Big Things/Little Packages
Notes
Transcript
Let’s remind ourselves of the situation James faced.
Let’s remind ourselves of the situation James faced.
There is a perversion of Paul’s teaching within the church.
There is a perversion of Paul’s teaching within the church.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
This led to some people being more “equal than others.”
This led to some people being more “equal than others.”
People mostly ignored Clarence Jordan’s Koinonia Farm in Americus until he started paying white and black field hands the same wage. this led to violence in the Bible Belt.
Let’s summarize the last couple of weeks.
Let’s summarize the last couple of weeks.
James advised people not to desire the accolades that went with teaching because the teacher is held accountable for his/her teaching.
James advised people not to desire the accolades that went with teaching because the teacher is held accountable for his/her teaching.
At Cedar Rock, my biggest problem was people who wanted the authority of a teacher without the responsibility that goes with it.
Bad teaching does not excuse bad hearing.
Bad teaching does not excuse bad hearing.
We discussed Tuesday night how many people want to weigh in on the Afghanistan debacle without recognizing the problem is actually one that goes back in an unbroken line to the Carter and Reagan presidencies.
In 1917, Senator Hiram Johnson (R-CA) asserted, “The first casualty of war is the truth.”
A new thought that occurred to me this week is a simple equation that explains why James’ words to teachers should cause us all to listen: Teachers=Influencers.
A new thought that occurred to me this week is a simple equation that explains why James’ words to teachers should cause us all to listen: Teachers=Influencers.
We dwelt at some length last week on the fact we all sin either many times or in a variety of ways or both which leads us further into James 3.2-5a today.
We dwelt at some length last week on the fact we all sin either many times or in a variety of ways or both which leads us further into James 3.2-5a today.
Never at fault in what we say: Don’t let your words (or deeds) lead others stray.
Never at fault in what we say: Don’t let your words (or deeds) lead others stray.
Walk the talk.
Walk the talk.
Talk the right talk.
Talk the right talk.
One who keeps this instruction is perfect.
One who keeps this instruction is perfect.
Controls the whole body.
Controls the whole body.
Lives a life of integrity.
Lives a life of integrity.
Is perfect (complete, not sinless).
Is perfect (complete, not sinless).
Before we consider James’ illustrations, we must remind ourselves of the two ways of interpreting the larger passage and these verses particularly.
Before we consider James’ illustrations, we must remind ourselves of the two ways of interpreting the larger passage and these verses particularly.
There is the normal interpretation whereby we talk about the speech of the individual and this is proper.
There is the normal interpretation whereby we talk about the speech of the individual and this is proper.
But there is also the possibility that when James spoke about the body he was referring to the larger body, the church.
But there is also the possibility that when James spoke about the body he was referring to the larger body, the church.
Verse 3.1 seems to support this notion that James has in mind not just individual speech but speech within the larger context of the church and its impact there.
Verse 3.1 seems to support this notion that James has in mind not just individual speech but speech within the larger context of the church and its impact there.
Certainly the constructive or destructive consequences of speech are magnified when words are uttered within the body.
Certainly the constructive or destructive consequences of speech are magnified when words are uttered within the body.
James then offered two illustrations as to the importance of little packages.
James then offered two illustrations as to the importance of little packages.
The illustrations are not unique to James.
The illustrations are not unique to James.
One that may have influenced James was Philo of Alexandria who put the emphasis on the rider and the helmsman.
One that may have influenced James was Philo of Alexandria who put the emphasis on the rider and the helmsman.
With a bit in the mouth the rider controlled a great beast or even a team; with a tiny, relative to the size of the ship, rudder and tiller, a helmsman could control a ship.
With a bit in the mouth the rider controlled a great beast or even a team; with a tiny, relative to the size of the ship, rudder and tiller, a helmsman could control a ship.
With a few words from a tiny tongue a person can build or destroy a relationship…or a church.
With a few words from a tiny tongue a person can build or destroy a relationship…or a church.
Sister, we don’t have that much altar.
The first part of verse 5 seems to belong to verses 3-4.
The first part of verse 5 seems to belong to verses 3-4.
The tongue is tiny but possesses great power.
The tongue is tiny but possesses great power.
The Psalmist reminded us of the negative.
The Psalmist reminded us of the negative.
3 May Yahweh cut off all flattering lips, the tongue speaking great boasts— 4 those who say, “With our tongue we will prevail. Our lips are on our side. Who is master over us?”
But we need to be reminded the power of the tongue to cause good is also great compared to its size.
But we need to be reminded the power of the tongue to cause good is also great compared to its size.