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?

Learning to say "NO"

It’s become a necessity...BUT it is also one of the most difficult things I've had to do since standing up delivering my firer sermon. If you have been reading this blog for anytime now all of the challenges have forced me to grow up. I've discovered with God there are times of natural growth then there is immediate growth. Sometime God lovingly and patiently coaches you into growth & maturity. Other times he tell you to get on the boat & drops you in the middle if a storm and tells you sink or swim buddy! The last few lesson God used the latter on me!

In order to maintain my health, the health of my family and the health of the church, I've had to discipline myself to say "NO" more often…than I would like:

No I can’t counsel you, but I can refer you to someone….

No I can’t do your wedding, but I know someone who can…

No I can’t meet with you today, but we can look at something next week…

No I can’t answer that question, but I know where we can get an answer…

No I won’t be at your dinner party, but I’m certain it would have been a blast…

Now, believe me it's NOT that I wouldn’t rather say yes…

As a young preacher I was groomed to do all, sacrifice all, say yes to all at the cost of health, family, finances, and self.

It’s an “easier” answer at the time…Who does want to make people happy. It certainly pleases more people…

But….In order for me to do an adequate job at the things I must do such as leading and developing staff, preaching and vision casting I have to say no to things I might wish to do, but simply can’t…