JAMES 1:18-21
FAITH WORKS SCRIPTURALLY
FAITH WORKS #5
A candidate for church membership was asked, “What part of the Bible do you like best?” He said: “I like the New Testament best. Then he was asked, “What Book in the New Testament is your favorite?” He answered, the Book of the Parables, Sir.”
They then asked him to relate one of the parables to the membership committee. And a bit uncertain, he began… “Once upon a time a man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves; and the thorns grew up and choked the man. And he went on and met the Queen of Sheba, and she gave that man, Sir, a thousand talents of silver, and a hundred changes of raiment. And he got in his chariot and drove furiously, and as he was driving along under a big tree, his hair got caught in a limb and left him hanging here! And he hung there many days and many nights. The ravens brought him food to eat and water to drink. And one night while he was hanging there asleep, his wife Delilah came along and cut off his hair, and he fell on stony ground. And it begin to rain, and rained forty days and forty nights. And he hid himself in a cave. Later he went on and met a man who said, “Come in and take supper with me.” But he said, “I can’t come in, for I have married a wife.” And the man went out into the highways and hedges and compelled him to come in! He then came to Jerusalem, and saw Queen Jezebel sitting high and lifted up in a window of the wall. When she saw him she laughed, and he said, “Throw her down out of there,” and they threw her down. And he said “Throw her down again,” and they threw her down seventy-times-seven. And the fragments which they picked up filled twelve baskets full! NOW, whose wife will she be in the day of the Judgment?”
The membership committee agreed that this was indeed a knowledgeable candidate! Source unknown http://www.bible.org/illus.asp?topic_id=152
While studying in the Holy Lands, a seminary professor of mine met a man who claimed to have memorized the Old Testament—in Hebrew! Needless to say, the astonished professor asked for a demonstration. A few days later they sat together in the man’s home.
“Where shall we begin?” asked the man.
“Psalm 1,” replied my professor, who was an avid student of the psalms.
Beginning with Psalm 1:1, the man began to recite from memory, while my professor followed along in his Hebrew Bible. For two hours the man continued word for word without a mistake as the professor sat in stunned silence. When the demonstration was over, my professor discovered something even more astonishing about the man—he was an atheist! Here was someone who knew the Scriptures better than most Christians ever will, and yet he didn’t even believe in God. Taking The Guesswork Out of Applying The Bible, Jack Kuhatschek, IVP, 1991, p. 16 http://www.bible.org/illus.asp?topic_id=164
I just gave you two examples of ignorance concerning the Word of God. The first was an example of ignorance caused by a lack of study or paying attention in church and or Sunday School. The second example of ignorance was a man who could quote scripture but didn’t believe it.
Tonight we continue our series on the Book of James. The theme of James is “Faith Works”. Last time we saw that FAITH WORKS KNOWLEDGABLY.
If we are going to overcome temptation we must have a working knowledge of what temptation is, how it acts, and how to avoid it.
Tonight we see that FAITH WORKS SCRIPTURALLY. For us to be all that we should be for our Lord Jesus Christ, we must apply our faith to the proper learning of God’s Word. In James 1:18-21 we see three important concepts.
REGENERATION BY THE WORD OF GOD – Vs. 18
RESPONSE TO THE WORD OF GOD – Vss. 19-20
RECEPTION OF THE WORD OF GOD – Vs. 21
REGENERATION BY THE WORD OF GOD – Vs. 18
Have you ever stopped to ask yourself, “Why am I child of God?”
The obvious answer is that you were born again by the work of the Spirit of God through faith.
John 3:1-7 - There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: [2] The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. [3] Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. [4] Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? [5] Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. [6] That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. [7] Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
John 1:12-13 - But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: [13] Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
Pastor Holwick – “When I was a pastor in Ohio in 1984 my car broke down and I had to walk to a gas station for assistance. They sent a young mechanic over, and he ended up working on the distributor. He was a good mechanic, but I could tell from his language that he wasn't exactly "sanctified." (Some of you may talk like this during the week when your preacher isn't around.) When he found out I was a preacher, he told me about a friend of his.
“He said this guy was once the biggest drug dealer in Coshocton County. He could supply you with anything you wanted if you had the cash. But one night while he lay drunk in bed, he realized he was throwing his life away. He immediately stopped dealing in drugs and gave his life to Christ. More than this, he went to a Bible College and was about to become a preacher in Kentucky.
“After telling me all this, the young mechanic said: "It's hard to believe people can change like that. I guess it's what they call being re-born." The drug dealer had been part of the darker side of society, and by changing directions he stood out.” Holwick’s Illustrations
I am a child of God because I am born again through faith in Christ.
But James gives two more answers to the question, “Why am I a child of God?”
Of his own will begat he us…
You are a child of God because God willed you to be a child of God. This fact may be hard for us to accept if we think that we have any goodness or merit in ourselves. But, if we think of the greatness of our sin, and how spiritually dead we were, it makes sense that God had to choose to save us.
Ephesians 2:1-7 - And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; [2] Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: [3] Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. [4] But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, [5] Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) [6] And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: [7] That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 1:3-6 - Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: [4] According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: [5] Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, [6] To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
James 1:18 - Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth,
God willed you to be a child of God, and God provided a channel through which you could understand salvation and trust Christ as your Savior. The channel is the Word of truth.
It is through the Word of truth that we understand that we are sinners.
It is through the Word of truth that we learn that Jesus died for our sins, was buried and rose again.
It is through the Word of truth that we learn that God loves us.
It is through the Word of truth that we learn that we must place our faith in Christ.
Romans 10:17 - So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
1 Peter 1:23 - Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
So we are born again by the will of God using the Word of God. And there is a purpose for this.
James 1:18 - Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
There was a celebration of the giving of the first fruits of the harvest to God. James as an early Christian, saw he and other Christians as the beginning of a glorious harvest.
Every Christian is part of that great harvest of souls, whether we be part of the first of the harvest or not. And each one of us is a Christian because:
1. We were born of the Spirit
2. We believed by faith
3. God willed it
4. We believed as a result of the Word of truth
REGENERATION BY THE WORD OF GOD – Vs. 18
RESPONSE TO THE WORD OF GOD – Vss. 19-20
James 1:19-20 - Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: [20] For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
We were born again by the Word of truth.
Does the Word have any importance after we are saved?
Of course it does!
2 Timothy 3:16-17 - All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: [17] That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
Romans 15:4 - For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
As a result of the value of the word of God, we are to be “swift to hear”.
· I should be eager to hear the Word of God whether I read it or have it taught to me.
· I should be attentive to the Word of God, wanting to learn from it.
· I should not shun the reading or the preaching of the Word of God.
· I should not make excuses for not hearing or reading the Word, but should seek opportunities to do so.
1 Peter 2:1-3 - Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, [2] As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: [3] If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
2 Peter 3:18 - But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
When I first went off to college and started being active in inter-varsity Christian Fellowship, there were all sorts of opportunities to study and learn the Word. I took advantage of them. I was swift to hear.
In a Sunday School class the teacher, Pastor Headley, asked our opinion of capital punishment. I weighed in against it. Then Pastor Headley opened the Scriptures and showed biblically the case for capital punishment. I went away believing it. I was swift to hear.
Speak, Lord, in the stillness,
While I wait on Thee;
Hushed in my heart to listen
In Expectancy. (E. May Grimes)
How swift to hear the Word are you?
We are also to be slow to speak.
The churches in James’ day were fairly open. People were allowed to put in their “two cents” worth.
It is possible that people would start to speak in response to what was being said.
I think that James is telling us to hear completely before we respond.
All too often we start to respond because we don’t like what we hear.
With the Word of God, we must hear completely before we respond to it.
Proverbs 18:13 - He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.
In responding to the Word of God,
James 1:19-20 says, Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: [20] For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
We are to be slow to wrath.
We don’t always like what we read in the Word of God because it convicts us.
We don’t always like what we hear preached in the Word of God because it convicts us.
There has been many a Christian who has gotten angry when the Word of God has been preached, taught, or read.
It is easy to get angry when we initially hear something we don’t like or disagrees with our life style.
I am sure there have been people angry with me down through the years.
But in responding to the teaching or reading of the Word we are to be slow in getting angry over it.
There is a good reason for that.
Man’s anger does not work God’s righteousness.
Instead of getting angry, we should search the Scriptures to see if what is being said is true. If it is, we shouldn’t get angry, but do what the Scripture says.
REGENERATION BY THE WORD OF GOD – Vs. 18
RESPONSE TO THE WORD OF GOD – Vss. 19-20
RECEPTION OF THE WORD OF GOD – Vs. 21
James 1:21 - Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
Have you ever considered confessing all known sins before reading your Bible?
Have you ever considered confessing all known sin before listening to a sermon?
To get the most out of a sermon or Bible Study, we should confess all filthiness, that is, moral impurity. We should confess all superfluity of naughtiness, that is, all wickedness or vice that we know of within us.
We already heard Peter say, Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,
Anything that will hinder the Spirit of God using the Word of God in my life should be confessed and forsaken.
Then I will be in the proper position to humbly receive the Word of God.
Once I have placed myself in a humble, submissive position, I am ready to hear what God has to say. I am ready to humbly accept God’s opinion.
A lot of people don’t humbly receive the engrafted or implanted word because there are weeds in the soil.
The weeds must be removed before someone can actually see the Word of God bear fruit in their lives.
The engrafted word is able to save our souls.
Wait a minute!
I’m already saved!
Yes, if you know the Lord Jesus as your Savior, you are.
However, the humbly received word received in good soil will save you from the problems caused by sin now.
It will save you from a lot of grief.
The Lord I love went on
ahead
To make a home for me (and) said.
He would come back again, and
He
Oh, Gracious Love He wrote to me!
He knew I was so weak
and blind
And foolish, that I could not find
The road alone. He wrote
me things
That all earth’s wise men and its kings
Have never guessed but I
foreknow.
For I read His letter and oh
The depths of love on every
sheet
My soul is trembling at His feet
What would He have
thought of me
If when I saw Him I should say
I was too busy
everyday
To read the letter You wrote to me
I really hadn’t time
for Thee.
In Brief
Admit God’s Word to
be His message to you.
Submit to the authority of the Book.
Commit
the words of the Scriptures to your memory.
Transmit the message to
someone else.
Faith Works Scripturally
REGENERATION BY THE WORD OF GOD – Vs. 18
RESPONSE TO THE WORD OF GOD – Vss. 19-20
RECEPTION OF THE WORD OF GOD – Vs. 21