Living My Life from the Word of God

James 1:19-25

In Matthew 7 Jesus tells a parable of building a house on a solid foundation verses a not-so solid foundation.  He ends the parable by relating it to our life and the Word of God.  If we build out life on the Word of God we can survive anything that comes our way.  Our new sermon series is designed to help with just that - we will be encouraged to learn, love and live the Word of God.

HOW DO WE LIVE OUR LIVES FROM THE BIBLE?

RECEIVE IT - James vv 19-21 “listen” and “accept”

Why are Grainger County tomatoes so good?  Because the soil is prepared to receive the tomato seeds.  Same seed planted in different location yields different results.  Why?  Some soil is prepared to receive it, some not.  Same is true of the Word of God. 

READ IT - vv 22-25 “looks intently into the perfect law”

Two ways to look at yourself in the mirror - quick glance or long stare…

There is a difference in the time we give ourselves to read God’s Word.  There is a difference between squeezing in a reading and reading to know what God is saying to you.  If we are going to love, learn and live the Word of God, we need to create a habit of lingering with God’s Word.

REMEMBER IT - v 25 “continues to do this, not forgetting”

A couple in their nineties are both having problems remembering things. During a checkup, the doctor tells them that they're physically okay, but they might want to start writing things down to help them remember.  Later that night, while watching TV, the old man gets up from his chair. "Want anything while I'm in the kitchen?" he asks.  "Will you get me a bowl of ice cream?”  “Sure.."  "Don't you think you should write it down so you can remember it?" she asks.  "No, I can remember it.”  "Well, I'd like some strawberries on top, too. Maybe you should write it down, so as not to forget it?”  He says, "I can remember that. You want a bowl of ice cream with strawberries.”  "I'd also like whipped cream. I'm certain you'll forget that, write it down?" she asks.  Irritated, he says, "I don't need to write it down, I can remember it! Ice cream with strawberries and whipped cream - I got it, for goodness sake!”  Then he toddles into the kitchen. After about 20 minutes, the old man returns from the kitchen and hands his wife a plate of bacon and eggs.. She stares at the plate for a moment. "Where's my toast?”

Remembering God’s Word is a big deal.  The opening chapter of the the book of Psalms begins with a call to remember.  “Blessed is the person who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked…But delights in the law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night.”  Receive it, read it, and remember it - those are the first three things we need to do with God’s Word in order to create a solid foundation for our lives.

RESPOND TO IT - v 22 “do what it says”

James wonders what it profits a person to know all of God’s Scriptures, but do absolutely nothing about it!  How different would that person be from Satan and the demons?  We know from the Bible that the demons could readily identify Jesus - they know His identity and are afraid.  And we also know that Satan knows Scripture - quoting it when he was tempting Jesus.  The difference is in faith, believe and application!

John Wesley was asked about the character of a Methodist and his answer hinged on the Methodist being a Christian who could apply God’s teachings, not just recite them.