Stop thinking, Start doing

Sermon Title: Stop Thinking, Start Doing

Stop measuring others, stop judging others, stop being mad at church, or pastors or governments.

If they can live that way and claim to be Christians than I must be ok-

Stop thinking— Start doing—

Main Scripture: James 1:22–25

James 1:22–25 ESV

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 who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

• The New Year Trap: We all love the "idea" of a new year. We buy gym memberships we don't use and journals we don't write in. We think that planning to change is the same thing as actually changing.

• The Problem: In our spiritual lives, we often do the same thing. We listen to sermons, we nod our heads, and we say, "That was a good word." But if we walk out the door and don't change how we act, we’ve gained nothing.

• The Bottom Line: James tells us that faith isn't a "head" thing or a "heart" thing—it’s a "hand" thing. It’s about execution.

Point 1: Don't Trick Yourself (10 Minutes)

Scripture: "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." (James 1:22)

• The "Hearing" High: When we hear a good truth, our brains give us a little reward. We feel like we've accomplished something just by learning it. James says that’s a trick.

• The Mirror Illustration (v. 23-24): James says someone who hears but doesn't do is like a person who looks in a mirror, sees dirt on their face, and then walks away without washing it.

• The mirror did its job—it showed you the truth.

• But the mirror can’t wash your face for you. I shaved my goatee this last summer and i had a little bit of an identity crisis.. I hadn’t seen myself in 25 years. Forgot what i looked like.. but only when i looked in the mirror.. other wise i was still the same person.. just don’t look in the mirror. lol

• Cross-Reference: Jesus said the same thing in Matthew 7:24–27 He talked about two men. Both heard his words. One built on rock (the doer), and one built on sand (the hearer only). When the storm came, the "hearer only" lost everything.

Matthew 7:24–27 ESV

24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

• Takeaway: This year, don't just collect information. Collect actions.

Point 2: The Law of Freedom

Scripture: "But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres... he will be blessed in his doing." (James 1:25)

• Looking Closely: James uses a word for "looking" that means to stoop down and squint. It means paying attention.

• Executing the Task: The secret to getting things done is perseverance. It’s not about doing it once; it’s about doing it every day.

• Why call it "Liberty" (Freedom)? We think "rules" make us slaves. But think about a guitar. If you follow the "rules" of how to play, you are free to make music. If you ignore the rules, you’re just making noise.

• Execution in Life: If you want a better marriage this year, don't just "wish" for it. Execute the task of kindness. If you want to be less stressed, execute the task of prayer.

Proverbs 14:23 ESV

23 In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.

Point 3: The Blessing is in the "Doing"

• The Promise: Notice James doesn't say you are blessed because you know the Bible. He says you are blessed in your doing.

• Small Wins: You don't have to change your whole life by Tuesday. You just have to execute the next right step.

• If God says "forgive," go make the phone call.

• If God says "give," open your wallet.

• If God says "serve," find a need.

Conclusion & Call to Action

• The "One Thing" Challenge: I want everyone to pick one thing you’ve been "meaning to do" for God.

• Don't leave the building without a plan. Write down:

1. What is the task?

2. When will I do it?

3. Who will hold me to it?

Play song

1 Corinthians 11:17–34 ESV

17 But in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. 18 For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part, 19 for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized. 20 When you come together, it is not the Lord’s supper that you eat. 21 For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal. One goes hungry, another gets drunk. 22 What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not. 23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. 27 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. 31 But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world. 33 So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another— 34 if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home—so that when you come together it will not be for judgment. About the other things I will give directions when I come.