Highlands Fellowship The Book of James: Being Doers of the Word & Not Hearers Only Transcript

Everybody and welcome to Highlands Fellowship. To those of you joining us in Marion, Bristol, in our cafes, in Highlands country, in the chapel, online, and on TV. I'm so glad that you're here and that we get to spend this time together and I hope that you'll make yourself feel right at home because as we like to say around here and we truly believe that Highlands is home. Also, happy Mother's Day. And if you happen to be right beside your mom right now, go ahead and turn to her and say, "I love you, Mom." Just go ahead and let her know that right now. Go ahead and tell her, "I love you, Mom." All right.

And to all the moms, can I just say that you are incredible? You do more than anyone sees. You carry more than anyone knows. And somehow, you still manage to find that missing shoe 5 seconds before you run out the door. And so, thank you. Thank you for your love. Thank you for your care. And I think I speak for every single one of us when I say, "We wouldn't be here without you." Like, seriously, we wouldn't be, okay?

But if you have your Bibles today or Bible app, go ahead and open those up to James chapter 1. Today, we're going to be in week five of our series on the book of James where we're working slowly through this book, the entire book, because we desire to grow and mature, which is what God expects of those who have a relationship with Jesus Christ. And the book of James is really all about this authentic faith that is lived out daily. So, let's get into the message by reading the passage of scripture that we're going to be working through today. It's James chapter 1. It's verses 19 through 27.

Says this, "My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this. Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like somebody who looks at his face in a mirror and after looking at himself goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.

But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom and continues in it, not forgetting what they have heard but doing it, they will be blessed in what they do. Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves and their religion is worthless. 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."

You know, when I think about my mom and when I think about the moms that I've been around over the years, moms have a way of saying some things that tend to stick with us forever. Phrases like, you know, "Watch your mouth." "Think before you speak." "Don't just hear me, but do what I said." "Actions speak louder than words." And you may not have realized it at the time, but they were actually teaching you what God's word says. Because what moms have been saying for years and years and years is very similar to what God says in scripture.

And today we're looking at James chapter 1 verses 19 through 27 and it's actually one of the most practical passages in all of the Bible. It's about how real faith, authentic faith, shows up in everyday life and how we listen, how we speak, how we respond to other people and circumstances, how we treat people. And if I could sum it up in a phrase, it would sound a lot like something your mom would probably say to you growing up. Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and do what you're told. And it turns out that that's not just good advice, but that's also what God's word teaches.

So today, we're going to talk about what it looks like to have an authentic faith that doesn't just hear, but how to actually live it out daily. And James, he gives us three steps about how God's word can help us develop an authentic faith. So first of all, I've got to be open to God's word. So if we're going to be blessed by what God's word teaches, first, we have to be open and receptive to it. James chapter 1 in the second part of verse 21 says, "Humbly accept the word planted in you."

So James gives an illustration here, and he says, "Planted in you." And that gives this illustration of a gardener and also a seed. And the Bible all throughout scripture compares itself to seed. And Jesus told the parable of the sower and said, you know, the word of God is a seed and it's planted in our hearts. So how is it that you can take two seeds that are the exact same, and you can plant them in two different locations, and get two different crops in terms of quality and quantity? In terms of fruitfulness, let's say. Well, one soil is prepared and the other is not.

How is it that you can take two people and put them in the same service with the same message, and one person gets blessed by it, and the other person says, "They didn't get anything out of it." Well, one heart was prepared and one was not. One was open to God's word. We have to have the right kind of heart, and that's what James is teaching us. He shows us the posture that our hearts need to be in in order to be blessed by God's word. And I want to give you about four different postures of the heart that will be good for us.

The first is we've got to be ready to listen. So give it our full attention. Be alert. James chapter 1 verse 19 says, "Everyone should be quick to listen," and I don't want you to miss this next one, "slow to speak." When I'm talking, I'm not listening. And God gave us two ears and one mouth so that we ought to listen twice as much as we speak. Right? And I'm starting to sound like your mom on Mother's Day. But many of our problems are caused because we're quick to speak rather than being quick to listen. So we've got to get our hearts right. So be ready to listen to and receive God's word.

Next is we've got to be slow to react in an unhealthy way. We'll need to keep calm if we're going to receive God's word and be blessed by it. The last part of James chapter 1 verse 19 says, "And slow to become angry." A calm attitude, it really does increase our receptivity. So if you're relaxed, it seems like people are able to communicate with you more, and that can be a really good thing. We don't hear much when we're angry, when we're upset, we're bitter, and we're resentful. Those things are all emotional blocks that keep us from being able to receive God's word and to be able to hear it well.

So let me ask you this. What is your normal state when you come to church on a Sunday morning? Is your heart calm? You know, in many homes on Sunday morning, it's kind of hectic. I get that. And when we come in at the last minute and we expect God to speak to us, it doesn't always happen. Because we haven't prepared our hearts to hear God's word. So, we've got to become slow to react and become angry. We've got to keep our hearts calm so that we can hear from the Lord well.

The next thing that we've got to do is we've got to be willing to let go. Before you can plant the seed, you need to do a little bit of weeding. James chapter 1 in the first part of verse 21 says, "Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent." When you have sin in your life, it creates separation between you and God and it prevents God's word from actually getting into your heart. So, he says, "Get rid of the evil." Anything that we know isn't right in our lives, God says, "Lay aside all of that emotional garbage and all those old habits and the junk that's in your life so that God's word can actually get through to you." And the way that we let go is by confessing our sins to God. If we confess our sins, God's word says he's faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

And then lastly, be humble and responsive. Teachable. Humble. Willing to be changed. James says in James chapter 1 the second part of verse 21, "Humbly accept the word of God planted in you." Don't act like you know it all. We've got to come humbly before the Lord and pray, "God, do what you need to do in my life." We've got to be humble and responsive to God's word. James says we not only need to be open to God's word, but we also need to reflect on God's word.

James chapter 1 verse 23 and 24 says, "Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and after looking at himself goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like." James uses an illustration here, and God's word is like a mirror, he says. And the purpose of a mirror is to show us a reflection. We really use them to evaluate ourselves. We look in a mirror to assess the situation. Then what we tend to do is we do something about it. Like what good is a mirror if we don't do anything about what we see? And God says a mirror actually reflects what we look like on the outside, but God's word actually reflects what we look like on the inside.

And I think this is a natural tie into motherhood and into parenting. Because kids notice how we live out our faith much more than just what we say about our faith. Children can spot hypocrisy very very quickly. They may forget the lectures, but I promise you they will remember our examples. You may have heard this before, but some of the strongest sermons are never preached from the stage. They are lived out and then they're backed up by our testimonies of what God has done in our lives. Guys, the last thing that our world needs is a bunch of Christians who know a ton about the Bible, but whose lives never reflect Jesus Christ. No. We need followers of Jesus who know God's word and whose lives reflect Jesus Christ fully.

The mirror in James, listen, it doesn't exist to make us feel guilty, but it exists to show us what we need to be surrendering to God. A mirror tells the truth. It's just revealing reality to us. But the purpose of a mirror is important to understand is not condemnation but correction. Like nobody wakes up and they look into the mirror and say something like, "Wow, you know, this mirror is so judgmental." No. The mirror is simply revealing what's there. That's all. So, if your hair's a mess or there's toothpaste all over your face, the mirror isn't attacking you. It's helping you to see what needs attention.

That's James's point. God's word reflects the condition of our hearts. Our pride, our anger, our selfishness, our bitterness, where we compromise, unforgiveness in our lives. Not so that we walk away crushed and in shame, but so that we would surrender those things to God and allow him to actually change us. You know, sometimes we open up scripture looking for encouragement, but then God lovingly points something deeper out to us. Whether it's an attitude, a habit, a relationship, a wound, maybe a pattern in our lives. And it's in that moment that we have a choice. We can ignore the mirror or we can surrender to what God is trying to show us in that moment.

I mean, for those of you who have read God's word, have you ever seen yourself as you've been reading God's word? As you've been reading the Bible? Because Hebrews says that God's word reveals the thoughts and the motives and the desires of the heart. And sometimes we see ourselves in that, right? In other words, it shows us who we really are. And sometimes we avoid what reflects the truth about us. And that's exactly why many people struggle to deeply engage with scripture. It's not just a book of encouragement, but it's a mirror. And mirrors don't show us what we like, they just show us what's real. And James leans into this idea and he gives us three practical ways to reflect on God's word so that it actually transforms us.

So first is we've got to read it. Like we've got to get into it. We've got to read God's word. And when I say read it, I mean we've got to read it intently. Like James chapter 1 verse 25 says, but whoever looks intently into the perfect law, and that phrase looks intently carries this idea of bending down and examining it closely. Like somebody investigating something extremely important. It's not a casual glance, but it's focused attention. And again, think about how you use a mirror. Sometimes you glance at it quickly and then you move on. There are other times when you stop and you really look. Only one of those things actually helps you make an adjustment.

In the same way, God's word is meant to be looked at closely. Not just at a glance. So when you read scripture, slow down. Ask questions. Things like, is there any sin that I need to confess? Is there a promise in there that I need to hold on to? Is there an attitude in my life that I need to change? Is there a command that I need to obey, an example to follow, a truth to believe? Is something that I need to thank God for in my life? This kind of intentional reading moves you from information to this transformation that God desires to do in you.

The second practical way to reflect on God's word is to stay with it. James goes on in James chapter 1 verse 25 when he says, "and continues in it." And that means going back to it again and again and again. And the Bible calls this meditation. Not emptying your mind, but filling your mind with truth. And then reviewing it over and over and over again. And listen, some of you may say, "Well, I don't really know how to meditate." But if you worry some, then you know how to meditate. Worry is just replaying those negative thoughts over and over again. Meditation is doing the same thing, but with God's truth. It's letting his word settle in your mind and shape the way that you think.

Psalm chapter 119 verse 97 says, "Oh, how I love your law. I meditate on it all day long." And that doesn't mean just sitting still for hours. It means carrying it with you everywhere you go. Coming back to it. Letting it guide your decisions and your reactions and even your perspective. And the truth is, we naturally think about what matters most to us. We replay conversations, we scroll through content to find what we want. We rewatch highlights of things we're interested in. But James is very clear. If you want to be shaped by God's word, then you have to stay with it consistently and go back to it again and again and again.

And the third practical way to reflect on God's word is to hold on to it. James chapter 1 verse 25 says, "Not forgetting what they have heard." Guys, we can't forget what we've heard. One of the most powerful ways to do that is by memorizing scripture. When you hide God's word in your heart, it becomes accessible in real time. The Holy Spirit will bring that back into your mind when you're tempted, when you're discouraged, when you need direction in life, the Holy Spirit will bring that up in your mind as we memorize it and have it in our hearts as well.

Psalm chapter 119 verse 11 says, "I've hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." So, what you store internally will guide you externally. And we tend to remember what we value. Like if something matters, we find a way to hold on to it. Writing things down, taking notes, repeating verses. These are all simple ways to get the truth of God to move from your ears into your heart and into your life. And the reality is, we all forget very quickly. Studies would suggest that most people forget the majority of what they hear within a few days. And that's pretty depressing for a preacher. But what you revisit, what you reflect on, you'll retain more. And that's what begins to change your life.

James' message is very clear. If you want to be transformed by God's word, don't just hear it. Look closely as you read it. Stay with it by returning to it often and hold on to it by memorizing it. And listen to what it says. That's how the mirror doesn't just reveal things to us, but actually renews us. James says we've got to be open to God's word by humbly accepting it, reflect on God's word by reading it, staying with it, holding on to it and remembering it. And lastly, I've got to live out God's word. And so, I've got to do something about what I've read. I've got to act on it, live it, practice it. James chapter 1 verse 22 says this, "Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves, do what it says."

It's easy to follow Jesus when life is comfortable. But James writes to believers facing trials, grief, and pressure. The real test of faith is not what we say in worship or at church or when we're around our Christian friends. It's what we cling to in times of pain and suffering. So, what I want to do is I want to share a story with you of a family that is actually part of our church family. And I would consider them to be very close friends. But I want you to see what an authentic faith lived out in extremely difficult times really looks like. So, let's watch this video together.

They took me to a more formal ultrasound room. Just to get real images and my husband rushed in. He grabbed my hands and put his hand on my belly. And the doctor came in and told us, "I'm sorry, there's no heartbeat." And it was the worst day of our lives. It was. And it was something we didn't know, didn't expect. There was no warning signs. I thought he was fine. Throughout the night, my friends have been sending me Bible verses, so I have been reading scripture. I still hadn't prayed. I didn't know what to say, but God gave me so much strength to deliver Boden. And just to carry my husband and I through that night. He was so close. And Boden was he was fearfully and wonderfully made. He was so beautiful. And so perfect and absolutely made in God's image.

That sorrow and valley gave me the confidence to know whatever comes next, God is still good. This is the same God that carried me through grieving Boden. This is the same God that will carry me if we also have to grieve Isla. Okay. Let me get you comfortable. This was my least complicated pregnancy, which I'm really happy to report. And it was probably the scariest one in terms of everything we were facing, but the Lord is gracious. He protected my body and little Sophie's life. And we welcomed this one in March, about 5 weeks ago. True healing only happens through God. I mean, he is the only one who can really pick up the broken pieces and he is near to the brokenhearted.

And I think it's really given me a perspective on motherhood that I know it's fleeting and I know how precious it is. And I'm just thankful that I have the opportunity to be a mom on the side of heaven to these three babies here and teach them about Jesus so we can all worship Jesus in heaven with both of them one day. That's really I feel like it's given me a purpose to really teach my children about Jesus's love. And I'm thankful for that opportunity.

That's what James means. Not a perfect faith. Not a painless faith. But faith that keeps pursuing Jesus even through heartbreak. A faith that says, "I don't understand this, but I still trust him." That's being a doer of God's word. And Jackie's story reminds us that being a doer of God's word doesn't just happen on our own strength. Sometimes being a doer of God's word simply means surrendering. It means when life breaks your heart, you don't run from God. You don't turn from him, but you fall deeper into a dependence upon him. It means trusting his character when you can't understand his plan. It means refusing to numb your pain with bitterness and substances and anger and distractions or hopelessness, and instead bringing your grief honestly before the Lord.

Being a doer of God's word, sometimes it looks like waking up every single day with unanswered questions and still saying, "Jesus, I still need you. Jesus, I still trust you. Jesus, I'm not letting go." Real authentic faith is not proven by pretending that you're okay. But real authentic faith is revealed by where you turn when you're not okay. You know, some people walk away from God in times of suffering. But doers of God's word will cling to him more deeply than ever before during those difficult times. Jackie's testimony, it really is a picture of someone who chose dependence over distance. And maybe that's one of the clearest examples of being a doer of God's word. Not just believing God is good when life is easy, but surrendering to him and remaining near to him when life really really hurts.

Because sometimes obedience does not look like moving mountains. Sometimes obedience looks like staying close to Jesus in the middle of your grief. And remember, faith is not proven in comfort. Faith is revealed in what we chase when our hearts are broken. Real faith, it shows up in action. It's not enough just to hear it, but it must move into our lives in the way that we live.

Would you pray with me today? God, we thank you so much for how you teach us in your word over and over again about your faithfulness and about how if we cling to you and we abide in you, we're going to bear fruit. And when we talk about planting the seed of your word into our lives, the question is, is our heart prepared? Is that soil prepared to receive the seed and to allow it to be nourished and to grow into producing a fruitfulness that would be good in your eyes. Things like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. God, we pray that you would do a work in our hearts and in our lives that would help us to develop an authentic faith that we live out every single day. Not just something that shows up whenever life is going good, but in the difficult times as well.

God, this is going to happen not by our own strength, but it's only going to be when we surrender our hearts and lives to you, give you everything we've got, and allow you to determine the direction. Because you're a good God, and you love us, and you know how to give good gifts to your children. So, if there's somebody here today who you're ready to give your heart and life over to Jesus Christ, because you recognize that you need his goodness in the good and the bad times of life. You need that peace that surpasses all human ability to understand. If that's where you are, I would encourage you to give your heart and life over to Jesus. It would be the best decision that you ever make.

You can say, "God, I need to admit my faults, and I fall short of your glorious standard every single day. I sin. I mess up, and that separates me from you. But I don't want that separation with you, God. I want to be close to you. I don't want any distance. And so, God, I believe that you sent your son Jesus Christ to live a perfect life, and to be the only one who could be the sacrifice for my sins, and he died on the cross, and he rose again the third day, defeating death, hell, and the grave for the forgiveness of my sins. And I confess with my mouth that Jesus is Lord, and I want to follow him all the days of my life."

If you've made that decision, welcome to the family of God. Guys, we're going to walk beside you, because we were not made to do this alone. I believe that we're in this together. And that we are the body of Christ, the church. And that we're called to use our gifts and abilities to build up and encourage the body. So that we can continue to reach the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ. God, we love you and we praise you. We thank you for times where we get to come and worship you. To read your word and to study it. So that we can become more like you in the way that we think. And in the way that we live. So all in Jesus' name we pray. And everybody said, amen.