Sunday Notes

The Meanest and Most Dangerous Member In The Church

“WTH Wrong with the Church?” Pt. 2

James 3: 1-12 (NIV)

1 Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his 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 person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. 7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, 8 but no man 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 men, who have been made in God's likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. Who do you think is the meanest member in our Church? I'm sure that we all have our own private opinion. But there is a member in our church who has killed more friendships ruined more reputations wrecked more homes split more churches, driven more preachers out of the ministry and caused more division in the church than any other member I know. James 3:1-12 (NIV)

James makes three important observations concerning the meanest and most dangerous member in our church.

1. The dynamic power of this member!

This member guards

This member guides

2. The deadly poison of this member!

This member destroys

This member defiles

This member devours

This member deadens

3. The divine purpose of this member!

This member proclaims

This member praises

This member promotes

Taking the Word Deeper:

Question: 1

Read & write out Proverbs 15:23.

What does it means to have “a word spoken in due season”?

Question: 2

Read & write out 1 Peter 3:10.

Discuss: How does words dictate how you live out your days?

Question: 3

Read & write out Psalm 141:3.

Discuss: How do we take control back from this member?

Question: 4

Read & write out Proverbs 18:21.

Discuss: What is the writer of Proverbs saying about the power of our words?

Question: 5

How have your own member (words) and the member of others (words) impacted your life?