The Man In The Mirror
Notes
Transcript
Intro; In my second year here as pastor, I and some of the men went to a men’s ministry in Perry, Ga. at the Fairgrounds. It was hosted by the mayor of Warner Robins at the time [Randy Toms], and all the men were given a book by Patrick M. Morley entitled, “The Man In The Mirror/ Solving the 24 Problems Men Face.”
Solving Our Identity Problems
Solving Our Relationship Problems
Solving Our Money Problems
Solving Our Time Problems
Solving Our Temperament Problems
Solving Our Integrity Problems
As I read the book it reveals to men that most of the solutions to our problems are really simple to solve. You just have to find the right information and plug into it. For the Christian, the right information is found in the Bible, through prayer, and being filled with the Holy Spirit!
So how do we apply these simple steps to find the right information in solving life’s problems?
We need to take a deep look at “The Man In The Mirror”
Text; James 1:22-25
22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
23 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;
24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.
25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.
1. The Word is God’s Mirror; 22-23
1. The Word is God’s Mirror; 22-23
Mirror- reflects the image of one that looks into it [polished brass, silver, gold and later glass]
God’s Word is the mirror that reveals the “Person of Jesus Christ.” And when we look into it, it shows us our defects that need to be addressed in our life that we might be like Him.
12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
When we look into the mirror it does not reflect the flaws of others, only the one looking into it!
[Illus.] Many years ago in eastern Tennessee the story went around about a mountaineer’s contact with some tourists who had camped in the hills around his area. Because the mountain folk didn’t see many tourists in those days, when the tourists left, this particular mountaineer went to look around the area where they had camped. He found several things they had left behind, including a mirror. He had never seen a mirror before. He looked into it longingly and said, “I never knew my pappy had his picture took!” He was very sentimental about it, of course, and took it home. He slipped into the house, climbed up into the loft and hid the mirror. His wife saw him do that but didn’t say anything. After he went out of the house, she went up to see what he had hidden. She found the mirror, and when she looked into it, she said, “So that’s the old hag he’s been running around with!” May I say to you, it is so easy to read the Word of God and to think it is a picture of someone else. It is a picture of you, and it is a picture of me.
McGee, J. V. (1991). Thru the Bible commentary: The Epistles (James) (electronic ed., Vol. 53, pp. 47–48). Thomas Nelson.
When we look into God’s Mirror, we need to quit deceiving ourselves!
2. Reflection of a Hearer; 23-24
2. Reflection of a Hearer; 23-24
If we heard a gospel sermon everyday of the week, and an angel from heaven were the preacher, and all we did is listen but never respond to the message, we would all die and go to hell and never get to heaven. A person who just hears the Word and never applies the truth of the Word to his/her life will quickly forget what they heard!
A hearer doesn’t take time to observe [study, careful examination] the Word;
15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
A hearer too often forgets what they hear;
6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel,
One who hears only fails to obey;
46 “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?
47 Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like:
48 He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock.
49 But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great.”
A lady was getting dressed and looks in the mirror four times before she leaves the house. On the way out the door her husband stops her and tells her that her slip is showing, she has a runner in her hose, she only has one earing in and her house-shoes don’t match her outfit. She is so used to going through the motions that she missed all the flaws!
How often do we go through the motions of church and miss what God wants to reveal to us?
3. Reflection of a Doer; 25
3. Reflection of a Doer; 25
The Mirror we look into is called the “Perfect Law of Liberty”.
Perfect Law of Liberty- Scripture is inerrant, infallible, and is sufficient for every aspect of life. Liberating the sinner from the yoke of SIN to the glorifying of the Saints forever!
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;
9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
11 Moreover by them Your servant is warned, And in keeping them there is great reward.
Look- Greek [par-ak-oop’-to], to bend down and carefully examine with curiosity and scrutiny from the clearest vantage point possible.
[A child stooping down to look at a bug crawling on the ground]
12 But Peter arose and ran to the tomb; and stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying by themselves; and he departed, marveling to himself at what had happened.
Continue- Greek [para-me-no] stay on, remain with, abide; put into practice
8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.
31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.
32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.
8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
9 “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.
10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.
11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.
God did not reveal His Word simply to be learned, but to be obeyed. The faithful hearer and doer of the Word does not study the mirror itself but rather what the mirror reveals, God’s will and truth.
Close;
There is a big difference in reading a menu and eating a meal.
There is a big difference in filling a prescription and taking the medicine.
There is a big difference in reading/hearing the Bible and growing in God’s grace.
[Devotion #210] If we are to use God’s mirror profitably, then we must gaze into it carefully and with serious intent. No quick glances will do. We must examine our own hearts and lives in the light of God’s Word. This requires time, attention, and sincere devotion. Five minutes with God each day will never constitute a deep spiritual examination.
A person who pays no attention to what he learns from Scripture proves his motive for reading it is not godly. At best, he is interested in mere factual knowledge to make himself look good, he will soon forget what he read or heard. In doing so, he brings even greater judgment on himself than a person who has never been exposed to the Word. He also gives strong evidence that, despite a profession of belief in Christ, he is not really saved.
What do you see when you look in the mirror?
What are you going to do about it?
