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Past Ponderings

Thursday, May 7, 2020

PONDERING... Is This Real Life? (James 1:22-25)

VIDEO
Is This Real Life? (PM Lesson Outline)
GIST: Real faith is lived and remembered... and it sets you free forever!
SCRIPTURE: James 1:22-25
Tonight, I want to talk through one of the most convicting passages in James for me. This morning we saw we were to be quick to listen and slow to speak and slow to anger. Now, we’re moving into what that listening should look like, and we’ll see that it is not just a passive activity. 


“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.”


What I’ll have here is just notes for discussion. Please take time to really let this hit home. Gist: Real faith is lived and remembered... and it sets you free forever!


I. REAL FAITH IS LIVED (22)
“22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”
Are We Doers & Hearers? We should be doing both. Actively listening to God’s Word should result in actively serving God. Otherwise, our hearing is just a vain exercise in futility. It’s not Christian listening. Period.
Have We Fallen Victim To The Self-Deception Of Being Attentive In Church? That “deceiving yourselves” part hits home. It’s easy to convince yourself you’re doing the right thing if you are listening to the right kinds of things. I have people all the time tell me about the Christian podcasts and sermon series they listen to...which is awesome. However, all of that is meaningless if God’s Word isn’t permeating how we live our lives. 


II. REAL FAITH IS REMEMBERED (23-24)
“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.” 
What Is This Illustrating? Coming to church on Sunday and then forgetting who we are in Christ and who He is for the rest of the week. Doing the “church thing” but living as practical atheists. 


III. REAL FAITH IS FREEING — FOREVER (25)
“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.”
What Is The Perfect Law of Liberty? John 8:34-36 “34 Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. 35 The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."” God’s laws are liberating not just restrictions from the authoritative church. 
Why Is It Important To Actively Persevere? Notice that he keeps looking and then does stuff. These are signs of real and lasting change.
Are You Blessed, Now & Forever?


TAKEAWAY

  1. Is your faith being lived out? Is it your real life?

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