Living Out God's Word: Faith in Action

God is worthy of every song, every breath, and every act of obedience. His mighty deeds, steadfast love, and faithfulness to his promises call forth endless praise from all creation. He is our provider, sustainer, and redeemer, and all our hope rests in him. As we gather, we ask God to prepare our hearts, to break up the hard ground, and to plant his word deep within us so that it bears fruit in our lives. The word of God is not just information; it is living and active, able to save, transform, and guide us through every storm and trial.

Jesus taught that everyone faces storms, but only those who hear his words and put them into practice will stand firm. The wise build their lives on the rock of God’s word, not just by listening, but by doing. Our mission as followers of Christ is to make disciples, and this requires us to be doers of the word, not hearers only. Love for Jesus is shown by keeping his commandments—not as a burden, but as a delight and a source of wisdom and blessing.

James 1 calls us to receive the implanted word with humility, putting aside all filthiness and wickedness. God’s word, when welcomed, has the power to save—not just initially, but continually, delivering us from the grip of sin and shaping us into the likeness of Christ. This requires honest self-examination, confession, and a willingness to put off sin and put on Christlike character. The word exposes our motives and desires, leading to genuine repentance and lasting change.

But hearing is not enough. We must practice the word, applying it to every area of life—our relationships, work, speech, and priorities. James warns that merely hearing without doing leads to self-deception. The word is like a mirror, revealing our true condition; if we walk away unchanged, we miss its purpose. Instead, we are called to look intently into the perfect law of liberty, to abide by it, and to be effectual doers. This brings blessing, wisdom, and freedom.

Practical obedience is demonstrated in controlling our tongues, caring for those in need, and keeping ourselves unstained by the world. True religion is not outward ritual, but a transformed life that reflects the heart of God. As we humbly receive, meditate on, and practice God’s word, we become a people marked by love, compassion, and holiness—living for a different kingdom and bringing glory to Christ.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The Power of the Implanted Word God’s word is not just a set of instructions but a living seed planted in the heart of every believer. It has the power to save, transform, and continually deliver us from sin as we humbly receive it and allow it to penetrate our motives and desires. Welcoming the word means actively putting off sin and embracing God’s truth, trusting that his commands are for our good and his glory. [51:28]
• 2. The Danger of Self-Deception It is possible to be deeply familiar with Scripture, to agree with its truths, and yet remain unchanged if we do not put it into practice. James warns that hearing without doing leads to self-deception—a spiritual blindness that is both subtle and perilous. True faith is always accompanied by obedience, and a lack of application reveals a disconnect between what we profess and how we live. [74:24]
• 3. The Practice of Intense Examination Being a doer of the word requires more than casual engagement; it calls for an intense, intentional examination of Scripture. Like one who stoops to look closely into a mirror, we must scrutinize God’s word, meditate on its implications, and seek to apply it to the deepest areas of our lives. This kind of careful attention leads to discernment, wisdom, and genuine transformation. [84:54]
• 4. The Blessing of Obedience God promises blessing to those who not only hear but do his word. Obedience is not a burdensome duty but the pathway to joy, freedom, and spiritual prosperity. As we abide in the perfect law of liberty, we experience God’s favor, victory over sin, and the ability to navigate life’s challenges with wisdom and grace. [92:34]
• 5. The Test of True Religion Authentic faith is revealed in practical ways: controlling our speech, caring for the vulnerable, and remaining unstained by the world. Outward religious activity is empty if not matched by inward transformation and compassionate action. God’s heart is for the needy, and those who know him will reflect his character in tangible acts of love and holiness. [95:48]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [35:47] - Proclaiming God’s Worthiness
• [38:34] - Praying for Receptive Hearts
• [44:10] - Introduction to James 1
• [45:37] - The Storms of Life and the Foundation of Obedience
• [46:59] - Christian Essentials: Mission and the Local Church
• [48:15] - Loving Jesus by Keeping His Commandments
• [49:32] - Receiving the Implanted Word
• [51:28] - The Power of God’s Word to Save and Transform
• [54:42] - The Word’s Work at the Heart Level
• [58:26] - Putting Off Sin and Receiving the Word in Humility
• [66:42] - Practicing the Word: Becoming Doers
• [73:07] - The Warning Against Self-Deception
• [81:34] - Looking Intently at the Law of Liberty
• [89:20] - Practical Steps for Applying the Word
• [93:59] - Demonstrating Obedience: Tongue, Compassion, and Purity
• [102:52] - A Prayer for Effectual Doers

Bible Reading

James 1:17-27 (ESV) —
> 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
> 18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
> 19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;
> 20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
> 21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
> 22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
> 23 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.
> 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.
> 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.
> 26 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.
> 27 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.

Observation Questions

1. According to James 1:21, what two things does James say we must do to receive the implanted word?
2. In the sermon, what does the “mirror” represent, and what does it reveal about us? [[01:18:15]]
3. What are the three practical examples James gives at the end of the passage to show what true religion looks like?
4. What does James say happens to the person who is a “hearer only” and not a “doer” of the word? [[01:14:24]]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why does James compare God’s word to a seed that is “implanted” in our hearts? What does this image teach us about how God’s word works in us? [[51:28]]
2. The sermon warns about self-deception. How can someone be deeply familiar with Scripture and still be deceived about their spiritual condition? [[01:14:24]]
3. Why is it not enough to simply agree with or listen to God’s word? What is the danger if we stop there? [[01:13:07]]
4. The “perfect law of liberty” is mentioned in verse 25. What does it mean that God’s law brings freedom, not bondage? How does this change our motivation to obey? [[01:28:07]]

Application Questions

1. The sermon said that God’s word is able to save and transform us, not just at the beginning of our faith but continually. Is there an area of your life right now where you need God’s word to bring ongoing change? What would it look like to welcome the word in that area? [[54:42]]
2. James says to “put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness” before receiving the word. Are there any “dirty clothes” (sinful habits, attitudes, or influences) you need to put off so that God’s word can take root in your heart? What is one step you can take this week? [[59:41]]
3. The sermon described the danger of being a “hearer only”—someone who listens but doesn’t act. Can you think of a time when you heard a truth from God’s word but didn’t put it into practice? What kept you from acting on it? [[01:20:50]]
4. Looking intently into the “law of liberty” means examining God’s word closely and applying it. What is one practical way you can be more intentional about meditating on and applying Scripture in your daily life? (For example: journaling, memorizing, discussing with a friend, etc.) [[01:24:54]]
5. James gives three tests of true religion: controlling your tongue, caring for those in need, and keeping yourself unstained by the world. Which of these is most challenging for you right now? What is one specific action you can take this week to grow in that area? [[01:35:48]]
6. The sermon encouraged honest self-examination and confession. Is there a prayer you need to pray, or a conversation you need to have, to honestly face an area where you need to change? [[01:02:17]]
7. The blessing of obedience is described as joy, freedom, and spiritual prosperity. Have you experienced God’s blessing as a result of obeying his word? Share a specific example, or if not, what is one area where you want to experience this blessing? [[01:32:34]]