September 14, 2024

Dear Road Church Friends,

This week’s lesson comes from the brief, but very wise and practical Book of James. This little book is a treasure trove of spiritual wisdom. Sadly, it is often overlooked because it is short and buried in the back of the New Testament. It is believed to have been written by James, the brother of Jesus, who was the spiritual leader of the Jerusalem Church. He was very devout and greatly respected by Jews and Christians.

James begins his exhortation by warning all of us, but especially pastors and teachers, that we must watch our words very carefully because we who teach others will be judged more strictly. He says that the path to perfection is controlling our tongue. But he says our tongue is a wild thing that can never be permanently tamed. He reminds us that we put our wellbeing at risk with every word we speak. So, his advice is to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Join us tomorrow for more tips on how to tame our tongue.

SCRIPTURE: James 3:1-10     SERMON: Taming Our Tongu 

Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly. Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way. We can make a horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go. In the same way, your tongue is a small thing that makes big boasts. A tiny spark can start a great forest fire. Our tongue too can ignite the fires. It can set our whole life on fire, and make our life a living hell. We can tame all kinds of animals, but no one can tame the tongue. It’s as unpredictable and deadly as a poisonous snake. One minute it will praise God, the next it will curse others who have been made in the image of God. It’s not right that blessings and curses come pouring out of the same mouth!

ANGRY WORDS

by H. R. Palmer

Angry words, oh, let them never from the tongue unbridled slip;
May the heart’s best impulse ever check them ere they soil the lip.

Love is much too pure and holy, friendship is too sacred far,
For a moment’s reckless folly thus to desolate and mar.

Angry words are lightly spoken. Bitt’rest thoughts are rashly stirred.
Brightest links of life are broken by a single angry word.

Blessings to you all,

Pastor Norm

This service on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/live/k61FUIO5Fk4?si=DEQzW63f93Cl4wYZ