Listening and Doing (James 1:19-27)

Sermon on 23 March 2025 by Pastor Justin Chia

James 1:19-27 - “Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls. But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it. If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless. Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.”

Anyone who endures temptation is blessed and will receive the crown of life. Sin will arise when we give way to the temptation. If we continue to live a sinful life, it will lead to death. When we are going through temptation, be slow to speak and anger. Do not return evil for evil. In all you can, live with peace with one another. Vengeance is in the hand of the Lord. Anyone who has anger and wrath does not produce the righteousness of God. When believers read the word, it will be implanted in us as the Holy Spirit is in us. We have to receive in meekness, which is a spirit that is teachable and will not reject the word. There are many Christians who like to quote verses but not act it out. The Bible is a mirror. It reflects conflict and convicts you of your sin. If you look at the word but do nothing about it, you will not remember what was taught. We need to read, memorise, meditate, and pray so that we can apply it to our lives.

Matthew 22:37-40 - “Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.””

Count it joy when you fall into trials and difficulties. Blessed is he who does the work of the Lord. If you want to have a knowledge of God, act it out instead of keeping it in your head. We deceive our heart if we are only a listener of the word and not a doer. You must keep yourself pure and holy. We do not conform to the pattern of the world. When you hear the truth, receive with a meekness of heart.

1 John 2:15 - “Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you.”

The person who listens, responds, acts, and does is blessed. It is one thing to listen and receive the truth, and another to act on it. When you read the word, it’s for you and not others. A disciple of Christ is always one who is fruitful.

Luke 6:46 - ““So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say?”

John 14:15 - ““If you love me, obey my commandments.”

Matthew 21:28-32 - ““But what do you think about this? A man with two sons told the older boy, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’ The son answered, ‘No, I won’t go,’ but later he changed his mind and went anyway. Then the father told the other son, ‘You go,’ and he said, ‘Yes, sir, I will.’ But he didn’t go. “Which of the two obeyed his father?” They replied, “The first.” Then Jesus explained his meaning: “I tell you the truth, corrupt tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the Kingdom of God before you do. For John the Baptist came and showed you the right way to live, but you didn’t believe him, while tax collectors and prostitutes did. And even when you saw this happening, you refused to believe him and repent of your sins.”

Which son do you resemble most in the parable?

Matthew 28:20 - “Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.””

James 1:22-24 - “But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like.”

James divides Christians into two groups.

1. Doers of the word

Christians in this group are teachable and accept the truth in the Bible. God reveals different perspectives for them and their family. It is evident in their life.

James 1:25 - “But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.”

Jeremiah 17:7 - ““But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.”

Matthew 7:24-25 - ““Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock.”

The only way to know God is to do His will.

John 14:15 - ““If you love me, obey my commandments.”

Philippians 2:12-13 - “Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.”

A doer of the word is sensitive to the Holy Spirit. They cannot stand sin and wrong doctrine.

2. Hearers of the word

They are very knowledgeable about the word but don’t bear fruit. They have no relationship with God. They are Christians who hear the truth yet continue to live a sinful lifestyle. Their life does not reflect the joy and fruit of the Spirit.

James 1:23-24 - “For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like.”

Matthew 7:21 - ““Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.”

Matthew 6:24 - ““No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.”

Matthew 7:26-27 - “But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.””

They will deceive themselves and it will get worse and worse. They have no sin apathy.

2 Timothy 3:13 - “But evil people and impostors will flourish. They will deceive others and will themselves be deceived.”

James 4:17 - “Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.”

1 John 3:9 - “Those who have been born into God’s family do not make a practice of sinning, because God’s life is in them. So they can’t keep on sinning, because they are children of God.”

‭‭A Christian that is born of God doesn’t want to sin as the Holy Spirit is in them. They don’t want to go back to their old life.

It is important to understand which group is Christians we are in. God blesses those who act and live by His word, and their actions bless others. Avoid complacency, lukewarm Christians. Don’t just hear the word; listen and live by it.

James 1:25 - “But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.”

Isaiah 1:19-20 - “If you will only obey me, you will have plenty to eat. But if you turn away and refuse to listen, you will be devoured by the sword of your enemies. I, the Lord, have spoken!””

Revelation 3:15-16 - ““I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!”

God’s best for us is revealed to us when we do His word. Be a Christian in action! Whatever He says in His word, just do it!  Hypocrisy kills faith. Don’t just talk, do it!

Amen.