WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.780 You think about it. Our words, the way in which we communicate with one another, our speech. 00:00:07.419 --> 00:00:14.419 In a sense, our words are an inescapable part of our lives, whether internally in our thoughts or externally in our words. 00:00:14.960 --> 00:00:21.280 We can be social tweeters. We can be lounge chair lawyers. We can be opinionated critics. 00:00:22.280 --> 00:00:26.760 But at the same time, we can be motivational speakers. We can be encouraging colleagues. 00:00:26.760 --> 00:00:32.700 We can be uplifting, supporting friends. So is it just then a matter of balance? 00:00:33.160 --> 00:00:37.920 Can our speech be good or bad, depending on how we use it, how we control it? 00:00:39.380 --> 00:00:43.579 Does it really matter if we control it? Can we even control it? 00:00:44.740 --> 00:00:49.600 We're going to be looking this morning, as Ralph just read, at James chapter 3, verses 1 to 12. 00:00:49.700 --> 00:00:56.620 But as we begin, let me just give you a quick background to the main points of what James has been writing up to this point. 00:00:57.559 --> 00:01:05.480 James is a fantastic book in the Bible. So much good, solid, biblical advice for believers that we simply don't have time to cover it all. 00:01:05.879 --> 00:01:08.200 But let me offer a quick synopsis of what he's been saying. 00:01:09.019 --> 00:01:12.000 So he's primarily writing to believers everywhere. 00:01:12.480 --> 00:01:17.039 We see that in verse 1 in his words, to the 12 tribes scattered amongst the nations. 00:01:17.040 --> 00:01:22.400 And he has really strong, sound, heartfelt words to speak to them. 00:01:23.300 --> 00:01:29.300 He consistently refers to his hearers as, my brothers, or the translations might render it, my brothers and sisters. 00:01:29.760 --> 00:01:30.880 That all-inclusivity. 00:01:31.460 --> 00:01:34.340 The message is to us as believers this morning. 00:01:34.820 --> 00:01:39.140 As relevant then to those that he wrote to, just as relevant now to us this morning. 00:01:39.140 --> 00:01:43.540 Perhaps one of the central themes of James is this. 00:01:44.060 --> 00:01:47.799 That true believers in Christ will live in a certain way. 00:01:48.739 --> 00:01:50.540 So how does James lay this out for us? 00:01:50.760 --> 00:01:54.760 Well, we see that true believers can be joyful in the face of trial. 00:01:55.140 --> 00:01:58.939 Because testing develops perseverance, which grows the mature Christian. 00:01:59.939 --> 00:02:00.379 What else? 00:02:00.460 --> 00:02:03.120 We see that believers are not just listeners of the word. 00:02:03.460 --> 00:02:04.439 They do what it says. 00:02:04.439 --> 00:02:06.359 Because they don't show favoritism. 00:02:06.899 --> 00:02:08.659 They demonstrate their faith in their action. 00:02:09.740 --> 00:02:10.599 And those are just a few. 00:02:11.579 --> 00:02:15.439 And I really encourage you to get stuck into James in your own quiet time. 00:02:15.620 --> 00:02:22.939 But for now in chapter 3, James comes to us with quite a stark and hard-hitting indictment on our speech. 00:02:24.120 --> 00:02:27.719 Let me say this as it's something I really feel we need to take on board as we begin this morning. 00:02:28.780 --> 00:02:31.919 What James has to say will not necessarily sit well with us. 00:02:31.919 --> 00:02:39.139 But nonetheless, it is vital for our growth as believers that we hear what the Lord would speak to us through James' words. 00:02:40.039 --> 00:02:44.439 Let me pray that the Lord would open our ears to hear and our hearts to respond to his word. 00:02:48.479 --> 00:02:51.459 Heavenly Father, we thank you for your word. 00:02:52.079 --> 00:02:59.199 We thank you for its instruction, for its direction, the challenge it brings to us to live holy lives in response to your call. 00:02:59.199 --> 00:03:03.579 Help us to see clearly the truths of what you would speak to us this morning. 00:03:04.539 --> 00:03:09.780 Please soften our hearts that we might put off our pride and every notion of independence from you. 00:03:10.539 --> 00:03:12.139 Help us to cling to your words. 00:03:12.759 --> 00:03:14.179 We want to focus on you. 00:03:15.000 --> 00:03:20.379 Pray that you will forgive us our sinfulness for the evil words we've spoken, the evil thoughts we've harbored in our hearts. 00:03:21.139 --> 00:03:24.479 Teach us and challenge us to live the holy lives that please you. 00:03:25.199 --> 00:03:26.539 It's in Christ's name we pray. 00:03:26.539 --> 00:03:27.419 Amen. 00:03:29.199 --> 00:03:36.159 If you've closed your Bible, I might encourage you to open it again to James chapter 3. 00:03:36.939 --> 00:03:41.199 And in these few verses we're coming to look at now, the central theme... 00:03:41.199 --> 00:03:43.639 Ah, down. Is it right? There we go. 00:03:43.919 --> 00:03:47.819 The central theme that we're going to be looking at as we come to James chapter 3 is this. 00:03:47.819 --> 00:03:54.479 The great potential of words for evil and inconsistency in the life of the believer. 00:03:55.280 --> 00:03:56.099 Let me repeat that. 00:03:56.459 --> 00:04:01.500 The potential of words for evil and inconsistency in the life of the believer. 00:04:02.539 --> 00:04:06.879 And James, as we'll see, is going to do this in three stages of the next 12 verses. 00:04:06.879 --> 00:04:11.000 First of all, we're going to see an introductory warning. 00:04:12.060 --> 00:04:14.759 Secondly, we have an incendiary explanation. 00:04:15.620 --> 00:04:18.019 And finally, an immense call. 00:04:19.879 --> 00:04:20.920 Let's get stuck in. 00:04:21.480 --> 00:04:25.300 First of all, we have an introductory warning. 00:04:25.300 --> 00:04:30.100 James writes in verse 1 of chapter 3, 00:04:30.759 --> 00:04:33.259 Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, 00:04:33.980 --> 00:04:36.720 because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 00:04:37.639 --> 00:04:39.360 We all stumble in many ways. 00:04:39.939 --> 00:04:42.180 If anyone is never at fault in what he says, 00:04:42.560 --> 00:04:46.379 he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check. 00:04:46.379 --> 00:04:49.459 Now you might be sitting there thinking, 00:04:49.659 --> 00:04:50.899 Well, I'm not a teacher. 00:04:51.040 --> 00:04:52.180 How does this apply to me? 00:04:52.519 --> 00:04:53.540 Or to others like me? 00:04:54.180 --> 00:04:58.959 But James isn't limiting his warning to merely teachers, as we'll see. 00:04:59.680 --> 00:05:04.279 Some say perhaps he's writing concerned about those who are seeking the status of teacher 00:05:04.279 --> 00:05:07.079 for the authority or the standing in the church. 00:05:07.800 --> 00:05:10.519 Now we're not explicitly told that, and that may well have been the case. 00:05:11.040 --> 00:05:13.300 But I think when we consider the text as a whole, 00:05:13.300 --> 00:05:17.960 we begin to see that James is more leading us into his discourse about speech, 00:05:18.259 --> 00:05:22.199 rather than it being just a lone rogue verse, 00:05:22.520 --> 00:05:23.800 just kind of sitting there for no reason. 00:05:24.840 --> 00:05:27.439 He's leading us in with his talk about the tongue. 00:05:28.500 --> 00:05:31.000 The implications are far more reaching in the congregation. 00:05:31.720 --> 00:05:35.680 So let us all, teachers or not, listen to what he has to say. 00:05:37.300 --> 00:05:40.400 Not many of you should presume to be teachers, he writes. 00:05:40.399 --> 00:05:46.479 We'll see throughout the course of this morning that we must tame the tongue, 00:05:46.560 --> 00:05:47.659 yet we cannot do so. 00:05:48.560 --> 00:05:52.519 Certainly then for anyone who would stand up in front of a crowd to teach from God's word, 00:05:53.079 --> 00:05:54.239 they need be very cautious. 00:05:55.319 --> 00:05:56.979 They need to guard their speech carefully. 00:05:58.039 --> 00:06:00.939 So often when we speak, our words can become so careless. 00:06:02.039 --> 00:06:04.959 You may well have heard it said that we have one mouth and two ears, 00:06:05.039 --> 00:06:07.739 so we should do twice as much listening as we do speaking. 00:06:07.740 --> 00:06:12.079 But yet I know how often I fall short personally, 00:06:12.740 --> 00:06:15.319 and I know if you're honest with yourself, you'll probably admit the same. 00:06:17.199 --> 00:06:20.579 We rarely come away from an argument with a friend or a loved one, 00:06:20.699 --> 00:06:21.980 a brother and sister in Christ, 00:06:22.480 --> 00:06:24.500 and when we realise where we went wrong, 00:06:25.240 --> 00:06:26.680 we wish we could go back and say more. 00:06:27.680 --> 00:06:30.120 More often than not, I think we wish we'd said less. 00:06:30.120 --> 00:06:36.360 We might think too of how influential the words of a person in authority can be. 00:06:37.120 --> 00:06:39.660 A persuasive person can convince others of anything, 00:06:40.079 --> 00:06:40.939 even if it's a lie. 00:06:41.660 --> 00:06:45.420 A quick wish and a humour can raise the spirit and elicit a laugh, 00:06:46.120 --> 00:06:47.620 but used incorrectly, 00:06:48.120 --> 00:06:49.860 and it can cause hurt and upset, 00:06:50.139 --> 00:06:51.360 even unintentionally so. 00:06:52.720 --> 00:06:55.280 I know this for myself, and perhaps it's an Irish trait in general, 00:06:55.279 --> 00:06:59.959 but how often do we kind of excuse a slip of the tongue or a hurtful word as, 00:07:00.679 --> 00:07:03.139 oh, it's just all in the name of good banter, you know? 00:07:04.399 --> 00:07:07.879 And the problem of the public misuse of words then can be all the worse 00:07:07.879 --> 00:07:09.879 in a church context like this, 00:07:10.639 --> 00:07:14.199 where those who teach are expected to be models of good and upright Christian living. 00:07:15.219 --> 00:07:16.299 And so James says, 00:07:16.759 --> 00:07:18.179 they will be judged more severely. 00:07:18.180 --> 00:07:22.720 And he includes himself in this bracket, 00:07:23.240 --> 00:07:24.060 even as he writes. 00:07:25.019 --> 00:07:27.019 He recognises, and indeed so should we, 00:07:27.600 --> 00:07:30.819 that we who teach will be subject to judgment for what we say. 00:07:32.040 --> 00:07:33.759 Let me pause there just for a moment and clarify 00:07:33.759 --> 00:07:36.480 what I feel James is talking about when he means by judged. 00:07:37.139 --> 00:07:39.060 Is it by others or is it by God? 00:07:39.240 --> 00:07:40.460 Is it now in the present, 00:07:40.660 --> 00:07:42.480 or is it kind of now then at the future judgment? 00:07:43.379 --> 00:07:46.019 Well, ultimately I think we can say that this judgment 00:07:46.019 --> 00:07:47.300 comes from the Lord. 00:07:48.180 --> 00:07:50.780 God will hold each of us to account for what we say. 00:07:51.480 --> 00:07:53.459 Yet in a sense there's a greater responsibility 00:07:53.459 --> 00:07:55.439 placed on teachers for their words 00:07:55.439 --> 00:07:56.759 because of the effect that it can have. 00:07:58.379 --> 00:08:00.360 They will be held to account for what they've taught, 00:08:00.740 --> 00:08:03.620 whether it's in accordance with God's word or not. 00:08:04.480 --> 00:08:06.620 And as we've seen, even briefly at this point, 00:08:07.639 --> 00:08:09.860 the great potential that words can have, 00:08:10.280 --> 00:08:14.000 we recognise how seriously God takes such a matter. 00:08:14.780 --> 00:08:16.420 Let's move on in the text. 00:08:16.420 --> 00:08:20.699 He goes on to tell us then why we should not presume to teach in verse 2. 00:08:21.960 --> 00:08:22.220 Why? 00:08:22.520 --> 00:08:24.540 Because we all stumble in our sin. 00:08:25.340 --> 00:08:28.080 And where better do we see this happen than with our tongue, 00:08:28.300 --> 00:08:28.980 with our speech? 00:08:29.500 --> 00:08:30.980 Maybe that's in the words we speak, 00:08:31.060 --> 00:08:33.700 or even in the inward words that we speak in our minds, 00:08:33.779 --> 00:08:34.360 our thoughts. 00:08:35.420 --> 00:08:38.460 Our speech or our tongue serves as a permanent reminder 00:08:38.460 --> 00:08:41.039 each and every day of our own sinfulness, 00:08:41.300 --> 00:08:43.019 of our inability to change ourselves. 00:08:43.019 --> 00:08:45.220 We can't pretend that we're sinless, 00:08:45.360 --> 00:08:46.720 where, in many cases, 00:08:47.240 --> 00:08:48.759 the evidence against us is clear 00:08:48.759 --> 00:08:50.399 from the moment that we open our mouths. 00:08:52.579 --> 00:08:54.139 James goes on to tell us that 00:08:54.139 --> 00:08:55.960 if anyone's never at fault in what they say, 00:08:56.299 --> 00:08:57.079 then they're perfect, 00:08:57.360 --> 00:08:59.039 able to keep their whole body in check. 00:08:59.620 --> 00:09:00.960 If they can control their tongue, 00:09:01.360 --> 00:09:03.460 well then surely they can control every part of their bodies. 00:09:04.319 --> 00:09:05.319 For each one of us, though, 00:09:05.360 --> 00:09:07.840 we know how difficult it is to control the tongue. 00:09:07.840 --> 00:09:10.480 Even the most well-spoken Christian you know 00:09:10.480 --> 00:09:11.600 will probably admit to that. 00:09:13.360 --> 00:09:15.220 We're all imperfect in this area. 00:09:17.500 --> 00:09:19.120 James calls us to tame our tongue, 00:09:19.340 --> 00:09:20.420 yet for so many of us, 00:09:20.700 --> 00:09:23.080 our speech is so often our undoing. 00:09:24.320 --> 00:09:26.500 So we see here James' introductory warning. 00:09:27.480 --> 00:09:28.320 Don't presume to teach 00:09:28.320 --> 00:09:29.899 and so incur judgment on yourself, 00:09:30.420 --> 00:09:31.480 because we know we all stumble. 00:09:32.220 --> 00:09:32.960 We're all imperfect. 00:09:33.680 --> 00:09:35.080 We fail to control our tongue. 00:09:35.080 --> 00:09:38.560 James already highlighted at the end of chapter 1, 00:09:38.879 --> 00:09:39.620 verse 26, 00:09:40.000 --> 00:09:41.139 what true religion looks like 00:09:41.139 --> 00:09:42.120 if we're living for Christ. 00:09:42.960 --> 00:09:43.420 He writes, 00:09:43.540 --> 00:09:45.180 if anyone considers himself religious 00:09:45.180 --> 00:09:47.680 and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, 00:09:48.000 --> 00:09:49.120 he deceives himself, 00:09:49.460 --> 00:09:50.860 and his religion is worthless. 00:09:52.139 --> 00:09:53.420 So if we think ourselves religious, 00:09:53.620 --> 00:09:56.680 if we think ourselves really following and living for God, 00:09:57.200 --> 00:09:58.860 and we don't keep a tight rein on our tongue, 00:09:59.680 --> 00:10:01.440 well then James says we deceive ourselves, 00:10:01.860 --> 00:10:02.879 we fool ourselves, 00:10:03.000 --> 00:10:04.340 our religion is worth nothing. 00:10:05.800 --> 00:10:07.560 James' warning touches all of our lives. 00:10:08.340 --> 00:10:10.379 It's not merely helpful advice to those who would teach, 00:10:10.780 --> 00:10:12.580 nor is he directing his warning at them alone. 00:10:13.580 --> 00:10:15.500 No, James directs his warning at each of us. 00:10:16.080 --> 00:10:17.840 Each of us fails to control our speech. 00:10:18.700 --> 00:10:20.379 Let's unpack a little bit more now 00:10:20.379 --> 00:10:22.660 about what James would say about the tongue. 00:10:23.300 --> 00:10:24.560 Why is it such a big problem? 00:10:24.559 --> 00:10:28.379 So we come to the next stage, 00:10:28.719 --> 00:10:30.479 an incendiary explanation. 00:10:31.579 --> 00:10:34.199 So having introduced the idea of speech or the tongue, 00:10:34.539 --> 00:10:36.199 he gets deeper into its very nature. 00:10:37.259 --> 00:10:38.039 He brings to us, 00:10:38.099 --> 00:10:38.919 and quite vividly, 00:10:39.199 --> 00:10:41.019 a fiery description of the tongue 00:10:41.019 --> 00:10:43.099 and its potential for great evil. 00:10:43.679 --> 00:10:44.359 Let's have a look. 00:10:44.759 --> 00:10:46.179 We're going to see three illustrations 00:10:46.179 --> 00:10:47.579 that James uses. 00:10:47.580 --> 00:10:51.220 He compares the tongue to a horse's bit, 00:10:51.879 --> 00:10:52.620 a ship's rudder, 00:10:53.060 --> 00:10:55.540 and then the spark that starts a raging inferno. 00:10:56.879 --> 00:10:57.620 Verse 3 reads, 00:10:57.620 --> 00:11:00.360 When we put bits into the mouths of horses 00:11:00.360 --> 00:11:01.519 to make them obey us, 00:11:01.980 --> 00:11:03.279 we can turn the whole animal. 00:11:04.919 --> 00:11:08.019 Small things produce big results. 00:11:09.519 --> 00:11:12.000 Something small as a bit in the mouth of a horse 00:11:12.000 --> 00:11:14.220 can be used to turn the animal itself. 00:11:15.080 --> 00:11:16.179 Such a powerful animal, 00:11:16.340 --> 00:11:17.639 bent to the will of its rider 00:11:17.639 --> 00:11:19.060 by something so small. 00:11:19.980 --> 00:11:20.759 And like the tongue, 00:11:21.080 --> 00:11:22.039 it rests in the mouth 00:11:22.039 --> 00:11:23.539 and controls the larger body. 00:11:25.200 --> 00:11:26.700 James has us then consider 00:11:26.700 --> 00:11:28.560 the rudder of a ship in verse 4. 00:11:29.379 --> 00:11:30.660 Or take ships as an example. 00:11:31.420 --> 00:11:32.540 Although they are so small 00:11:32.540 --> 00:11:33.860 and are driven by strong winds, 00:11:34.379 --> 00:11:36.120 they are steered by a very small rudder 00:11:36.120 --> 00:11:37.759 wherever the pilot wants to go. 00:11:39.060 --> 00:11:40.580 Again, James shows us 00:11:40.580 --> 00:11:42.040 the big results produced 00:11:42.040 --> 00:11:43.400 by something small. 00:11:44.160 --> 00:11:46.180 Whether you've ever been on a boat before or not, 00:11:46.220 --> 00:11:47.640 you can probably appreciate the metaphor. 00:11:48.259 --> 00:11:49.960 Even though the ship is driven by the wind, 00:11:50.320 --> 00:11:51.600 the pilot controls the rudder 00:11:51.600 --> 00:11:53.000 and directs it wherever he wants to go. 00:11:53.700 --> 00:11:54.900 The small part of the ship 00:11:54.900 --> 00:11:56.480 turns and directs the whole vessel. 00:11:57.320 --> 00:11:58.379 Much in the same way 00:11:58.379 --> 00:11:59.440 as the tongue 00:11:59.440 --> 00:12:01.100 has similar influence 00:12:01.100 --> 00:12:02.300 over the whole person. 00:12:03.700 --> 00:12:04.379 You might think today 00:12:04.379 --> 00:12:05.900 maybe of the steering wheel in a car. 00:12:06.540 --> 00:12:07.820 Small member of the car's anatomy 00:12:07.820 --> 00:12:09.820 but yet controls the whole vehicle 00:12:09.820 --> 00:12:11.800 and is directed by the will of the driver. 00:12:13.140 --> 00:12:13.860 So as the bit, 00:12:14.160 --> 00:12:14.520 the rudder, 00:12:14.620 --> 00:12:14.940 the wheel 00:12:14.940 --> 00:12:16.020 directs the larger body, 00:12:16.680 --> 00:12:17.120 the tongue 00:12:17.120 --> 00:12:18.400 directs human life. 00:12:20.080 --> 00:12:21.500 Now, perhaps this question 00:12:21.500 --> 00:12:22.640 has been brewing in your mind 00:12:22.640 --> 00:12:23.200 as you're listening. 00:12:23.200 --> 00:12:25.200 Each of these metaphors 00:12:25.200 --> 00:12:26.460 have a third party. 00:12:27.120 --> 00:12:28.259 Someone controlling the bait 00:12:28.259 --> 00:12:29.520 or steering at the helm. 00:12:30.720 --> 00:12:32.240 But who's controlling the tongue? 00:12:33.759 --> 00:12:34.140 Well, 00:12:34.500 --> 00:12:35.480 we know from Scripture 00:12:35.480 --> 00:12:36.140 that our tongue 00:12:36.140 --> 00:12:37.480 is controlled by our will, 00:12:37.740 --> 00:12:38.740 by our hearts. 00:12:39.580 --> 00:12:40.360 Scripture teaches us 00:12:40.360 --> 00:12:41.440 that from our hearts 00:12:41.440 --> 00:12:43.180 comes forth our speech. 00:12:43.179 --> 00:12:45.839 Let me offer a quick illustration 00:12:45.839 --> 00:12:46.939 that might help us 00:12:46.939 --> 00:12:47.539 to think of this. 00:12:48.279 --> 00:12:49.519 Say we are annoyed 00:12:49.519 --> 00:12:50.519 at a friend, 00:12:51.039 --> 00:12:51.519 a spouse, 00:12:51.639 --> 00:12:52.439 or maybe a child 00:12:52.439 --> 00:12:54.039 because they broke a promise 00:12:54.039 --> 00:12:55.319 or they forgot something 00:12:55.319 --> 00:12:56.319 we asked them to remember. 00:12:57.500 --> 00:12:58.439 In that moment, 00:12:58.839 --> 00:12:59.319 we snap. 00:12:59.699 --> 00:13:00.360 We snap at them. 00:13:00.779 --> 00:13:01.860 We say something unkind. 00:13:02.959 --> 00:13:03.699 Without thinking. 00:13:04.199 --> 00:13:05.399 Maybe we go further than that 00:13:05.399 --> 00:13:06.360 and we act on it. 00:13:06.919 --> 00:13:07.839 Maybe we go and gossip. 00:13:08.539 --> 00:13:10.139 We share the failings of others 00:13:10.139 --> 00:13:12.079 with our confidants 00:13:12.079 --> 00:13:13.539 just kind of for the pleasure 00:13:13.539 --> 00:13:14.799 of a bit of juicy gossip. 00:13:15.799 --> 00:13:17.799 How quickly do we step over the line 00:13:17.799 --> 00:13:19.639 from seeking support 00:13:19.639 --> 00:13:22.019 to entertaining gossip? 00:13:22.019 --> 00:13:24.620 We run the person down. 00:13:25.039 --> 00:13:26.379 Maybe we actively punish them 00:13:26.379 --> 00:13:28.059 with distrust or disdain. 00:13:28.879 --> 00:13:30.699 Do we see the influence of the tongue, 00:13:30.819 --> 00:13:31.980 something so small, 00:13:32.620 --> 00:13:34.319 but yet with the uncontrolled potential 00:13:34.319 --> 00:13:35.559 for great evil? 00:13:36.240 --> 00:13:37.779 And if we haven't got a glimpse yet, 00:13:38.079 --> 00:13:39.460 we will in the next few verses 00:13:39.460 --> 00:13:40.240 from God's Word. 00:13:40.980 --> 00:13:42.000 Let's push on to the next 00:13:42.000 --> 00:13:42.799 of James' metaphor, 00:13:43.399 --> 00:13:44.179 the next stage 00:13:44.179 --> 00:13:46.240 in his incendiary explanation. 00:13:47.600 --> 00:13:48.659 Verse 5 reads, 00:13:49.600 --> 00:13:50.079 Likewise, 00:13:50.620 --> 00:13:51.659 the tongue is a small part 00:13:51.659 --> 00:13:52.059 of the body, 00:13:52.559 --> 00:13:54.079 but it makes great boasts. 00:13:55.000 --> 00:13:56.899 Consider what a great forest 00:13:56.899 --> 00:13:57.819 is set on fire 00:13:57.819 --> 00:13:59.019 by a small spark. 00:14:00.219 --> 00:14:01.120 Now James goes on 00:14:01.120 --> 00:14:02.360 to really hone in 00:14:02.360 --> 00:14:03.719 on the danger of the tongue. 00:14:04.419 --> 00:14:04.980 The tongue, 00:14:05.319 --> 00:14:06.620 though a small part of the body, 00:14:07.399 --> 00:14:08.879 a small insignificant part 00:14:08.879 --> 00:14:09.860 in terms of its size, 00:14:10.740 --> 00:14:12.339 it makes great boasts. 00:14:13.699 --> 00:14:15.399 It builds itself up, 00:14:15.740 --> 00:14:16.600 makes itself bigger, 00:14:16.699 --> 00:14:17.299 more impressive. 00:14:17.299 --> 00:14:19.219 It boasts and brags, 00:14:19.559 --> 00:14:20.939 gorging itself on more 00:14:20.939 --> 00:14:22.099 and more pride. 00:14:23.099 --> 00:14:23.959 See the picture James 00:14:23.959 --> 00:14:25.079 is painting for us here. 00:14:25.759 --> 00:14:27.079 Certainly not one of sweet 00:14:27.079 --> 00:14:28.019 and delicate innocence. 00:14:28.799 --> 00:14:29.139 In fact, 00:14:29.219 --> 00:14:30.179 more the extreme opposite. 00:14:32.039 --> 00:14:33.079 But there's still more. 00:14:33.500 --> 00:14:34.759 He calls us in the second half 00:14:34.759 --> 00:14:35.479 of verse 5 00:14:35.479 --> 00:14:36.699 to consider something, 00:14:37.139 --> 00:14:37.839 something that really 00:14:37.839 --> 00:14:38.819 focus our minds 00:14:38.819 --> 00:14:39.679 on the right track. 00:14:39.679 --> 00:14:41.199 Because, 00:14:41.639 --> 00:14:43.000 well a bit is not dangerous 00:14:43.000 --> 00:14:43.879 in the horse's mouth, 00:14:43.979 --> 00:14:45.059 nor is a rudder really, 00:14:45.659 --> 00:14:46.299 but a fire. 00:14:47.099 --> 00:14:47.959 This is a danger 00:14:47.959 --> 00:14:49.219 I think we can all relate to. 00:14:50.439 --> 00:14:50.779 The tongue, 00:14:50.859 --> 00:14:51.259 he explains, 00:14:51.319 --> 00:14:52.459 is like a small spark 00:14:52.459 --> 00:14:53.539 that results 00:14:53.539 --> 00:14:55.000 in a huge forest fire. 00:14:56.139 --> 00:14:56.559 Again, 00:14:56.659 --> 00:14:57.479 for the third time, 00:14:58.439 --> 00:14:59.239 something small 00:14:59.239 --> 00:15:00.419 producing grace, 00:15:00.799 --> 00:15:01.699 and in this case, 00:15:02.120 --> 00:15:03.659 tragic results. 00:15:05.219 --> 00:15:05.899 If anything, 00:15:06.019 --> 00:15:06.519 at this point, 00:15:06.599 --> 00:15:07.819 we see the influence 00:15:07.819 --> 00:15:08.219 of the tongue 00:15:08.220 --> 00:15:08.860 in our lives. 00:15:09.259 --> 00:15:10.240 As the bit directs 00:15:10.240 --> 00:15:10.720 the horse, 00:15:11.019 --> 00:15:11.580 as the rudder 00:15:11.580 --> 00:15:12.379 steers the ship, 00:15:12.860 --> 00:15:13.800 so too our lives 00:15:13.800 --> 00:15:14.360 are directed 00:15:14.360 --> 00:15:15.139 by our tongues. 00:15:16.920 --> 00:15:17.800 But what is it 00:15:17.800 --> 00:15:18.660 about our tongues 00:15:18.660 --> 00:15:20.120 that has this potential 00:15:20.120 --> 00:15:21.240 for evil influence 00:15:21.240 --> 00:15:22.639 over our whole lives? 00:15:23.879 --> 00:15:24.279 Well, 00:15:24.340 --> 00:15:25.259 I'll let James explain 00:15:25.259 --> 00:15:26.240 in verse 6. 00:15:27.580 --> 00:15:28.560 The tongue also 00:15:28.560 --> 00:15:29.180 is a fire, 00:15:29.660 --> 00:15:30.779 a world of evil 00:15:30.779 --> 00:15:31.560 among the parts 00:15:31.560 --> 00:15:32.000 of the body. 00:15:32.720 --> 00:15:33.259 It corrupts 00:15:33.259 --> 00:15:34.080 the whole person, 00:15:34.639 --> 00:15:35.540 sets the whole course 00:15:35.540 --> 00:15:36.480 of his life on fire, 00:15:36.940 --> 00:15:37.920 and is itself 00:15:37.919 --> 00:15:38.959 set on fire 00:15:38.959 --> 00:15:39.939 by hell. 00:15:41.819 --> 00:15:42.699 What a damning 00:15:42.699 --> 00:15:43.500 statement about 00:15:43.500 --> 00:15:43.959 our tongue, 00:15:44.679 --> 00:15:45.299 our speech, 00:15:45.399 --> 00:15:46.179 the way we communicate. 00:15:47.139 --> 00:15:47.899 It's a really hopeless 00:15:47.899 --> 00:15:48.959 situation that James 00:15:48.959 --> 00:15:49.639 puts forth. 00:15:50.279 --> 00:15:50.939 If we thought 00:15:50.939 --> 00:15:51.740 we could control 00:15:51.740 --> 00:15:52.959 this fire by ourselves, 00:15:53.079 --> 00:15:54.319 or maybe put it out 00:15:54.319 --> 00:15:54.879 or dampen it 00:15:54.879 --> 00:15:55.779 by our own good efforts, 00:15:55.919 --> 00:15:56.079 well, 00:15:56.839 --> 00:15:57.240 then I think 00:15:57.240 --> 00:15:58.179 we're sorely mistaken. 00:15:59.059 --> 00:15:59.519 It's like trying 00:15:59.519 --> 00:16:00.079 to control 00:16:00.079 --> 00:16:01.159 a raging inferno, 00:16:01.240 --> 00:16:01.860 James would say. 00:16:02.860 --> 00:16:03.779 There are three things 00:16:03.779 --> 00:16:04.419 that we should notice 00:16:04.419 --> 00:16:04.879 briefly 00:16:04.879 --> 00:16:05.719 about the tongue 00:16:05.720 --> 00:16:06.460 from this verse 00:16:06.460 --> 00:16:07.460 and help us 00:16:07.460 --> 00:16:08.379 to get a feel 00:16:08.379 --> 00:16:09.740 for the real heat 00:16:09.740 --> 00:16:10.700 of what James 00:16:10.700 --> 00:16:11.320 has to say. 00:16:12.860 --> 00:16:13.639 First of all, 00:16:14.160 --> 00:16:14.740 the character. 00:16:15.540 --> 00:16:17.100 A world of evil 00:16:17.100 --> 00:16:18.340 amongst the parts 00:16:18.340 --> 00:16:18.720 of the body, 00:16:19.540 --> 00:16:20.060 James says. 00:16:20.580 --> 00:16:22.060 A world of evil. 00:16:22.779 --> 00:16:24.000 Not just a small, 00:16:24.139 --> 00:16:25.139 insignificant part. 00:16:25.720 --> 00:16:26.600 Not half good 00:16:26.600 --> 00:16:27.379 and half bad. 00:16:27.860 --> 00:16:28.040 No, 00:16:28.139 --> 00:16:29.519 a world of evil. 00:16:29.519 --> 00:16:32.059 This is the stark, 00:16:32.240 --> 00:16:33.299 intense reality 00:16:33.299 --> 00:16:34.779 of our tongue's character. 00:16:36.039 --> 00:16:36.360 Secondly, 00:16:37.120 --> 00:16:38.439 the influence 00:16:38.439 --> 00:16:39.360 of the tongue. 00:16:40.079 --> 00:16:40.899 If it weren't enough 00:16:40.899 --> 00:16:42.079 to reveal the depth 00:16:42.079 --> 00:16:43.379 of our incapacity 00:16:43.379 --> 00:16:44.079 to change ourselves 00:16:44.079 --> 00:16:45.179 and control our tongues, 00:16:45.679 --> 00:16:46.600 James goes even deeper. 00:16:47.759 --> 00:16:48.299 He refers to 00:16:48.299 --> 00:16:49.199 the tongue's influence. 00:16:50.259 --> 00:16:50.980 It corrupts 00:16:50.980 --> 00:16:51.960 the whole person, 00:16:52.699 --> 00:16:53.639 sets the whole course 00:16:53.639 --> 00:16:54.659 of his life on fire. 00:16:55.960 --> 00:16:56.899 The cycle of evil 00:16:56.899 --> 00:16:57.740 rolls through 00:16:57.740 --> 00:16:58.620 the life of the person. 00:16:59.600 --> 00:17:00.419 The fire grows 00:17:00.419 --> 00:17:01.019 and grows. 00:17:01.600 --> 00:17:02.259 For ourselves, 00:17:02.899 --> 00:17:03.539 maybe we say 00:17:03.539 --> 00:17:05.200 someone is untrustworthy 00:17:05.200 --> 00:17:06.559 because we think it. 00:17:07.180 --> 00:17:08.200 But when we think it, 00:17:10.019 --> 00:17:10.279 sorry, 00:17:10.380 --> 00:17:11.039 when we say it, 00:17:11.059 --> 00:17:12.000 we think it all the more. 00:17:13.099 --> 00:17:13.599 So we think, 00:17:13.660 --> 00:17:13.759 oh, 00:17:13.799 --> 00:17:14.660 that person's untrustworthy. 00:17:14.720 --> 00:17:15.859 But when we voice that, 00:17:16.299 --> 00:17:16.960 we think it more. 00:17:17.039 --> 00:17:17.519 And so you see 00:17:17.519 --> 00:17:18.779 how the cycle continues. 00:17:19.619 --> 00:17:20.319 And it does that 00:17:20.319 --> 00:17:21.339 all the way through life, 00:17:21.440 --> 00:17:22.500 creating new evils 00:17:22.500 --> 00:17:23.480 as it goes. 00:17:24.240 --> 00:17:24.900 And thirdly, 00:17:25.839 --> 00:17:26.680 the allegiance 00:17:26.680 --> 00:17:27.839 of the tongue. 00:17:28.619 --> 00:17:29.559 We've seen that 00:17:29.559 --> 00:17:30.539 this evil flows 00:17:30.539 --> 00:17:31.539 from the sinful heart 00:17:31.539 --> 00:17:32.379 within each of us. 00:17:32.959 --> 00:17:33.659 But James adds 00:17:33.659 --> 00:17:34.739 a little bit more here 00:17:34.739 --> 00:17:35.719 at the end of verse 6. 00:17:36.339 --> 00:17:37.139 He finishes with, 00:17:37.779 --> 00:17:38.479 it is itself 00:17:38.479 --> 00:17:39.299 set on fire 00:17:39.299 --> 00:17:40.259 by hell. 00:17:41.519 --> 00:17:41.779 Now, 00:17:41.979 --> 00:17:42.979 some of the commentators 00:17:42.979 --> 00:17:43.939 would differ slightly 00:17:43.939 --> 00:17:45.179 on the interpretation of this, 00:17:45.279 --> 00:17:45.759 but let me offer 00:17:45.759 --> 00:17:46.439 a brief comment. 00:17:47.299 --> 00:17:48.119 I don't think he means 00:17:48.119 --> 00:17:49.239 in this instance 00:17:49.239 --> 00:17:49.959 that it's damned 00:17:49.959 --> 00:17:50.579 for destruction, 00:17:50.819 --> 00:17:51.299 but rather, 00:17:51.439 --> 00:17:52.219 I think he nails 00:17:52.219 --> 00:17:53.119 the tongue's colors 00:17:53.119 --> 00:17:54.159 to the mast 00:17:54.160 --> 00:17:56.100 and reveals 00:17:56.100 --> 00:17:56.720 its allegiance. 00:17:57.820 --> 00:17:58.540 If we were to wonder 00:17:58.540 --> 00:17:59.180 why the tongue 00:17:59.180 --> 00:18:00.360 has such great potential 00:18:00.360 --> 00:18:01.240 for evil, 00:18:01.680 --> 00:18:02.300 why it causes 00:18:02.300 --> 00:18:03.019 so much trouble 00:18:03.019 --> 00:18:03.580 for us 00:18:03.580 --> 00:18:04.620 and the world around us, 00:18:05.300 --> 00:18:05.480 well, 00:18:05.500 --> 00:18:06.019 I think then 00:18:06.019 --> 00:18:06.779 James explains, 00:18:07.840 --> 00:18:08.840 the fiery potential 00:18:08.840 --> 00:18:09.400 it has, 00:18:09.820 --> 00:18:10.860 the evil it can harbor, 00:18:11.460 --> 00:18:11.980 spits forth 00:18:11.980 --> 00:18:12.700 from hell itself. 00:18:12.700 --> 00:18:15.360 So do we see 00:18:15.360 --> 00:18:16.259 the danger we have 00:18:16.259 --> 00:18:17.380 resting between our teeth? 00:18:17.980 --> 00:18:18.900 The great potential 00:18:18.900 --> 00:18:19.440 for evil 00:18:19.440 --> 00:18:20.440 in our Christian life? 00:18:21.120 --> 00:18:21.940 Remember that James 00:18:21.940 --> 00:18:23.340 is writing to believers here 00:18:23.340 --> 00:18:24.340 to inform them, 00:18:24.400 --> 00:18:24.980 to warn them 00:18:24.980 --> 00:18:25.840 of the great danger. 00:18:26.539 --> 00:18:27.380 So be aware. 00:18:27.860 --> 00:18:28.819 We must wake up 00:18:28.819 --> 00:18:30.019 and realize this morning. 00:18:31.039 --> 00:18:31.759 Are we aware 00:18:31.759 --> 00:18:32.819 of our tongue's ability 00:18:32.819 --> 00:18:34.039 to stain us, 00:18:34.299 --> 00:18:35.279 to pollute us, 00:18:35.720 --> 00:18:36.700 to corrupt us? 00:18:38.259 --> 00:18:39.180 James continues 00:18:39.180 --> 00:18:40.259 in verses 7 and 8. 00:18:41.559 --> 00:18:42.319 He writes, 00:18:42.319 --> 00:18:43.519 all kinds of animals, 00:18:44.059 --> 00:18:45.259 birds, reptiles 00:18:45.259 --> 00:18:46.279 and creatures of the sea 00:18:46.279 --> 00:18:47.500 are being tamed 00:18:47.500 --> 00:18:48.299 and have been tamed 00:18:48.299 --> 00:18:48.799 by man, 00:18:49.200 --> 00:18:50.240 but no man 00:18:50.240 --> 00:18:51.419 can tame the tongue. 00:18:52.079 --> 00:18:53.299 It's a restless evil 00:18:53.299 --> 00:18:55.559 full of deadly poison. 00:18:57.539 --> 00:18:58.299 Sadly ironic, 00:18:58.460 --> 00:18:58.919 is it not, 00:18:59.000 --> 00:19:00.359 that all kinds 00:19:00.359 --> 00:19:01.079 of wild animals 00:19:01.079 --> 00:19:01.859 have been tamed 00:19:01.859 --> 00:19:02.679 by mankind, 00:19:03.439 --> 00:19:04.059 but no man 00:19:04.059 --> 00:19:04.339 or woman 00:19:04.339 --> 00:19:05.139 can tame the tongue. 00:19:06.240 --> 00:19:06.779 Perhaps you've been 00:19:06.779 --> 00:19:07.299 to the circus 00:19:07.299 --> 00:19:08.240 or an aquarium 00:19:08.240 --> 00:19:09.299 and you've seen 00:19:09.299 --> 00:19:10.000 animals tamed 00:19:10.000 --> 00:19:10.539 and controlled 00:19:10.539 --> 00:19:11.519 to respond to command. 00:19:12.319 --> 00:19:13.200 Wild animals 00:19:13.200 --> 00:19:13.819 like bears, 00:19:14.059 --> 00:19:14.480 lions, 00:19:14.779 --> 00:19:15.179 orcas, 00:19:15.359 --> 00:19:15.740 dolphins, 00:19:16.279 --> 00:19:17.079 most of them 00:19:17.079 --> 00:19:17.659 able to kill 00:19:17.659 --> 00:19:18.500 and destroy us 00:19:18.500 --> 00:19:19.019 with ease, 00:19:19.159 --> 00:19:19.559 but yet 00:19:19.559 --> 00:19:20.879 these have been tamed. 00:19:22.259 --> 00:19:23.000 But James says 00:19:23.000 --> 00:19:23.700 that no one 00:19:23.700 --> 00:19:24.819 can tame the tongue. 00:19:26.399 --> 00:19:27.099 And why? 00:19:27.799 --> 00:19:28.200 He writes, 00:19:28.279 --> 00:19:28.599 because it's 00:19:28.599 --> 00:19:29.500 a restless evil 00:19:29.500 --> 00:19:31.659 full of deadly poison. 00:19:32.379 --> 00:19:33.099 It's volatile, 00:19:33.419 --> 00:19:33.960 unstable, 00:19:34.339 --> 00:19:34.939 at best, 00:19:35.480 --> 00:19:36.480 maybe half-tamed, 00:19:36.980 --> 00:19:37.619 but yet liable 00:19:37.619 --> 00:19:38.240 to break out 00:19:38.240 --> 00:19:39.099 at any moment 00:19:39.099 --> 00:19:40.139 and unleash 00:19:40.139 --> 00:19:41.119 that evil. 00:19:42.559 --> 00:19:43.099 None of us 00:19:43.099 --> 00:19:43.659 can force it 00:19:43.659 --> 00:19:44.259 back to line. 00:19:45.399 --> 00:19:46.639 No one amongst humans 00:19:46.639 --> 00:19:47.959 with our sinful 00:19:47.959 --> 00:19:48.799 human nature 00:19:48.799 --> 00:19:50.859 can control it. 00:19:51.819 --> 00:19:53.139 Yet it must be tamed. 00:19:54.099 --> 00:19:54.659 Who then 00:19:54.659 --> 00:19:55.399 can tame it? 00:19:56.839 --> 00:19:57.199 Well, 00:19:57.240 --> 00:19:57.639 here's where we 00:19:57.639 --> 00:19:58.139 hit the wall, 00:19:58.439 --> 00:19:58.839 I think. 00:20:00.019 --> 00:20:00.379 The tongue 00:20:00.379 --> 00:20:01.219 has great potential 00:20:01.219 --> 00:20:01.740 for evil 00:20:01.740 --> 00:20:02.119 in the life 00:20:02.119 --> 00:20:02.579 of the believer. 00:20:02.579 --> 00:20:04.559 So it must be 00:20:04.559 --> 00:20:04.980 controlled. 00:20:05.720 --> 00:20:06.419 It must be 00:20:06.419 --> 00:20:06.759 tamed. 00:20:07.599 --> 00:20:08.099 James says 00:20:08.099 --> 00:20:08.699 we must do 00:20:08.699 --> 00:20:09.059 something 00:20:09.059 --> 00:20:10.059 that we cannot 00:20:10.059 --> 00:20:10.439 do. 00:20:12.059 --> 00:20:12.599 And so we come 00:20:12.599 --> 00:20:13.379 to our third 00:20:13.379 --> 00:20:14.220 and final point 00:20:14.220 --> 00:20:15.000 this morning. 00:20:16.000 --> 00:20:16.579 An immense 00:20:16.579 --> 00:20:17.000 call. 00:20:19.579 --> 00:20:20.099 Lastly, 00:20:20.279 --> 00:20:21.079 and more briefly, 00:20:21.759 --> 00:20:22.399 James highlights 00:20:22.399 --> 00:20:23.220 the absurdity 00:20:23.220 --> 00:20:23.859 of our thinking 00:20:23.859 --> 00:20:24.819 if we believe 00:20:24.819 --> 00:20:25.519 we can master 00:20:25.519 --> 00:20:25.980 the tongue 00:20:25.980 --> 00:20:26.759 by ourselves 00:20:26.759 --> 00:20:27.740 as he turns 00:20:27.740 --> 00:20:28.240 towards our 00:20:28.240 --> 00:20:28.659 attitude 00:20:28.659 --> 00:20:29.779 to God. 00:20:30.980 --> 00:20:32.139 From verse 9, 00:20:32.579 --> 00:20:33.059 reads, 00:20:33.339 --> 00:20:34.019 with our tongue 00:20:34.019 --> 00:20:34.599 we praise 00:20:34.599 --> 00:20:35.460 our Lord and Father 00:20:35.460 --> 00:20:36.599 and with it 00:20:36.599 --> 00:20:37.480 we curse men 00:20:37.480 --> 00:20:38.119 who have been 00:20:38.119 --> 00:20:38.899 made in God's 00:20:38.899 --> 00:20:39.519 likeness. 00:20:40.379 --> 00:20:40.960 Out of the same 00:20:40.960 --> 00:20:41.980 mouth come praise 00:20:41.980 --> 00:20:42.699 and cursing. 00:20:43.339 --> 00:20:43.859 My brothers, 00:20:44.379 --> 00:20:45.639 this should not 00:20:45.639 --> 00:20:46.019 be. 00:20:47.139 --> 00:20:47.960 Can both fresh 00:20:47.960 --> 00:20:48.759 water and salt 00:20:48.759 --> 00:20:49.259 water flow 00:20:49.259 --> 00:20:49.779 from the same 00:20:49.779 --> 00:20:50.179 spring? 00:20:51.019 --> 00:20:51.579 My brothers, 00:20:51.699 --> 00:20:52.319 can a fig tree 00:20:52.319 --> 00:20:53.000 bear olives 00:20:53.000 --> 00:20:54.099 or a grapevine 00:20:54.099 --> 00:20:54.939 bear figs? 00:20:55.939 --> 00:20:56.539 Neither can a 00:20:56.539 --> 00:20:57.179 salt spring 00:20:57.179 --> 00:20:57.960 produce fresh 00:20:57.960 --> 00:20:58.279 water. 00:21:00.319 --> 00:21:01.079 Do we see 00:21:01.079 --> 00:21:01.559 the absolute 00:21:01.559 --> 00:21:02.199 hypocrisy 00:21:02.200 --> 00:21:02.500 that our 00:21:02.500 --> 00:21:02.680 tongues 00:21:02.680 --> 00:21:03.220 produce? 00:21:04.700 --> 00:21:05.400 The core 00:21:05.400 --> 00:21:05.680 of this 00:21:05.680 --> 00:21:06.039 passage 00:21:06.039 --> 00:21:06.799 in verse 10 00:21:06.799 --> 00:21:07.740 sums up 00:21:07.740 --> 00:21:07.960 James' 00:21:08.100 --> 00:21:08.620 message to 00:21:08.620 --> 00:21:08.980 us this 00:21:08.980 --> 00:21:09.319 morning. 00:21:10.640 --> 00:21:11.240 Out of the 00:21:11.240 --> 00:21:11.900 same mouth 00:21:11.900 --> 00:21:12.680 come praise 00:21:12.680 --> 00:21:13.480 and cursing. 00:21:14.120 --> 00:21:14.660 My brothers, 00:21:15.039 --> 00:21:16.000 this should 00:21:16.000 --> 00:21:16.779 not be. 00:21:18.059 --> 00:21:18.700 One minute, 00:21:18.860 --> 00:21:19.460 even here in 00:21:19.460 --> 00:21:19.759 church, 00:21:19.880 --> 00:21:20.480 we're worshipping 00:21:20.480 --> 00:21:20.920 the Lord 00:21:20.920 --> 00:21:21.860 with our words, 00:21:21.940 --> 00:21:22.660 with our thoughts, 00:21:23.120 --> 00:21:23.640 and the next 00:21:23.640 --> 00:21:24.039 moment, 00:21:24.420 --> 00:21:24.980 we're cursing 00:21:24.980 --> 00:21:25.380 those made 00:21:25.380 --> 00:21:25.900 in his image. 00:21:27.559 --> 00:21:28.340 Maybe this is 00:21:28.340 --> 00:21:29.100 not so outwardly 00:21:29.100 --> 00:21:29.559 obvious. 00:21:30.360 --> 00:21:31.380 Let us think 00:21:31.380 --> 00:21:31.860 on it for a 00:21:31.860 --> 00:21:32.120 moment. 00:21:33.160 --> 00:21:33.580 Let's say 00:21:33.580 --> 00:21:34.160 perhaps you're 00:21:34.160 --> 00:21:34.819 singing praises 00:21:34.819 --> 00:21:35.519 to God as we 00:21:35.519 --> 00:21:36.200 finish up in a 00:21:36.200 --> 00:21:36.740 few moments, 00:21:37.000 --> 00:21:38.080 and two minutes 00:21:38.080 --> 00:21:38.720 later you're 00:21:38.720 --> 00:21:39.420 entertaining the 00:21:39.420 --> 00:21:40.299 thought of maybe 00:21:40.299 --> 00:21:41.019 bringing up that 00:21:41.019 --> 00:21:41.940 embarrassing instance 00:21:41.940 --> 00:21:43.059 with someone just 00:21:43.059 --> 00:21:43.860 to maybe slide them 00:21:43.860 --> 00:21:45.039 off or harm their 00:21:45.039 --> 00:21:46.500 feelings, even all in 00:21:46.500 --> 00:21:47.180 the name of good 00:21:47.180 --> 00:21:47.920 banter to get a 00:21:47.920 --> 00:21:48.620 laugh out of people. 00:21:49.920 --> 00:21:50.799 Or maybe perhaps 00:21:50.799 --> 00:21:52.039 slandering someone to 00:21:52.039 --> 00:21:52.759 their face because they 00:21:52.759 --> 00:21:53.740 really annoyed you. 00:21:55.180 --> 00:21:55.819 Or going and 00:21:55.819 --> 00:21:56.600 gossiping to someone 00:21:56.600 --> 00:21:57.380 else about it behind 00:21:57.380 --> 00:21:57.940 their back. 00:21:57.940 --> 00:22:01.299 one minute out of 00:22:01.299 --> 00:22:02.059 the same mouth 00:22:02.059 --> 00:22:03.660 come praise and 00:22:03.660 --> 00:22:04.299 cursing to our 00:22:04.299 --> 00:22:05.019 Lord and Father, 00:22:06.279 --> 00:22:07.039 and the next 00:22:07.039 --> 00:22:08.680 cursing those made 00:22:08.680 --> 00:22:09.259 in his image. 00:22:10.320 --> 00:22:10.940 My brothers and 00:22:10.940 --> 00:22:11.279 sisters, 00:22:12.279 --> 00:22:14.100 this should not 00:22:14.100 --> 00:22:14.460 be. 00:22:16.320 --> 00:22:17.240 Can both salt 00:22:17.240 --> 00:22:17.920 water and fresh 00:22:17.920 --> 00:22:18.960 water come from 00:22:18.960 --> 00:22:19.740 the same spring? 00:22:20.480 --> 00:22:21.320 Or can a fruit 00:22:21.320 --> 00:22:22.080 tree bear fruit 00:22:22.080 --> 00:22:22.700 different from its 00:22:22.700 --> 00:22:23.100 nature? 00:22:23.099 --> 00:22:24.339 Well, no, that's 00:22:24.339 --> 00:22:24.859 ridiculous. 00:22:25.259 --> 00:22:26.099 It's inconsistent. 00:22:26.819 --> 00:22:27.679 But that is the way 00:22:27.679 --> 00:22:28.240 of the tongue. 00:22:29.379 --> 00:22:30.519 That's how we can be 00:22:30.519 --> 00:22:31.159 in our worship. 00:22:32.219 --> 00:22:33.339 And so James drives 00:22:33.339 --> 00:22:34.079 his point home. 00:22:35.019 --> 00:22:35.799 In a sense, we can 00:22:35.799 --> 00:22:36.480 almost feel him 00:22:36.480 --> 00:22:37.259 chiding us with this 00:22:37.259 --> 00:22:38.059 impossible, with this 00:22:38.059 --> 00:22:38.839 immense call. 00:22:40.179 --> 00:22:42.079 This should not be. 00:22:42.779 --> 00:22:44.579 This cannot be. 00:22:45.500 --> 00:22:46.500 He highlights our 00:22:46.500 --> 00:22:48.339 inconsistency, even 00:22:48.339 --> 00:22:49.279 when he and indeed 00:22:49.279 --> 00:22:50.919 we know that no one 00:22:50.919 --> 00:22:51.759 can tame the tongue. 00:22:51.759 --> 00:22:53.279 But yet the need 00:22:53.279 --> 00:22:53.759 remains. 00:22:54.759 --> 00:22:56.059 We need to watch 00:22:56.059 --> 00:22:56.720 our words. 00:22:57.539 --> 00:22:58.220 We've seen the 00:22:58.220 --> 00:22:58.980 great potential of 00:22:58.980 --> 00:23:00.339 something small to 00:23:00.339 --> 00:23:01.079 have huge and 00:23:01.079 --> 00:23:02.200 disastrous results. 00:23:02.740 --> 00:23:03.700 So we must be 00:23:03.700 --> 00:23:04.559 wary of what we 00:23:04.559 --> 00:23:05.500 say, what we 00:23:05.500 --> 00:23:05.859 think. 00:23:06.599 --> 00:23:07.640 We must do this, 00:23:07.720 --> 00:23:08.359 but we cannot. 00:23:09.140 --> 00:23:10.019 No human can. 00:23:11.039 --> 00:23:12.059 So are we excused 00:23:12.059 --> 00:23:12.819 on this basis? 00:23:13.920 --> 00:23:14.440 Well, no. 00:23:15.339 --> 00:23:16.039 If we're honest 00:23:16.039 --> 00:23:16.619 with ourselves 00:23:16.619 --> 00:23:17.779 before God's word, 00:23:18.539 --> 00:23:19.000 then we're in a 00:23:19.000 --> 00:23:19.859 hopeless state this 00:23:19.859 --> 00:23:20.119 morning. 00:23:20.960 --> 00:23:21.680 Engulfed in the 00:23:21.680 --> 00:23:22.680 fiery flames of our 00:23:22.680 --> 00:23:23.620 own sinful words 00:23:23.620 --> 00:23:24.279 and our thoughts. 00:23:24.860 --> 00:23:25.880 Day by day, those 00:23:25.880 --> 00:23:26.940 thoughts and words 00:23:26.940 --> 00:23:28.100 reflecting perfectly 00:23:28.100 --> 00:23:29.279 to the world around 00:23:29.279 --> 00:23:30.680 us the sinfulness 00:23:30.680 --> 00:23:32.200 of our hearts. 00:23:33.039 --> 00:23:34.180 We cannot control 00:23:34.180 --> 00:23:34.680 that which we 00:23:34.680 --> 00:23:35.000 must. 00:23:37.039 --> 00:23:37.519 Now, James does 00:23:37.519 --> 00:23:39.259 not leave us with 00:23:39.259 --> 00:23:40.000 the kind of ending 00:23:40.000 --> 00:23:40.580 that we'd like to 00:23:40.580 --> 00:23:41.140 hear at the end of 00:23:41.140 --> 00:23:41.600 these verses. 00:23:42.060 --> 00:23:42.880 It doesn't resolve 00:23:42.880 --> 00:23:43.980 the riddle for us 00:23:43.980 --> 00:23:44.720 in this passage. 00:23:45.820 --> 00:23:46.539 If you thought at 00:23:46.539 --> 00:23:46.940 the end of this 00:23:46.940 --> 00:23:47.580 sermon I'd kind of 00:23:47.580 --> 00:23:48.720 dish out a top ten 00:23:48.720 --> 00:23:49.620 tips to a tamed 00:23:49.620 --> 00:23:51.080 tongue, well then 00:23:51.079 --> 00:23:51.740 I'm sorry because 00:23:51.740 --> 00:23:52.480 I don't have them. 00:23:54.519 --> 00:23:55.259 And James doesn't 00:23:55.259 --> 00:23:55.819 give them at this 00:23:55.819 --> 00:23:56.199 point. 00:23:57.039 --> 00:23:58.000 On the basis of 00:23:58.000 --> 00:23:58.659 our own human 00:23:58.659 --> 00:23:59.259 efforts, if we 00:23:59.259 --> 00:24:00.059 focus on that, 00:24:00.539 --> 00:24:01.059 well he leaves us 00:24:01.059 --> 00:24:01.699 in this tension. 00:24:02.899 --> 00:24:03.460 We've seen this 00:24:03.460 --> 00:24:03.960 morning that we're 00:24:03.960 --> 00:24:05.019 hopelessly incapable 00:24:05.019 --> 00:24:06.000 of taming the 00:24:06.000 --> 00:24:06.579 tongue by our own 00:24:06.579 --> 00:24:07.000 efforts. 00:24:08.679 --> 00:24:09.480 But brothers and 00:24:09.480 --> 00:24:10.579 sisters, what else 00:24:10.579 --> 00:24:11.480 does scripture teach 00:24:11.480 --> 00:24:11.799 us? 00:24:12.939 --> 00:24:13.679 Where is the good 00:24:13.679 --> 00:24:14.439 news for us in the 00:24:14.439 --> 00:24:15.259 face of such an 00:24:15.259 --> 00:24:15.799 indictment? 00:24:16.599 --> 00:24:17.319 Well it's this. 00:24:17.319 --> 00:24:19.500 At the very heart 00:24:19.500 --> 00:24:21.039 of the gospel is 00:24:21.039 --> 00:24:21.799 the fact that we 00:24:21.799 --> 00:24:22.899 are in an 00:24:22.899 --> 00:24:23.819 impossible situation 00:24:23.819 --> 00:24:24.700 until God shows 00:24:24.700 --> 00:24:24.960 up. 00:24:25.639 --> 00:24:26.639 We cannot tame 00:24:26.639 --> 00:24:27.220 the tongue, we 00:24:27.220 --> 00:24:27.899 cannot save 00:24:27.899 --> 00:24:28.460 ourselves. 00:24:29.299 --> 00:24:29.980 Yet as sinful 00:24:29.980 --> 00:24:31.259 human beings we 00:24:31.259 --> 00:24:32.379 find our only hope 00:24:32.379 --> 00:24:33.059 in the one who 00:24:33.059 --> 00:24:34.759 is without sin, in 00:24:34.759 --> 00:24:35.500 Jesus Christ. 00:24:36.339 --> 00:24:37.179 For each of us 00:24:37.179 --> 00:24:37.740 here this morning 00:24:37.740 --> 00:24:38.659 we need to admit 00:24:38.659 --> 00:24:39.399 that need of a 00:24:39.399 --> 00:24:39.659 savior. 00:24:40.379 --> 00:24:41.200 On the one hand 00:24:41.200 --> 00:24:42.679 we could deny our 00:24:42.679 --> 00:24:43.859 sin, we could claim 00:24:43.859 --> 00:24:44.700 that we're better or 00:24:44.700 --> 00:24:46.240 maybe no worse than 00:24:46.240 --> 00:24:46.539 others. 00:24:47.120 --> 00:24:47.960 We can claim that 00:24:47.960 --> 00:24:48.839 our good words and 00:24:48.839 --> 00:24:49.859 thoughts outweigh the 00:24:49.859 --> 00:24:50.460 bad ones. 00:24:51.180 --> 00:24:52.279 We can claim our 00:24:52.279 --> 00:24:52.900 own righteousness. 00:24:53.880 --> 00:24:55.480 But again, this 00:24:55.480 --> 00:24:56.799 should not be. 00:24:58.480 --> 00:25:00.140 This cannot be. 00:25:01.200 --> 00:25:02.059 There's a better way 00:25:02.059 --> 00:25:02.819 we can respond. 00:25:04.099 --> 00:25:04.720 Our righteousness 00:25:04.720 --> 00:25:05.900 has been revealed 00:25:05.900 --> 00:25:06.440 to us. 00:25:07.240 --> 00:25:08.500 We need to believe 00:25:08.500 --> 00:25:10.000 in God's only son, 00:25:10.079 --> 00:25:10.960 in Jesus Christ, 00:25:11.099 --> 00:25:12.420 and daily cling to 00:25:12.420 --> 00:25:13.579 him as our 00:25:13.579 --> 00:25:13.900 savior. 00:25:15.059 --> 00:25:15.779 Come to the 00:25:15.779 --> 00:25:15.940 Lord. 00:25:16.059 --> 00:25:16.960 Ask his forgiveness 00:25:16.960 --> 00:25:18.079 for the failures 00:25:18.079 --> 00:25:18.819 of our speech. 00:25:19.879 --> 00:25:20.339 And once we 00:25:20.339 --> 00:25:20.960 submit to the 00:25:20.960 --> 00:25:21.639 fact that he 00:25:21.639 --> 00:25:22.319 alone can do 00:25:22.319 --> 00:25:23.039 what we cannot, 00:25:23.759 --> 00:25:24.299 then we are 00:25:24.299 --> 00:25:25.420 ready to face 00:25:25.420 --> 00:25:26.139 the failures of 00:25:26.139 --> 00:25:26.839 our speech which 00:25:26.839 --> 00:25:27.879 reflect the 00:25:27.879 --> 00:25:28.980 failures of our 00:25:28.980 --> 00:25:29.379 hearts. 00:25:30.359 --> 00:25:30.879 Let me just 00:25:30.879 --> 00:25:31.379 offer a few 00:25:31.379 --> 00:25:32.019 words of 00:25:32.019 --> 00:25:32.759 application as we 00:25:32.759 --> 00:25:33.099 close. 00:25:34.980 --> 00:25:35.720 When we come to 00:25:35.720 --> 00:25:36.180 a book like 00:25:36.180 --> 00:25:36.920 James, it's very 00:25:36.920 --> 00:25:37.700 important that we 00:25:37.700 --> 00:25:38.940 use gospel lenses 00:25:38.940 --> 00:25:40.960 as we think on 00:25:40.960 --> 00:25:41.399 what the Lord 00:25:41.399 --> 00:25:42.259 speaks to us. 00:25:43.279 --> 00:25:44.180 Where the likes of 00:25:44.180 --> 00:25:44.880 Paul or John 00:25:44.880 --> 00:25:45.440 might include 00:25:45.440 --> 00:25:46.100 little nuances 00:25:46.100 --> 00:25:47.039 to Christ or 00:25:47.039 --> 00:25:47.940 little kind of 00:25:47.940 --> 00:25:48.620 gospel truth 00:25:48.620 --> 00:25:49.220 nuggets as they 00:25:49.220 --> 00:25:49.480 write. 00:25:49.900 --> 00:25:50.519 James does 00:25:50.519 --> 00:25:50.960 things a little 00:25:50.960 --> 00:25:51.340 differently. 00:25:51.880 --> 00:25:52.220 He kind of 00:25:52.220 --> 00:25:52.960 assumes that we 00:25:52.960 --> 00:25:53.420 know and 00:25:53.420 --> 00:25:54.140 understand the 00:25:54.140 --> 00:25:54.500 gospel. 00:25:55.180 --> 00:25:55.519 So we're 00:25:55.519 --> 00:25:55.940 seeking to 00:25:55.940 --> 00:25:56.500 live for Christ. 00:25:56.620 --> 00:25:57.299 That's a given 00:25:57.299 --> 00:25:58.120 for him as he 00:25:58.120 --> 00:25:58.460 writes. 00:25:59.640 --> 00:26:00.019 So if we 00:26:00.019 --> 00:26:01.580 forget that or 00:26:01.580 --> 00:26:01.980 if we don't 00:26:01.980 --> 00:26:02.440 take that into 00:26:02.440 --> 00:26:03.120 account when we 00:26:03.120 --> 00:26:04.259 read the book 00:26:04.259 --> 00:26:05.700 of James, we 00:26:05.700 --> 00:26:06.340 can just end up 00:26:06.340 --> 00:26:07.180 with trying to 00:26:07.180 --> 00:26:07.900 live morally by 00:26:07.900 --> 00:26:08.560 our own efforts. 00:26:09.560 --> 00:26:10.160 Which when it 00:26:10.160 --> 00:26:10.560 comes to the 00:26:10.560 --> 00:26:11.200 tongue, we realize 00:26:11.200 --> 00:26:11.580 that we can't 00:26:11.579 --> 00:26:12.199 even do that. 00:26:14.339 --> 00:26:15.220 But thank the 00:26:15.220 --> 00:26:16.599 Lord as always. 00:26:17.740 --> 00:26:18.240 His word does 00:26:18.240 --> 00:26:19.879 not leave us 00:26:19.879 --> 00:26:20.299 without a 00:26:20.299 --> 00:26:20.720 lifeline. 00:26:21.819 --> 00:26:22.319 Just a few 00:26:22.319 --> 00:26:23.079 verses later in 00:26:23.079 --> 00:26:23.740 chapter 4, 00:26:25.199 --> 00:26:25.859 James writes, 00:26:26.720 --> 00:26:27.879 God opposes the 00:26:27.879 --> 00:26:29.059 proud but gives 00:26:29.059 --> 00:26:30.240 grace to the 00:26:30.240 --> 00:26:30.539 humble. 00:26:31.579 --> 00:26:32.519 Submit yourselves 00:26:32.519 --> 00:26:33.899 then to God. 00:26:35.019 --> 00:26:35.899 Resist the devil 00:26:35.899 --> 00:26:36.779 and he will flee 00:26:36.779 --> 00:26:37.220 from you. 00:26:37.879 --> 00:26:38.579 Come near to 00:26:38.579 --> 00:26:39.699 God and he 00:26:39.699 --> 00:26:40.500 will come near to 00:26:40.500 --> 00:26:40.740 you. 00:26:41.440 --> 00:26:41.880 Wash your 00:26:41.880 --> 00:26:42.299 hands, you 00:26:42.299 --> 00:26:42.599 sinners. 00:26:42.859 --> 00:26:43.539 Purify your 00:26:43.539 --> 00:26:44.039 hearts, you 00:26:44.039 --> 00:26:44.599 double-minded. 00:26:45.279 --> 00:26:46.000 Grieve, mourn, 00:26:46.059 --> 00:26:46.400 and wail. 00:26:46.900 --> 00:26:47.319 Change your 00:26:47.319 --> 00:26:47.859 laughter to 00:26:47.859 --> 00:26:48.339 mourning and 00:26:48.339 --> 00:26:48.960 your joy to 00:26:48.960 --> 00:26:49.319 gloom. 00:26:50.119 --> 00:26:50.900 Humble yourselves 00:26:50.900 --> 00:26:51.500 before the 00:26:51.500 --> 00:26:52.680 Lord and he 00:26:52.680 --> 00:26:53.700 will lift you 00:26:53.700 --> 00:26:53.960 up. 00:26:55.039 --> 00:26:55.740 We need to 00:26:55.740 --> 00:26:56.420 humble ourselves 00:26:56.420 --> 00:26:56.980 in this area 00:26:56.980 --> 00:26:57.440 before the 00:26:57.440 --> 00:26:58.599 Lord, that he 00:26:58.599 --> 00:26:59.299 would bring the 00:26:59.299 --> 00:27:00.119 change that we 00:27:00.119 --> 00:27:00.839 so desperately 00:27:00.839 --> 00:27:01.299 need. 00:27:02.099 --> 00:27:02.619 We need to 00:27:02.619 --> 00:27:03.420 submit this area 00:27:03.420 --> 00:27:04.000 of our lives 00:27:04.000 --> 00:27:04.619 to him. 00:27:05.259 --> 00:27:05.859 Then we can 00:27:05.859 --> 00:27:06.339 resist the 00:27:06.339 --> 00:27:07.619 temptation to 00:27:07.619 --> 00:27:08.420 use our 00:27:08.420 --> 00:27:09.180 tongue for evil 00:27:09.180 --> 00:27:10.480 before we 00:27:10.480 --> 00:27:10.880 speak. 00:27:11.240 --> 00:27:11.460 Let us 00:27:11.460 --> 00:27:12.140 pause and 00:27:12.140 --> 00:27:12.600 think. 00:27:13.779 --> 00:27:14.320 And let us 00:27:14.320 --> 00:27:15.700 resolve in 00:27:15.700 --> 00:27:16.420 his strength 00:27:16.420 --> 00:27:17.200 alone, and I 00:27:17.200 --> 00:27:18.220 cannot emphasize 00:27:18.220 --> 00:27:19.640 that enough, in 00:27:19.640 --> 00:27:20.299 his strength 00:27:20.299 --> 00:27:20.820 alone, brothers 00:27:20.820 --> 00:27:21.820 and sisters, to 00:27:21.820 --> 00:27:22.600 use our tongue 00:27:22.600 --> 00:27:24.060 for good and 00:27:24.060 --> 00:27:25.560 not for evil, to 00:27:25.560 --> 00:27:26.700 bless and not 00:27:26.700 --> 00:27:28.420 to curse, to 00:27:28.420 --> 00:27:29.060 lift one another 00:27:29.060 --> 00:27:30.340 up, not put one 00:27:30.340 --> 00:27:32.560 another down, to 00:27:32.560 --> 00:27:33.220 speak words of 00:27:33.220 --> 00:27:34.720 kindness and not 00:27:34.720 --> 00:27:35.180 to gossip. 00:27:35.180 --> 00:27:35.320 gossip. 00:27:37.720 --> 00:27:38.580 And when we 00:27:38.580 --> 00:27:40.220 slip up, which 00:27:40.220 --> 00:27:42.080 we will, we'll 00:27:42.080 --> 00:27:42.820 let us come and 00:27:42.820 --> 00:27:43.840 ask his forgiveness 00:27:43.840 --> 00:27:45.140 time and time 00:27:45.140 --> 00:27:46.920 again, and let 00:27:46.920 --> 00:27:48.279 us get up again 00:27:48.279 --> 00:27:49.920 and pursue by 00:27:49.920 --> 00:27:51.960 his strength the 00:27:51.960 --> 00:27:52.759 holy lives that 00:27:52.759 --> 00:27:53.440 he's called us to 00:27:53.440 --> 00:27:53.660 live. 00:27:54.660 --> 00:27:55.519 Let us pray. 00:27:55.519 --> 00:27:55.580 Amen. 00:27:55.579 --> 00:28:04.359 Heavenly Father, from 00:28:04.359 --> 00:28:05.480 our own mouths come 00:28:05.480 --> 00:28:06.619 praise to you and 00:28:06.619 --> 00:28:07.500 cursing of our 00:28:07.500 --> 00:28:07.939 brothers and 00:28:07.939 --> 00:28:08.259 sisters. 00:28:09.319 --> 00:28:10.819 This should not 00:28:10.819 --> 00:28:11.099 be. 00:28:11.939 --> 00:28:13.179 We recognize our 00:28:13.179 --> 00:28:14.039 total and our 00:28:14.039 --> 00:28:15.779 complete inability to 00:28:15.779 --> 00:28:17.039 reform ourselves and 00:28:17.039 --> 00:28:18.079 to change our sinful 00:28:18.079 --> 00:28:18.899 ways by our own 00:28:18.899 --> 00:28:19.179 efforts. 00:28:19.819 --> 00:28:21.139 We stand guilty and 00:28:21.139 --> 00:28:21.919 without excuse. 00:28:22.460 --> 00:28:24.139 Please forgive us. 00:28:24.140 --> 00:28:25.800 we've seen this 00:28:25.800 --> 00:28:26.500 morning the great 00:28:26.500 --> 00:28:27.440 potential of our 00:28:27.440 --> 00:28:29.620 tongues for evil 00:28:29.620 --> 00:28:30.960 and inconsistency in 00:28:30.960 --> 00:28:31.520 our lives as 00:28:31.520 --> 00:28:31.820 believers. 00:28:32.600 --> 00:28:33.700 We cannot control 00:28:33.700 --> 00:28:34.680 our tongue and we 00:28:34.680 --> 00:28:35.720 are inconsistent in 00:28:35.720 --> 00:28:36.500 our worship of you. 00:28:37.380 --> 00:28:38.860 This should not be. 00:28:39.340 --> 00:28:40.540 Please help us. 00:28:41.160 --> 00:28:42.000 We are lost and 00:28:42.000 --> 00:28:42.900 without no hope. 00:28:43.840 --> 00:28:44.480 But into our 00:28:44.480 --> 00:28:45.480 hopelessness you have 00:28:45.480 --> 00:28:46.680 spoken these words. 00:28:47.440 --> 00:28:49.340 This shall not be. 00:28:50.800 --> 00:28:52.120 We thank you, most 00:28:52.120 --> 00:28:53.560 loving Father, for 00:28:53.559 --> 00:28:54.399 sending Jesus 00:28:54.399 --> 00:28:54.879 Christ. 00:28:56.000 --> 00:28:56.899 We thank you that 00:28:56.899 --> 00:28:57.599 when we trust in 00:28:57.599 --> 00:28:58.179 him as our 00:28:58.179 --> 00:28:59.700 saviour, we receive 00:28:59.700 --> 00:29:00.700 your loving mercy. 00:29:01.399 --> 00:29:02.240 We thank you then 00:29:02.240 --> 00:29:03.440 that you love us as 00:29:03.440 --> 00:29:04.980 your children, flaws 00:29:04.980 --> 00:29:05.319 and all. 00:29:06.659 --> 00:29:07.599 In his name, 00:29:08.139 --> 00:29:08.399 Amen. 00:29:10.159 --> 00:29:10.960 I believe we're 00:29:10.960 --> 00:29:12.139 going to sing as we 00:29:12.139 --> 00:29:12.940 close, but I'm just 00:29:12.940 --> 00:29:14.079 going to get that 00:29:14.079 --> 00:29:15.159 ready. 00:29:15.159 --> 00:29:15.279 Amen. 00:29:15.279 --> 00:29:15.319 Amen. 00:29:15.319 --> 00:29:15.359 Amen. 00:29:15.359 --> 00:29:15.399 Amen. 00:29:15.399 --> 00:29:17.279 Amen. 00:29:17.279 --> 00:29:17.319 Amen. 00:29:17.319 --> 00:29:19.279 Amen. 00:29:19.279 --> 00:29:19.319 Amen. 00:29:19.319 --> 00:29:19.359 Amen. 00:29:19.359 --> 00:29:20.240 Amen. 00:29:20.240 --> 00:29:21.279 Amen. 00:29:21.279 --> 00:29:21.359 Amen. 00:29:21.359 --> 00:29:21.399 Amen. 00:29:21.399 --> 00:29:21.440 Amen. 00:29:21.440 --> 00:29:21.919 Amen. 00:29:21.919 --> 00:29:22.440 Amen. 00:29:22.440 --> 00:29:23.539 Amen. 00:29:23.539 --> 00:29:27.399 Amen. 00:29:27.399 --> 00:29:29.220 Amen. 00:29:37.480 --> 00:29:38.759 Amen. 00:29:38.759 --> 00:29:39.899 Amen. 00:29:40.099 --> 00:29:41.440 Amen. 00:29:41.440 --> 00:29:42.039 Amen. 00:29:42.039 --> 00:29:42.319 Amen. 00:29:42.319 --> 00:29:42.740 Amen. 00:29:42.859 --> 00:29:43.279 Amen. 00:29:43.299 --> 00:29:43.440 Amen. 00:29:43.440 --> 00:29:43.960 Amen. 00:29:44.440 --> 00:29:45.379 Amen. 00:29:47.440 --> 00:29:48.399 Japanese 00:29:48.399 --> 00:29:49.259 principles planilton can steal 00:29:49.259 --> 00:29:50.099 lic centered Jesus 00:29:50.099 --> 00:29:52.420 grained ground 00:29:52.420 --> 00:29:53.500 in honor. 00:29:53.500 --> 00:30:23.480 Thank you. 00:30:23.500 --> 00:30:53.480 Thank you. 00:30:53.500 --> 00:31:23.480 Thank you. 00:31:23.500 --> 00:31:53.480 Thank you. 00:31:53.500 --> 00:32:23.480 Thank you. 00:32:23.500 --> 00:32:53.480 Thank you. 00:32:53.500 --> 00:32:55.500 Thank you.