Faith That Speaks

July 2, 2023 • Blake Hudspeth • James 3:1–12

The tongue reveals the condition of our hearts. James’ infallible words help us with our fallible words. Teachers of God’s Word along with everyone else must be careful with their words as everyone stumbles and sins through our words. The tongue is powerful, and we must recognize our inability to tame it on our own. We must allow the Lord to transform our hearts and minds through His Word and Spirit, which will transform our words to speak the truth in love and the good news to our neighbors and nations.

ELDER BLESSING

By: Steve Graham

Father, words are powerful. They bring both blessing and cursing. There may be those that are here today that have been wounded by words. Words spoken purposely or spoken rashly (Proverbs 12:18). Summit Church, know that these hurtful and unwholesome words come from men or women that have no control of their tongue. Proverbs tells us that “the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things” (Proverbs 15:28), an uncontrolled tongue leads to ruin (Proverbs 13:3) and this type of speech is a “spirit crusher” (Proverbs 15:4). But on the contrary, there is good news: “when the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:17-18) even troubles brought on by hurtful words.

Lord, we admit that our flesh has little control over our tongue. Let us not be content with an untamed tongue. Holy Spirit, guide us rightly in our speech. Be the pilot of the ship that controls the rudder, our tongue, turning us the direction we should go. Like the bridle in a horse’s mouth, be the rider with reins in hand that tames our tongue. You speak in your word of the benefits of a tamed tongue:

A soothing tongue is a tree of life (Prov. 15:4)

Pleasant words are a honeycomb. Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. (Prov. 16:24)

The tongue of the wise brings healing. (Prov. 12:18)

Lord, would you remind us moment by moment of these very familiar admonishments from scripture:

Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each. (Colossians 4:6)

AND

Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need. (Ephesians 4:29)

So Lord many we GO, AND BE SENT WITH SPEECH “SEASONED WITH GRACE”!

Amen.

Faith That Prays

August 6, 2023 • Jonathan Burgin • James 5:13–20

Our faith grows, and joy increases during suffering as we turn to God in prayer and praise. James instructs the church to pray with the elders. The literal and symbolic oil represents setting someone apart through prayer for special attention and care before God Who alone can heal. Not only should the elders pray for people, but so should the whole church because God answers prayer! He answered prayers for Elijah, and He’ll do it for us! Believers should pray for and help return those who wander and waiver in their faith back to God Who forgives and restores.

Faith That Lasts

July 30, 2023 • Connor Erwin • James 5:7–12

Our faith is tested and strengthened in suffering. God desires believers to grow in patience. Like a farmer we are to wait on the harvest of fruit that comes from the seeds of patience. We must allow the Lord to change our hearts and we must refrain from grumbling to be found faithful by the Lord, the coming Judge. We should be unwavering like the prophets and steadfast like Job . Again (and above all), our speech reflects trustworthiness in persevering faith.

Faith That Is Surrendered

July 23, 2023 • Jonathan Burgin • James 4:11—5:6

God opposes the proud and gives grace to the humble. Pride manifests in various forms. It could be slander, boasting, or hoarding. Slander dishonors God and disheartens others. In contrast, Godly speech praises God and encourages others. Boasting about our future (short and long-term) by neglecting to ask God’s will is arrogant, foolish, and evil. Hoarding the resources God has placed in our lives is also prideful. We will be judged by God for how we have used what He has entrusted us. The things of this world are wasting away, but they can be invested for eternal purposes in His Kingdom. ELDER BLESSING By: Pete Lee Summit Church, I bless you, in Jesus' name, that you would be strong through the great grace that God gives you. That you would walk through every season of your life with a heart to please the Father in all things. I pray that you would be blessed with a unified mind (Phil 2:2) that remembers Jesus Christ and seeks to walk in His ways, not becoming distracted by lesser things. And as you remember Jesus, you would seek to live like him, having the same attitude that He had. For even though He was God, He humbled Himself, becoming obedient even to the point of death (Phil 2:5-11). I bless your words, that they would be full of life (James 4:11&12) and would point others to the One who gives life. (Psalm 34:1-3). I bless your thoughts, that they would be pure, and would continually be turned to the Father in worship and praise. I bless your finances, that they would be seen as a means to worship the Father. May you live out the reality that true treasure is stored in heaven, not on earth (Matt 6:19-21). I bless your moments, each one, that they would be carefully submitted to the Lord. And may you find yourself ready to receive whatever He might bring your way. I pray, Summit Church, that you would be blessed with the heart of generosity and humility that is formed only by dwelling daily in the presence of Christ. Amen