FAITH GROWS ON THE INSIDE AND SHOWS ON THE OUTSIDE. (James 1:19-2:1)
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SERMON NOTES:
5 Gardening Tips for Your Faith
James 1:19-2:1
Faith grows on the inside and shows on the outside.
Pull weeds by the roots. (19-21a)
Plant seeds in good soil. (21b)
Good growth shows fruit. (22-25)
Good growth sends roots. (26)
Faith grows roots and shows fruit. (27-2:1)
study questions:
For the Next Lesson: James 1:19-2:1
1. Read verses 19-20. James, the brother of Jesus, wrote this letter. He is writing here about the godly traits of a follower of his brother, Jesus. How is Jesus quick to hear? How is Jesus slow to speak? How is Jesus slow to anger? What is the goal of these internal changes? Since the outworking of the righteousness of God is the goal, how should that motivate us to change? Practically, what would increased listening and decreased anger do in your relationships? How might God be glorified through you today?
2. Read verse 21. God, through the author James, calls wickedness “filthy” and “rampant”. How is he right? We are to exchange wickedness with what? How? “Meekness” means a “humble gentleness”. It essentially means to be teachable by submitting yourself to God’s Word. The “implanted” word refers to the internal change that occurs between the word and flesh. What are ways to receive the word? What are ways to refuse the Word?
3. Read verses 22-25. What issue is James trying to address? What is the danger to “actionless” faith? Theologian Paul Tripp coined the term “God-forgetfulness.” Why is “God-forgetfulness” so dangerous? How is God’s Word like a mirror? Take a moment to name a few things the Bible teaches you about yourself (made by God, sinful, forgetful, loved by God, saved, etc.).
4. Read verses 1:26-2:1. In this section, James speaks truth into the fog of self-deception. Christianity without an internal heart change is Christ’less and therefore worthless. How do the words we speak reveal a glimpse of our heart? What outward actions represent a true faith? Loving those in difficult places is costly. Why is our costly love of others representative of the gospel? What does it mean to be unstained by the world (Rom.12:1-2)? Why does partiality in our costly love betray our motives?