WEBVTT

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 Verse 19.

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 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this.

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 Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.

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 Because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.

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 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent,

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 and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

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 Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves.

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 Do what it says.

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 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says

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 is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror

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 and after looking at himself goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.

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 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom

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 and continues in it, not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it,

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 they will be blessed in what they do.

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 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues

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 deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.

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 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this,

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 to look after orphans and widows in their distress,

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 and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

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 So just as Sam comes up to hopefully open up that passage to us,

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 let me just pray for him and pray for us as we listen,

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 that we'd be able to concentrate and take it in.

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 Father God, thank you for the privilege of being able to come here,

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 as Jonathan prayed and mentioned already,

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 without distress, without the fear of being persecuted.

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 We can do it here in the open in a community center.

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 Thank you for those wonderful blessings.

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 We pray your Holy Spirit here among us.

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 We pray that he would be active,

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 helping us to concentrate on what Sam is saying,

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 concentrate on what you are trying to say to us this morning through Sam.

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 And that as the passage said,

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 we would not merely just listen to it this morning,

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 and then go away and forget what we heard,

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 but that throughout the week, throughout the rest of today,

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 and throughout the rest of the week,

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 we would be doing what we hear today.

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 We pray specifically for Sam.

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 Please fill him with your Holy Spirit.

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 Thank you for him.

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 Thank you for the wonderful gifts that you've given him,

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 that he can teach us, to enable us,

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 to learn more about you, your word,

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 and how we can please you throughout our daily lives.

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 In Jesus' name, amen.

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 Thanks, Sam.

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 Good morning, everybody.

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 Well, I'm going to start with a story.

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 So one day, a man named Jer decided to go to the doctor,

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 complaining that his wife wasn't listening to him as well recently,

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 and that perhaps she had a hearing problem.

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 The doctor said,

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 Well, Jer, I have something to diagnose this.

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 It's very easy.

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 All you have to do is just go home this evening,

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 and I want you to stand 15 feet behind your wife,

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 and she has her back turned.

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 I just want you to ask her a question,

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 and see if she responds.

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 Jer said,

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 That's grand.

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 So he went on home,

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 and that night he came across his wife in the kitchen making the dinner.

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 So he stood 15 feet behind her,

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 and he asked,

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 Darling, what's for dinner?

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 She didn't reply.

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 He was like,

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 Well, this is interesting.

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 So he moved five feet closer again,

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 and he asked,

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 Darling, what's for dinner?

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 Still no reply.

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 He moved five feet closer again,

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 asked the same question,

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 still to no avail,

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 until finally he was right behind her,

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 like as close as he could possibly be behind her without touching her.

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 And he said,

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 Darling, what's for dinner?

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 To which she frantically swung around and cried,

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 For the fourth time, Jer,

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 it's roast chicken.

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 In that little story,

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 we all know who actually had the hearing problem.

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 He just didn't realize it, right?

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 And you know what?

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 It's kind of similar to us.

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 We may have a hearing problem,

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 but most of us just don't realize it.

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 And it's not a physical hearing problem.

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 No, it's our spiritual hearing that's faulty.

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 In our passage today,

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 James, the half-brother of Jesus,

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 under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit,

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 calls out those of us who think we listen well to God's word,

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 but actually we aren't listening at all.

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 God's standard of listening,

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 as described through the passage today,

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 is summed up perfectly in verse 22.

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 Do not merely listen to the word

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 and so deceive yourself.

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 Do what it says.

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 Listening accompanied by action

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 is the type of listening that God requires of us.

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 This brings me back to the days of my youth at home.

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 Picture a scene where my mum,

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 running out the door to the shops,

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 asked me to unload the dishwasher

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 by the time she gets home.

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 I said, yep, absolutely, grand, I'll do that.

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 But she arrives back two hours later

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 and I'm still in the same horizontal position on the couch

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 and no dishwasher done.

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 And you can hear her walk in and say,

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 you didn't listen to me.

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 And I was like, oh, but it was just a good match

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 and I completely forgot about it.

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 I'm sorry.

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 And then, in the way that only a mum can,

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 she just, she brings in the sucker punch.

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 If you were really listening to me,

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 you would have done what I had asked.

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 Ouch.

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 And you know, while we all know the importance

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 of listening to and heeding our parents' instructions,

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 there is an ultimately higher voice of authority

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 in the life of a Christian,

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 and that is God's word.

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 And like my mother rebuked me

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 for a false form of listening,

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 James, in this passage,

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 he rebukes us for listening that lacks action.

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 In God's eyes, being a good listener to his word

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 means you don't just hear his word,

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 but you do it.

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 You put it into practice in your life

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 and you don't wait.

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 And that's the main theme of today's passage,

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 which we're going to explore first

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 in verses 22 to 25.

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 And then kind of before and after that section,

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 there are three practical implications

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 of this kind of listening for our lives.

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 And those three implications are this.

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 Number one, how we speak.

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 Two, how we interact with the world.

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 And three, how we serve those in need.

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 So we'll look at those each in turn a little later.

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 But first, let's jump into the main theme of the passage

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 of verse 22.

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 And I've entitled this Man in the Mirror.

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 I don't know if anyone's heard that Michael Jackson song.

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 But yeah, it's kind of appropriate.

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 Anyway, let's listen.

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 Let's actually read verse 22 and 23 now.

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 Do not merely listen to the word

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 and so deceive yourselves.

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 Do what it says.

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 Anyone who listens to the word

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 but does not do what it says

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 is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror

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 and after looking at himself,

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 goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.

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 In Jane's analogy,

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 the person looking in the mirror

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 doesn't do anything about what they see.

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 They just forget about it.

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 It's kind of like me the other week.

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 I paid money to go to a foot consultant

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 because I needed advice

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 on how to fix the problem I have with how I walk.

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 Now, the fact that I went to the foot consultant

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 made me feel like I was really doing something about a problem

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 which I've, to be honest,

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 I've ignored for the last five years of my life.

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 But the reality is I'm deceiving myself

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 if I think that just listening to that consultant

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 is going to solve my problem.

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 No, I have to go

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 and I have to fork out 400 euro

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 for those insoles he told me to buy

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 or else I'm still going to walk a bit funny.

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 You see, it's like that with God's word.

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 The very act of listening

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 can fool us into thinking that we're doing something,

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 if you know what I mean.

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 And we listen a lot here in Ireland.

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 We think that we're being a really good Christian

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 because we stopped to read the words today.

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 Not that we did anything about it.

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 Or because we went to church

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 and we listened to a sermon.

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 Not that we thought about it again since.

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 You know what James says,

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 that is as useless

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 as the man who looked in the mirror

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 and immediately forgot

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 that he really needed to shave

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 and that his face was covered in Nutella from breakfast.

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 He failed to act on what he saw

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 and so looking in the mirror

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 was worthless to him.

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 Likewise, when we look into the word,

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 we need to do what it says

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 or else it's absolutely worthless to us.

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 And James pulls no punches here.

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 Look in verse 22.

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 He says,

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 we deceive ourselves

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 if we think that we are followers of Jesus

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 without taking his word seriously

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 or putting it into practice in our lives.

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 You know what?

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 As Jesus very simply says in John 14,

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 and it's on the screen here.

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 You can see it with me.

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 Anyone who loves me

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 will obey my teaching.

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 My Father will love them

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 and we will come to them

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 and make our home with them.

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 But anyone who does not love me

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 will not obey my teaching.

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 It's that simple.

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 Now at this point,

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 I think we need to press pause

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 because maybe you are beginning to question,

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 as I did,

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 well, does this mean I am doomed

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 unless I live a flawless life

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 of perfect obedience to God's word

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 as James is saying here?

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 I mean, what hope is there for me,

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 a man who feels time and time again

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 though I want to obey?

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 Well,

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 Romans chapter 3,

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 verses 23 and 24

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 gives us the incredible answer

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 to that question.

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 For all have sinned

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 and fall short of the glory of God.

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 We definitely know that much.

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 And all are justified freely

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 by his grace

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 through the redemption

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 that came by Christ Jesus.

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 God knew that we couldn't live

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 a perfect life of obedience to him.

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 And that is why he sent his son

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 to do it in our place.

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 And that person is Jesus

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 and his salvation is a free gift

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 to all who would believe.

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 He lived the perfect life

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 we could never live.

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 And on the cross,

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 he died the death

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 that we deserved for our rebellion.

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 And now he frees us

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 to live a life of obedience

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 that glorifies the Father.

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 A life that strives to listen to

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 his word and obey.

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 Not that it's earning our salvation,

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 but because we love him.

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 Because we can say,

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 as the author of Psalm 119 said,

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 how sweet are your words

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 to my taste,

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 sweeter than honey to my mouth.

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 So, now we can rest assured

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 that our hearing of God's word

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 and doing what it says

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 is not something that earns

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 our salvation.

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 Rather, it's the proof

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 that we have been saved.

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 And that we do love the Lord.

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 So, in that light,

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 let's return to our passage now.

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 Where James continues

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 in verse 25

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 to give us four steps

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 for putting God's word

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 into practice.

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 And in turn,

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 being blessed

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 in the Christian life.

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 And like the rest

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 of James' letter,

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 this verse is absolutely

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 filled with down-to-earth

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 practical instructions

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 for the believer.

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 So, let's pay attention

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 and learn how to put

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 God's word into practice.

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 Read verse 25 with me.

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 But whoever looks intently

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 into the perfect law

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 that gives freedom

00:12:53.759 --> 00:12:56.119
 and continues in it,

00:12:57.000 --> 00:12:58.399
 not forgetting what they have heard,

00:12:58.399 --> 00:12:59.379
 but doing it,

00:12:59.799 --> 00:13:00.919
 they will be blessed

00:13:00.919 --> 00:13:02.379
 in what they do.

00:13:02.379 --> 00:13:06.000
 So, let's take each

00:13:06.000 --> 00:13:07.139
 of these four steps

00:13:07.139 --> 00:13:07.580
 in turn.

00:13:07.939 --> 00:13:08.820
 And I found it kind of helpful

00:13:08.820 --> 00:13:09.620
 to parallel this

00:13:09.620 --> 00:13:10.779
 with Psalm 1.

00:13:10.939 --> 00:13:11.600
 And it's going to come up

00:13:11.600 --> 00:13:12.120
 on the screen

00:13:12.120 --> 00:13:14.480
 beside each point.

00:13:15.179 --> 00:13:15.659
 So, let's start

00:13:15.659 --> 00:13:16.360
 with the first one.

00:13:18.299 --> 00:13:18.899
 Step 1.

00:13:18.939 --> 00:13:20.059
 To put the word

00:13:20.059 --> 00:13:20.860
 into practice,

00:13:21.539 --> 00:13:22.779
 we need to look

00:13:22.779 --> 00:13:24.220
 intently into it.

00:13:24.879 --> 00:13:25.120
 Okay?

00:13:25.120 --> 00:13:26.879
 Not just a fleeting glance

00:13:26.879 --> 00:13:28.039
 every day for five minutes.

00:13:28.379 --> 00:13:29.240
 Oh, that's that done.

00:13:29.860 --> 00:13:30.639
 No, I'm going to get on

00:13:30.639 --> 00:13:31.399
 with the rest of my

00:13:31.399 --> 00:13:33.100
 busy life today.

00:13:34.500 --> 00:13:34.899
 No.

00:13:35.700 --> 00:13:36.560
 We must linger,

00:13:37.259 --> 00:13:37.899
 dwell on,

00:13:38.639 --> 00:13:40.139
 wrestle over God's word.

00:13:40.500 --> 00:13:41.620
 Which does take time.

00:13:42.500 --> 00:13:43.440
 But as James says,

00:13:44.399 --> 00:13:45.639
 it's the perfect law

00:13:45.639 --> 00:13:46.639
 that gives freedom.

00:13:46.840 --> 00:13:47.980
 Like, these words

00:13:47.980 --> 00:13:49.259
 free us.

00:13:50.259 --> 00:13:51.220
 And how do they do that?

00:13:51.220 --> 00:13:51.500
 Well,

00:13:52.580 --> 00:13:54.039
 because within the pages

00:13:54.039 --> 00:13:55.279
 of this book,

00:13:56.399 --> 00:13:57.599
 we find a true God

00:13:57.599 --> 00:13:58.339
 who frees us

00:13:58.339 --> 00:13:59.759
 from all our false gods

00:13:59.759 --> 00:14:00.740
 and we find a love

00:14:00.740 --> 00:14:01.699
 which satisfies

00:14:01.699 --> 00:14:02.759
 and surpasses

00:14:02.759 --> 00:14:04.299
 all lesser loves

00:14:04.299 --> 00:14:05.179
 we look to in life.

00:14:06.879 --> 00:14:08.139
 Why would we stay away

00:14:08.139 --> 00:14:09.000
 from such a fountain?

00:14:09.319 --> 00:14:10.639
 A river of life and truth?

00:14:12.399 --> 00:14:13.559
 We need to check

00:14:13.559 --> 00:14:14.120
 our attitude

00:14:14.120 --> 00:14:15.860
 to God's word.

00:14:16.480 --> 00:14:17.360
 Is it a chore

00:14:17.360 --> 00:14:18.240
 to open it up?

00:14:19.339 --> 00:14:20.120
 Or do we recognize

00:14:20.120 --> 00:14:21.319
 that these words

00:14:21.319 --> 00:14:22.159
 are the words

00:14:22.159 --> 00:14:22.919
 of eternal,

00:14:22.919 --> 00:14:24.839
 overflowing life

00:14:24.839 --> 00:14:25.579
 that all of us

00:14:25.579 --> 00:14:26.039
 long for?

00:14:28.059 --> 00:14:28.979
 Listen to the author

00:14:28.979 --> 00:14:29.719
 of Psalm 1

00:14:29.719 --> 00:14:31.079
 who shows us

00:14:31.079 --> 00:14:31.779
 how to do this one,

00:14:31.860 --> 00:14:32.019
 right?

00:14:32.899 --> 00:14:33.419
 It's up there

00:14:33.419 --> 00:14:34.179
 on the screen as well.

00:14:35.279 --> 00:14:36.360
 Blessed is the one

00:14:36.360 --> 00:14:37.679
 who does not walk

00:14:37.679 --> 00:14:38.479
 in step with the wicked

00:14:38.479 --> 00:14:39.659
 or stand in the way

00:14:39.659 --> 00:14:40.599
 that sinners take

00:14:40.599 --> 00:14:41.879
 or sit in the company

00:14:41.879 --> 00:14:42.500
 of mockers,

00:14:42.759 --> 00:14:44.399
 but whose delight

00:14:44.399 --> 00:14:46.139
 is in the law

00:14:46.139 --> 00:14:46.759
 of the Lord

00:14:46.759 --> 00:14:48.639
 and who meditates

00:14:48.639 --> 00:14:49.740
 on his law

00:14:49.740 --> 00:14:50.939
 day and night.

00:14:50.940 --> 00:14:52.420
 Is the word

00:14:52.420 --> 00:14:53.240
 really our delight?

00:14:54.140 --> 00:14:54.920
 Do we long for it?

00:14:54.960 --> 00:14:55.920
 Do we meditate on it?

00:14:56.620 --> 00:14:57.640
 Do we take time

00:14:57.640 --> 00:14:58.200
 every day

00:14:58.200 --> 00:14:59.320
 to still ourselves,

00:15:00.000 --> 00:15:00.880
 open up the word

00:15:00.880 --> 00:15:02.060
 and soak in it?

00:15:03.640 --> 00:15:04.480
 So firstly,

00:15:04.620 --> 00:15:05.580
 we must look intently

00:15:05.580 --> 00:15:06.100
 into the word

00:15:06.100 --> 00:15:06.760
 and secondly,

00:15:07.940 --> 00:15:09.260
 James says,

00:15:09.340 --> 00:15:10.760
 we must continue

00:15:10.760 --> 00:15:11.560
 in it.

00:15:13.440 --> 00:15:14.180
 In the psalm

00:15:14.180 --> 00:15:14.720
 that I just read,

00:15:14.780 --> 00:15:15.680
 the author spoke

00:15:15.680 --> 00:15:17.260
 of meditating

00:15:17.260 --> 00:15:18.620
 day and night

00:15:18.620 --> 00:15:19.220
 on the word.

00:15:19.220 --> 00:15:20.820
 Now,

00:15:20.899 --> 00:15:21.279
 if we're really

00:15:21.279 --> 00:15:21.940
 seeking to fill

00:15:21.940 --> 00:15:22.320
 our hearts

00:15:22.320 --> 00:15:23.320
 with God's word,

00:15:23.860 --> 00:15:25.040
 we can't live off

00:15:25.040 --> 00:15:25.920
 sporadic,

00:15:26.759 --> 00:15:27.980
 irregular visits.

00:15:29.300 --> 00:15:30.340
 We need to be

00:15:30.340 --> 00:15:31.379
 continually looking

00:15:31.379 --> 00:15:32.600
 intently into God's word.

00:15:33.200 --> 00:15:34.000
 We need to get

00:15:34.000 --> 00:15:34.540
 into rhythms

00:15:34.540 --> 00:15:35.160
 and habits

00:15:35.160 --> 00:15:36.340
 of stilling ourselves

00:15:36.340 --> 00:15:37.040
 and allowing God

00:15:37.040 --> 00:15:37.740
 a chance to speak

00:15:37.740 --> 00:15:38.360
 to us daily.

00:15:39.220 --> 00:15:40.139
 And let's be careful

00:15:40.139 --> 00:15:41.019
 not to get legalistic

00:15:41.019 --> 00:15:41.879
 about this either,

00:15:42.680 --> 00:15:43.620
 but thinking that

00:15:43.620 --> 00:15:44.879
 those who read

00:15:44.879 --> 00:15:45.620
 God's word

00:15:45.620 --> 00:15:46.660
 more often,

00:15:47.019 --> 00:15:47.860
 that they somehow

00:15:47.860 --> 00:15:49.000
 have more favour

00:15:49.000 --> 00:15:49.399
 with God

00:15:49.399 --> 00:15:50.379
 and they're earning

00:15:50.379 --> 00:15:51.039
 brownie points

00:15:51.039 --> 00:15:51.440
 with God

00:15:51.440 --> 00:15:52.019
 and those who do

00:15:52.019 --> 00:15:52.440
 it less,

00:15:52.580 --> 00:15:53.379
 that they're

00:15:53.379 --> 00:15:54.600
 less holy or something.

00:15:55.259 --> 00:15:55.580
 No,

00:15:56.080 --> 00:15:57.100
 that's not what

00:15:57.100 --> 00:15:57.800
 the psalmist here

00:15:57.800 --> 00:15:58.240
 is saying,

00:15:58.340 --> 00:15:59.000
 or James.

00:16:00.740 --> 00:16:01.539
 They're actually

00:16:01.539 --> 00:16:02.120
 saying instead

00:16:02.120 --> 00:16:02.940
 that it is

00:16:02.940 --> 00:16:04.480
 your joy

00:16:04.480 --> 00:16:06.440
 that you get

00:16:06.440 --> 00:16:07.779
 to read the word.

00:16:09.440 --> 00:16:10.779
 What an incredible

00:16:10.779 --> 00:16:12.240
 privilege it is

00:16:12.240 --> 00:16:13.800
 to drink from

00:16:13.800 --> 00:16:14.500
 this river

00:16:14.500 --> 00:16:15.899
 of life and truth.

00:16:15.899 --> 00:16:17.379
 And as Sam

00:16:17.379 --> 00:16:18.199
 once says,

00:16:19.439 --> 00:16:20.100
 such a man

00:16:20.100 --> 00:16:21.199
 is like a tree

00:16:21.199 --> 00:16:22.039
 planted

00:16:22.039 --> 00:16:23.240
 by streams

00:16:23.240 --> 00:16:23.860
 of water.

00:16:25.079 --> 00:16:25.779
 God's words

00:16:25.779 --> 00:16:26.240
 are a river

00:16:26.240 --> 00:16:26.720
 of life.

00:16:27.240 --> 00:16:28.039
 Drink it up

00:16:28.039 --> 00:16:29.259
 continually,

00:16:30.039 --> 00:16:30.899
 daily,

00:16:32.259 --> 00:16:33.199
 and let his word

00:16:33.199 --> 00:16:33.740
 flow through

00:16:33.740 --> 00:16:34.779
 every part of you

00:16:34.779 --> 00:16:36.279
 and then just

00:16:36.279 --> 00:16:37.399
 watch as that

00:16:37.399 --> 00:16:38.439
 tree flourishes

00:16:38.439 --> 00:16:39.759
 and you find

00:16:39.759 --> 00:16:40.299
 yourself

00:16:40.299 --> 00:16:41.259
 becoming more

00:16:41.259 --> 00:16:41.840
 like Jesus.

00:16:43.319 --> 00:16:44.199
 Third step.

00:16:44.200 --> 00:16:47.000
 we must not

00:16:47.000 --> 00:16:47.960
 forget what

00:16:47.960 --> 00:16:48.560
 we have heard,

00:16:48.960 --> 00:16:49.680
 but do it.

00:16:52.020 --> 00:16:52.840
 So here James

00:16:52.840 --> 00:16:53.320
 is telling us,

00:16:53.400 --> 00:16:53.520
 look,

00:16:53.560 --> 00:16:53.980
 we need to take

00:16:53.980 --> 00:16:54.400
 some practical

00:16:54.400 --> 00:16:55.140
 steps to aid

00:16:55.140 --> 00:16:55.560
 our memory,

00:16:56.200 --> 00:16:56.600
 or else we're

00:16:56.600 --> 00:16:57.000
 going to forget

00:16:57.000 --> 00:16:57.480
 what we've heard.

00:16:57.900 --> 00:16:58.440
 My wife will

00:16:58.440 --> 00:16:58.860
 tell you how

00:16:58.860 --> 00:16:59.540
 shocking a

00:16:59.540 --> 00:16:59.900
 short-term

00:16:59.900 --> 00:17:00.920
 memory I have.

00:17:03.420 --> 00:17:03.700
 You know,

00:17:03.820 --> 00:17:04.680
 so much so that

00:17:04.680 --> 00:17:05.240
 I actually have

00:17:05.240 --> 00:17:06.100
 a list of alarms

00:17:06.100 --> 00:17:06.920
 on my phone

00:17:06.920 --> 00:17:08.559
 set to come on

00:17:08.559 --> 00:17:09.259
 at different times

00:17:09.259 --> 00:17:10.100
 for the simplest

00:17:10.100 --> 00:17:11.420
 of everyday tasks.

00:17:11.420 --> 00:17:13.720
 so let me

00:17:13.720 --> 00:17:14.060
 tell you one

00:17:14.060 --> 00:17:14.440
 thing that I

00:17:14.440 --> 00:17:14.740
 do to

00:17:14.740 --> 00:17:15.300
 counteract my

00:17:15.300 --> 00:17:15.920
 own shortcomings.

00:17:16.800 --> 00:17:17.200
 Firstly,

00:17:17.920 --> 00:17:18.759
 I take notes

00:17:18.759 --> 00:17:19.279
 on a Sunday

00:17:19.279 --> 00:17:22.100
 whenever I'm

00:17:22.100 --> 00:17:22.480
 listening to

00:17:22.480 --> 00:17:22.920
 the sermon.

00:17:23.220 --> 00:17:23.420
 Now,

00:17:23.460 --> 00:17:23.860
 if I didn't

00:17:23.860 --> 00:17:24.320
 do this,

00:17:24.420 --> 00:17:24.720
 I'd have

00:17:24.720 --> 00:17:25.560
 forgotten most

00:17:25.560 --> 00:17:25.980
 of the sermon

00:17:25.980 --> 00:17:26.420
 by Sunday

00:17:26.420 --> 00:17:26.800
 night,

00:17:27.300 --> 00:17:27.960
 and good luck

00:17:27.960 --> 00:17:28.440
 trying to get

00:17:28.440 --> 00:17:28.800
 it into my

00:17:28.800 --> 00:17:29.620
 life the next

00:17:29.620 --> 00:17:29.980
 week.

00:17:32.220 --> 00:17:32.820
 But by

00:17:32.820 --> 00:17:33.300
 writing it

00:17:33.300 --> 00:17:33.560
 down,

00:17:34.259 --> 00:17:34.800
 I can then

00:17:34.800 --> 00:17:35.539
 whip out my

00:17:35.539 --> 00:17:36.840
 notes the

00:17:36.840 --> 00:17:37.420
 morning after,

00:17:37.519 --> 00:17:38.120
 Monday morning,

00:17:38.840 --> 00:17:39.440
 when I'm having

00:17:39.440 --> 00:17:40.000
 my time with

00:17:40.000 --> 00:17:40.259
 God.

00:17:41.360 --> 00:17:41.880
 And at that

00:17:41.880 --> 00:17:42.200
 stage,

00:17:42.279 --> 00:17:42.759
 I'm praying,

00:17:43.519 --> 00:17:43.840
 Father,

00:17:44.500 --> 00:17:45.240
 show me how

00:17:45.240 --> 00:17:45.860
 to get this

00:17:45.860 --> 00:17:46.519
 word into my

00:17:46.519 --> 00:17:46.880
 life.

00:17:49.240 --> 00:17:50.080
 And so I

00:17:50.080 --> 00:17:50.420
 read the

00:17:50.420 --> 00:17:50.980
 scripture passage

00:17:50.980 --> 00:17:51.360
 again,

00:17:51.740 --> 00:17:52.299
 and I

00:17:52.299 --> 00:17:53.620
 meditate on it.

00:17:53.860 --> 00:17:54.799
 I look at my

00:17:54.799 --> 00:17:55.180
 notes,

00:17:56.140 --> 00:17:57.580
 and I see,

00:17:57.700 --> 00:17:57.940
 right,

00:17:58.519 --> 00:17:59.100
 how am I going

00:17:59.100 --> 00:17:59.480
 to get this

00:17:59.480 --> 00:18:00.000
 into my life

00:18:00.000 --> 00:18:00.539
 this week?

00:18:01.059 --> 00:18:01.580
 And it's great

00:18:01.580 --> 00:18:01.740
 then,

00:18:01.799 --> 00:18:02.380
 because I can

00:18:02.380 --> 00:18:02.820
 go back to

00:18:02.820 --> 00:18:03.240
 my notes

00:18:03.240 --> 00:18:04.259
 later in the

00:18:04.259 --> 00:18:04.480
 week,

00:18:04.720 --> 00:18:05.200
 Thursday or

00:18:05.200 --> 00:18:05.460
 Friday,

00:18:05.559 --> 00:18:05.759
 and see,

00:18:05.820 --> 00:18:06.000
 right,

00:18:06.100 --> 00:18:06.539
 how am I

00:18:06.539 --> 00:18:06.920
 doing on

00:18:06.920 --> 00:18:07.160
 this?

00:18:07.920 --> 00:18:08.360
 Have I

00:18:08.359 --> 00:18:09.240
 really put

00:18:09.240 --> 00:18:09.539
 the word

00:18:09.539 --> 00:18:10.000
 into practice

00:18:10.000 --> 00:18:10.219
 in my

00:18:10.219 --> 00:18:10.559
 life or

00:18:10.559 --> 00:18:10.879
 not?

00:18:13.099 --> 00:18:13.639
 Some other

00:18:13.639 --> 00:18:13.919
 methods,

00:18:14.000 --> 00:18:14.099
 though,

00:18:14.159 --> 00:18:14.419
 are to

00:18:14.419 --> 00:18:15.179
 listen back

00:18:15.179 --> 00:18:15.419
 to the

00:18:15.419 --> 00:18:15.819
 sermon during

00:18:15.819 --> 00:18:16.139
 the week,

00:18:16.219 --> 00:18:16.559
 perhaps.

00:18:18.199 --> 00:18:18.799
 You can do

00:18:18.799 --> 00:18:19.139
 that on the

00:18:19.139 --> 00:18:19.659
 church website

00:18:19.659 --> 00:18:19.939
 here.

00:18:21.000 --> 00:18:21.359
 Also,

00:18:21.439 --> 00:18:21.619
 I know

00:18:21.619 --> 00:18:22.019
 people who

00:18:22.019 --> 00:18:22.259
 have a

00:18:22.259 --> 00:18:22.979
 journal open

00:18:22.979 --> 00:18:23.819
 as they

00:18:23.819 --> 00:18:24.279
 read the

00:18:24.279 --> 00:18:24.619
 word at

00:18:24.619 --> 00:18:24.879
 home,

00:18:25.579 --> 00:18:26.379
 and they

00:18:26.379 --> 00:18:26.959
 write down

00:18:26.959 --> 00:18:27.500
 their learning

00:18:27.500 --> 00:18:27.919
 in a way

00:18:27.919 --> 00:18:28.979
 to solidify

00:18:28.979 --> 00:18:29.759
 it in

00:18:29.759 --> 00:18:30.399
 their minds.

00:18:32.319 --> 00:18:32.619
 Also,

00:18:32.699 --> 00:18:33.179
 there's no

00:18:33.179 --> 00:18:33.819
 substitute for

00:18:33.819 --> 00:18:34.299
 good,

00:18:34.359 --> 00:18:35.039
 old-fashioned

00:18:35.039 --> 00:18:35.839
 Bible verse

00:18:35.839 --> 00:18:36.500
 memorization,

00:18:37.119 --> 00:18:37.500
 and we

00:18:37.500 --> 00:18:37.859
 shouldn't

00:18:37.859 --> 00:18:38.659
 neglect that

00:18:38.659 --> 00:18:39.000
 either.

00:18:39.559 --> 00:18:39.899
 Why not

00:18:39.899 --> 00:18:40.299
 set yourself

00:18:40.299 --> 00:18:40.759
 a target?

00:18:41.240 --> 00:18:42.779
 Maybe to

00:18:42.779 --> 00:18:43.240
 memorize a

00:18:43.240 --> 00:18:43.899
 passage a

00:18:43.899 --> 00:18:44.339
 week or

00:18:44.339 --> 00:18:44.779
 a month?

00:18:46.599 --> 00:18:47.099
 There are

00:18:47.099 --> 00:18:47.439
 lots of

00:18:47.439 --> 00:18:47.799
 ways to

00:18:47.799 --> 00:18:48.179
 do this,

00:18:48.279 --> 00:18:49.039
 but listen,

00:18:49.339 --> 00:18:49.819
 you and

00:18:49.819 --> 00:18:50.000
 I,

00:18:50.059 --> 00:18:50.299
 we just

00:18:50.299 --> 00:18:50.539
 need to

00:18:50.539 --> 00:18:51.079
 figure out

00:18:51.079 --> 00:18:51.579
 how we're

00:18:51.579 --> 00:18:51.799
 going to

00:18:51.799 --> 00:18:52.219
 do it,

00:18:52.459 --> 00:18:52.779
 and we

00:18:52.779 --> 00:18:53.039
 need to

00:18:53.039 --> 00:18:53.319
 put an

00:18:53.319 --> 00:18:54.059
 action plan

00:18:54.059 --> 00:18:54.619
 in place

00:18:54.619 --> 00:18:55.959
 for how

00:18:55.959 --> 00:18:56.539
 we're going

00:18:56.539 --> 00:18:56.939
 to remember

00:18:56.939 --> 00:18:57.519
 God's word

00:18:57.519 --> 00:18:57.879
 and not

00:18:57.879 --> 00:18:58.399
 forget it

00:18:58.399 --> 00:18:58.819
 and get

00:18:58.819 --> 00:18:59.119
 it into

00:18:59.119 --> 00:18:59.740
 our lives.

00:19:02.259 --> 00:19:02.419
 So,

00:19:02.799 --> 00:19:03.259
 James has

00:19:03.259 --> 00:19:04.000
 told us to,

00:19:04.179 --> 00:19:04.459
 number one,

00:19:04.539 --> 00:19:05.039
 look intently

00:19:05.039 --> 00:19:05.659
 into the words,

00:19:05.819 --> 00:19:06.039
 two,

00:19:06.479 --> 00:19:07.500
 continue in it,

00:19:07.859 --> 00:19:08.519
 number three,

00:19:08.899 --> 00:19:09.759
 not to forget

00:19:09.759 --> 00:19:10.059
 it,

00:19:10.119 --> 00:19:10.599
 but to do

00:19:10.599 --> 00:19:10.839
 what it

00:19:10.839 --> 00:19:11.219
 says,

00:19:11.219 --> 00:19:13.000
 and his

00:19:13.000 --> 00:19:13.759
 fourth point

00:19:13.759 --> 00:19:15.319
 is that when

00:19:15.319 --> 00:19:15.979
 we do all

00:19:15.979 --> 00:19:16.319
 this,

00:19:17.099 --> 00:19:17.559
 we will be

00:19:17.559 --> 00:19:18.119
 blessed in

00:19:18.119 --> 00:19:18.639
 what we do.

00:19:20.240 --> 00:19:20.699
 James was

00:19:20.699 --> 00:19:21.179
 writing to

00:19:21.179 --> 00:19:21.939
 persecuted

00:19:21.939 --> 00:19:23.039
 believers who

00:19:23.039 --> 00:19:23.319
 had been

00:19:23.319 --> 00:19:23.939
 scattered from

00:19:23.939 --> 00:19:24.399
 their homes

00:19:24.399 --> 00:19:24.979
 in Jerusalem

00:19:24.979 --> 00:19:26.139
 throughout the

00:19:26.139 --> 00:19:26.899
 surrounding world.

00:19:27.699 --> 00:19:28.099
 They were

00:19:28.099 --> 00:19:28.719
 often poor,

00:19:29.419 --> 00:19:29.679
 they were

00:19:29.679 --> 00:19:30.419
 often mourning

00:19:30.419 --> 00:19:31.759
 and persecuted.

00:19:32.719 --> 00:19:33.139
 I wonder,

00:19:33.240 --> 00:19:33.719
 was James

00:19:33.720 --> 00:19:34.579
 thinking about

00:19:34.579 --> 00:19:35.480
 what his

00:19:35.480 --> 00:19:36.380
 brother Jesus

00:19:36.380 --> 00:19:38.299
 said when

00:19:38.299 --> 00:19:38.740
 he said in

00:19:38.740 --> 00:19:39.480
 Matthew chapter

00:19:39.480 --> 00:19:39.980
 five,

00:19:41.079 --> 00:19:41.759
 blessed are

00:19:41.759 --> 00:19:42.319
 the poor in

00:19:42.319 --> 00:19:42.700
 spirit,

00:19:43.019 --> 00:19:43.500
 for theirs

00:19:43.500 --> 00:19:43.860
 is the

00:19:43.860 --> 00:19:44.259
 kingdom of

00:19:44.259 --> 00:19:44.500
 heaven.

00:19:45.160 --> 00:19:45.740
 Blessed are

00:19:45.740 --> 00:19:46.180
 those who

00:19:46.180 --> 00:19:46.559
 mourn,

00:19:47.339 --> 00:19:47.720
 for they

00:19:47.720 --> 00:19:47.980
 will be

00:19:47.980 --> 00:19:48.480
 comforted.

00:19:49.740 --> 00:19:50.299
 Blessed are

00:19:50.299 --> 00:19:50.720
 those who

00:19:50.720 --> 00:19:51.279
 are persecuted

00:19:51.279 --> 00:19:51.900
 because of

00:19:51.900 --> 00:19:52.299
 righteousness,

00:19:53.200 --> 00:19:53.779
 for theirs

00:19:53.779 --> 00:19:54.100
 is the

00:19:54.100 --> 00:19:54.519
 kingdom of

00:19:54.519 --> 00:19:54.779
 heaven.

00:19:56.700 --> 00:19:57.279
 Why are

00:19:57.279 --> 00:19:57.579
 God's

00:19:57.579 --> 00:19:57.880
 followers

00:19:57.880 --> 00:19:58.420
 blessed?

00:19:58.980 --> 00:19:59.640
 Even in

00:19:59.640 --> 00:20:00.279
 their grieving,

00:20:00.860 --> 00:20:01.200
 even in

00:20:01.200 --> 00:20:01.819
 their poverty

00:20:01.819 --> 00:20:02.700
 and persecution,

00:20:03.819 --> 00:20:05.359
 the reason

00:20:05.359 --> 00:20:06.879
 is we

00:20:06.879 --> 00:20:07.399
 are part of

00:20:07.399 --> 00:20:07.659
 the kingdom

00:20:07.659 --> 00:20:08.099
 of God,

00:20:08.559 --> 00:20:09.319
 both now

00:20:09.319 --> 00:20:09.839
 and in the

00:20:09.839 --> 00:20:10.259
 future in

00:20:10.259 --> 00:20:10.480
 heaven.

00:20:10.919 --> 00:20:11.599
 Ours is an

00:20:11.599 --> 00:20:12.220
 incredible

00:20:12.220 --> 00:20:12.779
 inheritance

00:20:12.779 --> 00:20:13.960
 because we

00:20:13.960 --> 00:20:15.559
 get Jesus

00:20:15.559 --> 00:20:17.759
 in part now,

00:20:18.819 --> 00:20:19.619
 fully in

00:20:19.619 --> 00:20:19.879
 heaven.

00:20:20.480 --> 00:20:21.740
 We inherit

00:20:21.740 --> 00:20:22.859
 eternal life,

00:20:23.720 --> 00:20:24.299
 free from

00:20:24.299 --> 00:20:24.619
 pain,

00:20:25.899 --> 00:20:26.480
 an eternity

00:20:26.480 --> 00:20:27.559
 of perfect

00:20:27.559 --> 00:20:28.259
 love in

00:20:28.259 --> 00:20:28.579
 God's

00:20:28.579 --> 00:20:29.000
 presence.

00:20:30.679 --> 00:20:31.519
 We are

00:20:31.519 --> 00:20:32.139
 spiritual

00:20:32.139 --> 00:20:32.960
 billionaires

00:20:32.960 --> 00:20:33.539
 in Christ.

00:20:35.019 --> 00:20:35.799
 And James

00:20:35.799 --> 00:20:36.240
 says that

00:20:36.240 --> 00:20:37.139
 this is why

00:20:37.139 --> 00:20:37.480
 we are

00:20:37.480 --> 00:20:38.299
 truly blessed.

00:20:38.980 --> 00:20:39.379
 We have

00:20:39.379 --> 00:20:39.740
 the joy

00:20:39.740 --> 00:20:40.079
 of being

00:20:40.079 --> 00:20:40.740
 in Christ's

00:20:40.740 --> 00:20:41.059
 kingdom.

00:20:42.460 --> 00:20:42.740
 A

00:20:42.740 --> 00:20:43.460
 blessedness

00:20:43.460 --> 00:20:44.079
 that comes

00:20:44.079 --> 00:20:45.279
 not by

00:20:45.279 --> 00:20:45.940
 escaping

00:20:45.940 --> 00:20:46.660
 the trials

00:20:46.660 --> 00:20:47.319
 of this

00:20:47.319 --> 00:20:47.700
 world,

00:20:48.359 --> 00:20:48.940
 but by

00:20:48.940 --> 00:20:49.500
 doing

00:20:49.500 --> 00:20:50.420
 the word

00:20:50.420 --> 00:20:50.680
 of the

00:20:50.680 --> 00:20:50.960
 Lord.

00:20:52.379 --> 00:20:52.799
 And look

00:20:52.799 --> 00:20:53.279
 and see

00:20:53.279 --> 00:20:54.079
 what the

00:20:54.079 --> 00:20:54.440
 psalmist

00:20:54.440 --> 00:20:55.079
 also says

00:20:55.079 --> 00:20:55.480
 in this.

00:20:55.960 --> 00:20:56.259
 He says

00:20:56.259 --> 00:20:56.879
 that person

00:20:56.879 --> 00:20:57.339
 is like a

00:20:57.339 --> 00:20:57.960
 tree planted

00:20:57.960 --> 00:20:58.559
 by streams

00:20:58.559 --> 00:20:59.000
 of water

00:20:59.000 --> 00:21:00.379
 which yields

00:21:00.379 --> 00:21:00.839
 its fruit

00:21:00.839 --> 00:21:01.339
 in season

00:21:01.339 --> 00:21:02.419
 and whose

00:21:02.419 --> 00:21:02.899
 leaf does

00:21:02.899 --> 00:21:03.519
 not wither

00:21:03.519 --> 00:21:04.199
 whatever

00:21:04.199 --> 00:21:04.639
 they do

00:21:04.639 --> 00:21:05.359
 prospers.

00:21:07.279 --> 00:21:07.959
 Plant your

00:21:07.959 --> 00:21:08.500
 roots deep

00:21:08.500 --> 00:21:08.959
 in the river

00:21:08.959 --> 00:21:09.500
 of God's

00:21:09.500 --> 00:21:10.839
 word and

00:21:10.839 --> 00:21:11.099
 as the

00:21:11.099 --> 00:21:11.439
 tree of

00:21:11.439 --> 00:21:11.740
 your life

00:21:11.740 --> 00:21:12.159
 grows,

00:21:12.359 --> 00:21:12.720
 produces

00:21:12.720 --> 00:21:13.259
 fruit,

00:21:13.699 --> 00:21:14.119
 provides

00:21:14.119 --> 00:21:14.599
 shade,

00:21:15.359 --> 00:21:15.779
 not only

00:21:15.779 --> 00:21:16.139
 will you

00:21:16.139 --> 00:21:16.799
 be blessed

00:21:16.799 --> 00:21:18.839
 but also

00:21:18.839 --> 00:21:19.720
 all those

00:21:19.720 --> 00:21:20.500
 around you

00:21:20.500 --> 00:21:21.379
 will be

00:21:21.379 --> 00:21:21.959
 blessed

00:21:21.959 --> 00:21:22.799
 by the

00:21:22.799 --> 00:21:23.419
 tree of

00:21:23.419 --> 00:21:24.099
 your faith.

00:21:24.099 --> 00:21:24.139
 need.

00:21:26.519 --> 00:21:28.099
 So we

00:21:28.099 --> 00:21:28.399
 have heard

00:21:28.399 --> 00:21:28.799
 James'

00:21:29.199 --> 00:21:29.619
 call to

00:21:29.619 --> 00:21:30.219
 be doers

00:21:30.219 --> 00:21:30.419
 of the

00:21:30.419 --> 00:21:30.899
 word and

00:21:30.899 --> 00:21:31.619
 not just

00:21:31.619 --> 00:21:32.379
 hearers and

00:21:32.379 --> 00:21:32.679
 he's given

00:21:32.679 --> 00:21:33.199
 us four

00:21:33.199 --> 00:21:33.679
 steps for

00:21:33.679 --> 00:21:34.039
 achieving

00:21:34.039 --> 00:21:34.379
 that in

00:21:34.379 --> 00:21:34.919
 our lives.

00:21:35.839 --> 00:21:36.339
 Now in

00:21:36.339 --> 00:21:36.839
 finishing,

00:21:37.779 --> 00:21:38.279
 we're going

00:21:38.279 --> 00:21:38.819
 to examine

00:21:38.819 --> 00:21:39.279
 the three

00:21:39.279 --> 00:21:39.619
 different

00:21:39.619 --> 00:21:40.399
 implications

00:21:40.399 --> 00:21:40.980
 of this

00:21:40.980 --> 00:21:41.799
 practice in

00:21:41.799 --> 00:21:42.259
 our lives.

00:21:42.740 --> 00:21:43.179
 Firstly,

00:21:43.259 --> 00:21:43.599
 in how we

00:21:43.599 --> 00:21:44.059
 speak,

00:21:44.939 --> 00:21:45.459
 secondly,

00:21:45.599 --> 00:21:45.959
 in how we

00:21:45.959 --> 00:21:46.519
 interact with

00:21:46.519 --> 00:21:46.959
 the world,

00:21:47.079 --> 00:21:47.799
 and thirdly,

00:21:48.099 --> 00:21:48.619
 in how we

00:21:48.619 --> 00:21:49.159
 serve those

00:21:49.159 --> 00:21:49.480
 in need.

00:21:50.779 --> 00:21:51.359
 So let's

00:21:51.359 --> 00:21:51.699
 read,

00:21:51.740 --> 00:21:52.059
 if you could

00:21:52.059 --> 00:21:52.319
 read with

00:21:52.319 --> 00:21:52.519
 me,

00:21:52.759 --> 00:21:53.899
 verses 19

00:21:53.899 --> 00:21:54.599
 to 20.

00:21:56.939 --> 00:21:57.619
 My dear

00:21:57.619 --> 00:21:58.079
 brothers and

00:21:58.079 --> 00:21:58.419
 sisters,

00:21:58.899 --> 00:21:59.379
 take note

00:21:59.379 --> 00:21:59.779
 of this.

00:22:00.720 --> 00:22:01.059
 Everyone

00:22:01.059 --> 00:22:01.460
 should be

00:22:01.460 --> 00:22:01.980
 quick to

00:22:01.980 --> 00:22:02.299
 listen,

00:22:03.039 --> 00:22:03.460
 slow to

00:22:03.460 --> 00:22:03.799
 speak,

00:22:04.559 --> 00:22:04.879
 and slow

00:22:04.879 --> 00:22:05.259
 to become

00:22:05.259 --> 00:22:05.639
 angry,

00:22:06.119 --> 00:22:06.899
 because human

00:22:06.899 --> 00:22:07.399
 anger does

00:22:07.399 --> 00:22:08.019
 not produce

00:22:08.019 --> 00:22:08.639
 the righteousness

00:22:08.639 --> 00:22:09.819
 that God

00:22:09.819 --> 00:22:10.279
 desires.

00:22:12.119 --> 00:22:12.839
 James wants

00:22:12.839 --> 00:22:13.319
 us to put

00:22:13.319 --> 00:22:13.879
 God's word

00:22:13.879 --> 00:22:14.480
 into practice

00:22:14.480 --> 00:22:15.200
 when it

00:22:15.200 --> 00:22:15.539
 comes to

00:22:15.539 --> 00:22:16.339
 our responses

00:22:16.339 --> 00:22:17.200
 to others

00:22:17.200 --> 00:22:17.720
 and how we

00:22:17.720 --> 00:22:18.059
 speak.

00:22:18.980 --> 00:22:19.539
 Look down

00:22:19.539 --> 00:22:20.399
 at verse 26.

00:22:20.960 --> 00:22:21.279
 There he

00:22:21.279 --> 00:22:21.559
 says,

00:22:22.319 --> 00:22:22.899
 those who

00:22:22.899 --> 00:22:23.240
 consider

00:22:23.240 --> 00:22:23.700
 themselves

00:22:23.700 --> 00:22:24.079
 religious,

00:22:24.500 --> 00:22:24.740
 and yet

00:22:24.740 --> 00:22:25.119
 do not

00:22:25.119 --> 00:22:25.439
 keep a

00:22:25.439 --> 00:22:26.039
 tight rein

00:22:26.039 --> 00:22:26.359
 on their

00:22:26.359 --> 00:22:26.720
 tongues,

00:22:26.919 --> 00:22:27.379
 deceive

00:22:27.379 --> 00:22:27.919
 themselves,

00:22:28.559 --> 00:22:28.980
 and their

00:22:28.980 --> 00:22:29.819
 religion is

00:22:29.819 --> 00:22:30.460
 worthless.

00:22:32.460 --> 00:22:32.939
 So we see

00:22:32.939 --> 00:22:33.339
 James is

00:22:33.339 --> 00:22:34.079
 pretty serious

00:22:34.079 --> 00:22:34.599
 about this.

00:22:36.279 --> 00:22:37.159
 Of all

00:22:37.159 --> 00:22:37.599
 the parts

00:22:37.599 --> 00:22:37.819
 of the

00:22:37.819 --> 00:22:38.119
 body,

00:22:38.519 --> 00:22:38.799
 James

00:22:38.799 --> 00:22:39.259
 accredits

00:22:39.259 --> 00:22:39.859
 the tongue

00:22:39.859 --> 00:22:40.559
 with the

00:22:40.559 --> 00:22:41.399
 most potential

00:22:41.399 --> 00:22:42.139
 for destruction.

00:22:43.720 --> 00:22:44.079
 If you

00:22:44.079 --> 00:22:44.419
 can skip

00:22:44.419 --> 00:22:44.919
 forward there

00:22:44.919 --> 00:22:45.119
 in your

00:22:45.119 --> 00:22:45.679
 Bible to

00:22:45.679 --> 00:22:46.299
 James

00:22:46.299 --> 00:22:47.179
 chapter 3

00:22:47.179 --> 00:22:48.460
 and verse

00:22:48.460 --> 00:22:49.439
 6 onwards.

00:22:49.440 --> 00:22:50.660
 And here

00:22:50.660 --> 00:22:50.900
 we can

00:22:50.900 --> 00:22:51.400
 see how

00:22:51.400 --> 00:22:52.039
 James really

00:22:52.039 --> 00:22:52.440
 does not

00:22:52.440 --> 00:22:52.860
 mince his

00:22:52.860 --> 00:22:54.000
 words when

00:22:54.000 --> 00:22:54.400
 it comes

00:22:54.400 --> 00:22:54.759
 to the

00:22:54.759 --> 00:22:55.059
 tongue.

00:22:56.400 --> 00:22:57.200
 Chapter 3

00:22:57.200 --> 00:22:57.860
 verse 6.

00:22:58.660 --> 00:22:59.220
 The tongue

00:22:59.220 --> 00:23:00.440
 also is a

00:23:00.440 --> 00:23:02.000
 fire, a

00:23:02.000 --> 00:23:02.840
 world of

00:23:02.840 --> 00:23:03.600
 evil among

00:23:03.600 --> 00:23:04.140
 the parts

00:23:04.140 --> 00:23:04.380
 of the

00:23:04.380 --> 00:23:04.680
 body.

00:23:05.720 --> 00:23:06.880
 It corrupts

00:23:06.880 --> 00:23:07.320
 the whole

00:23:07.320 --> 00:23:08.120
 body, sets

00:23:08.120 --> 00:23:08.519
 the whole

00:23:08.519 --> 00:23:08.980
 course of

00:23:08.980 --> 00:23:09.500
 one's life

00:23:09.500 --> 00:23:09.940
 on fire,

00:23:10.160 --> 00:23:10.500
 and is

00:23:10.500 --> 00:23:11.660
 itself set

00:23:11.660 --> 00:23:12.039
 on fire

00:23:12.039 --> 00:23:12.680
 by hell.

00:23:14.279 --> 00:23:14.620
 Verse 8.

00:23:14.619 --> 00:23:34.139
 So James

00:23:34.139 --> 00:23:34.399
 could not

00:23:34.399 --> 00:23:34.859
 be clearer

00:23:34.859 --> 00:23:37.059
 about the

00:23:37.059 --> 00:23:37.379
 harmful

00:23:37.379 --> 00:23:37.879
 potential

00:23:37.879 --> 00:23:38.379
 of our

00:23:38.379 --> 00:23:39.019
 words to

00:23:39.019 --> 00:23:39.859
 wreak havoc

00:23:39.859 --> 00:23:40.179
 in other

00:23:40.179 --> 00:23:40.579
 people's

00:23:40.579 --> 00:23:40.959
 lives.

00:23:42.519 --> 00:23:43.139
 And so

00:23:43.139 --> 00:23:43.599
 he gives

00:23:43.599 --> 00:23:44.699
 this practical

00:23:44.699 --> 00:23:45.639
 template to

00:23:45.639 --> 00:23:46.099
 use when

00:23:46.099 --> 00:23:46.619
 speaking to

00:23:46.619 --> 00:23:47.000
 others.

00:23:48.639 --> 00:23:49.279
 And this

00:23:49.279 --> 00:23:49.599
 is it.

00:23:50.179 --> 00:23:50.699
 Be quick

00:23:50.699 --> 00:23:51.139
 to listen,

00:23:51.559 --> 00:23:52.000
 slow to

00:23:52.000 --> 00:23:52.980
 speak, and

00:23:52.980 --> 00:23:53.399
 slow to

00:23:53.399 --> 00:23:53.699
 anger.

00:23:54.779 --> 00:23:55.299
 When someone

00:23:55.299 --> 00:23:55.740
 says something

00:23:55.740 --> 00:23:55.959
 that we

00:23:55.959 --> 00:23:56.579
 disagree with,

00:23:57.480 --> 00:23:57.980
 or something

00:23:57.980 --> 00:23:58.439
 that is

00:23:58.439 --> 00:23:59.139
 offensive to

00:23:59.139 --> 00:24:01.459
 us, those

00:24:01.459 --> 00:24:02.219
 times responding

00:24:02.219 --> 00:24:02.899
 with grace and

00:24:02.899 --> 00:24:03.859
 avoiding anger is

00:24:03.859 --> 00:24:04.199
 one of the

00:24:04.199 --> 00:24:05.039
 hardest things

00:24:05.039 --> 00:24:05.500
 to do.

00:24:06.399 --> 00:24:06.939
 But James

00:24:06.939 --> 00:24:07.519
 orders us to

00:24:07.519 --> 00:24:07.879
 do it.

00:24:08.379 --> 00:24:08.859
 Now, the

00:24:08.859 --> 00:24:09.539
 author, John

00:24:09.539 --> 00:24:10.139
 Bloom, can

00:24:10.139 --> 00:24:10.639
 use this

00:24:10.639 --> 00:24:11.039
 verse to

00:24:11.039 --> 00:24:11.359
 come up with

00:24:11.359 --> 00:24:11.779
 the following

00:24:11.779 --> 00:24:13.139
 process when

00:24:13.140 --> 00:24:13.660
 we go to

00:24:13.660 --> 00:24:13.980
 speak.

00:24:14.180 --> 00:24:14.500
 And this

00:24:14.500 --> 00:24:14.759
 is his

00:24:14.759 --> 00:24:15.100
 process.

00:24:16.100 --> 00:24:16.620
 Listen,

00:24:17.160 --> 00:24:18.480
 wait, and

00:24:18.480 --> 00:24:18.940
 respond.

00:24:20.520 --> 00:24:20.920
 So A,

00:24:21.000 --> 00:24:21.580
 listen.

00:24:22.320 --> 00:24:23.100
 We are to

00:24:23.100 --> 00:24:23.900
 listen well

00:24:23.900 --> 00:24:27.220
 so that we

00:24:27.220 --> 00:24:27.759
 really do

00:24:27.759 --> 00:24:28.520
 understand where

00:24:28.520 --> 00:24:28.780
 the other

00:24:28.780 --> 00:24:29.280
 person is

00:24:29.280 --> 00:24:29.920
 coming from.

00:24:31.420 --> 00:24:32.240
 Listening well,

00:24:32.440 --> 00:24:33.020
 even when you

00:24:33.020 --> 00:24:33.620
 don't agree,

00:24:33.740 --> 00:24:34.300
 is a mark of

00:24:34.300 --> 00:24:35.540
 humility that

00:24:35.540 --> 00:24:36.080
 shows the

00:24:36.080 --> 00:24:36.640
 other person

00:24:36.640 --> 00:24:37.040
 that you are

00:24:37.040 --> 00:24:37.740
 genuinely

00:24:37.740 --> 00:24:39.100
 thinking about

00:24:39.100 --> 00:24:39.400
 them.

00:24:39.400 --> 00:24:41.080
 B, we

00:24:41.080 --> 00:24:41.380
 need to

00:24:41.380 --> 00:24:42.000
 patiently

00:24:42.000 --> 00:24:42.920
 wait.

00:24:44.800 --> 00:24:45.420
 We must

00:24:45.420 --> 00:24:45.860
 be slow

00:24:45.860 --> 00:24:46.400
 to speak.

00:24:47.320 --> 00:24:47.640
 In the

00:24:47.640 --> 00:24:48.680
 moment, we

00:24:48.680 --> 00:24:49.259
 all know our

00:24:49.259 --> 00:24:50.120
 natural impulse

00:24:50.120 --> 00:24:50.840
 to say things

00:24:50.840 --> 00:24:51.400
 that we regret

00:24:51.400 --> 00:24:52.040
 later on.

00:24:52.580 --> 00:24:53.040
 Have a look at

00:24:53.040 --> 00:24:53.800
 Proverbs 10,

00:24:53.920 --> 00:24:54.660
 verse 19 here.

00:24:54.840 --> 00:24:55.220
 It's on the

00:24:55.220 --> 00:24:55.380
 board.

00:24:57.440 --> 00:24:58.360
 Sin is not

00:24:58.360 --> 00:24:59.000
 ended by

00:24:59.000 --> 00:24:59.440
 multiplying

00:24:59.440 --> 00:25:00.840
 words, but

00:25:00.840 --> 00:25:01.560
 the prudent

00:25:01.560 --> 00:25:02.400
 hold their

00:25:02.400 --> 00:25:02.700
 tongues.

00:25:04.180 --> 00:25:04.740
 So we

00:25:04.740 --> 00:25:05.080
 must wait

00:25:05.080 --> 00:25:05.840
 before responding.

00:25:05.839 --> 00:25:07.759
 And as we

00:25:07.759 --> 00:25:08.519
 wait, let's

00:25:08.519 --> 00:25:09.119
 use that

00:25:09.119 --> 00:25:09.599
 time to

00:25:09.599 --> 00:25:10.339
 pray and

00:25:10.339 --> 00:25:11.559
 ask God

00:25:11.559 --> 00:25:12.199
 for wisdom

00:25:12.199 --> 00:25:13.059
 and discernment

00:25:13.059 --> 00:25:13.500
 and how

00:25:13.500 --> 00:25:13.980
 best to

00:25:13.980 --> 00:25:14.299
 speak.

00:25:16.480 --> 00:25:17.500
 Lastly, see,

00:25:18.179 --> 00:25:19.559
 we are to

00:25:19.559 --> 00:25:21.059
 respond with

00:25:21.059 --> 00:25:21.659
 grace.

00:25:23.179 --> 00:25:24.139
 Ephesians 4,

00:25:24.220 --> 00:25:25.139
 29 exhorts

00:25:25.139 --> 00:25:26.059
 us to speak

00:25:26.059 --> 00:25:26.639
 in a way that

00:25:26.639 --> 00:25:27.319
 gives grace to

00:25:27.319 --> 00:25:27.679
 those who

00:25:27.679 --> 00:25:27.879
 hear.

00:25:29.939 --> 00:25:30.899
 Proverbs 16,

00:25:30.980 --> 00:25:31.799
 24 says,

00:25:32.599 --> 00:25:33.500
 Gracious words

00:25:33.500 --> 00:25:34.019
 are like a

00:25:34.019 --> 00:25:34.459
 honeycomb.

00:25:35.839 --> 00:25:36.500
 Sweetness to

00:25:36.500 --> 00:25:37.000
 the soul

00:25:37.000 --> 00:25:38.159
 and health

00:25:38.159 --> 00:25:38.720
 to the body.

00:25:40.240 --> 00:25:40.819
 It may be

00:25:40.819 --> 00:25:41.139
 that our

00:25:41.139 --> 00:25:41.740
 gracious words

00:25:41.740 --> 00:25:42.059
 are still

00:25:42.059 --> 00:25:42.399
 tough to

00:25:42.399 --> 00:25:42.779
 hear, and

00:25:42.779 --> 00:25:44.039
 that's often

00:25:44.039 --> 00:25:46.259
 necessary, as

00:25:46.259 --> 00:25:46.679
 long as they

00:25:46.679 --> 00:25:47.339
 are spoken in

00:25:47.339 --> 00:25:49.599
 love, humility

00:25:49.599 --> 00:25:50.720
 and honesty.

00:25:54.179 --> 00:25:54.799
 And the

00:25:54.799 --> 00:25:56.059
 result of

00:25:56.059 --> 00:25:56.480
 all this

00:25:56.480 --> 00:25:57.079
 listening,

00:25:57.639 --> 00:25:58.539
 waiting, and

00:25:58.539 --> 00:25:58.980
 gracious

00:25:58.980 --> 00:26:00.379
 responding is

00:26:00.379 --> 00:26:00.799
 in the rest

00:26:00.799 --> 00:26:01.599
 of verse 19.

00:26:02.599 --> 00:26:02.939
 We are

00:26:02.939 --> 00:26:03.500
 consequently

00:26:03.500 --> 00:26:04.480
 slow to

00:26:04.480 --> 00:26:04.779
 anger.

00:26:04.779 --> 00:26:05.539
 We are

00:26:05.539 --> 00:26:06.420
 calmer, more

00:26:06.420 --> 00:26:07.720
 measured, less

00:26:07.720 --> 00:26:08.220
 impulsive.

00:26:09.099 --> 00:26:10.019
 We're actively

00:26:10.019 --> 00:26:10.940
 avoiding the

00:26:10.940 --> 00:26:11.879
 type of anger

00:26:11.879 --> 00:26:13.079
 that does not

00:26:13.079 --> 00:26:13.519
 please our

00:26:13.519 --> 00:26:13.839
 Father.

00:26:14.160 --> 00:26:14.779
 So listen,

00:26:15.220 --> 00:26:15.859
 wait, and

00:26:15.859 --> 00:26:16.299
 respond.

00:26:16.519 --> 00:26:17.559
 That's a godly

00:26:17.559 --> 00:26:18.099
 principle to

00:26:18.099 --> 00:26:18.579
 speak by.

00:26:19.220 --> 00:26:19.500
 And that's

00:26:19.500 --> 00:26:20.039
 James' first

00:26:20.039 --> 00:26:20.740
 implication for

00:26:20.740 --> 00:26:21.160
 the life of

00:26:21.160 --> 00:26:21.460
 a believer.

00:26:21.879 --> 00:26:22.319
 His second

00:26:22.319 --> 00:26:23.240
 is right here.

00:26:23.379 --> 00:26:24.660
 It is how we

00:26:24.660 --> 00:26:25.660
 interact with

00:26:25.660 --> 00:26:26.139
 the world.

00:26:28.299 --> 00:26:28.859
 And James is

00:26:28.859 --> 00:26:29.740
 asking us here

00:26:29.740 --> 00:26:31.000
 not to take on

00:26:31.000 --> 00:26:32.440
 the morals and

00:26:32.440 --> 00:26:33.180
 values of this

00:26:33.180 --> 00:26:33.700
 world that

00:26:33.700 --> 00:26:34.340
 are contrary

00:26:34.340 --> 00:26:35.060
 to scripture.

00:26:37.539 --> 00:26:38.500
 James continues

00:26:38.500 --> 00:26:39.100
 to say in

00:26:39.100 --> 00:26:39.820
 verse 21,

00:26:40.180 --> 00:26:40.720
 look there

00:26:40.720 --> 00:26:41.160
 with me,

00:26:41.940 --> 00:26:42.600
 therefore,

00:26:43.240 --> 00:26:43.980
 or in

00:26:43.980 --> 00:26:44.480
 light of all

00:26:44.480 --> 00:26:44.920
 these anger

00:26:44.920 --> 00:26:45.380
 avoidance

00:26:45.380 --> 00:26:45.840
 strategies,

00:26:46.799 --> 00:26:47.980
 get rid of

00:26:47.980 --> 00:26:48.860
 all moral

00:26:48.860 --> 00:26:50.039
 filth and

00:26:50.039 --> 00:26:50.560
 the evil

00:26:50.560 --> 00:26:51.200
 that is so

00:26:51.200 --> 00:26:51.660
 prevalent,

00:26:52.600 --> 00:26:53.299
 and humbly

00:26:53.299 --> 00:26:54.060
 accept the

00:26:54.060 --> 00:26:54.640
 word planted

00:26:54.640 --> 00:26:55.120
 in you,

00:26:55.640 --> 00:26:56.120
 which can

00:26:56.120 --> 00:26:56.840
 save you.

00:26:59.080 --> 00:26:59.460
 And he

00:26:59.460 --> 00:27:00.019
 also calls

00:27:00.019 --> 00:27:00.299
 us in

00:27:00.299 --> 00:27:01.120
 verse 27,

00:27:01.119 --> 00:27:02.299
 to keep

00:27:02.299 --> 00:27:02.759
 ourselves

00:27:02.759 --> 00:27:03.379
 from being

00:27:03.379 --> 00:27:04.299
 polluted by

00:27:04.299 --> 00:27:04.679
 the world.

00:27:05.859 --> 00:27:06.519
 So James

00:27:06.519 --> 00:27:06.939
 says,

00:27:07.379 --> 00:27:08.239
 watch out.

00:27:09.119 --> 00:27:09.819
 Watch out

00:27:09.819 --> 00:27:10.119
 for the

00:27:10.119 --> 00:27:11.279
 twisted morals

00:27:11.279 --> 00:27:12.179
 and the

00:27:12.179 --> 00:27:12.619
 widespread

00:27:12.619 --> 00:27:13.439
 evil that

00:27:13.439 --> 00:27:13.799
 you are

00:27:13.799 --> 00:27:14.399
 seeing and

00:27:14.399 --> 00:27:14.959
 hearing all

00:27:14.959 --> 00:27:15.419
 around you

00:27:15.419 --> 00:27:15.679
 on the

00:27:15.679 --> 00:27:16.079
 radio,

00:27:16.919 --> 00:27:17.119
 in the

00:27:17.119 --> 00:27:17.639
 newspaper,

00:27:18.000 --> 00:27:18.500
 the TV.

00:27:20.559 --> 00:27:21.299
 They don't

00:27:21.299 --> 00:27:21.859
 produce the

00:27:21.859 --> 00:27:22.500
 righteous life

00:27:22.500 --> 00:27:22.859
 that God

00:27:22.859 --> 00:27:23.259
 desires.

00:27:24.599 --> 00:27:25.119
 Don't let

00:27:25.119 --> 00:27:25.399
 them take

00:27:25.399 --> 00:27:25.779
 root in your

00:27:25.779 --> 00:27:27.019
 heart so

00:27:27.019 --> 00:27:27.379
 that they

00:27:27.379 --> 00:27:28.159
 become your

00:27:28.159 --> 00:27:28.599
 morals.

00:27:28.599 --> 00:27:30.879
 And I

00:27:30.879 --> 00:27:31.379
 don't know

00:27:31.379 --> 00:27:32.259
 which ones

00:27:32.259 --> 00:27:32.659
 you are

00:27:32.659 --> 00:27:33.179
 perceptible

00:27:33.179 --> 00:27:33.439
 to,

00:27:33.559 --> 00:27:34.819
 but these

00:27:34.819 --> 00:27:35.000
 are the

00:27:35.000 --> 00:27:35.299
 ones that

00:27:35.299 --> 00:27:35.740
 I seem

00:27:35.740 --> 00:27:36.079
 to be

00:27:36.079 --> 00:27:36.519
 constantly

00:27:36.519 --> 00:27:36.959
 fighting

00:27:36.959 --> 00:27:37.439
 against in

00:27:37.439 --> 00:27:37.759
 my own

00:27:37.759 --> 00:27:38.019
 mind.

00:27:38.519 --> 00:27:39.119
 The morals

00:27:39.119 --> 00:27:40.019
 of pursuing

00:27:40.019 --> 00:27:40.439
 wealth,

00:27:41.619 --> 00:27:42.399
 striving for

00:27:42.399 --> 00:27:43.519
 self-promotion,

00:27:44.019 --> 00:27:44.480
 living for

00:27:44.480 --> 00:27:44.959
 comfort and

00:27:44.959 --> 00:27:45.299
 pleasure,

00:27:45.839 --> 00:27:46.379
 tolerance of

00:27:46.379 --> 00:27:46.839
 every new

00:27:46.839 --> 00:27:47.199
 idea.

00:27:48.980 --> 00:27:49.719
 We need

00:27:49.719 --> 00:27:50.199
 to be careful

00:27:50.199 --> 00:27:50.859
 about this.

00:27:51.599 --> 00:27:51.919
 How are

00:27:51.919 --> 00:27:52.459
 the world's

00:27:52.459 --> 00:27:53.419
 values quietly

00:27:53.419 --> 00:27:54.219
 taking root

00:27:54.219 --> 00:27:54.939
 in our

00:27:54.939 --> 00:27:55.480
 hearts and

00:27:55.480 --> 00:27:55.839
 minds?

00:27:55.839 --> 00:27:58.639
 James has

00:27:58.639 --> 00:27:59.059
 a solution

00:27:59.059 --> 00:27:59.539
 to this.

00:28:00.220 --> 00:28:00.839
 Have a

00:28:00.839 --> 00:28:00.980
 look.

00:28:01.019 --> 00:28:01.179
 It's in

00:28:01.179 --> 00:28:01.519
 the second

00:28:01.519 --> 00:28:02.039
 half of

00:28:02.039 --> 00:28:02.699
 verse 21.

00:28:04.379 --> 00:28:04.899
 He says,

00:28:05.519 --> 00:28:06.059
 Humbly

00:28:06.059 --> 00:28:07.619
 accept the

00:28:07.619 --> 00:28:08.319
 word planted

00:28:08.319 --> 00:28:08.819
 in you,

00:28:08.959 --> 00:28:09.519
 which can

00:28:09.519 --> 00:28:10.079
 save you.

00:28:11.539 --> 00:28:12.199
 The morals

00:28:12.199 --> 00:28:13.119
 and evils

00:28:13.119 --> 00:28:14.279
 in the

00:28:14.279 --> 00:28:14.959
 world today

00:28:14.959 --> 00:28:15.220
 that are

00:28:15.220 --> 00:28:15.599
 widely

00:28:15.599 --> 00:28:16.119
 accepted,

00:28:16.339 --> 00:28:17.119
 they cannot

00:28:17.119 --> 00:28:17.639
 lead us

00:28:17.639 --> 00:28:17.919
 to the

00:28:17.919 --> 00:28:18.859
 truth that

00:28:18.859 --> 00:28:19.439
 will save

00:28:19.439 --> 00:28:19.919
 us.

00:28:20.500 --> 00:28:21.039
 That is

00:28:21.039 --> 00:28:22.099
 the gospel

00:28:22.099 --> 00:28:22.599
 of Jesus

00:28:22.599 --> 00:28:23.279
 Christ who

00:28:23.279 --> 00:28:23.720
 died for

00:28:23.720 --> 00:28:24.000
 us.

00:28:24.000 --> 00:28:25.740
 Now,

00:28:25.799 --> 00:28:26.039
 I'm not

00:28:26.039 --> 00:28:26.519
 saying that

00:28:26.519 --> 00:28:27.880
 when you

00:28:27.880 --> 00:28:28.259
 go home

00:28:28.259 --> 00:28:28.640
 from church

00:28:28.640 --> 00:28:29.180
 this afternoon

00:28:29.180 --> 00:28:29.519
 you're going

00:28:29.519 --> 00:28:29.920
 to rip

00:28:29.920 --> 00:28:30.279
 out that

00:28:30.279 --> 00:28:30.920
 skybox and

00:28:30.920 --> 00:28:31.220
 throw it

00:28:31.220 --> 00:28:31.400
 in the

00:28:31.400 --> 00:28:31.599
 bin,

00:28:32.940 --> 00:28:33.240
 and that

00:28:33.240 --> 00:28:33.519
 you're not

00:28:33.519 --> 00:28:33.720
 going to

00:28:33.720 --> 00:28:33.980
 read the

00:28:33.980 --> 00:28:34.440
 Irish Times

00:28:34.440 --> 00:28:34.859
 anymore,

00:28:35.779 --> 00:28:36.259
 and that

00:28:36.259 --> 00:28:37.099
 you're never

00:28:37.099 --> 00:28:37.299
 going to

00:28:37.299 --> 00:28:37.900
 listen to

00:28:37.900 --> 00:28:38.660
 RT News

00:28:38.660 --> 00:28:39.559
 radio again.

00:28:40.220 --> 00:28:40.480
 No,

00:28:40.539 --> 00:28:40.619
 no,

00:28:40.640 --> 00:28:40.859
 I'm not

00:28:40.859 --> 00:28:41.299
 saying any

00:28:41.299 --> 00:28:41.680
 of that.

00:28:44.539 --> 00:28:45.140
 Our aim

00:28:45.140 --> 00:28:45.519
 is not to

00:28:45.519 --> 00:28:45.819
 prevent

00:28:45.819 --> 00:28:46.279
 ourselves

00:28:46.279 --> 00:28:46.940
 from hearing

00:28:46.940 --> 00:28:48.440
 the voice

00:28:48.440 --> 00:28:48.779
 of the

00:28:48.779 --> 00:28:49.220
 world,

00:28:50.160 --> 00:28:50.940
 but instead

00:28:50.940 --> 00:28:51.880
 to take

00:28:51.880 --> 00:28:52.400
 all that we

00:28:52.400 --> 00:28:52.900
 do here

00:28:52.900 --> 00:28:53.119
 in the

00:28:53.119 --> 00:28:53.460
 world,

00:28:54.000 --> 00:28:54.380
 and put

00:28:54.380 --> 00:28:54.619
 it through

00:28:54.619 --> 00:28:55.279
 the filter

00:28:55.279 --> 00:28:56.240
 of the

00:28:56.240 --> 00:28:56.660
 word,

00:28:57.359 --> 00:28:58.779
 because only

00:28:58.779 --> 00:29:00.240
 here can

00:29:00.240 --> 00:29:00.839
 we discern

00:29:00.839 --> 00:29:01.180
 what is

00:29:01.180 --> 00:29:02.039
 good and

00:29:02.039 --> 00:29:02.380
 true.

00:29:04.819 --> 00:29:06.900
 And when

00:29:06.900 --> 00:29:07.500
 we read

00:29:07.500 --> 00:29:07.960
 what God

00:29:07.960 --> 00:29:08.380
 says to

00:29:08.380 --> 00:29:08.859
 be truth

00:29:08.859 --> 00:29:09.279
 and life

00:29:09.279 --> 00:29:09.539
 and his

00:29:09.539 --> 00:29:09.839
 word,

00:29:10.799 --> 00:29:11.420
 James says

00:29:11.420 --> 00:29:11.700
 that we

00:29:11.700 --> 00:29:12.160
 then have

00:29:12.160 --> 00:29:13.640
 to humbly

00:29:13.640 --> 00:29:14.660
 accept it.

00:29:16.579 --> 00:29:17.359
 This means

00:29:17.359 --> 00:29:17.700
 that we

00:29:17.700 --> 00:29:17.960
 have to

00:29:17.960 --> 00:29:18.400
 humbly

00:29:18.400 --> 00:29:18.859
 acknowledge

00:29:18.859 --> 00:29:19.500
 that the

00:29:19.500 --> 00:29:19.980
 maker of

00:29:19.980 --> 00:29:20.619
 life knows

00:29:20.619 --> 00:29:20.980
 what is

00:29:20.980 --> 00:29:21.599
 truly right

00:29:21.599 --> 00:29:21.920
 and wrong,

00:29:22.160 --> 00:29:22.559
 not us,

00:29:22.559 --> 00:29:23.259
 even

00:29:23.259 --> 00:29:23.659
 though there

00:29:23.659 --> 00:29:23.940
 are many

00:29:23.940 --> 00:29:24.339
 things that

00:29:24.339 --> 00:29:24.599
 are hard

00:29:24.599 --> 00:29:25.159
 to understand.

00:29:26.559 --> 00:29:27.159
 In a

00:29:27.159 --> 00:29:27.619
 world of

00:29:27.619 --> 00:29:28.639
 ever-evolving

00:29:28.639 --> 00:29:29.079
 morals,

00:29:29.940 --> 00:29:30.720
 one thing

00:29:30.720 --> 00:29:31.779
 stands true

00:29:31.779 --> 00:29:33.200
 throughout the

00:29:33.200 --> 00:29:33.460
 ages,

00:29:33.599 --> 00:29:34.079
 immovable,

00:29:34.919 --> 00:29:35.179
 solid,

00:29:35.319 --> 00:29:35.679
 and sure.

00:29:35.799 --> 00:29:36.099
 It's the

00:29:36.099 --> 00:29:36.440
 word of

00:29:36.440 --> 00:29:36.740
 God.

00:29:37.700 --> 00:29:38.019
 And let

00:29:38.019 --> 00:29:38.399
 us cling

00:29:38.399 --> 00:29:38.700
 to it

00:29:38.700 --> 00:29:39.099
 for dear

00:29:39.099 --> 00:29:40.059
 life as

00:29:40.059 --> 00:29:40.619
 we navigate

00:29:40.619 --> 00:29:41.200
 through this

00:29:41.200 --> 00:29:41.819
 broken world.

00:29:43.819 --> 00:29:44.339
 Finally,

00:29:44.579 --> 00:29:45.460
 and briefly,

00:29:45.679 --> 00:29:46.259
 the third

00:29:46.259 --> 00:29:47.200
 implication of

00:29:47.200 --> 00:29:47.559
 being a

00:29:47.559 --> 00:29:47.899
 doer of

00:29:47.900 --> 00:29:48.460
 God's word

00:29:48.460 --> 00:29:50.440
 is in

00:29:50.440 --> 00:29:50.900
 how we

00:29:50.900 --> 00:29:51.400
 serve

00:29:51.400 --> 00:29:51.840
 those in

00:29:51.840 --> 00:29:52.080
 need.

00:29:53.240 --> 00:29:53.680
 Look at

00:29:53.680 --> 00:29:54.280
 verse 27

00:29:54.280 --> 00:29:54.700
 with me.

00:29:57.180 --> 00:29:57.660
 Religion

00:29:57.660 --> 00:29:58.400
 that God

00:29:58.400 --> 00:29:58.820
 our Father

00:29:58.820 --> 00:29:59.900
 accepts as

00:29:59.900 --> 00:30:00.480
 pure and

00:30:00.480 --> 00:30:01.320
 faultless is

00:30:01.320 --> 00:30:01.700
 this,

00:30:02.220 --> 00:30:02.860
 to look

00:30:02.860 --> 00:30:03.800
 after orphans

00:30:03.800 --> 00:30:04.340
 and widows

00:30:04.340 --> 00:30:04.620
 in their

00:30:04.620 --> 00:30:05.080
 distress,

00:30:05.740 --> 00:30:06.040
 and to

00:30:06.040 --> 00:30:06.700
 keep oneself

00:30:06.700 --> 00:30:07.340
 from being

00:30:07.340 --> 00:30:07.840
 polluted by

00:30:07.840 --> 00:30:08.240
 the world.

00:30:10.920 --> 00:30:11.640
 So after

00:30:11.640 --> 00:30:12.440
 telling us

00:30:12.440 --> 00:30:13.960
 how worthless

00:30:13.960 --> 00:30:14.720
 our devotion

00:30:14.720 --> 00:30:15.140
 to God

00:30:15.140 --> 00:30:15.500
 is,

00:30:15.540 --> 00:30:15.820
 if we

00:30:15.820 --> 00:30:16.200
 fail to

00:30:16.200 --> 00:30:16.620
 put God's

00:30:16.620 --> 00:30:16.940
 word into

00:30:16.940 --> 00:30:17.400
 practice in

00:30:17.400 --> 00:30:17.680
 our lives,

00:30:18.200 --> 00:30:18.660
 James now

00:30:18.660 --> 00:30:19.040
 gives us an

00:30:19.040 --> 00:30:19.440
 example of

00:30:19.440 --> 00:30:19.840
 the opposite

00:30:19.840 --> 00:30:20.440
 as such.

00:30:21.820 --> 00:30:22.360
 This is the

00:30:22.360 --> 00:30:22.640
 type of

00:30:22.640 --> 00:30:23.220
 devotion that

00:30:23.220 --> 00:30:23.980
 puts his

00:30:23.980 --> 00:30:24.340
 word into

00:30:24.340 --> 00:30:24.860
 practice,

00:30:25.440 --> 00:30:26.580
 and is

00:30:26.580 --> 00:30:27.660
 entirely pure

00:30:27.660 --> 00:30:28.220
 and worthwhile.

00:30:29.120 --> 00:30:29.660
 This is the

00:30:29.660 --> 00:30:30.040
 type of

00:30:30.040 --> 00:30:30.680
 devotion that

00:30:30.680 --> 00:30:30.980
 gives him

00:30:30.980 --> 00:30:31.320
 pleasure.

00:30:31.580 --> 00:30:32.120
 So let's

00:30:32.120 --> 00:30:32.519
 look at his

00:30:32.519 --> 00:30:33.100
 example where

00:30:33.100 --> 00:30:33.480
 he studied

00:30:33.480 --> 00:30:33.720
 this.

00:30:33.780 --> 00:30:34.140
 He says,

00:30:34.700 --> 00:30:35.100
 we must

00:30:35.100 --> 00:30:35.920
 look after

00:30:35.920 --> 00:30:37.220
 orphans and

00:30:37.220 --> 00:30:37.660
 widows in

00:30:37.660 --> 00:30:38.100
 distress.

00:30:40.060 --> 00:30:40.240
 You know

00:30:40.240 --> 00:30:40.640
 what James

00:30:40.640 --> 00:30:40.920
 says?

00:30:41.120 --> 00:30:41.880
 If we're

00:30:41.880 --> 00:30:42.380
 followers of

00:30:42.380 --> 00:30:42.700
 Jesus,

00:30:43.780 --> 00:30:44.519
 we must

00:30:44.519 --> 00:30:45.540
 follow Jesus'

00:30:46.259 --> 00:30:47.220
 footsteps to

00:30:47.220 --> 00:30:48.079
 the homes of

00:30:48.079 --> 00:30:48.600
 the broken,

00:30:48.759 --> 00:30:49.240
 the weary,

00:30:49.339 --> 00:30:50.079
 the downcast,

00:30:50.559 --> 00:30:51.420
 those who in

00:30:51.420 --> 00:30:51.980
 our day are

00:30:51.980 --> 00:30:52.880
 left behind by

00:30:52.880 --> 00:30:53.440
 society.

00:30:55.700 --> 00:30:56.019
 And the

00:30:56.019 --> 00:30:56.480
 question must

00:30:56.480 --> 00:30:56.839
 be asked,

00:30:56.900 --> 00:30:57.740
 if I am so

00:30:57.740 --> 00:30:58.360
 caught up in

00:30:58.360 --> 00:30:59.180
 my busy life,

00:30:59.339 --> 00:30:59.880
 my family,

00:31:00.420 --> 00:31:00.880
 my close

00:31:00.880 --> 00:31:01.420
 circle of

00:31:01.420 --> 00:31:01.860
 friends,

00:31:02.600 --> 00:31:03.180
 but cannot

00:31:03.180 --> 00:31:04.120
 look outside of

00:31:04.120 --> 00:31:04.740
 that bubble of

00:31:04.740 --> 00:31:05.420
 mine to see a

00:31:05.420 --> 00:31:05.799
 broken,

00:31:06.059 --> 00:31:06.660
 needy world,

00:31:06.940 --> 00:31:07.620
 then how can I

00:31:07.620 --> 00:31:08.539
 claim to obey

00:31:08.539 --> 00:31:10.220
 Jesus when he

00:31:10.220 --> 00:31:10.700
 says in

00:31:10.700 --> 00:31:11.480
 Matthew 25,

00:31:11.779 --> 00:31:12.240
 and it's on the

00:31:12.240 --> 00:31:12.720
 board here,

00:31:12.720 --> 00:31:14.980
 whatever you

00:31:14.980 --> 00:31:15.620
 did for the

00:31:15.620 --> 00:31:16.039
 least of

00:31:16.039 --> 00:31:16.380
 these,

00:31:16.759 --> 00:31:17.279
 you did for

00:31:17.279 --> 00:31:17.539
 me.

00:31:18.539 --> 00:31:19.059
 For I was

00:31:19.059 --> 00:31:19.440
 hungry,

00:31:19.880 --> 00:31:20.319
 you gave me

00:31:20.319 --> 00:31:20.779
 something to

00:31:20.779 --> 00:31:21.000
 eat.

00:31:21.120 --> 00:31:21.900
 I was thirsty,

00:31:22.019 --> 00:31:22.339
 and you gave

00:31:22.339 --> 00:31:22.839
 me something to

00:31:22.839 --> 00:31:23.079
 drink.

00:31:23.380 --> 00:31:23.819
 I was a

00:31:23.819 --> 00:31:24.200
 stranger,

00:31:24.319 --> 00:31:24.480
 and you

00:31:24.480 --> 00:31:24.920
 invited me

00:31:24.920 --> 00:31:25.120
 in.

00:31:25.640 --> 00:31:26.140
 I needed

00:31:26.140 --> 00:31:26.660
 clothes,

00:31:26.759 --> 00:31:27.000
 and you

00:31:27.000 --> 00:31:28.240
 clothed me.

00:31:28.579 --> 00:31:29.339
 I was sick,

00:31:29.700 --> 00:31:29.819
 and you

00:31:29.819 --> 00:31:30.380
 looked after

00:31:30.380 --> 00:31:30.620
 me.

00:31:30.900 --> 00:31:31.339
 I was in

00:31:31.339 --> 00:31:31.740
 prison,

00:31:32.220 --> 00:31:32.519
 and you

00:31:32.519 --> 00:31:32.900
 came to

00:31:32.900 --> 00:31:33.480
 visit me.

00:31:35.100 --> 00:31:35.740
 This was

00:31:35.740 --> 00:31:36.059
 Jesus'

00:31:36.259 --> 00:31:36.720
 approach to

00:31:36.720 --> 00:31:37.360
 serving others.

00:31:38.059 --> 00:31:38.579
 He says,

00:31:39.100 --> 00:31:39.660
 go out,

00:31:39.660 --> 00:31:41.560
 find the

00:31:41.560 --> 00:31:42.440
 lowest of

00:31:42.440 --> 00:31:42.880
 the low,

00:31:43.360 --> 00:31:43.880
 and meet

00:31:43.880 --> 00:31:44.380
 their needs

00:31:44.380 --> 00:31:45.240
 in my name,

00:31:45.480 --> 00:31:45.860
 for my

00:31:45.860 --> 00:31:46.259
 sake.

00:31:47.420 --> 00:31:48.080
 Whatever you

00:31:48.080 --> 00:31:48.660
 do for them,

00:31:49.200 --> 00:31:49.779
 you're doing

00:31:49.779 --> 00:31:50.220
 for me.

00:31:53.400 --> 00:31:54.200
 I have to

00:31:54.200 --> 00:31:54.380
 admit,

00:31:54.460 --> 00:31:54.779
 this has been

00:31:54.779 --> 00:31:55.180
 a huge

00:31:55.180 --> 00:31:56.000
 challenge to

00:31:56.000 --> 00:31:56.380
 me this

00:31:56.380 --> 00:31:56.640
 week,

00:31:56.800 --> 00:31:57.340
 in my own

00:31:57.340 --> 00:31:58.040
 application of

00:31:58.040 --> 00:31:58.420
 these words

00:31:58.420 --> 00:31:59.220
 to my life.

00:32:00.580 --> 00:32:01.380
 As I think,

00:32:01.580 --> 00:32:01.980
 well, do I

00:32:01.980 --> 00:32:02.800
 actually have

00:32:02.800 --> 00:32:04.019
 time for

00:32:04.019 --> 00:32:04.360
 those who

00:32:04.360 --> 00:32:04.920
 are suffering?

00:32:05.740 --> 00:32:06.779
 The orphans,

00:32:07.500 --> 00:32:08.180
 the widows,

00:32:08.759 --> 00:32:09.460
 the sick,

00:32:09.660 --> 00:32:10.720
 the elderly,

00:32:10.940 --> 00:32:11.440
 the weary,

00:32:11.800 --> 00:32:12.360
 the mourning.

00:32:14.320 --> 00:32:14.960
 Are you and

00:32:14.960 --> 00:32:15.940
 I giving

00:32:15.940 --> 00:32:17.259
 freely out of

00:32:17.259 --> 00:32:17.960
 the abundance

00:32:17.960 --> 00:32:18.519
 that we have

00:32:18.519 --> 00:32:19.180
 received from

00:32:19.180 --> 00:32:19.660
 the Father?

00:32:20.860 --> 00:32:21.740
 To be a

00:32:21.740 --> 00:32:22.240
 doer of the

00:32:22.240 --> 00:32:23.560
 word, we

00:32:23.560 --> 00:32:23.980
 need to be

00:32:23.980 --> 00:32:25.240
 actively seeking

00:32:25.240 --> 00:32:26.060
 out opportunities

00:32:26.060 --> 00:32:26.860
 to do this.

00:32:27.840 --> 00:32:28.220
 And this

00:32:28.220 --> 00:32:29.300
 requires serious

00:32:29.300 --> 00:32:29.779
 action.

00:32:31.759 --> 00:32:32.040
 In

00:32:32.040 --> 00:32:32.420
 finishing,

00:32:33.019 --> 00:32:33.519
 let me just

00:32:33.519 --> 00:32:34.060
 summarize what

00:32:34.060 --> 00:32:34.560
 we've learned

00:32:34.560 --> 00:32:35.759
 from God's

00:32:35.759 --> 00:32:36.259
 word today.

00:32:37.940 --> 00:32:38.700
 Let us

00:32:38.700 --> 00:32:39.300
 not just

00:32:39.299 --> 00:32:39.839
 listen to

00:32:39.839 --> 00:32:40.220
 the word,

00:32:40.940 --> 00:32:41.419
 and like a

00:32:41.419 --> 00:32:41.799
 man who

00:32:41.799 --> 00:32:42.440
 walks away

00:32:42.440 --> 00:32:42.799
 from the

00:32:42.799 --> 00:32:43.019
 mirror,

00:32:43.359 --> 00:32:43.599
 forget

00:32:43.599 --> 00:32:44.339
 everything we

00:32:44.339 --> 00:32:44.759
 have heard.

00:32:45.579 --> 00:32:46.019
 Instead,

00:32:46.119 --> 00:32:46.659
 let us look

00:32:46.659 --> 00:32:47.919
 intently and

00:32:47.919 --> 00:32:48.940
 continually into

00:32:48.940 --> 00:32:49.399
 the word,

00:32:50.339 --> 00:32:50.919
 not forgetting

00:32:50.919 --> 00:32:51.399
 what we have

00:32:51.399 --> 00:32:52.119
 heard, but

00:32:52.119 --> 00:32:52.619
 doing it,

00:32:53.619 --> 00:32:54.039
 and in

00:32:54.039 --> 00:32:54.480
 turn,

00:32:55.079 --> 00:32:55.919
 experiencing

00:32:55.919 --> 00:32:57.180
 the blessedness

00:32:57.180 --> 00:32:57.720
 that comes,

00:32:58.019 --> 00:32:58.480
 not from

00:32:58.480 --> 00:32:59.399
 conforming to

00:32:59.399 --> 00:33:00.119
 the world,

00:33:01.339 --> 00:33:01.919
 but from

00:33:01.919 --> 00:33:02.539
 acting on

00:33:02.539 --> 00:33:03.059
 every word

00:33:03.059 --> 00:33:03.579
 of God.

00:33:03.579 --> 00:33:05.199
 let us

00:33:05.199 --> 00:33:05.659
 listen,

00:33:06.220 --> 00:33:06.779
 wait,

00:33:07.279 --> 00:33:08.159
 and respond

00:33:08.159 --> 00:33:08.960
 with grace

00:33:08.960 --> 00:33:09.299
 when we

00:33:09.299 --> 00:33:09.639
 speak.

00:33:10.059 --> 00:33:10.399
 Let us

00:33:10.399 --> 00:33:10.839
 put everything

00:33:10.839 --> 00:33:11.460
 we hear in

00:33:11.460 --> 00:33:11.960
 the world

00:33:11.960 --> 00:33:12.740
 through the

00:33:12.740 --> 00:33:13.220
 filter of

00:33:13.220 --> 00:33:13.720
 the word,

00:33:14.059 --> 00:33:15.519
 and let us

00:33:15.519 --> 00:33:16.319
 reach out in

00:33:16.319 --> 00:33:17.079
 love to

00:33:17.079 --> 00:33:17.659
 those who

00:33:17.659 --> 00:33:18.139
 are in need

00:33:18.139 --> 00:33:18.720
 around us.

00:33:19.859 --> 00:33:20.439
 Let's be

00:33:20.439 --> 00:33:21.000
 doers of the

00:33:21.000 --> 00:33:21.359
 word,

00:33:22.359 --> 00:33:22.480
 in

00:33:22.480 --> 00:33:23.259
 carigaline

00:33:23.259 --> 00:33:24.179
 and around.

00:33:25.240 --> 00:33:25.699
 Let's be

00:33:25.699 --> 00:33:26.419
 like trees

00:33:26.419 --> 00:33:27.679
 planted by

00:33:27.679 --> 00:33:28.319
 streams of

00:33:28.319 --> 00:33:28.639
 water,

00:33:28.640 --> 00:33:29.460
 which yield

00:33:29.460 --> 00:33:29.940
 its fruit

00:33:29.940 --> 00:33:30.480
 in season,

00:33:31.420 --> 00:33:31.800
 and whose

00:33:31.800 --> 00:33:33.100
 leaves do

00:33:33.100 --> 00:33:33.720
 not wither,

00:33:34.440 --> 00:33:35.140
 whatever they

00:33:35.140 --> 00:33:35.940
 do prospers.

00:33:37.980 --> 00:33:38.460
 Amen.

00:33:42.460 --> 00:33:43.160
 I think

00:33:43.160 --> 00:33:43.360
 that we

00:33:43.360 --> 00:33:43.920
 should take

00:33:43.920 --> 00:33:44.400
 a practical

00:33:44.400 --> 00:33:45.000
 step right

00:33:45.000 --> 00:33:46.600
 now to

00:33:46.600 --> 00:33:46.920
 do what

00:33:46.920 --> 00:33:47.360
 we've heard

00:33:47.360 --> 00:33:47.580
 in the

00:33:47.580 --> 00:33:48.080
 word today,

00:33:48.200 --> 00:33:48.560
 so I'm

00:33:48.560 --> 00:33:48.800
 just going

00:33:48.800 --> 00:33:49.120
 to leave

00:33:49.120 --> 00:33:49.480
 a time

00:33:49.480 --> 00:33:50.100
 of reflection

00:33:50.100 --> 00:33:52.160
 for all

00:33:52.160 --> 00:33:52.700
 of us

00:33:52.700 --> 00:33:53.440
 to talk

00:33:53.440 --> 00:33:53.720
 to the

00:33:53.720 --> 00:33:54.840
 Lord and

00:33:54.840 --> 00:33:55.280
 to ask

00:33:55.280 --> 00:33:55.640
 him what

00:33:55.640 --> 00:33:55.880
 do we

00:33:55.880 --> 00:33:56.160
 need to

00:33:56.160 --> 00:33:56.520
 change in

00:33:56.520 --> 00:33:56.860
 our lives

00:33:56.860 --> 00:33:57.360
 as a result

00:33:57.360 --> 00:33:57.840
 of this.

00:33:59.160 --> 00:33:59.720
 So I'm

00:33:59.720 --> 00:33:59.860
 going to

00:33:59.860 --> 00:34:00.200
 play a

00:34:00.200 --> 00:34:00.560
 song in

00:34:00.560 --> 00:34:00.640
 the

00:34:00.640 --> 00:34:00.960
 background.

00:34:01.120 --> 00:34:01.320
 If you

00:34:01.320 --> 00:34:01.620
 know it,

00:34:01.660 --> 00:34:02.080
 feel free

00:34:02.080 --> 00:34:02.500
 to join

00:34:02.500 --> 00:34:03.400
 in and

00:34:03.400 --> 00:34:03.680
 sing,

00:34:03.800 --> 00:34:04.000
 but you

00:34:04.000 --> 00:34:04.700
 can just

00:34:04.700 --> 00:34:05.060
 stay in

00:34:05.060 --> 00:34:05.520
 your seats

00:34:05.520 --> 00:34:06.800
 and meditate

00:34:06.800 --> 00:34:08.460
 and really

00:34:08.460 --> 00:34:09.039
 ask the

00:34:09.039 --> 00:34:11.099
 Lord where

00:34:11.099 --> 00:34:11.680
 to go from

00:34:11.680 --> 00:34:11.960
 here.

00:34:15.039 --> 00:34:15.740
 So Lord,

00:34:15.840 --> 00:34:16.220
 we just

00:34:16.220 --> 00:34:16.740
 ask for

00:34:16.740 --> 00:34:17.160
 your help

00:34:17.160 --> 00:34:17.440
 now.

00:34:19.160 --> 00:34:19.820
 We ask

00:34:19.820 --> 00:34:20.000
 for your

00:34:20.000 --> 00:34:20.400
 help not

00:34:20.400 --> 00:34:20.840
 just to

00:34:20.840 --> 00:34:21.260
 listen to

00:34:21.260 --> 00:34:21.660
 your word,

00:34:21.860 --> 00:34:22.240
 but to

00:34:22.240 --> 00:34:22.519
 do what

00:34:22.519 --> 00:34:22.920
 it says.

00:34:24.760 --> 00:34:25.180
 Right

00:34:25.180 --> 00:34:25.420
 now,

00:34:25.480 --> 00:34:26.220
 Holy Spirit,

00:34:27.460 --> 00:34:28.059
 please show

00:34:28.059 --> 00:34:28.360
 us what

00:34:28.360 --> 00:34:28.619
 needs to

00:34:28.619 --> 00:34:29.139
 be changed

00:34:29.139 --> 00:34:29.519
 in our

00:34:29.519 --> 00:34:29.779
 lives.

00:34:31.619 --> 00:34:32.219
 We ask

00:34:32.219 --> 00:34:32.440
 for your

00:34:32.440 --> 00:34:32.880
 power to

00:34:32.880 --> 00:34:36.039
 change and

00:34:36.039 --> 00:34:36.500
 to become

00:34:36.500 --> 00:34:36.940
 more like

00:34:36.940 --> 00:34:37.319
 Christ.

00:34:39.739 --> 00:34:40.179
 Amen.