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BE A DOER OF THE WORD
~James 1:19-27~
In-person service at
Second Baptist Church
2412 Griffith Ave.
Los Angeles
Rev. Barbara Melancon, Associate Minister
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19My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21Therefore, 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. 22Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25But 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. 26Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. 27Religion 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. James 1:19-27 (NIV)
Introduction
In the beginning was the word, Jesus Christ is the word, and the word was with God and the word was God Himself. John 1:1
Jesus existed from the beginning of time.
Consider what it means that Jesus, as the gift of God in our lives for
redemption, reconciliation and restoration, is the perfect example
of what the Lord wants us to be.
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Believers must be doers of God’s word. Believers must be followers of Jesus.
James the author of this letter did not believe in Jesus as the son of God until after the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. The emphasis of James' letter is to stress the importance of good deeds in the life of every believer. This letter tells us to look at self and others around us.
Consider what it means to be a doer of the word.
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James proceeded to say, understand this, my beloved brethren (plural form of brother). James was talking to a community of believers. At the time James was speaking to the twelve tribes of Israel that had been scattered abroad among the Gentiles. He encouraged them with this letter to remember the word of God.
We are the body of Christ, and we are brothers and sisters in Christ. James recommended that the believer should be quick to listen, that means listening to God’s word and hear what it is saying to you. But don’t just listen to God’s word, you must do what it says, you must obey God’s word. Otherwise, you are deceiving your own heart.
James gave us this example: if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like looking at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. So don’t forget the person in the mirror who is committed to know God as He really is.
But if you investigate the perfect law of liberty that set you free from sin and continue to obey it, that person being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, that person will be blessed in his or her deed. (James 1:25)
Consider what it means to use an old expression, “practice what you preach” or let your actions, behavior and conduct display what you say you believe.
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Be a doer of the word, obey God’s word and be a follower of Jesus. Don’t just be listeners. God wants doers of His word who will carry out the mission of Jesus Christ.
Consider what it means to be a follower of Jesus as the example of the word made flesh in the lives of those who believe in Him.
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In the gospel of Mark 4:26-29 Jesus told this parable: He said, the kingdom of God is like a man who scatters seed upon the ground. And then continues sleeping and rising night and day while seed grows and increases, he doesn’t know how. The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear and then the full grain in the ear.
This parable or story shows that once the seed of the word of God is sown, it will show how a person’s faith will grow and develop. So be a doer of the word. Be a follower of Jesus.
Consider what it means that we are given seeds that we are
to sow that produce the fruit the Lord desires.
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Jesus spoke of the seed that fell on good ground (Matthew 13:23). Good seed that fell on good ground represents those who truly hear and understand. This good seed which will also bear fruit and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted.
Apostle Paul said that the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives:
Love: Jesus said, love one another as I have loved you.
Joy: the joy of the Lord is my strength.
Peace: peace I give not as the world gives.
Patience: We are reminded that there will be seasons of troubles or trials to help us develop endurance.
Kindness
Goodness
Faithfulness
Gentleness
Self-control
Consider what it means that the seeds you sow produce the fruit they grow.
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Conclusion
So, your faith will cause you to carry out the mission of Christ.
James 2:17 says, faith without works is dead. Hearer of the word without doing of the word is dead. Be a hearer and a doer of Jesus Christ’s mission. Participate in ministries: feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and remembering the less fortunate person.
According to the gospel of Saint Luke 10, Jesus sent out seventy disciplines.
Luke 10:19: Behold I give you power to tread on serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the of the enemy; and nothing shall by any means hurt.
Luke 11: 28: Blessed are they who hear the word of God, and keep it.
Consider what it means to hear the word of the Lord and keep
it to make of your life more than you can imagine.
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