James 1/5 Being DOers

August 30, 2009
Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost
First of five weeks in James

Being DOers
James 1

“...be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves.” - James 1:22

My sermon outline:

• What makes a person a biker? Combination of stuff, study, and action.

• What makes a murderer guilty? The act... not the thought.

• Says James, be doers of God’s word and not only hearers. Your actions should show you’re a disciple, a follower, a lover of God…

• About the letter of James? A “general epistle” (no specific audience or problem identified), first or second century, written by a brother or peer of Jesus’. It is like a letter of Paul in its excellent Greek, also strong 1st century Messianic Jewish perspective, but it is also clearly not Paul’s.

• Not a history, yet indicative of theology and relationship with God…
Along the lines of John Wesley’s “Advice to a People Called Methodist”
if you can trust God with your all, then go on in the power of his might.
Go on, I would earnestly advise you, Fourthly: "Keep in the very path wherein you now tread. Be true to your principles." Never rest again in the dead formality of religion. Pursue with your might inward and outward holiness; a steady imitation of Him you worship; a still increasing resemblance of his imitable perfections, -- his justice, mercy, and truth. (JW to ppl called Methodist)

• Regarding the date and author of James, it really doesn’t matter when or who. Its value is in its content and in its challenge… challenge to put action into faith.

• Be doers (1:22, also 1:27 (orphans, widows, purity), surely also Matthew 25: the hungry, thirsty, stranger, naked, sick, prison)

• and not merely hearers (posers.. start out deceiving others, end up deceiving selves) (This was a driving force of Methodism)

• who deceive themselves (deceit is greatest detractor from life in God)

• but those who look into the perfect law… (God who made us gifted us and provided mirror and guide if we will look at it) and persevere… they will be blessed

• God is not looking for religious nuts, but spiritual fruits

• If you were on trial for being Christian, would you be found guilty? May your actions, your lifestyle, your words, your attitudes reflect Christ. NOT so that you may receive attention for piety or works but so that Christ may be illumined.

• Apostles’ Creed (881), followed by Hymn 405 Lord I Want to Be A Christian


- Pastor Kerry

This Sunday: 53 in worship.