Living Out Faith: Action, Speech, and Compassion
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, EBC. I am so glad you are here in our second service, and I want to welcome those joining us online. Today, we are diving into the book of James, specifically chapter one. Before we get into the text, I want to share some good news. We had four more people follow Jesus in baptism last Sunday, and another four or five on Wednesday night. In the past seven months, 96 people have been baptized, and we praise the Lord for this life change. If you have questions about baptism, please visit our Next Step stations or text EVCNEXTSTEPPS to 94000.
I also want to thank those who contributed to the silent auction last week, which helped 11 kids go to camp. Your generosity is making a difference, and we want to be known as one of the most generous churches in our generation.
Now, let's turn to James. This letter was written to Hebrew believers who were familiar with the Old Testament and had likely heard Jesus or His apostles teach. James emphasizes that merely hearing the Word is not enough; we must also be doers of the Word. This is a timeless issue, not just a 21st-century problem. We can consume a lot of spiritual information, but if it doesn't transform our hearts and actions, it is pointless.
James 1:22 says, "Don't just listen to God's word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves." This self-deception is a significant issue. We can attend church, read the Bible, and participate in life groups, but if we don't apply what we learn, we are not growing spiritually. The question we should ask ourselves is, "Now what?" How do we apply what we've learned in our daily lives?
James also addresses the importance of controlling our tongues. In James 1:26, he says, "If you claim to be religious but don't control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless." This is a strong statement, but it highlights the importance of our words. Our speech reflects our heart, and if our words are not under the control of the Holy Spirit, our faith is not genuine.
James further emphasizes caring for the vulnerable, such as orphans and widows. Authentic faith is demonstrated by how we treat those who cannot repay us. This reflects the heart of Jesus, who moved toward the brokenhearted and those in need. We should not wait for the church to organize programs to meet needs; if we see a need, we should meet it.
I shared a personal story about my struggle with physical and emotional health. There was a time when I was very unhealthy, both physically and spiritually. Through God's grace and the support of my church, I began to take better care of myself. I started running, which became a time of prayer and healing for me. This journey taught me the importance of not just hearing but doing.
In conclusion, James calls us to be doers of the Word, to control our tongues, and to care for the vulnerable. This is what authentic faith looks like. Let's not wait for someone else to meet a need; let's be the church and meet the needs we see.
### Key Takeaways
1. Be Doers of the Word: It's not enough to merely hear God's Word; we must act on it. James 1:22 emphasizes that if we only listen and do not act, we are deceiving ourselves. Spiritual growth comes from applying what we learn, not just accumulating knowledge. This principle challenges us to ask, "Now what?" after every sermon or Bible study, prompting us to apply God's teachings in our daily lives. [47:48]
2. Control Your Tongue: James 1:26 warns that if we claim to be religious but do not control our tongues, our religion is worthless. Our speech reflects our heart, and uncontrolled speech can lead to significant relational and spiritual damage. This calls for a surrendered heart to the Holy Spirit, who helps us manage our words and ensures they are life-giving and not destructive. [52:25]
3. Care for the Vulnerable: Authentic faith is demonstrated by how we treat those who cannot repay us, such as orphans and widows. This reflects the heart of Jesus, who moved toward the brokenhearted and those in need. We are called to emulate Christ by moving toward those who are vulnerable and meeting their needs, showing genuine love and compassion. [01:18:23]
4. Spiritual Maturity and Surrender: Spiritual maturity involves more than just gaining knowledge; it requires a surrendered heart to the Holy Spirit. This surrender allows the Holy Spirit to produce the fruit of the Spirit in us, such as love, joy, peace, and self-control. This fruit benefits those around us and reflects a life transformed by Christ. [01:00:26]
5. Meet the Needs You See: We should not wait for the church to organize programs to meet needs. If we see a need, we should meet it. This proactive approach to faith demonstrates genuine love and compassion, reflecting the heart of Jesus. By being the church in our daily lives, we can make a significant impact on those around us. [01:22:02]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[29:04] - Baptism Celebrations
[40:25] - Personal Health Journey
[47:48] - Be Doers of the Word
[52:25] - Control Your Tongue
[01:00:26] - Spiritual Maturity and Surrender
[01:18:23] - Care for the Vulnerable
[01:22:02] - Meet the Needs You See
[01:25:32] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. James 1:22 - "Don't just listen to God's word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves."
2. James 1:26 - "If you claim to be religious but don't control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless."
3. James 1:27 - "Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to James 1:22, what is the consequence of merely listening to God's word without acting on it?
2. In James 1:26, what does James say about the relationship between controlling our tongues and the authenticity of our religion?
3. How does James 1:27 define "pure and genuine religion"? What specific actions does it include?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does James emphasize the importance of being doers of the Word and not just hearers? How does this relate to spiritual growth? [42:06]
2. What does it mean to control our tongues according to James 1:26, and why is this so crucial for our faith? [52:25]
3. How does caring for orphans and widows reflect the heart of Jesus, and why is this an essential aspect of authentic faith? [01:18:23]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent sermon or Bible study you attended. Did you ask yourself, "Now what?" How did you apply what you learned in your daily life? [44:56]
2. Think about your speech over the past week. Were there moments when you failed to control your tongue? How can you surrender this area to the Holy Spirit for better self-control? [52:25]
3. Identify a vulnerable person in your community, such as an orphan, widow, or someone in distress. What practical steps can you take this week to care for them, reflecting the heart of Jesus? [01:18:23]
4. The pastor shared a personal story about his struggle with physical and emotional health. How can you relate to his journey of transformation? What steps can you take to improve your holistic health (physical, emotional, spiritual)? [33:34]
5. The sermon emphasized not waiting for the church to organize programs to meet needs. Can you think of a need you have noticed recently? How can you take initiative to meet that need this week? [01:22:02]
6. Consider the filter for managing your mouth: Is it true, helpful, inspiring, necessary, and kind? How can you implement this filter in your daily conversations and online interactions? [01:03:46]
7. Reflect on the concept of spiritual maturity and surrender. What areas of your life do you need to surrender more fully to the Holy Spirit to produce the fruit of the Spirit? [01:00:26]
Devotional
Day 1: Act on God's Word
James 1:22 emphasizes the importance of not just hearing God's Word but acting on it. Spiritual growth is not about accumulating knowledge but about applying what we learn in our daily lives. This principle challenges us to ask, "Now what?" after every sermon or Bible study, prompting us to take actionable steps based on God's teachings. If we only listen and do not act, we are deceiving ourselves and missing out on true spiritual transformation. This is a call to move beyond passive consumption of spiritual information and to engage actively in living out our faith.
[47:48]
"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." — James 1:22 (ESV)
Reflection: What is one specific teaching from a recent sermon or Bible study that you can apply in your life today? How will you take action on it?
Day 2: Control Your Speech
James 1:26 warns that if we claim to be religious but do not control our tongues, our religion is worthless. Our speech reflects our heart, and uncontrolled speech can lead to significant relational and spiritual damage. This calls for a surrendered heart to the Holy Spirit, who helps us manage our words and ensures they are life-giving and not destructive. The way we speak to others can either build them up or tear them down, and it is crucial to let the Holy Spirit guide our words.
[52:25]
"If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless." — James 1:26 (ESV)
Reflection: Think about your recent conversations. Is there someone you need to apologize to for hurtful words? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to guide your speech today?
Day 3: Care for the Vulnerable
Authentic faith is demonstrated by how we treat those who cannot repay us, such as orphans and widows. This reflects the heart of Jesus, who moved toward the brokenhearted and those in need. We are called to emulate Christ by moving toward those who are vulnerable and meeting their needs, showing genuine love and compassion. This is not just about organized church programs but about individual actions that reflect Christ's love.
[01:18:23]
"Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world." — James 1:27 (ESV)
Reflection: Who in your community is vulnerable and in need of support? What practical steps can you take this week to show them Christ's love?
Day 4: Spiritual Maturity and Surrender
Spiritual maturity involves more than just gaining knowledge; it requires a surrendered heart to the Holy Spirit. This surrender allows the Holy Spirit to produce the fruit of the Spirit in us, such as love, joy, peace, and self-control. This fruit benefits those around us and reflects a life transformed by Christ. True spiritual maturity is evident in our actions and attitudes, not just in our knowledge.
[01:00:26]
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." — Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
Day 5: Meet the Needs You See
We should not wait for the church to organize programs to meet needs. If we see a need, we should meet it. This proactive approach to faith demonstrates genuine love and compassion, reflecting the heart of Jesus. By being the church in our daily lives, we can make a significant impact on those around us. This is a call to take personal responsibility for the needs we encounter and to act in love and service.
[01:22:02]
"Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God." — Hebrews 13:16 (ESV)
Reflection: What is one need you have noticed in your community or among your friends and family? How can you take a step today to meet that need?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Some of you, I just want to shoot straight with you. Your relationships are a mess because your mouth is out of control. Your relationships, many of them are broken because I'm not saying you're the only one. All you can do is work on you though, right? But some of your relationships are so complicated. And complex because you're in control of your mouth. The spirit of God is not in control of your mouth. And, and, and the Lord wants to, the Lord wants to help us with this. Some of you have had friendships separated because you didn't think before you speak." [01:10:06]
2. "Too much talk leads to sin. Let me put it in our vernacular today. Today, too much posting leads to sin. I'm not saying you can't post too much texting leads to sin. Okay. Cause this isn't only just what I say, it's words, words going out too much emailing. I love what Emerson Egrich was saying in that book. He said, you've heard it said dance like nobody is watching. Yeah, that's good. Said email and text as if everyone is watching because once it's out there, you have no control over it. You're trying to save heartache. You're trying to save right. And prevent ruptured relationships, rupturing, um, others' reputations." [01:12:00]
3. "This is so critical. It's surrender, not strife. Oh, I'm going to be better with this. And you might for a little bit, but you're going to find that you're going to, you're going to grow weary and run out of steam. It's more about the surrender and the Holy Spirit equips us. That's when he begins to produce within us what is called the fruit of the Spirit. And what is it, friends? Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. I don't produce that. He produces that. And that fruit is not for my benefit. The fruit is for the benefit of those who are around me, right? That's, that's how my family benefits. So we start with surrender." [01:02:02]
4. "You can take in a lot of information and read a lot of books about running. But here's the deal. I was reading a lot of information about running. I was reading running, or now I love to lift weights, whatever, listen to podcasts about this. I can read books on it. I can watch YouTube videos. I can hear somebody that knows a lot about it talk about it. But the reality is the only thing that is going to get me to the end of a finish line of a marathon is actually doing what? Running. You got to do something with what you are learning, what you know. You have to be willing to take this good information, which there's a lot of good stuff about stretching and right kind of equipment. You know, you got to have a good pair of shoes, you know, and for the longest time I didn't know that because I'm cheap and I had cheap shoes and it would hurt myself, okay? You can take a lot of information, and the truth is, is that if you don't do something with that information, it's really kind of pointless, isn't it?" [42:06]
5. "What, what do I do with that now? How am I going to apply this today? Just very quick. Okay. Because I think pastor Randy is going to hit next week a little more as we get into chapter two, this next part really fits chapter two. Remember there's no chapters and verses. It was all one letter, but this second part of what James would say of how to know if you're really growing in the Lord, your mouth is under submission of the Holy spirit. And here's another way we begin to see this. Look at the verse 27, pure and genuine religion. I would say it like this. Okay. Authentic faith that we care about the real deal, being real, not a fake, not hypocritical, pure and genuine religion in the sight of God, the father, where God is looking and he sees our actions. It means, caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you." [01:16:44]
### Quotes for Members
1. "James says this, don't just listen to God's word. You got to do what it says. You got to do something with what you're taking in. Otherwise, what does he say? You are only, come on, help me out, church, fooling yourselves. It's like this self-deception that many of us are deceiving ourselves into thinking that we are spiritually fit when the truth is we're just taking in a lot of information, but we're not doing anything with the information that we are getting." [43:38]
2. "James is saying, I know that you know the word, I know that you have also, many of you have sat under Jesus, and you know that you know the word, and you know this is still first century. You even heard Jesus teaching that he was the fulfillment of all of this scripture. If maybe they didn't sit under Jesus, they certainly sat under his apostles and heard them teach the word of God. He's saying, you have a lot of information, but James is going to say, but if you're not doing something with that, James is saying, this isn't just a 21st century church problem. This is a church problem from the get-go. This is a church problem from the get-go. We can get a lot of stuff up here, but has it hit right here? Is it transforming us, spiritual transformation?" [46:22]
3. "If you talk a big talk about Jesus, but your mouth is out of control, he said, you're faking yourself out. Here's what he really would probably say. You think you're faking others out, but you're not. They see right through you, but you're faking yourself out. So here's a question I wanna ask myself. Do I manage my mouth? That's what James is getting at. Do I manage my mouth, or is my mouth, you know, cliche? Managing me. We're like, come on, man. It's just kind of a small, is this really that big of a deal?" [55:19]
4. "James would say it's a big deal because Jesus said it's a big deal. Remember, James is Jesus's little half brother who at one point, he did not believe in Jesus until the resurrection. And then he realized my brother is the savior. And James would have heard Jesus talk about the mouth at certain points. He's talking to a group of religious people who were, who were the religious leaders. And he's going to say some things about this outward appearance that you have, but there's a hypocrisy because your, your, your mouth doesn't match up with the way you're really living your life. Jesus says this, he talks about a tree being known by its fruit. And he says, Luke 6, 45, a good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart. And an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. And when you say the last sentence with me, come on, let's say it out loud. What you say flows from what is in your heart. I didn't say that, Jesus did. What is coming out of our mouths is indicative of what our heart actually looks like. We can't fake this. The mouth spills what is in the heart." [57:14]
5. "This is so awesome because of Jesus. I stand positionally righteous in the eyes of the Father. Amen, right? Not by the anything that I've done, but by his grace in my life. I have been saved, but I am also still being saved, and what that speaks of is sanctification. The Lord is refining me to look more like Jesus right now. So even in this, I'm still in process. I did not lose all of that weight overnight, just as I did not put it all on overnight. It's a process, and it will be a process till my last dying breath here. In this physical body, but it's surrender to the Lord. So James says to these believers, are you a hearer? Are you a doer? And then James is going to begin really kind of keying in on what spiritual maturity begins to really look like." [50:53]
6. "So sometimes we want to wait on the church, to put together a program of meeting needs. And we have some great programs. There's some great things that are going on. And you can plug into that. And we do a lot together. We can do a lot together, collectively. But I just want to kind of end with this. Don't wait on one of your pastors or the church leadership. Don't wait on us. Don't, if, here's, here's your point. If you see need, meet the need. You're the church. I'm just one of you. And I'm going to tell you, if you come to me and tell me about something, I'll be excited for you or whatever. Pastor Bart, we need to start this ministry. And I'll be like, that's awesome. You're probably going to be an awesome leader for that. If God's putting it on your heart, our job is to come along and help you every way we can with that. And we should. I just want you to know, can't we do way more if you're on your way? This week, as a believer, and you see a need this week, and you don't wait on me or Randy or someone else, you just be the church, meet the need. Go meet the need. And that's what he says is authentic faith looks like." [01:22:02]
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