Faith That Works: Lives It Out

Verde Valley Christian Church
Mar 5 – 11, 2023

Series: Faith That Works...
Sermon Title: Lives It Out
Speaker: Jim Hammond

James 1:22
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

At VVCC we believe in the life changing power of the gospel (good news) of Jesus. We are more about transformation than about information transfer. We need to ask ourselves this question: Am I living more like Jesus or not? And if not, why not?

FAITH THAT WORKS...

I. Works because it RECEIVED God's GIFT

James 1:14-15
but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

James 1:17-18
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.

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.

FAITH THAT WORKS...

II. Is QUICK to LISTEN

James 1:19-20
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.

James 1:21-22
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.

-Have you received the gift of "birth through the word of truth"? (James 1:18)
-Have you been "quick to listen" to the word of truth? (James 1:19)
-Have you "humbly accepted the word planted in you that can save you"? (James 1:21)
-Have you been listening and living it out? (James 1:22)

FAITH THAT WORKS...

III. LOOKS intently

James 1:23-25
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.

The Old Testament predicted the coming of a new and better covenant when God's law would be "put in the minds" and "written in the hearts" (see Jeremiah 31:31-33). Jesus gave us this "New Covenant" (see Luke 22:20).

The "perfect law that gives freedom" gives freedom from the power of sin and freedom to serve God and live life beautifully. This freedom functions more like a compass than an electric fence. How? Through Christ in you!

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.