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Weekly sermons from our Pastor, Barry Wilkinson.
Episodes
Wednesday Aug 08, 2018
Wednesday Aug 08, 2018
Series: Freedom In Jesus
Sermon Title: Jesus Frees Our Thoughts
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
Date: August 5, 2018
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)
One of your greatest assets is a Spirit-filled mind.
One of your greatest antagonists is your own mind.
Satan wages war within the area of your mind.
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)
We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:5, NLT)
Why have a healthy thought life (Rick Warren):
- Because my thoughts control my life
- Because my mind is the battleground for sin
- Whatever gets your attention gets you.
- Because it's the key to peace and happiness
The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. (Romans 8:6, NIV)
3 choices for a healthy mind, a freed mind:
- Feed my mind with truth
- Jesus said you will know the truth and the truth will make you free.
- We cannot afford to think thoughts contrary to the thoughts God has for us.
- I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in your word. My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises. (Psalm 119:147-148, NIV)
- We don't simply repent of an action; we change the way we think about something. We embrace truth instead of a lie.
- The best food for your mind is truth.
- "Change the thoughts, and you change the person. If today's thoughts are tomorrow's actions, what happens when we fill our minds with thoughts of God's love?" -Max Lucado
- Free my mind from destructive thoughts
- Three places destructive thoughts come from:
- Flesh
- ...but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. (Romans 7:23, NIV)
- If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. (1 John 1:8)
- Satan
- "Don't believe everything you think." -Rick Warren
- For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:3-5, NIV)
- How does Jesus see this?
- A stronghold is a lie that I believe.
- World
- Do not love the world or anything inthe world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world - the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life - comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. (1 John 2:15-17)
- What would you attempt for God if you know you could not fail?
- Flesh
- Three places destructive thoughts come from:
- Focus my mind on the right things
- "Whatever gets your mind gets you." -Rick Wareen
- Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, bretheren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things. (Philippians 4:6-8)
- 2 ways to focus your mind:
- Conversational prayer
- Concentrated focusing
- 3 things that will make the most difference in your mental state:
- Think about Jesus
- Always remember that Jesus Christ, a descendant of King David, was raised from the dead. This is the Good News I preach. (2 Timothy 2:8, NLT)
- Think about others
- Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. (Philippians 2:4)
- Think about eternity
- Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. (Colossians 3:2)
- Think about Jesus
Sunday Aug 05, 2018
Sunday Aug 05, 2018
Sermon Title: Whose Agenda Are You Living For?
Scripture: John 10:9-11
Date: August 5, 2018
I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. (John 10:9-11)
I want to urge you to take your life and 100%, as best as you know how, connect with the agenda of Almighty God, who made this world.
I didn't say I want you to plug God into your agenda.
"God's plans are too good to miss." -Charles Stanley
Here are 5 truths to consider as you decide whose agenda you are living for:
- God's agenda is grace; Satan's agenda is theft
- The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy (John 10:10a)
- Here are a few things Satan likes to steal:
- joy
- family
- witness
- adventures with Jesus
- name or integrity
- If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! (Matthew 7:11)
- What kind of gifts does God give?
- eternal life
- purpose for your life
- family
- Himself
- God's agenda is unity; Satan's agenda is division
- The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy (John 10:10a)
- "Everything in life happens for a reason! Now sometimes the reason is you're stupid and made bad decisions! -Leigh Anne Tuohy
- I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. (John 17:20-21)
- God is about community and Satan is about isolation.
- God's agenda is truth; Satan's agenda is lies
- You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me. (John 8:44-45)
- You deserve to be happy.
- Following Jesus is not any fun.
- Nobody is going to know.
- Everybody is doing it.
- You are going to miss out.
- WEEKLY CHALLENGE: Discuss with someone what lie of the dvil you tend to fall for and what is a good defense against that lie.
- God's agenda is faith; Satan's agenda is fear
- Fear of rejection
- Fear of change
- Fear of failure
- Fear of not being enough
- For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)
- But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6)
- God's agenda is life; Satan's agenda is death
- The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. (John 10:10)
- Will you trust God and His agenda for your life or will you be deceived by the liar or will you decide that you know best?
Wednesday Aug 01, 2018
Wednesday Aug 01, 2018
Sermon Title: Are You Going Where You Really Want To Go?
Scripture: Jeremiah 17:9
Date: July 29, 2018
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it? (Jeremiah 17:9)
I have participated in every bad decision that I have ever made.
You and I have done more to undermine our own success and progress than any political leader ever.
You can like your parents without wanting to be like your parents.
You can't make people do anything. People can't make you do anything.
There is only one person who can make you do anything and that is you.
Let's look at 3 decisions to help us go where we really want to go:
- I will not lie to myself even when the truth makes me feel bad about myself
- It is ok to feel bad about yourself if that motivates you to change what is bad about yourself.
- The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it? (Jeremiah 17:9)
- What's wrong is your heart.
- Why am I doing this?
- Why did I do that?
- Why am I doing this really?
- Tell yourself the unfiltered truth.
- I will prioritize what I value most over what I want now
- Where are you leading yourself?
- Too many people don't discover what they value most until it is too late.
- The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it? (Jeremiah 17:9)
- If I am a follower of Jesus then I have to value most what God values most.
- What Jesus values most is glorifying God by loving the people He created in His image.
- A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:34-35)
- I will treat you like my Father in heaven treats me.
- For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love. (Galatians 5:6)
- Would you be happy with your life if, at the end of your life, you had lived your life with faith and love at the center of your life?
- You learn at every funeral that the value of a life is measured by how much of it was given away.
- I will not attempt to lead myself by myself
- Your friends determine the direction and quality of your life.
- We can help each other but we can't help each other if we are not around each other.
- WEEKLY CHALLENGE: What do you value most and what will you do to make sure you end up where youw ant to be?
- We face our greatest challenge every morning in the mirror.
Sunday Jul 29, 2018
Sunday Jul 29, 2018
Series: Freedom in Jesus
Sermon Title: Jesus Rescues
Scripture: John 8:31-36
Date: July 22, 2018
Then Jesus said to thsoe Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." They answered Him, "We are Abraham's descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, 'You will be made free'?" Jesus answered them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore, if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed." (John 8:31-36)
JESUS RESCUES
Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:31-32)
I want to talk tonight about being set free in a general way, and then we'll tackle some more specific places.
- Remember
- The Holy Spirit sets us free.
- Here are two key things to remember to be set free:
- Truth
- And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:32)
- Do we really want to be free from all sin to serve Jesus or just free from the sins that trouble us like guilt and shame?
- Truth is found in 2 places:
- Scripture
- Jesus
- Tools
- Here are several tools the Holy Spirit uses to set us free:
- Scripture study, memory and obedience
- If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)
- There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. (Romans 8:1)
- Prayer
- Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. (James 5:16)
- Confession
- Fasting
- However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting. (Matthew 17:21)
- Friendships
- Scripture study, memory and obedience
- Here are several tools the Holy Spirit uses to set us free:
- Truth
- Repent
- Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. (Hebrews 12:1a)
- They answered Him, "We are Abraham's descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, 'You will be made free'?" Jesus answered them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin." (John 8:33-34)
- Renounce
- Rely
- It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. (Galatians 5:1, NIV)
- "Be free - because you already are free. Your enemy is dead - so silence the lies in your head. No enemy can imprison you - because your Savior empowers you. Nothing can hold you in bondage - because you are held by him. Not one thing can hold you back - because his arms are holding you." -Ann Voskamp
- You are free now if you are saved - Penalty of sin
- You are also being set free if you are saved - Power of sin
Sunday Jul 29, 2018
Sunday Jul 29, 2018
Series: Me and My Big Mouth
Sermon Title: Blessing Words
Scripture: Proverbs 16:24
Date: July 22, 2018
Last week's WEEKLY CHALLENGE: Meditate on these two questions: Where do I have work to do? and Who hopes you get to work soon?
Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down. (Proverbs 26:20, NIV)
The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. (Proverbs 18:21, NIV)
Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. (Proverbs 16:24, NIV)
Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; when he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive. (Proverbs 17:28, NIV)
"Spirit-filled living causes us to see and love others as Jesus did." -Peter Lord
Let's notice two things about how our words can have a pwerfully positive impact on others:
- Instructions
- These commands that we'll look at from Scripture are not just about words, but words backed up with a credible lifestyle, and are a significant way these commands can be obeyed.
- This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. (John 15:12)
- Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. (Romans 12:10, NIV)
- Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. (Romans 15:7, NIV)
- And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32)
- "My challenge: to go out of my way to show kindness, because a chain reaction can start an explosion of God's love." -Daisy Cordle
- Not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:25)
- Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. (James 5:16)
- If you roll out the red carpet for a billionaire, he will not notice it. For a millionaire, he expects it; for a thousandaire, he will thank you for it. But if you do this for a hunredaire, he will tell everyone about it.
- Implementation
- We can obey these instructions with words of:
- appreciation
- acceptance
- "It is traumatic and soul shattering when you feel not wanted or not accepted." -Peter Lord
- approval
- And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." (Matthew 3:17)
- attention
- "One of the greatest gifts you can give anyone is the gift of attention." -Jim Rohn
- apology
- affirmation
- "The voice that calls us the beloved will give us words to bless others, and reveal to them that they, too, are no less blessed." -Henri Nouwen
- We can obey these instructions with words of:
WEEKLY CHALLENGE: Meditate on these two questions: Where do I have work to do? Who hopes I get to work soon?
Wednesday Jul 25, 2018
Wednesday Jul 25, 2018
Series: True Grit
Sermon Title: Gritty For God's Glory
Scripture: Matthew 15:21-28
Date: June 24, 2018
Last week's WEEKLY CHALLENGE: Ask "Why not?" a lot this week; especially to things that you suspect God may want you to do.
Then Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed." But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, "Send her away, for she cries out after us." But He answered and said, "I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." Then she came and worshipped Him, saying, "Lord, help me!" But He answered and said, "It is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the little dogs." And she said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters' table." Then Jesus answered and said to her, "O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire." And her daughter was healed from that very hour. (Matthew 15:21-28)
GRITTY FOR GOD'S GLORY
Our grit or strength is a byproduct of our relationship with Jesus.
It may be that you need courage to have grit for someone else.
God is not honored when we get our feelings hurt way too easily.
WEEKLY CHALLENGE: Ask God where He wants you to be gritty for His glory.
Let's see an encouragement and some places for Christians to show grit:
- Promises
- But now I come to You and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves. (John 17:13)
- I want to fill you with joy.
- And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them. The love of God will be planted deep in you, and I'll always be with you. (John 17:26)
- Jesus made the Father known to us and has placed His love within us - a love that is not to be kept to ourselves.
- The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destory. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundatly. (John 10:10)
- My purpose in your life is to give you a rich and satisfying life.
- Places
- Family
- Will you give your family the best chance possible to have the best relationship possible with Jesus?
- Love
- Family
Monday Jul 23, 2018
Monday Jul 23, 2018
Series: Me and My Big Mouth
Sermon Title: Sanctifying Our Speech
Scripture: Ephesians 4:17-32
Date: July 15, 2018
Last week's WEEKLY CHALLENGE: Pray this prayer at the beginning of each day: "Heavenly father, I give you my tongue today, to glorify You this day. Remind me to be quick to listen and slow to speak."
Quick to listen and slow to speak.
This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, begin alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart;... (Ephesians 4:17-18)
- Their gods were all about themselves.
...who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. (Ephesians 4:19)
- NIV: Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.
That, however, is not the way of life you learned when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. (Ephesians 4:20-21)
- "Jesus, Paul, and the early church were advocating for what most of us assume." -Andy Stanley
- All men, women, and children are made in the image of God and have equal value.
You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;... (Ephesians 4:22)
...to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. (Ephesians 4:23-24)
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths,... (Ephesians 4:29a)
- Avoid fish mouth.
- Avoid sandal mouth.
...but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. (Ephesians 4:29b)
- The point is to be helpful.
- Are people better off for having talked to us?
- Are people better off for having read our social media?
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4:30)
- Don't say something to someone God loves that makes God go "Oh no! Why would you say that?"
- "My mom said that there has to be a line somewhere where there is something that God does not like." -Sherri Lynn
Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. (Ephesians 4:31, NLT)
- "Bitterness not only affects what we say but how we say it." -Andy Stanley
- You can't be a builder if you are bitter.
- Forgiveness is giving someone from the past what they don't deserve so you can give to those around you what they do deserve or need.
- Get rid of all words that:
- demean
- communicates that you don't really matter.
- degrade
- means you don't measure up.
- disrespect
- communicates you are not worthy of my respect.
- demean
- Don't forget that this is about me and my big mouth!
And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32)
- WEEKLY CHALLENGE: Meditate on these two questions:
- Where do I have work to do?
- Who hopes I get to work soon?
- This will make your life better and make you better at life.
Monday Jul 23, 2018
Monday Jul 23, 2018
Series: Freedom in Jesus
Sermon Title: Jesus: The Door to Freedom
Scripture: John 10:9
Date: July 8, 2018
I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. (John 10:9)
JESUS: THE DOOR TO FREEDOM
The good news tonight is that Jesus is the door out of our mental and spiritual prisons. He is the one who sets us free.
Some doors are opportunities and some are traps.
How does God get you out of prison? How does God set upa a jail break?
- Shakes things up
- Suddenly, there was a great earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the prison doors flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off and they were set free! (Acts 16:26, NLT)
- Plugs you into the power of the resurrection
- I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God's power for us who believe him. this is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God's right hand in the heavenly realms. (Ephesians 1:19-20, NLT)
- "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has annointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind." (Luke 4:18)
- "If you live as I tell you to, you are truly my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.... And if the Son sets you free, you will be truly free!" (John 8:31-32, 36)
- Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom! (2 Corinthians 3:17, NIV)
- "The more of God you have in your life the more free you will be." -Rick Warren
Here are three prisons God wants to set you free from - we've all been in all three.
- The prison of pretending
- What causes you to fall into the trap of pretending? 2 things: people pleasing and perfectionism
- Two causes of falling into the trap of pretending:
- People pleasing
- The fear of human opinion disables; but trusting in God protects you from that. (Proverbs 29:25, MSG)
- Even God can't please everybody.
- You don't have to have other people's approval to be happy.
- Perfectionism
- Feeling you have to be perfect in order to be loved.
- You are always making yourselves look good, but God sees what is in your heart. The things that most people think are important are worthless as far as God is concerned. (Luke 16:15, CEV)
- "How do I walk through the door of freedom from pretending? Switch your focus to what God thinks." -Rick Warren
- I will live in freedom, because I only pay attention to what you say (Lord). (Psalm 119:45)
- People pleasing
- The prison of unforgiveness
- We all need forgiveness. We need to ask for it, give it, and accept it.
- We all hurt people and get hurt. Unforgiveness will become a prison if you don't receive, accept, and give forgiveness.
- 3 reasons to let it go:
- because God has forgiven me
- There is now no condemnation awaiting those who belong to Christ Jesus. For the power of God's life-giving Spirit - and this power is mine through Christ Jesus - has freed me from the vicious circle of sin and death. (Romans 8:1-2, LB)
- because resentment makes me miserable
- because I'm going to need more forgiveness in the future
- If you refuse to forgive others, your Father in heaven will not forgive your sins. (Matthew 6:15, NLT)
- because God has forgiven me
- The prison of fear
- That evening, the disciples met behind locked doors out of fear of the religious leaders. Suddenly, Jesus stood among them! "Peace be with you," he said. (John 20:19, NLT)
- Helps for being delivered fromt he prison of fear:
- Remember how much God loves me
- God is love. whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him...There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear. (John 4:16, 18)
- The more you invite God's love into your life, believe it, accept it, and receive it, the less fear you will have.
- Remember God has a good plan for your life
- God's plans are too good to miss. -Charles Stanley
- And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, and have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28, NIV)
- God used the greatest bad thing to be the greatest good thing.
- It makes no difference who you are or where you're from - if you want God and are ready to do as he says, the DOOR IS OPEN! (Acts 10:35, MSG)
- Remember how much God loves me
God, I bring these things that have imprisoned me, and I give them to you. You are the door of freedom, and I come to you through Jesus. I am walking through the door to freedom; as best as I can, I give my life to you, Lord Jesus, and I want to live with, for, and through You. I want to walk through the doors of opportunity You have for me. Take my life.
Sunday Jul 22, 2018
Sunday Jul 22, 2018
Series: Me and My Big Mouth
Sermon Title: The Untamable Tongue
Scripture: James 3:2-12
Date: July 8, 2018
Last week's WEEKLY CHALLENGE: Say this a lot to yourself: "Quick to listen, slow to speak."
For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. Indeed, we put bits in horses' mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh. (James 3:2-12)
THE UNTAMABLE TONGUE
Quick to listen; slow to speak.
Our lives are shaped by the words spoken to us and about us.
All words are not equally weighted.
The source of words is not equally weighted.
Words hurt immediately but it takes a while to recover from them.
"Our words are the most powerful thing we have." -Andy Stanley
For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. Indeed, we put bits in horses' mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. (James 3:2-3)
Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. (James 3:4)
Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! (James 3:5)
Jan 1, 2018 - Jun 6, 2018: 24,760 wildfires
Jan 1, 2017 - Jun 6, 2017: 25,699 wildfires
About 1.8 million acres were burned in the 2018 period, compared with 2.3 million in 2017.
2017: 71,499 wildfires according to the National Interagency Fire Center.
About 10 million acres were burned in the 2017 period.
Your tongue didn't just get your mouth in trouble but your whole body.
As your words go, so goes your life.
If you start a fire accidentally, you are still responsible for the first one you started.
And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body,and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. (James 3:6)
For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. But no man can tame the tongue. (James 3:7-8a)
We cannot tame the tongeue.
It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. (James 3:8b)
"You'll regret opening your mouth. You'll rarely regret keeping it shut." -Max Lucado
With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh. (James 3:9-12)
3 helps for us to guard our tongues:
- Remember
- Surrender
- WEEKLY CHALLENGE: Pray this prayer at the beginning of each day: "Heavenly Father, I give you my tongue today, to glorify you this day. Remind me to be quick to listen and slow to speak."
- Confess
Dads: our words are the hottest and heaviest.
Children: our words to our parents are the heaviest and hottest they hear.
Ladies: men's egos are so fragile. Purpose to build the men up and not tear them down with your words.
Men: honor women with your words.
Sunday Jul 22, 2018
Sunday Jul 22, 2018
Series: Me and My Big Mouth
Sermon Title: Quick to Listen, Slow to Speak
Scripture: James 1:19-21
Date: July 1, 2018
QUICK TO LISTEN, SLOW TO SPEAK
WEEKLY CHALLENGE: Say this a lot to yourself this week: "Quick to listen, slow to speak."
So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak... (James 1:19a)
- How many of you know that some of your worst relationship moments are when you are quick to speak and slow to listen?
- "You can 'right' them right out of the relationship." -Andy Stanley
...slow to wrath,... (James 1:19b)
- This is easier if you will be slow to speak and quick to listen
- Anger, here in verse 19, could be said to be hasty, misinformed, relationally destructive conclusions.
- Everything everyone does, says and believes makes perfect sense to them.
- Habit 5: seek first to understand, then to be understood. (From Stephen Covey's "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People")
...for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. (James 1:20)
- NIV: because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires
There are 3 agendas in conflict:
- Your agenda
- Their agenda
- God's agenda
"You want to be right at each other and God wants you to be right with each other." -Andy Stanley
As I have loved you, love each other. (John 13:24)
Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and reeive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. (James 1:21)
- Lay aside: take off the coat; take off the "I'm right" jacket
Humility says we are more important than me.
"People who were nothing like Jesus liked Jesus." -Andy Stanley