WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:26.560 Thank you so much, choir. Jenny, Grant, beautiful, beautiful job. I think every time I hear that song, He Will Hold Me Fast, I remember a time coming up on five years ago now, right after Russia had invaded Ukraine and there was a group of believers that a video was coming out of a group of believers singing in Ukraine that song He Will Hold Me Fast. 00:00:26.559 --> 00:00:36.280 And what a beautiful reminder it is for us today that no matter what is going on in this world that Christ will hold us fast. 00:00:36.280 --> 00:00:54.280 I know that many of us are coming to church today with heavy hearts and that the tragic killings this week on a national scale as well as tragic events closer to home have taken a toll on us in some form or fashion. 00:00:54.280 --> 00:01:03.380 Whether it be the assassination of Charlie Kirk or the brutal murder of Irina Zaruska or the school shootings in Colorado. 00:01:04.240 --> 00:01:10.439 We as believers must strongly condemn all of these wicked actions. 00:01:11.439 --> 00:01:16.140 These tragedies are evidence of the evil that resides in the human heart. 00:01:16.140 --> 00:01:20.739 Evidence that we need Jesus now as much as ever. 00:01:21.780 --> 00:01:31.780 We as believers pray that the criminals in these violent acts are brought to justice, but also ultimately to repentance and saving faith in King Jesus. 00:01:32.920 --> 00:01:34.859 We pray for the families of the victims. 00:01:35.740 --> 00:01:37.040 We pray for our nation. 00:01:37.040 --> 00:01:45.460 These acts of violence should never be who we are and we must never make light of evil. 00:01:46.460 --> 00:01:49.700 These are sad and dark days for our nation. 00:01:49.860 --> 00:01:54.360 Yet, as believers, we do not grieve without hope. 00:01:55.400 --> 00:02:00.880 We pray that in the darkness that others will be able to see more clearly the light of the gospel. 00:02:00.879 --> 00:02:06.920 That others will more clearly see the hope that we have as believers. 00:02:07.159 --> 00:02:12.099 Jesus is the only one who can heal brokenness in our nation and save the lost. 00:02:12.659 --> 00:02:27.259 We pray this morning that we, those of us who follow Christ, will passionately proclaim the message of the gospel to our communities, to our nation, and ultimately to our world around us. 00:02:27.259 --> 00:02:35.259 Until Christ returns and wipes away every tear from our eyes and makes all things new. 00:02:36.060 --> 00:02:39.679 Danny Akin reminds us, he says, this day is coming. 00:02:40.500 --> 00:02:48.599 And until it does, we speak courageously and we work diligently against the powers of darkness and evil. 00:02:48.899 --> 00:02:52.639 We have a great commission from a great king. 00:02:52.639 --> 00:03:01.119 We will faithfully carry out that assignment that he has given us until he returns one day. 00:03:01.719 --> 00:03:08.919 And so this morning, I want to encourage us as a church to pray for our community, pray for our nation, pray for our world. 00:03:09.000 --> 00:03:11.859 That we may show light in darkness. 00:03:12.539 --> 00:03:22.359 That we may point people to a saving faith in Jesus Christ and ultimately point them to the only hope that we have in this life and the life to come. 00:03:22.639 --> 00:03:36.679 And so if you would join me in praying this morning, Father, I thank you that we can come together and lift our burdens, lift our requests to you and that you hear us. 00:03:37.339 --> 00:03:43.519 And so, Lord, I pray that you be with us as a church, as a community of believers. 00:03:43.520 --> 00:03:53.060 I pray that you be with believers all over this country, that we in this dark time would point people to you as the only source of hope in this life. 00:03:53.439 --> 00:03:55.360 So, Lord, give us the boldness. 00:03:55.480 --> 00:04:03.780 Give us the courage to speak out against evil when we see it and point people to you as the only source of hope that we have. 00:04:04.219 --> 00:04:06.140 And so, Lord, I thank you for Jesus. 00:04:06.139 --> 00:04:12.739 I thank you for the hope that he gives us not only in this life, but the life to come. 00:04:13.159 --> 00:04:20.759 And so, Lord, let that be what fills our hearts and our minds today and in the days to come and forevermore. 00:04:21.039 --> 00:04:22.639 So, Lord, thank you for that. 00:04:22.680 --> 00:04:25.599 And we ask all these things in Jesus' precious name. 00:04:26.279 --> 00:04:26.680 Amen. 00:04:27.879 --> 00:04:28.399 Amen. 00:04:28.399 --> 00:04:36.679 And so, this morning, we're going to be sharing and talking about our words and the importance of our words as we continue through the book of James. 00:04:36.919 --> 00:04:40.079 But I want to see if you can complete this sentence for me. 00:04:40.519 --> 00:04:44.120 Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never what? 00:04:45.759 --> 00:04:51.979 Isn't it amazing how all of us know that, even though it's completely false? 00:04:51.980 --> 00:04:59.819 Isn't it amazing how all of us know that phrase, know that saying, even though there's no validity to it whatsoever? 00:04:59.960 --> 00:05:05.080 To say that words can never hurt us is not only false, but it's unbiblical. 00:05:05.560 --> 00:05:07.560 It's not what we find in Scripture. 00:05:07.560 --> 00:05:24.319 And what is amazing, or I should actually probably say troubling to me, is the fact that we live in a day and age where verbal communication, that is this face-to-face communication, seems to be, at least to me, on a downward trend. 00:05:24.740 --> 00:05:28.540 Where people aren't communicating face-to-face as much anymore. 00:05:28.579 --> 00:05:29.759 We're still communicating. 00:05:30.040 --> 00:05:36.879 We're communicating over our phones, through social media, through text, through any different avenues that we can come up with. 00:05:36.879 --> 00:05:43.120 But this verbal, this face-to-face communication, seems to be on a downward trend. 00:05:43.800 --> 00:05:55.519 And yet, at the same time, this malice communication, this communication that brings harm to one another, seems to be, at least from the perspective that I'm looking at, you may have a different perspective. 00:05:55.819 --> 00:06:00.500 But from the perspective that I'm looking at, it seems like that is on an upward trajectory. 00:06:01.879 --> 00:06:03.199 You see, words are powerful. 00:06:03.199 --> 00:06:07.899 In good ways and in bad ways, words are powerful. 00:06:07.979 --> 00:06:09.500 And this shouldn't surprise us. 00:06:09.740 --> 00:06:12.319 After all, we serve a God who speaks, right? 00:06:12.759 --> 00:06:17.079 We serve a God who speaks, who spoke the world into existence. 00:06:17.240 --> 00:06:26.180 You go back to the very beginning in Genesis 1, and we see very clearly that we serve a God who speaks, and there's power in His words. 00:06:26.180 --> 00:06:31.060 There's nothing God speaks, and all of creation listens. 00:06:31.959 --> 00:06:36.879 There's nothing God speaks, and all of creation comes forth as He intended. 00:06:37.400 --> 00:06:38.639 Words are powerful. 00:06:38.780 --> 00:06:48.220 And we see that God not only spoke the world into existence, but He continues to speak to us today, primarily through the Word of God. 00:06:48.220 --> 00:06:51.620 And we are created in His image. 00:06:51.840 --> 00:06:58.600 And so it shouldn't surprise us that our words carry power, and our words carry meaning as well. 00:06:59.020 --> 00:07:06.380 And in our passage today, we're going to see this, and we're also going to see the importance of being guarded with our speech. 00:07:06.600 --> 00:07:11.100 But even more so than being guarded with our speech, being guarded with our hearts. 00:07:11.100 --> 00:07:17.600 And so if you have a copy of God's Word, I invite you to open with me to James chapter 3. 00:07:17.700 --> 00:07:21.360 This week, we're going to be in James 3, verses 1 through 12. 00:07:22.100 --> 00:07:23.980 And this is what the Word of the Lord says. 00:07:24.820 --> 00:07:25.439 It says, 00:07:25.439 --> 00:07:28.540 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers. 00:07:29.379 --> 00:07:34.260 For you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 00:07:34.259 --> 00:07:44.199 For we all stumble in many ways, and if anyone does not stumble in what He says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle his whole body. 00:07:45.139 --> 00:07:52.800 If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. 00:07:53.379 --> 00:07:54.519 Look at the ships also. 00:07:55.099 --> 00:08:04.240 They are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 00:08:04.259 --> 00:08:10.560 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. 00:08:11.199 --> 00:08:14.920 How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire. 00:08:15.480 --> 00:08:19.360 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. 00:08:19.439 --> 00:08:28.560 The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. 00:08:28.560 --> 00:08:35.799 Every kind of beast and bird or the reptile and sea creature can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind. 00:08:36.559 --> 00:08:39.200 But no human being can tame the tongue. 00:08:39.720 --> 00:08:42.820 It is a restless evil full of deadly poison. 00:08:43.580 --> 00:08:51.299 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. 00:08:51.299 --> 00:08:55.159 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. 00:08:55.719 --> 00:08:59.979 My brothers, these things ought not to be so. 00:09:00.639 --> 00:09:05.000 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? 00:09:05.419 --> 00:09:10.399 Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? 00:09:11.039 --> 00:09:15.139 Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water. 00:09:15.139 --> 00:09:19.740 Now there are a few things that I want us to understand when it comes to this passage this morning. 00:09:20.159 --> 00:09:26.500 And a few things that I want us to recognize and see when it comes to the importance of our words. 00:09:26.919 --> 00:09:35.159 And the first thing is this, that we should understand the importance and weightiness of teaching God's Word. 00:09:35.819 --> 00:09:41.139 That we understand the importance and weightiness of teaching God's Word. 00:09:41.139 --> 00:09:50.399 Now there are many passages in the book of James that we can look at and that we can see that will apply to our lives. 00:09:50.480 --> 00:09:52.720 In fact, that's one of the reasons that I love the book of James. 00:09:53.139 --> 00:09:59.000 It's because in James, James very clearly states many things that we should be giving our lives to. 00:09:59.319 --> 00:10:02.860 And he says very clearly things that we should not be giving our lives to. 00:10:03.159 --> 00:10:07.580 A lot of times there's not a lot of room for error in misunderstanding what James is saying. 00:10:07.620 --> 00:10:09.220 He says it very clearly. 00:10:09.220 --> 00:10:11.300 And that's one of the reasons that I love James. 00:10:11.399 --> 00:10:17.540 And so there's many things that each of us could look at this passage and see, well, that really applies to me. 00:10:17.940 --> 00:10:24.139 Well, this passage this week was one of those that really applied to me and caused me to think. 00:10:24.420 --> 00:10:28.360 Because these first two verses here in James 3, 1 and 2, it says, 00:10:28.360 --> 00:10:52.159 This is a passage that is incredibly relevant for us today. 00:10:52.159 --> 00:10:57.980 This is a passage that makes a lot of sense in the context that we are in today. 00:10:58.159 --> 00:11:04.919 But it's also a passage that at the time that it was written made a lot of sense to its readers as well. 00:11:05.399 --> 00:11:13.480 Douglas Moo, he points out several different characteristics that made this particular passage important in the life of the early church. 00:11:13.480 --> 00:11:22.019 Noting that Paul ranked the gift of teaching very high on the list of spiritual gifts that God bestows on the church. 00:11:22.480 --> 00:11:28.560 For the early church, Jewish Christians in the church that James would be writing to here, a lot of them, 00:11:28.560 --> 00:11:33.920 the role of the teacher would be very similar to a role that they understood. 00:11:34.200 --> 00:11:36.779 The role of the rabbi who is going to be teaching. 00:11:36.779 --> 00:11:42.199 And so they understood this and made that jump very easily to see the teacher in this role. 00:11:42.659 --> 00:11:44.500 It was a very prestigious role. 00:11:44.579 --> 00:11:50.779 A role that would require a certain level of education in a day and time when very few people could read. 00:11:51.740 --> 00:11:59.500 And they needed to be cautious about people aspiring to this role as a means of getting ahead in society. 00:11:59.639 --> 00:12:06.459 They needed to be very cautious that people would be trying to go into this field as a way of gaining prestige or power 00:12:06.460 --> 00:12:07.340 or authority. 00:12:08.220 --> 00:12:12.080 This, James is saying, should not be the case. 00:12:12.660 --> 00:12:17.440 You shouldn't view this role as a means of self-promotion. 00:12:18.259 --> 00:12:23.740 Many of you are reading right now the book, Love Your Church by Tony Morita. 00:12:23.879 --> 00:12:29.040 It's a book that many of our life groups are going through right now in some of our Sunday school classes. 00:12:29.220 --> 00:12:34.960 But this week in Love Your Church, Tony Morita, he talks about what it means to be a faithful leader. 00:12:34.960 --> 00:12:39.100 And he says, pastors are called to do their work willingly. 00:12:39.780 --> 00:12:43.680 They are called to live holy lives before God. 00:12:44.139 --> 00:12:50.300 He says, most of the pastoral qualifications are related to character and not skills. 00:12:50.300 --> 00:12:53.200 When you look at 1 Timothy chapter 3. 00:12:53.440 --> 00:12:58.600 He says, most of those qualifications for the pastor aren't related to their abilities, 00:12:58.600 --> 00:13:00.400 aren't related to the skills that they have, 00:13:00.399 --> 00:13:04.399 but they're actually far more intertwined with their character. 00:13:05.259 --> 00:13:09.039 They are called to be humble servant leaders, he says, like Jesus. 00:13:09.919 --> 00:13:15.399 To be sure, pastors aren't perfect, and they will have bad days and make mistakes, 00:13:15.699 --> 00:13:23.059 but the pursuit and pattern of a shepherd's life should be marked by happiness, holiness, and humility. 00:13:23.059 --> 00:13:30.799 In the book, Tony Morita goes on to give an illustration about a pastor that I have a lot of respect for. 00:13:31.479 --> 00:13:32.719 And his name is John Stott. 00:13:32.779 --> 00:13:34.759 He went to be with the Lord several years back. 00:13:34.799 --> 00:13:38.759 But John Stott was one of the greatest expositors of a generation. 00:13:39.359 --> 00:13:43.279 He was a pastor who was able to clearly communicate God's Word, 00:13:43.379 --> 00:13:49.059 but he was also a pastor who had a deep sense of humility when it comes to serving others. 00:13:49.059 --> 00:13:52.859 And in the book, he gives a great illustration, but there's another illustration, 00:13:53.439 --> 00:13:58.359 there's another story about John Stott's life that I want to bring our attention to this morning. 00:13:58.819 --> 00:14:04.699 You see, he would go around and do lots of conferences and work with aspiring young pastors 00:14:04.699 --> 00:14:07.639 and going around doing these teaching seminars. 00:14:07.839 --> 00:14:10.159 And one time he was asked, he says, 00:14:10.299 --> 00:14:14.339 what goes through your mind before you step on the stage to give a sermon? 00:14:14.479 --> 00:14:18.839 He says, what goes through your mind as you're walking up to the pulpit? 00:14:19.059 --> 00:14:21.659 And John Stott responded, he says, 00:14:21.739 --> 00:14:26.000 there's three steps that I walk up on my way to the pulpit. 00:14:26.359 --> 00:14:27.319 He says, there's three steps. 00:14:27.419 --> 00:14:31.819 On each step, I remind myself, he says, I believe in the Holy Spirit. 00:14:32.339 --> 00:14:34.259 I believe in the Holy Spirit. 00:14:34.659 --> 00:14:36.719 I believe in the Holy Spirit. 00:14:37.559 --> 00:14:45.259 And what Stott was communicating here is a deep sense of dependence on God to teach his Word. 00:14:45.259 --> 00:14:50.559 A deep sense of dependence on God to expound his Word. 00:14:51.000 --> 00:14:55.139 And then he was also asked, he says, well, what goes through your mind as you're leaving the stage, 00:14:55.179 --> 00:14:57.679 as you're walking off after you give a message? 00:14:58.100 --> 00:15:00.840 He says, what do you feel after a sermon? 00:15:01.319 --> 00:15:03.059 And this is what Stott responded. 00:15:03.200 --> 00:15:04.259 He said, ashamed. 00:15:06.039 --> 00:15:09.159 Ashamed that I couldn't do a better job. 00:15:09.159 --> 00:15:09.639 What? 00:15:09.639 --> 00:15:10.079 What? 00:15:11.579 --> 00:15:16.339 One of the greatest communicators, one of the greatest expositors of God's Word, 00:15:16.759 --> 00:15:19.159 at least that I've known about in this generation, 00:15:19.319 --> 00:15:25.500 is saying that what he felt as he left was this ashamed that he couldn't do a better job. 00:15:26.179 --> 00:15:32.279 And I can't tell you how challenging and comforting all at the same time this was for me this week, 00:15:32.279 --> 00:15:39.279 to think about one of the greatest expositors and the humility that he approached teaching God's Word. 00:15:39.939 --> 00:15:45.019 This deep sense of humility that I need God when it comes to teaching His Word. 00:15:45.139 --> 00:15:50.939 You see, James is not saying, do not follow God's call in your life to go to be a teacher of the Word, 00:15:51.039 --> 00:15:53.699 but rather he's saying, check your motives. 00:15:54.179 --> 00:15:57.779 Make sure you understand reason why you're going into this. 00:15:57.779 --> 00:16:02.139 As teachers, we have the ability to not only sin with our words, 00:16:02.220 --> 00:16:07.039 but we have the ability to lead others to sin with our words as well. 00:16:07.620 --> 00:16:11.100 There is a real need for pastors in the church today. 00:16:11.579 --> 00:16:18.179 For the last couple of years, the Georgia Baptist Convention has made a large emphasis on the need for pastors, 00:16:18.360 --> 00:16:20.779 the need for training up pastors in the church. 00:16:21.299 --> 00:16:24.620 They said there's a real shortage of pastors in the church. 00:16:24.620 --> 00:16:28.960 The average age of a senior pastor in the church is steadily increasing, 00:16:28.960 --> 00:16:35.060 while the number of young ministers, the young pastors coming into ministry is steadily declining. 00:16:35.700 --> 00:16:40.080 And they said it's not just a problem that we're going to see in years to come. 00:16:40.139 --> 00:16:42.179 It's a problem that we're seeing right now. 00:16:42.240 --> 00:16:48.440 So there is this need, there is a real sense of urgency to call people into pastoral ministry. 00:16:48.440 --> 00:16:54.780 So hear me when I say this, we need people answering the call into ministry, 00:16:54.780 --> 00:17:00.360 but we need young men of character and not just talent. 00:17:00.860 --> 00:17:03.680 We need young men of character and not just talent. 00:17:03.780 --> 00:17:08.460 As a church, it is our responsibility to raise up these leaders. 00:17:08.460 --> 00:17:13.539 The next thing I hope that we can see from this passage is this, 00:17:13.620 --> 00:17:19.519 that we must understand the disproportionate strength the tongue has to lead us. 00:17:19.920 --> 00:17:22.420 I know that's a whole mouthful, so let me say it again here. 00:17:23.519 --> 00:17:29.759 We must understand the disproportionate strength the tongue has to lead us. 00:17:30.420 --> 00:17:31.079 James says, 00:17:31.079 --> 00:17:37.659 If we put bits in the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. 00:17:38.039 --> 00:17:39.119 Look at the ships also. 00:17:39.339 --> 00:17:43.119 They are guided, they are so large and are driven by strong winds. 00:17:43.559 --> 00:17:48.779 They're guided by very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 00:17:49.220 --> 00:17:53.679 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. 00:17:54.119 --> 00:17:56.460 I don't know how many of you in here have ridden a horse before. 00:17:56.519 --> 00:17:57.659 Who in here has ridden a horse? 00:17:57.660 --> 00:18:02.400 Okay, that's actually quite a bit of you have ridden a horse before. 00:18:02.900 --> 00:18:07.900 And I can remember growing up, I actually took horseback riding lessons when I was younger, 00:18:07.960 --> 00:18:10.660 when I was in elementary school, and I thought it was great. 00:18:11.380 --> 00:18:16.759 I, as a small child, had the opportunity, I had to get help to get up on top of the horse, 00:18:16.800 --> 00:18:21.220 but I had the opportunity to ride this mass, I mean, a horse now seems big, 00:18:21.340 --> 00:18:24.019 but to a child, a horse is huge. 00:18:24.019 --> 00:18:28.700 And so I can remember riding these horses around, and it was so amazing to me, 00:18:29.019 --> 00:18:35.319 me as a small child being able to lead and guide and direct this 1,200-pound animal that I'm riding. 00:18:35.799 --> 00:18:39.980 And I can remember one time in particular, I was riding this horse, and I asked the instructor, 00:18:40.079 --> 00:18:43.039 I said, can I take the horse through the mud over there? 00:18:43.400 --> 00:18:47.000 And she didn't know what I was talking about, and she said, sure, go ahead and do that. 00:18:47.000 --> 00:18:53.920 And so what I was actually referring to was this giant dirt pile that a dump truck had come in 00:18:53.920 --> 00:18:58.319 and put out so that she could spread around the corral to fill out any potholes. 00:18:58.680 --> 00:19:04.019 And so there's this giant mound of dirt that was right on the side of the corral. 00:19:04.400 --> 00:19:10.420 And so before she knew it, I had taken that horse around, and I, proud as I possibly could be, 00:19:10.599 --> 00:19:16.059 sitting on top of this horse, on top of this giant mound of dirt, just as happy as I could be. 00:19:17.000 --> 00:19:25.079 So it's amazing when you think about that even a small child can lead and guide and direct this giant horse 00:19:25.079 --> 00:19:27.319 with just a small little bit. 00:19:27.839 --> 00:19:32.259 And James says it's the same thing when it comes to a ship. 00:19:32.680 --> 00:19:34.119 James says it's the same way with a ship. 00:19:34.200 --> 00:19:38.819 You can guide this massive ship with a small little rudder. 00:19:39.579 --> 00:19:42.720 Our tongues not only have the ability to guide our lives, 00:19:42.720 --> 00:19:46.500 but they also have the ability to guide others as well. 00:19:47.000 --> 00:19:54.559 Winston Churchill used words to inspire and rally a nation when he came over the airwaves and said this. 00:19:54.920 --> 00:19:55.160 He said, 00:19:55.660 --> 00:19:56.380 Never give in. 00:19:56.880 --> 00:20:00.019 Never, never, never, never. 00:20:00.200 --> 00:20:02.440 And nothing great or small, large or petty. 00:20:02.559 --> 00:20:07.599 Never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense. 00:20:07.900 --> 00:20:10.740 And with those words, he inspired a nation. 00:20:10.740 --> 00:20:16.720 But at the same time, Hitler used words to inspire the killing of millions. 00:20:17.779 --> 00:20:19.440 You see, words have power. 00:20:19.920 --> 00:20:23.799 They're disproportionate in their strength to lead us. 00:20:24.299 --> 00:20:25.620 Words are funny things. 00:20:26.039 --> 00:20:30.680 They have the potential to share hope, and they have the potential to destroy. 00:20:30.680 --> 00:20:35.240 How are we going to let words guide our lives? 00:20:35.660 --> 00:20:37.920 How are we going to let these words guide our lives? 00:20:38.000 --> 00:20:39.279 Paul in Romans 10 says, 00:20:39.720 --> 00:20:42.920 For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. 00:20:43.600 --> 00:20:46.420 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? 00:20:46.820 --> 00:20:49.740 And how are they to believe in him whom they have never heard? 00:20:50.220 --> 00:20:54.039 And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 00:20:54.039 --> 00:20:57.059 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? 00:20:57.619 --> 00:20:58.339 As it is written, 00:20:58.500 --> 00:21:02.299 How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news. 00:21:03.480 --> 00:21:05.339 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. 00:21:05.519 --> 00:21:06.339 For Isaiah says, 00:21:06.500 --> 00:21:09.339 Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us? 00:21:09.799 --> 00:21:12.019 So faith comes from hearing, 00:21:12.519 --> 00:21:15.299 and hearing through the word of Christ. 00:21:16.059 --> 00:21:19.879 May we let the words of the gospel guide our lives. 00:21:20.500 --> 00:21:23.579 May we let the words of the gospel transform our lives 00:21:23.579 --> 00:21:24.919 to lead us, to guide us. 00:21:25.199 --> 00:21:27.599 May we let the words of the gospel be the message 00:21:27.599 --> 00:21:30.259 that we proclaim to a lost and dying world. 00:21:30.519 --> 00:21:34.819 And it's amazing how those words are life transforming. 00:21:35.299 --> 00:21:38.659 May we be open to the gospel message when it is shared with us. 00:21:38.659 --> 00:21:43.419 And may we let those words change our life as we share with others. 00:21:44.439 --> 00:21:46.519 Finally, as we look at this passage, 00:21:46.960 --> 00:21:50.619 it is my hope and prayer that we catch a glimpse of 00:21:50.619 --> 00:21:55.639 and understand the overwhelming power of words. 00:21:56.299 --> 00:21:57.559 That we catch a glimpse of 00:21:57.559 --> 00:22:01.359 and understand the overwhelming power of words. 00:22:02.099 --> 00:22:04.419 We've been very cautious and somewhat negative 00:22:04.419 --> 00:22:05.919 in our approach to words so far. 00:22:06.079 --> 00:22:07.139 And for good reason. 00:22:07.299 --> 00:22:09.839 James is very cautious and in many ways negative 00:22:09.839 --> 00:22:12.979 when it comes to how we use our words. 00:22:13.399 --> 00:22:16.199 But we also see that both good and bad 00:22:16.199 --> 00:22:17.319 can come from our mouths. 00:22:17.319 --> 00:22:19.639 Words have the power to build up 00:22:19.639 --> 00:22:22.659 and they have the ability to tear down. 00:22:23.279 --> 00:22:23.960 James says, 00:22:24.079 --> 00:22:29.000 How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire. 00:22:29.579 --> 00:22:31.079 A tongue is a fire. 00:22:31.159 --> 00:22:33.740 A world of unrighteousness. 00:22:34.079 --> 00:22:36.519 To help us understand the power of the tongue 00:22:36.519 --> 00:22:37.759 and the potential it has, 00:22:38.319 --> 00:22:39.839 James gives us a picture 00:22:39.839 --> 00:22:42.960 that every single boy 00:22:42.960 --> 00:22:44.859 that has ever been on a camping trip 00:22:44.859 --> 00:22:46.539 understands all too well. 00:22:47.119 --> 00:22:48.599 That a picture of something 00:22:48.599 --> 00:22:50.379 that every single child 00:22:50.379 --> 00:22:51.719 who's ever been on a camping trip 00:22:51.719 --> 00:22:53.199 understands all too well 00:22:53.199 --> 00:22:54.599 that a small fire 00:22:54.599 --> 00:22:57.119 can get out of control in a hurry. 00:22:57.639 --> 00:22:59.939 Just ask Rex or any of the other scout leaders. 00:23:00.059 --> 00:23:01.019 A small fire, 00:23:01.479 --> 00:23:02.759 when you take these scouts out 00:23:02.759 --> 00:23:04.279 or you take RAs on camping trips, 00:23:04.359 --> 00:23:07.059 a small fire can get out of control 00:23:07.059 --> 00:23:08.839 in a hurry. 00:23:09.559 --> 00:23:10.399 In high school, 00:23:11.199 --> 00:23:13.519 and I may regret sharing this, 00:23:13.579 --> 00:23:14.419 but I already shared it once, 00:23:14.480 --> 00:23:15.500 so I might as well share it again. 00:23:15.559 --> 00:23:17.019 But in high school, 00:23:17.399 --> 00:23:20.379 I was a little mischievous from time to time. 00:23:20.379 --> 00:23:23.379 And I can remember a time in chemistry class, 00:23:23.720 --> 00:23:25.459 and I sat in the back of the room, 00:23:25.519 --> 00:23:27.619 and we had these tables for chemistry, 00:23:28.240 --> 00:23:30.500 these tables where two people could sit at 00:23:30.500 --> 00:23:31.519 and had this wooden top 00:23:31.519 --> 00:23:34.559 that was just like a really smooth black surface on it. 00:23:34.559 --> 00:23:37.279 And then the table that I was sitting at 00:23:37.279 --> 00:23:38.960 was in the very back of the room 00:23:38.960 --> 00:23:40.599 right next to where we conduct 00:23:40.599 --> 00:23:41.859 all of the experiments. 00:23:42.599 --> 00:23:45.179 And we had just conducted an experiment 00:23:45.179 --> 00:23:46.559 the day before in chemistry, 00:23:46.859 --> 00:23:49.679 and this day we had a substitute teacher. 00:23:50.240 --> 00:23:53.119 And so we weren't doing very much in class that day, 00:23:53.240 --> 00:23:54.779 and I started looking around, 00:23:54.879 --> 00:23:55.859 and all of a sudden I realized 00:23:55.859 --> 00:23:58.039 there were two things that were left out 00:23:58.039 --> 00:23:59.399 from the experiment 00:23:59.399 --> 00:24:00.960 that we were doing the day before. 00:24:01.399 --> 00:24:03.799 One of those things was rubbing alcohol, 00:24:03.799 --> 00:24:06.379 and the other thing was a striker. 00:24:06.740 --> 00:24:08.240 Now, if you don't know what a striker is, 00:24:08.259 --> 00:24:09.720 it's the little thing that you use 00:24:09.720 --> 00:24:12.339 to make a spark to light a Bunsen burner. 00:24:13.139 --> 00:24:14.639 And so I got the bright idea 00:24:14.639 --> 00:24:16.859 to take a little bit of that alcohol, 00:24:17.379 --> 00:24:18.460 pour out on the table, 00:24:19.079 --> 00:24:20.099 use the striker, 00:24:20.519 --> 00:24:23.259 and then watch it catch on fire 00:24:23.259 --> 00:24:24.200 and burn for a second. 00:24:24.279 --> 00:24:25.180 Now, it was just the alcohol, 00:24:25.299 --> 00:24:26.639 so it would burn very quickly, 00:24:26.779 --> 00:24:28.419 and it wouldn't burn for very long. 00:24:28.740 --> 00:24:30.059 And so I decided, you know what? 00:24:30.079 --> 00:24:30.799 That was fun. 00:24:31.019 --> 00:24:32.099 Let's do a little bit more. 00:24:32.099 --> 00:24:34.980 And so I poured more alcohol out on the table, 00:24:35.480 --> 00:24:36.179 took the striker, 00:24:36.379 --> 00:24:37.740 and all of a sudden, you know, 00:24:37.839 --> 00:24:40.199 flames are kind of dancing there on the table. 00:24:40.559 --> 00:24:41.500 It was great fun. 00:24:41.719 --> 00:24:43.379 And what do you do when you do it a couple times? 00:24:43.500 --> 00:24:45.539 You pour a little more alcohol out, 00:24:45.619 --> 00:24:47.019 and you light it up again. 00:24:47.439 --> 00:24:50.159 And I don't know if it was good timing on her part 00:24:50.159 --> 00:24:51.399 or bad timing on my part, 00:24:51.480 --> 00:24:54.480 but next door to where this was 00:24:54.480 --> 00:24:55.599 was another teacher 00:24:55.599 --> 00:24:58.679 who kept hearing this striker go off. 00:24:58.680 --> 00:24:59.440 And she thought, 00:24:59.560 --> 00:25:01.400 I better go check out what's going on 00:25:01.400 --> 00:25:03.340 because I know there's a substitute in there. 00:25:03.580 --> 00:25:05.180 They shouldn't be doing any experiments. 00:25:05.340 --> 00:25:07.779 And so she walks in right as I, 00:25:08.160 --> 00:25:09.299 and then all of a sudden, 00:25:09.380 --> 00:25:11.680 the table is just dancing with flames on fire. 00:25:11.940 --> 00:25:13.580 And there's nothing you can do about it at that point. 00:25:13.960 --> 00:25:14.700 I mean, you can't, 00:25:15.100 --> 00:25:18.100 I mean, there's nothing you can do about it. 00:25:18.340 --> 00:25:20.200 And the bad part was at the time, 00:25:20.279 --> 00:25:22.560 my dad was the assistant principal at the high school. 00:25:22.799 --> 00:25:23.779 And she says, 00:25:23.900 --> 00:25:26.220 what would your dad think about this? 00:25:26.220 --> 00:25:27.600 And I said, I don't know, 00:25:27.680 --> 00:25:28.860 but I bet we're about to find out. 00:25:29.319 --> 00:25:31.100 And no, I really didn't say that. 00:25:31.220 --> 00:25:32.480 But to her credit, 00:25:32.579 --> 00:25:34.440 she actually never told my dad. 00:25:34.740 --> 00:25:36.640 And I finally told him about two years ago. 00:25:37.620 --> 00:25:39.600 But it was one of those things. 00:25:39.740 --> 00:25:41.039 But the whole point of this 00:25:41.039 --> 00:25:42.360 is for us to understand 00:25:42.360 --> 00:25:45.900 that our words have this same effect in our lives. 00:25:46.360 --> 00:25:48.860 This picture is something that we can all relate to. 00:25:49.160 --> 00:25:51.940 A spark, a small little flame, 00:25:52.360 --> 00:25:55.880 has the potential to turn into something so much more. 00:25:55.880 --> 00:25:59.340 It has the potential to turn into an out-of-control fire. 00:25:59.900 --> 00:26:02.400 Our tongue, our speech, our words 00:26:02.400 --> 00:26:04.540 have this kind of potential. 00:26:05.600 --> 00:26:08.280 James is warning us here that they are out of control. 00:26:09.080 --> 00:26:10.380 And he says that there is stain. 00:26:10.500 --> 00:26:11.280 Listen to these words. 00:26:11.360 --> 00:26:11.580 He says, 00:26:11.740 --> 00:26:13.940 the tongue is set among our members, 00:26:14.440 --> 00:26:15.720 staining the whole body. 00:26:16.020 --> 00:26:17.860 You know how you ruin a brand new shirt? 00:26:18.860 --> 00:26:19.960 Go out to eat with it 00:26:19.960 --> 00:26:22.260 and get ketchup right here on the front of it. 00:26:22.560 --> 00:26:24.640 It doesn't come out for anything. 00:26:24.640 --> 00:26:25.460 And so all of a sudden, 00:26:25.560 --> 00:26:27.040 that brand new shirt that you're excited about 00:26:27.040 --> 00:26:28.740 is ruined with this stain. 00:26:29.220 --> 00:26:30.820 And James is saying here 00:26:30.820 --> 00:26:32.360 that our tongue has the potential 00:26:32.360 --> 00:26:34.720 of staining the whole body. 00:26:35.700 --> 00:26:35.980 He says, 00:26:36.060 --> 00:26:38.040 it's a wild beast that no one can tame. 00:26:38.680 --> 00:26:40.560 For every kind of beast and bird 00:26:40.560 --> 00:26:42.020 and reptile and sea creature 00:26:42.020 --> 00:26:43.020 can be tamed 00:26:43.020 --> 00:26:44.920 and has been tamed by mankind. 00:26:44.920 --> 00:26:48.420 But no human being can tame the tongue. 00:26:48.420 --> 00:26:52.420 One of my earliest memories that I have 00:26:52.420 --> 00:26:54.700 is going to the SoCo Zoo. 00:26:54.860 --> 00:26:56.580 I don't know if any of you remember the SoCo Zoo, 00:26:56.740 --> 00:26:59.100 but I remember going to the SoCo Zoo. 00:26:59.600 --> 00:27:01.420 And one of the things that we love, 00:27:01.460 --> 00:27:02.440 I think, as people 00:27:02.440 --> 00:27:05.580 is to interact with potentially wild animals. 00:27:05.800 --> 00:27:08.680 There's something that's exciting about that for us. 00:27:08.720 --> 00:27:10.000 We love to go to the zoo. 00:27:10.279 --> 00:27:12.259 We love to see them at a safe distance. 00:27:12.360 --> 00:27:13.140 And if they're tame, 00:27:13.340 --> 00:27:14.980 we love to interact with animals 00:27:14.980 --> 00:27:18.160 that would normally be a dangerous creature. 00:27:18.900 --> 00:27:20.779 And I can remember going to the zoo 00:27:20.779 --> 00:27:22.299 and watching my brother 00:27:22.299 --> 00:27:24.599 put this big python around his neck. 00:27:24.640 --> 00:27:25.160 And I'm thinking, 00:27:25.539 --> 00:27:27.220 my goodness, this is crazy. 00:27:27.759 --> 00:27:29.220 And now looking back, 00:27:29.240 --> 00:27:30.380 it probably wasn't that big 00:27:30.380 --> 00:27:31.579 and it probably wasn't as scary. 00:27:31.839 --> 00:27:33.079 But at the time, I'm like, 00:27:33.259 --> 00:27:34.819 this is so dangerous. 00:27:34.819 --> 00:27:37.599 This python, it could really harm him. 00:27:37.880 --> 00:27:38.599 But the thing was, 00:27:38.660 --> 00:27:40.940 this python had been handled so many times 00:27:40.940 --> 00:27:43.720 that it was as calm as it could possibly be. 00:27:43.720 --> 00:27:45.860 People have tamed horses, 00:27:46.400 --> 00:27:49.880 elephants, dogs, bears, birds, dolphins, seals. 00:27:50.220 --> 00:27:50.940 It's amazing. 00:27:51.059 --> 00:27:52.079 You go to the aquarium 00:27:52.079 --> 00:27:53.620 and see all the kinds of animals 00:27:53.620 --> 00:27:56.160 that have been tamed by man, 00:27:56.900 --> 00:27:57.680 except for cats. 00:27:58.000 --> 00:27:59.980 Can't do a whole lot with cats. 00:28:00.039 --> 00:28:00.880 They kind of do their own thing. 00:28:00.980 --> 00:28:03.440 But most animals we can tame. 00:28:03.740 --> 00:28:06.519 Most animals we can train and do things. 00:28:06.640 --> 00:28:07.500 And James says, 00:28:07.940 --> 00:28:10.600 you can tame all sorts of animals, 00:28:10.599 --> 00:28:14.579 but the tongue is something that we can't tame. 00:28:15.039 --> 00:28:16.219 And then he goes on to say 00:28:16.219 --> 00:28:17.859 that it is a restless evil 00:28:17.859 --> 00:28:19.740 full of deadly poison. 00:28:20.459 --> 00:28:21.859 And so a snake, we see, 00:28:21.899 --> 00:28:22.779 is not the only creature 00:28:22.779 --> 00:28:24.679 that can kill us with venom. 00:28:25.059 --> 00:28:25.740 So can man. 00:28:26.899 --> 00:28:29.959 You see, our words are overwhelmingly powerful. 00:28:30.379 --> 00:28:32.019 And that is why James tells us 00:28:32.019 --> 00:28:33.799 that we must be consistent 00:28:33.799 --> 00:28:36.179 in how we use our words. 00:28:36.180 --> 00:28:37.140 He says, 00:28:37.440 --> 00:28:37.860 with our words, 00:28:37.920 --> 00:28:40.519 with it we bless our Lord and Father 00:28:40.519 --> 00:28:43.360 and with it we curse people 00:28:43.360 --> 00:28:46.200 who are made in the likeness of God. 00:28:46.840 --> 00:28:50.000 From the same mouth come forth blessing and cursing. 00:28:50.340 --> 00:28:50.580 He says, 00:28:50.660 --> 00:28:51.240 my brothers, 00:28:51.480 --> 00:28:53.820 these things ought not to be so. 00:28:54.600 --> 00:28:56.039 Does a spring pour forth 00:28:56.039 --> 00:28:57.039 from the same opening 00:28:57.039 --> 00:28:58.660 both fresh and salt water? 00:28:59.180 --> 00:29:00.600 Can a fig tree, my brothers, 00:29:00.700 --> 00:29:01.340 bear olives 00:29:01.340 --> 00:29:03.180 or a grapevine produce figs? 00:29:03.180 --> 00:29:07.240 Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water. 00:29:07.720 --> 00:29:10.600 You see, our words are powerful. 00:29:11.240 --> 00:29:13.759 And they can be used in one of two ways. 00:29:14.440 --> 00:29:17.320 Our words can be used in the worship of God, 00:29:17.400 --> 00:29:20.620 which is what God desires for us to use them for. 00:29:21.140 --> 00:29:23.100 With our tongues, we can praise God, 00:29:23.180 --> 00:29:26.259 which is the highest and best possible way 00:29:26.259 --> 00:29:27.759 to use our speech. 00:29:28.500 --> 00:29:30.779 What greater way can we use our tongues 00:29:30.779 --> 00:29:34.319 than to use our speech than to praise God? 00:29:34.839 --> 00:29:36.379 We use our speech to worship 00:29:36.379 --> 00:29:38.759 and point others to the source of our hope. 00:29:39.099 --> 00:29:40.460 And I think as believers, 00:29:41.180 --> 00:29:43.460 I think as people who follow Christ, 00:29:43.619 --> 00:29:45.920 we get this right at least part of the time. 00:29:46.639 --> 00:29:48.660 We get this right many times, 00:29:48.819 --> 00:29:50.639 but at the same time, 00:29:51.359 --> 00:29:52.700 it's amazing how we can go 00:29:52.700 --> 00:29:53.960 in the same conversation 00:29:53.960 --> 00:29:55.319 from praising God 00:29:55.319 --> 00:29:57.099 to tearing down other people. 00:29:57.099 --> 00:29:59.259 In the same conversation, 00:29:59.379 --> 00:29:59.959 in the same hour, 00:30:00.019 --> 00:30:00.859 in the same minute, 00:30:00.939 --> 00:30:02.119 in the same sentence sometimes, 00:30:02.279 --> 00:30:04.539 we can praise God with our tongues, 00:30:04.679 --> 00:30:05.559 but at the same time, 00:30:05.619 --> 00:30:06.919 tear other people down. 00:30:07.279 --> 00:30:08.039 And James says, 00:30:08.379 --> 00:30:10.599 this should not be the case. 00:30:11.500 --> 00:30:13.699 It doesn't work with plants. 00:30:13.779 --> 00:30:14.679 He says a fig tree 00:30:14.679 --> 00:30:16.079 is not going to produce olives. 00:30:16.819 --> 00:30:17.980 Those apple trees 00:30:17.980 --> 00:30:19.039 that I told you about last week 00:30:19.039 --> 00:30:20.379 in Lone Creek, South Carolina, 00:30:20.879 --> 00:30:21.919 they're not ever going 00:30:21.919 --> 00:30:23.119 to start producing oranges. 00:30:23.119 --> 00:30:26.199 A spring is never going to produce 00:30:26.199 --> 00:30:27.699 salt water and fresh water 00:30:27.699 --> 00:30:28.519 at the same time. 00:30:28.619 --> 00:30:29.939 It's an impossibility 00:30:29.939 --> 00:30:31.859 for these things to happen. 00:30:32.519 --> 00:30:34.239 Yet we often find ourselves 00:30:34.239 --> 00:30:35.619 praising God 00:30:35.619 --> 00:30:37.899 and tearing down our brothers and sisters 00:30:37.899 --> 00:30:39.979 who are made in the image of God. 00:30:41.059 --> 00:30:42.959 We do this in many different ways. 00:30:43.119 --> 00:30:45.819 Sometimes it's with the words themselves 00:30:45.819 --> 00:30:47.059 that come from our mouth. 00:30:47.179 --> 00:30:48.899 Sometimes the words themselves 00:30:48.899 --> 00:30:50.959 are harmful and hurtful. 00:30:50.960 --> 00:30:53.920 But sometimes it has much more 00:30:53.920 --> 00:30:55.620 to do with the tone of the words 00:30:55.620 --> 00:30:56.720 that are coming from our mouth 00:30:56.720 --> 00:30:58.240 than the actual words themselves. 00:30:59.319 --> 00:31:01.600 This is true for many of us as parents. 00:31:02.539 --> 00:31:04.920 Many times the correcting words 00:31:04.920 --> 00:31:06.200 need to be said. 00:31:06.680 --> 00:31:09.640 Many times those words need to be said, 00:31:09.840 --> 00:31:12.220 but the tone in which they are said 00:31:12.220 --> 00:31:14.259 does far more harm 00:31:14.259 --> 00:31:15.940 than the words do good. 00:31:16.660 --> 00:31:17.980 And so we've got to be careful 00:31:17.980 --> 00:31:20.860 what we say and how we say. 00:31:20.960 --> 00:31:22.660 And sometimes it's gossip 00:31:22.660 --> 00:31:24.680 that is coming from our lips. 00:31:25.319 --> 00:31:26.360 Sometimes it's gossip 00:31:26.360 --> 00:31:27.500 that we struggle with. 00:31:27.579 --> 00:31:29.120 And we as believers 00:31:29.120 --> 00:31:30.420 have gotten really good 00:31:30.420 --> 00:31:32.120 at justifying gossip, right? 00:31:32.759 --> 00:31:33.700 We just say simply 00:31:33.700 --> 00:31:35.180 that it's a prayer request, right? 00:31:35.700 --> 00:31:36.840 You say, oh, you need to pray 00:31:36.840 --> 00:31:37.579 for this person. 00:31:37.660 --> 00:31:38.380 You're not going to believe 00:31:38.380 --> 00:31:38.920 what they did. 00:31:38.960 --> 00:31:39.620 Let me tell you. 00:31:40.120 --> 00:31:41.360 You need to pray for them. 00:31:41.440 --> 00:31:42.180 You're not going to believe 00:31:42.180 --> 00:31:43.620 what they're going through right now. 00:31:43.700 --> 00:31:44.460 Let me share with you 00:31:44.460 --> 00:31:45.460 what they're going through. 00:31:46.259 --> 00:31:48.200 These things are gossip. 00:31:48.200 --> 00:31:50.519 And I realize this may be hard 00:31:50.519 --> 00:31:51.400 for some of you to hear. 00:31:51.600 --> 00:31:53.759 Just because you start a sentence 00:31:53.759 --> 00:31:55.059 with bless his heart 00:31:55.059 --> 00:31:57.819 doesn't mean that it's going to end well. 00:31:58.519 --> 00:32:00.660 Just because you say bless your heart 00:32:00.660 --> 00:32:01.840 doesn't give you free reign 00:32:01.840 --> 00:32:03.740 to say whatever you want to after that. 00:32:04.380 --> 00:32:05.039 Bless his heart. 00:32:05.120 --> 00:32:05.700 He's an idiot. 00:32:06.180 --> 00:32:07.360 He just can't help it. 00:32:07.380 --> 00:32:08.920 His parents were like that. 00:32:09.200 --> 00:32:10.059 Or bless her heart. 00:32:10.140 --> 00:32:11.420 She doesn't know any better. 00:32:12.779 --> 00:32:14.600 Now, if you didn't grow up in the South, 00:32:14.779 --> 00:32:16.100 you may not realize this yet, 00:32:16.099 --> 00:32:17.859 but if somebody says bless your heart, 00:32:18.319 --> 00:32:19.299 it's not a compliment. 00:32:19.899 --> 00:32:20.119 Okay? 00:32:20.259 --> 00:32:20.579 It's not. 00:32:20.659 --> 00:32:21.459 It's really not. 00:32:22.279 --> 00:32:24.639 But it can also be gossip 00:32:24.639 --> 00:32:28.759 even if what is stated is true. 00:32:29.599 --> 00:32:31.219 It can still be gossip 00:32:31.219 --> 00:32:33.379 even if what you're saying 00:32:33.379 --> 00:32:35.240 is actually true. 00:32:35.740 --> 00:32:37.740 How many times have you heard one say, 00:32:38.399 --> 00:32:40.759 well, it's not gossip because it's true. 00:32:41.059 --> 00:32:42.459 Let me tell you about this. 00:32:42.460 --> 00:32:45.039 Nine times out of ten, 00:32:45.940 --> 00:32:48.660 if you start a sentence with, 00:32:49.079 --> 00:32:50.200 well, it's not gossip, 00:32:51.059 --> 00:32:52.460 then there's a good chance it's gossip. 00:32:53.400 --> 00:32:55.860 There's a good chance it actually is gossip 00:32:55.860 --> 00:32:57.100 and it's tearing down 00:32:57.100 --> 00:33:00.700 and hurt doing more harm than it is good. 00:33:01.440 --> 00:33:04.480 It almost seems like James is presenting the problem 00:33:04.480 --> 00:33:06.380 without offering a solution in this. 00:33:06.660 --> 00:33:08.220 But with some common understanding 00:33:08.220 --> 00:33:09.299 in the immediate context, 00:33:09.299 --> 00:33:11.899 we can clearly see where we go from here. 00:33:12.619 --> 00:33:13.720 You see, James in, 00:33:14.059 --> 00:33:16.099 or Jesus in Luke 6 reminds us, 00:33:16.139 --> 00:33:16.419 he says, 00:33:16.519 --> 00:33:19.359 the good person out of the good treasure of his heart 00:33:19.359 --> 00:33:20.379 produces good, 00:33:20.659 --> 00:33:22.480 and the evil person out of the evil treasure 00:33:22.480 --> 00:33:23.579 produces evil, 00:33:24.000 --> 00:33:27.019 for out of the abundance of the heart, 00:33:27.779 --> 00:33:29.180 his mouth speaks. 00:33:30.059 --> 00:33:32.159 Out of the abundance of his heart, 00:33:32.519 --> 00:33:33.299 his mouth speaks. 00:33:33.299 --> 00:33:35.720 And so going along 00:33:35.720 --> 00:33:37.419 with all these horticultural analogies 00:33:37.420 --> 00:33:38.740 that we've already talked about, 00:33:39.500 --> 00:33:42.360 we see where the heart of the matter is. 00:33:42.700 --> 00:33:45.820 And the heart of the matter is in our heart. 00:33:46.740 --> 00:33:48.080 You can take apples 00:33:48.080 --> 00:33:50.000 and you can staple them to an oak tree, 00:33:50.140 --> 00:33:52.240 but that doesn't make it an apple tree. 00:33:53.000 --> 00:33:54.660 Eventually that fruit rots 00:33:54.660 --> 00:33:55.539 and it falls away. 00:33:55.620 --> 00:33:58.080 The only way to produce the fruit 00:33:58.080 --> 00:33:59.580 is from the inside. 00:33:59.880 --> 00:34:01.400 The solution to our problem 00:34:01.400 --> 00:34:03.980 is not simply trying to control our tongue. 00:34:04.380 --> 00:34:05.840 James says that's impossible. 00:34:05.839 --> 00:34:08.519 The only way to change our speech 00:34:08.519 --> 00:34:09.880 is with a new heart, 00:34:10.059 --> 00:34:11.340 with new desires. 00:34:11.880 --> 00:34:14.699 Faith in Christ produces faithfulness to Christ. 00:34:15.099 --> 00:34:16.619 This is what we talked about last week 00:34:16.619 --> 00:34:18.360 and honestly what we continue to talk about 00:34:18.360 --> 00:34:19.900 through this whole section. 00:34:20.619 --> 00:34:21.920 And so what do we do 00:34:21.920 --> 00:34:24.599 with this powerful, inconsistent tongue? 00:34:25.460 --> 00:34:27.699 We let God change us from the inside out. 00:34:28.460 --> 00:34:29.340 And how do we do that? 00:34:29.880 --> 00:34:31.599 Well, it starts with listening. 00:34:32.179 --> 00:34:34.119 We listen to God's word. 00:34:34.119 --> 00:34:36.319 You see, we still serve a God 00:34:36.319 --> 00:34:37.739 who speaks to us today 00:34:37.739 --> 00:34:40.559 and he primarily does so through his word. 00:34:40.960 --> 00:34:43.679 And so we see his word as authoritative. 00:34:43.819 --> 00:34:45.940 We see his word as beneficial in our lives. 00:34:46.019 --> 00:34:48.400 We see his word as life transforming. 00:34:48.559 --> 00:34:50.019 And so we listen to God 00:34:50.019 --> 00:34:52.619 through the reading of his word. 00:34:53.000 --> 00:34:55.119 But we don't just listen to it. 00:34:55.380 --> 00:34:57.179 We believe it. 00:34:57.480 --> 00:34:58.839 And when we believe it, 00:34:58.920 --> 00:35:00.359 we do what it says. 00:35:00.699 --> 00:35:02.259 It's one thing to know the word 00:35:02.260 --> 00:35:04.920 and it's a whole different thing to do what it says. 00:35:05.560 --> 00:35:06.780 James has already told us, 00:35:07.000 --> 00:35:08.820 but be doers of the word 00:35:08.820 --> 00:35:11.660 and not hearers only deceiving yourselves. 00:35:13.060 --> 00:35:17.160 Words, when they are believed, are powerful. 00:35:18.480 --> 00:35:20.740 Words, when they are believed, are powerful. 00:35:20.880 --> 00:35:23.280 The gospel, when believed, 00:35:23.520 --> 00:35:25.560 has the power to transform. 00:35:26.760 --> 00:35:27.780 And maybe you're here today 00:35:27.780 --> 00:35:29.540 and you've heard the words of the gospel 00:35:29.540 --> 00:35:30.620 your whole life. 00:35:31.019 --> 00:35:31.900 You've heard the words 00:35:31.900 --> 00:35:34.140 and you could probably tell somebody else these words 00:35:34.140 --> 00:35:35.320 that you are a sinner 00:35:35.320 --> 00:35:37.200 and that there's absolutely nothing 00:35:37.200 --> 00:35:38.800 you can do to save yourself. 00:35:39.340 --> 00:35:40.980 But God, but Jesus, 00:35:41.620 --> 00:35:43.200 left the glory of heaven, 00:35:43.440 --> 00:35:46.000 lived the life that we couldn't live, 00:35:46.140 --> 00:35:47.800 died the death that we deserve 00:35:47.800 --> 00:35:49.780 so that those who put their faith 00:35:49.780 --> 00:35:50.760 and their trust in him 00:35:50.760 --> 00:35:52.920 can have new life. 00:35:52.920 --> 00:35:55.780 So that they can go from death to life. 00:35:56.280 --> 00:35:57.820 You've heard these words, 00:35:57.960 --> 00:35:59.099 but there's a difference 00:35:59.099 --> 00:36:02.500 in hearing them and believing them. 00:36:02.760 --> 00:36:04.400 When we believe them, 00:36:04.579 --> 00:36:06.059 when we believe those words, 00:36:06.139 --> 00:36:08.280 all of a sudden those words have power. 00:36:08.579 --> 00:36:10.539 All of a sudden those words have meaning. 00:36:10.700 --> 00:36:11.659 And it is my prayer 00:36:11.659 --> 00:36:13.960 that these words are not just heard, 00:36:14.099 --> 00:36:15.340 but they are believed. 00:36:15.380 --> 00:36:17.840 Because the gospel is the power of God 00:36:17.840 --> 00:36:22.039 for salvation to everyone who believes. 00:36:22.940 --> 00:36:24.300 It's only good news 00:36:24.300 --> 00:36:26.119 if it's heard and believed. 00:36:26.779 --> 00:36:28.880 And so this message is a message of hope 00:36:28.880 --> 00:36:30.559 for all of us as sinners. 00:36:31.139 --> 00:36:34.039 All of us who have used our speech to lie, 00:36:34.539 --> 00:36:36.639 all of us who have used our speech to gossip, 00:36:36.880 --> 00:36:38.639 to slander, to say things 00:36:38.639 --> 00:36:40.099 that we shouldn't say, 00:36:40.199 --> 00:36:42.300 to tear down instead of building up. 00:36:42.519 --> 00:36:44.460 This message is a message of hope 00:36:44.460 --> 00:36:46.440 for each of us today. 00:36:46.860 --> 00:36:48.519 And this is a message that I hope 00:36:48.519 --> 00:36:50.460 that we will hear God's words, 00:36:50.539 --> 00:36:51.840 but we won't just hear them. 00:36:52.039 --> 00:36:54.659 But that we'll believe them and do them. 00:36:55.079 --> 00:36:56.559 Father, thank you so much. 00:36:57.360 --> 00:36:58.199 For your word, 00:36:58.300 --> 00:37:00.059 thank you for what it teaches us about you. 00:37:00.579 --> 00:37:03.039 Thank you for the life transforming power 00:37:03.039 --> 00:37:04.579 that your words have 00:37:04.579 --> 00:37:06.579 when we actually believe them. 00:37:07.000 --> 00:37:07.539 And so Lord, 00:37:07.619 --> 00:37:10.019 help us to not just be hearers of the word, 00:37:10.259 --> 00:37:12.079 but that we will believe your words 00:37:12.079 --> 00:37:13.279 and that we will do them. 00:37:13.340 --> 00:37:14.759 We'll put them into practice. 00:37:15.139 --> 00:37:15.539 And Lord, 00:37:15.619 --> 00:37:17.579 I pray that if there's somebody here today, 00:37:17.579 --> 00:37:20.039 maybe they've heard this gospel message 00:37:20.039 --> 00:37:21.299 their whole life, 00:37:21.420 --> 00:37:23.519 but today they believe it. 00:37:23.739 --> 00:37:26.340 And today they're ready to give their life to you. 00:37:26.440 --> 00:37:26.559 Lord, 00:37:26.639 --> 00:37:28.539 I pray that you give them the boldness 00:37:28.539 --> 00:37:31.099 and courage to step forward 00:37:31.099 --> 00:37:32.579 and to live a life 00:37:32.579 --> 00:37:34.239 that seeks to honor you 00:37:34.239 --> 00:37:35.840 for all that you've done for us. 00:37:35.880 --> 00:37:36.279 And so God, 00:37:36.340 --> 00:37:37.159 we thank you for that. 00:37:37.159 --> 00:37:38.179 And we ask all these things 00:37:38.179 --> 00:37:39.519 in Jesus' precious name. 00:37:40.000 --> 00:37:40.279 Amen. 00:37:41.239 --> 00:37:42.059 I want to invite you 00:37:42.059 --> 00:37:43.279 to turn in your hymnal 00:37:43.279 --> 00:37:45.619 to hymn number 542, 00:37:46.019 --> 00:37:47.460 Lord be glorified. 00:37:47.799 --> 00:37:49.739 And if God is speaking to you this morning, 00:37:49.819 --> 00:37:50.500 won't you respond 00:37:50.500 --> 00:37:52.859 as we stand together and sing?