“Following The Playbook”
James 1:21-27
Sermon Series: “God’s Playbook For A Winning Life”
Introduction: We have been focusing on these principles through the course of this series:
1. The Bible is God’s perfect Word that He uses to transform us.
2. The Bible is God’s perfect Word that must be boldly and accurately preached.
3. Staring into the mirror of God’s perfect Word and receiving it leads to life change.
4. Obedience to God’s perfect Word is not optional.
Let’s focus on the fourth principle this weekend. The focus of this principle is on simply doing what the Bible says because obedience is not optional. Warren Wiersbe has written, “Too many Christians mark their Bibles, but their Bibles never mark them.” Steven Furtick said, “Most of us are educated beyond the level of our obedience. We have a knowledge surplus and obedience deficit. It is not the knowledge of the Bible but the application of the Bible through the power of the Holy Spirit that changes our lives.” Let’s look at the details and application of this principle.
1. Obedience is not optional (v. 22).
A. We are told to not just hear the Bible but to also do what it says.
B. Faith is taking God at His Word and acting on it (see James 2:14-26) so our faith is expressed by obedience and obedience is produced by faith. Therefore, faith and obedience cannot be separated. Rick Warren is correct when he says, “We only believe as much of the Bible as we do.”
C. We are to stare at and receive the Word of God, which leads to obedience.
D. Obedience includes not doing what God has told us not to do (v. 26).
Obedience includes doing what God has told us to do (v. 27).
2. Hearing God’s Word and not doing it means that we are deceiving ourselves (v. 22). We are deluded if we think that knowledge without obedience is sufficient. If we think we are godly because we know more than others, we are deceived. If we think we are godly because all of our doctrine is correct, we are deceived. If we are trying to impress others with our Bible knowledge or spirituality, we are deceived. If we are judging others but not living in obedience, we are deceived. If we are teaching others but not living in obedience, we are deceived.
3. Hearing God’s Word and doing it brings the blessing of God upon us (v. 25) [see also Psalm 1 and Joshua 1:8]. This is true because life only works when we obey God’s Word because it is His truth. Warren Wiersbe has written, “It is not the hearing but the doing that brings the blessing.” When we line ourselves up with God’s Word, His blessing is built into it because we are ordering our lives according to His ways. When we do not obey, God disciplines us and life does not work because we are working against God’s design.
Conclusion-Applications:
1. We cannot claim to be saved and life in ongoing disobedience to the Word and will of God (Matthew 7:21-23).
2. However, we are not saved because we keep God’s Word, but His Law shows us our need for God’s saving grace (Romans 3:19-26).
3. We really have to be in the Word to be able to do the Word (1 Peter 2:1-3). We must hear and receive the Word.
4. We are called to live out the Word in obedience. Are there areas of disobedience in your life?
5. God is calling us to repent. His Word is the standard that we cannot escape (Hebrews 4:12). Let’s stop running and make things right with Him.
