James 1:19

"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. "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.” ()

Our focus this morning is going to be v19.

"My dear brothers and sisters, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger,” ()

So God has given birth to you therefore we’re to walk as people that have been born again.

The Scriptures (the word of truth - v18) is the instrument of conversion and it’s upon that ground James is going to persuade us to listen properly to God’s Word (v22ff).

So then, v19, “My dear brothers and sisters understand this: Everyone...”

It’s everyone that is being bound to this passage.

This is the task of all Spirit born children of God.

None are exempt. There is none too old, none too wise, none too high to be taught.

“should be quick...”

Quick means ready and prompt.

The honoring of our duties is the ready and quick discharge of them.

“quick” brings a couple of things to mind

(1.) The freeness of spirit.

That is, w/out reluctance our obedience to God’s Word is performed.

No offerings are accepted by God but those that are as free-will offerings! "Lord, please accept my freewill offerings of praise, and teach me your judgments.” ()

(2.) Quickness also notes diligence.

Swift people will not decline an opportunity and say, “another day perhaps...”

In there’s a description of these heavenly creatures.

They had four faces and four wings;

they had four faces, as waiting when the Spirit would come upon them; and

four wings, as ready to look and fly into that part of the world into which God would dispatch them.

This diligence is shown to us in a few different ways,

1st. In restraining all debates and deliberations.

"As he was walking along the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter), and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. "“Follow me,” he told them, “and I will make you fish for people.” "Immediately they left their nets and followed him.” ()

In right after Saul is converted and baptized this is what’s recorded, "Immediately he began proclaiming Jesus in the synagogues: “He is the Son of God.”” ()

When the soul of a person deliberates about divine duties and tasks they are neglecting those tasks.

When God commands, there’s no debate!

Turn to . God says what in v17? "but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for on the day you eat from it, you will certainly die.”” ()

Eve repeats it: "But about the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden, God said, ‘You must not eat it or touch it, or you will die.’ ”” ()

And then Satan says what in the next verse? "“No! You will not die,” the serpent said to the woman.” ()

God affirms, the woman doubts, and Satan denies.

It is not good to allow the devil the advantage of a debate; when you pause upon things, Satan works upon your hesitancy.

2nd. In laying aside all pretending & excuses.

Tasks would never be done if we allow every lesser objection.

"The slacker says, “There’s a lion outside! I’ll be killed in the public square!”” ()

Frivolous excuses and irrational fears satisfy the lazy man’s conscience.

This sentence belongs to those who flinch from the cross

The sluggard is a coward.

He has no love for his work, and therefore he is always ready to invent some flimsy excuse that will prevent him from doing his duty.

He shrinks back from any work that is likely to involve him in any trouble.

Imagined dangers frighten him from real and present duties. “There is a lion outside!” or, “I will be murdered in the streets!”

What absurd excuses!

As if public streets were the stomping ground of wild beasts.

We need courage from God.

We must stand equipped with all of God’s armor (, ).

We all need this.

Each day, each hour we need to seek this, whether we are in the front line of the battle

or are the most ordinary soldier of the cross.

Do you remember Peter in the boat and the waves of the storm were going?

In , Peter says, "“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter answered him, “command me to come to you on the water.” "He said, “Come.” And climbing out of the boat, Peter started walking on the water and came toward Jesus.” ()

Come! And the next recorded words are Peter’s obedience.

3rd. In yielding the whole self up to God w/out reservation.

This is to allow no exceptions.

When that same Peter preached on Pentecost:

"When they heard this, they were pierced to the heart and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles: “Brothers, what should we do?” "Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” ()

Then listen just two verses later, "So those who accepted his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand people were added to them.” ()

Their ears and hearts were open to swiftly to obey God’s commands.

Samuel was told: "He told Samuel, “Go and lie down. If he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’ ” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.” ()

He was ready to receive whatever God would command, but oh my… how different it is with most professing Christians.

Christ comes to us (as He did this blind man) and says, "“What do you want me to do for you?” ...”” ()

Christ is willing to ask our pleasure and we’re not will to ask Him the same thing?

“What do You want me to do for You?”

The Master asks the servant what he (the servant) will command!

Let’s close in the book of Hebrews.

12:14–29 Final Warning: Do Not Refuse God’s Gracious Word Through Jesus.

The final warning passage in Hebrews comes in three segments:

the author commands his readers not to fall short of God’s grace as Esau did (vv. 14–17),

reminds them of the astonishing benefits that have come in the change from the old covenant to the new (vv. 18–24), and

warns them not to refuse God’s word but thankfully worship him (vv. 25–29).

"See to it that you do not reject the one who speaks. For if they did not escape when they rejected him who warned them on earth, even less will we if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven.” ()

"See to it that you do not reject the one who speaks. For if they did not escape when they rejected him who warned them on earth, even less will we if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven.” ()

See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks.

The is a command to believe and obey God.

Anything less than this is refusing him who speaks.

It is not enough to give him a hearing, as we say, unless we also obey him.

Hence the word is preached to many, but it does not benefit them, because it is not combined with faith ().

"My dear brothers and sisters, understand this: Everyone should be quick ...” ()