Words of Hope, Words of Hate

James 3:1-12

3 Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.

3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

I have a riddle for you:

This has been one of the most powerful forces in this world in which we live it can either bring life or death.

It can either bring harmony or chaos into relationships.

It can either bring peace or war.

It is one of the most feared and praised forces in the world. 

What is it?

The Tongue

The tongue produces words and words can inspire, they can lift the lowly soul to believe in oneself and believe in God. It can raise self esteem, give hope and assurance. Words can be filled with love and assurance, peace and wisdom.

But it can also bring harm, hurt or disgrace.  It can be filled with hate and foolishness, pride and evil.

One of the worst thing about the tongue is that sometimes it can be unintentionally loose. We all are guilty at one time or another of speaking before we think things through.

Two pastors died at the same time and met Saint Peter at the Pearly Gates. St. Peter said, "I'd like to get you guys in now, but our computer is down. You'll have to go back to Earth for about a week, but you can't go back as priests. So what else would you like to be?"

The first pastor says, "I've always wanted to be an eagle, soaring above the Rocky Mountains."

"So be it," says St. Peter, and off flies the first pastor.

The second pastor mulls this over for a moment and asks, "Will any of this week 'count', St. Peter?"

"No, I told you the computer's down. There's no way we can keep track of what you're doing."

"In that case," says the second pastor, "I've always wanted to be a stud."

"So be it," says St. Peter, and the second pastor disappears.

A week goes by, the computer is fixed, and the Lord tells St. Peter to recall the two pastors. "Will you have any trouble locating them?" He asks.

"The first one should be easy," says St. Peter. "He's somewhere over the Rockies, flying with the eagles. But the second one could prove to be more difficult."

"Why?" asked the Lord.

"He's on a snow tire, somewhere in North Dakota."

The truth is everyone of your words matter, they influence someone either negatively or positively. How many times have you heard someone say, “I wish I would never have said that!”

 Our text in James today addresses the issue of the uncontrolled words of the tongue.

“Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind,  but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.  Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.”

James addresses the issue of the uncontrolled words of the tongue.

We see this dilemma of words everyday in our lives. We hear people say things throughout our days and our responses and perceptions are formed. We listen to the radio and the power of words influence us, we listen to CD’s or tapes and the power of words are at work, we watch TV and the power of words are trying to influence us.

Just think of all the political ads we have had to endure over the last few months because of the election. We know that words influence others or the political campaigns would not spend millions of dollars to put them on the air. We had to endure candidates ripping on the others so they could influence you to vote for them. 

Words have power. Words affect lives, hearts and influence others.

James is telling us we should be careful how we use our tongue. Basically he is telling us to think before we speak. This is a major Biblical teaching.

The book of Proverbs has numerous sayings telling us to think before we speak.

   In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, But he who restrains his lips is wise.  Proverbs 10:19

The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil.   Proverbs 15:28

Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace.  Proverbs 17:28

A fool vents all his feelings, But a wise man holds them back.  Proverbs 29:11

Jesus also warns us in Matthew 12:36-37

“But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they

   will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your

   words you will be justified, and by your words you will be

   condemned.”

Today as we leave this sanctuary, remember you wield a weapon as powerful as any weapon in our 21^st century arsenal.  When speaking to and about others your words mean something. Not just what they are saying, but what they are meaning and what effect they have on others.

Words can break apart a decade’s long relationship, and words can mend them again. Words can cut deeper than any sharp edged knife. Bullets can pierce the hear, but words can pierce the soul.

Remember, we all have opinions and ideas, but some if spoken can hurt. Let us take time to be wise by taking time to think before we speak.

Abraham Lincoln once said, “Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.”

Audrey Hepburn put it best, though: “For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.” 

God's Favorites?

James 2:1-17 NIV

My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. ² Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. ³ If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” ⁴ have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

⁵ Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? ⁶ But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? ⁷ Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?

⁸ If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,”you are doing right. ⁹ But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. ¹⁰ For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. ¹¹ For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,”also said, “You shall not murder.”If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.

¹² Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, ¹³ because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

¹⁴ What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? ¹⁵ Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. ¹⁶ If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? ¹⁷ In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

     Farmer Joe decided his injuries from the accident were serious enough to take the trucking company (responsible for the accident) to court. In court, the trucking company's fancy lawyer was questioning farmer Joe. 

    "Didn't you say, at the scene of the accident, 'I'm fine?," questioned the lawyer.
     
      Farmer Joe responded, "Well I'll tell you what happened. I had just loaded my favorite mule Bessie into the......."
     
      "I didn't ask for any details," the lawyer interrupted, "just answer the question. Did you not say, at the scene of the accident, 'I'm fine!'"
     
      Farmer Joe said, "Well I had just got Bessie into the trailer and I was driving down the road..."
     
      The lawyer interrupted again and said, "Judge, I am trying to establish the fact that, at the scene of the accident, this man told the Highway Patrolman on the scene that he was just fine. Now several weeks after the accident he is trying to sue my client. I believe he is a fraud. Please tell him to simply answer the question."
     
      By this time the Judge was fairly interested in Farmer Joe's answer and said to the lawyer, "I'd like to hear what he has to say about his favorite mule Bessie."
     
      Joe thanked the Judge and proceeded, "Well as I was saying, I had just loaded Bessie, my favorite mule, into the trailer and was driving her down the highway when this huge semi-truck and trailer ran the stop sign and smacked my truck right in the side. I was thrown into one ditch and Bessie was thrown into the other. I was hurting real bad and didn't want to move. However, I could hear ole Bessie moaning and groaning. I knew she was in terrible shape just by her groans.
     
      Shortly after the accident a Highway Patrolman came on the scene. He could hear Bessie moaning and groaning so he went over to her. After he looked at her he took out his gun and shot her between the eyes. Then the Patrolman came across the road with his gun in his hand and looked at me. He said, "Your mule was in such bad shape I had to shoot her. How are you feeling?"

Well Farmer Joe’s favorite Mule didn’t fare so good.

 It’s funny, we all tend to play favorites at times don’t we?

Although some would deny it, most parents with multiple children always have a favorite. It may be the first, or the baby of the family, or one of your children with special talents. And while the parents deny it, boy the siblings know what is going on. It is like Tommy Smothers of the Smothers brother’s old standard line, “Mom always liked you best”.

And sometimes we as humans play favorites when it comes to other people. Studies have shown that people react differently to people depending upon how they look. Whether they are beautiful or handsome; have nice teeth or hair, dressed well or not. Recently a television show even did a man on the street test about the color of a girls dress. The same girl would wear a multicolored dress or a red dress and ask for help. When she wore the red dress, most men were more friendly and forthcoming with help.  People play favorites when it comes to appearances. And not only that, people with power or fame often get favoritism too, don’t they. Sometimes they get chances at the best seats in restraints without reservations, or free stuff. All because of power, money or fame.

Today’s New Testament Scripture talks about this type of preferential treatment and God’s view on favoritism. James 2:1-10 says in the New International Version,

“My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,”  have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?  But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?

If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.”

You see in many churches during the time of James writing of this letter gave preference to the rich over the poor. And James writes the churches to correct this mistake. James tells us that playing favorites with the rich over the poor is a sin.

It is human nature to show preferential treatment. But it is not God’s nature.  When you meet someone who is obviously poor, do you treat them any differently? Or do you feel uncomfortable?

What would you do if this morning as you came to church you saw Johnny Depp sitting on the steps waiting for the church doors to open? Or your other favorite movie star. Stop a moment and think. What would you say? How would you act? How would you treat him? Would you be careful to welcome him and show him to a seat?

Now What would you do if this morning as you came to church you saw a disheveled homeless person who hasn’t changed his clothes in days sitting on the steps waiting for the church doors to open? Stop a moment and think. What would you say? How would you act? How would you treat this person?

It is human nature to judge people by their looks, or fame or power.

And to be honest, we all do it one time or another.

It is human nature to judge people by their looks, or fame or power.

But it isn’t God’s nature

God doesn’t show favoritism.

God impartially loves everyone the same. No matter who or what they are.

Today and throughout this week, let’s try to do the same.

Because God loves you, no matter who you are, what you have done in the past, or what you are going through now.

We who have received such great love, should we not likewise share it without partiality?

Good and Bad Religion

James 1:17-27
New International Version (NIV)

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."

A man was walking across a bridge one day, and he saw a another man standing on the edge, about to jump off.

So he ran over and said, “Stop! Don’t do it!”

“Why shouldn’t I?”

“Well, there’s so much to live for!”

“Like what?”

“Well, are you religious or atheist?”

“Religious.”

“Me too! What are you? Christian, Jewish, Buddhist? What?”

“Christian.”

“Me too! Catholic or Protestant?”

“Protestant.”

“Me too! Are you Episcopalian or Baptist?”

“Baptist!”

“Wow! Me too! Are you Baptist Church of God or Baptist Church of the Lord?”

“Baptist Church of God!”

“Me too! Original Baptist Church of God or Reformed Baptist Church of God?”

“Reformed Baptist Church of God!”

“No way! Me too! Reformed Baptist Church of God, Reformation of 1879, or Reformed Baptist Church of God, Reformation of 1915?”

“Reformed Baptist Church of God, Reformation of 1915!”

The man said, “Die, heretic scum!” and pushed him off.

It may be exaggerated and funny but to many that is the how they view denominational differences within the Christian church.  Instead of unity with a common reliance upon Christ many often nit pick the minor differences among the churches of Christ. What a shame.

For in God’s eyes there is no distinction among denominations within the Christian church. God doesn’t play politics or make creeds, He just looks at the thoughts and intentions of our hearts. And as our New Testament reading of today, God does make a distinction between “Religion”.

 ^“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.  For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror;  for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.  But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

 If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.  Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.”

Today as in the times of the Apostle James there are a lot of people who give God lip service. There are a lot of people who speak of God, speak of their faith, speak of their church, but do nothing when they see people suffering around them. They offer no help, no comfort and no mercy.

But God wants us to put our words into deeds. He wants our faith to lead to action. Not just by helping financially, but by offering ourselves as instruments of God’s grace.

It is easy to give money, or food or clothing and never ever interact personally with the people who you seek to help. And God blesses this, but when you actually give time to meet and serve the needy your eyes are opened. You see what your faith in action can really do. You get to experience God’s joy as you see what how your actions change lives.

But some miss out entirely. They don’t give, they don’t share, they do not even care. And although they might look like good people on the outside on the inside they are empty. And they do not understand that faith in action not only transforms the lives of those on the receiving end, it mightily transforms those who help and give as well.

So today as we come before the Lord and honor His sacrifice, thank him for our salvation and join Him in communion, let’s dwell upon our heart. James tells us “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.” Simply put, that is helping others who are in need anyway you can. By giving not just finances; But by being there for a friend with a broken heart, to lend an ear to someone who needs to vent, by making the lonely feel accepted and loved.

Even just by giving someone a simple hug.

How is your religion today?