How Close to Death?
A Walk with James • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Opening Announcements for Sunday July 19th 2026:
Thank you to Pat and Carol for building cleaning
Thank you to Lawton, Eric, and all associated with keeping the outside in order
Maria McMahon is in the hospital (today is her birthday)
Leadership/Board meeting tonight at 6:30 on TEAMS
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Big Idea: When a person is murdered, it is a statistical truth that more often than not the victim know their murderer. They often have had a “friendly” relationship at some point. It was because of this relationship that they were able to get close enough to cause harm.
Summary: James emphasizes the importance of not only hearing the word but also doing what it says, highlighting the practical outworking of genuine faith in daily life.
Application: This passage calls Christians to action, urging them to reflect on how they can demonstrate love through their words and actions, moving beyond mere religious practice. It encourages individuals to identify specific areas in their lives where they can apply their faith to serve and uplift others.
Teaching: This sermon could teach the necessity of practical love as an expression of faith. It encourages believers to listen carefully, respond thoughtfully, and act compassionately, fulfilling the law of love.
How this passage could point to Christ: In the broader biblical context, Christ exemplifies perfect love and obedience to the Father, fulfilling the law and calling His followers to live similarly. This passage invites us to see Jesus not just as a figurehead of faith but as the very embodiment of love that acts.
Recommended Study: I suggest exploring the cultural context of first-century Judaism as it relates to religious practices, which can enhance your understanding of James' challenge to mere religiosity. Additionally, consider examining different translations of key terms in James 1:22-25 in Logos to evaluate how they inform the meaning of 'doing' versus 'merely hearing.' You might find it helpful to research historical figures who have exemplified faith in action, which could provide relevant illustrations for your sermon.
Opening Scripture:
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 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.
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 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.
Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. 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.
Living in close proximity to a Nuclear Power Plant as an Illustration:
The constant need to ensure no reaction
The horrible effects that would result from a nuclear failure
Jesus as the Illustration:
Jesus often demonstrated that true faith is practical. When He healed the sick, fed the hungry, and spent time with outcasts, He wasn’t performing a religious duty — He was expressing love. In our daily lives, we can do the same. A simple act of kindness can be a demonstration of our faith in action. Like a farmer tending his crops, we must sow seeds of love and care instead of merely maintaining our religious routines.
Some Key Quotes:
Love to Him will breed a love for all His sheep and your love for them will give you power over them.
“Feed My Sheep”, Volume 56, Sermon #3211 - John 21:16
Charles Spurgeon
To Jesus religion was service. It was love of God and love of men. Ritual was irrelevant compared with love in action. To Jesus the most important thing in the world was not the correct performance of a ritual, but the spontaneous answer to the cry of human need.
William Barclay (New Testament Scholar)
Working through the Text as a quick Intro
A life of Christ is a Life of Love, and a Life of Love is a Life of Yielding
A life of Christ is a Life of Love, and a Life of Love is a Life of Yielding
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,
Human Justice is imperfect Justice.
Human Justice is imperfect Justice.
because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
** This past week in the State of Florida, two people were executed for crimes committed against another on the same day.** This has not happened since 1964 (62 years ago.)
***According to Florida Department of Corrections records cited by the Associated Press, the last time Florida executed two inmates on the same day was May 12, 1964, when Emmett C. Blake and Sie Dawson were executed for murder. We are not here to solve nor even discuss the sociological, ethical, and legal ramifications of capital punishment, but rather the basic question, “Now what”.
A Choice is Required as to who we will serve. Ourselves or God.. To WHOM DO WE GIVE OUR LOVE
A Choice is Required as to who we will serve. Ourselves or God.. To WHOM DO WE GIVE OUR LOVE
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.
DO As God Says: Love God, Yourself, and Your Neighbor as YOURSELF.
DO As God Says: Love God, Yourself, and Your Neighbor as YOURSELF.
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
Favoritism is the brother of death
Favoritism is the brother of death
**Just a quick observation: If a Follower of Christ, who has truly received Chirst spends their time being frustrated and or angered by the behavior of those who do not yet know Christ, are practicing a dangerous religion: Self Righteousness. **
The ONLY Person to whom we can lie is ourselves.
The ONLY Person to whom we can lie is ourselves.
Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.
There is a BETTER WAY & it is the ONLY WAY
There is a BETTER WAY & it is the ONLY WAY
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. Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.
A Bridge to the Most: You are one or the other. Either close to life or close to death.…
A Bridge to the Most: You are one or the other. Either close to life or close to death.…
What makes James a Unique Epistle (especially for it’s time) is that it was a practical ethic lesson. One of, if not the first letter to address the subject of Christ Ethics on a foundational, practical, day to day basis.
The Outline to Preach: How do we practically SHOW LOVE.
The Outline to Preach: How do we practically SHOW LOVE.
1. Prepare to Practically Listen
1. Prepare to Practically Listen
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 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.
Staying Close to LIFE Requires staying Close and STILL enough to Listen to the Lives of Others
Staying Close to LIFE Requires staying Close and STILL enough to Listen to the Lives of Others
2. Practice the Perfect Law
2. Practice the Perfect Law
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 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.
Staying Close to Life Means Being Willing to Set Down ALL Idols to Pick up another.
Staying Close to Life Means Being Willing to Set Down ALL Idols to Pick up another.
Maybe you could highlight the contrast between merely listening to the word and actually doing it. Stress the metaphor of looking into a mirror and suggest that our faith requires active and thoughtful practice. Just as Christ perfectly fulfilled the law, we too are called to go beyond passive religiosity into active observance, bringing Jesus's example into our lives. This section reflects the transformative love of Christ, urging listeners not to forget what they've heard but to let it change their lives.
3. Proclaim and Practice Pure Religion
3. Proclaim and Practice Pure Religion
Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. 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.
Staying Close to Life, means remembering that the ALTAR is NEVER more IMPORTANT THAN THE SACRIFICE
Staying Close to Life, means remembering that the ALTAR is NEVER more IMPORTANT THAN THE SACRIFICE
