SF680 - HOW TO BEHAVE LIKE A BELIEVER - DEVELOPING A FAITH THAT WORKS (James 1 19-20)
SF680
How to behave like a believer
Developing a faith that works
James 1:19-20
Introduction
Verse 18 deals with the New Birth
Verses 19-20 deal with our New Behavior
James sets forth three things we must do if we are going to Behave like Believers
1a. We Must Start Listening More
(Mark 4:24 NIV) ""Consider carefully what you hear…"
1B. God speaks through the Scriptures
Ø Is there a lesson to learn?
Ø Is there blessing to enjoy?
Ø Is there a command to obey?
Ø Is there a sin to avoid?
Ø Is there a new truth to carry with me?
2B. God speaks through the Sermon
(Romans 10:14 NIV) "How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?"
(Isaiah 61:1 NIV) "The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor…"
(1 Peter 4:11 NIV) "If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God."
Ø I must be prepared, but so must you!
Man who slept in church asked the pastor to suggest a prayer. Now I lay me down to sleep
3B. God speaks through the Spirit
(Revelation 2:7 NIV) "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches…."
This requires quite time.
(1 Samuel 3:10 NIV) "…Speak, for your servant is listening.""
(Psalms 46:10 NIV) ""Be still, and know that I am God; ….""
We tend to want to do all the talking in prayer
2A. We Must Stop Talking so Much
1B. Most of Us Talk too Much
Many things are opened by mistake, but none so frequently as the mouth.
(Proverbs 10:19 NCV) "If you talk a lot, you are sure to sin; if you are wise, you will keep quiet."
(Proverbs 17:27 NCV) "The smart person says very little, and one with understanding stays calm."
(Ecclesiastes 5:3 NCV) "The saying is true: Bad dreams come from too much worrying, and too many words come from foolish people."
We have two ears and only one mouth
2B. Jesus warned against Speaking Carelessly
Most of us talk too quickly…
(Matthew 12:36 NCV) "And I tell you that on the Judgment Day people will be responsible for every careless thing they have said."
Jesus is not talking about humor
"Careless" = non productive
We are to be sure our words build up and do not tear down.
Jesus used humor
Ø Jesus was not warning against a wise word spoken playfully. He was speaking against a foolish word spoken seriously.
A wise old owl lived in an oak; The more he saw the less he spoke. The less he spoke the more he heard, why can't we be like that old bird.
(Psalms 141:3 NIV) "Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips."
Look before you Lip
3A. We Must Control our Anger
1B. Why You Need to Control Your Anger
Because uncontrolled anger is sin
Not all anger is sin
(Ephesians 4:26 NIV) ""In your anger do not sin…"
Ø Jesus became angry but he never sinned
(Mark 3:5 NIV) "He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored."
Ø What made Jesus angry was hard hearts in the face of human hurts.
2B. How You are to Control Your Anger
Be angry for the right reason
Ø Jesus never became angry when he was personally mistreated
Ø We need to get angry when some one else is hurt.
Be angry at the right thing
Ø Jesus did not get angry with individuals but with their sins and systems.
Be angry in the right way
Ø Jesus' anger made him part of the solution not part of the problem.
(James 1:20 NIV) "for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires."
Ø When you raise your voice, you must be willing to lift your hands.
It does not take a lot of size to criticize.
3B. What Our Out of Control Tempers Shows
How foolish we are
(Ecclesiastes 7:9 NIV) "Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools."
How immature we are
(Proverbs 16:32 NIV) "Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city."
How out of control we are
(Proverbs 29:22 NIV) "An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered one commits many sins."
Ø Anger is a stone thrown into a wasp's nest.
4B. What to do After You have lost Your Temper
Recognize it for what it is - SIN
Ø It is not weakness it is wickedness
Take responsibility for your anger
(Matthew 12:34 NIV) "…For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks."
Repent and turn to God.
Application
(Proverbs 15:1 NIV) "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."
Jesus did not come to make us nice people
He came to make us new creatures!
Without Christ, without the new birth you cannot control your thoughts or your words or you actions!
How to behave like a believer
Developing a faith that works
April 27, 1997 A.M. - James 1:19-20
Tim McGhee
1a. We Must Start _________________ More
(Mark 4:24 NIV) ""Consider carefully what you hear…"
1B. God speaks through the ______________
2B. God speaks through the ___________________
(Romans 10:14 NIV) "How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?"
3B. God speaks through the _________________
(Revelation 2:7 NIV) "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches…."
(1 Samuel 3:10 NIV) "…Speak, for your servant is listening.""
(Psalms 46:10 NIV) ""Be still, and know that I am God; ….""
2A. We Must Stop ___________________ so Much
1B. Most of Us Talk too ___________
(Proverbs 10:19 NCV) "If you talk a lot, you are sure to sin; if you are wise, you will keep quiet."
(Proverbs 17:27 NCV) "The smart person says very little, and one with understanding stays calm."
(Ecclesiastes 5:3 NCV) "The saying is true: Bad dreams come from too much worrying, and too many words come from foolish people."
2B. Jesus warned against _____________________
(Matthew 12:36 NCV) "And I tell you that on the Judgment Day people will be responsible for every careless thing they have said."
(Psalms 141:3 NIV) "Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips."
3A. We Must _________________ our Anger
1B. _______ You Need to Control Your Anger
(Ephesians 4:26 NIV) ""In your anger do not sin…"
(Mark 3:5 NIV) "He looked around at them in anger …"
2B. ____________ You are to Control Your Anger
Be angry for the right reason
Be angry at the right thing
Be angry in the right way
3B. What an out of Control _________________
How foolish you are
(Ecclesiastes 7:9 NIV) "… anger resides in the lap of fools."
How immature you are
How out of control you are
(Proverbs 29:22 NIV) "An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered one commits many sins."
4B. What to do ______ You have lost Your Temper
Recognize it for what it is - SIN
Take responsibility for your anger
Repent and turn to God.