1. James 1:23-24 (ESV) 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.

2. 2 Cor. 13:5 “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?”

3. James 1:22-25 v. 22 “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” “Doers” = action, obedience, faith in action “Hearer’s only” = no obedience follows Matt. 7:21 - He that doeth the will of my Father Rom. 2:13 - doers of the law shall be justified “Deceiving” = deluding

4. James 1:22-25 v. 23-24 “For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror;” “for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.” Hearer but not a doer “Mirror” Short glance Makes no changes What is included that applies to me ?

5. James 1:22-25 v. 25 “But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.” Law = New Testament – principles to guide Perfect Law = complete, last, God’s final revelation Perfect law of Liberty = law and liberty not contradictory Doer of the work = Blessed John 13:17 “If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.”

6. Importance of the Divine Mirror Have God’s Approval 2 Cor. 10:18 “whom the Lord commendeth” 1 John 3:22 “things that are pleasing in his sight.” Two basic Responsibilities Coming to have God’s approval Keeping God’s approval 2 Timothy 2:15 “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

7. The Purpose of the Divine Mirror To see how we look Need something added Something to be subtracted Something needs to be changed Two Thoughts See how we look spiritually Try to improve our spiritual condition

8. The Reflection of the Divine Mirror Doing Certain things Studying the Bible Praying Attending all services Working – doing my part Avoid certain things Saying the wrong things Going to the wrong places Doing the wrong things Thinking bad thoughts Teaching – 2 Tim.2:2 Giving Helping others

9. The Reflection of the Divine Mirror Need spiritual changes Garments kept pure “That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” Eph.5:27 Can be restored Be ready to correct any mistake

11. God’s Mirror

12. Sermon by Arthur Pigman Evans Church of Christ 515 Gibbs Road Evans, Ga. 30809 706-855-1249evanscoc@bellsouth.netwww.evansgachurchofchrist.org Sunday Evening July 8, 2012