weekly sermon
3-09-08
Just Do It!
This week I would like to talk about a subject that most folks get really
confused about. We are to become doers and not just hearers of the word. If we
look deep into our lives do we really "do" the word or do we just "hear" the
word? Having fellowship and listening to the word is only a part of what we are
sent here to do. Once we hear and understand the word then we are to go out unto
the masses and live that word. There is an old saying that says, 'live the word,
we may be the only Bible some folks ever read'.
Turn with me if you will to James 1:22-25, "But be ye doers of the word, and not
hearers only, deceiving your own selves. (23)For if any be a hearer of the word,
and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
(24)For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what
manner of man he was. (25)But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and
continueth [therein], he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work,
this man shall be blessed in his deed."
Of course we are going to break this down so that we can fully understand what
it is that we are reading. The word "doers" comes from the Greek "Poietes" which
means "performers". We are, according to the translation, to be performers of
the word that we are hearing. Being hearers only will be deceiving to ourselves.
The word deceive here comes from the Greek "Paralogizomai" meaning to be
deceived by false reasoning. This means that if we think we can reach our final
goal of everlasting life with Christ by only hearing the word and not
performing, then we are living by a false sense of security. This tells us that
we MUST be doers and not only hearers of the word. This is really stated
in the next verse. It says that if any be a hearer only and not a doer then he
is like a man beholding his natural face in a glass. What does this mean? A man,
when looking in a mirror, sees his blemishes and imperfections and is moved by
what he sees. As long as he sees his deformities, spots, and ugliness he will
try to do something about them. But on going away from the mirror he forgets and
his imperfections no longer bother him. So it is with the Bible. As long as one
studies he sees himself as he really is and constantly seeks to improve himself
and conform to its teaching. If he gets away from the Bible a man soon forgets
the real picture of himself. To look at our self and try to make our self better
we look into the perfect law of liberty, just as it states in verse 25. This
perfect law does not refer to the law of Moses, as it was imperfect and faulty.
This refers to the law of the new covenant. This new law is the covenant made
between God and man when Jesus came and made the covenant between God and man.
If we can remember what this is saying and be doers as well as hearers, then we
shall be blessed in deed.
Look at one other passage with me if you will. Romans 2:13-16, "(For not the
hearers of the law [are] just before God, but the doers of the law shall be
justified. (14)For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the
things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto
themselves: (15)Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their
conscience also bearing witness, and [their] thoughts the mean while accusing or
else excusing one another;) (16)In the day when God shall judge the secrets of
men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel."
This shows just as the first passage that the hearers only will not be found
just before God, but the doers shall be justified. If you look at the next few
verses it really says that The Gentiles did not have the law of the new covenant
but they lived how they, in their own consciences thought they were suppose to
live. Had they had the law then they would have to live according to that law.
If folks do not know the word and live to the best of their abilities to be good
toward others and sincere about that, then they are living the best way they
know until they learn the proper way of the new covenant. It states that God
will judge man according to his consciences and his actions toward one another.
I used to always live my life trying to be the right person, but then I
discovered that not only did I need to treat folks right, I needed to live by
the word.
The last statement that I made is where most folks start getting confused. Most
think that if they live a good life then God will just judge them according.
This statement is true to an extent. For those that do not or have never heard
the true word of God, then they WILL be judged by God accordingly, but
for those that have heard the word and have been taught, they will be judged for
that. God also writes that He will not return until the word has been made known
to every living creature. This here tells me that God will make sure that
everyone knows His word and has the opportunity to abide by His word before He
returns. That being the case should clear up any confusion. Everyone will
eventually hear the word and will at that time have to start being "doers" of
that same word. This brings us to the title of this message, "just do it".
For those of you that are now reading this message, you fall into the category
of the ones that have heard, and now you must become doers. I would not want to
take a chance on just hearing the word, but would rather study continually in
the word so that I would be a performer for Christ. Christ did not come to hear,
but to DO His Father's will. Now it is our part to, as the Bible states,
be like Christ, and do His Father's will.
My personal goal in doing my Father's will is to make sure as many as possible
hear the word and know that Christ is the only way to get to the Father. To
fully understand this you must receive Christ as your personal saviour and be
filled with the Holy Spirit.
If you have never received Christ as your personal saviour then all you have to
do is say a simple prayer with me.
Dear Lord, take over my life and forgive me of my sins, and give me the gift of
everlasting life. Amen.
If you have said this simple prayer, then we believe that you have received
salvation. We would love to rejoice with you, so please drop us a note, in our
link, to let us know and confess Jesus before man, so that we may send you a few
things that we hope will help you in your new Christian walk.
With Love in
Christ,
Pastor Stone