WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.980 Good morning again, welcome to Church of the Advent. 00:00:05.240 --> 00:00:07.980 My name is Jeff, I'm one of the pastors here. 00:00:08.140 --> 00:00:09.859 A warm welcome to you, especially if you're new 00:00:09.859 --> 00:00:11.620 or this is your first time joining us. 00:00:12.200 --> 00:00:13.640 We'd love to meet you after the service 00:00:13.640 --> 00:00:17.859 and get to know more about you and hear more of your story. 00:00:17.940 --> 00:00:19.820 So please come say hello after the service. 00:00:21.460 --> 00:00:26.580 In the summer and fall of last year, 2023, 00:00:26.579 --> 00:00:32.679 during the Writers Guild strike in the entertainment industry, 00:00:33.560 --> 00:00:36.539 five of the late night TV show hosts, 00:00:37.519 --> 00:00:41.060 Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers, 00:00:41.299 --> 00:00:43.099 John Oliver, and Stephen Colbert, 00:00:43.820 --> 00:00:48.879 these five TV show hosts got together and started a podcast. 00:00:49.159 --> 00:00:50.640 Maybe a few of you may have heard of it. 00:00:51.039 --> 00:00:53.780 The podcast is called Strike Force Five. 00:00:53.780 --> 00:00:57.420 The idea is that while their shows were off the air 00:00:57.420 --> 00:00:59.100 due to the industry strike, 00:00:59.780 --> 00:01:01.760 that they would get together and do a show 00:01:01.760 --> 00:01:03.880 and talk and produce some content. 00:01:04.840 --> 00:01:06.780 And then they would donate all the proceeds 00:01:06.780 --> 00:01:08.240 from the sponsors of the podcast 00:01:08.240 --> 00:01:11.140 to people who worked on their show 00:01:11.140 --> 00:01:12.879 and were out of work because of the strike. 00:01:13.099 --> 00:01:14.700 And it was a cool idea. 00:01:15.219 --> 00:01:19.280 And this past week, I started listening to it 00:01:19.280 --> 00:01:21.879 and I started listening to the first episode. 00:01:22.739 --> 00:01:26.379 And interestingly enough, in part of the first episode, 00:01:26.980 --> 00:01:30.680 these five late night TV show hosts 00:01:30.680 --> 00:01:32.460 started talking about, 00:01:32.859 --> 00:01:33.939 I just came up in conversation, 00:01:34.740 --> 00:01:37.960 what they wanted to be when they were kids, 00:01:38.040 --> 00:01:39.579 what they wanted to be when they grew up, 00:01:39.640 --> 00:01:40.760 when they were kids. 00:01:41.540 --> 00:01:42.980 And interestingly enough, 00:01:42.980 --> 00:01:47.760 four of the five hosts said that when they were kids, 00:01:47.760 --> 00:01:50.700 they had the thought about someday 00:01:50.700 --> 00:01:54.920 working in a church as pastors or priests. 00:01:54.980 --> 00:01:57.560 I've actually heard Jimmy Fallon on a number of occasions 00:01:57.560 --> 00:01:59.140 actually tell a story about how he, 00:01:59.560 --> 00:02:00.620 for a while as a kid, 00:02:00.800 --> 00:02:01.920 thought about being a priest. 00:02:02.719 --> 00:02:04.159 John Oliver, who's British, 00:02:04.280 --> 00:02:04.960 who grew up in the UK, 00:02:05.880 --> 00:02:07.380 said that he told his dad one day 00:02:07.380 --> 00:02:08.460 that he wanted to be a vicar. 00:02:08.460 --> 00:02:11.540 And John Oliver's dad said to him, 00:02:11.900 --> 00:02:12.980 no, you don't. 00:02:13.939 --> 00:02:15.520 You just want people to listen to you. 00:02:17.420 --> 00:02:18.760 And I think that's pretty appropriate 00:02:18.760 --> 00:02:22.060 given what he does for his vocation today. 00:02:22.879 --> 00:02:24.280 This is an interesting data point, 00:02:24.340 --> 00:02:25.400 I think for a lot of reasons, 00:02:25.520 --> 00:02:28.840 that four out of five late night TV talk shows, 00:02:28.960 --> 00:02:30.719 all at one point when growing up, 00:02:31.219 --> 00:02:33.240 thought about going into ordained ministry. 00:02:33.520 --> 00:02:34.680 That's pretty fascinating. 00:02:35.760 --> 00:02:37.780 In many ways, being a pastor or priest 00:02:37.780 --> 00:02:39.500 is very far, very different 00:02:39.500 --> 00:02:43.080 from being a late night talk show host. 00:02:44.379 --> 00:02:45.640 But there's at least one thing 00:02:45.640 --> 00:02:46.439 that they have in common. 00:02:46.520 --> 00:02:47.840 And what they both have in common 00:02:47.840 --> 00:02:51.740 is they both involve a lot of speaking. 00:02:52.500 --> 00:02:54.620 They both involve a lot of talking. 00:02:55.780 --> 00:02:57.080 And if I had to guess, 00:02:57.159 --> 00:02:59.360 I would guess that these talk show hosts, 00:02:59.860 --> 00:03:00.960 very on in their life, 00:03:01.960 --> 00:03:03.979 understood something at a very young age. 00:03:03.979 --> 00:03:05.199 They understood something 00:03:05.199 --> 00:03:08.039 about the power of words, 00:03:09.179 --> 00:03:11.539 about the ability for words 00:03:11.539 --> 00:03:13.339 to influence and shape people 00:03:13.339 --> 00:03:15.419 in the world around them. 00:03:16.199 --> 00:03:17.500 The power of words 00:03:17.500 --> 00:03:20.459 is what our New Testament passage, 00:03:20.659 --> 00:03:21.579 James chapter three, 00:03:21.659 --> 00:03:22.739 is about this morning. 00:03:23.759 --> 00:03:24.799 In this passage, 00:03:25.259 --> 00:03:28.039 James is talking about 00:03:28.039 --> 00:03:30.919 about the power of the tongue, 00:03:31.479 --> 00:03:32.519 the power of speech, 00:03:32.599 --> 00:03:33.620 the power of words, 00:03:34.259 --> 00:03:37.099 and also the need for the tongue, 00:03:37.180 --> 00:03:38.399 the need for our words 00:03:38.399 --> 00:03:42.599 to be mastered and tamed and healed. 00:03:43.659 --> 00:03:44.939 And so that's what we're gonna look at this morning. 00:03:45.519 --> 00:03:47.500 We're gonna look at the power of the tongue 00:03:47.500 --> 00:03:48.719 and the healing of the tongue. 00:03:49.139 --> 00:03:50.340 The power of the tongue 00:03:50.340 --> 00:03:52.180 and the healing of the tongue. 00:03:53.080 --> 00:03:55.120 In the first several verses 00:03:55.120 --> 00:03:56.420 here in James chapter three, 00:03:56.500 --> 00:03:57.500 in verses three through six, 00:03:58.099 --> 00:04:00.420 James gives us a series of illustrations 00:04:00.420 --> 00:04:03.180 to talk about the power of the tongue. 00:04:03.300 --> 00:04:04.060 So in verse three, 00:04:04.580 --> 00:04:05.960 he compares the tongue 00:04:05.960 --> 00:04:08.939 to the power of a bit over a horse. 00:04:09.080 --> 00:04:10.420 A bit is that piece of metal 00:04:10.420 --> 00:04:12.340 that is put into the horse's mouth 00:04:12.340 --> 00:04:13.400 and attached to the reins 00:04:13.400 --> 00:04:15.580 so the rider can direct the horse. 00:04:15.719 --> 00:04:16.720 In verse three, he says, 00:04:17.139 --> 00:04:18.939 if we put bits into the mouths of horses 00:04:18.939 --> 00:04:19.939 so that they obey us, 00:04:20.319 --> 00:04:21.960 we guide their whole bodies as well. 00:04:22.699 --> 00:04:23.379 In verse four, 00:04:23.459 --> 00:04:24.259 he compares the tongue 00:04:24.259 --> 00:04:27.540 to the power of a rudder over a ship. 00:04:27.720 --> 00:04:28.560 Verse four, he says, 00:04:28.740 --> 00:04:29.819 look at the ships also. 00:04:30.420 --> 00:04:31.379 Though they are so large 00:04:31.379 --> 00:04:32.780 and driven by strong winds, 00:04:33.480 --> 00:04:35.460 they are guided by a very small rudder 00:04:35.460 --> 00:04:37.220 wherever the will of the pilot directs. 00:04:37.980 --> 00:04:39.800 And then in verses five and six, 00:04:39.899 --> 00:04:40.819 James compares the tongue 00:04:40.819 --> 00:04:43.720 to the power of a small fire over a forest. 00:04:44.420 --> 00:04:44.780 He says, 00:04:44.860 --> 00:04:46.600 how great a forest is set ablaze 00:04:46.600 --> 00:04:48.300 by such a small fire. 00:04:49.079 --> 00:04:50.720 And the tongue is a fire, 00:04:50.720 --> 00:04:52.140 a world of unrighteousness. 00:04:53.040 --> 00:04:54.860 The tongue is set up among our members, 00:04:55.000 --> 00:04:55.820 stating the whole body, 00:04:56.380 --> 00:04:58.560 setting on fire the entire course of life 00:04:58.560 --> 00:05:00.900 and set on fire by hell. 00:05:01.740 --> 00:05:02.860 Strong words. 00:05:03.860 --> 00:05:06.720 All three illustrations hang together 00:05:06.720 --> 00:05:09.140 in what James says in verse five. 00:05:09.560 --> 00:05:10.380 So also, 00:05:11.500 --> 00:05:12.760 the tongue is a small member 00:05:12.760 --> 00:05:13.380 and yet, 00:05:14.060 --> 00:05:15.500 it boasts of great things. 00:05:15.500 --> 00:05:18.860 Although the tongue is a small thing, 00:05:20.660 --> 00:05:24.459 it has a powerful effect in the world. 00:05:24.560 --> 00:05:27.040 It has a powerful effect on our lives 00:05:27.040 --> 00:05:28.860 and in the lives of others. 00:05:28.920 --> 00:05:30.759 You can accomplish a lot of good things 00:05:30.759 --> 00:05:32.819 if you channel the power of a horse. 00:05:33.079 --> 00:05:33.379 If you, 00:05:33.500 --> 00:05:35.360 you can travel long distances, 00:05:35.720 --> 00:05:36.779 you can plow a field, 00:05:37.040 --> 00:05:40.180 but you can also use a horse to trample somebody. 00:05:41.180 --> 00:05:42.860 You can accomplish a lot of good things 00:05:42.860 --> 00:05:44.800 if you channel the power of a ship. 00:05:44.860 --> 00:05:45.900 You can cross oceans. 00:05:46.040 --> 00:05:48.180 You can transport goods and grow an economy. 00:05:49.319 --> 00:05:51.079 You can also run a ship aground. 00:05:52.920 --> 00:05:54.660 You can accomplish a lot of great things 00:05:54.660 --> 00:05:56.879 if you channel the power of a small fire. 00:05:57.800 --> 00:05:59.800 You can bring warmth on a cold day. 00:05:59.879 --> 00:06:00.620 You can cook a meal, 00:06:01.120 --> 00:06:04.899 but you can also set a forest on fire. 00:06:05.000 --> 00:06:07.319 Our words are the same way. 00:06:07.319 --> 00:06:10.680 They can be used to bring life 00:06:10.680 --> 00:06:12.219 and flourishing into the world. 00:06:12.620 --> 00:06:14.199 They can be used to build someone up, 00:06:14.300 --> 00:06:15.379 to encourage them, 00:06:16.399 --> 00:06:17.040 honor them, 00:06:18.000 --> 00:06:18.740 comfort them. 00:06:19.759 --> 00:06:22.139 They can be used to teach a congregation 00:06:22.139 --> 00:06:23.879 or a small group or a class 00:06:23.879 --> 00:06:25.480 in the truth of God's word. 00:06:25.579 --> 00:06:27.019 There's lots of ways we can use words 00:06:27.019 --> 00:06:29.759 to bring life to other people, 00:06:30.139 --> 00:06:33.939 but can also have the opposite effect. 00:06:34.019 --> 00:06:35.500 Our words can be used to harm 00:06:35.500 --> 00:06:37.459 and to hurt others as well. 00:06:37.560 --> 00:06:39.500 Not to build somebody up, 00:06:40.240 --> 00:06:41.920 but to tear them down. 00:06:43.519 --> 00:06:45.480 Not to encourage somebody, 00:06:45.600 --> 00:06:48.199 but to discourage somebody. 00:06:48.579 --> 00:06:49.740 Not to honor somebody, 00:06:49.839 --> 00:06:50.680 but to dishonor them. 00:06:51.660 --> 00:06:52.519 Not to heal, 00:06:52.839 --> 00:06:53.500 but to destroy. 00:06:54.600 --> 00:06:56.819 And this is why James 00:06:56.819 --> 00:06:58.660 has an incredibly sober tone 00:06:58.660 --> 00:06:59.199 in this passage, 00:06:59.300 --> 00:07:01.600 and his words are full of warning 00:07:01.600 --> 00:07:03.980 and caution about our speech. 00:07:04.620 --> 00:07:06.439 If our words are not harnessed 00:07:06.439 --> 00:07:07.040 and controlled, 00:07:07.140 --> 00:07:08.040 they can be like a fire 00:07:08.040 --> 00:07:10.820 that can set our relationships 00:07:10.820 --> 00:07:11.660 and our families 00:07:11.660 --> 00:07:12.500 and our workplace 00:07:12.500 --> 00:07:15.340 and our churches ablaze. 00:07:16.640 --> 00:07:17.800 And so because the tongue 00:07:17.800 --> 00:07:18.660 has such great power, 00:07:18.760 --> 00:07:19.740 we all need to master it. 00:07:19.760 --> 00:07:20.480 We all need to have 00:07:20.480 --> 00:07:23.040 self-discipline over it. 00:07:23.120 --> 00:07:23.760 Now notice, 00:07:24.500 --> 00:07:25.400 in verse one, 00:07:26.260 --> 00:07:27.240 that James says, 00:07:27.240 --> 00:07:29.040 one of the first applications 00:07:29.040 --> 00:07:31.060 given the power of the tongue 00:07:31.060 --> 00:07:32.519 is to teachers and pastors 00:07:32.519 --> 00:07:33.160 in the church. 00:07:33.840 --> 00:07:34.439 In verse one, 00:07:34.500 --> 00:07:34.900 he says, 00:07:35.579 --> 00:07:36.199 not many of you 00:07:36.199 --> 00:07:37.000 should become teachers, 00:07:37.100 --> 00:07:37.420 my brothers, 00:07:37.519 --> 00:07:38.879 for you know that we who teach 00:07:38.879 --> 00:07:39.620 will be judged 00:07:39.620 --> 00:07:41.819 with greater strictness. 00:07:42.420 --> 00:07:43.439 He's not talking about 00:07:43.439 --> 00:07:44.439 the ultimate day of judgment, 00:07:44.620 --> 00:07:45.879 but he's referring to the fact 00:07:45.879 --> 00:07:47.180 that those who teach 00:07:47.180 --> 00:07:48.759 and lead in the church 00:07:48.759 --> 00:07:50.400 will one day have to give 00:07:50.400 --> 00:07:51.220 an account to God 00:07:51.220 --> 00:07:52.439 for whether they were faithful 00:07:52.439 --> 00:07:54.319 to teach sound doctrine 00:07:54.319 --> 00:07:55.460 and shepherd those 00:07:55.459 --> 00:07:57.379 under their care faithfully. 00:07:57.779 --> 00:07:58.599 Listen to the words 00:07:58.599 --> 00:08:00.500 of Hebrews chapter 13, 00:08:00.560 --> 00:08:01.219 verse 17. 00:08:02.239 --> 00:08:03.139 Obey your leaders 00:08:03.139 --> 00:08:04.079 and submit to them, 00:08:05.419 --> 00:08:06.659 for they are keeping watch 00:08:06.659 --> 00:08:07.500 over your souls 00:08:07.500 --> 00:08:09.599 as those who will have 00:08:09.599 --> 00:08:10.500 to give an account, 00:08:11.079 --> 00:08:11.879 as those who will have 00:08:11.879 --> 00:08:12.459 to give an account. 00:08:13.099 --> 00:08:14.359 And so how does this relate 00:08:14.359 --> 00:08:15.779 to what James is saying 00:08:15.779 --> 00:08:16.579 in this passage 00:08:16.579 --> 00:08:18.039 about the power of the tongue? 00:08:19.620 --> 00:08:21.199 Well, as those in authority, 00:08:22.159 --> 00:08:24.279 the words of pastors 00:08:24.279 --> 00:08:25.139 and teachers 00:08:25.139 --> 00:08:25.839 and leaders 00:08:25.839 --> 00:08:28.439 have a powerful impact 00:08:28.439 --> 00:08:30.479 on the lives of others, 00:08:30.560 --> 00:08:31.159 on the lives of those 00:08:31.159 --> 00:08:31.560 they lead. 00:08:31.620 --> 00:08:32.439 Not only are teachers 00:08:32.439 --> 00:08:32.980 in the church 00:08:32.980 --> 00:08:34.500 called to rightly handle 00:08:34.500 --> 00:08:35.139 the word of God, 00:08:35.220 --> 00:08:36.240 they are also called 00:08:36.240 --> 00:08:38.580 to live up to that teaching 00:08:38.580 --> 00:08:40.500 with their lives. 00:08:40.559 --> 00:08:41.519 This is why Jesus 00:08:41.519 --> 00:08:42.899 so many times 00:08:42.899 --> 00:08:43.340 in the gospel 00:08:43.340 --> 00:08:44.819 has strong words 00:08:44.819 --> 00:08:45.799 for the Pharisees, 00:08:46.340 --> 00:08:46.860 the scribes 00:08:46.860 --> 00:08:47.439 and the Pharisees 00:08:47.439 --> 00:08:48.480 who take great pride 00:08:48.480 --> 00:08:49.100 in their knowledge 00:08:49.100 --> 00:08:49.740 and their teaching 00:08:49.740 --> 00:08:52.399 and yet don't follow through, 00:08:52.519 --> 00:08:53.019 who don't live up 00:08:53.019 --> 00:08:54.120 to that in practice. 00:08:55.740 --> 00:08:57.579 And those who teach, 00:08:58.579 --> 00:08:59.500 those who lead, 00:08:59.639 --> 00:09:02.179 are especially prone 00:09:02.179 --> 00:09:04.319 to sins of the tongue 00:09:04.319 --> 00:09:06.480 because they spend 00:09:06.480 --> 00:09:07.460 so much time talking. 00:09:08.799 --> 00:09:09.779 My professor 00:09:09.779 --> 00:09:11.199 from Covenant Seminary, 00:09:11.360 --> 00:09:13.159 Dr. Dan Doriani, 00:09:13.360 --> 00:09:14.299 a New Testament professor, 00:09:14.439 --> 00:09:15.039 puts it this way. 00:09:16.100 --> 00:09:16.639 He says, 00:09:16.720 --> 00:09:18.519 teachers are especially vulnerable 00:09:18.519 --> 00:09:19.799 to failures of speech 00:09:19.799 --> 00:09:21.699 because their role demands 00:09:21.699 --> 00:09:23.019 that they speak so much. 00:09:24.220 --> 00:09:25.279 More words 00:09:25.279 --> 00:09:27.860 mean more errors. 00:09:29.000 --> 00:09:30.059 As we grow accustomed 00:09:30.059 --> 00:09:30.939 to public speaking, 00:09:31.079 --> 00:09:32.220 we can become careless. 00:09:33.419 --> 00:09:34.919 When asked to offer an opinion, 00:09:35.480 --> 00:09:36.620 we tend to comply 00:09:36.620 --> 00:09:37.500 even if we don't have 00:09:37.500 --> 00:09:38.220 the qualifications 00:09:38.220 --> 00:09:38.919 or expertise. 00:09:41.019 --> 00:09:41.460 Humor 00:09:41.460 --> 00:09:43.659 can be a dangerous gift. 00:09:43.659 --> 00:09:46.459 It pleases the crowd, 00:09:47.120 --> 00:09:49.240 but can easily wound 00:09:49.240 --> 00:09:50.039 or mislead. 00:09:51.600 --> 00:09:52.679 Too many laughs 00:09:52.679 --> 00:09:55.500 come at someone else's expense. 00:09:56.759 --> 00:09:57.679 More words 00:09:57.679 --> 00:09:59.659 mean more errors. 00:10:01.159 --> 00:10:01.819 The encouragement 00:10:01.819 --> 00:10:03.740 to exercise caution 00:10:03.740 --> 00:10:04.620 over the tongue 00:10:04.620 --> 00:10:05.399 and self-discipline 00:10:05.399 --> 00:10:06.100 with our words 00:10:06.100 --> 00:10:07.819 is first and foremost 00:10:07.819 --> 00:10:09.799 directed at people like me, 00:10:09.919 --> 00:10:11.659 at leaders and teachers 00:10:11.659 --> 00:10:12.860 and pastors in the church. 00:10:13.659 --> 00:10:16.100 But it also 00:10:16.100 --> 00:10:17.500 applies to everyone. 00:10:17.779 --> 00:10:18.559 If you notice 00:10:18.559 --> 00:10:19.319 what comes next 00:10:19.319 --> 00:10:20.039 in verse two, 00:10:20.539 --> 00:10:20.939 James says, 00:10:21.100 --> 00:10:22.179 for we all stumble 00:10:22.179 --> 00:10:22.919 in many ways. 00:10:23.839 --> 00:10:24.379 And if anyone 00:10:24.379 --> 00:10:25.100 does not stumble 00:10:25.100 --> 00:10:25.819 in what he says, 00:10:25.879 --> 00:10:26.819 he is a perfect man, 00:10:26.899 --> 00:10:28.559 able also to bridle 00:10:28.559 --> 00:10:29.439 his whole body. 00:10:30.959 --> 00:10:31.279 Listen, 00:10:31.360 --> 00:10:32.039 do you want to live 00:10:32.039 --> 00:10:33.120 a life of 00:10:33.120 --> 00:10:35.319 self-mastery? 00:10:35.379 --> 00:10:35.899 Do you want to live 00:10:35.899 --> 00:10:36.959 a life of discipline 00:10:36.959 --> 00:10:38.639 in various areas 00:10:38.639 --> 00:10:39.220 of your life? 00:10:39.799 --> 00:10:40.339 Do you want to be 00:10:40.339 --> 00:10:41.339 a more disciplined person? 00:10:43.120 --> 00:10:43.639 Learn to come 00:10:43.639 --> 00:10:44.360 control your tongue. 00:10:45.600 --> 00:10:46.199 James says, 00:10:46.299 --> 00:10:47.039 if you can control 00:10:47.039 --> 00:10:47.659 your tongue, 00:10:48.179 --> 00:10:49.319 you can control 00:10:49.319 --> 00:10:49.860 your whole life. 00:10:50.559 --> 00:10:51.580 If you can master 00:10:51.580 --> 00:10:52.299 your words, 00:10:53.240 --> 00:10:53.860 you can master 00:10:53.860 --> 00:10:54.439 your whole life. 00:10:54.500 --> 00:10:54.620 Why? 00:10:54.720 --> 00:10:55.279 Because the tongue 00:10:55.279 --> 00:10:56.220 has incredible power. 00:10:56.939 --> 00:10:57.699 It's like a bit 00:10:57.699 --> 00:10:58.519 in a horse's mouth. 00:10:58.620 --> 00:10:59.220 It's like the rudder 00:10:59.220 --> 00:10:59.639 of a ship. 00:10:59.740 --> 00:11:00.879 It's like a small spark 00:11:00.879 --> 00:11:01.519 in a forest. 00:11:02.179 --> 00:11:03.519 It can do amazing good. 00:11:06.019 --> 00:11:07.259 It can also do great harm. 00:11:08.500 --> 00:11:08.919 And therefore, 00:11:09.019 --> 00:11:10.080 it's absolutely critical 00:11:10.080 --> 00:11:11.120 that we master our tongue, 00:11:11.120 --> 00:11:11.860 that we practice 00:11:11.860 --> 00:11:13.200 self-discipline 00:11:13.200 --> 00:11:13.799 over our words, 00:11:13.860 --> 00:11:15.100 that we become aware 00:11:15.100 --> 00:11:16.139 of our worst 00:11:16.139 --> 00:11:17.820 and most common 00:11:17.820 --> 00:11:19.320 tendencies and impulses, 00:11:20.120 --> 00:11:21.340 our particular 00:11:21.340 --> 00:11:22.799 sins of speech. 00:11:25.679 --> 00:11:26.960 Given how powerful 00:11:26.960 --> 00:11:27.960 the tongue is, 00:11:27.960 --> 00:11:31.420 where and when 00:11:31.420 --> 00:11:32.100 do you need 00:11:32.100 --> 00:11:33.180 to speak less? 00:11:35.480 --> 00:11:36.379 Where do you need 00:11:36.379 --> 00:11:36.840 to practice 00:11:36.840 --> 00:11:38.560 more restraint 00:11:38.560 --> 00:11:40.440 and self-discipline 00:11:40.440 --> 00:11:41.879 with your words? 00:11:41.879 --> 00:11:44.480 We would all do well 00:11:44.480 --> 00:11:45.360 to apply James' 00:11:45.559 --> 00:11:46.259 encouragement 00:11:46.259 --> 00:11:48.139 two chapters earlier 00:11:48.139 --> 00:11:48.939 in James 1, 00:11:49.000 --> 00:11:49.700 verse 19. 00:11:50.179 --> 00:11:50.939 Let everyone 00:11:50.939 --> 00:11:53.419 be quick to listen, 00:11:55.179 --> 00:11:56.460 slow to speak, 00:11:57.200 --> 00:11:58.480 and slow to become angry. 00:12:00.000 --> 00:12:00.879 Where do you need 00:12:00.879 --> 00:12:02.080 to speak less? 00:12:03.500 --> 00:12:04.159 But also, 00:12:04.340 --> 00:12:04.779 given the power 00:12:04.779 --> 00:12:05.259 of the tongue, 00:12:05.799 --> 00:12:06.899 we could also ask 00:12:06.899 --> 00:12:08.759 the flip side question. 00:12:09.179 --> 00:12:09.720 Given the power 00:12:09.720 --> 00:12:10.120 of the tongue, 00:12:10.279 --> 00:12:11.000 where do you need 00:12:11.000 --> 00:12:12.240 to speak more? 00:12:13.279 --> 00:12:14.120 Where do you need 00:12:14.120 --> 00:12:14.840 to speak more 00:12:14.840 --> 00:12:16.580 with words of life 00:12:16.580 --> 00:12:17.220 and hope 00:12:17.220 --> 00:12:17.919 and encouragement 00:12:17.919 --> 00:12:18.399 and comfort? 00:12:18.480 --> 00:12:18.779 Where are you 00:12:18.779 --> 00:12:19.360 holding back? 00:12:20.559 --> 00:12:21.440 Who in your life 00:12:21.440 --> 00:12:22.860 today or this week 00:12:22.860 --> 00:12:23.600 needs to receive 00:12:23.600 --> 00:12:24.700 an encouraging note 00:12:24.700 --> 00:12:25.159 or email 00:12:25.159 --> 00:12:26.460 or text from you? 00:12:28.000 --> 00:12:29.039 How can you 00:12:29.039 --> 00:12:30.620 blow wind 00:12:30.620 --> 00:12:32.139 into somebody's sails 00:12:32.139 --> 00:12:34.620 through your words? 00:12:37.419 --> 00:12:38.639 Now, having said all that, 00:12:38.720 --> 00:12:40.860 if we just stop there, 00:12:41.000 --> 00:12:43.419 in verse 6, 00:12:43.799 --> 00:12:44.440 we would miss 00:12:44.440 --> 00:12:45.659 something really important 00:12:45.659 --> 00:12:47.580 because we would miss 00:12:47.580 --> 00:12:49.820 what James shows us next, 00:12:49.919 --> 00:12:50.519 the connection 00:12:50.519 --> 00:12:51.379 between the tongue 00:12:51.379 --> 00:12:52.460 and the heart. 00:12:52.559 --> 00:12:53.080 If you're going 00:12:53.080 --> 00:12:55.159 to master your tongue, 00:12:55.220 --> 00:12:56.159 you need self-discipline, 00:12:56.220 --> 00:12:57.700 but self-discipline alone 00:12:57.700 --> 00:13:01.340 isn't all you need. 00:13:01.419 --> 00:13:02.299 You need to address 00:13:02.299 --> 00:13:03.259 actually what's going 00:13:03.259 --> 00:13:03.740 underneath, 00:13:04.399 --> 00:13:05.220 what's going on 00:13:05.220 --> 00:13:06.200 underneath at the heart level 00:13:06.200 --> 00:13:07.139 because the tongue 00:13:07.139 --> 00:13:08.320 is connected 00:13:08.320 --> 00:13:09.360 connected to the heart. 00:13:10.080 --> 00:13:10.980 And that's what James 00:13:10.980 --> 00:13:12.260 looks at next 00:13:12.260 --> 00:13:13.280 in the next five verses. 00:13:14.480 --> 00:13:15.120 And so we want to look 00:13:15.120 --> 00:13:15.680 at the healing 00:13:15.680 --> 00:13:16.220 of the tongue. 00:13:16.840 --> 00:13:17.879 The healing of the tongue. 00:13:19.160 --> 00:13:20.300 Next in verse 7, 00:13:20.960 --> 00:13:21.660 James continues 00:13:21.660 --> 00:13:22.480 with these words. 00:13:22.580 --> 00:13:22.900 He says, 00:13:22.899 --> 00:13:23.720 for every kind 00:13:23.720 --> 00:13:24.699 of beast and bird, 00:13:25.240 --> 00:13:26.340 a reptile and sea creature 00:13:26.340 --> 00:13:27.000 can be tamed 00:13:27.000 --> 00:13:27.659 and has been tamed 00:13:27.659 --> 00:13:28.319 by mankind, 00:13:28.899 --> 00:13:30.899 but no human being 00:13:30.899 --> 00:13:31.639 can tame the tongue. 00:13:32.620 --> 00:13:34.319 It is a restless evil 00:13:34.319 --> 00:13:35.579 full of deadly poison. 00:13:36.919 --> 00:13:37.879 You would think 00:13:37.879 --> 00:13:39.159 that wild animals 00:13:39.159 --> 00:13:40.939 would be way more difficult 00:13:40.939 --> 00:13:42.159 to tame 00:13:42.159 --> 00:13:43.919 than something like 00:13:43.919 --> 00:13:44.740 our tongues. 00:13:46.179 --> 00:13:46.960 But James says, 00:13:47.059 --> 00:13:48.419 we've tamed every wild animal 00:13:48.419 --> 00:13:49.259 and yet no one 00:13:49.259 --> 00:13:50.879 can tame the tongue. 00:13:50.879 --> 00:13:51.220 Why? 00:13:51.460 --> 00:13:53.759 Because the tongue 00:13:53.759 --> 00:13:54.639 is connected to the heart. 00:13:55.200 --> 00:13:56.720 Because it's a restless evil. 00:13:56.879 --> 00:13:58.700 It's full of deadly poison. 00:13:59.759 --> 00:14:00.620 What does he mean? 00:14:00.679 --> 00:14:01.360 Well, he tells us 00:14:01.360 --> 00:14:02.340 in verses 9 and 10, 00:14:02.460 --> 00:14:02.840 with it, 00:14:03.399 --> 00:14:04.939 we bless our Lord and Father 00:14:04.939 --> 00:14:05.779 and with it, 00:14:05.860 --> 00:14:06.840 we curse people 00:14:06.840 --> 00:14:08.080 who are made 00:14:08.080 --> 00:14:09.159 in the likeness of God. 00:14:09.539 --> 00:14:10.779 For with the same mouth 00:14:10.779 --> 00:14:11.899 come both blessing 00:14:11.899 --> 00:14:12.580 and cursing. 00:14:13.639 --> 00:14:14.899 When it comes to our words, 00:14:15.000 --> 00:14:16.279 there's this deadly irony 00:14:16.279 --> 00:14:19.679 that we can bless God 00:14:19.679 --> 00:14:20.559 with our mouths, 00:14:20.639 --> 00:14:22.559 that we can pray to him 00:14:22.559 --> 00:14:23.099 with our lips, 00:14:23.179 --> 00:14:24.159 we can sing to him 00:14:24.159 --> 00:14:24.599 in worship, 00:14:26.219 --> 00:14:27.919 and yet with the same mouth, 00:14:28.679 --> 00:14:30.979 we can slander 00:14:30.979 --> 00:14:32.079 other people's reputation, 00:14:32.979 --> 00:14:33.979 we can tear 00:14:33.979 --> 00:14:34.899 other people's down, 00:14:35.039 --> 00:14:36.759 we can spread 00:14:36.759 --> 00:14:37.819 false information, 00:14:38.039 --> 00:14:39.159 ruin other people's reputation. 00:14:40.219 --> 00:14:40.839 And James says, 00:14:40.919 --> 00:14:42.199 when we're doing this, 00:14:43.139 --> 00:14:44.199 what we're doing 00:14:44.199 --> 00:14:45.620 is we're actually cursing 00:14:45.620 --> 00:14:46.699 other people. 00:14:46.700 --> 00:14:48.920 We are cursing, 00:14:49.259 --> 00:14:50.640 we are bringing a curse 00:14:50.640 --> 00:14:51.700 onto someone 00:14:51.700 --> 00:14:52.600 who is made 00:14:52.600 --> 00:14:53.640 in the image 00:14:53.640 --> 00:14:54.980 and the likeness of God. 00:14:55.040 --> 00:14:56.020 And when we curse 00:14:56.020 --> 00:14:56.879 someone made 00:14:56.879 --> 00:14:57.820 in the image of God, 00:14:58.140 --> 00:15:00.180 we are also cursing 00:15:00.180 --> 00:15:01.680 God himself. 00:15:02.960 --> 00:15:04.120 When is a time recently 00:15:04.120 --> 00:15:06.060 when you said something 00:15:06.060 --> 00:15:06.840 that you shouldn't have, 00:15:06.920 --> 00:15:08.620 where you regretted it later? 00:15:09.320 --> 00:15:10.860 Maybe it was gossip, 00:15:11.140 --> 00:15:12.960 maybe it was boasting, 00:15:12.960 --> 00:15:13.740 maybe it was 00:15:13.740 --> 00:15:15.360 slightly distorting 00:15:15.360 --> 00:15:15.940 the truth 00:15:15.940 --> 00:15:17.639 to make yourself 00:15:17.639 --> 00:15:18.120 look better, 00:15:19.019 --> 00:15:20.460 maybe it was criticism 00:15:20.460 --> 00:15:23.100 that wasn't completely fair 00:15:23.100 --> 00:15:23.980 that hurt somebody. 00:15:26.280 --> 00:15:27.840 And what these verses 00:15:27.840 --> 00:15:28.660 in James 00:15:28.660 --> 00:15:29.300 would lead us 00:15:29.300 --> 00:15:30.280 to ask is this, 00:15:30.840 --> 00:15:32.700 what was in your heart 00:15:32.700 --> 00:15:35.100 that caused you 00:15:35.100 --> 00:15:35.780 to say that? 00:15:37.460 --> 00:15:38.620 Was it anger? 00:15:40.220 --> 00:15:41.360 Was it bitterness? 00:15:42.960 --> 00:15:44.620 Was it jealousy? 00:15:46.740 --> 00:15:47.340 Insecurity? 00:15:47.840 --> 00:15:48.400 Pride? 00:15:48.700 --> 00:15:49.019 Fear? 00:15:50.340 --> 00:15:51.420 See, when anger 00:15:51.420 --> 00:15:52.019 or bitterness 00:15:52.019 --> 00:15:53.120 or insecurity 00:15:53.120 --> 00:15:53.940 or fear 00:15:53.940 --> 00:15:56.860 become words, 00:15:57.320 --> 00:15:58.180 especially words 00:15:58.180 --> 00:15:59.400 that harm other people, 00:15:59.720 --> 00:16:00.620 what we're doing 00:16:00.620 --> 00:16:01.759 is that we are trying 00:16:01.759 --> 00:16:02.660 to resolve 00:16:02.660 --> 00:16:04.980 what's in our hearts. 00:16:05.080 --> 00:16:06.100 We're trying to resolve 00:16:06.100 --> 00:16:08.340 our own negative feelings 00:16:08.340 --> 00:16:10.700 by transferring them 00:16:10.700 --> 00:16:11.600 onto somebody else. 00:16:11.600 --> 00:16:14.340 I feel angry 00:16:14.340 --> 00:16:15.139 so I'm gonna talk 00:16:15.139 --> 00:16:16.659 negatively about somebody else 00:16:16.659 --> 00:16:18.019 so I can feel better, 00:16:18.159 --> 00:16:19.399 so I can feel less angry. 00:16:20.879 --> 00:16:22.220 I feel insecure 00:16:22.220 --> 00:16:24.259 and therefore 00:16:24.259 --> 00:16:25.159 I'm going to 00:16:25.159 --> 00:16:26.560 tear someone else down 00:16:26.560 --> 00:16:28.759 so I can build myself up. 00:16:30.220 --> 00:16:31.540 What we are doing 00:16:31.540 --> 00:16:33.940 is we are seeking 00:16:33.940 --> 00:16:34.980 our own healing 00:16:34.980 --> 00:16:37.899 by cursing other people, 00:16:37.980 --> 00:16:39.060 people made in the image 00:16:39.060 --> 00:16:40.080 of God. 00:16:40.080 --> 00:16:41.900 And this is a deadly cycle 00:16:41.900 --> 00:16:43.560 that all of us 00:16:43.560 --> 00:16:44.840 perpetuate to some degree. 00:16:45.740 --> 00:16:46.600 It's a cycle 00:16:46.600 --> 00:16:47.360 that James says 00:16:47.360 --> 00:16:48.900 can spread like wildfire 00:16:48.900 --> 00:16:50.700 and destroy relationships 00:16:50.700 --> 00:16:51.480 and workplaces 00:16:51.480 --> 00:16:52.160 and communities 00:16:52.160 --> 00:16:53.560 and churches. 00:16:54.820 --> 00:16:55.540 Verse 11, 00:16:56.960 --> 00:16:57.800 James continues 00:16:57.800 --> 00:16:59.620 the connection 00:16:59.620 --> 00:17:00.460 between the tongue 00:17:00.460 --> 00:17:00.900 and the heart. 00:17:01.000 --> 00:17:01.220 He says, 00:17:01.220 --> 00:17:02.060 does a spring 00:17:02.060 --> 00:17:03.500 pour forth 00:17:03.500 --> 00:17:04.440 the same opening 00:17:04.440 --> 00:17:05.140 both fresh 00:17:05.140 --> 00:17:05.920 and salt water? 00:17:06.880 --> 00:17:07.720 Can a fig tree, 00:17:07.799 --> 00:17:08.200 my brothers, 00:17:08.319 --> 00:17:08.940 bear olives 00:17:08.940 --> 00:17:10.819 or a grapevine 00:17:10.819 --> 00:17:11.920 produce figs? 00:17:12.720 --> 00:17:14.160 Neither can a salt pond 00:17:14.160 --> 00:17:14.920 yield 00:17:14.920 --> 00:17:16.680 fresh water. 00:17:16.740 --> 00:17:17.839 If you're paying attention, 00:17:18.920 --> 00:17:19.759 you notice 00:17:19.759 --> 00:17:20.660 that there's echoes 00:17:20.660 --> 00:17:22.759 of Jesus' words 00:17:22.759 --> 00:17:23.700 in Matthew 12 00:17:23.700 --> 00:17:25.079 where Jesus says 00:17:25.079 --> 00:17:25.940 to the Pharisees 00:17:25.940 --> 00:17:27.299 that a tree 00:17:27.299 --> 00:17:28.039 is known 00:17:28.039 --> 00:17:30.380 by its fruit. 00:17:31.180 --> 00:17:32.279 For out of the abundance 00:17:32.279 --> 00:17:33.259 of the heart, 00:17:34.100 --> 00:17:35.320 out of the abundance 00:17:35.320 --> 00:17:35.900 of the heart, 00:17:35.980 --> 00:17:37.480 the mouth speaks. 00:17:37.940 --> 00:17:39.039 And this is the thrust 00:17:39.039 --> 00:17:39.500 of what James 00:17:39.500 --> 00:17:39.940 is getting at. 00:17:39.980 --> 00:17:40.720 He's getting at the heart 00:17:40.720 --> 00:17:43.100 just as a fresh spring, 00:17:43.420 --> 00:17:44.200 water spring 00:17:44.200 --> 00:17:45.059 can only bring forth 00:17:45.059 --> 00:17:45.660 fresh water 00:17:45.660 --> 00:17:46.759 just as a fig tree 00:17:46.759 --> 00:17:47.960 can only produce figs. 00:17:47.960 --> 00:17:50.160 So our words 00:17:50.160 --> 00:17:51.759 reveal who we truly are. 00:17:52.220 --> 00:17:53.220 Our words reveal 00:17:53.220 --> 00:17:53.860 what's truly 00:17:53.860 --> 00:17:54.559 in our hearts. 00:17:56.160 --> 00:17:56.960 You wanna know 00:17:56.960 --> 00:17:57.720 who you truly are? 00:17:58.980 --> 00:17:59.980 This afternoon, 00:18:01.360 --> 00:18:02.360 hit record 00:18:02.360 --> 00:18:03.579 on your smartphone 00:18:03.579 --> 00:18:05.620 and just leave it on 00:18:05.620 --> 00:18:06.079 all week. 00:18:08.120 --> 00:18:09.299 And let it record 00:18:09.299 --> 00:18:10.220 everything you say. 00:18:11.180 --> 00:18:12.259 And then after a week, 00:18:12.380 --> 00:18:12.920 play it back. 00:18:14.840 --> 00:18:15.940 That's what's in your heart. 00:18:15.940 --> 00:18:18.039 That's who you truly are. 00:18:18.640 --> 00:18:19.279 Years ago, 00:18:19.400 --> 00:18:20.259 Pastor Jack Miller, 00:18:20.559 --> 00:18:21.940 who also taught 00:18:21.940 --> 00:18:22.860 at Westminster Seminary 00:18:22.860 --> 00:18:23.620 for another years, 00:18:24.259 --> 00:18:26.500 created and taught 00:18:26.500 --> 00:18:28.140 a class called Sonship. 00:18:28.660 --> 00:18:29.299 And it's a class 00:18:29.299 --> 00:18:30.340 that maybe a few of you 00:18:30.340 --> 00:18:30.799 have heard of. 00:18:30.840 --> 00:18:31.759 It's a wonderful class. 00:18:32.360 --> 00:18:33.220 And one of the points 00:18:33.220 --> 00:18:34.660 of this class 00:18:34.660 --> 00:18:35.380 called Sonship 00:18:35.380 --> 00:18:36.120 is to help people 00:18:36.120 --> 00:18:36.740 understand 00:18:36.740 --> 00:18:38.519 that how we grow 00:18:38.519 --> 00:18:39.100 as Christians 00:18:39.100 --> 00:18:39.880 is that we have 00:18:39.880 --> 00:18:40.740 to understand 00:18:40.740 --> 00:18:42.420 the gospel more deeply. 00:18:42.559 --> 00:18:43.380 That the same gospel 00:18:43.380 --> 00:18:44.299 that saves us 00:18:44.299 --> 00:18:45.759 is also the same gospel 00:18:45.759 --> 00:18:46.819 that transforms us. 00:18:47.240 --> 00:18:48.079 And if we want to grow, 00:18:48.180 --> 00:18:48.859 we have to continue 00:18:48.859 --> 00:18:49.440 to understand 00:18:49.440 --> 00:18:50.099 the greater depths 00:18:50.099 --> 00:18:50.660 of the gospel. 00:18:51.220 --> 00:18:52.579 That we may say 00:18:52.579 --> 00:18:53.879 we believe in the gospel, 00:18:53.980 --> 00:18:54.460 that we're a sinner 00:18:54.460 --> 00:18:55.180 saved by grace, 00:18:55.200 --> 00:18:55.900 but in practice, 00:18:56.420 --> 00:18:56.839 there's actually 00:18:56.839 --> 00:18:57.519 lots of ways 00:18:57.519 --> 00:18:58.140 in which we actually 00:18:58.140 --> 00:18:59.019 don't believe 00:18:59.019 --> 00:18:59.940 and live out the gospel. 00:19:00.700 --> 00:19:01.839 And so one of the exercises 00:19:01.839 --> 00:19:03.440 of the Sonship class 00:19:03.440 --> 00:19:04.619 is called the tongue test. 00:19:05.400 --> 00:19:06.039 The tongue test. 00:19:06.119 --> 00:19:06.579 And Jack Miller 00:19:06.579 --> 00:19:08.339 would encourage people 00:19:08.339 --> 00:19:10.640 to do these six things 00:19:10.640 --> 00:19:11.599 over the course of a week. 00:19:12.220 --> 00:19:12.960 He would tell the class, 00:19:12.960 --> 00:19:14.600 number one, 00:19:15.279 --> 00:19:15.920 for a week, 00:19:16.799 --> 00:19:18.120 do not complain 00:19:18.120 --> 00:19:18.600 or grumble. 00:19:19.980 --> 00:19:20.579 Number two, 00:19:20.819 --> 00:19:21.620 do not boast 00:19:21.620 --> 00:19:22.620 about anything at all. 00:19:23.700 --> 00:19:24.180 Number three, 00:19:24.720 --> 00:19:25.460 do not gossip 00:19:25.460 --> 00:19:26.860 or repeat bad information 00:19:26.860 --> 00:19:27.819 about somebody else. 00:19:28.840 --> 00:19:29.420 Number four, 00:19:29.740 --> 00:19:31.200 do not run somebody down 00:19:31.200 --> 00:19:32.019 even a little bit. 00:19:33.380 --> 00:19:34.160 Number five, 00:19:34.259 --> 00:19:34.940 do not defend 00:19:34.940 --> 00:19:36.059 or excuse yourself 00:19:36.059 --> 00:19:36.779 no matter what. 00:19:38.059 --> 00:19:38.700 Number six, 00:19:38.900 --> 00:19:40.620 do always affirm 00:19:40.620 --> 00:19:41.880 other people. 00:19:41.880 --> 00:19:44.620 Now how many of us 00:19:44.620 --> 00:19:45.540 think we could 00:19:45.540 --> 00:19:46.700 pull that off this week? 00:19:48.320 --> 00:19:49.220 I think I'd probably 00:19:49.220 --> 00:19:49.780 fall short. 00:19:49.880 --> 00:19:50.720 I think the reason why 00:19:50.720 --> 00:19:51.340 if all of us 00:19:51.340 --> 00:19:52.180 went home 00:19:52.180 --> 00:19:53.160 and tried that this week 00:19:53.160 --> 00:19:54.440 is we'd quickly find 00:19:54.440 --> 00:19:55.520 it to be very difficult 00:19:55.520 --> 00:19:57.060 is because there are 00:19:57.060 --> 00:19:58.080 places in our hearts 00:19:58.080 --> 00:19:58.840 that haven't been 00:19:58.840 --> 00:19:59.940 formed yet 00:19:59.940 --> 00:20:00.800 by the gospel. 00:20:01.320 --> 00:20:02.560 The person who's able 00:20:02.560 --> 00:20:03.700 to do all of these things 00:20:03.700 --> 00:20:04.360 has a heart 00:20:04.360 --> 00:20:05.660 that truly believes 00:20:05.660 --> 00:20:06.600 the gospel deep down. 00:20:08.540 --> 00:20:09.260 In Jesus, 00:20:09.380 --> 00:20:10.600 they know they're so secure 00:20:10.599 --> 00:20:13.179 they know they don't 00:20:13.179 --> 00:20:14.740 need to defend themselves. 00:20:16.099 --> 00:20:16.740 In Jesus, 00:20:16.879 --> 00:20:17.459 they know that 00:20:17.459 --> 00:20:18.659 they are already loved 00:20:18.659 --> 00:20:21.959 and that's where 00:20:21.959 --> 00:20:22.679 they get their identity 00:20:22.679 --> 00:20:23.359 and so they don't need 00:20:23.359 --> 00:20:24.500 to tear others down 00:20:24.500 --> 00:20:25.279 in order to feel good 00:20:25.279 --> 00:20:25.819 about themselves. 00:20:26.379 --> 00:20:26.919 In Jesus, 00:20:27.519 --> 00:20:28.240 they see 00:20:28.240 --> 00:20:29.559 that the gospel 00:20:29.559 --> 00:20:30.399 has humbled them 00:20:30.399 --> 00:20:30.980 so much 00:20:30.980 --> 00:20:33.679 that not only 00:20:33.679 --> 00:20:34.379 should they not 00:20:34.379 --> 00:20:34.959 boast, 00:20:35.059 --> 00:20:35.980 but they can't boast. 00:20:35.980 --> 00:20:38.360 see the ultimate 00:20:38.360 --> 00:20:39.200 way 00:20:39.200 --> 00:20:40.740 to heal your heart 00:20:40.740 --> 00:20:42.400 and as a result 00:20:42.400 --> 00:20:43.660 to use your words 00:20:43.660 --> 00:20:44.839 to heal other people 00:20:44.839 --> 00:20:47.579 is through worship. 00:20:48.240 --> 00:20:49.200 It's through worship. 00:20:49.559 --> 00:20:50.519 It's in seeing 00:20:50.519 --> 00:20:51.079 the beauty 00:20:51.079 --> 00:20:52.079 of Jesus Christ. 00:20:52.880 --> 00:20:53.539 Jesus Christ 00:20:53.539 --> 00:20:54.000 is 00:20:54.000 --> 00:20:55.579 the living 00:20:55.579 --> 00:20:57.319 word of God. 00:20:58.019 --> 00:20:58.900 He is the very 00:20:58.900 --> 00:20:59.680 speech 00:20:59.680 --> 00:21:01.259 of the living God. 00:21:01.420 --> 00:21:02.660 He is full of grace 00:21:02.660 --> 00:21:04.420 and full of truth. 00:21:04.420 --> 00:21:05.980 His words 00:21:05.980 --> 00:21:08.539 always and only 00:21:08.539 --> 00:21:09.759 healed people. 00:21:09.880 --> 00:21:10.740 He always blessed 00:21:10.740 --> 00:21:12.180 people who cursed him. 00:21:12.240 --> 00:21:12.980 He always prayed 00:21:12.980 --> 00:21:13.539 for people 00:21:13.539 --> 00:21:14.940 who hated him 00:21:14.940 --> 00:21:16.779 and more than that, 00:21:17.620 --> 00:21:19.600 the one 00:21:19.600 --> 00:21:20.700 who never 00:21:20.700 --> 00:21:21.860 cursed anyone 00:21:21.860 --> 00:21:25.320 became a curse. 00:21:26.000 --> 00:21:27.039 He became a curse 00:21:27.039 --> 00:21:27.519 and that's what 00:21:27.519 --> 00:21:28.480 happened on the cross. 00:21:29.100 --> 00:21:29.900 That's what Galatians 00:21:29.900 --> 00:21:30.440 chapter 3 00:21:30.440 --> 00:21:31.120 verse 13 00:21:31.120 --> 00:21:32.480 says that on the cross 00:21:32.480 --> 00:21:33.799 Jesus Christ 00:21:33.799 --> 00:21:35.360 became a curse 00:21:35.360 --> 00:21:36.519 for us 00:21:36.519 --> 00:21:37.380 in our place 00:21:37.380 --> 00:21:39.000 and it's because 00:21:39.000 --> 00:21:39.960 Jesus became 00:21:39.960 --> 00:21:40.839 a curse for us 00:21:40.839 --> 00:21:42.140 that we are healed, 00:21:42.519 --> 00:21:43.180 that we're forgiven, 00:21:43.579 --> 00:21:44.259 that we're accepted, 00:21:44.539 --> 00:21:45.319 that we're loved 00:21:45.319 --> 00:21:47.160 and because of what 00:21:47.160 --> 00:21:48.339 he did for us, 00:21:48.980 --> 00:21:49.839 because he became 00:21:49.839 --> 00:21:50.259 a curse 00:21:50.259 --> 00:21:51.000 for us, 00:21:51.059 --> 00:21:51.779 we can see 00:21:51.779 --> 00:21:53.039 that our hearts 00:21:53.039 --> 00:21:55.019 will never be healed 00:21:55.019 --> 00:21:57.720 by cursing other people. 00:21:57.720 --> 00:22:00.360 our hearts 00:22:00.360 --> 00:22:01.360 will never be healed 00:22:01.360 --> 00:22:02.519 by transferring 00:22:02.519 --> 00:22:03.339 our anger, 00:22:04.579 --> 00:22:05.440 our bitterness, 00:22:06.600 --> 00:22:07.480 our jealousy, 00:22:07.660 --> 00:22:08.339 our insecurity 00:22:08.339 --> 00:22:10.339 onto somebody else. 00:22:10.559 --> 00:22:11.259 Healing will never 00:22:11.259 --> 00:22:12.019 happen that way. 00:22:12.740 --> 00:22:13.259 Why? 00:22:14.700 --> 00:22:15.700 Because taking 00:22:15.700 --> 00:22:16.500 on a curse 00:22:16.500 --> 00:22:17.900 is only something 00:22:17.900 --> 00:22:19.019 that the perfect 00:22:19.019 --> 00:22:20.500 word of God 00:22:20.500 --> 00:22:21.160 could do. 00:22:23.100 --> 00:22:24.319 It's only something 00:22:24.319 --> 00:22:25.059 that Jesus Christ 00:22:25.059 --> 00:22:25.299 could do. 00:22:25.299 --> 00:22:26.279 He's the only one 00:22:26.279 --> 00:22:27.740 who could take on 00:22:27.740 --> 00:22:28.440 the curse 00:22:28.440 --> 00:22:29.200 for our sin 00:22:29.200 --> 00:22:30.619 and at the same time 00:22:30.619 --> 00:22:31.539 bring healing 00:22:31.539 --> 00:22:32.399 to the world. 00:22:33.720 --> 00:22:35.200 And that is the beauty 00:22:35.200 --> 00:22:36.019 of what he did 00:22:36.019 --> 00:22:36.980 and that is why 00:22:36.980 --> 00:22:38.099 he deserves our worship 00:22:38.099 --> 00:22:39.539 and that is what 00:22:39.539 --> 00:22:40.559 will truly heal 00:22:40.559 --> 00:22:41.299 our hearts. 00:22:42.980 --> 00:22:44.299 When that starts 00:22:44.299 --> 00:22:45.339 to sink in, 00:22:46.159 --> 00:22:47.000 it humbles us 00:22:47.000 --> 00:22:47.980 because we realize 00:22:47.980 --> 00:22:49.680 that we can't boast 00:22:49.680 --> 00:22:50.559 about anything. 00:22:51.740 --> 00:22:53.500 It makes us secure 00:22:53.500 --> 00:22:54.359 and we realize 00:22:54.359 --> 00:22:56.319 we don't need 00:22:56.319 --> 00:22:57.099 to defend ourselves. 00:22:58.179 --> 00:22:58.779 We don't need 00:22:58.779 --> 00:23:00.240 to transfer our anger 00:23:00.240 --> 00:23:01.339 or our insecurity 00:23:01.339 --> 00:23:02.639 onto somebody else 00:23:02.639 --> 00:23:03.699 because we know 00:23:03.699 --> 00:23:04.359 that we're loved. 00:23:05.240 --> 00:23:05.919 And because we know 00:23:05.919 --> 00:23:06.339 we're loved, 00:23:06.419 --> 00:23:06.939 we don't need 00:23:06.939 --> 00:23:08.459 to tear others down, 00:23:09.159 --> 00:23:11.979 to build ourselves up. 00:23:13.679 --> 00:23:15.019 And when that starts 00:23:15.019 --> 00:23:16.119 to change your heart, 00:23:16.639 --> 00:23:17.139 when that starts 00:23:17.139 --> 00:23:18.139 to change you, 00:23:18.779 --> 00:23:20.419 that is what will lead you 00:23:20.419 --> 00:23:21.979 to have mastery 00:23:21.979 --> 00:23:23.719 over your tongue. 00:23:23.720 --> 00:23:25.539 that is what will lead you 00:23:25.539 --> 00:23:26.339 to have discipline 00:23:26.339 --> 00:23:28.240 over your words. 00:23:29.220 --> 00:23:29.940 It's the power 00:23:29.940 --> 00:23:30.500 of the gospel. 00:23:31.420 --> 00:23:32.180 It's the power 00:23:32.180 --> 00:23:32.839 to heal the heart. 00:23:32.920 --> 00:23:33.420 It's the power 00:23:33.420 --> 00:23:35.100 to tame the tongue. 00:23:35.220 --> 00:23:35.440 Listen, 00:23:36.319 --> 00:23:36.839 do you want 00:23:36.839 --> 00:23:37.700 to change the world? 00:23:38.880 --> 00:23:39.220 Do you want 00:23:39.220 --> 00:23:39.980 to change the world? 00:23:41.019 --> 00:23:42.000 Practice these 00:23:42.000 --> 00:23:43.140 six things 00:23:43.140 --> 00:23:44.380 for one week. 00:23:44.460 --> 00:23:44.980 Don't complain 00:23:44.980 --> 00:23:45.440 or grumble. 00:23:46.500 --> 00:23:47.299 Don't boast 00:23:47.299 --> 00:23:48.319 about anything at all. 00:23:49.319 --> 00:23:50.220 Don't gossip 00:23:50.220 --> 00:23:50.839 or repeat 00:23:50.839 --> 00:23:51.619 bad information 00:23:51.619 --> 00:23:52.559 about somebody else. 00:23:53.539 --> 00:23:54.319 Do not run 00:23:54.319 --> 00:23:55.220 somebody down 00:23:55.220 --> 00:23:56.259 even a little bit. 00:23:57.220 --> 00:23:58.179 Don't defend 00:23:58.179 --> 00:23:59.259 or excuse yourself 00:23:59.259 --> 00:24:00.019 no matter what. 00:24:00.939 --> 00:24:01.919 And do always 00:24:01.919 --> 00:24:02.959 affirm other people. 00:24:03.699 --> 00:24:05.079 And when you fall short, 00:24:05.139 --> 00:24:06.339 and you will fall short, 00:24:07.059 --> 00:24:08.720 let it lead you 00:24:08.720 --> 00:24:09.539 to examine 00:24:09.539 --> 00:24:10.939 what's in your heart, 00:24:11.019 --> 00:24:11.679 what's going on 00:24:11.679 --> 00:24:12.179 in your heart. 00:24:13.179 --> 00:24:14.259 Let it lead you 00:24:14.259 --> 00:24:14.779 to examine 00:24:14.779 --> 00:24:15.759 how your tongue 00:24:15.759 --> 00:24:16.859 is truly connected 00:24:16.859 --> 00:24:18.359 to what is going 00:24:18.359 --> 00:24:18.939 on underneath. 00:24:20.719 --> 00:24:21.539 And as you 00:24:21.539 --> 00:24:22.899 examine your heart 00:24:22.899 --> 00:24:25.159 and bring your heart 00:24:25.159 --> 00:24:25.879 before God, 00:24:26.919 --> 00:24:28.119 let it lead you 00:24:28.119 --> 00:24:29.519 to worship Jesus, 00:24:30.279 --> 00:24:30.919 the true 00:24:30.919 --> 00:24:31.639 and perfect 00:24:31.639 --> 00:24:32.839 word of God. 00:24:33.939 --> 00:24:34.599 Let's pray. 00:24:37.599 --> 00:24:38.539 Father in heaven, 00:24:39.159 --> 00:24:40.539 we praise you 00:24:40.539 --> 00:24:41.039 and thank you 00:24:41.039 --> 00:24:41.579 that you 00:24:41.579 --> 00:24:43.259 are the word of God 00:24:43.259 --> 00:24:44.179 who came down 00:24:44.179 --> 00:24:44.619 from heaven 00:24:44.619 --> 00:24:46.699 to bring healing 00:24:46.699 --> 00:24:48.359 to the world 00:24:48.359 --> 00:24:49.199 by becoming a curse 00:24:49.199 --> 00:24:49.579 for us. 00:24:49.659 --> 00:24:49.859 And Lord, 00:24:49.899 --> 00:24:50.679 I pray that 00:24:50.679 --> 00:24:52.539 you would do 00:24:52.539 --> 00:24:53.659 your work in us 00:24:53.659 --> 00:24:55.559 to heal 00:24:55.559 --> 00:24:56.079 the places 00:24:56.079 --> 00:24:56.859 in our hearts 00:24:56.859 --> 00:25:00.039 where there's anger 00:25:00.039 --> 00:25:00.579 or bitterness 00:25:00.579 --> 00:25:01.519 or insecurity 00:25:01.519 --> 00:25:02.259 or pride 00:25:02.259 --> 00:25:02.779 or jealousy, 00:25:03.039 --> 00:25:03.159 Lord. 00:25:04.479 --> 00:25:05.079 And I pray, 00:25:05.199 --> 00:25:05.259 Lord, 00:25:05.299 --> 00:25:06.459 that would bring forth 00:25:06.459 --> 00:25:08.539 fresh spring water 00:25:08.539 --> 00:25:11.359 that out of the abundance 00:25:11.359 --> 00:25:12.059 of our hearts 00:25:12.059 --> 00:25:13.179 our mouths would speak 00:25:13.179 --> 00:25:13.799 and that we, 00:25:13.799 --> 00:25:14.779 through our words, 00:25:15.440 --> 00:25:16.680 would bring life 00:25:16.680 --> 00:25:18.639 and encouragement 00:25:18.639 --> 00:25:19.519 and hope 00:25:19.519 --> 00:25:19.960 and healing 00:25:19.960 --> 00:25:22.180 to a lost 00:25:22.180 --> 00:25:23.079 and broken world. 00:25:23.919 --> 00:25:24.740 And we pray this 00:25:24.740 --> 00:25:25.480 in the name of the Father 00:25:25.480 --> 00:25:26.119 and the Son 00:25:26.119 --> 00:25:27.399 and the Holy Spirit. 00:25:28.059 --> 00:25:28.359 Amen.