James: Hands-On Christianity….

James: Hands-On Christianity….

James 1:19-27James 1:19-27

The kind that occurs ina Christian between

“hearing the Word” and

“living the Word.”

“There is an evil which I have

seen under the sun. .… It is

the glaring disparity between

theology and practice among

professing Christians. ….

“There is an evil which I have

seen under the sun. .… It is

the glaring disparity between

theology and practice among

professing Christians. ….

lamented ….

… So wide is the gulf that

separates theory from

practice in the church that an

inquiring stranger who

chances upon both would

scarcely dream

that there was any relation

between them. …

… So wide is the gulf that

separates theory from

practice in the church that an

inquiring stranger who

chances upon both would

scarcely dream

that there was any relation

between them. …

… An intelligent observer of

our human scene who heard

the Sunday morning sermon

and later watched the Sunday

afternoon conduct of those

who had heard it would

conclude that he has been

examining two distinct and

contrary religions.

… An intelligent observer of

our human scene who heard

the Sunday morning sermon

and later watched the Sunday

afternoon conduct of those

who had heard it would

conclude that he has been

examining two distinct and

contrary religions.

… It appears that too many

Christians want to enjoy the

thrill of feeling right but are

not willing to endure the

inconvenience of being right.

So the divorce between

theory and practice becomes

permanent. …

… It appears that too many

Christians want to enjoy the

thrill of feeling right but are

not willing to endure the

inconvenience of being right.

So the divorce between

theory and practice becomes

permanent. …

… In fact, though in word the

union is declared to be

eternal. Truth sits forsaken

and grieves till her professed

followers come home for a

brief visit,

but she sees them depart

again when the bills come

due.”

… In fact, though in word the

union is declared to be

eternal. Truth sits forsaken

and grieves till her professed

followers come home for a

brief visit,

but she sees them depart

again when the bills come

due.”

The basic theme behind his

letter … the importanceof behaving as we believe.

James 1:19-27 James 1:19-27

“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this...,”

James 1:19…. James 1:19….

A command:

“My dear brothers and sisters...”

James 1:19a…. James 1:19a….

Each one of usas a member of

“Everyone should be quickto listen, slow to speak and

slow to become angry.”

James 1:19b…. James 1:19b….

The TRUTH is addressed to each believer in the Christian family.

James carries

his thoughts

through a logical

progression that

involves…

2. Actually taking in the truth.

2. Actually taking in the truth.

1. Preparing ourselves for the truth.

1. Preparing ourselves for the truth.

3. Responding correctly to that truth in our daily lives.

3. Responding correctly to that truth in our daily lives.

Preparation IS necessary forreceiving the truth.

Without preparation, we

simply whitewash our lives

with knowledge that will

quickly peel, revealing an

unchanged character

underneath. 

Beginning in James 1:19,he sets forth 4 requisites for

PREPARING ourselves to

“My dear brothers and

sisters, take note of this:

Everyone should be quick to

listen ...” [TNIV]

“My dear brothers and

sisters, take note of this:

Everyone should be quick to

listen ...” [TNIV]

James 1:19a…. James 1:19a….

One reason our lives are often

separated from the TRUTH is because we don’t really

HEAR what God says.

One reason our lives are often

separated from the TRUTH is because we don’t really

HEAR what God says.

We are hard of…

The Pharisees were known for their meticulous

knowledge of the law.

The Pharisees were known for their meticulous

knowledge of the law.

really LISTEN to what they hear. really LISTEN to what they hear.

ALLOW God’s truth to speak

to them personally.

ALLOW God’s truth to speak

to them personally.

“Everyone should be….slow to speak ….” [TNIV]

“Everyone should be….slow to speak ….” [TNIV]

James 1:19c…. James 1:19c….

No one can SPEAK and

LEARN at the same time!

No one can SPEAK and

LEARN at the same time!

Before we can LISTEN,

we must first learn to control our tongues.

Before we can LISTEN,

we must first learn to control our tongues.

“Everyone should be ….

slow to become angry

….”[TNIV]

“Everyone should be ….

slow to become angry

….”[TNIV]

James 1:19d…. James 1:19d….

“Because our anger does

not produce the righteousness

that God desires.” [TNIV]

“Because our anger does

not produce the righteousness

that God desires.” [TNIV]

James 1:20…. James 1:20….

We can be so preoccupied with

spiteful thinking that we have

no room for thoughts of God, nor energy for godly deeds.

We can be so preoccupied with

spiteful thinking that we have

no room for thoughts of God, nor energy for godly deeds.

“Anger”

demandsour full attention.

“Anger”

demandsour full attention.

“keeping ‘anger’ in check,

dealing with anger before

it deals with us,” and

being patient with others.

“keeping ‘anger’ in check,

dealing with anger before

it deals with us,” and

being patient with others.

“Being slow to anger”

means

“Being slow to anger”

means

“Therefore, get rid of all moral filth

and the evil ...”

[TNIV]

“Therefore, get rid of all moral filth

and the evil ...”

[TNIV]

James 1:21a…. James 1:21a….

William Barclay explains that

the word “filthiness” is a

vivid term derived from the

Greek word “rupos.”

William Barclay explains that

the word “filthiness” is a

vivid term derived from the

Greek word “rupos.”

First, there must be the

removal of “filthiness.”

First, there must be the

removal of “filthiness.”

“When rupos is used in a

medical sense, it means wax in

the ear. It is just possible that

it still retains that meaning

here; and that James is telling

his readers to get rid of

everything which would stop

their ears….

“When rupos is used in a

medical sense, it means wax in

the ear. It is just possible that

it still retains that meaning

here; and that James is telling

his readers to get rid of

everything which would stop

their ears….

William Barclay….William Barclay….

…. to the true

word of God.

When wax

gathers in the

ear, it can make a

man deaf; and a

man’s sins can

make him deaf to

God.”

…. to the true

word of God.

When wax

gathers in the

ear, it can make a

man deaf; and a

man’s sins can

make him deaf to

God.”

Second, we are toput aside “the evil

that is so prevalent.”

Second, we are toput aside “the evil

that is so prevalent.”

The Greek term for

“wickedness” refers to hidden

sins, motives, and attitudesthat cause the corrupt outer

behavior that others see.

The Greek term for

“wickedness” refers to hidden

sins, motives, and attitudesthat cause the corrupt outer

behavior that others see.

2 important insights into the process of actually

RECEIVING the truth.

2 important insights into the process of actually

RECEIVING the truth.

James 1:21b…. James 1:21b….

“... humbly accept the word planted in you, which

can save you.” [TNIV]

“... humbly accept the word planted in you, which

can save you.” [TNIV]

One essential ingredientfor receiving the truth

is having the

RIGHT ATTITUDE.

One essential ingredientfor receiving the truth

is having the

RIGHT ATTITUDE.

James wants our attitude

to reflect “humility,”which means “with

gentleness, openness; having a teachable

spirit.”

James wants our attitude

to reflect “humility,”which means “with

gentleness, openness; having a teachable

spirit.”

There must also be an action

– we must receive, meaning we

need to welcome it.

There must also be an action

– we must receive, meaning we

need to welcome it.

Many Christians live in

separation from the truth

because they confuse

AGREEING with Scripture

with OBEYING it.

Many Christians live in

separation from the truth

because they confuse

AGREEING with Scripture

with OBEYING it.

James urges us to go beyond

preparing and receiving;

we must also ACT ONwhat we have heard.

James urges us to go beyond

preparing and receiving;

we must also ACT ONwhat we have heard.

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.

Do what it says.”[TNIV]

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.

Do what it says.”[TNIV]

James 1:22…. James 1:22….

James did not say “just” BE DOERS! James did not say “just” BE DOERS!

The Greek term for “hearers” is an interesting one.

The Greek term for “hearers” is an interesting one.

It refers to someone who

listens carefully and

takes note, BUT has

no assignments, tests,or responsibilities.

It refers to someone who

listens carefully and

takes note, BUT has

no assignments, tests,or responsibilities.

James describes2 different types of people:

James describes2 different types of people:

“23 Those who listen to the word but do not do what it

says are like people who look at their faces in a mirror 24

and, after looking at themselves, go away and

immediately forget what they look like. ….

“23 Those who listen to the word but do not do what it

says are like people who look at their faces in a mirror 24

and, after looking at themselves, go away and

immediately forget what they look like. ….

James 1:23-25…. James 1:23-25….

…. 25 But those who look intently into the perfect law

that gives freedom, and continue in it – not forgetting

what they have heard, but doing it – they will be

blessed in what they do.”[TNIV] 

…. 25 But those who look intently into the perfect law

that gives freedom, and continue in it – not forgetting

what they have heard, but doing it – they will be

blessed in what they do.”[TNIV] 

James 1:23-25…. James 1:23-25….

is compared to a

“mirror.”

is compared to a

“mirror.”Unlike a physical mirror

which only reflectsoutward appearance,

the Scripture REVEALSour inner character.

Unlike a physical mirror which only reflects

outward appearance,

the Scripture REVEALSour inner character.

promptly forgets. promptly forgets.

gives careful attention to the

Scriptures, responds positively,

applies what he hears, and

is genuinely fulfilled.

gives careful attention to the

Scriptures, responds positively,

applies what he hears, and

is genuinely fulfilled.

The doer OBEYS what

the Scriptures reveal and,in turn becomes

a mirror reflecting

The doer OBEYS what

the Scriptures reveal and,in turn becomes

a mirror reflecting

How can we know when someone is

a real doer?

How can we know when someone is

a real doer?

“Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on

their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion

is worthless.” [TNIV]

James 1:26…. James 1:26….

“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans

and widows in their distress….” [TNIV]

James 1:27a…. James 1:27a….

“… and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”

[TNIV]

James 1:27b…. James 1:27b….

Is your life on the rocks

because you have allowed

TRUTH and PRACTICE

to drift apart?

Start RECONCILING the two!