Rev. Jeffrey T. Howard
Sermon James 1:17-27 “Be Doers of the Word”
Presbyterian Church of Easton
August 29, 2021
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This morning I am beginning a series of sermons on the Epistle, or letter, of James. The letter begins by identifying the author as: “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ” (James 1:1a). James or Jacob is a common biblical name. Two of Jesus' disciples were called James. But Church tradition has always held that this letter was written by James the Just, the brother of Jesus Christ, the leader of the church in Jerusalem, and a martyr for the faith in 62AD. So it is possible that either James or James’ disciples after his death wrote this letter. And if this is true, then this letter is indeed very important.
James has written this letter “To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion” (James 1:1b). This is an historical reference to the dispersion of the Jews in ancient times, and also refers to the first century church that was scattered around the Mediterranean. The letter’s specific audience was probably to Jewish-Christians who were trying to hold onto old customs while adopting the new faith. These people may have felt unwelcome by the new Gentile converts coming into the church and by their Jewish friends and families who stayed in the synagogue. Thus James has written a letter that deals with the problem of the day, but it also helps us who face many of the same problems of understanding our faith within the context of the world we live in. So let’s jump into the text, but before we do let’s pray.
Grant unto us, O Lord, to be occupied in the mysteries of thy Heavenly wisdom, with true progress in piety, to thy glory and our own edification. Amen. (John Calvin)
James 1:17-27 17 Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. 18 In fulfillment of his own purpose he gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would become a kind of first fruits of his creatures. 19 You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for your anger does not produce God's righteousness. 21 Therefore rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls.
22 But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. 23 For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror; 24 for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like. 25 But those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who act-- they will be blessed in their doing. 26 If any think they are religious, and do not bridle their tongues but deceive their hearts, their religion is worthless. 27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
As Christians we have compassion for those in need. We see someone who is struggling with English and we help them to learn the language. We see someone who is homeless and hungry and we give them something to eat. Why is it that Christians do these things and so many more? According to James, the compassion that we have for others and our desire to care for them is a gift we have received from God.
God perfects our faith, brings it to maturity, and this leads to our love of neighbor. As Christians, we are given the gift of love for our community and the gift of the desire to do something about our community’s problems.
This gift of love for our neighbors comes to us through the Word of God. That is why it is vital that you immerse yourselves in God’s word every day. On Sundays you hear God’s word read and proclaimed. Daily reading of God’s word is also necessary so that we may receive the gift of love from God and have the ability and desire to love others. So read scripture every day and God will change you making you more and more compassionate with a greater desire to help the poorest in our community.
What I am about to say may seem paradoxical: As people in the church change and become more loving and compassionate, problems and dissensions will arise and Christians will become angry with each other. This anger prevents the resolution of our problems, and we find that we are unable to love one another. That is why sometimes it is possible to love our neighbors even when we cannot love one another.
One of the early controversies, causing dissension in the early church, was over the issue of circumcision. The Apostles, Peter and Paul, disagreed on whether or not the new Gentile converts had to be circumcised the way Jewish believers had been. James had to mediate the dispute at a meeting in Jerusalem. Maybe it was here that James learned the lesson of listening carefully before he spoke. By doing so James was able to reduce the anger in the meeting and propose a lasting settlement to the dispute.
James saw anger in the early church and anger is certainly present in the church today. James tells us that when anger flares among Christians we should be quick to listen and slow to speak. Certainly we know many people who speak first and refuse to listen. They are so sure that they are right they have no interest in anyone else’s opinion. This especially happens when disagreements have gone on for a long time and positions become rigid. But James advises us to listen first and then speak. By listening with respect we find common ground, resolve our disputes and dissipate our anger. So by listening first and speaking later our anger can be replaced by love.
The only way that we can receive God’s love through God’s word is if we first confess our sins and change our evil ways. This is what repentance is all about. We come to church and confess our sin. We promise to stop doing those things that separate us from God and from each other. We then approach God in humility and receive God’s blessing through the read and preached word of God. This is why worship is so important. It is here that we put on the cloak of humility and still our tongues so that we may listen to what God has to tell us on this day. Confession, repentance and hearing the word of God are necessary for your salvation and transformation into caring people.
But we can’t stop here. We can’t just listen to what God says and then forget it. We can’t let God’s word go in one ear and out the other. Last week I was getting ready to come to church. I went into the bathroom to comb my hair. I saw in the mirror that my hair was a mess. I knew that I should pick up the comb and use it. But immediately, Something came into my mind. I forgot what I was supposed to do and left my house without ever combing my hair.
Don’t let this happen to you in church. Don’t let the word of God come into your heart here in worship and then let it slip away as you leave this place to live your lives. Hold on to the word of God as you leave church this morning. Put it deep in your heart. Give it a permanent place in your mind. And let it transform you into compassionate people who control their anger and care for the disadvantaged.
When the word of God is firmly planted in your heart you will be transformed. Not only will you think in a new way, but you will also act in a new way. James says that you will be doers of the Word. Your faith will transform your will and your new will be seen in your good works.
When the protestant reformer, John Calvin, read James he realized that the church had to exhibit God’s love in the community. So Calvin established the diaconate in his church. Deacons were responsible for the care of the sick, the elderly and the poor in the community. An offering was taken during communion to support the work of the deacons. In this church we have Deacons who care for our members and a Mission committee that cares for people in the community. I am certain that there are many stories of how the Christians in this church have shown their faith through acts of service for those in need.
So James is telling us that a true church is not one where the members are angry with each other because anger demonstrates that faith has not yet been implanted and is not yet growing in our hearts. Anger in the church indicates that God’s love is far from us. Anger demonstrates that the word of God has gone in one ear and out the other with no saving effect.
But a true church is one that cares for the widows and the orphans and poor and the needy. A true church hears the word of God and keeps it in their hearts. A true church is transformed by the word of God into a loving church.
I heard a story once about a man who was weeding his garden on a hot summer’s day. He then went into his air conditioned house and drank a tall glass of lemonade. He then decided to pick up a dictionary to look up the word “weed”. It said that a weed was any plant growing where you did not want it. He then went outside and looked at his garden. He decided that every plant was exactly where he wanted it. So he went back inside to watch the baseball game on TV, never weeding the garden. This man had rationalized away his need to weed the garden. The idea of the necessity of weeding the garden had entered his mind and heart, but it found no place to be implanted and grow. Rather the idea to weed the garden died in the heat.
Don’t let this happen to you. You have heard God’s word this day to be a people who are slow to anger and have compassion for the poor. Don’t let this word of God get away. Nurture it. Let it grow in your heart. Fertilize it every day with a reading from the Bible. And let it transform you into the person God created you to be. Let’s pray.
Father in heaven, we thank you for providing your word for us this day. We ask that you plant this word in our hearts and let it grow to maturity. Help us to be as you are: slow to anger and abounding with steadfast love for our neighbor. We pray this in the name of your son and our savior, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
