Sermon Text for Sunday, October 14, 2012

The sermon text for this Sunday, October 14, 2012 will be James 3:1-12. James gave more attention to the dangers of the tongue than any other New Testament writer. Here in this passage is a vivid description of the problems and the power of the tongue. James warns us, "Don't let your tongue be your undoing!"

While the tongue can certainly be used for evil purposes, the tongue controlled by the Spirit of God is life-giving. Join us this Sunday as we discover how to unleash the power of the tongue for godly purposes.

For His Glory!
Pastor Joe

James 3:1-12, Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
1 Not many should become teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive a stricter judgment,

2 for we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a mature man who is also able to control his whole body.

3 Now when we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we also guide the whole animal.

4 And consider ships: Though very large and driven by fierce winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs.

5 So too, though the tongue is a small part of the body, it boasts great things. Consider how large a forest a small fire ignites.

6 And the tongue is a fire. The tongue, a world of unrighteousness, is placed among the parts of our bodies. It pollutes the whole body, sets the course of life on fire, and is set on fire by hell.

7 Every sea creature, reptile, bird, or animal is tamed and has been tamed by man,

8 but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

9 We praise our Lord and Father with it, and we curse men who are made in God’s likeness with it.

10 Praising and cursing come out of the same mouth. My brothers, these things should not be this way.

11 Does a spring pour out sweet and bitter water from the same opening?

12 Can a fig tree produce olives, my brothers, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a saltwater spring yield fresh water.