Wisdom for the Whole Body – (OURS AND THE BODY OF CHRIST)
James 1:22-27 NIV 22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.
26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
SERMON
**** BOX OF PRAYERS – Taking a moment to think about those people whom we prayed for last week in the box of prayers – I sometimes forget to pray – so we do send them prayers – we share in their burdens and their joys…
In our scripture this morning, we are continuing to explore wisdom – this in faith expressed in action and in care: Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.
What a unique this part of scripture – we know that this is from the book of James = he was said to be Jesus’s brother and the first major religious figure/leader in Jerusalem of the early church = I heard that he prayed so much that he was on his knees constantly… And the book of James teaches in the early verses that we are to accept trials – THAT we are to NOT to act badly if we don’t get our way – and we are to LOOK to the Lord for helping us, realizing that HE is in charge, not us. And so we see the writer James, like many of the disciples after Jesus’s time on earth, taught with direct instruction – to have the wisdom to reform ourselves – rid ourselves of evil – do the best we can – and this section urges us to NOT forget the Word of God… We are to study it, try it, be in it, and let it be in us.
And if we forget God’s Word, well James then states that we are like someone who looks at a mirror but then forgets what we look like – wow that is both being like someone who needs to constantly focus on ourselves and yet we are to know that we ARE children of God – we SHOULD know God in us – and then we can keep going – to help others. We are WARNED that if we lose focus – and forget God’s redemption – then we might even go against those teachings – it is human nature sure – but sin happens. We are human. WISDOM SAYS REMEMBER WE ARE GOD’S CHOSEN.
And if we are the person who doesn’t remember ourselves – then we forget what we are supposed to do – what God wants – AND we won’t remember how we have been blessed either – and TRUST and FAITH has been key for me this year – to remember.
AND another interesting thing about looking in a mirror is that we see flaws to fix – we are checking to see if we look OK – and should go back and change our mismatched clothes if we see that – but further we can interpret this scripture to also say: let us be able to walk away from that mirror and NOT forget to work at changing ourselves –
There is that great saying – I thought I could change the world – but I found it was better if I simply started with myself.
I didn’t have a mirror but I had this framed scripture: “I am fearfully and wonderfully made” – isn’t that what we should see in the mirror – see our blessing of God making us and taking care of us – that is the reflection we hope to see.
Sometimes there are funny mirrors like in those amusement carnival type places – and we get all stretched out and morphed – we look funny… God doesn’t see us that way – he knows us – and we are not to judge others either – so let us pray that we see past what might be off-putting or even funny in others – and we still are to help them – realizing that they are children of God too = made in His image too. I especially wish for us to remember the part that we were made in God’s image – that could be the greatest self-help formula ever – well it should be. We can be encouragers and reminders of how God sees us = sees the people we meet. Maya Angelo would say: “Stand up = remember you are a child of God and stand up straight…”
** Our next section of scripture for this wisdom for our whole self – and the whole body of Christ – the body of the church = the bride of the bridegroom who is Jesus –
25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it — they will be blessed in what they do.
So what kind of freedom are we talking about here? Freedom to rob a bank? No of course not – freedom to live? Well of course – and really this IS about forever freedom from the sting of sin and death – we can live as loved children of God and remember the Law of Moses has been fulfilled by Jesus – and the prophesies have been fulfilled. The perfection in law from Moses’s time was/is the ability to have forgiveness – which is now what Jesus offers. Jess fulfills all this. And we can tell others this too.
Jesus speaks to us = the Holy Spirit moves us – we are to not forget what we have heard. And we are to live in wisdom of being fulfilled with God’s Word – with His Plan – and not chase after wrong pleasures or after the world… One of the things we marvel at sometimes is people who get so bogged down in the world – we do too. Equally we could say this for those who are what we call successful or overboard in privilege. Both can get under the water in woe, as we can. Both these types of people, including ourselves, might see a fuzzy look in that mirror… or a view that is enhanced too much (like photoshopping photos artificially) or terribly looking into a mirror that is cracked – shattered – they might see themselves like that… or into a mirror set like in a funny house that shows you 20 images of yourself and you are trapped and don’t know how to leave the funny house… In other words, we want to stop that – and we are to look into that mirror more reflectively of what the Lord thinks of us and not of us thinking (too highly or too low) of ourselves – and not of others what they think of us either… Unlike funny house 20 plus images (so confusing) let’s focus to God’s image of us. He wants us to see us redeemed in Him.
Titus 2:11-14 would state: For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
Our third section of this scripture for wisdom – is probably one of the best pieces of advice for living that we could ever hear – “26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.” Ohhhhh = that great thought that we have 2 ears and one mouth – yeah keeping tab of ourselves – not forgetting our projection of what our image of God should be – hold that tongue from lashing out…
Philippians 1:27 -29 Life Worthy of the Gospel – “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ…
“Stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him,..”
And if we fail (when we fail to act appropriately) – let us try to remember we have an advocate in Jesus – Who asks for our repentance and is great in mercy and grace. Whom are we to NOT know what the Word says – that it says we are seen by God in the covering – the cloak of the blood of Jesus’s forgiveness – we are to look in the mirror and then NOT forget that God knows us from the inside – God sees our hearts – even hears our unspoken prayers – God sees us from the soul – and His ultimate grace and mercy are not that He puts blinders on to our misdeeds and our original sin – but that He puts blood on us – His blood = BLOOD NOT BLINDERS = we are not looking in a mirror that has been blacked out – but one that shows us covered in white – being purified – because of Jesus… God knows we are human and we need forgiveness – we need nurturing – we need to realize that we are under His Wing.
Here is one of the great sayings about pumpkins this time of year –
Being a Christian is like being a pumpkin – “God picks you from the patch and brings you in (John 15:16)” – “Then washes all the dirt off of you (2 Corinthians 5:17)” – “He opens you up and scoops out all the yucky stuff. He removed the seeds of doubt, hate, greed, etc. (Romans 6:6)” – “Then He carves you a new smiling face (Psalm 71:23)” – “And He puts His light inside you to shine for all the world to see (Matthew 5:16)” – (I did a demo with precut pumpkin and pulp – cut with heart to SHINE LIGHT)
And our last section of scripture for wisdom – What we are to do with the wisdom we get? – 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
Well – we have to practice about not being polluted by the world – to reduce our worldliness – and the reason God wants us working for Him and looking to Him – yes for LOVE – is also to love others – to reach the marginalized. We are to remember these people in multiple ways – yes to tend to their needs materially and physically – to be the people who listen to Micah 6:8 – He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
And remember that we are to help people SPIRITUALLY too –
This is a greatest gift for us to share with them – it is how to love them enough to introduce them to God – God in us – God in our sharing and caring – God who gives salvation – God in whom we trust (if we don’t demonstrate that we trust God, then what IS our faith demonstration)…
For we may find that in society, many fall under a special type of orphans and widows
Orphans – can be people who do NOT know they are children of God…
And Widows – can be people who do NOT know that they are in the Body of Christ = the Bride of Christ – we need to share with them that they DO belong – and that is why we reach out to others = we can say “we are all in this together” – and that is really true!!!
God’s greatest commandments are that Jesus tells us is that we are to Love God and to love one another as ourselves. And tell them that they don’t have to be reformed to be loved – that God loves us first – the way we are – and then helps us from there. It is from our wisdom gained which tells us to Love God – and act in LOVE – Jesus said in Matthew 22 verses 36 to 39: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
This scripture is what we need to tape to our mirrors everyday – to remind us to be our best reflection of HIM… (and I have handouts for these scriptures to color!)
Amen – and won’t you please pray with me: Lord, let us listen and act – help us remember and speak humbly while living boldly – help us accept and follow You to give us the freedom of life everlasting – and let us let You clean us so that we SHINE Your Love to others – AMEN
And for a Benediction, let me hand out these small starfish charms – you may have one or two – and remember the great story (not scriptural but fitting) – of the boy who was seeing starfish washed up on shore – and started throwing them back into the sea – and a man walking by said there are SO MANY – you will never make a difference – And the little boy said I can to THIS one… So yes, we can go help even just one person and we don’t always have to know the result – God knows and that is enough… AMEN and have a great day!
