October 2, 2011
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Becoming People Who Listen and Act James 3 (1:21-27)
A. People who listen and act can change the world
1) Step 1: Listening (21)
21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
2) Step 2: Doing (22-25, Luke 6:46-49)
22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it--he will be blessed in what he does.
"Why do you call me, `Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete." (Luke 6:46-49)
B. Characteristics of people who listen and act
1) Control over the tongue (26, 3:1-12)
26 If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.
2) Acts of love (27, 2:14-26)
27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
Summary
If we do not believe in anything, we are easily influenced by others and can influence others negatively. If we have faith, we can discern what is good and influence others for good. We can change the world by becoming positive influences. We put our faith in God and in his word. The Bible does not just encourage and comfort us, but it also gives us the power to act. We can start by taking small steps in listening to God's word and acting on it. We need to start by controlling our tongues, caring for those around us, and living according to Jesus' values and standards.
For Discussion
1) What does it mean to act according to the word?
2) Share an experience where you failed to control your tongue.
A. People who listen and act can change the world
1) Step 1: Listening (21)
21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
2) Step 2: Doing (22-25, Luke 6:46-49)
22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it--he will be blessed in what he does.
"Why do you call me, `Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete." (Luke 6:46-49)
B. Characteristics of people who listen and act
1) Control over the tongue (26, 3:1-12)
26 If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.
2) Acts of love (27, 2:14-26)
27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
Summary
If we do not believe in anything, we are easily influenced by others and can influence others negatively. If we have faith, we can discern what is good and influence others for good. We can change the world by becoming positive influences. We put our faith in God and in his word. The Bible does not just encourage and comfort us, but it also gives us the power to act. We can start by taking small steps in listening to God's word and acting on it. We need to start by controlling our tongues, caring for those around us, and living according to Jesus' values and standards.
For Discussion
1) What does it mean to act according to the word?
2) Share an experience where you failed to control your tongue.