WEBVTT

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 I'm going to invite Vicky up who's going to read scripture for us.

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 So Vicky's going to read the passage that Corey's going to preach from.

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! This is James chapter 3 verses 1 to 12.

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 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers,

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 for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.

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 For we all stumble in many ways,

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 and if anyone does not stumble in what he says,

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 he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.

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 If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us,

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 we guide their whole bodies as well.

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 Look at the ships also.

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 Though they are so large and are driven by strong winds,

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 they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs.

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 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.

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 How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!

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 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness.

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 The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body,

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 setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.

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 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature,

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 can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind.

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 But no human being can tame the tongue.

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 It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

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 With it we bless our Lord and Father,

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 and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.

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 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing,

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 my brothers, these things ought not to be so.

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 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water?

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 Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs?

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 Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.

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 Well, we read from James, the letter of James,

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 and this is a passage about speech that Vicki read for us.

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 So James is writing this letter,

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 and he is the little brother of Jesus Christ,

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 biologically the little brother.

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 And he grew up in the same house as Jesus,

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 as the Son of God.

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 And so that has to mean that he would have shared so many meals with Jesus,

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 and he would have very probably slept in the same room as Jesus,

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 and shared a room with Jesus.

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 And that means that James is writing to us

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 as someone who has heard,

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 the only person in human history who has spoken perfectly,

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 who never sinned one time with the way they spoke,

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 the words that they spoke.

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 And so he knows what he's talking about

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 when he writes to us about perfect speech.

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 The central question of this book,

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 I've been saying each week is,

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 what does a person who has faith in Jesus Christ look like

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 in the way they live?

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 So what is lived faith?

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 So James has said many times

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 that a disciple of Jesus

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 doesn't just believe certain things,

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 but their faith is manifest.

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 They actually act out their faith.

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 So faith has a tell.

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 Faith is a lived.

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 Faith without works is dead faith.

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 And we've seen so far three things.

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 This is a summary of all five sermons

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 we've already had in the book of James

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 in about 45 seconds.

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 Three things that James has told us

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 is the tell of living faith in your life.

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 Number one, you are a person who can suffer

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 differently than the way the world suffers.

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 So you suffer in a way where suffering actually can grow you,

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 not devastate you, not destroy you.

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 And the second way he's told us is that

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 you're a follower of Jesus living out your faith

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 when you are shaped by the word of God.

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 So you're ingesting the word of God,

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 hearing it, and also doing it

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 to the point where your opinions,

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 your personal opinions,

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 become less and less important.

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 And instead, what the Bible says

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 is far more important for you.

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 And then the third way he said

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 that faith has a tell.

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 Faith shows up is through good works.

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 So faith without good works is dead faith.

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 And so those good works are especially

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 works of mercy to the afflicted,

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 to the poor, to the widow,

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 to the orphan, James says.

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 Now, in all of that,

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 he is talking about the wise life,

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 what it means to live a life of wisdom.

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 So he mentioned the word wisdom in chapter one.

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 And we said at the end of chapter one

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 that he introduces everything he's going to say

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 in the rest of the book in chapter one.

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 And so now he's returning to the concept of wisdom

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 and really just saying,

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 all I've been talking about in this letter

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 is how to live a wise life.

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 And that's the difference between a wise life

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 and a foolish life.

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 So I've tried to go out of my way a few times

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 to say that the letter of James

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 is not just the Proverbs of the New Testament.

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 I have preached on James in the past and said that,

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 and I've realized I don't think that's right.

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 I think that's wrong.

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 Instead, James is not aphoristic.

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 He has one whole argument that he's making.

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 But it is like Proverbs

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 in that this is New Testament wisdom literature.

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 So he's teaching us about what it means

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 to live the wise life.

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 Now, in the Bible, there is law in this life.

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 There are laws, there are laws in our land.

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 And laws tell you very specifically

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 things to do and things not to do.

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 So if you're wondering, should I murder?

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 There is a law for that in the Bible.

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 Thou shalt not murder.

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 It's very clear.

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 Should I commit adultery?

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 No, thou shalt not commit adultery.

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 Should I steal?

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 No, thou shalt not steal.

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 That's law.

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 But wisdom is something beyond law.

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 So what is wisdom?

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 Wisdom is how to live life skillfully before God,

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 living for God into this world

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 when there are no laws telling you

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 what to do in every situation.

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 So the Bible has all sorts of laws,

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 but then it doesn't tell you who you should marry

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 or whether you should get married.

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 It doesn't tell you what job you should take.

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 It doesn't tell you if you should live in the city

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 or the suburbs or rural.

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 The answer is city, by the way.

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 I'm just kidding.

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 We love the suburbs and the rural communities.

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 The Bible doesn't tell you all that.

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 There's a thousand things you decide all the time,

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 every day.

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 What should you eat?

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 When should you wake up?

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 These are questions of wisdom, not of law.

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 And so James is here trying to say

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 that a Christian is seeking,

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 walking the path of becoming a more and more wise person

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 by becoming what?

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 A doer of the word, ingesting the word

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 so that it pours out of you in your decision-making.

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 You live instinctively wise.

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 Now of all the domains of wisdom that there can be,

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 and there are so many,

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 speech, language is the final frontier.

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 And what I mean by that is that

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 words are the hardest, James is saying,

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 to get control of.

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 Now we don't think that way intuitively,

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 but it is true.

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 It's so easy to control our bodies from violence.

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 Most of us do not struggle walking around in the city,

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 getting frustrated and punching people in the face.

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 We don't struggle with that.

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 We don't.

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 We can actually restrain ourselves physically in so many ways,

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 but boy, is it hard to restrain your words.

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 And even in a moment where that colleague,

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 that friend, that person, that neighbor is saying that to you,

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 and you just want to tell them what you think about them,

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 you want to turn around with an insult,

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 maybe in the moment you hold it in,

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 but the domain of speech goes so deep that we know we don't just have words existing externally,

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 externally, spoken, out loud.

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 We have this whole invisible domain of speech,

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 the internal dialogue.

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 And in the internal dialogue,

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 we might be withholding what we really think about somebody in their face,

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 but boy, is it raging on the inside.

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 Internally.

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 See, the domain of speech is internal and external,

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 and what tends to happen is that the external leaks what's really going on in the internal eventually.

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 Words are the final frontier.

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 They're so hard to get a hold of.

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 They're really the last domain of wisdom James is telling us here.

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 Jesus said it so plainly,

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 out of the heart, the mouth speaks.

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 And so words are the premier revelation of what's true about our hearts.

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 And James comes and says something very plain to us today,

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 and that's that our hearts are disordered as sinners,

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 therefore our speech patterns are disordered.

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 So let's think about two things.

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 We're going to spend,

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 we're going to look at speech in James twice,

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 and today is,

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 we're going to see the power,

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 the potential of speech.

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 That's what James talks about in these 12 verses,

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 and then the real source of that power.

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 And then next time when we come back,

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 we'll get into some real practicals about how to grow as wise speakers,

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 but that's not for today.

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 Today,

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 the potential and the power of speech,

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 and the source of the power of speech,

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 because that's what these 12 verses are really about.

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 So let's look at it together.

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 First,

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 the power of speech.

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 Now we children learn,

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 we maybe teach,

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 I don't know,

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 we children learn,

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 the famous rhyme,

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 sticks and stones may break my bones,

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 but words will never hurt me.

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 And it's probably been said a million times

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 that whoever originally wrote that

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 was somebody that was deeply hurt by words,

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 and doing anything they could

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 to conjure a defense mechanism,

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 a coping mechanism,

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 a strategy on the playground somewhere.

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 We know it's not true.

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 Sticks and stones can break our bones.

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 Far worse than physical pain

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 is pain that can come through words.

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 Far deeper.

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 The soul is so much harder to heal than the body.

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 And so words have a power

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 that sticks and stones do not have.

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 Now James tells us that in four images

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 at the heart of this passage.

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 So you'll see the first image,

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 he's trying to teach us that in verse three.

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 So if you look with me at verse three,

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 if we put bits into the mouths of horses

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 so that they obey us,

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 we guide their whole bodies as well.

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 As much as it's true that out of the heart,

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 the mouth speaks,

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 James uses an illustration here to say,

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 from the mouth,

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 the heart is formed.

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 And so when you put a bit,

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 a little metal bit into the mouth of a horse,

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 you have this tiny little instrument

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 that can steer a massive horse around.

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 In the same way,

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 the tongue, he says, is very small,

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 but it has the power to form you

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 and to form other people.

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 It's got great power.

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 So if you are constantly speaking words of bitterness,

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 you become a bitter person more and more.

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 If you speak words of rage,

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 you become an angry person more and more.

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 If you speak words of encouragement and gratitude to people,

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 you become a grateful person

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 and an encourager more and more.

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 You see, it's so small,

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 yet it has such power of formation.

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 The second image is in verse four.

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 So he keeps going.

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 These are just going to build on each other.

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 Look at the ships also,

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 though they are so large

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 and are driven by strong winds,

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 they are guided by a very small rudder

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 where the pilot directs.

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 Same exact idea.

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 The tongue is so small,

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 yet he's escalating the image

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 because a big seaship is a lot bigger than a horse.

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 So he's saying,

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 not only do the words have a great power to form you,

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 but words have such a power to form the world,

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 to shape the world,

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 like a little bitty rudder that moves the Titanic.

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 So your words have great power, great potential.

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 He keeps going the third,

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 and I think probably the most important

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 is in verse five and six.

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 He makes the point in verse five.

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 So the tongue is small,

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 but it boasts of great things.

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 It has so much potential, so much power.

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 But then here's the third illustration he gives us.

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 How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire.

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 Now in Scotland,

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 I meant to look this up and I forgot,

00:11:14.900 --> 00:11:16.980
 but I'm not sure all the rules of making fires

00:11:16.980 --> 00:11:18.480
 out in the highlands.

00:11:18.759 --> 00:11:20.560
 But I know that if you go walk in the highlands,

00:11:20.640 --> 00:11:21.680
 if you go walk Monroe's,

00:11:22.080 --> 00:11:23.160
 you get very cold.

00:11:23.720 --> 00:11:25.960
 And you know the power of a great fire.

00:11:25.960 --> 00:11:28.139
 You're walking, you're freezing,

00:11:28.360 --> 00:11:30.040
 you're hungry, it's dark.

00:11:30.259 --> 00:11:33.700
 You put a great campfire and you sustain it.

00:11:34.000 --> 00:11:35.220
 You put it where it's supposed to be.

00:11:35.280 --> 00:11:36.080
 You surround it with rocks

00:11:36.080 --> 00:11:37.960
 and it feeds you when you're hungry.

00:11:38.480 --> 00:11:40.220
 It gives you light in the midst of darkness.

00:11:40.460 --> 00:11:41.860
 It heats you when you're freezing cold.

00:11:42.320 --> 00:11:43.780
 It's a wonderful instrument,

00:11:43.900 --> 00:11:44.840
 an instrument of life.

00:11:46.120 --> 00:11:49.980
 James says the tongue can be a campfire,

00:11:50.500 --> 00:11:51.780
 an instrument of life,

00:11:51.960 --> 00:11:53.860
 giving life in all the right places it needs.

00:11:53.860 --> 00:11:55.259
 But he says,

00:11:55.539 --> 00:11:57.879
 when you do not tend to that fire

00:11:57.879 --> 00:12:00.240
 in dry conditions,

00:12:00.240 --> 00:12:01.820
 it gets out of control

00:12:01.820 --> 00:12:03.620
 and it burns down the forest

00:12:03.620 --> 00:12:04.759
 and then it burns down the city

00:12:04.759 --> 00:12:06.220
 and then it burns down the nation

00:12:06.220 --> 00:12:07.340
 and becomes a national fire.

00:12:07.720 --> 00:12:10.340
 He's saying that your speech has such power

00:12:10.340 --> 00:12:13.779
 to give life and to burn down a nation.

00:12:15.019 --> 00:12:17.860
 And he's probably taking this straight out of Proverbs 18.21.

00:12:18.560 --> 00:12:20.680
 So this is where James is the New Testament Proverbs.

00:12:20.679 --> 00:12:23.839
 The tongue, the writer of Proverbs says,

00:12:23.959 --> 00:12:25.839
 has the power of life and death.

00:12:26.659 --> 00:12:28.219
 And that's exactly what James is saying here.

00:12:28.879 --> 00:12:29.679
 Now there's one more,

00:12:29.819 --> 00:12:30.879
 the fourth and final image.

00:12:31.099 --> 00:12:32.959
 And just notice as we read it,

00:12:33.039 --> 00:12:34.939
 the escalation of the verdict.

00:12:35.139 --> 00:12:36.899
 He hasn't given us a clear verdict yet.

00:12:37.439 --> 00:12:40.599
 He's only talked about how much potential our speech has.

00:12:41.000 --> 00:12:41.919
 But in verse seven and eight,

00:12:41.979 --> 00:12:42.659
 he gets to the verdict.

00:12:42.859 --> 00:12:44.239
 Every kind of beast and bird,

00:12:44.620 --> 00:12:45.339
 every reptile,

00:12:45.459 --> 00:12:47.019
 every sea creature can be tamed

00:12:47.019 --> 00:12:48.919
 and has been tamed by humanity.

00:12:49.139 --> 00:12:51.659
 But no human being can tame the tongue.

00:12:51.740 --> 00:12:54.539
 It's a restless evil full of deadly poison.

00:12:55.740 --> 00:12:57.659
 Now, he said,

00:12:57.779 --> 00:12:59.379
 your speech has such great potential.

00:13:00.399 --> 00:13:01.379
 It's like a fire.

00:13:01.559 --> 00:13:03.139
 It's like a rudder on a mighty ship.

00:13:03.240 --> 00:13:04.980
 It's like a bit in a horse's mouth.

00:13:05.340 --> 00:13:06.299
 You can form people.

00:13:06.419 --> 00:13:07.220
 You can turn nations.

00:13:07.399 --> 00:13:08.299
 You can do all sorts of things.

00:13:08.379 --> 00:13:09.319
 But then he gets to the point,

00:13:09.399 --> 00:13:09.840
 the verdict.

00:13:10.639 --> 00:13:11.059
 And he says,

00:13:11.159 --> 00:13:11.899
 we have gone out

00:13:11.899 --> 00:13:14.319
 and we have tamed every type of animal there is,

00:13:14.379 --> 00:13:15.299
 including reptiles.

00:13:16.000 --> 00:13:17.860
 I didn't really know you could tame all the reptiles,

00:13:17.980 --> 00:13:18.500
 but it says here,

00:13:18.559 --> 00:13:19.480
 you can tame all the reptiles.

00:13:20.919 --> 00:13:21.779
 We've tamed snakes.

00:13:22.340 --> 00:13:23.459
 You can charm a snake,

00:13:23.579 --> 00:13:24.419
 a poisonous snake,

00:13:24.419 --> 00:13:26.019
 and get it to stop spitting its venom.

00:13:27.179 --> 00:13:29.279
 But he said that the tongue cannot be tamed.

00:13:29.360 --> 00:13:29.879
 Here's the verdict.

00:13:30.039 --> 00:13:30.399
 He says,

00:13:30.659 --> 00:13:35.220
 no human being can tame the poison of the tongue of speech.

00:13:36.179 --> 00:13:37.179
 And what is he doing there?

00:13:37.179 --> 00:13:38.919
 He's thinking back to the Old Testament

00:13:38.919 --> 00:13:40.099
 and he's quoting,

00:13:40.959 --> 00:13:43.240
 he's summarizing Genesis 1 to 3.

00:13:44.319 --> 00:13:45.339
 Because in the beginning,

00:13:45.500 --> 00:13:47.579
 God made humanity in his image and said,

00:13:47.899 --> 00:13:49.959
 I give you dominion over the birds and the fish

00:13:49.959 --> 00:13:51.259
 and the reptiles and all the animals.

00:13:51.500 --> 00:13:51.860
 And he said,

00:13:51.919 --> 00:13:52.579
 we've done that.

00:13:52.659 --> 00:13:54.639
 We've been able to tame all the beasts.

00:13:55.120 --> 00:13:57.759
 But the one beast that captured us was our speech.

00:13:58.479 --> 00:13:58.959
 And remember,

00:13:59.079 --> 00:14:00.879
 the serpent himself came into the garden

00:14:00.879 --> 00:14:01.979
 and by speech,

00:14:02.059 --> 00:14:03.879
 he questions God's speech.

00:14:04.240 --> 00:14:04.799
 By speech,

00:14:04.839 --> 00:14:05.199
 he said,

00:14:05.199 --> 00:14:07.240
 you can't really trust what God says.

00:14:07.240 --> 00:14:09.799
 And Adam and Eve fell for that.

00:14:09.879 --> 00:14:11.139
 They believed that.

00:14:11.460 --> 00:14:12.560
 And it's by speech,

00:14:12.620 --> 00:14:13.539
 by the speech of the serpent,

00:14:13.759 --> 00:14:15.759
 that we became serpent-like speakers.

00:14:16.940 --> 00:14:17.200
 He's saying,

00:14:17.360 --> 00:14:18.500
 you can tame snakes,

00:14:18.620 --> 00:14:20.419
 but you cannot tame the snake of your speech.

00:14:20.580 --> 00:14:22.000
 It spits poison.

00:14:22.779 --> 00:14:23.600
 It's like a viper.

00:14:24.379 --> 00:14:26.500
 So that's James' mighty verdict.

00:14:26.720 --> 00:14:27.779
 The power of speech,

00:14:27.899 --> 00:14:28.799
 the potential of speech,

00:14:29.180 --> 00:14:31.560
 and yet the instrument of fire,

00:14:31.659 --> 00:14:34.799
 of destruction that human beings have created from speech.

00:14:34.799 --> 00:14:35.979
 Now,

00:14:36.179 --> 00:14:37.299
 let's prove it for a second.

00:14:38.740 --> 00:14:39.759
 How do wars start?

00:14:40.979 --> 00:14:44.099
 Wars don't begin with violence.

00:14:44.419 --> 00:14:45.479
 Wars begin with words.

00:14:46.659 --> 00:14:49.399
 Wars begin with propaganda and lies.

00:14:50.379 --> 00:14:53.419
 And how do relationships break?

00:14:54.599 --> 00:14:57.240
 Relationships break through a long history of words,

00:14:57.599 --> 00:14:58.179
 ill-spoken,

00:14:58.359 --> 00:15:01.599
 through words that diminished the other,

00:15:01.759 --> 00:15:02.699
 that dismissed them,

00:15:02.799 --> 00:15:03.759
 that betrayed them.

00:15:03.759 --> 00:15:05.379
 That hurt them,

00:15:05.439 --> 00:15:07.419
 that wounded them in a way that they couldn't heal.

00:15:08.240 --> 00:15:09.439
 How do companies collapse?

00:15:10.179 --> 00:15:13.200
 Companies collapse internally through a culture of gossip,

00:15:14.279 --> 00:15:16.120
 through a culture of not telling the truth,

00:15:16.259 --> 00:15:16.879
 of infighting,

00:15:16.939 --> 00:15:17.399
 of rumor,

00:15:17.539 --> 00:15:17.980
 of deceit.

00:15:18.019 --> 00:15:19.159
 How do friendships break?

00:15:19.259 --> 00:15:21.100
 How do churches split?

00:15:22.120 --> 00:15:23.799
 How do denominations get started?

00:15:23.939 --> 00:15:27.019
 Quite often through gossip and deceit

00:15:27.019 --> 00:15:28.200
 and words that wound

00:15:28.200 --> 00:15:29.639
 and words that break relationships.

00:15:30.700 --> 00:15:32.080
 Violence can break the body,

00:15:32.080 --> 00:15:34.120
 but words destroy souls

00:15:34.120 --> 00:15:37.200
 and it is far harder to heal from that

00:15:37.200 --> 00:15:38.160
 than from the violence

00:15:38.160 --> 00:15:41.220
 or sticks and stones that hurt the body.

00:15:41.840 --> 00:15:42.900
 Let me take this even further.

00:15:43.300 --> 00:15:45.100
 The philosophers of the 20th century

00:15:45.100 --> 00:15:49.060
 very hopefully helped us understand

00:15:49.060 --> 00:15:52.840
 that all of our life is mediated through words.

00:15:53.080 --> 00:15:54.180
 The power of words,

00:15:54.259 --> 00:15:54.940
 it's so deep.

00:15:54.940 --> 00:15:57.120
 All of life is mediated to us through words.

00:15:58.020 --> 00:15:58.300
 You don't,

00:15:58.400 --> 00:15:59.980
 when you walk into St. Columbus,

00:16:00.100 --> 00:16:01.340
 this building on a Sunday morning,

00:16:02.080 --> 00:16:06.000
 you don't just see metal and cloth.

00:16:06.360 --> 00:16:07.140
 You see chairs

00:16:07.140 --> 00:16:09.340
 and you don't even have to think about it.

00:16:09.380 --> 00:16:10.460
 You don't come into this building

00:16:10.460 --> 00:16:13.440
 and see data of different bits

00:16:13.440 --> 00:16:15.120
 and atoms and particles of wood.

00:16:15.560 --> 00:16:15.700
 No,

00:16:15.760 --> 00:16:17.080
 you see a church,

00:16:17.220 --> 00:16:17.820
 you see a building,

00:16:17.920 --> 00:16:18.520
 you see beauty.

00:16:18.880 --> 00:16:20.180
 You interpret it immediately.

00:16:20.420 --> 00:16:21.220
 You don't have to be told.

00:16:21.820 --> 00:16:22.840
 You know what you see,

00:16:23.100 --> 00:16:23.240
 right?

00:16:23.279 --> 00:16:24.660
 Because all of our experience

00:16:24.660 --> 00:16:26.500
 is mediated through words.

00:16:26.620 --> 00:16:28.279
 God has given us this gift of language

00:16:28.279 --> 00:16:30.279
 by which we interpret all reality.

00:16:30.420 --> 00:16:31.480
 We never see anything

00:16:31.480 --> 00:16:32.360
 or think anything

00:16:32.360 --> 00:16:33.820
 outside of the vehicle

00:16:33.820 --> 00:16:35.000
 and medium of language.

00:16:35.680 --> 00:16:36.779
 The power of speech,

00:16:36.960 --> 00:16:38.060
 it's the very thing

00:16:38.060 --> 00:16:38.980
 by which we interpret

00:16:38.980 --> 00:16:39.920
 all of our reality

00:16:39.920 --> 00:16:42.360
 and it's got great power

00:16:42.360 --> 00:16:43.080
 to give life

00:16:43.080 --> 00:16:44.360
 or to take it away.

00:16:44.560 --> 00:16:46.180
 We possess something more powerful

00:16:46.180 --> 00:16:47.460
 with more potential

00:16:47.460 --> 00:16:48.740
 to give life

00:16:48.740 --> 00:16:50.100
 and more danger

00:16:50.100 --> 00:16:51.320
 than we ever think about

00:16:51.320 --> 00:16:53.139
 in our daily ability

00:16:53.139 --> 00:16:53.800
 to communicate.

00:16:54.399 --> 00:16:54.680
 Now,

00:16:55.060 --> 00:16:55.659
 he gives us

00:16:55.659 --> 00:16:56.620
 the very clear diagnosis.

00:16:56.920 --> 00:16:57.580
 I already mentioned it

00:16:57.580 --> 00:16:58.060
 in verse 8.

00:16:58.159 --> 00:16:59.240
 Nobody can tame the tongue.

00:16:59.740 --> 00:17:01.040
 He says it in verse 2.

00:17:01.480 --> 00:17:02.399
 If you look back with me

00:17:02.399 --> 00:17:03.139
 at verse 2

00:17:03.139 --> 00:17:04.819
 before we move on

00:17:04.819 --> 00:17:05.599
 to the final point,

00:17:06.079 --> 00:17:07.920
 we all stumble in many ways

00:17:07.920 --> 00:17:09.660
 and if anyone

00:17:09.660 --> 00:17:11.160
 does not stumble

00:17:11.160 --> 00:17:12.079
 in what they say,

00:17:12.339 --> 00:17:13.680
 it's a perfect person.

00:17:14.860 --> 00:17:15.120
 So he says,

00:17:15.180 --> 00:17:15.740
 we all stumble

00:17:15.740 --> 00:17:16.400
 in so many ways

00:17:16.400 --> 00:17:17.860
 and if you are able

00:17:17.859 --> 00:17:19.859
 to be a perfect speaker,

00:17:20.079 --> 00:17:20.899
 you would therefore

00:17:20.899 --> 00:17:22.459
 be a perfect human being.

00:17:23.479 --> 00:17:23.679
 You see,

00:17:23.839 --> 00:17:24.939
 speech is the final frontier.

00:17:25.500 --> 00:17:26.479
 It's the great test

00:17:26.479 --> 00:17:27.599
 of sin

00:17:27.599 --> 00:17:29.419
 and he's given us

00:17:29.419 --> 00:17:30.359
 such a clear diagnosis.

00:17:30.519 --> 00:17:31.579
 Is there anybody here today

00:17:31.579 --> 00:17:32.419
 who has not wounded

00:17:32.419 --> 00:17:34.059
 another with their words?

00:17:35.359 --> 00:17:36.599
 Is there anybody here today

00:17:36.599 --> 00:17:37.679
 who has not flattered

00:17:37.679 --> 00:17:39.259
 in order to receive it back?

00:17:40.000 --> 00:17:41.279
 Is there anybody here today

00:17:41.279 --> 00:17:42.719
 who doesn't slip in

00:17:42.719 --> 00:17:44.159
 the humble brag

00:17:44.159 --> 00:17:44.979
 at the end

00:17:44.979 --> 00:17:45.899
 of their conversations,

00:17:46.119 --> 00:17:46.939
 trying to turn

00:17:46.940 --> 00:17:47.779
 the conversation back?

00:17:47.920 --> 00:17:49.160
 Do any of us here

00:17:49.160 --> 00:17:50.480
 not struggle

00:17:50.480 --> 00:17:51.360
 with sinful speech?

00:17:51.840 --> 00:17:52.440
 And James says,

00:17:52.640 --> 00:17:53.840
 no, no, not one.

00:17:53.920 --> 00:17:54.740
 There is none righteous.

00:17:55.279 --> 00:17:56.120
 Paul's simple idea.

00:17:56.200 --> 00:17:56.980
 There's none righteous.

00:17:57.299 --> 00:17:57.820
 No, not one.

00:17:57.880 --> 00:17:59.059
 We are broken speakers.

00:17:59.299 --> 00:18:01.080
 We speak sin,

00:18:01.500 --> 00:18:02.279
 sins of speech

00:18:02.279 --> 00:18:03.320
 all the time.

00:18:03.420 --> 00:18:04.440
 That's his clear diagnosis

00:18:04.440 --> 00:18:05.360
 and what he calls,

00:18:05.720 --> 00:18:06.420
 what he says about

00:18:06.420 --> 00:18:07.340
 that diagnosis

00:18:07.340 --> 00:18:08.539
 is so clear in verse 6.

00:18:08.759 --> 00:18:09.440
 He calls

00:18:09.440 --> 00:18:10.980
 our sinful speech

00:18:10.980 --> 00:18:11.700
 hellfire.

00:18:12.519 --> 00:18:13.120
 So the word

00:18:13.120 --> 00:18:14.180
 in verse 6,

00:18:14.279 --> 00:18:15.559
 the tongue is a fire,

00:18:15.559 --> 00:18:17.039
 a world of unrighteousness.

00:18:17.139 --> 00:18:17.679
 The tongue is set

00:18:17.679 --> 00:18:18.500
 among our members,

00:18:18.659 --> 00:18:19.599
 standing the whole body,

00:18:20.059 --> 00:18:20.879
 setting on fire

00:18:20.879 --> 00:18:22.119
 the entire course of life

00:18:22.119 --> 00:18:23.299
 and set on fire

00:18:23.299 --> 00:18:24.480
 by hell.

00:18:24.879 --> 00:18:25.480
 That's the word

00:18:25.480 --> 00:18:25.960
 Gehenna

00:18:25.960 --> 00:18:26.980
 that Jesus uses

00:18:26.980 --> 00:18:27.859
 in the gospel.

00:18:28.019 --> 00:18:28.240
 He says,

00:18:28.419 --> 00:18:28.919
 our speech

00:18:28.919 --> 00:18:30.019
 is so serpent-like

00:18:30.019 --> 00:18:31.019
 it's been set on fire

00:18:31.019 --> 00:18:31.960
 by Gehenna.

00:18:32.700 --> 00:18:33.319
 Now what does he mean

00:18:33.319 --> 00:18:33.720
 by that?

00:18:34.059 --> 00:18:34.480
 Gehenna,

00:18:34.599 --> 00:18:34.879
 hell,

00:18:35.319 --> 00:18:36.599
 it was a physical place

00:18:36.599 --> 00:18:37.099
 in Jerusalem.

00:18:37.279 --> 00:18:38.019
 It was a dump

00:18:38.019 --> 00:18:39.019
 outside the city

00:18:39.019 --> 00:18:40.960
 and Jesus uses it

00:18:40.960 --> 00:18:41.819
 metaphorically

00:18:41.819 --> 00:18:42.740
 to point to

00:18:42.740 --> 00:18:44.039
 ultimate destruction

00:18:44.039 --> 00:18:45.920
 and in that dump

00:18:45.920 --> 00:18:46.420
 there would be

00:18:46.420 --> 00:18:47.240
 fires burning

00:18:47.240 --> 00:18:47.859
 perpetually

00:18:47.859 --> 00:18:48.299
 to get rid

00:18:48.299 --> 00:18:49.079
 of all the rubbish

00:18:49.079 --> 00:18:49.799
 that is heaped

00:18:49.799 --> 00:18:50.420
 up in the city.

00:18:50.559 --> 00:18:51.220
 It stinks.

00:18:51.859 --> 00:18:52.559
 It's nasty.

00:18:52.819 --> 00:18:53.480
 It's vile.

00:18:53.980 --> 00:18:54.339
 And he's saying

00:18:54.339 --> 00:18:54.899
 from the time

00:18:54.899 --> 00:18:55.720
 of Genesis 3

00:18:55.720 --> 00:18:57.180
 our sinful speech

00:18:57.180 --> 00:18:58.279
 has been set on fire

00:18:58.279 --> 00:19:00.399
 so that we spit out

00:19:00.399 --> 00:19:01.500
 words like rubbish heaps.

00:19:02.420 --> 00:19:03.420
 Our tongues are on fire

00:19:03.420 --> 00:19:04.119
 in the sense that

00:19:04.119 --> 00:19:05.639
 it's like refuse burning

00:19:05.639 --> 00:19:06.920
 quite often,

00:19:07.000 --> 00:19:07.519
 all the time.

00:19:07.619 --> 00:19:07.759
 He's saying

00:19:07.759 --> 00:19:08.819
 that's what's going on

00:19:08.819 --> 00:19:09.500
 in the human heart

00:19:09.500 --> 00:19:10.299
 and it's coming out

00:19:10.299 --> 00:19:11.599
 in our disordered speech.

00:19:11.680 --> 00:19:12.940
 He's so serious about it.

00:19:12.940 --> 00:19:14.080
 That's why

00:19:14.080 --> 00:19:15.340
 in verse 1 and 2

00:19:15.340 --> 00:19:16.700
 he says

00:19:16.700 --> 00:19:18.080
 not many of you

00:19:18.080 --> 00:19:19.140
 should become teachers.

00:19:19.740 --> 00:19:20.880
 He means in the church

00:19:20.880 --> 00:19:22.900
 because you will be judged

00:19:22.900 --> 00:19:24.059
 for your speech.

00:19:24.539 --> 00:19:25.500
 And so if speech

00:19:25.500 --> 00:19:26.600
 has such power,

00:19:27.019 --> 00:19:27.900
 such ability,

00:19:28.500 --> 00:19:29.440
 such potential,

00:19:29.820 --> 00:19:31.160
 it is a dangerous thing

00:19:31.160 --> 00:19:31.660
 he's saying

00:19:31.660 --> 00:19:32.360
 to get up front

00:19:32.360 --> 00:19:33.299
 and preach.

00:19:34.420 --> 00:19:34.920
 And so he's talking

00:19:34.920 --> 00:19:35.600
 to people like me

00:19:35.600 --> 00:19:36.019
 and others.

00:19:36.720 --> 00:19:36.980
 He's saying

00:19:36.980 --> 00:19:37.880
 if you are speaking

00:19:37.880 --> 00:19:38.380
 far more

00:19:38.380 --> 00:19:39.059
 and you have the power

00:19:39.059 --> 00:19:39.580
 to get people

00:19:39.580 --> 00:19:40.340
 to listen to you,

00:19:40.640 --> 00:19:41.160
 your speech

00:19:41.160 --> 00:19:42.140
 has far more power

00:19:42.140 --> 00:19:43.020
 to bring life,

00:19:43.160 --> 00:19:43.380
 but yes,

00:19:43.460 --> 00:19:44.580
 but to also bring death.

00:19:45.860 --> 00:19:46.840
 And so it's a great warning

00:19:46.840 --> 00:19:48.160
 about the reality

00:19:48.160 --> 00:19:49.440
 of speech

00:19:49.440 --> 00:19:49.920
 that comes out

00:19:49.920 --> 00:19:50.540
 of the human heart.

00:19:52.780 --> 00:19:53.480
 John Webster

00:19:53.480 --> 00:19:55.020
 was a late theologian

00:19:55.020 --> 00:19:56.060
 in St. Andrews

00:19:56.060 --> 00:19:57.140
 who died a few years ago.

00:19:57.280 --> 00:19:57.860
 His son actually

00:19:57.860 --> 00:19:58.460
 used to be a member

00:19:58.460 --> 00:19:59.060
 of this church.

00:19:59.860 --> 00:20:01.100
 And John Webster

00:20:01.100 --> 00:20:02.520
 throughout his career

00:20:02.520 --> 00:20:03.120
 in theology

00:20:03.120 --> 00:20:04.600
 wrote on speech

00:20:04.600 --> 00:20:05.200
 quite often.

00:20:05.280 --> 00:20:05.720
 And he wrote

00:20:05.720 --> 00:20:07.000
 a couple famous articles

00:20:07.000 --> 00:20:08.620
 that are all titled

00:20:08.620 --> 00:20:09.600
 The Sins of Speech

00:20:09.599 --> 00:20:12.099
 in different publications.

00:20:12.639 --> 00:20:13.119
 Let me summarize

00:20:13.119 --> 00:20:13.919
 to you what he says

00:20:13.919 --> 00:20:14.639
 about the power

00:20:14.639 --> 00:20:15.240
 of our speech

00:20:15.240 --> 00:20:15.879
 and your speech.

00:20:16.980 --> 00:20:17.759
 He says that one

00:20:17.759 --> 00:20:19.480
 of the realities

00:20:19.480 --> 00:20:20.259
 of what makes

00:20:20.259 --> 00:20:20.919
 our language

00:20:20.919 --> 00:20:21.559
 so powerful

00:20:21.559 --> 00:20:22.779
 is what he calls

00:20:22.779 --> 00:20:24.379
 its irrevocability.

00:20:25.859 --> 00:20:26.299
 Irrevocability.

00:20:27.000 --> 00:20:27.819
 The inability

00:20:27.819 --> 00:20:29.259
 to bring it back

00:20:29.259 --> 00:20:30.019
 once it's spoken.

00:20:30.879 --> 00:20:31.719
 So this is what he says.

00:20:32.539 --> 00:20:33.919
 Words have a generative

00:20:33.919 --> 00:20:34.879
 power that cannot

00:20:34.879 --> 00:20:35.579
 be undone.

00:20:36.139 --> 00:20:37.159
 They set up meaning

00:20:37.160 --> 00:20:37.759
 in the world

00:20:37.759 --> 00:20:39.160
 a real relation

00:20:39.160 --> 00:20:40.100
 between a speaker

00:20:40.100 --> 00:20:40.960
 and a hearer

00:20:40.960 --> 00:20:42.259
 that cannot be erased.

00:20:42.800 --> 00:20:43.720
 You can recant

00:20:43.720 --> 00:20:44.340
 your words.

00:20:44.800 --> 00:20:45.640
 You can apologize

00:20:45.640 --> 00:20:46.440
 for your words.

00:20:46.860 --> 00:20:47.700
 You can repair

00:20:47.700 --> 00:20:49.660
 based on what you've said

00:20:49.660 --> 00:20:51.460
 but you cannot unsay

00:20:51.460 --> 00:20:52.120
 what you've said.

00:20:53.440 --> 00:20:54.000
 And this is what he writes.

00:20:54.080 --> 00:20:55.000
 The person who called you

00:20:55.000 --> 00:20:56.259
 stupid that day

00:20:56.259 --> 00:20:57.600
 is always the person

00:20:57.600 --> 00:20:58.580
 who called you stupid

00:20:58.580 --> 00:20:59.160
 that day.

00:21:00.100 --> 00:21:01.259
 That room is always

00:21:01.259 --> 00:21:02.320
 the room where that person

00:21:02.320 --> 00:21:03.000
 called you that.

00:21:03.620 --> 00:21:05.220
 And here is the asymmetry

00:21:05.220 --> 00:21:05.840
 that makes this

00:21:05.839 --> 00:21:06.559
 so devastating.

00:21:07.039 --> 00:21:07.859
 It takes years

00:21:07.859 --> 00:21:09.000
 to build a reputation.

00:21:10.379 --> 00:21:11.339
 It takes seconds

00:21:11.339 --> 00:21:12.859
 to ruin someone's reputation.

00:21:13.659 --> 00:21:14.579
 You can destroy

00:21:14.579 --> 00:21:15.399
 a person

00:21:15.399 --> 00:21:16.799
 with a single sentence

00:21:16.799 --> 00:21:17.879
 in only a moment.

00:21:18.740 --> 00:21:19.619
 The irrevocability

00:21:19.619 --> 00:21:20.159
 of words.

00:21:20.980 --> 00:21:21.740
 James calls it

00:21:21.740 --> 00:21:22.139
 hellfire.

00:21:22.839 --> 00:21:23.299
 You'll remember

00:21:23.299 --> 00:21:24.000
 last semester

00:21:24.000 --> 00:21:24.679
 we worked through

00:21:24.679 --> 00:21:25.399
 the book of Daniel.

00:21:26.419 --> 00:21:27.919
 And in Daniel chapter 4

00:21:27.919 --> 00:21:29.720
 there's this great moment

00:21:29.720 --> 00:21:30.319
 that illustrates

00:21:30.319 --> 00:21:31.099
 this truth.

00:21:31.619 --> 00:21:32.039
 And it's

00:21:32.039 --> 00:21:33.359
 when King Nebuchadnezzar

00:21:33.359 --> 00:21:34.000
 the great king

00:21:34.000 --> 00:21:34.619
 the mighty king

00:21:34.619 --> 00:21:35.039
 of Babylon

00:21:35.039 --> 00:21:35.779
 he walks out

00:21:35.779 --> 00:21:36.740
 onto his balcony

00:21:36.740 --> 00:21:38.399
 and he looks out

00:21:38.399 --> 00:21:39.200
 at the greatest empire

00:21:39.200 --> 00:21:40.619
 the world has ever seen

00:21:40.619 --> 00:21:41.960
 the hanging gardens

00:21:41.960 --> 00:21:42.399
 of Babylon

00:21:42.399 --> 00:21:42.879
 in fact

00:21:42.879 --> 00:21:43.839
 he was probably

00:21:43.839 --> 00:21:44.539
 looking at

00:21:44.539 --> 00:21:45.960
 and he says this

00:21:45.960 --> 00:21:47.119
 is this not Babylon

00:21:47.119 --> 00:21:47.619
 the great

00:21:47.619 --> 00:21:48.519
 which I myself

00:21:48.519 --> 00:21:49.059
 have built

00:21:49.059 --> 00:21:50.180
 as a royal residence

00:21:50.180 --> 00:21:51.740
 by my mighty power

00:21:51.740 --> 00:21:52.399
 for the glory

00:21:52.399 --> 00:21:53.379
 of my majesty.

00:21:54.000 --> 00:21:54.519
 And then the text

00:21:54.519 --> 00:21:55.019
 says this

00:21:55.019 --> 00:21:56.259
 while the words

00:21:56.259 --> 00:21:56.920
 were still

00:21:56.920 --> 00:21:57.899
 in his mouth

00:21:57.899 --> 00:21:59.359
 he had barely

00:21:59.359 --> 00:22:00.519
 breathed them out.

00:22:01.240 --> 00:22:01.960
 While the words

00:22:01.960 --> 00:22:02.759
 were still in his mouth

00:22:02.759 --> 00:22:03.519
 the sound still

00:22:03.519 --> 00:22:04.000
 in the air

00:22:04.000 --> 00:22:04.759
 he was driven

00:22:04.759 --> 00:22:05.779
 from human society

00:22:05.779 --> 00:22:07.079
 to live as a beast

00:22:07.079 --> 00:22:08.359
 he ate grass

00:22:08.359 --> 00:22:09.599
 like an ox

00:22:09.599 --> 00:22:10.539
 and he grew feathers

00:22:10.539 --> 00:22:11.079
 like a bird.

00:22:11.200 --> 00:22:12.000
 Now what do we mean

00:22:12.000 --> 00:22:12.940
 Nebuchadnezzar

00:22:12.940 --> 00:22:13.759
 is the great illustration

00:22:13.759 --> 00:22:15.539
 that we were made

00:22:15.539 --> 00:22:17.599
 to be speakers

00:22:17.599 --> 00:22:18.319
 that give life

00:22:18.319 --> 00:22:19.980
 but the more

00:22:19.980 --> 00:22:20.279
 and more

00:22:20.279 --> 00:22:21.039
 we speak words

00:22:21.039 --> 00:22:21.839
 of hellfire

00:22:21.839 --> 00:22:22.639
 we destroy

00:22:22.639 --> 00:22:23.240
 with our words

00:22:23.240 --> 00:22:24.079
 the more and more

00:22:24.079 --> 00:22:25.759
 we become beast-like.

00:22:26.500 --> 00:22:26.799
 In other words

00:22:26.799 --> 00:22:27.400
 we're being told here

00:22:27.400 --> 00:22:29.079
 that beastly speech

00:22:29.079 --> 00:22:30.339
 dehumanizes us.

00:22:31.960 --> 00:22:32.759
 Secondly, finally

00:22:32.759 --> 00:22:33.299
 why?

00:22:34.439 --> 00:22:35.079
 The source

00:22:35.079 --> 00:22:36.379
 of the power

00:22:36.379 --> 00:22:36.819
 of speech.

00:22:37.599 --> 00:22:38.359
 Now the question

00:22:38.359 --> 00:22:38.939
 that James then

00:22:38.939 --> 00:22:39.339
 deals with

00:22:39.339 --> 00:22:39.740
 at the end

00:22:39.740 --> 00:22:40.519
 verse 9 to 12

00:22:40.519 --> 00:22:41.960
 is why have we

00:22:41.960 --> 00:22:42.779
 come to possess

00:22:42.779 --> 00:22:43.899
 such great power?

00:22:44.819 --> 00:22:45.339
 And so if you look

00:22:45.339 --> 00:22:46.619
 down at 9 to 12

00:22:46.619 --> 00:22:47.259
 especially 9

00:22:47.259 --> 00:22:47.659
 he says

00:22:47.659 --> 00:22:48.039
 with it

00:22:48.039 --> 00:22:49.279
 we bless our Lord

00:22:49.279 --> 00:22:49.659
 and Father

00:22:49.659 --> 00:22:50.460
 with our speech

00:22:50.460 --> 00:22:51.379
 and with it

00:22:51.379 --> 00:22:52.299
 we curse people

00:22:52.299 --> 00:22:53.059
 who are made

00:22:53.059 --> 00:22:53.740
 in the likeness

00:22:53.740 --> 00:22:54.159
 of God.

00:22:55.039 --> 00:22:56.099
 He is taking us

00:22:56.099 --> 00:22:56.740
 again back

00:22:56.740 --> 00:22:57.559
 to Genesis 1

00:22:57.559 --> 00:22:58.500
 with our words

00:22:58.500 --> 00:22:59.519
 we bless God

00:22:59.519 --> 00:23:00.339
 we worship God

00:23:00.339 --> 00:23:01.200
 with our words

00:23:01.200 --> 00:23:02.460
 we curse people

00:23:02.460 --> 00:23:03.460
 and then he said

00:23:03.460 --> 00:23:04.299
 who were made

00:23:04.299 --> 00:23:05.480
 in the likeness

00:23:05.480 --> 00:23:05.919
 of God.

00:23:06.500 --> 00:23:07.099
 So there he's

00:23:07.099 --> 00:23:07.899
 quoting from

00:23:07.899 --> 00:23:08.839
 Genesis 1 26

00:23:08.839 --> 00:23:10.179
 where we learn

00:23:10.179 --> 00:23:11.099
 that every single

00:23:11.099 --> 00:23:11.720
 person has been

00:23:11.720 --> 00:23:12.500
 made in the image

00:23:12.500 --> 00:23:12.859
 of God

00:23:12.859 --> 00:23:13.700
 and the likeness

00:23:13.700 --> 00:23:14.099
 of God

00:23:14.099 --> 00:23:15.460
 and he's thinking

00:23:15.460 --> 00:23:16.480
 along the lens

00:23:16.480 --> 00:23:17.099
 the logic of

00:23:17.099 --> 00:23:18.000
 Genesis 1 to 3

00:23:18.000 --> 00:23:19.039
 and he's saying

00:23:19.039 --> 00:23:19.819
 that you were made

00:23:19.819 --> 00:23:20.819
 to basically do

00:23:20.819 --> 00:23:21.339
 two things

00:23:21.339 --> 00:23:21.879
 with your speech

00:23:21.879 --> 00:23:23.179
 one bless God

00:23:23.179 --> 00:23:23.859
 worship God

00:23:23.859 --> 00:23:26.839
 and bless people

00:23:26.839 --> 00:23:27.959
 to praise

00:23:27.959 --> 00:23:29.119
 to affirm

00:23:29.119 --> 00:23:29.859
 to encourage

00:23:29.859 --> 00:23:30.659
 creatures

00:23:30.659 --> 00:23:31.059
 people

00:23:31.059 --> 00:23:31.519
 other people

00:23:31.519 --> 00:23:32.159
 made in the likeness

00:23:32.159 --> 00:23:32.559
 of God

00:23:32.559 --> 00:23:33.119
 but he says

00:23:33.119 --> 00:23:34.000
 what we actually do

00:23:34.000 --> 00:23:34.579
 is we will

00:23:34.579 --> 00:23:35.299
 come to church

00:23:35.299 --> 00:23:35.699
 and he says

00:23:35.699 --> 00:23:36.439
 bless God

00:23:36.439 --> 00:23:37.179
 worship God

00:23:37.179 --> 00:23:38.339
 and then turn

00:23:38.339 --> 00:23:39.839
 and curse people

00:23:39.839 --> 00:23:40.980
 gossip about them

00:23:40.980 --> 00:23:41.959
 speak poorly of them

00:23:41.959 --> 00:23:43.000
 behind their backs

00:23:43.000 --> 00:23:44.299
 and then he goes on

00:23:44.299 --> 00:23:44.639
 and gives you

00:23:44.639 --> 00:23:45.480
 more images

00:23:45.480 --> 00:23:47.019
 can salt water

00:23:47.019 --> 00:23:47.819
 and fresh water

00:23:47.819 --> 00:23:48.980
 come from the same source

00:23:48.980 --> 00:23:50.419
 can a fig tree

00:23:50.419 --> 00:23:51.240
 produce grapes

00:23:51.240 --> 00:23:51.839
 and what is he doing

00:23:51.839 --> 00:23:52.119
 he's saying

00:23:52.119 --> 00:23:52.379
 no

00:23:52.379 --> 00:23:53.419
 it's contradictory

00:23:53.420 --> 00:23:54.100
 contradictory

00:23:54.100 --> 00:23:55.019
 what's contradictory

00:23:55.019 --> 00:23:56.920
 that you were made

00:23:56.920 --> 00:23:57.920
 in the image of God

00:23:57.920 --> 00:23:58.820
 to be a speaker

00:23:58.820 --> 00:23:59.480
 like God

00:23:59.480 --> 00:24:00.980
 and so we'll worship

00:24:00.980 --> 00:24:01.880
 God with our lips

00:24:01.880 --> 00:24:02.680
 but then gossip

00:24:02.680 --> 00:24:03.279
 about people

00:24:03.279 --> 00:24:04.060
 behind their back

00:24:04.060 --> 00:24:04.480
 and he's saying

00:24:04.480 --> 00:24:05.840
 that is salt water

00:24:05.840 --> 00:24:06.519
 and fresh water

00:24:06.519 --> 00:24:07.539
 coming out of the same source

00:24:07.539 --> 00:24:08.680
 and it can't work

00:24:08.680 --> 00:24:10.240
 you can't be a fig tree

00:24:10.240 --> 00:24:11.080
 producing grapes

00:24:11.080 --> 00:24:12.460
 and figs at the same time

00:24:12.460 --> 00:24:12.820
 and he's saying

00:24:12.820 --> 00:24:13.820
 we are walking

00:24:13.820 --> 00:24:14.759
 contradictions

00:24:14.759 --> 00:24:15.700
 because of our sin

00:24:15.700 --> 00:24:17.140
 that we will worship

00:24:17.140 --> 00:24:18.420
 yet curse people

00:24:18.420 --> 00:24:19.320
 simultaneously

00:24:19.320 --> 00:24:20.440
 and he's pointing us

00:24:20.440 --> 00:24:20.779
 to this

00:24:20.779 --> 00:24:21.539
 where do we get

00:24:21.539 --> 00:24:23.220
 such power

00:24:23.220 --> 00:24:23.680
 where does

00:24:23.680 --> 00:24:25.299
 what is the ground

00:24:25.299 --> 00:24:27.019
 of the power

00:24:27.019 --> 00:24:27.940
 of human speech

00:24:27.940 --> 00:24:28.559
 human words

00:24:28.559 --> 00:24:29.339
 and it's this

00:24:29.339 --> 00:24:30.220
 we were made

00:24:30.220 --> 00:24:32.299
 like God

00:24:32.299 --> 00:24:33.859
 we were made

00:24:33.859 --> 00:24:34.359
 in his image

00:24:34.359 --> 00:24:34.819
 we were made

00:24:34.819 --> 00:24:35.500
 as speakers

00:24:35.500 --> 00:24:36.680
 and God

00:24:36.680 --> 00:24:37.839
 is a speaker

00:24:37.839 --> 00:24:39.019
 he's the divine

00:24:39.019 --> 00:24:39.859
 communicator

00:24:39.859 --> 00:24:40.279
 God

00:24:40.279 --> 00:24:41.920
 we see from Genesis 1

00:24:41.920 --> 00:24:43.119
 is the great speaker

00:24:43.119 --> 00:24:44.079
 so how does he create

00:24:44.079 --> 00:24:44.899
 he says

00:24:44.899 --> 00:24:45.920
 let there be light

00:24:45.920 --> 00:24:47.180
 he speaks words

00:24:47.180 --> 00:24:48.079
 and the world

00:24:48.079 --> 00:24:48.740
 comes about

00:24:48.740 --> 00:24:49.639
 and so

00:24:49.639 --> 00:24:50.079
 he's saying

00:24:50.079 --> 00:24:50.960
 the great power

00:24:50.960 --> 00:24:51.519
 of our speech

00:24:51.519 --> 00:24:52.480
 comes from the fact

00:24:52.480 --> 00:24:53.500
 that God

00:24:53.500 --> 00:24:54.779
 is the divine speaker

00:24:54.779 --> 00:24:55.779
 the ultimate speaker

00:24:55.779 --> 00:24:57.319
 and he has given us

00:24:57.319 --> 00:24:58.019
 the gift

00:24:58.019 --> 00:24:59.400
 of being like him

00:24:59.400 --> 00:24:59.819
 and so

00:24:59.819 --> 00:25:00.799
 the more and more

00:25:00.799 --> 00:25:02.920
 we use our words

00:25:02.920 --> 00:25:03.740
 to encourage

00:25:03.740 --> 00:25:05.480
 to build people up

00:25:05.480 --> 00:25:07.480
 to affirm

00:25:07.480 --> 00:25:08.059
 to tell people

00:25:08.059 --> 00:25:08.960
 that we love them

00:25:08.960 --> 00:25:10.559
 to speak the truth

00:25:10.559 --> 00:25:11.000
 and love

00:25:11.000 --> 00:25:11.900
 in the right context

00:25:11.900 --> 00:25:12.980
 the more and more

00:25:12.980 --> 00:25:14.099
 we are imaging God

00:25:14.099 --> 00:25:14.639
 into the world

00:25:14.639 --> 00:25:15.379
 the more and more

00:25:15.379 --> 00:25:16.759
 we are being like God

00:25:16.759 --> 00:25:17.680
 and becoming like God

00:25:17.680 --> 00:25:18.859
 the more and more

00:25:18.859 --> 00:25:19.740
 we use words

00:25:19.740 --> 00:25:20.819
 to defame

00:25:20.819 --> 00:25:21.380
 destroy

00:25:21.380 --> 00:25:21.980
 gossip

00:25:21.980 --> 00:25:22.720
 insult

00:25:22.720 --> 00:25:23.680
 rage

00:25:23.680 --> 00:25:25.240
 the less and less

00:25:25.240 --> 00:25:25.859
 we are like God

00:25:25.859 --> 00:25:26.480
 and the less and less

00:25:26.480 --> 00:25:27.140
 we image God

00:25:27.140 --> 00:25:27.359
 we

00:25:27.359 --> 00:25:27.960
 why

00:25:27.960 --> 00:25:29.299
 the story of Nebuchadnezzar

00:25:29.299 --> 00:25:30.079
 becoming a beast

00:25:30.079 --> 00:25:30.940
 why did that happen to him

00:25:30.940 --> 00:25:32.640
 he's a walking illustration

00:25:32.640 --> 00:25:33.339
 in history

00:25:33.339 --> 00:25:34.980
 of using the tongue

00:25:34.980 --> 00:25:35.819
 the great instrument

00:25:35.819 --> 00:25:37.039
 the greatest

00:25:37.039 --> 00:25:37.779
 clearest

00:25:37.779 --> 00:25:38.579
 reality

00:25:38.579 --> 00:25:39.259
 of what it means

00:25:39.259 --> 00:25:40.359
 to be made in God's image

00:25:40.359 --> 00:25:42.400
 the more we use it beastly

00:25:42.400 --> 00:25:43.160
 the more beast like

00:25:43.160 --> 00:25:43.700
 we become

00:25:43.700 --> 00:25:45.000
 and so

00:25:45.000 --> 00:25:45.900
 we were made to be

00:25:45.900 --> 00:25:46.960
 speakers like God

00:25:46.960 --> 00:25:47.859
 is what we're being told

00:25:47.859 --> 00:25:50.259
 how does God give life

00:25:50.259 --> 00:25:52.619
 now you come

00:25:52.619 --> 00:25:53.559
 today to church

00:25:53.559 --> 00:25:54.099
 you're listening

00:25:54.099 --> 00:25:55.039
 maybe

00:25:55.039 --> 00:25:56.039
 to a sermon right now

00:25:56.039 --> 00:25:57.859
 how does God give life

00:25:57.859 --> 00:25:59.399
 we're told in the Bible

00:25:59.399 --> 00:26:00.379
 that God gives life

00:26:00.379 --> 00:26:01.279
 in three ways

00:26:01.279 --> 00:26:02.219
 and they're all

00:26:02.219 --> 00:26:02.679
 through

00:26:02.679 --> 00:26:03.639
 word

00:26:03.639 --> 00:26:05.519
 so the Bible says

00:26:05.519 --> 00:26:06.419
 that God gives life

00:26:06.419 --> 00:26:06.699
 through

00:26:06.699 --> 00:26:08.539
 the word preached

00:26:08.539 --> 00:26:09.419
 through the word

00:26:09.419 --> 00:26:09.939
 of the gospel

00:26:09.939 --> 00:26:10.659
 being told

00:26:10.659 --> 00:26:11.199
 the word

00:26:11.199 --> 00:26:11.699
 of the gospel

00:26:11.699 --> 00:26:12.279
 being told

00:26:12.279 --> 00:26:13.139
 you see

00:26:13.139 --> 00:26:14.399
 we take life away

00:26:14.399 --> 00:26:15.179
 with our words

00:26:15.179 --> 00:26:16.199
 with disordered hearts

00:26:16.200 --> 00:26:18.000
 but God reorders

00:26:18.000 --> 00:26:19.580
 through the word

00:26:19.580 --> 00:26:20.500
 through the word preached

00:26:20.500 --> 00:26:21.460
 through the word taught

00:26:21.460 --> 00:26:21.960
 that's called

00:26:21.960 --> 00:26:22.819
 the preached word

00:26:22.819 --> 00:26:23.779
 the second way

00:26:23.779 --> 00:26:24.519
 is through the

00:26:24.519 --> 00:26:26.779
 inscripturated word

00:26:26.779 --> 00:26:28.039
 the Bible

00:26:28.039 --> 00:26:29.759
 the threefold form

00:26:29.759 --> 00:26:30.160
 of the word

00:26:30.160 --> 00:26:30.900
 the preached word

00:26:30.900 --> 00:26:31.860
 the inscripturated word

00:26:31.860 --> 00:26:32.740
 that God gives life

00:26:32.740 --> 00:26:33.380
 through the words

00:26:33.380 --> 00:26:33.840
 of the Bible

00:26:33.840 --> 00:26:34.539
 by the Holy Spirit

00:26:34.539 --> 00:26:35.700
 and the third

00:26:35.700 --> 00:26:36.500
 and the most ultimate

00:26:36.500 --> 00:26:37.180
 form of the word

00:26:37.180 --> 00:26:38.860
 the eternal word himself

00:26:38.860 --> 00:26:40.660
 so don't miss that

00:26:40.660 --> 00:26:41.900
 when Jesus Christ

00:26:41.900 --> 00:26:42.600
 came to earth

00:26:42.600 --> 00:26:43.559
 what was he called

00:26:43.559 --> 00:26:44.640
 the word

00:26:44.640 --> 00:26:45.500
 made flesh

00:26:45.500 --> 00:26:47.400
 God's speech

00:26:47.400 --> 00:26:48.540
 made visible

00:26:48.540 --> 00:26:49.200
 into this world

00:26:49.200 --> 00:26:49.920
 Jesus Christ

00:26:49.920 --> 00:26:51.480
 is divine speech

00:26:51.480 --> 00:26:53.120
 he is the speech

00:26:53.120 --> 00:26:53.960
 of God the Father

00:26:53.960 --> 00:26:55.140
 sent into this world

00:26:55.140 --> 00:26:56.600
 see God

00:26:56.600 --> 00:26:57.160
 what does

00:26:57.160 --> 00:26:58.780
 James say

00:26:58.780 --> 00:26:59.360
 he says

00:26:59.360 --> 00:27:00.200
 no human

00:27:00.200 --> 00:27:01.440
 can tame the tongue

00:27:01.440 --> 00:27:01.960
 but he

00:27:01.960 --> 00:27:03.820
 leaves one thing

00:27:03.820 --> 00:27:04.460
 silent

00:27:04.460 --> 00:27:05.780
 no human

00:27:05.780 --> 00:27:06.520
 can tame the tongue

00:27:06.520 --> 00:27:08.520
 but God can

00:27:08.520 --> 00:27:10.620
 so God

00:27:10.620 --> 00:27:11.580
 can fix our speech

00:27:11.580 --> 00:27:12.280
 God can heal

00:27:12.280 --> 00:27:12.780
 our speech

00:27:12.780 --> 00:27:13.500
 God can forgive

00:27:13.500 --> 00:27:14.060
 our speech

00:27:14.059 --> 00:27:15.359
 God can reorder

00:27:15.359 --> 00:27:16.059
 our speech

00:27:16.059 --> 00:27:17.220
 and he does it

00:27:17.220 --> 00:27:18.139
 through the preached word

00:27:18.139 --> 00:27:19.119
 the inscripturated word

00:27:19.119 --> 00:27:19.639
 but ultimately

00:27:19.639 --> 00:27:20.599
 through the eternal word

00:27:20.599 --> 00:27:20.940
 himself

00:27:20.940 --> 00:27:21.639
 Jesus Christ

00:27:21.639 --> 00:27:23.179
 now that means that

00:27:23.179 --> 00:27:24.740
 when Jesus came

00:27:24.740 --> 00:27:25.359
 into this world

00:27:25.359 --> 00:27:27.039
 in the incarnation

00:27:27.039 --> 00:27:29.319
 that was a pronouncement

00:27:29.319 --> 00:27:29.940
 of verdict

00:27:29.940 --> 00:27:31.240
 over us human beings

00:27:31.240 --> 00:27:32.059
 as speakers

00:27:32.059 --> 00:27:33.599
 Jesus Christ

00:27:33.599 --> 00:27:34.259
 was born

00:27:34.259 --> 00:27:35.500
 the son of God

00:27:35.500 --> 00:27:36.039
 the word

00:27:36.039 --> 00:27:36.799
 became human

00:27:36.799 --> 00:27:38.960
 to first pronounce

00:27:38.960 --> 00:27:39.720
 a verdict

00:27:39.720 --> 00:27:41.159
 over our sinful speech

00:27:41.159 --> 00:27:42.519
 and you can hear that

00:27:42.519 --> 00:27:43.240
 in Matthew 12

00:27:43.240 --> 00:27:43.640
 36

00:27:43.640 --> 00:27:44.440
 and this is a

00:27:44.440 --> 00:27:45.819
 devastating moment

00:27:45.819 --> 00:27:47.140
 in the gospels

00:27:47.140 --> 00:27:48.880
 he says

00:27:48.880 --> 00:27:49.279
 I tell you

00:27:49.279 --> 00:27:50.099
 on the day of judgment

00:27:50.099 --> 00:27:51.859
 people will give account

00:27:51.859 --> 00:27:53.140
 for every careless word

00:27:53.140 --> 00:27:54.039
 they have ever spoken

00:27:54.039 --> 00:27:55.819
 for by your words

00:27:55.819 --> 00:27:56.700
 you will be justified

00:27:56.700 --> 00:27:58.440
 and by your words

00:27:58.440 --> 00:27:59.759
 you will be condemned

00:27:59.759 --> 00:28:02.119
 I don't know

00:28:02.119 --> 00:28:02.559
 if you've ever had

00:28:02.559 --> 00:28:03.059
 the experience

00:28:03.059 --> 00:28:05.960
 of sending a text message

00:28:05.960 --> 00:28:07.960
 I know you've had

00:28:07.960 --> 00:28:08.619
 that experience

00:28:08.619 --> 00:28:10.319
 sending a text message

00:28:10.319 --> 00:28:12.640
 to a friend

00:28:12.640 --> 00:28:13.680
 and you accidentally

00:28:13.680 --> 00:28:14.619
 sent it to the person

00:28:14.619 --> 00:28:15.500
 you were talking about

00:28:15.500 --> 00:28:19.400
 the few times

00:28:19.400 --> 00:28:20.119
 that that's happened

00:28:20.119 --> 00:28:21.059
 in our lives

00:28:21.059 --> 00:28:21.980
 that is one of the most

00:28:21.980 --> 00:28:23.259
 devastating moments

00:28:23.259 --> 00:28:25.180
 talk about the

00:28:25.180 --> 00:28:26.039
 irrevocability

00:28:26.039 --> 00:28:26.619
 of words

00:28:26.619 --> 00:28:27.279
 there's nothing

00:28:27.279 --> 00:28:28.019
 you want more

00:28:28.019 --> 00:28:28.700
 than to be able

00:28:28.700 --> 00:28:29.579
 to dive into

00:28:29.579 --> 00:28:30.359
 the digital world

00:28:30.359 --> 00:28:31.319
 and grab that text

00:28:31.319 --> 00:28:32.000
 and bring it back

00:28:32.000 --> 00:28:33.700
 but you can't

00:28:33.700 --> 00:28:34.940
 and typically

00:28:34.940 --> 00:28:35.759
 that does often

00:28:35.759 --> 00:28:36.940
 produce a great wound

00:28:36.940 --> 00:28:37.619
 between you

00:28:37.619 --> 00:28:38.019
 and whoever

00:28:38.019 --> 00:28:39.180
 you sent that message to

00:28:39.180 --> 00:28:41.660
 do you have

00:28:41.660 --> 00:28:42.240
 sins of speech

00:28:42.240 --> 00:28:42.700
 in your life

00:28:42.700 --> 00:28:43.220
 in your background

00:28:43.220 --> 00:28:43.899
 in your past

00:28:43.899 --> 00:28:45.180
 Jesus Christ comes

00:28:45.180 --> 00:28:47.039
 in the incarnation

00:28:47.039 --> 00:28:48.940
 in his very presence

00:28:48.940 --> 00:28:49.680
 is a verdict

00:28:49.680 --> 00:28:51.599
 that we are not

00:28:51.599 --> 00:28:52.039
 the speakers

00:28:52.039 --> 00:28:52.799
 God made us to be

00:28:52.799 --> 00:28:55.220
 have we created wounds

00:28:55.220 --> 00:28:58.519
 have we never asked

00:28:58.519 --> 00:28:59.099
 for forgiveness

00:28:59.099 --> 00:29:00.759
 for something we said

00:29:00.759 --> 00:29:01.180
 at that time

00:29:01.180 --> 00:29:01.659
 to that person

00:29:01.659 --> 00:29:03.119
 or are we coming today

00:29:03.119 --> 00:29:04.259
 carrying those wounds

00:29:04.259 --> 00:29:05.700
 because of things

00:29:05.700 --> 00:29:06.440
 that people have said

00:29:06.440 --> 00:29:06.759
 to us

00:29:06.759 --> 00:29:07.159
 undoubtedly

00:29:07.159 --> 00:29:08.180
 everyone in this room

00:29:08.180 --> 00:29:09.399
 will have a wound

00:29:09.399 --> 00:29:10.420
 that someone has said

00:29:10.420 --> 00:29:11.379
 to them at one time

00:29:11.379 --> 00:29:12.240
 that they've never

00:29:12.240 --> 00:29:13.180
 really gotten past

00:29:13.180 --> 00:29:14.619
 we are wounders

00:29:14.619 --> 00:29:15.480
 and wounded people

00:29:15.480 --> 00:29:16.279
 when it comes to

00:29:16.279 --> 00:29:17.779
 words

00:29:17.779 --> 00:29:19.700
 and Jesus comes

00:29:19.700 --> 00:29:20.039
 and says

00:29:20.039 --> 00:29:21.000
 you will be judged

00:29:21.000 --> 00:29:22.019
 for every careless word

00:29:22.019 --> 00:29:22.740
 you ever spoke

00:29:22.740 --> 00:29:23.279
 how

00:29:23.279 --> 00:29:24.339
 and there's one

00:29:24.339 --> 00:29:24.960
 of two ways

00:29:24.960 --> 00:29:26.859
 either to stand

00:29:26.859 --> 00:29:27.480
 before God

00:29:27.480 --> 00:29:28.740
 and have an account

00:29:28.740 --> 00:29:30.140
 of every careless word

00:29:30.140 --> 00:29:31.039
 truly taken

00:29:31.039 --> 00:29:31.799
 set out loud

00:29:31.799 --> 00:29:33.279
 like a tape recorder

00:29:33.279 --> 00:29:34.740
 being replayed

00:29:34.740 --> 00:29:35.480
 at the end of your life

00:29:35.480 --> 00:29:36.720
 or another way

00:29:36.720 --> 00:29:38.519
 and that's this

00:29:38.519 --> 00:29:39.839
 that Jesus Christ

00:29:39.839 --> 00:29:41.039
 the word himself

00:29:41.039 --> 00:29:42.299
 the divine speech

00:29:42.299 --> 00:29:42.720
 of God

00:29:42.720 --> 00:29:43.359
 who came in the middle

00:29:43.359 --> 00:29:43.779
 of history

00:29:43.779 --> 00:29:44.960
 he was treated

00:29:44.960 --> 00:29:46.319
 as less than human

00:29:46.319 --> 00:29:48.160
 because of our

00:29:48.160 --> 00:29:49.180
 dehumanizing speech

00:29:49.180 --> 00:29:51.200
 now he says

00:29:51.200 --> 00:29:51.420
 he

00:29:51.420 --> 00:29:52.420
 Isaiah 53

00:29:52.420 --> 00:29:52.920
 tells us

00:29:52.920 --> 00:29:53.759
 he was one

00:29:53.759 --> 00:29:54.200
 from whom

00:29:54.200 --> 00:29:54.900
 we had to turn

00:29:54.900 --> 00:29:55.759
 our faces away

00:29:55.759 --> 00:29:56.600
 when he was on the cross

00:29:56.600 --> 00:29:58.039
 he became beastly

00:29:58.039 --> 00:30:00.400
 not because he deserved it

00:30:00.400 --> 00:30:01.100
 but because we do

00:30:01.100 --> 00:30:02.880
 Jesus Christ

00:30:02.880 --> 00:30:04.259
 the word of God

00:30:04.259 --> 00:30:05.299
 who had total fellowship

00:30:05.299 --> 00:30:06.019
 with his father

00:30:06.019 --> 00:30:06.920
 who had never heard

00:30:06.920 --> 00:30:08.019
 a single moment

00:30:08.019 --> 00:30:08.580
 of silence

00:30:08.580 --> 00:30:09.279
 from his father

00:30:09.279 --> 00:30:09.980
 at the cross

00:30:09.980 --> 00:30:10.440
 he said

00:30:10.440 --> 00:30:11.279
 my God

00:30:11.279 --> 00:30:11.799
 my God

00:30:11.799 --> 00:30:13.140
 why are you silent

00:30:13.140 --> 00:30:14.200
 why have you forsaken me

00:30:14.200 --> 00:30:15.720
 he heard divine silence

00:30:15.720 --> 00:30:16.580
 he heard

00:30:16.580 --> 00:30:17.920
 the sound of silence

00:30:17.920 --> 00:30:18.960
 the sound of hell itself

00:30:18.960 --> 00:30:19.519
 in that moment

00:30:19.519 --> 00:30:21.039
 because of our

00:30:21.039 --> 00:30:22.039
 evil speech

00:30:22.039 --> 00:30:23.740
 Jesus Christ

00:30:23.740 --> 00:30:24.600
 was bitten

00:30:24.600 --> 00:30:25.840
 by that ultimate serpent

00:30:25.840 --> 00:30:27.420
 the great venom

00:30:27.420 --> 00:30:28.960
 the cup of poison

00:30:28.960 --> 00:30:29.759
 that our speech

00:30:29.759 --> 00:30:30.640
 has poured

00:30:30.640 --> 00:30:31.140
 and filled

00:30:31.140 --> 00:30:32.420
 he drank it for us

00:30:32.420 --> 00:30:32.980
 see

00:30:32.980 --> 00:30:33.720
 when he says

00:30:33.720 --> 00:30:34.320
 in Matthew 12

00:30:34.320 --> 00:30:35.080
 on that day

00:30:35.080 --> 00:30:35.960
 you will be judged

00:30:35.960 --> 00:30:37.140
 for every careless word

00:30:37.140 --> 00:30:38.680
 you can be judged

00:30:38.680 --> 00:30:40.680
 in him

00:30:40.680 --> 00:30:42.519
 for every careless word

00:30:42.519 --> 00:30:43.080
 you've ever spoken

00:30:43.080 --> 00:30:43.360
 meaning

00:30:43.360 --> 00:30:45.039
 you can be forgiven today

00:30:45.039 --> 00:30:46.799
 for every word

00:30:46.799 --> 00:30:47.819
 that should have never

00:30:47.819 --> 00:30:48.180
 been said

00:30:48.180 --> 00:30:48.659
 that you said

00:30:48.659 --> 00:30:49.539
 I know

00:30:49.539 --> 00:30:50.180
 I need that

00:30:50.180 --> 00:30:51.039
 and I think

00:30:51.039 --> 00:30:51.599
 every single one

00:30:51.599 --> 00:30:52.259
 of us needs it

00:30:52.259 --> 00:30:53.639
 to be forgiven

00:30:53.639 --> 00:30:54.420
 by Jesus Christ

00:30:54.420 --> 00:30:55.079
 for every single

00:30:55.079 --> 00:30:55.700
 careless word

00:30:55.700 --> 00:30:56.819
 we've ever spoken

00:30:56.819 --> 00:30:57.720
 look that's not all

00:30:57.720 --> 00:30:59.019
 that's not all

00:30:59.019 --> 00:30:59.720
 I'll finish with this

00:30:59.720 --> 00:31:01.180
 the resurrection

00:31:01.180 --> 00:31:01.720
 of Jesus

00:31:01.720 --> 00:31:02.539
 says even more

00:31:02.539 --> 00:31:02.960
 than that

00:31:02.960 --> 00:31:05.139
 the cross

00:31:05.139 --> 00:31:05.799
 says you can be

00:31:05.799 --> 00:31:06.220
 forgiven

00:31:06.220 --> 00:31:06.960
 for every careless

00:31:06.960 --> 00:31:07.740
 word you've ever spoken

00:31:07.740 --> 00:31:08.480
 but the resurrection

00:31:08.480 --> 00:31:09.500
 what does it say

00:31:09.500 --> 00:31:10.440
 in the moment

00:31:10.440 --> 00:31:11.079
 of the resurrection

00:31:11.079 --> 00:31:12.460
 Jesus Christ

00:31:12.460 --> 00:31:13.460
 is vindicated

00:31:13.460 --> 00:31:14.220
 when he comes

00:31:14.220 --> 00:31:14.759
 out of the grave

00:31:14.759 --> 00:31:15.900
 God the father

00:31:15.900 --> 00:31:17.379
 says this is

00:31:17.379 --> 00:31:18.400
 my beloved son

00:31:18.400 --> 00:31:19.680
 with whom I'm

00:31:19.680 --> 00:31:20.299
 well pleased

00:31:20.299 --> 00:31:21.720
 he cannot stay dead

00:31:21.720 --> 00:31:22.980
 he is my son

00:31:22.980 --> 00:31:24.819
 and when you're

00:31:24.819 --> 00:31:25.359
 with him

00:31:25.359 --> 00:31:25.839
 when you are

00:31:25.839 --> 00:31:26.720
 walking with him

00:31:26.720 --> 00:31:28.519
 he says the very

00:31:28.519 --> 00:31:29.619
 same thing to you

00:31:29.619 --> 00:31:30.339
 it's not just that

00:31:30.339 --> 00:31:30.839
 you need words

00:31:30.839 --> 00:31:31.339
 of forgiveness

00:31:31.339 --> 00:31:32.579
 many of us today

00:31:32.579 --> 00:31:33.299
 especially

00:31:33.299 --> 00:31:34.740
 also need

00:31:34.740 --> 00:31:35.920
 words of healing

00:31:35.920 --> 00:31:37.640
 because maybe

00:31:37.640 --> 00:31:38.519
 we've never been

00:31:38.519 --> 00:31:39.579
 told in the right

00:31:39.579 --> 00:31:40.559
 ways that we're loved

00:31:40.559 --> 00:31:42.059
 maybe we've never

00:31:42.059 --> 00:31:42.759
 been affirmed

00:31:42.759 --> 00:31:43.940
 maybe we went

00:31:43.940 --> 00:31:44.500
 through a childhood

00:31:44.500 --> 00:31:45.140
 and didn't get

00:31:45.140 --> 00:31:45.680
 what we needed

00:31:45.680 --> 00:31:46.640
 and you see

00:31:46.640 --> 00:31:47.440
 the gospel says

00:31:47.440 --> 00:31:48.440
 that in the resurrection

00:31:48.440 --> 00:31:49.099
 when you're with

00:31:49.099 --> 00:31:49.339
 Jesus

00:31:49.339 --> 00:31:50.279
 God the father

00:31:50.279 --> 00:31:51.200
 looks to you

00:31:51.200 --> 00:31:51.519
 and says

00:31:51.519 --> 00:31:52.200
 you are my

00:31:52.200 --> 00:31:52.740
 beloved son

00:31:52.740 --> 00:31:53.279
 you are my

00:31:53.279 --> 00:31:53.859
 beloved daughter

00:31:53.859 --> 00:31:54.720
 I can heal

00:31:54.720 --> 00:31:55.359
 the wounds

00:31:55.359 --> 00:31:56.380
 from all the

00:31:56.380 --> 00:31:56.920
 sinful speech

00:31:56.920 --> 00:31:57.259
 you've ever

00:31:57.259 --> 00:31:57.740
 received

00:31:57.740 --> 00:32:00.880
 today

00:32:00.880 --> 00:32:02.259
 in this moment

00:32:02.259 --> 00:32:02.819
 you've got to see

00:32:02.819 --> 00:32:03.380
 that your words

00:32:03.380 --> 00:32:03.980
 are on record

00:32:03.980 --> 00:32:05.640
 before the throne

00:32:05.640 --> 00:32:06.299
 of God above

00:32:06.299 --> 00:32:07.779
 that they are

00:32:07.779 --> 00:32:08.500
 irrevocable

00:32:08.500 --> 00:32:10.440
 that we will be

00:32:10.440 --> 00:32:11.400
 judged for them

00:32:11.400 --> 00:32:13.200
 but when you

00:32:13.200 --> 00:32:13.700
 turn to Christ

00:32:13.700 --> 00:32:14.740
 those words

00:32:14.740 --> 00:32:15.620
 have been judged

00:32:15.620 --> 00:32:16.560
 past present

00:32:16.560 --> 00:32:17.180
 and future

00:32:17.180 --> 00:32:17.880
 in Jesus

00:32:17.880 --> 00:32:18.300
 judgment

00:32:18.300 --> 00:32:19.840
 and that means

00:32:19.840 --> 00:32:20.280
 you're forgiven

00:32:20.280 --> 00:32:21.240
 you can be healed

00:32:21.240 --> 00:32:22.080
 you can be restored

00:32:22.080 --> 00:32:23.940
 there's a judge

00:32:23.940 --> 00:32:24.840
 there is a judge

00:32:24.840 --> 00:32:25.220
 in the middle

00:32:25.220 --> 00:32:25.680
 of history

00:32:25.680 --> 00:32:26.480
 who took

00:32:26.480 --> 00:32:27.259
 your judgment

00:32:27.259 --> 00:32:27.700
 who took

00:32:27.700 --> 00:32:28.280
 the mockery

00:32:28.280 --> 00:32:29.060
 who took

00:32:29.060 --> 00:32:29.540
 the screams

00:32:29.540 --> 00:32:29.860
 who took

00:32:29.860 --> 00:32:30.360
 the cries

00:32:30.360 --> 00:32:31.040
 who took

00:32:31.040 --> 00:32:31.780
 us shouting

00:32:31.780 --> 00:32:33.180
 crucify him

00:32:33.180 --> 00:32:34.100
 we used our

00:32:34.100 --> 00:32:34.540
 words

00:32:34.540 --> 00:32:35.900
 to crucify

00:32:35.900 --> 00:32:36.300
 him

00:32:36.300 --> 00:32:37.240
 so that he

00:32:37.240 --> 00:32:37.519
 could say

00:32:37.519 --> 00:32:37.940
 to you today

00:32:37.940 --> 00:32:38.480
 you are my

00:32:38.480 --> 00:32:38.820
 beloved

00:32:38.819 --> 00:32:39.819
 you are forgiven

00:32:39.819 --> 00:32:41.240
 your words

00:32:41.240 --> 00:32:42.240
 can be healed

00:32:42.240 --> 00:32:44.700
 let me ask you

00:32:44.700 --> 00:32:45.279
 as we finish

00:32:45.279 --> 00:32:49.419
 what sins

00:32:49.419 --> 00:32:50.279
 of speech

00:32:50.279 --> 00:32:51.819
 do you need

00:32:51.819 --> 00:32:52.480
 to mortify

00:32:52.480 --> 00:32:53.039
 in your life

00:32:53.039 --> 00:32:53.839
 based on the gospel

00:32:53.839 --> 00:32:55.439
 based on the fact

00:32:55.439 --> 00:32:55.919
 that you really

00:32:55.919 --> 00:32:56.659
 can be forgiven

00:32:56.659 --> 00:32:57.539
 and your speech

00:32:57.539 --> 00:32:58.200
 can be healed

00:32:58.200 --> 00:32:58.639
 the wounds

00:32:58.639 --> 00:32:59.099
 can be healed

00:32:59.099 --> 00:32:59.939
 what sins

00:32:59.939 --> 00:33:00.359
 of speech

00:33:00.359 --> 00:33:00.980
 this week

00:33:00.980 --> 00:33:02.079
 before we come

00:33:02.079 --> 00:33:02.720
 back to it again

00:33:02.720 --> 00:33:03.220
 do you need

00:33:03.220 --> 00:33:04.460
 to mortify

00:33:04.460 --> 00:33:06.200
 is it lies

00:33:06.200 --> 00:33:06.740
 gossip

00:33:06.740 --> 00:33:07.480
 flattery

00:33:07.480 --> 00:33:08.240
 defamation

00:33:08.240 --> 00:33:08.940
 blasphemy

00:33:08.940 --> 00:33:09.539
 ridicule

00:33:09.539 --> 00:33:10.120
 omission

00:33:10.120 --> 00:33:11.299
 false promises

00:33:11.299 --> 00:33:12.059
 manipulation

00:33:12.059 --> 00:33:13.279
 intimidation

00:33:13.279 --> 00:33:13.799
 cruelty

00:33:13.799 --> 00:33:14.400
 the silent

00:33:14.400 --> 00:33:14.859
 treatment

00:33:14.859 --> 00:33:16.579
 self-deprecation

00:33:16.579 --> 00:33:17.279
 boasting

00:33:17.279 --> 00:33:18.819
 that's just a short

00:33:18.819 --> 00:33:19.920
 list of the many

00:33:19.920 --> 00:33:20.819
 and we'll look

00:33:20.819 --> 00:33:21.559
 at more next time

00:33:21.559 --> 00:33:23.299
 but what sins

00:33:23.299 --> 00:33:23.579
 of speech

00:33:23.579 --> 00:33:23.900
 do we need

00:33:23.900 --> 00:33:24.319
 to mortify

00:33:24.319 --> 00:33:24.660
 what

00:33:24.660 --> 00:33:26.240
 who

00:33:26.240 --> 00:33:27.120
 do we need

00:33:27.120 --> 00:33:27.759
 to ask forgiveness

00:33:27.759 --> 00:33:28.059
 of

00:33:28.059 --> 00:33:28.960
 who do we need

00:33:28.960 --> 00:33:29.380
 to extend

00:33:29.380 --> 00:33:29.779
 forgiveness

00:33:29.779 --> 00:33:30.440
 with our words

00:33:30.440 --> 00:33:31.079
 to

00:33:31.079 --> 00:33:32.559
 in what way

00:33:32.559 --> 00:33:33.319
 can we become

00:33:33.319 --> 00:33:34.079
 people who

00:33:34.079 --> 00:33:35.220
 give life

00:33:35.220 --> 00:33:36.160
 with our speech

00:33:36.160 --> 00:33:37.480
 encourage

00:33:37.480 --> 00:33:39.000
 tell people

00:33:39.000 --> 00:33:39.519
 that we love

00:33:39.519 --> 00:33:39.799
 them

00:33:39.799 --> 00:33:40.660
 give them

00:33:40.660 --> 00:33:41.319
 affirmation

00:33:41.319 --> 00:33:42.360
 come today

00:33:42.360 --> 00:33:42.799
 to god

00:33:42.799 --> 00:33:43.380
 as we pray

00:33:43.380 --> 00:33:43.680
 now

00:33:43.680 --> 00:33:44.279
 in prayer

00:33:44.279 --> 00:33:45.120
 and repent

00:33:45.120 --> 00:33:45.860
 of your sins

00:33:45.860 --> 00:33:46.220
 of speech

00:33:46.220 --> 00:33:46.700
 this week

00:33:46.700 --> 00:33:47.519
 turn to the

00:33:47.519 --> 00:33:48.059
 lord again

00:33:48.059 --> 00:33:48.880
 know that

00:33:48.880 --> 00:33:49.599
 jesus christ

00:33:49.599 --> 00:33:50.640
 really has

00:33:50.640 --> 00:33:51.240
 dealt with

00:33:51.240 --> 00:33:51.940
 all of it

00:33:51.940 --> 00:33:52.960
 and provides

00:33:52.960 --> 00:33:53.740
 every resource

00:33:53.740 --> 00:33:55.039
 we need

00:33:55.039 --> 00:33:55.599
 to heal

00:33:55.599 --> 00:33:56.599
 and to grow

00:33:56.599 --> 00:33:57.140
 as speakers

00:33:57.140 --> 00:33:58.960
 let us pray

00:33:58.960 --> 00:33:59.299
 father

00:33:59.299 --> 00:34:00.980
 we do come

00:34:00.980 --> 00:34:01.259
 now

00:34:01.259 --> 00:34:02.960
 and take up

00:34:02.960 --> 00:34:03.600
 just that

00:34:03.600 --> 00:34:04.279
 prayer

00:34:04.279 --> 00:34:05.740
 we are

00:34:05.740 --> 00:34:06.240
 sinners

00:34:06.240 --> 00:34:07.620
 that set

00:34:07.620 --> 00:34:08.099
 hellfire

00:34:08.099 --> 00:34:08.559
 with our

00:34:08.559 --> 00:34:08.800
 speech

00:34:08.800 --> 00:34:09.300
 quite often

00:34:09.300 --> 00:34:09.659
 and so

00:34:09.659 --> 00:34:10.500
 we confess

00:34:10.500 --> 00:34:10.960
 to you

00:34:10.960 --> 00:34:11.900
 even this

00:34:11.900 --> 00:34:12.320
 week

00:34:12.320 --> 00:34:13.019
 all the

00:34:13.019 --> 00:34:14.360
 ways

00:34:14.360 --> 00:34:14.720
 we have

00:34:14.720 --> 00:34:15.039
 spoken

00:34:15.039 --> 00:34:15.539
 carelessly

00:34:15.539 --> 00:34:16.720
 we have

00:34:16.720 --> 00:34:18.159
 many of us

00:34:18.159 --> 00:34:18.360
 will have

00:34:18.360 --> 00:34:18.599
 struggled

00:34:18.599 --> 00:34:18.940
 in different

00:34:18.940 --> 00:34:19.159
 ways

00:34:19.159 --> 00:34:19.519
 we struggle

00:34:19.519 --> 00:34:20.000
 with gossip

00:34:20.000 --> 00:34:21.099
 we have

00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:21.420
 struggled

00:34:21.420 --> 00:34:22.320
 with defamation

00:34:22.320 --> 00:34:22.800
 we have

00:34:22.800 --> 00:34:23.119
 struggled

00:34:23.119 --> 00:34:24.340
 with lies

00:34:24.340 --> 00:34:25.159
 small lies

00:34:25.159 --> 00:34:25.679
 maybe big

00:34:25.679 --> 00:34:26.119
 lies

00:34:26.119 --> 00:34:27.639
 lord maybe

00:34:27.639 --> 00:34:28.199
 somebody here

00:34:28.199 --> 00:34:29.000
 today is living

00:34:29.000 --> 00:34:29.940
 through a long

00:34:29.940 --> 00:34:30.340
 lie

00:34:30.340 --> 00:34:32.680
 some of us

00:34:32.680 --> 00:34:33.019
 come

00:34:33.019 --> 00:34:34.140
 having never

00:34:34.140 --> 00:34:34.840
 asked forgiveness

00:34:34.840 --> 00:34:36.180
 today for

00:34:36.180 --> 00:34:37.220
 something we said

00:34:37.220 --> 00:34:37.840
 that really hurt

00:34:37.840 --> 00:34:38.240
 another

00:34:38.240 --> 00:34:40.620
 the list

00:34:40.620 --> 00:34:41.780
 feels pretty

00:34:41.780 --> 00:34:42.200
 endless

00:34:42.200 --> 00:34:43.079
 we come today

00:34:43.079 --> 00:34:43.780
 lord and bow

00:34:43.780 --> 00:34:44.120
 our hearts

00:34:44.120 --> 00:34:44.720
 before you

00:34:44.720 --> 00:34:45.740
 and look

00:34:45.740 --> 00:34:46.519
 again to

00:34:46.519 --> 00:34:47.039
 our savior

00:34:47.039 --> 00:34:47.920
 jesus christ

00:34:47.920 --> 00:34:49.120
 the man

00:34:49.120 --> 00:34:49.519
 who died

00:34:49.519 --> 00:34:49.940
 on the cross

00:34:49.940 --> 00:34:50.220
 who took

00:34:50.220 --> 00:34:50.780
 the poison

00:34:50.780 --> 00:34:51.760
 of the cup

00:34:51.760 --> 00:34:52.160
 of our

00:34:52.160 --> 00:34:53.300
 bitter speech

00:34:53.300 --> 00:34:54.400
 so that we

00:34:54.400 --> 00:34:55.260
 might hear

00:34:55.260 --> 00:34:56.559
 the pronouncement

00:34:56.559 --> 00:34:57.340
 beloved son

00:34:57.340 --> 00:34:58.059
 beloved daughter

00:34:58.059 --> 00:34:58.780
 so lord

00:34:58.780 --> 00:34:59.120
 we

00:34:59.120 --> 00:35:00.160
 there are people

00:35:00.159 --> 00:35:00.480
 in this room

00:35:00.480 --> 00:35:00.879
 today who

00:35:00.879 --> 00:35:01.359
 have never

00:35:01.359 --> 00:35:01.819
 heard that

00:35:01.819 --> 00:35:02.139
 before

00:35:02.139 --> 00:35:02.739
 we need

00:35:02.739 --> 00:35:03.059
 to hear

00:35:03.059 --> 00:35:03.339
 it

00:35:03.339 --> 00:35:04.179
 come lord

00:35:04.179 --> 00:35:04.679
 jesus

00:35:04.679 --> 00:35:05.619
 give us

00:35:05.619 --> 00:35:06.159
 new hearts

00:35:06.159 --> 00:35:07.039
 change us

00:35:07.039 --> 00:35:08.119
 heal us

00:35:08.119 --> 00:35:09.799
 fix the

00:35:09.799 --> 00:35:10.299
 wounds we've

00:35:10.299 --> 00:35:10.719
 created

00:35:10.719 --> 00:35:12.139
 and teach us

00:35:12.139 --> 00:35:12.699
 to be new

00:35:12.699 --> 00:35:13.319
 speakers

00:35:13.319 --> 00:35:15.079
 lord may we

00:35:15.079 --> 00:35:15.559
 be people

00:35:15.559 --> 00:35:15.819
 who are

00:35:15.819 --> 00:35:16.279
 growing

00:35:16.279 --> 00:35:16.960
 into

00:35:16.960 --> 00:35:18.000
 speakers

00:35:18.000 --> 00:35:18.839
 who use

00:35:18.839 --> 00:35:19.339
 our words

00:35:19.339 --> 00:35:20.019
 as instruments

00:35:20.019 --> 00:35:20.559
 of life

00:35:20.559 --> 00:35:21.239
 and we pray

00:35:21.239 --> 00:35:21.500
 all this

00:35:21.500 --> 00:35:21.759
 now

00:35:21.759 --> 00:35:22.739
 in jesus

00:35:22.739 --> 00:35:23.039
 name

00:35:23.039 --> 00:35:23.659
 amen