Sermon Outline 2.22.2026

Text: James 1:19–27

Title: Hearing That Obeys

Theme: Hearing Alone Deceives. Obedience Reveals a Heart That Belongs to Christ.

I. The Itch: Upsetting the Equilibrium (v19a)

II. The Problem Goes Deeper than We Think (vv19b-24)

III. The Gospel Reversal (v21)

IV. What Does This Actually Look Like? (vv25-27)

V. You Leave Here Different (v25)

For Personal Reflection or Family Worship
1. Where in your life has hearing outpaced obeying? What does the mirror show you that you have been walking away from?
2. When the Word corrects you, is your first instinct meekness or self-defense? What does that tell you about the condition of your heart?
3. Which of the three marks (controlled speech, compassionate mercy, personal holiness) most needs your attention this week? What one concrete step can you take?
4. Who in your life is an “orphan or widow,” someone vulnerable, overlooked, in need of someone to show up? How might you visit them this week?