Quick to Listen, Slow to Speak

Asking for a Friend Series | Card for Pastor Josh

Intro: We Got This Passage Backwards in 2020

Slow to Listen, Quick to Speak, Quick to Anger.

The Results Were Devastating.

Most Human Conflict Comes From Getting This Passage Backwards.

We Read This Passage & We Instantly Say ‘OUCH!’ - It Hits Home.

Sometimes, It’s Good to Be Quick (Races/Medals); Sometimes, It’s Good to Be Slow (Dating, Marinating, Eating)

I. James Gives 3 Imperatives:

Quick to Listen

When We Listen First, We Honor the Other Person.

When We Listen First, We Learn from Others.

When We Listen First, We Avoid Needless Conflict.

Slow to Speak

You’ve Heard It Said: Stick & Stones… What a Bunch of Garbage.

Luke 6:45: For out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.

Proverbs 10:19: Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.

Controlling the Tongue is Like Riding a Mechanical Bull

We Live in a Time When Our Tongues Have Extensions: Social Media.

Slow to Anger

James Says Human Anger Does Not Produce Righteousness.

Circle the Word ‘HUMAN’ - Not All Anger is Wrong.

When You Blow Up On Someone, How Often Does It Improve the Situation?

Proverbs 29:11: Fools vent their anger, but the wise quietly hold it back.

Righteousness is the Goal: Right Living Consistent With the Character of God.

II. Therefore, Put Away Such Moral Filth & Rampant Wickedness (Dirty Clothes)

Dirty Clothes Illustration (Liz: Covid Unit/Eric: Power-Washing)

Don’t Become ‘OK’ With Filth: Change Your Clothes (Reject Your Temper & Your Rash Words)

True Understanding of Repentance: Metamorpho (Change of Behavior)

These are All Humility Issues

We’re Slow to Listen Because We Prefer the Sound of Our Own Voice.

We’re Quick to Speak Because We Think That What We Have to Say is More Important.

We’re Quick to Anger Because We Think That We’re Right (Even Though We Haven’t Taken the Time to Listen).

The Reality Is: We Can’t “Just Do” This. We Need Help.

III. Receive the Implanted Word (Gospel)

The Implanted Word is the Gospel: James is Writing to Believers.

Notice That It Is Already Planted: It Doesn’t Need to Be Planted, But Received.

This Requires Humility (Remember, This is a Humility Issue)

The Humble Acknowledge Their Dependence on Jesus.

When We Rely Fully on Jesus, The Holy Spirit Brings About Transformation in Our Lives.

Closing: A Vision of a Church That Gets This.

Unified Fellowship.

Gentle Demeanor.

Fruitful Kingdom Productivity.