May 1, 2013 James 1:16-27

16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of all he created. 19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. 22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. 26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:16-27

James 1:19-21 Quick to Listen Slow to Speak Slow to Anger - Calmness Get rid of moral filth - Cleanliness Receive the word – accept - welcome If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. I John 1:9 How to respond

James 1:22-25 Wisdom is knowing what to do next, skill is knowing how to do it, and virtue is doing it! David Starr Jordan (vs 22) Examples of what is says…. 37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:37-40 We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. Hebrews 2:1 James 1:19,26 Wise men speak because they have something to say, fools because they have to say something. Plato (vs 26) Do what it says!

In what way could we be deceived about our “blessings”? (vs 16-17) What does God’s consistency mean for our lives? (vs 17) How should we respond to people and life? (vs 19-21) What should we do with the Word? (vs 22-25) Is this step a hard step and why? How can we ruin our “religious” relationships? (vs 26) Talk about some examples where you have seen this. When you are troubled, is it more important that the other person listens, or tells you what they think? (vs 19, 26) According to James, what is true religion? (vs 27) Challenge Questions

Dear Lord, I know that all good things come from You. Without You, I would be unable to stand. Thank You for giving me the strength to worship and Your sacrifice to be able to be forgiven. I ask You to help me become a listener, and not a quick speaker. Help me keep control of my human anger and to understand the difference of Your righteous anger and when it applies. Help me to focus on the Word, not to simply go through the motions, but to live it! I pray that I can be used as an example of Your love and I will spread Your love to the world, especially to those who feel hopeless. Please use me as Your light to not only help them, but to keep myself pure from this world. Next Week: James 2:1-13 Apply it!