Practical Living-Part 3, "The Word"

Practical Living-Part 3, "The Word" James 1:18-25

INTRO: Not talking ABOUT anybody, BUT talking to EVERYBODY.

WHAT IS THE WORD?

The WORD is True - Psalm 119:160 “The very essence of your words is truth...”Rom 3:4 “Even if everyone else is a liar, God is true. As the Scriptures say about him, “You will be proved right in what you say, and you will win your case in court.”

The WORD is Powerful - Heb 4:12 “For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.”

The WORD is a GUIDE - Ps 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.”

The WORD is DISCIPLINE - 2 Tim 3:16 “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.”

The WORD is PROTECTION - Eph 6:17 “Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

The WORD is INSTRUCTION - Rom 15:4 “Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.”

Jesus is the WORD - John 1:1-5 “1 In the beginning was the Word. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He existed in the beginning with God. 3 God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. 4 The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone.”

Since Jesus is alive, and He lives in us, the WORD should be alive in our hearts and active for PRACTICAL LIVING.

THE WORD IS NECESSARY FOR REGENERATION

THE WORD IS NECESSARY FOR RECONSTRUCTION

THE WORD IS NECESSARY FOR REDIRECTION

THE WORD IS NECESSARY FOR REGENERATION US -18

James 1:18 “18 He chose to give birth to us by giving us His true word. And we, out of all creation, became His prized possession.”

We were dead, He gave us life.

We were useless, He made us His prized possession. TRASH CAN!

How? By His TRUE WORD.

So the WORD Regenerates us.

THE WORD IS NECESSARY FOR RECONSTRUCTION - 19-21

E -19-James provides practical wisdom of how to live AFTER Salvation. RECONSTRUCTION!

R - The WORD demands that Believers be QUICK TO LISTEN…an attentiveness to listen.

Listening = the activity of paying attention and getting meaning from something that you hear.

1 QUICK & 2 SLOW - Slow to SPEAK - Slow to ANGER.

SO, Slow to speak goes with slow to get angry.

A - QUICK TO LISTEN - not the way. Reconstruction happens

Reconstruction is needed because we are often Quick to SPEAK...and Quick to Get ANGRY.

But human anger doesn’t accomplish God’s will or purpose. What does human anger look like?

It looks like yelling (LOUD TALKING); cursing, and resentment. Physically - clenched fist, throwing things, VENGEANCE.

BUT the WORD is necessary for RECONSTRUCTION (Waves and the seashore) -

RECONSTRUCTION is the continual pounding on your heart and mind to get rid of the dumb stuff...MORAL Filth?; Evil. - strip it off like dirty clothes...

RECONSTRUCTION plants the WORD of God in the heart.

Any reluctance to listen will HINDER YOUR RECONSTRUCTION.

BUT THERE’S MORE THAN LISTENING, MORE THAN KNOWING, MORE THAN UNDERSTANDING…WE MUST DO!

THE WORD IS NECESSARY FOR REDIRECTION - 22-25

E -AFTER RECONSTRUCTION THERE’S REDIRECTION - EZEK 37.

22-25 - The WORD REDIRECTS us TO GOD’S PURPOSE.

A phrase used a lot today is “I’m looking for my purpose.”

God has already outlined your purpose. It’s in the WORD!

Rom 8:28 “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.”

Je 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

John 15:16 “You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit.”

Mt 28:19 “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”

If your purpose is not God’s purpose YOU NEED SOME REDIRECTION.

R - Everybody is “looking for a word”, but nobody wants to OBEY His WORD.

If we assume all we need is to HEAR a WORD, we are sadly mistaken.

Glancing in the mirror - glancing is not the correct term…the correct term in the Greek is “Careful study.”

When you study carefully you become very familiar with your reality. My Eyes.

A- It’s the same as when you carefully study the WORD…you know exactly what God is saying.

BUT IF YOU WALK AWAY FROM THE WORD YOU FORGET WHAT HE SAID .

Your response…DOING…results in a blessing...then you will be blessed forever...

CLOSE: Practical Living is HEARING & DOING what The WORD Says.

THE WORD IS NECESSARY FOR REGENERATION

THE WORD IS NECESSARY FOR RECONSTRUCTION

THE WORD IS NECESSARY FOR REDIRECTION

GET in the WORD

Dont just peep

Don’t just glance

Don’t let anybody tell you what the word says either

Know it for yourself …and obey it.

This is PRACTICAL LIVING.