SF681 - HOW TO BE BLESSED BY THE BIBLE - DEVELOPING A FAITH THAT WORKS (James 1 21-25)
SF681
HOW TO BE BLESSED BY THE BIBLE
Developing a Faith That Works
James 1:21-25
Introduction
In America, Bibles are everywhere
Last year there were 500 million Bibles published in the world in 18,000 different languages portions of the Bible.
Yet millions of people still miss the blessing of the Bible.
Why? Because the blessing not automatic.
Ø The Bible is a book of blessing. It promises comfort, strength, hope, wisdom, joy, power, and purpose.
Ø But just because you have a Bible doesn't mean you're going to get the benefit from it.
The key is in Receiving the Truth!
It is not enough to know the Facts.
James, being his practical self, gives us three steps on how to be blessed by the Bible.
1A. We Must Receive the Word with Repentance
"Accept the word planted in you" = to welcome
1B. We must get Rid of all Known Sin
"moral filth" = "ear wax"
Sin blocks your hearing.
Ø It prevents God's word from getting into your heart.
Ø He says get rid of the evil, anything that we know that isn't right in our lives.
Ø God says, Lay aside all of the emotional garbage, the old habits, the junk in your life so that God's word can get through to you.
2B. We must Break old Patterns
"evil that is so prevalent"
Illustration: Lazerus still wrapped in grave clothes.
These are the sins that so easily beset us.
There are no little sins!
Ø Fill my cup Lord, I lift it up Lord; Cleanse my cup Lord, I messed it up Lord.
3B. How can we be clean? By confession.
"If we confess our sins, He's faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." The Living Bible says "Get rid of all that's wrong in your life, both inside and out."
2A We Must Receive the Word with Readiness (21b)
Humbly = Be compliant. Teachable, yielded, humble, willing to be changed.
1B. We must have a Teachable Spirit.
If you know it all, God's Word can't get through to you.
Pray, "God, do what You need to do in my life."
2B. We must have a Desire to Know God
(Proverbs 8:17 NIV) "I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me."
(Jeremiah 29:13 NIV) "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."
3A. We Must Receive the Word with Responsiveness
1B. We must Accept the Word
The test of maturity is not knowledge. The test of maturity is character.
Ø And knowledge increases responsibility.
"To whom much is given, much is required." And James said, "To him who knows to do good and doesn't do it, it's sin."
Illustration: Body Building Book
Ø I heard about the guy who came to church late. He walked in just as the service was completing. He said to an usher, "Is the sermon done, yet?" The usher was wise and said, "The sermon has been preached, but it is yet to be done." Be ye doers of the word, don't merely listen. Put it into practice.
(1:25 Phillips) "The man who puts the law into practice wins true happiness."
(John 13:17) "Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them."
2B. We Must Apply the Word - How? (23-25)
We are to Read the Word (25)
"the man who looks intently into the perfect law" = research
Ø "look" = "to stoop down and gaze in".
Ø It's the word used when Peter went to the tomb on resurrection Sunday when he stooped down and looked in. He investigated
Ø There are two ways you can look at a mirror. You can gaze at it or you can glance at it.
Ø God says He wants us to gaze at the word. Look at it intently in detail.
We are to Review the Word (25b)
"...and continues to do so..."
Ø The Bible calls this meditation. When you think about something over and over its meditation.
Jesus said, "...if you continue in My word, then you're truly My disciples."
Psalm 119:97 "I meditate on your word all day long."
We are to Remember the Word (25)
"... not forgetting what he has heard."
Ø Nothing will benefit your personal spiritual life more than developing the habit of memorizing Scripture.
"Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against Thee."
Hebrews 2:1 "Write things down so we don't let slip what we've heard."
APPLICATION
What is James saying to us?
He's saying "What are you going to do about what you already know?"
What are you going to do about it today
John 15:7 "If you abide [continue] in Me and My word abides in you, you can ask whatever you will and it will be done for you."
Ø The word of God in your heart is a condition for answered prayer.
James is saying that the blessing of the Bible comes when we start living it.
Are you Reading the Word?
Are you Reviewing the Word?
Are you Remembering the Word?
God's Word can and will change your life only when you receive it in repentence, readiness and responsiveness!
HOW TO BE BLESSED BY THE BIBLE
Developing a Faith That Works
April 27, 1997 P.M. - James 1:21-25
Tim McGhee
1A. We Must Receive the Word with _____________
"Accept the word planted in you" = to welcome
1B. We must get Rid of all __________________
2B. We must Break old __________________
3B. How can we be clean? __________________.
"If we confess our sins, He's faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." The Living Bible says "Get rid of all that's wrong in your life, both inside and out."
2A We Must Receive the Word with _____________
1B. We must have a __________________ Spirit.
2B. We must have a ______________ to Know God
(Proverbs 8:17 NIV) "I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me."
(Jeremiah 29:13 NIV) "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."
3A. We Must Receive the Word with _____________
1B. We must __________________ the Word
The test of maturity is not knowledge. The test of maturity is character.
(1:25 Phillips) "The man who puts the law into practice wins true happiness."
(John 13:17) "Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them."
2B. We Must _________ the Word - How? (23-25)
We must ________________ the Word (25a)
We are to ________________ the Word (25b)
We are to _______________ the Word (25)