Hearing the Implanted Word unto the Righteousness of God - a podcast by Rev. W. Reid Hankins

Sermon preached on James 1:19-21 by Rev. W. Reid Hankins during the Morning Worship Service at Trinity Presbyterian Church (OPC) on 02/07/2021 in Novato, CA.















Sermon Manuscript







Our passage for today marks a bit of a transition in the book of James. So far, the chapter had largely been instructing how our faith ought to think amidst the trials and temptations of life. Now James begins to address how our faith should be lived out in the face of some specific trials and temptations. Here we see James address temptations to sinful speech and sinful anger, both which are topics he will delve into more deeply as we work through the book. Surely James has in mind here a connection between sinful speech and sinful anger to the people that he is writing. I say that, because later in this letter he’ll address the conflicts that existing among them and how some of them had been speaking ill of their brothers in Christ. In contrast to these temptations, James then calls their faith to look what God’s Word has to say to them and to seek instead the righteousness of God instead of giving in to these temptations. May we too take these truths to heart today for these are very relevant topics still today and ripe for application.







Our passage’s three verses naturally form three points for our sermon. So let us begin by looking at verse 19. There we find James presenting contrasting exhortations: something we are to be quick to do and two things we are to be slow to do. We are to be quick to hear. We are to be slow to speak and slow to anger.







Quick to hear. The concept of being quick to listen is literally proverbial wisdom. A brief review of listening in the book of Proverbs tells us several things we need to be quick to listen to. Proverbs 1:27 says that we need to be people who listen to wisdom. Proverbs 5:13 commends listening to our teachers and instructors. Proverbs 13:1 calls a son to listen to his father’s instruction. Proverbs 19:20 says that we should listen to advice and counsel. Those are just a few references.







And of course, in the context of conflict with others, being quick to listen goes a long way in either resolving a conflict or preventing one in the first place. When we are in a quarrel, too often we can not carefully listen to what the other person is saying. In doing so, we can fail to properly appreciate their position and perspective. We can be more inclined to impugn their motives or simply misunderstand them. Listening careful to someone is imperative for peace among people.







And in the most immediate context of our passage, we see that we need to be quick to hearing the word of God. Last week’s passage spoke about how we Christians have been born again by the Word of God, verse 18. Then today’s passage ends in verse 21 calling us to receive the word that has been implanted to us. We need to be hearing and listening to God’s Word. The next passage will take that one step further, even, and say not only do we need to hear God’s Word, but we also need to do God’s Word. But for today, let’s not miss this lesson: that we need to be quick to hear it. We need to be quick to be giving attention to what God is saying to us. His word directs us how to think and live amidst the temptations and trials of life.







Slow to speak. The concept of being slow to speak is also proverbial wisdom. Proverbs 10:19, “When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.” Prov. 17:28, “Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.” If you speak before you listen, you are surely going to get yourself in trouble. And when you are quick to spout something off you also run the risk of saying something you shouldn’t.

Further episodes of Reformed Sermons and Sunday Schools at Trinity Presbyterian Church (OPC) in Petaluma, CA

Further podcasts by Rev. W. Reid Hankins

Website of Rev. W. Reid Hankins