First Baptist Church

Fairbanks, Alaska

805 Sixth Avenue

(907) 456-4923

http://www.firstbaptistfairbanks.com

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James 1:22 

Mark Howdeshell (7 October 2007)

James 1:22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.  Do what it says. 

Introduction

This is one of my all time favorite verses.  My youth know it as my “Nike” verse.  Nike refers to the shoe brand, Nike, and their slogan, “Just do it.”  And…..just to make that visual connection, here’s my shoe that you can look at and my sweatshirt that you can reflect upon. 

I’ve deviated from my “word” sermons for this week to do this as a follow-up to last week’s sermon on witnessing.  It is imperative for the life of this church, as well as the welfare of others that we must remain obedient to God’s Word. 

How many gave out cards this week and invited them to church?  Did you make the goal of “3”?  What were some of the responses?  Did anyone get a total rejection?  Was it you they rejected………or God?   

Review of Last Message 

Your life is the best witnessing tool!!

Heart of the Matter 

When was the last time that someone gave you an excuse for something?  As a parent, teacher, boss, or leader, you hear excuses all the time.  “The dog ate my homework.”  “I forgot.”  “You didn’t tell me that.”  “I locked my keys in the car.”  The all-time favorite……….”I don’t know!”   

God has heard all of the excuses, too.  How many has He heard from you?  I know He’s heard way too many from me.  Thankfully, our God is a patient, loving God that puts up with our excuses and still gives us another chance. 

The Word of God

James 1:18-27

18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

19 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. 21 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.

22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 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 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it — he will be blessed in what he does.

26 If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. 27 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.   

The Meat of the Message 

1. The “Word of Truth” is how God has decided to bring salvation to mankind.  It is not through miracles, healing the sick, or Jesus walking among us that God brings the Good News of Jesus Christ to this world. 
   1. Types of messages in the Word

                                                           i.      Witnessed accounts of Jesus and His ministry

                                                           ii.      Commands and directives

                                                           iii.      Prophecy

                                                           iv.      Parables and Psalms

                                                           v.      Historical records

                                                           vi.      Genealogies

                                                          vii.      So much more!!

2. So that we may be a firstfruit of all He created.

                                                            i.      Firstfruits were required by God as an offering from the days of the Exodus

                                                            ii.      Jesus was sacrificed as a firstfruit to reconcile our sins before the Father.

                                                            iii.      God claims us as a firstfruit of ALL He created!!

2. Quick to listen
   1. We should be prepared to listen to what God says
   2. Don’t put Him off until it’s convenient for you
   3. Enhances your witness
3. Slow to speak
   1. Engage the ears and disengage the mouth
   2. You can’t hear while you’re talking!
   3. Words are one of the 3 things that once their gone, they can never be brought back!

                                                           i.      Words

                                                           ii.      Time

                                                           iii.      Opportunity

4. If you don’t keep a tight rein on your tongue, your religion is worthless
5. Can destroy your witness
3. Slow to become angry
   1. Anger does not glorify God
   2. Can cause a loss of control of oneself
   3. Leads to judgment of another
   4. Doesn’t show love
   5. Is not patient
   6. Is not kind
   7. Can destroy your witness
4. Get rid of the moral filth and the evil that is prevalent
   1. It’s all around us
   2. Hard to resist
   3. Devil’s tools
5. Humbly accept the Word planted in you
   1. Jesus planted the Word by the Holy Spirit
   2. Will/ has SAVED us
   3. Will guide us
   4. Will encourage us
6. Do not merely listen, DO IT
   1. We can hear the Word
   2. We can read it
   3. We can talk it
   4. Doesn’t mean that it’s affecting our lives
   5. Doesn’t mean that God is being glorified through us
   6. Doesn’t mean that we are being an effective witness
   7. Doesn’t mean that we’re obedient

                                                           i.      2 John 6  And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands.

                                                          ii.      Do you want to love as God does?

                                                          iii.      Do you want to show that you love God?

8. Don’t be the man in the mirror
9. Receive blessings because of obedience
7. Pure and faultless religion
   1. Take care of orphans and widows in there distress
   2. Keep oneself from being polluted by the world
8. So what is your excuse?
   1. Rom 1:18-20 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities — his eternal power and divine nature — have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse .
   2. We have no excuse

                                                            i.      We have the Word that tells us how to live

                                                            ii.      We have God’s creation that is a testimony to His greatness

                                                            iii.      We have the Holy Spirit in our hearts

                                                            iv.      We have brothers and sisters to help us along the way

                                                           v.      We know the standard by which we’re held

                                                           vi.      We just need to get over the excuses and DO IT 

The Bottom Line   The Word is quite clear.  Don’t go through the motions just to simply go through them.  Study the scripture, know the Word, listen to God through the Holy Spirit……..THEN DO IT!  Excuses just don’t cut it.  Remember it this way………..James 1:22-(paraphrased by Mark)  Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. NIKE! 

This is especially pertinent during this time of replanting our church.  We have to be on our knees in prayer for this church.  We need to be ready to talk to anyone we meet as the Holy Spirit prompts you.  Then, as the Spirit prompts, TALK…don’t debate God!!  He’ll give you the words to speak if you’ll provide the love in your heart and the obedience in your life.

 INVITATION:

This morning’s invitation is a challenge to each of you.  I’m going to ask Sylvia to play softly.  I want each of you to consider the following questions and respond accordingly.  Remember, pride is not allowed in this sanctuary.  Come to the front as the Holy Spirit leads you. 

1. Have you allowed pride to enter your heart this week?  Is it there now?  If so, come to the altar to give it to God.
2. Have you debated God when He’s provided an opportunity to share Him?  If so, ask for His forgiveness and for courage the next time He gives you an opportunity.
3. Have you disobeyed God in any of your decisions this week?
4. Have you accepted God as the LORD of your life?  Is He your Savior?  HE IS YOUR GOD!

Ponder these and do as God leads.

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Last modified: 11/30/08