Hearing and Doing (5 of 16)
Series: James
Zach Terry
James 1:23-27
Context:
So far in our study we have been introduced to the Author James, the half brother of our Lord and he has begun to attack myths that threaten the Christian soul.
• Myth #1 - Trials are bad.
• Myth #2 - God Tempts
• Myth #3 - Anger works.
• Now we come to Myth #4 - Hearing is Achieving
Illustration: There is a tendency in our culture for people to deceive themselves into thinking that great benefit can be gained by casually associating yourself with various devices. For example:
• Organization: You want to be more organized? Less forgetful? Buy yourself a day planner. Immediately as you walk out of the store you feel more organized! Do you not???
• Fitness: You want to get into shape? Join a gym. I'm telling you as soon as you put that membership card in your wallet you feel like you are actually in a little bit better shape. If you really want to feel skinnier - buy a new workout outfit, get some supplements, DVR some good workout shows, start talking to other people who workout. Now you haven't lost a pound, but you feel skinnier.
• Intellegence: You want to increase your intelligence - buy a book! You don't have to read it, simply buying it will help you feel smarter. As a matter of fact save the money, just walk around in a book store. Same effect!
• Spirituallity: Well if we are not careful that same line of thought can carry over into our spiritual lives.
o I read my bible
o I memorized a verse
o I went to Church
o I subscribed to a Podcast
o I joined a small group
o I bought a commentary
James is going to argue that none of that matters if it doesn't bring about a genuine, practical, measurable change in your life?
Pastor Rick White said it this way, "It appears that too many Christians want to enjoy the thrill of feeling right but are not willing to endure the inconveniences of being right."
ILLUSTRATION: A.W. Tozer, in his book "The ...
Series: James
Zach Terry
James 1:23-27
Context:
So far in our study we have been introduced to the Author James, the half brother of our Lord and he has begun to attack myths that threaten the Christian soul.
• Myth #1 - Trials are bad.
• Myth #2 - God Tempts
• Myth #3 - Anger works.
• Now we come to Myth #4 - Hearing is Achieving
Illustration: There is a tendency in our culture for people to deceive themselves into thinking that great benefit can be gained by casually associating yourself with various devices. For example:
• Organization: You want to be more organized? Less forgetful? Buy yourself a day planner. Immediately as you walk out of the store you feel more organized! Do you not???
• Fitness: You want to get into shape? Join a gym. I'm telling you as soon as you put that membership card in your wallet you feel like you are actually in a little bit better shape. If you really want to feel skinnier - buy a new workout outfit, get some supplements, DVR some good workout shows, start talking to other people who workout. Now you haven't lost a pound, but you feel skinnier.
• Intellegence: You want to increase your intelligence - buy a book! You don't have to read it, simply buying it will help you feel smarter. As a matter of fact save the money, just walk around in a book store. Same effect!
• Spirituallity: Well if we are not careful that same line of thought can carry over into our spiritual lives.
o I read my bible
o I memorized a verse
o I went to Church
o I subscribed to a Podcast
o I joined a small group
o I bought a commentary
James is going to argue that none of that matters if it doesn't bring about a genuine, practical, measurable change in your life?
Pastor Rick White said it this way, "It appears that too many Christians want to enjoy the thrill of feeling right but are not willing to endure the inconveniences of being right."
ILLUSTRATION: A.W. Tozer, in his book "The ...
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