What Now?

James 1:19–27 NASB95

19 This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must 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 was. 25 But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does. 26 If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless. 27 Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

INTRO: I love that we get to set aside time to celebrate these young graduates. It’s funny how you spend so much of your life in classrooms, isn’t it? And when you get that degree, you kind of feel like all the hard stuff is over. Not to bust your balloon or anything, but...

And as you plan your next steps, you might be thinking: What now?

The position you find yourself in is not unlike the position many Christians are in. They have been saved, and maybe they think that all the hard stuff in life is over, but at the same time they are wondering, “What now?”

Is that you?

Perhaps you have just been coasting since your salvation and you don’t see any real signs that you’ve matured in the faith at all. You have heard that Christians are to supposed be growing and maturing in the faith. It is possible that many of you have not truly been discipled, so you are not even sure about what Christian growth looks like.

Is it just about the content or information? Is there a specific program you should be in?

Well, the truth of the matter is that programs and content are usually a part of discipleship. But being a disciple of Jesus is a lifestyle, not simply a knowledge base.

This morning, I want to spend a little time looking at the process of Christian growth as we wrap up James 1. The last couple weeks, we have looked at how God uses the tests in our lives to help shape us and how we can respond to the temptations that come our way. These are necessary lessons that Christians need to grasp in order to grow.

As we approach v. 19, it almost looks like a shift in thought, but I will argue that James is simply reminding his hearers that their maturity as believers is a process that they must personally and intentionally be involved in.

I cannot make you grow. I cannot force you to resist temptation… I can’t even be real sure that you’re awake and listening to me right now!

But look here- I want to share some wisdom from God’s Word. In fact, I’m going to give you my points ahead of time so you can lean in with each one! The key to growth; the key to life transformation is this: Hear God’s Word, Receive God’s Truth, and DO it!

Listen, we are called to be ambassadors for Christ - not just in here, but out there. This might surprise you, but lost people are not exactly beating down the church doors to get in. So we must be authentic believers, shining our light in the darkness. To do this, you need to be a healthy, growing Christian.

So the message you hear today will give you a template that you can use as you approach every sermon, every bible study lesson, and in your personal time in the Scriptures. As you apply these keys, you’ll see tremendous personal growth.

So I want to encourage you to really lean in with me as we study God’s Word. The message is entitled, “What Now?” and we are going to examine the practical instructions James gives for Christian Growth.

If you picked up a bulletin on your way in, I want to invite you to use the sermon guide located on the inside flap and follow along as we learn together.

We begin with the simple instruction:

Step 1: Hear (19-20, 26)

READ 19-20

You’ve likely had people quote v. 19.... maybe you quote this to your spouse or kids. Let’s break this down:

First off, this is an imperative. Everyone MUST be quick to hear...

What does it mean to be quick to hear? Well, it does not mean that you have to listen fast.

ILL: I like to listen to podcasts when I’m in the truck. But, when I was having to watch lectures online I got in the habit of speeding them up so that an hour lecture was only about 45 minutes. So, I now listen to my podcast on 1.5 speed. I listen fast… but that is not what James means.

To be quick to hear is to be eager and willing to learn and grow.

How many of you have ever been in a conversation or been reading a book where you had no interest in what was being said? Right- well, if you are going to mature as a Christian, you must develop a desire and hunger for God’s Word and for the teaching thereof.

But James gives more in this statement. He was likely referencing one of many proverbs as he contrasts the positive with what would be the opposite response.

He says, be slow to speak and slow to anger.

Now, James lived and taught in a time where the practice was to meet in the synagogues or home churches and discuss God’s Word. In this time, you would likely have someone teaching and that teaching might anger someone else. Maybe it was a particular sin or practice that was being condemned.

So the instruction is to listen - hold your tongue. Don’t be so quick to react.

This is a challenge for many of us, isn’t it. If someone says something that we don’t like, our immediate reaction might be to scream at them, slap them in the face, etc. But as Christians, we know that our lives should honor God. And our unrighteous anger does not achieve the righteousness of God.

So, what does that look like practically? What can you do with this instruction? Here is one thing you can do right away:

When you gather on Sundays for worship, come ready to hear from God. Be rested, get up early and pray and ask God to give you a desire for his instruction. When you get here, come early. Talk to people, hug each other. Turn your phone off. Sing the songs, and Listen intently. You might have to move seats, away from distractions, but friends- God is speaking.

You and I need to be:

Step 1: Be quick to HEAR

Step 2: Receive (21, 23-24)

READ 21

So, hearing is not enough. In fact, I confess to you this morning that I hear a lot of things that I do not retain. No really, ask my wife.

And you do too! I was reading a research survey that said most people have completely forgotten Sunday’s sermon by Monday… Yep. Some of you are lucky to make it to the back door before what you heard has dissipated into the wild blue yonder… Gone in 60 seconds!

So, hearing is not enough, and James says exactly that in this passage. The first part of 21 is a bit of overlap from the application I just gave you. You have to (FIRST) put aside the wickedness of your flesh because that blocks you from receiving the Word. Your ongoing sin will harden your heart.

He goes on to say, receive the word implanted.. in other words, allow God’s Word to take root in your heart.

Do you remember Jesus teaching the parable of soils? (Matt. 13) Jesus talked about how there were some who, when hearing the Gospel, were like the hardened path. That seed had no chance of taking root there.

That is what James is saying. If we don’t gather with the intention in our heart to hear and learn, if we have not put aside what we know to be sinful, there is little chance we’ll get anything from the teaching.

To drive this point home, James uses the example of a mirror. You all have mirrors in your homes, so you don’t need me to explain their purpose. But, I want you to see something here. (READ 23-24)

“forgotten what kind of person he was..”

It would be ridiculous if you looked in a mirror, and then later on, when you saw a picture of yourself, you didn’t recognize it. Right?

It would be ridiculous if, right after your wedding ceremony, you forgot that you were now the husband or wife of your spouse.

Ok, so James is saying that to not receive God’s instruction is to forget that you are a Christian. That you have been called out of the darkness and are a new creation.

So, what does this look like? It looks like conviction. It looks like being humble and seeing the real picture.

If we hope to grow in our faith, we have to wrestle with God’s Word- removing our sin biases and allowing the perfect Word of God to illuminate our sin, correct our ways, teach us and guide us.

Whether it’s a devotional email you are reading or a bible study you are attending, you must recognize that because you have given your life to Christ, His Word is authoritative in your life.

Therefore, you must think on it. Take notes, set reminders if need be- Friends, you will have to address the bad habits you have that lead to forgetting; Why not start today? Open your mind and heart to the intentional reception of God’s Word into your life.

Step 1: Hear. Step 2: Receive.

Finally,

Step 3: Do (22, 25-27)

READ 22

ILL: There was a man who decided to go to medical school and learn how to become a surgeon. He studied all the books, and could talk in depth and incessantly about a number of surgical procedures. One day, he was called to take the scalpel and perform a life-saving surgery on a patient. But, he got scared and ran out of the hospital.

Now, would you call this man a surgeon? No. Because he didn’t actually DO any surgeries!

James tells his readers that we have no business claiming to be Christians if we refuse to do what God has directed us to do. Salvation is by grace through faith, but if we have truly been changed, we will have evidence of that change in our lives.

Listen to James’ argument: (READ 26-27)

When he mentions ‘religion’ here, it might help us to translate it ‘devotion’ or ‘worship’ - So, what he is saying is that if we just talk about Jesus or simply learn about the Gospel, but we never act on it, then we are deceiving ourselves.

That kind of religion is worthless. Instead, we are called to have both inner expressions (purity, holiness) and outer expression (Compassion) of our devotion to Christ. This might be described simply as Loving God and Loving Others.

Now, this is not an exhaustive list of all the things Christians may do in expression of their devotion.

But for James’ audience, there needed to be a practical distinction between authentic Christianity and those who, as Jesus described, “honor me with your lips, but your hearts are far from me”

So, what do we do with this? Let me give you some practical application:

When you have heard the teaching of God’s Word- either from a sermon, bible lesson, devotional time, whatever- think on it, repeat it, wrestle with it and allow God to bring you to a point of conviction. Then, act on that conviction. How can you take action in obedience to God’s Word?

Perhaps you are feeling convicted in this moment to take initiative in your own Christian walk so that you grow. Your next step might be to take the sermon guide and discuss it with your family or maybe to join a Sunday School class or bible study.

Grads, look here, just because you are graduating the youth group does not mean that you don’t have a place. If you are in Christ, you are called to grow in your walk. So, make it a priority to be involved - join a new SS class, join or start a bible study with your peers.

Listen to v. 25 one more time: (READ)

Do you want to be blessed in what you do? Do you want to be in the center of God’s will, knowing that whatever you face, you will have the joy of God?

Hear, Receive, and Do God’s Word.

If you are with us this morning and have never received Christ as Lord and Savior, let today be the day that you hear his voice and receive the gift of salvation.

[PRAY]

Discuss: How can you be ‘quick to hear’ this week?

Discuss: What does it mean that the word of God would be implanted?

Discuss: What practical step can you take towards personal growth in Christian faith?