Rev. David Holwick Y Book of James #5
First Baptist Church
Ledgewood, New Jersey
August 5, 2007
James 1:19-27
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I. How families communicate.
A. The magic test.
Whenever I hear my beloved wife say that, I immediately drop
everything and rush right down to do it.
-Because as your pastor I must set an example.
Some of you have reacted skeptically.
So I'll be honest.
In truth, if I were to do everything my wife asked, right
away, she's have a heart attack then and there.
Once she called out "Dinner's ready" and I came down
immediately, only to wait 20 minutes for the food.
Dads know what moms REALLY mean.
#2637
B. Communication is a complicated affair.
1) Ways we speak:
a) Some speak down to the other. (parent / child)
b) Some speak on impulse. (child / child)
c) Some speak all the time, and no one listens.
d) And still others don't speak at all.
2) Ways we listen:
a) Rapt attention, which is best faked during dating.
b) Hear what we want to hear, forget the rest.
c) In one ear, out the other.
C. Communication is also central to our spiritual life.
1) Are we listening to God? When we hear him, do we obey?
a) This passage in James focuses on how we hear God's Word.
b) It may seem disjointed, but there is a definite flow.
2) Three aspects of spiritual communication are highlighted:
a) How we listen. verses 19-20
b) How we receive it. verse 21
c) How we do it. verses 22-27
II. Listening to the Word. 1:19-20
A. Quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.
1) We all know that we say the dumbest stuff on impulse.
2) Bible's teaching on impulsive speaking:
a) Proverbs 10:19- When words are many, sin is not absent,
but he who holds his tongue is wise.
b) Proverbs 13:3- He who guards his lips guards his life,
but he who speaks rashly will come
to ruin.
c) Proverbs 17:28- Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps
silent, and discerning if he holds
his tongue.
B. Good listening is a difficult trait to acquire.
1) Pastors are trained to listen carefully.
a) (I didn't do too well in that department.)
b) In tragedies, most people are uptight about what to say.
c) It is far more important how you listen.
2) Listening is not passive, but active and difficult. #2166
In his book STRESS FRACTURES, Charles Swindoll gives a
personal illustration:
Some time back, he was in a period where he was caught in
the undertow of too many commitments in too few days.
It wasn't long before he was snapping at his wife and his
children and choking down his food at mealtimes.
All day long he was getting irritated at those unexpected
interruptions that always seem to pile up.
Before long, things around their home started reflecting
the pattern of his hurry-up style.
It was becoming unbearable.
He distinctly recalls after supper one evening the words
of his youngest daughter, Colleen.
She wanted to tell him about something important that had
happened to her at school that day.
She hurriedly began, "Daddy-I-wanna-tell-you-somethin'-and-
-I'll-tell-you-really-fast."
Suddenly realizing her frustration, he answered, "Honey,
you can tell me ....
and you don't have to tell me really fast. Say it slowly."
He'll never forget her answer: "Then listen slowly."
#2166
C. Listening slowly - to God.
1) A continual talker cannot hear.
a) (Being trapped by a non-stop talker in high school.)
b) If you can't hear what people say, you can't hear what
God is saying.
2) Anger also closes the mind to God's truth.
a) Righteousness doesn't flourish with angry attitude.
b) Some feel anger shows you care.
1> You are not being wimpy.
2> You have convictions.
c) Emotion is good, but anger is not. 1:20
III. Receiving the Word. 1:21
A. Get rid of moral filth.
1) "Get rid" = strip yourself. Heb 12:1
2) Christian faith is not just something you add.
a) You have to do some subtracting first.
b) Each of us has something we have to strip away.
B. Humbly accept the Word.
1) Humility comes from strength, not weakness.
2) We must realize we are not the greatest power in universe.
IV. Doing the Word. 1:22-27
A. Paying attention is not enough.
1) Illustration of a mirror.
Everyone here looked in a mirror this morning.
- To make sure the lipstick went where supposed to.
- To get those last minute pimples.
- To get pillow stuffing out of hair.
Some say I look in mirrors a lot.
I can assure you it's not because of vanity.
I just don't want to gross you all out.
2) We look in mirrors to confirm and change our appearance.
a) We want to look a certain way.
b) Do you walk away and expect to look like a slob? No.
c) We look in a mirror for results.
3) We look in the Bible to see the kind of person we want to be.
a) We even imagine we ARE just like that.
b) Then we turn and forget how they are supposed to live.
1:25
4) Examples:
a) You know what Bible says about sexual sin.
-Do you sin sexually?
b) You know what the Word says about forgiving others.
-Do you hold a grudge anyway?
B. The purpose of listening to truth is to act upon it. 1:22
1) James 1:22 may be the key verse of the whole book.
a) Knowledge and experience are always tied together.
b) The responsibility of those who hear is far greater than
that of those who have never heard.
2) Parable of Father and Two Sons. Matthew 21:28
a) One says yes, other says no.
1> "No" person changes mind and does it, other doesn't.
b) Right actions gets the praise.
1> (Real parents would trash them both!)
2> Words, and intentions, by themselves are meaningless.
C. Alternative - listen, do, be blessed. 1:25
1) He looks intently.
a) Same word used of John peering into Jesus' tomb.
b) Zealously search the Bible's meaning.
1> Not for legalisms, but for rules of free living.
2) He continues to do this.
3) He doesn't forget what he heard.
4) And he puts the truth into action.
V. Three specific areas where truth should be put into practice.
A. Speech. 1:26
1) "Religious" = external acts of religion.
2) One of easiest tests of spirituality:
a) What kind of language do you use?
b) How do you talk about other people, especially enemies?
B. Concern for people who hurt. 1:27a
1) True religion is a life-changing force.
2) Inner, heart religion in view here.
a) Religion must be more than external.
b) It must spring from an inner spiritual reality.
c) It must express itself in love to others and holiness
before God.
3) Your treatment of the outcast is a litmus test.
C. Concern for personal holiness (pollution by world). 1:27b
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SOURCES FOR ILLUSTRATIONS USED IN THIS SERMON:
#2166 "Listening Slowly," by Charles Swindoll in his book "Stress
Fractures." Submitted by Mike Schafer, Leadership magazine,
Summer 1992, p. 46.
#2637 "How Families Communicate," personal experience of David Holwick.
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