Quick to Listen, Slow to Speak, Slow to Become Angry

In one paragraph

Brad opened James 1:19-20 and pressed the congregation not to treat a clear biblical command as mere friendly advice. Being quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry is not a personality preference or a self-improvement tip. It is instruction on how to live in light of the gospel, and it calls for the kind of transformation that only comes from a changed heart. Brad's first move was...

Read together

1. Psalm 103 opening call to worship, bless the Lord oh my soul
2. James 1:19-20 the main text of the sermon, quick to listen slow to speak slow to become angry
3. Matthew 7 wise man building house on the rock, introduced before the offering song
4. Exodus 34 God describing his own name to Moses, slow to anger abounding in faithfulness
5. Matthew 21 Jesus cleansing the temple from money changers
6. Ephesians 6 putting on the full armor of God before the battle
7. Romans 5 we are saved while we are still enemies of God
8. James 3 referenced alongside James 1:19 regarding the tongue not being God honoring
9. Ecclesiastes 5 God is in heaven and you are on earth so let your words be few
10. 1 Peter 2 Peter describing Christ not insulting in return while suffering on the cross
11. John 3 Jesus telling Nicodemus you must be born again
12. 2 Timothy 2 your life is no longer your own, cited among several passages on purpose
13. Romans 12 cited among passages on the believer's life belonging to God
14. Romans 14 if you know the right thing to do and do not do it it is sin
15. 1 Corinthians 15 if you labor for the Lord your labor will not be in vain
16. Revelation 12:11 they overcame Satan by the blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony

Talk about it

1. Brad talked about the difference between white-knuckling your way through a command and letting God change the source of what flows through you. Where in your own life have you noticed yourself putting Brita filters on saltwater instead of dealing with the root issue?
2. Brad shared that he realized his anger at home was connected to a fear that things would not turn out the way he wanted, and a lack of trust in God's sovereignty. Can you think of a time when your own anger or sharp words traced back to a fear or a need to be in control?
3. Brad described the experience of having his community gather around his sin as feeling like being on an operating table without anesthesia, and said he was grateful for it anyway. What makes it hard to let other believers speak into the parts of your life you are most tempted to keep private?
4. Brad drew a distinction between Jesus getting angry for himself and Jesus getting angry for God and his kingdom. Using his question as a starting point, can you think of a recent moment of anger and honestly work through who you were angry for?
5. Brad applied the command to the coming election, saying the people around us are eternal creatures made in God's image, and asking whether we have been praying for both presidential candidates by name. How does thinking of the people you disagree with politically as eternal image-bearers change how you want to engage with them this week?