Title [Text: James 1:21-25]
Last time I was told what to do quickly and what to do slowly. I have been told that we should be quick to listen and slow to speak and become angry. Today, I would like to receive grace by introducing the following sermon under the title, “What to give up and what to receive.”
1. Christians must resolutely give up what they throw away.
2. Christians have something to receive.
“Receive with meekness the sown in your heart, which is able to save your souls.” If you throw it away, you have to take it and fill the void. Then you can lead a balanced Christian life.
① You must receive the Way planted in your heart with meekness. The Tao is the Word of God. It is a blessing to receive this sown word. The Word, that is, the Tao, does not appear as a power to everyone who hears it. It appears only to those who accept it by faith. Meekness means tenderness. It is not hard like a roadside or a rocky field. Nor is it a rough land overgrown with thorns. It points to octopus. Our hearts must always be fertile. When the word of God is planted in your heart, you must say Amen and receive it. When you do that, these words will bear fruit.
② That way has the power to save souls. The soul feeds on the Word. If the Word is not supplied, the soul will starve, get sick and die. I hope you don't take your word for granted. Faith comes from hearing. Hearing is the word of God. A precious part to us is the soul. No matter how well you feed the meat, the days of old age and sickness will come. Eventually you will die. The soul exists forever. Wouldn't it be great if you could live happily ever after in heaven? I hope you will remember that all these benefits are given through the Word.
③ Turn must be executed. “Be ye doers of the Way, and not hearers only, receiving yourselves” (22) and “If anyone hears the Way and does not do it, he is like one who sees his own face in a mirror.” He also said, “He who is looking into the perfect law of liberty is not the one who hears it and forgets it, but the one who puts it into practice, and this man will be blessed in what he does.” The emphasis of the book of James is on the living of the Word. Those who hear the Word and do not put it into practice are receiving themselves. They can never be blessed. The soul cannot be strong. You cannot get salvation. Always remember that those who hear the word are blessed and those who read it are blessed, but those who put it into practice are even more blessed. Now let's close the talk. There are some of us who are unable to gain the new person because we cannot give up what we should throw away. I hope you will cast off all filthiness and overflowing evil and live by the Word. The soul will prosper, and the blessings will be given to them in all things.