But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. James 1: 22-25 ESV
This message is going to sound a lot like a works based faith and that is because it is exactly what this message is about. However, do not confuse works based faith with a works based salvation, for there are no works by which a person can be saved. Clearly in Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV it states; For by GRACE you have been saved through faith. And this is not of your own doing; It is a gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. However, the Christian has not been redeemed by the blood of Jesus to go on in life as if nothing ever happened. A redeemed life is a changed life and the result of a life changed by Jesus will be reflected in the testimony of how their life is lived everyday. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10 ESV
So let us begin by evaluating what it means to be a doer of the word rather than just one who hears. In general a doer is one who works to accomplish the task that is before them. So what is the most important work a person should do? BELIEVE ! There was a crowd of people that was looking for Jesus and when they found Him they asked this question. Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” John 6: 28-29 ESV
Believing is so important because what you believe determines how you live. Believing may sound easy until you are in a crises situation, for that is when doubt can set in. In Mark chapter nine a father who had a son tormented from childhood by demons brought him to Jesus pleading with him to help his son. Jesus said to him,“If you can! All things are possible for the one who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” Mark 9: 23-24 ESV It can be challenging to believe when things are difficult if you haven’t walked and trusted him daily. The people of Israel on the way to the promise land had experience ~ seen God work in the plagues, walked on a dry sea bed, were given food from heaven, water from rocks, guided by clouds and pillows of fire, experienced victories in battle, and his power at Mount Sinai, and yet did not believe he could give them the land. Believing is powerful because it will determine the decisions you make in life. You might say, “If I had experienced and seen all that the people of Israel did, then I would have believed” and maybe you would have. Only two of the twelve spies sent into the land believed they could possess the land, and it was those two that lead the next generation into the land. What did the other ten spies lack; the belief that the God who had done so many amazing things was able to give them the land. Let me remind you that we see and experience something amazing everyday…. the world that God spoke into existence. Belief is faith that God can do all that he promises and acting upon it. This not a “name it and claim it” type faith, rather a faith that lives worshiping and trusting God no matter what. But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe-and shudder! Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless. James 2:18-20 ESV Action always speaks louder than words. What actions dominate your time? Claiming to be a Christian is more than going to church; it is living everyday the truth openly that lives inside you. I do believe church attendance is very important as Christians for church was God’s idea, and it is an important step but not the only one. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16 ESV This light is the life you live in the world daily showing them the difference God has made in your life. It is not about you but the God who saved you. Being a person of light is not saying, “I said the sinner’s prayer, so at least I’m saved.” It is about the person who has been saved, and works as if it all depends upon them, and lives knowing it is only by his grace. If you worked at your jobs the way you work at being a Christian, would you be fired from lack of accomplishment? (Just a thought) Everything we do should be about bringing Him glory. So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV
Remember these three thing from James 1:25 Be the one ~ “who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and PERSEVERES”…. the one who ~ “being no hearer who forgets but IS A DOER WHO ACTS,” the one who ~ “will be BLESSED in his doing.”
So let us begin by evaluating what it means to be a doer of the word rather than just one who hears. In general a doer is one who works to accomplish the task that is before them. So what is the most important work a person should do? BELIEVE ! There was a crowd of people that was looking for Jesus and when they found Him they asked this question. Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” John 6: 28-29 ESV
Believing is so important because what you believe determines how you live. Believing may sound easy until you are in a crises situation, for that is when doubt can set in. In Mark chapter nine a father who had a son tormented from childhood by demons brought him to Jesus pleading with him to help his son. Jesus said to him,“If you can! All things are possible for the one who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” Mark 9: 23-24 ESV It can be challenging to believe when things are difficult if you haven’t walked and trusted him daily. The people of Israel on the way to the promise land had experience ~ seen God work in the plagues, walked on a dry sea bed, were given food from heaven, water from rocks, guided by clouds and pillows of fire, experienced victories in battle, and his power at Mount Sinai, and yet did not believe he could give them the land. Believing is powerful because it will determine the decisions you make in life. You might say, “If I had experienced and seen all that the people of Israel did, then I would have believed” and maybe you would have. Only two of the twelve spies sent into the land believed they could possess the land, and it was those two that lead the next generation into the land. What did the other ten spies lack; the belief that the God who had done so many amazing things was able to give them the land. Let me remind you that we see and experience something amazing everyday…. the world that God spoke into existence. Belief is faith that God can do all that he promises and acting upon it. This not a “name it and claim it” type faith, rather a faith that lives worshiping and trusting God no matter what. But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe-and shudder! Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless. James 2:18-20 ESV Action always speaks louder than words. What actions dominate your time? Claiming to be a Christian is more than going to church; it is living everyday the truth openly that lives inside you. I do believe church attendance is very important as Christians for church was God’s idea, and it is an important step but not the only one. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16 ESV This light is the life you live in the world daily showing them the difference God has made in your life. It is not about you but the God who saved you. Being a person of light is not saying, “I said the sinner’s prayer, so at least I’m saved.” It is about the person who has been saved, and works as if it all depends upon them, and lives knowing it is only by his grace. If you worked at your jobs the way you work at being a Christian, would you be fired from lack of accomplishment? (Just a thought) Everything we do should be about bringing Him glory. So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV
Remember these three thing from James 1:25 Be the one ~ “who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and PERSEVERES”…. the one who ~ “being no hearer who forgets but IS A DOER WHO ACTS,” the one who ~ “will be BLESSED in his doing.”
Because of His Grace ~ Pastor David
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