1. Mirror, Mirror
On The Shelf

2. We’re studying lessons from
James to Christians which
have been scattered.

3. Thesis : Christians must seek out God’s standard and alter
their lives to conform.

4. James 1: 22-25
But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; 24 for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. 25 But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.

5. We will consider the following :
1. Assumed all will look in the mirror.
2. Reading God’s word is the mirror.
3. The mirror requires a response.
4. The mirror fosters changes.

6. I. Our text assumes
the hearing of the
word in some form.

7. James 1: 22
But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.

8. By nature followers of Christ long to learn more about Him.
Psalms 119: 20
My soul is crushed with longing after Your ordinances at all times.
John 10: 27
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;

9. Matthew 4: 4
… It is written, 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.'
John 6: 35
Jesus said to them, " I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.

10. The word is of no value until it is taken off the shelf and consumed.

11. II. James compares
hearing the word to
looking in a mirror.

12. James 1: 23-24
For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; 24 for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was

13. The mirror was invented
in prehistoric times.
It was invented before
the wheel.

14. A Mirror is only
useful if one
make changes
when needed.

15. A Mirror reflects
reality, not what
we hope to see.

16. III. Like a mirror, the
word is only of value
if one acts upon what
he sees in it.

17. The word is the mirror that
reveals one’s souls to him.

18. Jeremiah 17:9-10
The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; Who can understand it?

19. II Corinthians 13: 5
Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you — unless indeed you fail the test?

20. Daniel 5: 27
TEKEL — you have been weighed on the scales and found deficient.

21. John 12: 48
He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day.

22. I Corinthians 4: 5
Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men's hearts; and then each man's praise will come to him from God.

23. Knowledge is no substitute for fruitfulness.
II Timothy 3: 16-17
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

24. Matthew 7: 21
Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.
1) Knowing God’s will
2) Surrendering your will to His

25. IV. The mirror of the word
must be used to make
permanent changes.

26. James 1: 24
for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was
II Corinthians 3: 14
But their minds were hardened; for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains unlifted, because it is removed in Christ.

27. The word is of no value until it is made part of our lives
and of our world views.

28. John 15: 14 – You are My friends if you do what I command you.
Luke 6: 46 – Why do you call Me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?
Luke 11: 28 – But He said, "On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it."

29. You and I will be held to a much higher standard.
Luke 12: 48b
From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.

30. You and I have God’s
mirror all around us.
Are we just hearers or
Are we doers ?

31. I Challenge you to read find something in them to apply in your life.
4.5 pages every day and
find something in them
to apply in your life.

33. As you go about in the world proclaim His excellencies.
I Peter 2: 9