Week 3 , 9 May 2010 : Loving With Your Words

Week 3 , 9 May 2010

SERMON TOPIC: Loving With Your Words
Scripture Reference: James 3: 2-12

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. James 3: 9-12

1. A Great Confusion

There is a great confusion, says James in James 3:9-12. We use our mouths to praise God in church, yet in the same day, we can use the same mouth to curse men while we are driving out of a traffic situation in the church car park, or subsequently at home, in school, in the mall or the office. As a father, I struggle like many other parents; I get impatient and angry over my child. We are poor examples of what our heavenly Father is like. James concludes, “Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing…this should not be.” (v.10)

2. The Power of Words

James urges us not to downplay the power of words. Using different images, he shows that words have a positive and negative influence. Words can provide direction, just like the bit in the bridle that controls the horse during riding. Another example is the small rudder of a ship, which can used to steer it through rough seas and strong winds, wherever the pilot wants it to go (v 3-5). On the other hand, words when used wrongly can hurt or destroy, and undermine our destiny, just like a little spark can set a whole forest on fire (v 5-6).

Words have a powerful influence over individuals, communities, and even nations and empires throughout history. The Spaniards had a long reign over the seas at the height of the Spanish Empire, but they also knew their limitations. In Valladolid, Spain, where Christopher Columbus died in 1506, stands a monument commemorating the great discoverer. One of the most interesting features of the memorial is a statue of a lion destroying one of the Latin words that had been part of Spain's motto for centuries. Before Columbus made his voyages, the Spaniards thought they had reached the outer limits of earth. Thus their motto was "Ne Plus Ultra," which means "No More Beyond." The word being torn away by the lion is "ne" or "no," making it read "Plus Ultra." Columbus had proven that there was indeed "more beyond."

So, what are the words that shape our world view? Are they “Enjoy life now!” “There is a jungle out there!” or “God is love”? Words can have a positive or negative impact over our lives. What are the words we communicate to others? Are they loving or destructive?

3. We are Dysfunctional

James says we are dysfunctional; we are all sinners. We all stumble; words are our greatest challenge. Verses 7-8 say that no man can tame the tongue. However, just as much as we are imperfect, there is no excuse but to continue to grow in the Lord.

James 1:5 says: If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. James 1:17-18 also assures us: Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of all he created. Jesus says in Matthew 5:48 that though we are imperfect, we should strive towards to be like God: Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.

4. We are called to Change our Heart

Matthew 12:34 says out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. Our words are shaped by our motives. Therefore we are called to transform from the inside out. Through Christ, we exchange our insecurity with His love, our self-interest with Christ’s interests, and our self-centeredness with Christ-likeness.

There are three aspects to examine as we ask for a change of heart from the Lord:

a) Deny self

Let us abdicate self. Let us step aside from being a centre stage prima donna. Think less of ‘me first, my way, my opinion, my right, my interest, my time.’ Let us release words that are not borne out of selfish interest, pain, insecurity, fear or need.

b) Live in God’s Presence

Let us be mindful that God is with us all the time. Let us pray unceasingly to him. Like Charles Wesley writes in the third verse of the hymn, Love Divine, All Loves Excelling, let us “Glory in Thy perfect love”. We are saved and we have received God’s perfect love. Let us celebrate this and live in and for Christ. Let our words represent God; we are His channel of grace and He works through us.

c) Be filled with His Words

Let us strive to know Christ’s thoughts. Paul exhorts us in Philippians 4:8: Whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely…think about such things. Through the study of God’s words in the Bible, we can better understand God’s commands and desires. God’s word is His revealed truth. Let us echo God’s thoughts and intentions, love and grace.

Words are powerful. We all stumble with our words because we are sinful and not in total control of our lives. However we can give our lives to Jesus and let Him live through us. To be ambassadors of Christ, we ask for an inside change from God. We ask for God’s grace each new day. In Christ, we are changed from glory to glory, and we glory in His perfect love

By Rev Lim Jen Huat
Bedok Methodist Church

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Week 3 , 9 May 2010 SERMON TOPIC: Loving With Your Words Scripture Reference: James 3: 2-12 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. James 3: 9-12 1. A Great Confusion There is a great confusion, says James in James 3:9-12. We use our mouths to praise God in church, yet in the same day, we can use the same mouth to curse men while we are driving out of a traffic situation in the church car park, or subsequently at home, in school, in the mall or the office. As a father, I struggle like many other parents; I get impatient and angry over my child. We are poor examples of what our heavenly Father is like. James concludes, “Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing…this should not be.” (v.10) 2. The Power of Words James urges us not to downplay the power of words. Using different images, he shows that words have a positive and negative influence. Words can provide direction, just like the bit in the bridle that controls the horse during riding. Another example is the small rudder of a ship, which can used to steer it through rough seas and strong winds, wherever the pilot wants it to go (v 3-5). On the other hand, words when used wrongly can hurt or destroy, and undermine our destiny, just like a little spark can set a whole forest on fire (v 5-6). Words have a powerful influence over individuals, communities, and even nations and empires throughout history. The Spaniards had a long reign over the seas at the height of the Spanish Empire, but they also knew their limitations. In Valladolid, Spain, where Christopher Columbus died in 1506, stands a monument commemorating the great discoverer. One of the most interesting features of the memorial is a statue of a lion destroying one of the Latin words that had been part of Spain's motto for centuries. Before Columbus made his voyages, the Spaniards thought they had reached the outer limits of earth. Thus their motto was "Ne Plus Ultra," which means "No More Beyond." The word being torn away by the lion is "ne" or "no," making it read "Plus Ultra." Columbus had proven that there was indeed "more beyond." So, what are the words that shape our world view? Are they “Enjoy life now!” “There is a jungle out there!” or “God is love”? Words can have a positive or negative impact over our lives. What are the words we communicate to others? Are they loving or destructive? 3. We are Dysfunctional James says we are dysfunctional; we are all sinners. We all stumble; words are our greatest challenge. Verses 7-8 say that no man can tame the tongue. However, just as much as we are imperfect, there is no excuse but to continue to grow in the Lord. James 1:5 says: If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. James 1:17-18 also assures us: Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of all he created. Jesus says in Matthew 5:48 that though we are imperfect, we should strive towards to be like God: Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect. 4. We are called to Change our Heart Matthew 12:34 says out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. Our words are shaped by our motives. Therefore we are called to transform from the inside out. Through Christ, we exchange our insecurity with His love, our self-interest with Christ’s interests, and our self-centeredness with Christ-likeness. There are three aspects to examine as we ask for a change of heart from the Lord: a) Deny self Let us abdicate self. Let us step aside from being a centre stage prima donna. Think less of ‘me first, my way, my opinion, my right, my interest, my time.’ Let us release words that are not borne out of selfish interest, pain, insecurity, fear or need. b) Live in God’s Presence Let us be mindful that God is with us all the time. Let us pray unceasingly to him. Like Charles Wesley writes in the third verse of the hymn, Love Divine, All Loves Excelling, let us “Glory in Thy perfect love”. We are saved and we have received God’s perfect love. Let us celebrate this and live in and for Christ. Let our words represent God; we are His channel of grace and He works through us. c) Be filled with His Words Let us strive to know Christ’s thoughts. Paul exhorts us in Philippians 4:8: Whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely…think about such things. Through the study of God’s words in the Bible, we can better understand God’s commands and desires. God’s word is His revealed truth. Let us echo God’s thoughts and intentions, love and grace. Words are powerful. We all stumble with our words because we are sinful and not in total control of our lives. However we can give our lives to Jesus and let Him live through us. To be ambassadors of Christ, we ask for an inside change from God. We ask for God’s grace each new day. In Christ, we are changed from glory to glory, and we glory in His perfect love By Rev Lim Jen Huat Bedok Methodist Church Click here to go back to 40DoL homepage.
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