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Bridgebuilders— A Series on Unity
Today’s Big Question: Why do Christians disagree, even though we love the same God and read the same Bible?
Today’s Main Passage: James 1:19-27
22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. James 1:22-25
Key Principle from James 1:22-25: Every Christian is expected to hear the Word of God, study it intently, and follow through with obedience.
1. Knowledge: “Listen” (v. 22a) / “Looks intently” (v. 25a)
2. Application: “Do what it says” (v. 22b) / “Doing it” (v. 25b)
Applications for Unity:
1. It’s easy to get frustrated with other Christians when they don’t read it and apply it the same way we do.
2. When we don’t understand the logic of another Christian’s theology, we tend to question their character or motives.
Example 1: “The only reason you want to have a worship band at church is because you care more about entertaining people than preaching the Gospel.”
Example 2: “The only reason you’re against women praying in church is because you care more about traditions than listening to the Spirit.”
Reflection Question: How can we have healthier conversations about tough Scriptural topics? And how can we develop a better understanding about why Christians disagree?
Practical Teaching in James 1:19-27
19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. James 1:19-21
26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:26-27
Key Point: Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.
“Being heard is so close to being loved that for the average person, they are almost indistinguishable.” David Augsberger
The Theological Rationale for These Commands
- James 1:20 — “Human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.”
- James 1:26 — Our religion becomes “worthless” when lose control of our tongues.
- James 1:25 — Those who know and follow through on the Word are the ones who live under God’s blessing.
Two Reasons Why Christians Disagree
The first reason Godly, intelligent, and sincere Christians disagree about what the Bible teaches is that they often start with different assumptions about how to read the Bible.
The second reason Godly, intelligent, and sincere Christians disagree is that they have different ways of harmonizing tough passages. The place you “park your theology” is your spiritual anchor, and everything else gets interpreted around that key passage or principle.
When another Christian disagrees with me…
1. Is it because I love God and they don’t?
2. Is it because I’ve read the Bible cover to cover and they haven’t?
3. Is it because I’m being reasonable and they’e being obstinate?
4. Is it because I’m good and they’re evil?
5. Or is it possible that we’re both honest, sincere, faithful Christians who nevertheless have different ways of reading Scripture, different spiritual anchors, and different assumptions about the nature of Scripture?
What’s the “Win”? Sometimes, the “Win” isn’t getting everyone agree on every single point of Scripture, it’s getting people to respect the intellectual and spiritual journey that their brothers and sisters have taken, and affirm that their motives and good and pure, even if they’ve landed in different places theologically.
Three Key Commitments In Our Study of the Word
God still expects us to be faithful students of the Word and to do everything we can to study it and apply it accurately.
1. Pray for Wisdom.
“5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” James 1:5-6
2. Study it Personally
“Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” Acts 17:11
3. Read it in Community
“Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked. 31 “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. Acts 8:30-31
Final Blessing
I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4 (NIV)
During the invitation song, you may come forward to…
1. Commit Your life to Christ
2. Pray About a Difficult Situation
3. Talk About Baptism or Next Steps
Tap here to Respond to today’s message
Questions? Contact Bryan: (609) 356-3147 or bfojtasek@westsidelife.org.
Church of the Week: Fellowship Baptist Church