Surprise the World

James 1:19-27

Reflections of the Heart: The Straight Mirror of God's Word

Talk to the person next to you. goat

How do you remind yourself about something,

1. Take note: to Remember

James 1:19–20 NIV

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this:

Imagine a person who lived by sticky notes. Everywhere you looked, there was a reminder: 'Test tomorrow,' 'Buy groceries,' and even a note that read 'Call Mom!' At first, it might seem silly, but you would likely grow to appreciate those notes. As They keep us on track! In the Bible, Deuteronomy 4:9 encourages us to remember and keep our hearts, so we don’t forget God. Just like those sticky notes, we need reminders in our spiritual lives to help us stay focused on what truly matters.

In this passage James wants us to put a big sticky note up to for 3 important things to do

19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 

Take special note of anything that is repeated in the story.

J. Scott Duvall; J. Daniel Hays

put off….

Take note of this: Ie record it so as to remember, because it is important.

BE LONG WITH EACH OTHER: Patient. long before you talk, long in your listening, long before getting angry.

not being patient, I e a balloon getting blown up, gotta let it out as you go.

human anger just does not produce the rightness with God that he desires

anger is something that we do not generally wield in a righteous way, our anger generally leads to more hurt and damage.

2. Remember: to do (in order to be right, like him)

20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 

21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. 

get rid of, like taking off a garment, moral filth, anger and evil

If you believe what you like in the Bible, and reject what you like, it is not the Bible you believe but yourself.

Saint Augustine of Hippo

Practicing the Word

James 1:21-22

You might suggest that rather than mere listeners, we must become doers, living out our faith as Christ did, thereby genuinely reflecting His impact in our lives. James seems to be saying we deceive ourselves of being right with God if it makes no marked impact on our actual living and general life. This verse should make us squirm.

There’s a story of a man who tried to impress his pastor by always wearing a three-piece suit to church, even in the hottest summer. When asked why he didn’t dress more comfortably, he replied, 'I want to look like a good Christian!' However, the pastor gently reminded him that it’s not about the clothes we wear but about the heart we bring to God. His heart was right; the suit was just for show!

At the day of Doom men shall be judged according to their fruits. It will not be said then, Did you believe? but, Were you doers, or talkers only?

John Bunyan

Those who are genuinely saved are those who prove themselves to be doers of the Word. When the seed takes root and grows, there is fruit.

R. C. Sproul

We need an outbreak of holy heartburn, when hearers shall be doers, when congregations shall go out from meetings to do things for God.

Havner, Vance

The Epistle of Straw

Martin Luther

1961The general religion of mankind is “Do,” but the religion of a true Christian is “Done.” “It is finished,” is the believer’s conquering word.—30.164

Charles Spurgeon

Justification by faith is the hinge on which all true religion turns.

John Calvin (French Reformer)

We are right with God through Jesus yes. We are justified by faith in Jesus so no one can boast yes, there is nothing to add ever to the work of the cross for our salvation. And also, those who are His will be ever on the journey of actual reformation and not just pretending the gospel changes us.

“true religion” begins with faith—but a faith that works.

Douglas J. Moo

It is an evidence that true religion, or holiness of heart, lies very much in the affection of the heart, that the Scriptures place the sin of the heart very much in hardness of heart.

Jonathan Edwards (American Evangelical Preacher)

3. Mirrors…

Some people hate mirrors… why, because they reveal what we are like.

Imagine a person who never looked in a mirror, other people might tell them they have something on there face, but they they would do a good job of cleaning their face.

Mirrors can really help us see how things are. And the bible is the perfect mirror for our lives.

The New International Version Chapter 1

23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror

24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.

It would be weird right to look in the mirror and then what we were like as soon as we left.

James tells us thats what a person is like when they look in the mirror of the bible but when they leave its pages forget about it and dont do what it says.

What might the mirror of the bible reveal?

Charles Spurgeon says the mirror can show you how dirty your face is, but just try washing your face in it. The law of God is like a mirror. The Bible says so in James.

Timothy Keller

The Law was never given to save anybody; the Law was given to reveal sin. The Law is a mirror. You don’t wash your face in the mirror; you examine your face in the mirror.

Warren W. Wiersbe

Why does James call the Bible a mirror? Because when you go to the Bible, before it tells you what to do, it shows you who you are. Before it tells you what to do, it shows you who you are!

Timothy Keller

James wants us to look into the word , let it interact with us, it will reveal whats going on in heart and then do what it says.

The New International Version Chapter 1

25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

4. Living True Religion (with our words and care)

The New International Version Chapter 1

26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.

27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Controlling your tongue

Caring for those in need

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