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CENTRAL Belfast

Life Together - 2. Hearing & Doing

·28 min·2 clips
Are you a good listener, what's your memory like, and does your religion pass muster with God?
The episode is a sermon delivered at Central Belfast, part of a series on 'Life Together' examining the book of James. The speaker opens by introducing three guiding questions: Are you a good listener? What's your memory like? Does your religion pass muster with God? These questions frame the exploration of James 1:19-27, which the speaker describes as a tough and demanding passage that calls for immediate action rather than mere reflection. The scripture is read twice, in different translations, to highlight its blunt message about being quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger. The speaker shares personal struggles with the passage's directness, noting its lack of gentleness. The discussion then breaks down each question, starting with listening, where James's definition is contrasted with common perceptions—emphasizing that listening must lead to transformative action. The memory question is illustrated with a memory game and a story about a family cutting ham ends out of tradition rather than reason, underscoring how people often copy without understanding. The final question addresses religious authenticity, defining true religion as caring for orphans and widows and guarding against worldly corruption. The speaker urges tangible actions like helping charities or talking to trusted friends for accountability. The sermon emphasizes that James's letter is corporate, calling the entire community to action, and concludes with a prayer for the church to be marked by doing, not just being. The format is a solo sermon with interactive elements, grounded in biblical exegesis and practical application.

As heard by us

A practical sermon on James 1:19-27 that asks whether heard faith becomes lived obedience.

James 1:19-27 is treated here as a plain test of Christian practice: listen carefully, remember what has been heard, and ask whether religion stands before God as more than words.

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Why you'd press play

You want James 1:19-27 turned into a clear test of whether you listen, remember, and actually do what you have heard, with a memory game along the way.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →
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