Hearing and Doing the Word

2. Hearing and Doing the Word “Real Life” [James] Series [8] James 1:19-25

3. RECAP: THREE ESSENTIAL STEPS OF RESPONDING TO GOD’S WORD • Step 1: LISTEN to the Word attentively (v. 19). “be quick to hear…” • This attentive spirit leads us to hear the Word correctly [accurately]. • Step 2: RECEIVE the Word humbly & teachably (v. 21). “receive with meekness…” • This humble/teachable spirit leads us to hear the Word honestly. • Step 3: DO the Word (v.22) – TODAY’s text (vs. 22-25) • The prerequisite of DOING/OBEYING the Word is to hear the Word correctly & honestly.

4. RECAP: THREE ESSENTIAL STEPS OF RESPONDING TO GOD’S WORD • In today’s text (vs.22-25), our focus question is this: “Why is it crucial for us as Christ-followers to be doers of the Word not just hearers only?” • Negatively, what happens if we are NOT? • Positively, what happens if we ARE?

5. WHY IS IT CRUCIAL TO BE DOERS OF THE WORD NOT JUST HEARERS ONLY? 1) If not, we deceive ourselves (v.22). But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.  (v.22) • How? Because we heard and know what the Word says now, we assume that its benefit has become ours already. • But hearing [=information] and obeying [=transformation] are two different things. • This kind of self-deception often results in self-conceit and judgmental attitude toward others. • Hence, hearing without obeying the Word produces a false sense of spirituality/maturity in self-delusion.

6. 24 "Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it." Matthew 7:24-27

7. 24 "Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do themwill be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it." Matthew 7:24-27

8. WHY IS IT CRUCIAL TO BE DOERS OF THE WORD NOT JUST HEARERS ONLY? 2) If not, we forget the Word (v.23). 23For 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.  24For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. (vs.23-24) • The mere hearer fatally fails to act on what he saw [i.e., his need to be changed] in the mirror [the Word]. • What this person forgets is NOT the information from the Word but the realization & conviction from the Word. • This “forgetfulness” is due to NOT a poor memory but a poor priority of acting on what was heard from the Word. • Hence, when we merely hear the Word without obeying it, NOTHING is changed in us.

9. WHY IS IT CRUCIAL TO BE DOERS OF THE WORD NOT JUST HEARERS ONLY? • If so, we will experience freedom from the Word. (v.25). But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres... (v.25a) • The perfect law is God’s perfect revealed in the Law completed in Christ—it is not a burden but an easy yoke. • What is freedom? Freedom is not the ability to do what we want to do but the ability to do what we should do. • This freedom requires two things: (1) an attentive look into the Word and (2) a continual obedience to the Word. • Hence, true freedom from the Word enables us to experience the convergence of the two—what we want to do and what we should do become one.

10. 31So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.“ John 8:31-32 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word:  "You shall love your neighbor as yourself.“ Galatians 5:14

11. WHY IS IT CRUCIAL TO BE DOERS OF THE WORD NOT JUST HEARERS ONLY? 4) If so, we will be blessed in our obedience (v.25). …, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing (v.25b) • The phrase, “will be” is an assurance for all who obey. • This blessing refers to not a materialistic gain but God’s guidance and affirmation in our daily walk with God (Proverbs 3:5-6). • In this blessing, we experience Christ personally as the Spirit frees us increasingly more through the Word (John 14:21). • Hence, true blessing is always available for those who hear AND obey the Word.

12. "7If you abide in me, and my words abide in you,  ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. John 15:7-11

13. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS FOR OUR EVERYDAY LIFE • BE A DOER OF THE WORDnot just hearer only. • Don’t deceive yourself. • Don’t be forgetful of what the Word has revealed to you. • Experience THE FREEDOM FROM THE WORD through obedience. • Be attentive in looking into the Word in order to obey it. • Let your “should” become your “want-to” through putting the Word into practice. • Experience GOD’S BLESSING in your obedience to the Word. • Seek God’s Word as your guide and compass in life. • Enjoy the blessing in your obedient life.