Compelled Doer

Introduction:

It has been a wonderful day full of activity, being with friends, and a lot pizza. We have had so much fun today. But there is something important we need to talk about. In life, we are supposed to be changing. We learn new skill as we get older, and we develop maturity as we learn more and more about life. But God’s Word is to be at the center of how we grow. I think a lot of you would say that is true. There are too many Christians who just agree with God. They agree with everything the Bible says, but their is no lasting change in their life. Hearing what God’s Word says doesn’t mean you are obeying Him. The main point I want you guys to see today, is that “We are called to be compelled doers.” How do we get there? Today there is one characteristic we must avoid, and one characteristic we must become.

1. We must avoid being a forgetful hearer (v.22-25)

v.22 “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”

(EXPL) There is nothing wrong with being a hearer of the word. It is actually commendably. James 1:19 say that we are too be “swift to hear…” We are called to receive with meekness the implanted word. It is wise to be a good listener. It is good to observe or to study. Being a hearer is commendable. Listening and trying to understand the Bible is required. But we have to be carful of deception. This is the worst kind of deception. It is self deceit. James 1:22 says, “Deceiving yourselves.” Satan loves this kind of deception. We all have this problem. We agree with ourselves. I think I am right. No one disagrees with himself.

James 1:23–24 “For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror, for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.”

(EXPL) Mirrors were a little different back then. They were not made out of glass but out of a polished metal. But this individual does what any else does with a mirror. He observes himself. He is checking on how he looks. Do I look good? He isn’t just taking a quick glance. He is checking his looks. Maybe his Mom told him he wasn’t presentable and is embarrassing her, or maybe he is going date with cute gal. Who knows? He is studying his face to see if he need to make in touch ups. Maybe his hair is all spiked up, maybe there is some leftover sandwich around his lips, maybe he’s forgotten to shave for a couple of days and maybe he should. He is looking and see’s things that are wrong. There nothing wrong with this at all. We should be hearers. Listen to what God’s Word reveals about us. But if it halts right there. It is useless. If it stops right there, than hearing has no value. This is where the problem is. He goes away and forgets what kind of man he was. If you are looking at a mirror to see what is wrong, and you don’t fix it, What is the point of looking in the mirror! What is the point of having a mirror if you just look at the things that could be fixed. The word “forgetting” is the main point in this illustration. He forgets what he saw in the mirror. We can do the same with God’s Word to us. We may read the Scriptures. We may study, highlight, underline, and read commentaries. We can sit attentively and pay close attention to sermon and think, “This is good.” Maybe you feel the weight of conviction. You know the Holy Spirit has shown something from the Scriptures that must change. There are many good hearers out there who nod their heads yes who say amen but walk out those doors and don’t do anything about it. Do we truly love God. Do we.

(Ill) Has your mom ever written you a note of different chores that needed to be done by the time she got home. Often I found myself doing most of that stuff in the last 15 minutes. Let’s say you read the note. “My mom has really nice handwriting. I love my mom so much. I really should do these things for her.” Your mom come back and you haven’t done anything. Dishes are stacked. The lawn is in a shambles. Trash everywhere and your stinky laundry is still stinky. Your mom asks you, did read my note. “Oh I did mom. I appreciate all you do for me and I wanted to please you by completing these tasks. See how I highlighted laundry because I know you don’t like doing it.” You have done nothing.

(ARG) You have been deceived! The Word of God reveals your heart motives. It shows if you are living for the Lord or if you are living for yourself. Hearing the Word only means it’s here (point to head) and doesn’t mean you are obeying and loving God. Anyone can sit down and listen to a message. Those who are loving God will not forget what he says.

2. We must become compelled Doers

James 1:25

But the one who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues to do it, not being a forgetful hearer but a doer who acts, this one will be blessed in what he does.

(EXPL) He who looks and continues. This is different from someone who is a forgetful hearer. A forgetful hearer just looks and than goes away. A doer looks and continues in it. The idea of continue means to stay near by. He doesn’t go away from what He sees in God’s Word. He is compelled to change it. God uses His Word to change people. The doer’s full attention is on obeying God from what he sees in God’s Word. He becomes a doer of the work. He obeys what God has for him. This is what a believer is called to do. Deut 29:29

Deuteronomy 29:29

“The hidden things belong to Yahweh our God, but the revealed things belong to us to know and to our children forever, in order to do all the words of this law.”

(ARG) What God has shown to us in His Word, we must obey! To know and to do. God’s Word isn’t just any other book. But it is so easy to fall into passivity. (ILL) Sometimes we treat our Bibles like we treat our phones. We scroll through our phones and we look at something for a little bit, keep scrolling and forget about it. (ARG) We cannot do the same with God’s Word. What can change in your character when you get back home. How will your life look different? If your a believer, you are probably agreeing with me right now. Maybe you are thinking, “I mean, of course! I need to obey God’s Word.” Maybe you have been convicted of sin in your life lately. You have a good feeling about the message and you nod your head agreement that it is something you should do. Satan is okay with all of these. Satan is okay if we study are Bible. He is okay if you sit attentively during sermons. As long as it stops there.

(APP) Why are you here? What is the point of looking at a mirror if you never fix what is wrong. How do we change? 1. We need to find ways to change. 2. We need friends who hold us accountable. 3. Think on passages more than once. 4. We pray to God to give strength for change. 5. Heart check. How is the Holy Spirit changing me.

Conclusion

Soon you guys will be walking out those doors. Are you going to leave today just agreeing with with God’s Word or are you going to leave doing it. The last phrase of our passage is, “This one is blessed in what he does.” God will bless those who do His Word. We can go through life living in vain by hearing God’s Word but living life our own way. Or we can have Do what His Word says, and He will give us the ability to complete His will for our life. When you walk out the door today: 1. Will you have just looked at the mirror and forget? Or will you do it? Will you just agree with God, or will you take action!