Seed Faith For Seekers 12, Self-Examination

We have talked about… Perseverance Putting off and on Selflessness Our relationship with the world The church What I need from it What it needs from me Excelling at basics Who we really are Emotions Contentment

[Jas 1:22-25 ESV] 22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

[Jas 1:22-25 ESV] 22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. v. 22, encouragement to avoid self deceit

[Jas 1:22-25 ESV] 22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. v. 22, encouragement to avoid self deceit v. 23-24, mirror provided to view self

[Jas 1:22-25 ESV] 22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. v. 22, encouragement to avoid self deceit v. 23-24, mirror provided to view self v. 25, act on what’s seen and receive blessing

But, Self-Examination is Difficult Spiritual growth takes effort For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. 1 Tim. 4:10

But, Self-Examination is Difficult Spiritual growth takes effort Facing correction is hard [2Co 7:10 ESV] 10 For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.

But, Self-Examination is Difficult Spiritual growth takes effort Facing correction is hard Emotional blind spots fool us [Jer 17:9 ESV] 9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?

But, Self-Examination is Difficult Spiritual growth takes effort Facing correction is hard Emotional blind spots fool us Desires fight against the word [Mar 4:19 ESV] 19 but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. [Gal 5:16 ESV] 16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

But, Self-Examination is Difficult Spiritual growth takes effort Facing correction is hard Emotional blind spots fool us Desires fight against the word Pride trips us up [Pro 29:23 ESV] 23 One's pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.

We are given tools for honest self-examination The word of God [Heb 4:12 ESV] 12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart It is always right It is sharp and discerning It is active It is living

We are given tools for honest self-examination The word of God Other people From rebuke, as commanded [Gal 6:1 ESV] 1 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.

We are given tools for honest self-examination The word of God Other people From rebuke, as commanded From good examples [1Co 11:1 ESV] 1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. [Phl 2:4-5 ESV] 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,

We are given tools for honest self-examination The word of God Other people From rebuke, as commanded From good examples From others mistakes [1Co 10:11-12 ESV] 11 Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. 12 Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.

We are given tools for honest self-examination The word of God Other people From rebuke, as commanded From good examples From others mistakes From those failing to endure [2Ti 4:3-4 ESV] 3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

After the mirror comes the time for action [Heb 6:1-3 ESV] 1 Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And this we will do if God permits.

After the mirror comes the time for action [1Ti 4:12 ESV] 12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

After the mirror comes the time for action [1Ti 4:12 ESV] 12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Hateful? Critical? Harsh? Condemning?

After the mirror comes the time for action [1Ti 4:12 ESV] 12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Works of service? Edifying? Encouraging?

After the mirror comes the time for action [1Ti 4:12 ESV] 12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Acts of kindness? Gentleness? Teaching?

After the mirror comes the time for action [1Ti 4:12 ESV] 12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Life of worship? Commitment? Sacrifice?

After the mirror comes the time for action [1Ti 4:12 ESV] 12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Cleanliness... In heart, mind, action By definition, esp. chaste

After the mirror comes the time for action Does your faith have works? James 2 Are you still teachable? Heb. 5:11-14 Is sacrifice still a “reasonable service”? Rom. 12:1 What is the action item in your mirror?