Hearers and Doers of the Word

James  •  Sermon  •  Submitted   •  Presented   •  16:23
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The Level 4 Mirror

good days and bad days.
See what’s going on behind the busyness of everyday life.
For me, I’ve realised how much I’m motivated by the urgency of hte next thing that needs to be done. I need to find smoething deeper. Something life-giving and true
James is an uncomfortable mirror. Even though what he says is so good, I think one of the reasons that James is a bit unpopular is because he comes across as a bit of a grumpy school teacher.

Something Ugly

Mirror held up to society
See lots of good things, but also see some things that break my heart.
Anger:
ends in hatred
rooted in fear

Essential workers

criticised for going to church
criticised for being Samoan
criticised for being essential workers
Essential often has two meanings

Find our true selves in the Word of Truth

what is the Word?
contested
COVID deniers vs lockdown supporters - small proportion of society, but for some reason seem to be over-represented in Christian circles. I don’t get it.
James describes the goodness of God
"every good and perfect gift from above”
“Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry”
“humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you"
“chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kinf of first fruits of all he created.”
“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."
Also describes moral filth and evil of this world
Moral filth - we think we know what that means without even really looking.
Heard it so many times we think we know what it means
what if moral filth and evil isn’t just doing grubby things we know that we shouldn’t, but taking our fear, allowing it to make us angry, and allowing that anger to turn into hate?
We’ve seen a bit of that in the last few days, haven’t we?
Which reflects the word of truth? Which reflcets the fruit of the Spirit?
“the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23
Mercy triumphs over judgement - James 2:13
As we hold our soceity up to the mirror, do the things we’re doing reflect the fruit of the Spirit? Or, the fear, anger and hatred of this evil world?
As we look in the mirror. Do the things I’m saying, are the things I’m doing motivated by fear, frustration, anger or hatred?
Or am I treating myself and others with dignity, mercy, grace, love and humility?

Gary

This picture was taken nearly 10 years ago, at my last Knox block course before I came to Timaru with my dear friend Gary. When we were at Knox together Gary was a rock of love and fun and graciousness in my life.
Gary is now minister at St. James Presbyterian in Henderson, West Auckland. I’m pleased to be able to say that no-one in his congregation has been directly affected by coronavirus, but as the mirror has been held up to New Zealand over the last 10 days, Gary and his family, people that he loves have been affected by the kind of talk that has been all too prevalent on our airwaves.
Gary, if you’re watching. Thank you for your love and grace. Also, why aren’t you at church! It’s Sunday morning!
Anyway, Gary posted a video he made with his 5 year old daughter. My first thought was I wanted to share it here because it is full of that love and fun and grace that I remember from Knox. That sense fo fun is the perfect antidote to reading from James. Gary, we need your fun during lockdown, mate!
Then I realised what an important example that is for us as we look in the COVID mirror once more. Gary, Tara, I don’t want to use you as a sermon illustration, I want my people to see an example fo the goodness of the Word of Truth. Thank you for sharing. Manuia le aso
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