Making God's Truth Stick & Keeping it Stuck!

Making God's Truth Stick & Keeping it Stuck! Pastor Noelle Huether Have you noticed what happens to us when we study the Bible or a devotional, listen to a preacher or teacher, or even read a verse posted on someone's wall? Have you ever thought... - That is a good verse, I am going to memorize that one! - I know someone who should read this one! Maybe I should text it to her - If only so and so would take this one to heart - Jesus didn't REALLY mean that, something must be wrong with the translation - I like this one! - That one was for those in Jesus' day, definitely not me here in the 21st century! - Turn aside whistling and ignore the verse - I'm not sure I believe that... Have you ever done that? Have you ever heard or read the truth of God, but it did not stick? Do you know why God's truth did not stick with you? How can you make God's truth stick to you? And if you can MAKE it stick, how to you KEEP it stuck? James helps us understand how to receive and keep God's truth. Let's take a look. James 1:16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers. Apparently James feels it is important to help his brothers and sisters to not be deceived as he has placed it near the beginning of his letter. James 1:17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. Our Heavenly Father filled with glory has given us good and perfect gifts, including salvation and His Bible. James 1:18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. Are you seeing it? In order to not be deceived, we must receive His Word of Truth and His salvation. The Bible is His gift to us, for our good, to protect us, to teach us, for us to become closer to Him. James 1:19 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Anger used here means irritation or agitation. I believe this verse is not only about our interpersonal relationships, but also about God's Truth because it is smack dab in the middle of two verses talking about God's Word of Truth. Have you ever felt anger or strong negative emotions when listening to God's Word? Or a teaching that does not fit your understanding of God? Have you ever tuned out, thinking, "Yah, I have heard this all before." or "This does not apply to me." That is being just the opposite of what James is helping us understand. When we do that, we are being slow to listen, quick to speak and quick to become angry, or agitated or even irritated. James 1:21 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. The Word of God, His truth not only saves you when you first begin your relationship with Jesus, but every day He is saving you! Many times anger or agitation inside is a result of the Holy Spirit convicting you. Let the Spirit do His perfect work in your life to bring conviction and understanding of the sin in your life. Then you can as for forgiveness, power and wisdom to have the victory in that area. Humility. "Submitting to the authority and truth of God and His Word. It is removing lies that we cling to in order to protect and justify ourselves so that we can fully receive God's Truth in our lives." For example, we may have jealousy very close to our heart and no one knows about it. But this jealousy rears its ugly head when a sister or brother receives a promotion or anything positive. We need to acknowledge we are not living in truth (being jealous is destruction, 2 Cor 2:19-20), and replace it with God's Truth "Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep." Instead of becoming bitter, angry, hateful inside with jealousy, we can experience joy and peace when we rejoice with others when something good happens to them. James 1:22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Here's the key for KEEPING God's Truth Stuck - DOING IT. James 1:23 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. Remember what it is like to not let verses stick to you? You may have received them initially, but had not place for them in your life. Oh, sure, you knew OTHERS who needed them, but you did not put them into action in your own life. When we do this, we forget God's Truth. James 1:25 But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, Sidenote, this "perfect law that gives freedom" is the New Covenant that we receive from Jesus. The book of Hebrews talks about the Mosaic Law, or the law Moses gave was a law of bondage and death, but the new law given by our new high priest, Jesus, is the law of freedom. and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does. There it is. To look intently, to study, to find whatever means that works for us and our brains, to study intently the Word of God and then put what we have learned into action. Do what God tells us to do. When we do, God's promise is that we will be blessed in all we do. How awesome is that?! Even Jesus taught us this principle in Jn 14:15–17 “If you love me, you will obey what I command. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth." First you can MAKE God's Truth stick by RECEIVING IT Receive God's Truth by acknowledging it is a gift from our Father in Heaven Receive God's Truth by listening, by being engaged, not tuning out. How can you engage yourself during a sermon, or a study or listening to the teacher on the radio? Is it writing notes? (by the way, hand writing something helps you remember better typing.) Color coding Scriptures? Putting them up on a wall or at the office? Journaling? Receive God's Truth by humbly allowing the Holy Spirit to convict and transform you by removing lies and personal justifications. Receive God's Truth by intently, with eager expectation, study His Word. Receive God's Truth by being willing to admit you may have learned something wrong and then learn it correctly. Second you can KEEP God's Truth stuck by DOING IT Do what God tells you to do and God will bless you in all you do! Teach or share what you learn with others, you tend to learn better yourself. Learn by experience, put what you learned into action right away. Stop doing what you should not be doing. Can you image what our lives would be like if we MADE God's Truth Stick and KEPT it Stuck? What about our families? Our work places? Nacogdoches? In the next coming Sundays and Sunday Nights, we will be sharing specifics on how God's Truth can transform those around us when we let His Truth stick to us. Join us and seek out God's plan for using you to bring hope to the hurting, the lost, and maybe even our brothers and sisters who are struggling in their faith. God can use you in a powerful way if you will RECEIVE God's Truth and the DO IT!