Notes/Discussion

James Part 2

The Word of Truth

James 1:16-25 (NIV) Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 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. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. 

Genesis 3:1 (NIV) “Did God really say...?” 

Proverbs 16:25 (NIV) There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. 

34% of US adults read the Bible once a week or more.

50% of US adults read the BIble less than twice a year!

16% of US adults read the BIble more than twice a year, but not on a weekly basis.

What is going to be the basis for how I live my life? 

The world or the Word? 

Psalm 119:81 (GW) My soul is weak from waiting for you to save me. My hope is based on your words. 

Matthew 7:24-25 (NIV) “Everyone who hears these words of mine, and puts them into practice, is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.” 

The Word of Truth 

1. Gratefully receive the Truth that saves me. 

James 1:16-18 (NIV) Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. 

Romans 10:17 (NKJV) So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. 

Love is so amazing, so divine. Demands my soul, my life, my all. 

2. Humbly accept the Truth that confronts me. 

James 1:19-21 (NIV) My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 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. 

If your god never disagrees with you, you might just be worshiping an idealized version of yourself. – Timothy Keller 

1 Thessalonians (2:13) We also thank God continually because, when you received the Word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it, not as the word of men, but as it is, the Word of God, which is at work in you who believe. 

The mark of a God-changed heart is that I like God telling me how to live. 

3. Intently embrace the Truth that guides me. 

James 1:22-25 (NIV) Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. 

Get a paper Bible. 

Set aside a time to read, study, and meditate on God’s Word. 

Have a Bible reading plan.

Don’t just read the Bible. Let the Bible read you. 

BIG idea: In a scattered generation, we have to determine if the world or the Word will be the basis for how we live our lives. When we have an attitude that gratefully received, humbly accepts, and intently embraces the truth of God’s Word, we will be blessed! 

Make it practical – 

Get a paper Bible. 

Set aside time to read, study, and meditate on God’s Word. 

Have a Bible reading plan (YouVersion App)

TALK ABOUT IT 

1. What does it look like to “love God’s Word”? How do you incorporate God’s Word into your daily life? 
2. Think about a time when a truth in God’s Word felt confrontational to you. When you accepted that truth and applied it to your life, what changed? How did you feel about the change? 

“DON’T JUST READ THE BIBLE. LET THE BIBLE READ YOU.” 

Jesus, we ask for a renewed hunger for Your Word. We are so grateful for what You have done for us, and we ask You to help us accept what the Bible says with humility and let the direction of our lives be determined by the truth of Your Word.