Sermon Title: Tiny Muscle, Massive Impact

Giving & Communion Moment

Intro – Giving: We now get an opportunity to continue worshipping—by giving God our first and our best.

Transition to Story: Let me tell you how your generosity is making an impact—not just here in our community, but literally around the world.

Story: In 2024, Hurricane Helene devastated Yancey County, North Carolina. To this day, many families are still living in hotels or temporary trailers, waiting for a permanent home. But because of your faithful giving, GCCC is sending a team to help. From August 10–15, ten of our own are partnering with Samaritan’s Purse in Burnsville, NC to help rebuild homes, restore hope, and reflect the love of Jesus.

Transition to Prayer: And church—you are a part of that story. Your generosity, your prayers, your support—it’s transforming lives. I want to invite our missions team up to the front right now. Let’s cover them in prayer as they prepare to go.

Prayer Over Mission Team: (Invite congregation to extend hands)

“Father, thank You for calling us to be Your hands and feet. We lift up this team as they go to serve families in Burnsville. Fill them with strength, compassion, and courage. May their work build not just homes—but faith, hope, and love. Protect them in travel, bond them in unity, and let Your Spirit go before them. Use them to be living reminders of Your mercy. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.”

Giving Invitation: Now I want to turn that same heart of generosity inward. How is the Spirit inviting you to participate today?

We’re going to take about 20 seconds—quietly ask the Lord: “Holy Spirit, what does obedience in giving look like for me today?”

[Pause for 20 seconds]

Call to Respond: Whatever the Lord spoke to your heart—respond. Your giving is not just financial—it’s missional. It’s a reflection of God’s love expressed through His people. It’s how Jesus continues to move through His Church.

Communion Moment

Transition to Communion: Just as we give out of what we’ve been given—we now pause to remember what Jesus gave to us: His life.

Communion is a sacred moment. It’s not a ritual. It’s a reminder that we’ve been ransomed by grace. That Jesus, knowing all we’ve done and all we would ever do, still chose the cross—so we could know forgiveness, healing, and eternal life.

Scripture – 1 Corinthians 11:23–26 (NLT):

“For I pass on to you what I received from the Lord himself. On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and said, ‘This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me.’ In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this to remember me as often as you drink it.’ For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until he comes again.”

Bread Invitation (Hold bread): This bread represents the body of Christ—broken for you. Take a moment to reflect. Where do you need the healing and wholeness only Jesus can bring?

Prayer for the Bread:

“Jesus, we remember Your body—beaten and broken so that ours could be made whole. Thank You for taking on our pain, our sin, and our shame. As we eat this bread, we remember Your sacrifice, and we say thank You. In Your name, amen.” (Take the bread)

Cup Invitation (Hold cup): This cup represents His blood—poured out for the forgiveness of sins and the beginning of a new covenant with God. As you hold this, let it be a moment of gratitude, of reverence, of recommitment.

Prayer for the Cup:

“Jesus, thank You for Your blood that covers our sins and makes us clean. Thank You for the new life, the new identity, and the eternal hope we have in You. As we drink this cup, we remember Your love and declare again our trust in You. In Jesus’ name, amen.” (Drink the cup)

Closing Transition: As we’ve given generously, and received gratefully—may this moment remind you that God is not done working in you or through you. You are loved, you are forgiven, and you are sent.

Let’s continue worshipping together.

Text: James 3:1–12 (NLT) Theme: The power of the tongue reveals the condition of the heart.

Full Scripture: James 3:1–12 (NLT) INTRO: The Bonfire That Almost Burned Down the Summer I was 17. Backyard bonfire. Someone tossed in a pizza box, and another guy thought it’d be funny to throw in gasoline. Ten minutes later, the fire department was in the driveway, my neighbor’s bush was scorched, the siding on our shed was melted, and my dad looked like he was about to scorch me. What started as “just a spark” nearly burned down our backyard—and nearly grounded me until college.

James says our words are like that. A single sentence—just one careless spark—can cause untold damage. And unlike a fire in the yard, the damage our words cause isn’t just physical—it’s emotional, relational, spiritual, and sometimes generational.

Tim Keller once said: “The tongue has the power to create or destroy community. That’s how you know it’s spiritual.”

Today, James is going to walk us into one of the most practical and painful areas of the Christian life: how we talk. The tongue is a tiny muscle with massive impact—and the only way to truly tame it is through the transforming grace of Jesus. So let’s dive into what James says about the tongue, and discover why our words matter more than we think.

POINT 1: Our Words Direct Our Lives (vv. 1–5a)

1 Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way. 3 We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. 4 And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong. 5 In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire.

Let’s begin with the direction our words take us.

James opens this section by cautioning those who desire to teach. Why? Because words have weight. Teachers use words to shape minds, hearts, and communities. What we say carries responsibility, and spiritual leadership makes that weight even heavier. Every word is a seed that gets planted in the soul of someone else.

But this isn’t just about pastors or Sunday school teachers—it’s about anyone who influences others: parents, mentors, bosses, coaches, friends. Your words, no matter your role, steer the course of your life and the lives of others. James gives us two simple but powerful images:

A bit in a horse’s mouth.

A rudder on a ship.

Small tools. Huge influence. So it is with the tongue. It’s small, but it sets the trajectory. It may not be visible, but it’s always active, always steering.

Illustration: Think of a GPS. One wrong address, one small typo, and you’re headed miles in the wrong direction. In the same way, one off comment—one sarcastic dig, one harsh critique—can reroute the direction of a relationship, a family dynamic, or even your spiritual walk.

Tyler Staton calls the tongue a compass. What we speak reveals where our hearts are pointed. Think about that: your tongue doesn’t just express your thoughts—it steers your direction. Every sentence, every word, is quietly shaping the path of your soul. The compass illustration is brilliant, because a compass always points somewhere—even if we’re not consciously paying attention. Similarly, your words always point to what you treasure, what you fear, what you hope for, and who—or what—you ultimately worship.

A tongue that constantly complains may reveal a heart anchored in entitlement. A tongue that tears down may reveal insecurity or bitterness. A tongue that encourages shows a heart anchored in grace. Just like a compass will never lie about your orientation, your words will never lie about your heart’s condition. That’s why Jesus says, “Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.” If you want to change the direction of your life, you have to change what’s directing your tongue—and that starts with heart surgery, not just speech therapy.

Application: Speak with purpose. Speak like someone who knows they’re shaping more than moments—they’re shaping lives. Speak like someone who’s holding a spiritual GPS in their mouth.

Quote: Paul Tripp: “Every word you speak is a reflection of your theology.”

Transition: So if our words steer the direction of our lives, we must ask—what happens when that direction leads toward destruction rather than life? James doesn’t leave us guessing. He shifts from direction to the damage that words can bring.

POINT 2: Our Words Can Wound or Heal (vv. 5b–8)

6 And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself. 7 People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, 8 but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. James now warns us about the destructive power of the tongue. It isn’t just a rudder; it’s a spark. And a single spark can level a forest. The shift is intentional—from direction to destruction.

James isn’t trying to be dramatic. He’s being brutally honest. Our words, though small, carry enormous potential for harm. And the problem is that often we don’t even realize the fire has started until the damage is done.

Think about it:

Gossip can tear down someone’s character.

Criticism can wound a child’s self-worth.

Sarcasm can erode trust in a marriage.

Passive aggression can poison friendships.

Careless joking can crush confidence.

Craig Groeschel says: “Every time you open your mouth, you’re either speaking life or death. There is no neutral.” This quote might be short, but it carries the weight of a wrecking ball. Think about the conversations you've had just this past week—were they life-giving or life-taking? There is no middle ground. You never just ‘say something.’ You’re always planting seeds. The only question is: what are you planting?

That whisper behind someone’s back? Death. That late-night encouragement to your spouse? Life. That passive-aggressive email? Death. That unexpected word of affirmation to your kid? Life.

Words are weapons—and every day, you wield them. Some cut people down, others build them up. That’s why this truth is so critical: your mouth is a ministry. Whether you realize it or not, you are preaching with every conversation.

Craig Groeschel's words remind us that there's spiritual power behind everything we say. Heaven and hell are in the balance every time we open our mouths. What will we choose to unleash—blessing or curse, hope or harm, life or death?

And if we’re honest, we all need help. Because without the Spirit of God shaping our hearts, our mouths default to damage. That’s why we don’t just need to speak better—we need to be made new. We need a Savior who speaks life into us so we can speak life into others.

Visual: James references hell—specifically Gehenna, the ever-burning garbage dump outside Jerusalem. He’s saying when we let our tongues loose without God, our mouths become dumpsters of destruction.

But here’s the kicker: “No one can tame the tongue.” It’s not just difficult—it’s impossible on your own. Even the most disciplined person finds themselves saying things they regret. Our issue isn’t just verbal—it’s spiritual.

Story: I recently spoke with a woman who hadn’t talked to her best friend in over a decade—because of a Facebook comment about potato salad. That’s right. Potato salad. Apparently, one of them brought it to a barbecue, the other made a joke about it tasting like wet sadness, and the Cold War began. It started as a joke, but it cut deep. They didn’t even remember the exact words, but they remembered the sting. That’s the power of the tongue. One careless sentence can undo years of closeness. But here’s the good part: by God’s grace, a random run-in at the grocery store turned into an awkward apology… which led to coffee… which led to laughter… and finally, to restoration. A decade of silence undone by a few sincere, healing words. That’s what God can do with a surrendered tongue.

Encouragement: If your words have burned bridges, you’re not beyond redemption. The fire can be quenched. God can redeem what was ruined and resurrect what was lost.

Transition: But where does this power to direct and destroy come from? What’s fueling the tongue? James takes us even deeper—not to our mouths, but to our hearts.

POINT 3: Our Words Reveal Our Hearts (vv. 9–12)

9 Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. 10 And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! 11 Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water? 12 Does a fig tree produce olives, or a grapevine produce figs? No, and you can’t draw fresh water from a salty spring.

James ends this section by exposing the root of the issue. It’s not just that the tongue is wild—it’s that the heart is divided.

“Sometimes it praises our Lord, and sometimes it curses those made in God’s image.”

James says: This. Should. Not. Be.

Imagine drinking from a water bottle labeled “pure spring water” only to find it salty. Or grabbing a fig and biting into an olive. That’s what happens when blessing and cursing come from the same mouth.

Jesus said: “Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.” (Luke 6:45)

John Mark Comer writes: “You don’t need better words—you need a better well.”

If you want to change your speech, you have to change your source. And that means heart transformation.

Personal Reflection: Ask yourself—What comes out when I’m frustrated? When I’m tired? When I’m with people who can’t advance my status? That’s the real you.

Good News: The Gospel doesn’t just fix your mouth—it renews your heart. The Holy Spirit wants to renovate you from the inside out, starting at the deepest level.

Transition to Application: So what does this look like practically? How do we start letting our new hearts speak new words? Let’s talk about how we speak life in a world used to verbal wounds.

APPLICATION: Words That Heal Let’s flip the script. If words can hurt, they can also heal. Here are three ways we can begin speaking life:

Speak truth in love.Not flattery. Not silence. Honest, grace-soaked words.

Speak to restore.Pick up the phone. Send the message. Apologize. Confess. Rebuild the bridge.

Speak to disciple.Speak the Word over your kids. Speak encouragement into your spouse. Speak grace into your own story.

Paul Tripp reminds us: “We are never just talking. We are always ministering.” Every conversation is an opportunity to point someone toward Jesus—or away from Him.

THE GOSPEL CONNECTION Let’s be honest—James isn’t offering tips. He’s exposing our spiritual condition. You can’t tame your tongue. But there’s One who never used His words to wound. Jesus never lied, slandered, or gossiped. He never belittled or exaggerated. He was mocked and reviled, but He “did not open His mouth” (Isaiah 53:7). Why? So that the judgment we deserve for our words could fall on Him. The fire of hell that our tongues ignite—He took it on the cross. And now He offers a new heart, new Spirit, and yes—a new tongue.

“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation…” (2 Cor. 5:17)

CALL TO SALVATION Maybe you’ve wounded people with your words. Maybe you’ve been wounded. Maybe your mouth feels too broken to be redeemed. Good news: Jesus doesn’t just forgive sinners—He restores speakers. He gives a new heart, and with it, a new mouth.

SINNER’S PRAYER “Jesus, I need You. I’ve used my words to hurt, not heal. But I believe You died for my sin and rose again to give me new life. Wash my heart. Change my mouth. Be my Savior, and Lord of my life. From this day on, I follow You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

CONCLUSION: Speak Like You’ve Been Saved You want to gauge your spiritual maturity? Watch your mouth. The Holy Spirit doesn’t just change your church attendance. He changes your conversations. So this week, speak with:

Truth that builds

Grace that restores

Power that lifts

Love that reflects JesusLet your tongue become a flame—not that destroys—but that warms hearts and lights the way to Jesus.Amen.