Two against one Doesn't Always Win

Two Against

One

Doesn’t always Win

Fultondale First Baptist Church

Fultondale, Alabama

Wednesday night

November 21, 2007

Pine Level Baptist Church February 9, 2005

First Baptist Church Gantt

James 1:19-20

19 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God./[1]/

James Has established several things up until this point.

He spoke of a new birth

He spoke of the eternal plan

He spoke of us giving our first fruits

Now he speaks to us as Brother

Brothers in the faith

He begins to teach us how to live as first fruits by developing 3 enduring qualities.

1.      Quick to Listen

Verse 19 begins with the Greek word

Akouō (ak·oo·o/ )  - To obtain learning by the ear

He says listen up

Let everyone be quick to listen –

God gave us two ears and only one mouth

Wonder why?

Jesus told us much the same thing in Matthew 13:9 “who has ears let him hear”

Jesus was the perfect example of a listener.

He listened to the Woman at the well

He listened to Zacheas

He listened to the disciples

Paul tells us in Romans 10:17

17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

John 10:4-5 Jesus answering the Pharisees question

Just as the servant is quick to hear the master

And a mother is quick to hear the cry of a baby

The Christian should be just as quick to hear the words of God.

Our witness would be more effective if we were to listen more.

          We need to hear the need and respond

          People want to be heard.

2.    Slow to speak

Again we have 2 ears and one mouth this should remind us that we are to listen before speaking

We even today argue with God’s word.

We rebuke those preaching it

We rebuke those teaching it

We rebuke those printing it

Too many times we do it because we do not want to hear from God

Some are afraid to hear God’s words

Pray that He might have His will and way with our children.

I have heard be careful what you pray for.

Pray for it and listen

Listen Listen

Pray, Read God’s word and Listen

Proverbs 10:19

19          In the multitude of words sin is not lacking,

            But he who restrains his lips is wise.

The more we grow in our spiritual lives we learn to listen and accept things

Proverbs 17:27

27          He who has knowledge spares his words,

            And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit.

What if today’s church had more listeners than talkers?

I love to talk.  But I wonder if we stand around and talk too much after church. 

I tend to size up the service.

Wonder why people are not here

Get upset if something does not go my way

I venture to say that I am not the only one.

Most do.

Go to James 3:1-12

3.    Slow to wrath

The Greek word for wrath or anger is orge which can be translated as anger, indignation, vengeance, or wrath.

It is the same word used in Colossians 3:8 as one of the qualities which we should put off from our lives.

Colossians 3:8

8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, 11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.

Peter was quick to anger and cut off the ear of the arresting soldier in the Garden.

Mans anger does not produce anything for the Lord in most cases

Listen to these words

Temper is such a valuable thing; it is a shame to lose it.

Temper is what gives steel its strength

Heating iron that has been tempered will cause it to lose its temper and become just another piece of metal.

The person who does not get angry and sin cannot get angry with God.

Proverbs 14:29

9           He who is slow to wrath has great understanding,

            But he who is impulsive exalts folly.

We think when we show our anger it is to be a BIG person but in reality we are small in the eyes of the Lord.

Remember we are talking about spiritual Maturity.

Some of us need to grow up.

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[1]The New King James Version, (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers) 1998, c1982.