James 3:1-12 Series

Open your bibles to James Chapter 3.

As we continue our series from the Book of James entitled Faith That Works.

R. Kent Hughes says “one thing is clear about the book of James—the dominant theme is;

“Faith that is real works practically in one's life. Faith that is true, is a faith that works.” R. Kent Hughes

This is where we came up with the title “FAITH THAT WORKS". Each week we have been examining the relationship between our faith and our works. Last week we learned that faith without works is a dead faith.

God has given us a barometer to measure whether a person's faith is real. James tells us faith that is real Christian does not neglect the poor in the church. Rather it is compassionate and generous. He reminds us that faith is a risk. He uses Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son. God had commanded Abraham to sacrifice his most loved and prized possession. His son Isaac. Abraham did is he was told. But he risked his son's life in faith trusting that God would keep his promise. God promised Abraham that Issac would be the first of many. Through Isaac, a great nation would be born. “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”

Abraham’s faith in God was so sure that at the base of the mountain he told his servants “the boy and I are going up and WE will return. He didn’t know how but he was coming down with his boy but he knew he was so he did as he was told. That's why James says Abraham’s faith shows us that a person is justified by their works and not by faith alone.

Today James will talk about the power of words. There's no greater power than God's word. And this is part of the reason why I ask you to stand with me if you are able as we open up God’s word.

James 3 verse 1

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.

How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water. (James 3:1-12 ESV)

PRAY

After Sheila and I became members of Oasis Church the call to pastoral ministry quickly was affirmed. Pastor Jeff Ludington quickly took me under his wing and gave me two instructions after I agreed to pursue pastoral ministry. The first was to empty everything out that I thought I knew about the Lord. The second was that I was not allowed to teach on a stage until he gave me permission to do so. Pridefully, I thought, as soon as he hears me preach he'll have me up there in no time. It was 3 1/2 years later that Jeff allowed me to have the opportunity to preach my first sermon at Oasis Church. As many of you know it didn't go very well but I would say this. I did have greater respect for God and His word. I can remember as I got on the stage I was excited and terrified at the same time. So much so that I had heart palpitations. To this day I still think that Jeff put me up too soon but I am glad he did. In that 3 1/2 years I learned to I recognize there is a great responsibility in teaching God's word, teaching it correctly and for the right reasons. And James feels the same as he begins in verse 1 by saying.