The Believers Relationship To The Word Series

The Believers Relationship to the Word.

James 1:18-24 JAMES1-4.WPD

{18} In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we might be, as it were, the first fruits among His creatures. {19} This you know, my beloved brethren. But let everyone be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; {20} for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. {21} Therefore putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. {22} But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. {23} For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; {24} for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he .

INTRODUCTION:

What is your relationship to the Word of God. Let me share what I believe about the Bible. I comfortable using three words beginning with the letter "I" to describe what I believe about the Bible.

The word Inspired, tells us God breathed the scripture. He inspired the writers to write. What is written is the word of God.

The word Infallible, tell us the Bible will not lead someone in a fallible way when it is properly interpreted and applied.

The word Inerrant, tells us the Bible is without error in the original language. God has also watched over the translations so mankind has always had a trustworthy Bible.

I prefer the New American Standard Bible but I believe the King James and the New International Bibles are trustworthy. When I go to the Bible I approach it as the very word of God. I do not go to the Bible looking for a word form God, I believe it is all the word of God. Therefore I believe we Receive much from the word of God.

1. We Receive Our . . Birth Instructions from the Word.

2. We Receive Our . . Behavioral Instructions from the Word.

3. We Receive Our . . Blessing Instructions from the Word.

1. We receive our . .

Birth instructions from the Word. v 18 -19 a

{18} In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we

might be, as it were, the first fruits among His creatures.

A. The . . Plan of Birth. v 18 a

"In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, . . . "

1. The work of the Word.

Romans 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

Ephesians 1:13 (NASB) In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of

your salvation-- having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise,

1 Peter 1:23 (NASB) for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and abiding word of God.

B. The . . Process of Birth. v 18 b

". . . so that we might be, as it were, the first fruits among His creatures. "

1. First Fruits belong to Him.

2. First Fruits indicate second, third etc.

C. The . . Perception of Birth. v 19 a "This you know, my beloved brethren."

1. You know Salvation is God’s Work..

2. You know Salvation is God’s Gift.

3. You know Salvation is God’s Starting Place.

ILLUSTRATION:

It is a joy to be around new Christians. Most of them have a joy and expectancy.

I heard one evangelist say "I like to be around new Christians, when you say Jesus is coming again the look up into the sky and say right now?" Older Christian want to debate the different theories about he second coming.

APPLICATION:

1 Pet 2:2

2 like newborn babes, long for the pure milk of the word, that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, (NAS)

2. We receive our . .

Behavioral instructions from the Word. v 19 b - 24

v 19 b But let everyone be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; {20} for the anger of man

does not achieve the righteousness of God. {21} Therefore putting aside all filthiness and all that

remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls.

{22} But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.

{23} For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in