Do Something
James • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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James ended the last part of his letter saying that God brought us forth by His Word of Truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.
And now he’s going to give us some practical ways to help with this, and give us indication of the changes (or lack there of) happening inside us.
My dear brothers and sisters, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for human anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness.
Emphasizes with “my dear” - Listen to HEAR (understand), not to respond.
Slow to speak and definitely slow to anger
If our goal is understanding, then we can let go of the things that might upset and anger us!
Anger doesn’t show God’s righteousness!
The one who knows much says little; an understanding person remains calm.
Therefore, ridding yourselves of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent, humbly receive the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
Therefore…
Getting rid of the anger, backstabbing, bickering, arguing, name calling...
It. Is. EVIL and it is PREVALENT.
Allow God’s word to permeate your mind, your heart, and your soul, as His word, through Jesus, is able to save you.
throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.
But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.
Do not talk badly to or about your fellow believers. And don’t assume that those outside the church are bad either. We are all image bearers of God, and...
Jesus came that none shall perish, but have eternal life. God wants ALL.
But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. Because if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like someone looking at his own face in a mirror. For he looks at himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of person he was.
But - it’s not enough to simply hear the word! To hear it, to understand it, to accept it is to ACT upon it.
If you don’t act on it, if you don’t allow it to transform you, and embrace that transformation and move with it outwardly, then you are lying to yourself.
Karate Kid - “You trust the quality of what you know, not the quantity.”
One who does not remember what they look like after looking in a mirror has delusions of their appearance. They are delusional, much like someone who thinks that following Jesus is merely a mental exercise.
But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer who works—this person will be blessed in what he does.
But! - again James is saying it’s not enough to hear only, or to see yourself as redeemed and then forget it when you walk out of church.
We need to look into the perfect law, the law of Jesus.
What is the perfect law of Jesus?
He said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important command. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commands.”
Paul also spoke about the perfect law, the law of liberty, the new covenant that Jesus brought!
Gal 5:1;6
For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery… For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.
Jesus perfected the OT Law, he didn’t do away with it. James is pointing out that Jesus is the perfect law, and that God still shows us His will and call for how to live based on the Law. But we are not bound to them like servants, but because of Jesus we are set free BY them to love on the wold around us.
Back to James slide
But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer who works—this person will be blessed in what he does.
However, notice 2 things:
“and Perseveres in it”! - We MUST abide in Christ and keep holding on.
“but a doer who works” - We MUST work out our faith. A true and genuine faith in Christ produces fruit and action.
If anyone thinks he is religious without controlling his tongue, his religion is useless and he deceives himself.
James stops speaking in parables and proverbs, and is just down-right blunt.
Matt is Jesus speaking
But what comes out of the mouth comes from the heart, and this defiles a person. For from the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, sexual immoralities, thefts, false testimonies, slander. These are the things that defile a person...
Our speech is what shows what is going on inside of us. Don’t get me wrong, sometimes we slip out of anger or surprise, but if there’s a theme and a trend, it’s a good indication of what’s going on inside.
Are you being redeemed by the gospel through the workings of the HS, or are you sliding back to your old life and living in the flesh?
We must fight our own flesh and desires at times, trusting in God. If our will goes apposed to God’s, we need to trust in God’s will and plan, and submit to His ways and authority.
Pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
God has a heart for those who struggle and are oppressed. He is not an oppressor, nor is He for oppression. But He is for care and providing for those less fortunate.
That IS a call on God’s people. If we love God, we MUST love what God loves and love them HOW God loves them.
God in his holy dwelling is a father of the fatherless and a champion of widows. God provides homes for those who are deserted. He leads out the prisoners to prosperity, but the rebellious live in a scorched land.
“Wash yourselves. Cleanse yourselves. Remove your evil deeds from my sight. Stop doing evil. Learn to do what is good. Pursue justice. Correct the oppressor. Defend the rights of the fatherless. Plead the widow’s cause.
There’s a reason we’ve been putting on meals to help those who are struggling in the aftermath of the tornado. It’s the right thing to do, and it’s what God calls us to do!
Memory of struggling as a widower, and the love and help of family made progress possible.
How can you help? How can we help?
Prayer is HUGE! So come, volunteer to pray with those asking after services. And if you need prayer, come and ask. Let your church family cover you in prayer and carry your burdens with you.
PRAYER -
Father, we thank you so much for everything you have done and are doing for us, with us, and through us. Give us courage to share Jesus with our neighbors. Help us to feed and clothe those in need. Use us as a people of justice and mercy. Help Central Community Church of God be known throughout Rolla as the church that opens it’s doors and hearts to those who God is calling and those that are seeking Him. Show each of us ways this week that we can be a blessing to those around us, and motivate us to step out in faith to follow your call.
In Jesus’s name we pray, amen.
