Hear & Do

The Book of James

Written by James the younger brother of Jesus. (Gal 1:19)

One of the earliest NT books written. (40-50AD)

James was one of the pastors in the Jerusalem church. (Acts 12:17, 15:13, 21:18, Gal. 2:9)

5 Chapters

Some call it “the Proverbs of the New Testament”

Mr. Men Children’s Book’s

Mr. Men is a series of children books by Roger Hargreavas beginning in 1971

These books are good at describing some of our good or bad character traits.

Mr. Adventure, Mr. Ball, Mr. Daydream, Mr. Grumble, Mr. Nosey , Little Miss Chatterbox

James 1:22–24 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.

Mr. Do (actually Mr. Good)

Mr. Do is someone who is busy doing, doing, doing. He goes about doing good and helping others. He works hard and never says no. His favorite word is do, not no. He is busy, busy, busy. He works, works, works. He rarely rests, because he wants to help everyone and does not want to miss anything.

Luke 10:38–39 ESV

38 Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching.

Luke 10:40–42 ESV

40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

God wants you to HEAR and not just DO.

Luke 10:39 ESV

39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching.

James 1:21 ESV

21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

Mr. Hear (actually Mr. Perfect)

Mr. Hear is someone who is busy listening, listening, listening. Every week he goes to Sunday school, to church, to Awana. He is quick to answer the questions, and recite his Bible verses. He joins every bible study that is offered. He even listens to several podcast of popular preachers. He love to listen, listen, listen.

God wants you to DO and not just HEAR.

Jesus said to serve others.

John 13:12–17 ESV

12 When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. 16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

Mr. Forgetful (as Mr. Forgetful)

Mr. Forgetful has a short term memory. He hears and then goes to do something and forgets what he was about to do.

(Mr. Forgetful video clip)

God does not want you to be deceived. v16, 22

v16 “Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers”

God is the source of all goodness and the gifts that flow out of his goodness.

v22 "deceiving yourselves”

Mr. Hear is deceived by thinking he is in good standing with God because he has listened, gained knowledge about God, the Bible, and the church.

Matthew 7:21 ESV

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

Mr. Do is deceived by thinking he is in good standing with God because of all the work he has done for God.

Matthew 7:22–23 ESV

22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

God wants you to HEAR and DO his will.

Have you believed upon Jesus and asked him to forgive you of your sins?

If you have believed and confessed, then have you been baptized?

If you have believed, confessed, and been baptized are you learning and obeying the Lord’s commands?