Scripture References: James 1:21-25; Matthew 7:24-27; James 2:14; Hebrews 11
Intro: Good morning. Today in our James series, guest speaker Jared Turner addresses a core challenge: moving from simply hearing God's Word to actively doing it. James 1:21-25 famously warns against the self-deception of being hearers only. Let's examine this vital call to put faith into action.
Key Points:
- Foundation: Receive the Word Humbly (v. 21): Before action comes reception. James urges us to put away sin and "receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls." We must first humbly welcome God's truth given by His grace (v. 18).
- Warning: Don't Be Hearers Only (v. 22): The central warning: "Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." Simply accumulating Bible knowledge, attending church, or agreeing with sermons without applying the truth to our lives is self-deception.
- The Mirror Analogy (vv. 23-24): A hearer-only is like someone seeing their reflection (and its flaws) in a mirror, then walking away and immediately forgetting. They glimpse the truth about themselves in light of God's Word but fail to make necessary adjustments.
- The Blessing: Doers Are Blessed (v. 25): The one who looks intently into God's Word ("the perfect law, the law of liberty") and perseveres in it—becoming "a doer who acts"—will be "blessed in his doing." Blessing and stability come through active obedience.
- Jesus' Parallel: Wise vs. Foolish Builders (Matt 7:24-27): Jesus taught the same principle. Hearing and doing His words is like building on rock—stable against life's storms. Hearing but not doing is building on sand—leading to eventual collapse. Obedience provides a firm foundation.
- Action Completes Faith (Heb 11): True faith, as seen in Hebrews 11, always involves action. Abel offered, Noah built, Abraham went. Our actions demonstrate the reality of our inner faith. Hearing and believing must lead to obeying.
Conclusion: James urgently calls us beyond passive hearing to active doing. Merely listening to God's Word without allowing it to transform our behavior is self-deception and builds a life on sand. True, blessed, stable Christian living comes from humbly receiving the Word and persevering in putting it into practice.
Call to Action: Reflect: Are you primarily a hearer or a doer? Where has God's Word recently convicted or instructed you? Choose one specific area this week to move from hearing to doing. Take a concrete step of obedience, building your life on the rock of His Word.
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