An Untamed Tongue
Faith That Works • Sermon • Submitted
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· 12 viewsHere is James' longest teaching on the importance of speech for the disciple.
Notes
Transcript
Take a quick look at how the RB organizes this passage into themes.
Take a quick look at how the RB organizes this passage into themes.
Verse 1 is about outreach, teaching in particular.
Verse 1 is about outreach, teaching in particular.
Verse 2 is about discipleship, the discipline of discipline in particular.
Verse 2 is about discipleship, the discipline of discipline in particular.
The rest is the gray of sin or evil, the sin of undisciplined speech in particular.
The rest is the gray of sin or evil, the sin of undisciplined speech in particular.
James has already had much to say about our speech.
James has already had much to say about our speech.
19 Understand this, my dear brothers: every person must be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger,
26 If anyone thinks he is religious, although he does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.
12 Thus speak and thus act as those who are going to be judged by the law of liberty.
14 What is the benefit, my brothers, if someone says that he has faith but does not have works? That faith is not able to save him, is it? 15 If a brother or a sister is poorly clothed and lacking food for the day, 16 and one of you should say to them, “Go in peace, keep warm and eat well,” but does not give them what is necessary for the body, what is the benefit?
But here is James' longest teaching on the importance of speech for the disciple.
James begins this lengthy section at a logical place: with teachers.
James begins this lengthy section at a logical place: with teachers.
It would be a mistake to assume this has no importance for non-teaching believers.
It would be a mistake to assume this has no importance for non-teaching believers.
The teacher is responsible for what he/she says; the hearers are responsible for what they hear.
The teacher is responsible for what he/she says; the hearers are responsible for what they hear.
One may not be a “teacher” within the church but to have it known one is a Christian is to be a teacher in the world.
One may not be a “teacher” within the church but to have it known one is a Christian is to be a teacher in the world.
James begins with teachers because speech was and still is the primary vehicle for teaching.
James begins with teachers because speech was and still is the primary vehicle for teaching.
Teachers were vital to the ministry of the early church.
Teachers were vital to the ministry of the early church.
28 and whom God has appointed in the church: first, apostles, second, prophets, third, teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helps, administrations, kinds of tongues.
Apostles and prophets were itinerant, they travelled.
Apostles and prophets were itinerant, they travelled.
Pastor/teachers ministered to a single congregation even if they met in multiple locations.
Pastor/teachers ministered to a single congregation even if they met in multiple locations.
Apostles/prophets planted; pastors/teachers cultivated.
Apostles/prophets planted; pastors/teachers cultivated.
Teachers were to the church what rabbis were to Judaism.
Teachers were to the church what rabbis were to Judaism.
The word rabbi meant “my great one.”
The word rabbi meant “my great one.”
In some teachings, duty to rabbi exceeded duty to parents.
In some teachings, duty to rabbi exceeded duty to parents.
While rabbis were supposed to work a trade, taking a rabbi in and providing for his every need was considered a service which brought great reward.
While rabbis were supposed to work a trade, taking a rabbi in and providing for his every need was considered a service which brought great reward.
Since some of this carried over to the church, there was a glut of people who wanted to be teachers which meant there was a problem of false teachers.
Since some of this carried over to the church, there was a glut of people who wanted to be teachers which meant there was a problem of false teachers.
The gospel changers.
The gospel changers.
24 Because we have heard that some have gone out from among us—to whom we gave no orders—and have thrown you into confusion by words upsetting your minds,
The do as I say, not as I do-ers.
The do as I say, not as I do-ers.
21 Therefore, the one who teaches someone else, do you not teach yourself? The one who preaches not to steal, do you steal? 22 The one who says not to commit adultery, do you commit adultery? The one who abhors idols, do you rob temples? 23 Who boast in the law, by the transgression of the law you dishonor God!
The spiritually challenged
The spiritually challenged
6 from which some have deviated, and have turned away into fruitless discussion, 7 wanting to be teachers of the law, although they do not understand either the things which they are saying or the things concerning which they are speaking confidently.
This doesn’t mean you have to know it all to teach; just teach what you know.
This doesn’t mean you have to know it all to teach; just teach what you know.
The panderers.
The panderers.
3 For there will be a time when they will not put up with sound teaching, but in accordance with their own desires, they will accumulate for themselves teachers, because they have an insatiable curiosity, 4 and they will turn away from the hearing of the truth, but will turn to myths.
The greater judgment doesn’t mean there is a higher standard of behavior for teachers.
The greater judgment doesn’t mean there is a higher standard of behavior for teachers.
I call this notion the Charlie Click principle after a fellow told me he could drink because he was a deacon and I couldn’t because I was a pastor. (I guess that covered adultery, too.)
I call this notion the Charlie Click principle after a fellow told me he could drink because he was a deacon and I couldn’t because I was a pastor. (I guess that covered adultery, too.)
What it does mean is we are responsible for how we use our influence and the more you have, the greater accountability for your speech and behavior.
What it does mean is we are responsible for how we use our influence and the more you have, the greater accountability for your speech and behavior.
An interesting question that comes from the WBC is where does this greater judgment come from.
An interesting question that comes from the WBC is where does this greater judgment come from.
Another question is, “Who gets judged?”
Another question is, “Who gets judged?”
Barclay laid out two dangers teachers must avoid.
Barclay laid out two dangers teachers must avoid.
Substituting one’s opinions/prejudices for biblical truth.
Substituting one’s opinions/prejudices for biblical truth.
Contradicting one’s words with one’s deeds.
Contradicting one’s words with one’s deeds.
Final Thought: Bad teaching does NOT excuse bad hearing.
Final Thought: Bad teaching does NOT excuse bad hearing.