Not Hearers Only
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· 9 viewsIf we expect to have the blessings of God upon our lives and our church we must not only hear but do what the Word of God instructs.
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
We have heard a great deal of wonderful biblical instruction throughout this past week of revival meetings. If you were unable to be here each night may I encourage you to go back and watch the livestream of the preaching from each night.
I want to ask you a very simple question this morning by way of introduction to the message. Do you want God’s blessings upon your life and upon the work of High Plains Baptist Church?
It has been great to hear such powerful preaching from Bro. Garraway and Pastor Lenentine over the course of the week, but we shall not be blessed of God simply because we have heard great Bible preaching.
James here presents a problem that I believe is still plaguing many local churches today. There are far too many churches where the Bible is being faithfully preached and taught but the lives of people are not being transformed by it because they have become hearers only.
The Danger (Vs. 22a)
The Danger (Vs. 22a)
Under the inspiration of the Spirit of God, James writes to the believing Jews of his day that they should not be hearers only but doers of the Word of God.
It is evident that among those who came to faith in Christ there were some who having heard the Word had not yet begun to do what they had heard.
The preaching of the Word of God is not intended to simply provide entertainment or to make us to feel better about ourselves in our current state. Rather the preaching of the Word of God should bring us to a point of decision to take what we have heard and adjust our lives to more closely align with the truth!
We study the scriptures, not primarily to gain knowledge, but for the purpose of allowing God to speak to us in order that we may do what He would have us to do!
We place ourselves underneath the teaching of the Word of God in settings such as Sunday School not primarily for fellowship and relationship, but so that we may learn from God’s Word and do as we are instructed. (Illustration: Marriage class)
The problem is that so often we hear the Word of God but fail to take the practical steps necessary to do what we have heard.
We hear the preacher preach that we should pray more and we agree and maybe even give a hearty amen to voice our approval but our prayer life remains unchanged.
We hear that we have a responsibility to share the gospel and we agree but days and weeks pass without us ever speaking to anyone about their soul!
We hear that we should be faithful to the house of God and we know that it is true but we allow other things to take priority and keep us from being there!
Your life will not be automatically transformed, your faith will not be miraculously strengthened, you will not have a powerful impact on the world around you merely because you are in a good church and you have heard powerful preaching.
The Deception (Vs. 22b-24)
The Deception (Vs. 22b-24)
This danger is all the greater because we have become so adept at deceiving ourselves as to the reality of our condition.
So many modern believers have gravitated towards churches where they receive constant affirmation and they are told that that there is no problem with who they are or how they are living.
The deception runs much deeper though even within our own hearts. We often hear the Word of God preached and we immediately begin to convince ourselves that the message is for someone else, that we need not make any significant changes to our way of life, that we are “ok” where we are!
There are many today who have convinced themselves that because they attend church once a week, drop a few dollars in the offering plate, and maybe even give some meager amount to missions, they are really great Christians.
The scripture says quite the opposite- Luke 17:7-10- when we have done all that we have been commanded we are even then but unprofitable (not worthy of special praise) because we have simply done what it was our duty to do.
The truth is that each and every one of us have areas in our lives that are in need of a significant overhaul. Even those who would be considered the greatest of Christians, yet have significant room for improvement.
Instead of trying to convince ourselves that we are ok, we should come to God knowing with a sincere desire to see ourselves as we are, prepared to make the changes that are needful to draw closer to the Lord and to be more effective in His service.
We must be willing to be honest with ourselves where we fall short and willing to let God transform us so that we may be usable vessels.
When we peer into the mirror of the Word of God, let us determine to never walk away unchanged by what we see. Let us never ignore the flaws and imperfections we see but instead diligently purpose to address them.
If we have been guilty of deceiving ourselves in the past, let us commit today that, as we hear the Word of God, we will honestly examine ourselves in light of what we have heard.
The Decision (Vs. 25)
The Decision (Vs. 25)
We must decide today to continue to look into the Word of God, intent on continuing to let it transform us into a more fit vessel in the service of the Lord.
There are some who intentionally avoid particular portions of the Word of God because they know that it will bring conviction. A husband or wife who avoids scriptures that speak on marriage, a teenager who avoids scripture that instruct them to honor and obey their parents, etc...
Let us examine this verse more closely so that we might learn what we are to do if we desire to be blessed of God.
James writes that the one who shall be blessed in his deed is the one who “looketh into” the law of liberty. John 20:5 & John 20:11-Mary and John looking into the empty tomb/Luke 24:12- Peter stooping down to see the empty tomb/I Peter 1:12- angels desire to look into.
Each of these passage help to shed light on exactly what James is writing that we would look deeper and closer and longer at the Word of God continuing to gain a greater understanding of what God wants us to do.
We must continue to come back to the Word of God over and over, each day seeking a deeper comprehension of what God expects of us. We must listen intently to the preaching of the Word of God over and over again seeking to hear the life altering truth that God wants to deliver.
There will never be a time when we should cease to desire to hear from God because there shall always be room for improvement in our lives.
We must ever be determined to be more than mere hearers of the Word of God but also doers of the Work of God!
It is God’s desire to work in this world, and you and I are the instruments He has chosen to use. It is by the hearing and doing of the Word of God that we shall be equipped and instructed for the particular work that God has called us to do.
Conclusion
If we shall avoid the danger of being a hearer and not a doer, if we shall avoid the temptation to deceive ourselves, if we shall decide to continue to look into the Word of God and to allow it to transform and instruct us, we shall enjoy the blessing of God upon whatever we may endeavor to do.
Genesis 39:2-3- Joseph prospers in Potiphar’s house. Genesis 39:23- Joseph prospers in prison Genesis 41:39-40- Joseph prospers before Pharaoh
Hearing the Word of God and doing the Work of God does not guarantee prosperity physically or financially, it does not guarantee that you will rise to a position of great influence and prominence, but we do have the promise of God’s blessing upon our doings.