{"id":174,"date":"2025-07-02T02:44:04","date_gmt":"2025-07-02T02:44:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/joc.lukegbrown.com\/?p=174"},"modified":"2025-07-02T02:47:36","modified_gmt":"2025-07-02T02:47:36","slug":"the-work-of-the-word-in-the-world","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/joc.lukegbrown.com\/index.php\/2025\/07\/02\/the-work-of-the-word-in-the-world\/","title":{"rendered":"The Work of the Word in the World"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Sermon Link: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=FpTigZ4cRNA<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sermon Excerpt from James 1:19\u201327<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before we begin in verse 19, there is a dilemma that James introduces to us in verses 12-14 that we must address. In regard to temptation, James in 1:13\u201314 makes it clear: \u201cEach person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire,\u201d meaning that the problem is not just around us in our sinful surroundings; it\u2019s within our sinful hearts that find the sin around us tempting and pleasing. So if our issue of sin is in our hearts, what hope do we possibly have to be saved from sin?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s the answer: New birth. We must not be merely improved but spiritually reborn, remade, and resurrected. Now, how is one reborn? This is the same question Nicodemus, a great Jewish rabbi in Jesus’ day, asked him. Jesus replied in John 3:14-15, \u201cAs Moses lifted up the serpent\u2026 so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.\u201d And how does that belief happen? Romans 10:17 says, \u201cFaith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.\u201d This is a world-changing truth, folks. For it tells us that there is a certain miracle that takes place every time the Word of God is truly heard. It\u2019s not just ink on a page or sound in the air. It\u2019s the voice of the living God, breathing life where there was none…which is why this Word is precious! It brings both faith and life! And in our text for this article, James shows us the process through which God, by His Word, lifts us from our graves of sin to new life in Him. First, the Lord opens Our Ears to Hear His Word. Jesus said in John 10:27, \u201cMy sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.\u201d Because only His sheep have ears to hear His voice,  not everyone who hears responds. This kind of hearing is not a matter of mere decision; it is a supernatural response to a sovereign call. This isn\u2019t about mustering up enough willpower to choose Jesus. It\u2019s about Jesus calling His sheep out of death and into life. Just like when Lazarus was in the grave, Jesus didn\u2019t ask him to make a decision, He commanded him to come forth! That\u2019s what happens when the Word of Christ is truly heard. It is a call that brings response, not because the sheep are wise, but because the Shepherd is gracious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Next, He Sows Our Hearts to Plant His Word. James 1:21 says, \u201cReceive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.\u201d This isn\u2019t casual listening. It\u2019s heart surgery. God breaks the soil, tears out the thorns, and plants righteousness. Paul writes in Romans 8:13, \u201cPut to death the deeds of the body.\u201d This is repentance. It\u2019s the Spirit replacing our old hearts with new ones. We begin to love righteousness and hate sin. That\u2019s the work of the Word.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Third, He Strengthens Our Hands to Obey His Word. \u201cBe doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves\u201d (v. 22). Faith that doesn\u2019t obey is fake. James compares it to looking in a mirror and forgetting your face. That\u2019s what it looks like when someone hears the Word but doesn\u2019t apply it; it\u2019s as if they caught a glimpse of truth, turned away, and chose to live in forgetfulness. But those who hear and do, those who persevere, are blessed. They don\u2019t just glance; they gaze. They don\u2019t just react; they respond in faith.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beloved, we live in a strange world, a world that loves both extremes. Some want to be doers only, thinking their works will earn heaven. Others want to be hearers only, claiming Christ but living for self. Both extremes are deceptions. The implanted Word is not dead; it\u2019s alive, active, and powerful. When it’s in you, it moves through you. Jesus said, \u201cMan shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.\u201d That means we need Scripture more than food. Just as a seed cannot grow without water, you and I cannot grow without the daily watering of God\u2019s Word. And just as your body weakens without bread, so will your soul wither without the Word. If the Word is implanted, obedience will follow. The Word changes how we live.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lastly, He Fills Our Mouths to Proclaim His Word. James writes, \u201cIf anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue\u2026 this person\u2019s religion is worthless\u201d (v. 26). The heart and mouth are connected. This actually ties right back to what James said in verse 19: \u201cBe slow to speak.\u201d Why? Because what comes out of our mouths reveals what is stored in our hearts. Angry, slanderous, or careless speech doesn\u2019t simply come from a moment of frustration, it flows from a heart that still needs sanctifying grace. That\u2019s why bridling the tongue is not just about speech control, it\u2019s about heart transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paul also says in Ephesians 4:29, \u201cLet no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up.\u201d That doesn’t just mean no bad words; that also means no gossip, no slander, no cutting sarcasm. And more than that, James says pure religion visits orphans and widows and keeps oneself unstained from the world (v. 27), meaning that the Word grows and shows out of you through the blooming flowers of compassion!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So let me ask: Is the Word at work in your life? If not, my plea to you would be: Don\u2019t just hear it, receive it! Don\u2019t just claim it, obey it! Don\u2019t just hold it, proclaim it! Let the Word open your ears, take root in your heart, move your hands, and fill your mouth.  May it be said of you: \u201cThe Word is at work in this beloved saint!” May His glory be seen, heard, and praised.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He who has ears, let him hear. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with you all. Amen.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Sermon Link: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=FpTigZ4cRNA Sermon Excerpt from James 1:19\u201327 Before we begin in verse 19, there is a dilemma that James<\/p>\n

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