August 10, 2025 // James 1:19-27
APPLICATION: Read & watch/listen to James 1:19-27
Sermon: Hearing vs. Doing
Getting our hearts right! Vs. 19-20
Quick to hear –
Slow to speak-
Slow to anger –
Required Righteousness -
Getting our actions right! Vs. 21
Put away filthiness –
Put away rampant wickedness –
Put on meekness-
Submit to God’s Word -
Getting our faith right! Vs. 22-25
Be a doer –
Look intently at your –
Persevere –
Getting our speech right! Vs. 26-27
The tongue and the bridle –
Pure and undefiled religion -
Life Application:
We Must Obey Our Lord
Ray Eitelman is a missionary serving in the African country of Togo. Some time ago he was driving his motorbike to a village preaching point. Suddenly a dog darted in front of him. He took a spill and ended up with arms, legs, and face scratched, scraped, and bleeding. A friend passed by and advised him to return home, but to Eitelman God said, “Go,” and on he went.
He came to a gas station. The attendant took a look at the bleeding missionary and advised him to go to the hospital. For Ray Eitelman God still said, “Go,” and on he went.
As he continued on his bike, a black cloud blanketed the horizon, extending its dark scowl for miles. Eitelman thought, “I’m hurting. I’m bleeding. Now I’ll get wet. Maybe I should turn around.” For Ray Eitelman God said, “Go,” and on he went.
Arriving in the village, he preached a message of salvation on the sacrificial death of Christ. Doubtless, villagers who gazed at the bleeding missionary could better understand the shed blood of Christ. When Eitelman shared an invitation to follow Jesus in obedience, ten persons responded, four for salvation.
He returned home rejoicing, but the next morning the Lord did not tell Ray Eitelman to “Go.” He was glad because he was too sore to get out of bed.
At multiple points along his ride to the village, he could have returned home, and no one would have questioned his commitment. For him it was more important to obey God than to seek immediate medical treatment. It was more important to obey God than to escape the downpour of a thunderstorm. It was more important to obey God than to avoid the humiliation of friendly questioners asking, “What happened to you?”
Each of us wants to feel healthy, to have others think well of us, and to avoid pain. We want to keep out of life’s trials and avoid the discomfort of having to deny ourselves legitimate wishes. We like to speak what we think and want to show a little temper whenever we feel justified. We will be able to do some of these things in God’s goodness, but we can’t do all of them and should never do some of them.
What we must do is obey God. It may take us to a remote African village even though we are in pain and would like to be home. It may cause some to ridicule us. It may lead us to rein in our natural desires and say “Not now” to some goals we have made. Obeying God is the route to follow for triumph over the troubles and temptations of life. James has promised that whoever obeys will be blessed in what he does (James 1:25). This is the way to live.[1]
Digging Deeper :
The Word Planted in You (v. 21)
Word describes the gospel as a living seed rooted into the human heart at regeneration. Although the message of the gospel is powerful and exerts great influence in the human heart, it grows best when believers welcome its message and cultivate its presence.
Accept this message indicates that believers must give a hearty welcome to the gospel message by obeying it and renewing their commitment to the Lord. The gospel has power because it actively roots itself in the human heart at regeneration. Welcoming this message provides a chance for it to change and transform individuals into committed followers of Jesus.
The Perfect Law That Gives Freedom (v. 25)
James may be referring either to the law as the revelation of God’s will in general or to the gospel in particular. Ultimately we find both a declaration of God’s will and the explanation of the gospel in Scripture. The law is perfect because it provides a full, complete disclosure of God through Jesus Christ.
It provides freedom in that it gives liberty to those who submit to its authority. This liberty provides a victory over the bondage of habits and attitudes which can overpower human will. It also provides freedom in that the power of the Holy Spirit becomes available to strengthen believers to a new quality of spiritual life (Galations 5:22–23).
Pure Religion (v. 27)
“Pure religion” is worship of God free from any moral corruption or spiritual impurity. Pure religion is alive, vibrant, and committed to God through Jesus Christ. This is much more than someone who usually attends church, periodically gives money, and lives in decent morality. Pure religion demands self-control, self-sacrifice, and self-denial. The person with pure religion shows self-control by managing the tongue so that it praises the Lord and avoids the action of insulting and attacking human beings (James 3:9–12).
A person practicing pure religion shows self-sacrifice by using time and money to care for others who are needy. Among the most needy groups in the first century were orphans and widows.
A committed believer shows self-denial by separation from the world. The world provides a system of values influenced by evil and antagonistic to God. Wise, committed believers will identify worldly influences and avoid them.[2]
Questions to Consider:
1. What trials trouble you most? Have you asked for Godly wisdom to endure them? What positive good can come to you out of these trials?
2. In what ways do you express doubt before God? What causes you to doubt? What can you do to put away these doubts and exercise faith?
3. Where does wealth fit into your priorities? Where would James have you place it? Are you ready and willing to set aside wealth as a major priority in life? What can you expect when you do?
4. What brings temptation into your life? How are you supposed to respond to temptation? What part does God play in your temptations?
5. Describe your own religious life. How does this description compare to James’s definition of pure religion?[3]
Prayer Time:
[1] Thomas D. Lea, Hebrews, James, vol. 10, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999), 269–270.
[2] Thomas D. Lea, Hebrews, James, vol. 10, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999), 273–274.
[3] Thomas D. Lea, Hebrews, James, vol. 10, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999), 275.
Sermon: Hearing vs. Doing
Getting our hearts right! Vs. 19-20
Quick to hear –
Slow to speak-
Slow to anger –
Required Righteousness -
Getting our actions right! Vs. 21
Put away filthiness –
Put away rampant wickedness –
Put on meekness-
Submit to God’s Word -
Getting our faith right! Vs. 22-25
Be a doer –
Look intently at your –
Persevere –
Getting our speech right! Vs. 26-27
The tongue and the bridle –
Pure and undefiled religion -
Life Application:
We Must Obey Our Lord
Ray Eitelman is a missionary serving in the African country of Togo. Some time ago he was driving his motorbike to a village preaching point. Suddenly a dog darted in front of him. He took a spill and ended up with arms, legs, and face scratched, scraped, and bleeding. A friend passed by and advised him to return home, but to Eitelman God said, “Go,” and on he went.
He came to a gas station. The attendant took a look at the bleeding missionary and advised him to go to the hospital. For Ray Eitelman God still said, “Go,” and on he went.
As he continued on his bike, a black cloud blanketed the horizon, extending its dark scowl for miles. Eitelman thought, “I’m hurting. I’m bleeding. Now I’ll get wet. Maybe I should turn around.” For Ray Eitelman God said, “Go,” and on he went.
Arriving in the village, he preached a message of salvation on the sacrificial death of Christ. Doubtless, villagers who gazed at the bleeding missionary could better understand the shed blood of Christ. When Eitelman shared an invitation to follow Jesus in obedience, ten persons responded, four for salvation.
He returned home rejoicing, but the next morning the Lord did not tell Ray Eitelman to “Go.” He was glad because he was too sore to get out of bed.
At multiple points along his ride to the village, he could have returned home, and no one would have questioned his commitment. For him it was more important to obey God than to seek immediate medical treatment. It was more important to obey God than to escape the downpour of a thunderstorm. It was more important to obey God than to avoid the humiliation of friendly questioners asking, “What happened to you?”
Each of us wants to feel healthy, to have others think well of us, and to avoid pain. We want to keep out of life’s trials and avoid the discomfort of having to deny ourselves legitimate wishes. We like to speak what we think and want to show a little temper whenever we feel justified. We will be able to do some of these things in God’s goodness, but we can’t do all of them and should never do some of them.
What we must do is obey God. It may take us to a remote African village even though we are in pain and would like to be home. It may cause some to ridicule us. It may lead us to rein in our natural desires and say “Not now” to some goals we have made. Obeying God is the route to follow for triumph over the troubles and temptations of life. James has promised that whoever obeys will be blessed in what he does (James 1:25). This is the way to live.[1]
Digging Deeper :
The Word Planted in You (v. 21)
Word describes the gospel as a living seed rooted into the human heart at regeneration. Although the message of the gospel is powerful and exerts great influence in the human heart, it grows best when believers welcome its message and cultivate its presence.
Accept this message indicates that believers must give a hearty welcome to the gospel message by obeying it and renewing their commitment to the Lord. The gospel has power because it actively roots itself in the human heart at regeneration. Welcoming this message provides a chance for it to change and transform individuals into committed followers of Jesus.
The Perfect Law That Gives Freedom (v. 25)
James may be referring either to the law as the revelation of God’s will in general or to the gospel in particular. Ultimately we find both a declaration of God’s will and the explanation of the gospel in Scripture. The law is perfect because it provides a full, complete disclosure of God through Jesus Christ.
It provides freedom in that it gives liberty to those who submit to its authority. This liberty provides a victory over the bondage of habits and attitudes which can overpower human will. It also provides freedom in that the power of the Holy Spirit becomes available to strengthen believers to a new quality of spiritual life (Galations 5:22–23).
Pure Religion (v. 27)
“Pure religion” is worship of God free from any moral corruption or spiritual impurity. Pure religion is alive, vibrant, and committed to God through Jesus Christ. This is much more than someone who usually attends church, periodically gives money, and lives in decent morality. Pure religion demands self-control, self-sacrifice, and self-denial. The person with pure religion shows self-control by managing the tongue so that it praises the Lord and avoids the action of insulting and attacking human beings (James 3:9–12).
A person practicing pure religion shows self-sacrifice by using time and money to care for others who are needy. Among the most needy groups in the first century were orphans and widows.
A committed believer shows self-denial by separation from the world. The world provides a system of values influenced by evil and antagonistic to God. Wise, committed believers will identify worldly influences and avoid them.[2]
Questions to Consider:
1. What trials trouble you most? Have you asked for Godly wisdom to endure them? What positive good can come to you out of these trials?
2. In what ways do you express doubt before God? What causes you to doubt? What can you do to put away these doubts and exercise faith?
3. Where does wealth fit into your priorities? Where would James have you place it? Are you ready and willing to set aside wealth as a major priority in life? What can you expect when you do?
4. What brings temptation into your life? How are you supposed to respond to temptation? What part does God play in your temptations?
5. Describe your own religious life. How does this description compare to James’s definition of pure religion?[3]
Prayer Time:
[1] Thomas D. Lea, Hebrews, James, vol. 10, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999), 269–270.
[2] Thomas D. Lea, Hebrews, James, vol. 10, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999), 273–274.
[3] Thomas D. Lea, Hebrews, James, vol. 10, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999), 275.