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Evangelism

Vernon Advent Christian Church Message James Word of God

Summary

Fully Devoted, Fully Engaged Christ-Followers: The Christ-follower ~ and the Word of God -- James 1:19-27, by Pastor Bruce Burks Notes: Why does anyone look in the mirror? Admire? Anguish? Check? Correct? Encourage? On a grander scale, that's why we look into the Bible, the Word of God: to see the truth, check, correct, line up with God, be directed, etc. Even more, we look not so much to see ourselves, but God, and our lives are shaped as we gaze upon Him. Last week: The Christ-follower and the Word of God - the value of the Word and our relationship to it. - By His Word, God saves us, as we hear and believe the gospel. - By His Word, God protects and directs us. We are saved in our struggles. - We must hear, receive and be doers of the Word. If we are not doers, we're deceiving ourselves. Today: What it means to be doers of the Word - James 1:22-27. I)"Notdoers" - vs22-24 - Like those who look in a mirror and then forget how they looked. What they saw did them no good. - You may be a Bible expert, but if you don't live by it, what good is it? - When you know Scripture and live by it, it will be brought to remembrance as needed. II)Doers - vs25 - Blessed. - "Looks into" - "parakypto" - "to stoop to a thing in order to look at it; inspect curiously, carefully" (Strong's); penetrating examination. - "abides by" - "parameno" - "remain beside, continue always" (Strong's). - "effectual" - "ergon" - "business, employment, that which one undertakes to do; anything accomplished" (Strong's). - We are blessed by going the right way, doing the right thing, honoring God, doing what brings Him glory, being protected, guided. III)Examples of Being Doers of the Word - vs26-27 - Bridled tongue (Chapter 3 also) - speech is an indicator of the heart. - Visit orphans and widows - those in need, who can't help themselves (Chapter 2 also). - "visit" - "episkeptomai" - "look after or upon, in order to see how one is and help or benefit" (Strong's). - Purity - "keep oneself unstained by the world" (Chapter 4 also). A fully devoted, fully engaged Christ-follower hears and receives the Word, but also lives by it, evidenced by his/her speech, benevolence and purity.