Words are Works

INSPIRATION

INSPIRATION

ILLUMINATION

Hi, I’m James!

Negative Words.

Positive Words.

Exegesis

Theology

Life

Faith - Works =

Faith 🡪 Works =

Faith + Works =

Genuine Faith

NO Faith

FALSE Faith

FaithTest 🡪 Hear/Do 🡪 No partiality 🡪 Works

• Joy in trials (1:2)
• Asking for wisdom (1:5)
• Standing steadfast in trials (1:4)
• Never blaming God for temptations (1:13)
• Quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger (1:19-20)
• Putting away all filthiness and rampant wickedness (1:21)
• Receiving the implanted word with meekness (1:21)
• Doer and hearer of the word (1:22)
• Bridle tongue (1:26)
• Visit orphans and widows (1:27)
• Keep unstained from the world (1:21)
• Not showing partiality (2:1)
• Loving neighbors as ourselves (2:8-12)
• Express mercy (2:13)

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AuthenticFAITH

If we think we trust Jesus, but there are no signs of spiritual life (IN WHAT WE SAY), no matter how much we understand, we really don’t trust Him.

AuthenticFAITH

James 3:1-12

¹ Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. ² For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. ³ If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well.⁴ Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. ⁵ So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.

James 3:1-12

How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! ⁶ And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. ⁷ For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, ⁸ but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. ⁹ With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. ¹⁰ From the same mouth come blessing and cursing.

James 3:1-12

My brothers, these things ought not to be so.¹¹ Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? ¹² Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.

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James makes it clear that the WORDS we say and how we say them ARE WORKS that flow directly from our faith.

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• Because words are works, we carefully consider whether or not we want to be a teacher.

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• Because words are works, we understand the difficulty and risk in communication.

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• Because words are works, we understand the incredible power our words have.

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• Because words are works, we carefully consider whether or not we want to be a teacher.

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James 3:1-12

¹ Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. ² For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. ³ If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well.⁴ Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. ⁵ So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.

Today: pay attention to how you lead people with your words….Yes, YOU.

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• Because words are works, we carefully consider whether or not we want to be a teacher.
• We can be motivated to teach for the wrong reasons.

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James 3:1-12

¹ Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. ² For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. ³ If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well.⁴ Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. ⁵ So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.

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• Because words are works, we carefully consider whether or not we want to be a teacher.
• We can be motivated to teach for the wrong reasons.

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• Those who teach open themselves to increase appropriate scrutiny by themselves, others, and God.

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James 3:1-12

¹ Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. ² For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. ³ If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well.⁴ Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. ⁵ So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.

Mark 12:38-40

³⁸ And in his teaching he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and like greetings in the marketplaces ³⁹ and have the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, ⁴⁰ who devour widows' houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”

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• Because words are works, we carefully consider whether or not we want to be a teacher.

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• Because words are works, we understand the difficulty and risk in communication.

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James 3:1-12

¹ Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. ² For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. ³ If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well.⁴ Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. ⁵ So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.

What ways can communication get us into trouble?

• Gossip
• Lying
• Anger
• Curse       
• Slander/Defame
• Name-Calling
• Non-verbal
• Sharing inaccurate views of God
• Excusing
• False Humility
• Flippant

Healthy Relationships (communication)

Transparency

Confidentiality

(over sharing)

”gossip"

(under sharing)

"secretive"

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• Because words are works, we carefully consider whether or not we want to be a teacher.

​

• Because words are works, we understand the difficulty and risk in communication.

​

• Because words are works, we understand the incredible power our words have.

James 3:1-12

¹ Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. ² For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. ³ If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well.⁴ Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. ⁵ So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.

James 3:1-12

¹ Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. ² For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. ³ If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well.⁴ Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. ⁵ So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.

James 3:1-12

¹ Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. ² For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. ³ If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well.⁴ Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. ⁵ So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.

Small part.

BIG impact.

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• Because words are works, we carefully consider whether or not we want to be a teacher.
• Because words are works, we understand the difficulty and risk in communication.
• Because words are works, we understand the incredible power our words have.

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• Our words reveal who we are.
• Our words determine our destinies.

Implications:

• Our words can seem insignificant, but their impact is FAR greater than we recognize; who has used words to bring life to you?
• Our words far too often do MAJOR damage and are rooted in EVIL; who has used words destructively in your life OR someone whom you have used words destructively?
• Our words are a consistent expression of our faith in God.
• Our words examined….

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Implications: Our Words Examined…

Words are Works