First Things First

Text: James 1:22-25

Place Preached - (Mississauga International Baptist Church)

Date Preached - (11/04/01)

Introduction:   

Luke 6:45-46  A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

46  And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

What if you are saying, “I agree with all you’ve said, but I don’t know what to do.”

This message is just for you!!  In fact so are the next three.

We need repentance in the area of our words.  A radical change in our heart that will lead to a radical change in our life.

Joel 2:13  And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.

God is saying, “I want more than symbolic acts of repentance!”

I. The Foundation of Repentance

God shows us our sin and failure as an act of love.  We are disciplined for the purpose of being holy.

True repentance rests in the promises of God concerning our lives.

A. The Promise of Forgiveness

Ephesians 4:32  And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

B. The Promise of Deliverance  (See Rom. 6:1-14)

I no longer have to give into sin(s) – of the tongue.

C. The Promise of Strength

2 Corinthians 12:9  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

D. The Promise of Restoration

Joel 2:25-26  And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.

26  And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed.

God is a restorer!!

E. The Promise of Reconciliation (See Eph. 2:14-18)

F. The Promise of Wisdom

James 1:5  If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

G. The Promise of Mercy (See Hebrews 4:14-16)

The Point is This!! We never stand alone with only our personal abilities to help us!!

II. The Steps of Repentance

Now what does true repentance look like?  What are some steps involved in true repentance?

A. First Step:  CONSIDERATION

We tend to be spiritually blind.  We can see other’s sin and failure more clearly than we do our own.

What does God want to show me that I haven’t seen yet about my talk life?  (See James 1:22-25)

Do your words leave a trail of discouragement, destruction and division?  Or do they sow seeds of love, grace, truth, hope, forgiveness, and peace?

When we go to “Straighten some one out” the truth of our words is distorted by our own sinful attitudes, and what we say ceases to be truth.

Ephesians 4:15  But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

There is not another way to speak TRUTH!!

If your words don’t offer solution and resolution then they are just another part of the problem!

B. Second Step:  CONFESSION

Humbly accepting and agreeing with what God has said about us.

Confess not only our words, but the sinful attitudes and desires of our hearts that formulated those words.

What attitudes do you and I need to confess?

DOUBT          FEAR              ANGER          VENGEANCE

SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS    SELFISHNESS

HOPELESSNESS (Etc.)

Until you deal with these you will be unprepared to speak the truth in love.

C. Third Step:  COMMITMENT

LOOK UP & READ Col. 3:12-17

Are we committed to doing ministry God’s way?

This passage provides the tools necessary to speak redemptively.

1. MERCIES (Compassion)

Deep awareness of another’s need and a desire to do something to relieve it.

2. KINDNESS – Tender, Generous, Warm-hearted

3. HUMILITY

Galatians 6:1 Ministry – “Stand by their side”

4. MEEKNESS (Gentleness)

Proverbs 15:1  A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

Don’t damage the person you are seeking to help!

5. LONGSUFFERING (Patience)

One of the hardest things to do is wait.

God’s work of change in us is a process, not an event.

6. FORBEARANCE – Patience under pressure

Christ’s example…..

1 Peter 2:23  Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:

7. FORGIVENESS – (See Matthew 18:21-35)

8. CHARITY (Love) – The ultimate quality

Willingness to sacrifice and lay down my life for others.

9. PEACE

Not the absence of conflict or strife.

It means we do not allow conflict and strife to rule our hearts because we are secure in our position in Christ.

10. THANKFULNESS

We live in the age of “rights” and entitlements.

Where is the gratefulness for that which we do not deserve?

NOW….. Some Conclusions

·         We fall far short of the standard held out here.

·         We are to put on “Christ”.

·         You and I don’t produce change in others.

We can’t demand, or impress others with our knowledge or experience.  Others are not changed by manipulation, our loud voice or decisive argument.  We all want to deliver the knock-out punch.

People do not change through an encounter with us, but an encounter with Christ!!

D. Final Step:  CHANGE!

Here is a simple principle:

Change has not taken place until change has taken place!

We are talking about radical change of heart that leads to radical change of life.

Put Off/Put On principle  (SEE Eph 4:22-24)

Your Biblical knowledge will not serve you well if your heart is not conformed to Christ.

Hebrews 4:2  For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

Don’t use your Biblical Knowledge as a weapon in the war of words.

This applies to Parenting / Marriage / The Church

LOOK UP & READ II Peter 1:3-9

We were saved not only from the corruption of the world, but also from the corrupting desires of our own hearts.

We are too often like the Pharisee in Luke 18:9-14

In fact, we’ll even pray “Thank God, I’m not like that Pharisee!”

Conclusion:     (Review)

What are you content with?

Gossiping only twice a month?  Not lashing out in anger as often?  Occasional moments of love and forgiveness?

Or do you want everything that Christ has to offer you?

Examine your own heart:

Psalms 139:23-24  Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:

24  And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Commit yourself to a life of Repentance:

1. Consider

2. Confess

3. Commit

4. Change