October 2007 Sermons

October 28th, 2007

James 3:1-12 "Watch your mouth"

Intro…"Watch your mouth" how often do we say that to our kids?

We are teaching our kids to be very careful with what comes out of their mouths.

It's called " taming the tongue"

This is a constant battle in our house. We make our kids apologize and ask for forgiveness.

Text: James 3:1-12

James 3:1-2 Reminds us of the great responsibility of those who teach.

I think we all recognize the damage we can do with the words we say.

We also recognize the great potential for uplifting and kind things to come out of our mouths.

So, James starts out chapter 3 reminding us that (especially) those of us who have the role of a teacher are held to an even tighter standard.

It's why we don't just want "warm bodies" teaching SS here…

It's because teachers have great influence. As a result they will be held more accountable. (Luke 20:46-47).

Evidently many who were not qualified by natural ability or spiritual gift were coveting the prestige of teaching.

You may not be a school teacher, but you could be a SS teacher or youth worker, or parent or uncle or aunt or grandparent etc.

Be very careful with what you teach your kids, with words and actions.

Make sure you are teaching them the words of God.

v. 2 Certainly we all stumble, (literally: sin) no one is perfect, yet we have to be careful what comes out of our mouth.

We may not be perfect in all our actions, but the more we can control our tongue, what comes out of our mouths, the more "perfect" we can be.

By controlling out tongue, we gain control of ourselves.

Verses 1-2 put the fear of God into me. I am often overwhelmed with the task of speaking God's word, both on Sunday mornings, Wed. nights and in personal conversations.

Please believe me that I am only doing my best to speak the words of God.

That gets tricky and personal when it comes to issues like sex outside of marriage, living together, homosexuality, marriage, drinking, certain movies etc. " These aren't my words…but God's"

James 3:3-8 A runaway train

Here we see the easy analogy between the small tongue and the horses bit, the ships rudder and a spark that can start a whole forest fire.

V. 5 Reminds us of the trouble our tongue can get us into. Even though it is small, it has the same great responsibility to guide something much bigger than itself.

The tongue is able to sway multitudes. It can alter the destinies of nations. Think about powerful leaders and what they say.

The Police, "Poets, Priests and Politicians, have words to thank for their positions. What song is that from? De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da

Obviously the actual tongue in your mouth is powerless on it's own.

What influences our tongue and causes it to sin? Our minds or thought life. What we fill our minds with will come out in our actions and words.

It's kinda like blaming the rain on SD traffic accidents. Or blaming your heart for falling in love…

Again, it all starts in your mind. Our minds need to be daily (if not by the minute) renewed.

Romans 12:1-2

V. 6 is a no-brainer for us here in SD with the wildfires. It was those embers that flew miles and started more fires.

James describes the tongue as a "world of evil, corrupting the whole person, setting the whole course of our lives on fire."

V. 8 "no one can tame the tongue, it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison."

Why such dramatic language here? Because we all know how much trouble we can get ourselves into by saying the wrong things.

Think about the cruelty of children on the playground.

The evil that gossip can spread, especially when it's a half truth.

Often it's so tempting to say hurtful things because it's easy. Sins of the tongue are the hardest to avoid.

"The inflammatory tongue has turned brother against brother, neighbor against neighbor, nation against nation. The tongue is also "a world of evil." It is as though all the wickedness in the whole world were wrapped up in that little piece of flesh. There are few sins people commit in which the tongue is not involved."

No man by himself can subdue the tongue. Only the tongue of the regenerate person can be controlled by the indwelling Holy Spirit.

GOSPEL

The tremendous destructive power of the tongue come from hell. V.6b

Not everyone can beat someone up, or sue them for all they've got, but anyone can say something nasty about someone else, start a false rumor.

The tongue can either control or destroy.

James 3:9-12 Marring God's image

It just doesn't make any sense when foul things come out of the mouth of a Christian.

(Just like the previous chapters here in James that remind us that it really doesn't make any sense for a Christian to ignore the needs of those less fortunate. )

The divine image has been marred by sin, but not totally obliterated.

The reason we shouldn't allow a cursing to come out of our mouth is because we were made in the image of God…and those we curse are made in the image of God.

What does it mean to be made in God's image? Our intellect, emotion, and will show that we bear God's likeness.

A foul mouth tarnishes or mars that image of God.

Ours mouths should be used consistently to praise God and to express love and kindness to others.

Who have you encouraged today? Who have you said something nice to?

v. 11-12 James concludes his discussion of the tongue by going behind the physical organ to the real source of speech.

"Can a fig tree bear olives?" A plant produces according to its nature, whether figs, grapes, or any other fruit.

So with "a salt spring." It cannot "produce fresh water" because it is not a fresh water spring.

Out of the mouth of a good person come good words, and out of the mouth of a sinful person come sinful words.

Like I said earlier, it all starts in the head. What we fill our minds with will come out in our words and actions.

Conclusion: "Watch your mouth"

If you teach…extra responsibility

Tame that tongue, don't confuse others with a mixed verbal message.

Governor Schwarzenegger and Bush saying kind words to those hurting in SD…

October 21st, 2007

Intro…Reader article, "What would you like on your tombstone?"

As we trudge through life, what will you be known for?

When we hit milestone events like an anniversary service, we can't help but take a look at what we are doing, where we are going.

I meet with the elders about every other week and we discuss and pray asking God's guidance and direction for the future of Coastlands.

One exciting thing coming up is that chance to move into a new school…

We're shooting for January and want to do it right….

Grand re-opening, block party for the community, flyers in the mail etc.

I hope our church grows numerically in 2008, but more importantly, I want our church to grow in spiritual depth.

We are having a men's retreat Nov. 17th…and I hope all you men can make it.

At that retreat we're going to talk about our important role as leaders in the home and the church.

Deut. 6:1-3, 6-7

Ephesians 6:4

Our greatest impact as a church will come through relationships.

Starting now, I'd love to see us more involved in each other's lives.

Home fellowships are one way to start.

Having people over, doing things together.

When we are involved in each other's lives, discipleship and spiritual growth happens in the most natural way.

I would love to get to our next anniversary service and be able to say that the men in our church are being the spiritual leaders God has called them to be.

I believe that if that was one of our main goals, a lot of other issues in the church would naturally fall into place.

Titus 2:1-8

1 Timothy 3:1-5

Why Go To Church?
Someone could say, "I've gone to church for 30 years now, and in that time I have heard something like 3,000 sermons. But for the life of me, I can't remember a single one of them. So, I think I'm wasting my time and the pastors are wasting theirs by giving sermons at all."

(There is some validity to that statement…if all you are doing is listening to sermons. Our theology needs to lived out in the context of relationships.)

A parallel: (This would be like me saying):
"I've been married for 20 years now. In that time Kelley has cooked over 22,000 meals. But, for the life of me, I cannot recall the entire menu for a single one of those meals.

But I do know this.. They all nourished me and gave me the strength I needed to live life.

If my Kelley had not given me these meals, I would be physically dead today.

Certainly one of the reasons we go to church is for the nourishment. The nourishment of the God's Word, worship, fellowship, relationships, accountability, prayer , fun etc.

Without church and relationships with Christians we would be spiritually dead!"

Conclusion:

Reader questions (3) on tombstone…

October 14th, 2007

James 2:14-26 "That tricky faith-grace-works balance"

Intro…

According to an NBC survey, 86% of American's want to keep "In God we trust" on the dollar…

I think a lot of people would like to hook up with the church crowd. It looks good to go to church on Sundays, the neighbors can see you…

It is so much more than that though. We actually need to act like Christians and follow Jesus in every aspect of our lives!

It's not good enough to just talk about your Christianity, or even to just go to church. As Christians, there needs to be an over and above aspect to our lives that shows our faith put into action.

Text: James 2:14-26

Vs. 14 You say all this, ____________but if you're not doing this, ___________.

I'm a Christian, but I party hard at the bars in PB.

I'm a Christian, but I ignore the needs of those less fortunate than me.

I study the Bible all the time, but I am not loving to my family and neighbors.

I am a Christian but I have a hateful attitude towards the gays or others not like me.

James is not saying that we are saved by works, but that a faith that does not naturally produce good works/deeds/actions is dead.

If it's all head knowledge, book knowledge, doctrine without feet to run on, then we're just packing it in without giving it away.

It would be like spending the rest of your life in school/college, learning more and more and more but never getting to actually apply it to real life!

James is not refuting the important Pauline doctrine of justification/salvation by faith alone.

He is going after a perversion of this important doctrine.

Both Paul and James define faith as a living, productive trust in Christ.

Real life, genuine faith cannot be divorced from morality or works.

James leaves no place for a religion that is a mere mental acceptance of truth.

The next two verses give us an illustration of faith without works.

Vs. 15-16 The practicality of it, living out our Christianity, taking care of others.

Ever notice how most often the example the Bible gives us is of the "homeless?" The basic physical needs are easy to meet…

Other examples of missed opportunities as Christians?

I talked recently with a group of pastors about the gay marriage/Jerry Sanders issue as well as the cross on Mt. Soledad…(I'll be attending a pastors meeting on Tuesday also to address this issue).

What do we want to be remembered for…angry protesters or peaceful Christians trusting God's bigger picture and that he's still in control?

Vs. 17-19 Faith and deeds are interconnected.

Vs. 17 You gotta love James' straight ahead approach. (Just like last week, in 2:1).

Faith without works is not the right kind of faith. It is not a living faith, nor can it save.

Vs. 18 "And I will show you my faith by what I do." Powerful! That is my thesis for today…

"Faith is an attitude of the inner man, and it can only be seen as it influences the actions of the one who possesses it. Mere profession of faith proves nothing as to its reality; only action can demonstrate faith's genuineness. Hence James declares, "I will show you my faith by what I do."

It's because we know that actions speak so much louder than words!

So, do we pound theology/doctrine down someone's throat, or help them unload the groceries, mow their lawn for them, watch their kids, help them paint a fence, give them a ride to the beach…

True faith proves itself in the deeds it produces. Our deeds complete our faith.

v. 19 It's not just enough to believe in God. Certainly that is the first step, but tons of people believe in God (even the demons) but never live like it.

James is referring here to the Shema, found in Deut. 6:4.

His Jewish readers could identify with this.

So, you believe in God, that's great. However, unless that belief in God produces good deeds and an attractive lifestyle, your belief in God is no better than the "monotheism" of other religions…or the demons for that matter.

GOSPEL

Vs. 20-25 Two examples from the OT.

Abraham Gen. 22

Vs. 21 "considered righteous" In Paul's writings, justification means to declare a sinner righteous in the sight of God.

Here in James is means, "to vindicate or show to be righteous".

Abraham's justification in Paul's sense is shown in Gen. 15:6.

Abraham's justification in James' sense is shown 30 years later in his act of obedience in offering Isaac to God.

By this act he proved the reality of his Gen. 15 faith.

V. 24 Reiterates this faith + works concept.

It is the response to the question in vs. 14. Faith and works are like a two-coupon ticket to heaven. The coupon of works on its own is not good for passage, and the coupon of faith is not valid if detached from works.

James was combating a superficial faith that had no wholesome effect in the life of the professed believer.

Paul, on the other hand, was combating legalism--the belief that one may earn saving merit before God by his good deeds. Consequently Paul insisted that salvation is not by works but by faith alone.

Eph. 2:8-9…v. 10 complementing James.

v. 25 Rahab the prostitute. Joshua 2:1-21 (A great contrast to Abraham)

Although her faith was like that of Abraham, she was unlike the patriarch in almost every other way. She had been a pagan; she was a woman; and she was a prostitute.

Far from being dead or worthless, her faith moved her to risk her life to protect the spies.

As a result, even the prostitute was declared righteous.

It's not that James is giving approval to Rahab's former life; it is her living faith, seen against the background of her previous immorality, he commends.

FEEDBACK?

Conclusion: vs. 26

"As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead."

Vision San Diego, Faith in Action…

October 7th, 2007

"Watch the favoritism" James 2: 1-13

Intro…Quote from Chuck Smith's book, Harvest about when the hippies started coming to church barefoot.

It's easy to love the people that are easy to love, or those who have lots of money, or are famous…yet God calls us to love everybody.

Text: James 2:1-13

In James chapter 1, we are challenged to put our faith (or spiritual truths) into action.

Now James starts to give us some practical examples of how we can do it. The first example has to do with showing favoritism.

Right off the bat, James sets us straight in vs. 1

Don't show partiality/favoritism, especially when it comes to people of position or wealth within the church.

What James is really saying here is "Stop showing favoritism". They were already doing it…and so are we.

I don't look at the church tithing records for a few reasons…

I know of churches that have split when the power players don't get what they want.

Verses 1-4 describe an all-too often scenario we see today. It happens in fancy restaurants, theatres….at Denny's…

Vs. 2 is describing what we call "bling" today.

Even back then it was common for people to wear several rings as a sign of wealth or position in the congregation. (Luke 15:22, prodigal son, "Put a ring on his finger…")

What James is reminding us of is that in church life, we need to let anyone come through our doors and sit wherever they'd like to.

V. 3b-4 describe the consequences of favoritism in the church…we end up being "judges with evil thoughts".

In this text today, showing favoritism is judging with evil thoughts.

In reality, showing favoritism goes against everything Christianity and the church should stand for.

Showing partiality is inconsistent with faith "in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ." (v. 1)

As Christians we should be known for our love, not our partiality.

Verses 5-11 show us two arguments against the practice of favoritism.

One is from a social aspect and the other is from a moral aspect.

The social aspect….v. 5-7

The early church was not drawn from the wealthy or ruling classes. It was largely made up of poorer people, those who are "poor in the eyes of the world."

By saying that the believers' poverty is poverty "in the eyes of the world," James is suggesting that they are not really poor.

They are "rich in faith" and heirs of the kingdom, God's future kingdom.

Now there is a life goal, to be "rich in faith."

Mt. Soledad situation…Whether you own a million plus home or not, we all need to remember what we should be rich in. Let's pray for those families.

James shows us that the social snobbery of the world is short-sighted and superficial.

It's the whole "red carpet" fascination….

Whether it's a fascination with celebrity culture, who wears what to church (which thankfully has never really been an issue at Coastlands), it is a shallow evaluation of a persons worth.

A lowly, humble state is most favorable for inward peace and for growth in holiness. Why is that the case?

Being rich (and not just monetarily) can be a distraction from what is really important.

Have you seen the "Priceless" adds for Mastercard? There is some truth to those ads. There are plenty of things that money can't buy.

Jesus reminds us that those who have riches find it exceedingly difficult to enter God's kingdom (Mark 10:23-25) apparently because their wealth stands in the way.

God blesses those who willingly recognize their spiritual bankruptcy (Matt 5:3).

Another reason why God chooses the poor is explicitly stated in 1Cor 1:26-29.

God selects those who have nothing or are nothing in themselves "so that no one may boast before him" (v. 29).

God often chooses the poor, yet the "rich" insult them! V. 6

By insulting those who are poor and showing favoritism to the rich, we end up exploited by the rich.

By getting caught up in the affairs of the rich (v. 6b-7) we end up distracted from what is really important in God's eyes.

A rich, haughty attitude slanders the name of God. V. 7

Now James moves to his moral argument against favoritism. V. 8

What is this "royal law?" It is the supreme law to which all other laws governing human relationships are subordinate. It is the summation of all such laws.

If we want to be "rich", we need to keep this royal law, "Love the Lord your God and love your neighbor." Matthew 5:43 and 22:34-40

"The right course of action is to show favor to everyone, whether he is rich or poor. Love overlooks such superficial distinctions as wealth and quality of clothing. It shows kindness to a person in spite of any distasteful qualities he may have."

This really comes down to being rich in God's eyes or the world eyes. Who will be your standard for riches?

Showing favoritism is a sin…vs. 9

V. 10-11 reminds us that any sin, small or great God is displeased with and brings us under condemnation.

Our conduct and speech should be as one who is going to be judged…by God! V. 12

The law/standards that God has for us actually give us freedom.

When we show partiality (especially without mercy) it will come right back to bit us.

As professing Christians, when we show favoritism or cruel discrimination, it just doesn't make any sense.

"Wait, you say you are a Christian…"

Everyone of us is the recipient of God's mercy, so mercy should be the mark of the regenerated person. GOSPEL

Mercy triumphs over judgment James 2:13b

The presence of love (or mercy) shows that God has performed a work of grace in the believer's heart, making him like Christ. As a result, he can have confidence when he is ultimately judged by God.

It's really a simple lesson, the golden rule. "Do unto others as you would have them to unto you." Treat others kindly, especially the poor.

Conclusion: