1. The Power of the Tongue (3:1-6)
The tongue is little, but it has powerful potential to achieve great results, both good and bad. It can start a friendship or damage a friendship. It can stir up violence or promote peace. It can crush the spirit or soothe the discouraged.
2. The Deadly Poison of the Tongue (3:7-8)
We must always keep the tongue under careful guard, for it is "full of deadly poison" (3:8). In the Book of Psalms, David wrote of his enemies: "They make their tongues as sharp as a serpent's; the poison of vipers is on their lips" (Psalm 140:3).
3. The Double-mindedness of the Tongue (3:9-12)
We show our moral inconsistency by using the same tongue both to praise God and to curse the people God made. Christians should produce words that reflect and honor Christ. We should produce blessings, because we have been blessed.
4. The Answer for the Tongue (3:13-18)
James exhorts his readers to conduct themselves with wisdom and gentleness. The gentleness that is linked to wisdom in our text means living out of the knowledge that we are not the priority here. Let's ask God to plant within us wisdom that seeks to promote Him.
The Weight of Our Words
James 3:1-18
July 19, 2015 • Toby Henson
The Healing Ministry of the Church
September 13, 2015 • Toby Henson
1. Speak Truthfully (5:12) Healing requires believers to speak truthfully. "Speak truthfully" is not a license to say whatever is on your mind. It means that you are engaged in honest, real, transparent relationships. As believers, we are to search for the truth as a united body, loving, and caring for the needs of each member. 2. Pray Faithfully In times of trouble, Christians often fall victim to self-pity or anger. James directs Christians to pray rather than surrender to these wrong responses. James is quite clear that any form of suffering should lead us to pray. Prayer is to be our response in all situations of life. God delights to hear the prayers of his people and answer them, often in amazing ways. 3. Restore Lovingly (5:19-20) James describes a Christian who has strayed "from the truth" (5:19), one who has neglected his or her faith. This person is in need of spiritual restoration. Reconciliation with God can happen to anybody no matter how dark, broken, or twisted one's life may have become. God releases His power through prayer and loving ministry.
Mercy Triumphs
September 6, 2015 • Toby Henson
1. Be Patient (5:7) Patience requires waiting and enduring until the Lord takes action on our behalf. The problem is that we detest waiting. Is there as purpose in the Lord's delay? Always! We are to live with a positive, patient, eager anticipation in the Lord. 2. Stand Firm (5:8-9) The imperative "stand firm" could be literally translated "strengthen your hearts" (5:8). Trials are an opportunity to strengthen our faith. Our faith is strengthened as we: A. Stand Firm in Truth B. Stand Firm in Unity C. Stand Firm in Service 3. Be Amazed (5:10-11) There is an unseen battle raging over our heads. James uses Job as an example. The God who tested Job in the furnace of hardship finally brought him to an experience of "compassion and mercy" (5:11). This glorious reversal will be equally true of us. The final outcome will amaze us.
The Economy of God
August 30, 2015 • Toby Henson
1. Understanding Wealth We need to open our eyes to the reality that when most people in the world hear the word "rich," they picture us. Average, ordinary, middle-class, working Americans are extremely wealthy in a world surrounded by billions of extremely poor neighbors. 2. Convicting Judgments The possession of wealth is not evil. Abusing wealth by selfish living and by harming people dependent on you is. James addressed rich oppressors who used their wealth only for themselves. God cares about people, and we are supposed to leverage our wealth to bless others. 3. Loving Actions David Platt, in his book, "A Compassionate Call to Counter Culture", identifies five significant implications of the gospel for our lives in a world of urgent spiritual and physical poverty: A. Work Diligently B. Live Simply C. Give Sacrificially D. Help Constructively E. Invest Eternally