly clear to us:
James 1:23-24
If we hear what God tells us to do and we do not do it we are like a person who looks into a mirror and sees his reflection. However immediately following this the person goes on doing whatever – completely forgetting what he just saw!
The tenses used for the verbs here indicate James is stressing the impression the man gets is TEMPORARY and then instantly ERADICATES any memory of this impression.
But we are called to be different in v. 25. Again the imagery of looking into something reflective – the law of liberty. Rather than being reflective of our outer self like a mirror however, the law of liberty is reflective of who we are on the inside.
Note he calls it the PERFECT law of liberty.
Ps 19:7-8
7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul;
The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;
8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;
The man who looks into this law and makes a habit of doing so will become a doer of the work and shall be blessed in what he does.
ILLUS.
In many of my classes at Seminary – there is someone who has come to audit the course. By audit, one attends all of the courses, pays for the course, takes all the notes, and does almost every other thing that a student like myself would do. The difference is that they will receive NO credit for the course and will NOT take the examinations. They will not get a degree. I often look at these people with a crazy glare and think – WHAT IN THE WORLD ARE YOU DOING???? ARE YOU NUTS?
I’m afraid the illustration translates well to our church. There are some of you here this morning who attend church every week – or at least several times a month what you consider a regular basis, and you pay attention, you stand up at the right time, you sit down at the right time, you sing, pray, etc. All the actions of a worshipper – but at the end of the day – you don’t want anything to do with what the class is about! You pack it up and head for the door with NO intention of following through on the promises you made in prayer, the glory you gave to God in song, or the instruction you heard in God’s Word! And I simply give you the crazy glare and ask you – WHAT IN THE WORLD ARE YOU DOING???
APPLY
Brothers and sisters this applies to ALL of us in this church. If you hear what God says in James – I think that you and I need to answer some serious questions today.
One person doesn’t have to do EVERYTHING. But every person should do at least ONE thing.
God does not expect you to do EVERYTHING in the kingdom, but it is ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY THAT YOU DO SOMETHING in the kingdom.
Right now we have a lot of negative talk, a lot of talk about the past. But we don’t have many people willing to stand up and walk the walk. Christian I must be honest with you – Christ doesn’t need more critics and more good intentions and more believers living in the past. Christ needs clean hands, open hearts, and strong believers with faith and until He gets it you are going to continue to squirm in your seats and feel uncomfortable when texts like this are preached!
Will you be willing to take your stand for Christ in Cresson? Or will you take the easier route, in a few minutes and instead of beating a path down here – praying, confessing, and committing – will you simply beat a path out the door to do YOUR life without CHRIST? Friends I’ve been down that path just like you have and we BOTH know where it leads. It is not the path less traveled. It is the easier path that will lead to damnation.
DON’T MISS MY MESSAGE: I’m not saying God needs more activity here in Cresson. There’s plenty of that. God needs some consecrated believers who are willing to give up the things of this world in exchange for the things of God.
If I were to ask who present today spent time praying for the unchurched in our community – I wonder how many would raise their hands? How many could attest that they prayed for your church and pastor this month? How about you’ve prayed that God would open doors of ministry for this church in this community? A community of thousands of unchurched people served by 3 small - weak churches.
How many could say they’ve shared Christ recently? In the past month? The past 6 months? The past year? Years… It’s far from humorous folks when our church resembles more of a social club than a spirit-filled anointed house of the Lord Jesus Christ.
And you and I need to decide TODAY where we will stand. Will we do the things we want to do – or will we be DOERS of the WORD?
The choice is clear! In a few moments – believer, non-believer, active member, inactive church attender – you know if the Holy Spirit is working in you today. You know if you need to come today and pray at this altar. Forsaking the things of this world, seeking forgiveness from sin in prayer, and Committing yourself to a new walk with Christ today.
Be sure, I am not begging for volunteers.
I am simply asking – Who is ready to get real with God – and Who is ready to see Christ work in Cresson. Because I don’t have time for anything else.
III. Don’t Be “Religious” (vv 26-27)
EXPLAIN
God does not need more ACTIVITY or BUSYNESS – look here in verses 26-27.
James speaks here to those of us that are religious – or that attend worship, pray, give alms, etc.
He says that if we make all of these observances – if we go to church faithfully every Sunday but FAIL to control our speech – our church attendance is in VAIN – for no purpose or point.
He continues in verse 27 – Orphans and widows were some of the most neglected groups of people in James’ time. So he said the church needs to help the helpless.
Why does he say this of true religion? Because he knew many false religions would abound – many religions that sound great on paper but in reality do not follow through.
ILLUS.
In a world of various religions it is easy to be confused as to what religions or churches believe. If you are confused Evangelist and Author Bill Fay has said this:
When people say to me, hey aren’t there a lot of religions how can I be sure that the one you offer is true. No, I say. There are really only 2 religions in the world. Just 2? That’s right just 2.
On the one hand you have every religion in the world. They all have two common beliefs. 1) That Jesus was a good teacher or prophet and 2), that through something you do, whether it’s dress a certain way, chant, meditate, take a drug, read a certain book, kill someone, or do something else – that’s the way to heaven.
On the other hand is Christianity – which says Jesus Christ is the Savior and HE is the ONLY way to heaven. He’s the truth the life, the ONLY way.
APPLY
James is so doggone practical and eye opening that nearly every chapter leaves you asking reflective questions.
And so today I look to you and ask you to reflect on this Scripture. What does it say about your current walk with Christ? Are you wrapped up in wrath and anger? Do you seek the religious experience instead of one with Christ?
Christian today I say – will you stand? Will you stand with me now? Don’t even think about standing up – unless you are ready to make a commitment to Christ’s work here in Cresson.
I am not going to stand here and go through a hundred verses begging and coercing someone down the aisle. Friend the power of God is working here today and if you don’t want on the train then maybe you’re not ready for it. But my sense is that God is ready for a remnant of believers in Cresson who are ready to pray, and humble themselves, seek His face, and turn from their wicked ways. And my question today is Will you Stand up for Jesus?
You come today. Let’s pray – let’s get serious. Someone wants to sit where they are – LET THEM – this is about YOU and God – and where you need to take a stand. Don’t wait on someone else to start – today is YOUR day – today is the day YOU will stand for Christ in Cresson. The change is not just 24 hrs – not just for today – but a pattern for how you will live out your life the rest of your days.
Do you hear that? Christ is knocking at the door…… (inv)
