James - Quick to Hear

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger - James 1:19

-THIS SUNDAY'S TEXT-

Quick to Hear

In preparation for this coming Sunday’s sermon, read James 1:18-21. In verse 19, we come across some instruction that Christian community has become quite familiar with. It reads, …let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger. The very next verse tells us why – for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

We live in such a noisy world: A stationary TV or radio is no longer enough. We have to have movies, videos, music, podcasts, tiktocs, and news with us at all times; we have these on our phones, and they are with us where ever we go. We watch a show on TV, while at the same time, we watch a video or tiktoc on our phone, and depending on your settings, your phone is constantly giving you notifications – you have an email; you have a call; you have a text; someone has messaged you; someone liked your post; you have an appointment; you have a pickup at Walmart or the pharmacy – ding, ding, ding, ding, ding. Frantically we ask - was that your phone or mine? We get in a vehicle and immediately the urge hits - we turn on the radio for us, a video for the kids, or we hand them some kind of gaming device and headphones. Silence is not normal. The quiet makes us uncomfortable. We hear a lot in our world today, but do we hear that which truly matters?

What is it that James is encouraging us to be quick to hear? I believe the answer is found in verses 18 and 21. Read these verses to find the answer. Verses 22 and 23 also reveal the answer.

Answer – the word of truth, the implanted word, the word, God!

-Consider and Meditate-

Jesus has much to say in the gospels about "hearing". Take a quick walk through Luke:

Luke 6:46-49 Luke 8:9-15 Luke 9:35-36 Luke 10:38-42 Luke 11:27-28

Do you truly treasure the word of God? How quick are you to hear the word of God? Does hearing the word of God take priority in your life? What does it look like to be still and know God?
What this look like in your life?

PRAYER & THANKSGIVING

Thank God for His faithful, powerful Word.

PRAY: God may you stir up in our hearts a love for You and Your Word, a hunger for the Word of Truth. God, let Your Word distract us from the world in which we live and from all of its problems. God, let Your Word dominate our minds and hearts. May Your Word have priority in our lives.

Sunday School Reboot

We have started back Sunday School. Pray and contact one of the leaders below to ask questions and sign up for a SS Class. The following are opportunities to gather and grow in fellowship & faith in Christ:

After Service

Encouragers SS Class In the Sanctuary contact: Mendel Hughes 870-404-7049

Will van der Hoeven' Class Lobby Class Room and Zoom A Study of Isaiah contact: Will van der Hoeven 512-636-3821

Wirt McKee's Class Zoom only Diving Deeper into Sermon contact: Wirt Mckee 870-404-5398

There will also be Sunday School for both children and youth during the Sunday school hour. For children, contact: Luke Humphries 870-510-7573

For youth, contact: Eric Smeltzer 870-421-4341

Life Groups

There are two different Life Groups that meet on Monday evenings:

contact: Russel Tucker 870-350-0809 contact: Nathan Jackson 970-301-1676