The Meanest Member in the Church
Categories: Sermon Outlines, Topical Sermon OutlinesINTRODUCTION:
A. Illustration: “I heard a story of a man who would give his son a nickel if he would go to bed without supper. Then, in the middle of the night, he would sneak in and steal the nickel from his son. The next morning he would scold his son for losing the nickel and make him go to school without any breakfast. — I thought he must have been the meanest dad in the world”
1. We hear a lot about mean people these days, from serial killers to parents who actually kill their own children.
2. But what about in the Lord’s church? If you were asked to cast your vote for the meanest member in the church, for whom would you cast your vote? (ok. ok… besides the preacher)!
B. James 3:1-12
1. Our study this morning concerns a subject that is in everyone’s mouth … the TONGUE.
2. James confronts us with three truths about the tongue:
a. It’s great influence (for good or evil)
b. The monstrosity of iniquity it can administer
c. And, the unique inconsistency it is capable of.
DISCUSSION:
A. ITS GREAT INFLUENCE
1. James gives three illustrations of small items that yield great influence, and then equates them with the influence of the tongue.
a. A small metal bar in a horse’s mouth is able to completely control that large, muscular and majestic animal.
b. A point James is making here is, have you ever tried to ride a horse without a bit in its mouth? It would be like trying to be friends with someone who has an uncontrollable tongue.
c. One small “bit” of a word can often control the destiny of a man — a program of work — or even a congregation of the Lord’s church.
2. A preacher asked a young man if he was a Christian. The young man said “No.” The preacher responded, “That’s a shame, you are such a fine looking gentleman to be lost and going to hell.”(That’s all that was said).
a. Years later, that same young man looked up the preacher to tell him that he had become a Christian because the words he had spoken to him on that day would not let his mind rest.
b. Proverbs 25:11
3. On the other hand, I know of a congregation that had to close its doors because of the unbridled tongue of a woman and her husband … in that order, cf. Acts 13:50
4. Another congregation where a preacher labored for more than 5 years and doing a grand work in a major city — one day he said something that offended a lady. With her tongue, she started a mud-slide toward that preacher and his family that within six weeks drove him clear out of the state!
a. That was nearly 15 years ago. The congregation has had a series of preachers since then, but because of the animosity developed by that incident, none have stayed over two years. The congregation has since split, and today is barely existing in an arena of “brotherly skepticism” … not conducive for growth.
b. A strong foothold for the gospel was destroyed, and it can all be traced back to an unbridled tongue!
c. 1 Corinthians 3:16-17
5. Consider the power of speech and oratory. It’s like a small rudder than can turn a giant ship even in the midst of a storm.
a. In the “good-ole-days” when denominations would to try and defend their faith in public debates, often 50+ baptisms would result when a gospel preacher would unbendably speak the truth in love.
b. However, think how the demoniacal speeches of Hitler encouraged an entire nation into W W II
6. “Behold how great a matter a little fire kindleth” (v. 5)
a. In 1871, a cow kicked over a lantern and started a little hay on fire.
b. By the time they were able to put out the fire, 250 people had been killed, and 17,450 buildings had been destroyed.
c. James says that’s how damaging the tongue can be.
B. THE INIQUITY OF THE TONGUE
1. James 3:6-8
a. James says the tongue: defiles … destroys … and devours, like a great fire.
b. While these people would not think of deliberately committing arson, they do not hesitate on burning some-one’s life to the ground with their slander and gossip.
2. James goes on to say (vs. 7-8), that the tongue devours like a wild beast and is untamable…it is an unruly evil, and full of deadly poison! (sounds like he is trying to get a point across, doesn’t it).
3. Galatians 5:15
a. Isn’t that a rather strange thing to have to write to Christians?! … spiritual cannibalism!
b. It’s a real possibility, else it would not be in God’s Book.
4. When the first “Jaws” movie came out, the audiences gasped at the awesome destructive power of that animal’s mouth…
a. However, the monster mouth of a gossip or slanderer is far more destructive than any great white shark…yet many seem unconcerned.
b. We can also tell a lot about someone by the company they keep.
5. Romans 1:28-30 … notice the company that “whisperers and slanderers” keep.
6. Proverbs 18:21
7. A. B. Simpson wrote: “I’d rather play with lightning than speak a reckless word against a servant of Christ.”
8. One day we will stand before God and give an account of every careless word that has been spoken
a. Matthew 12:36-37
b. Why is this so? Because the words we speak expose what’s truthfully in our heart
c. Matthew 15:18-20
C. THE INCONSISTENCY OF THE TONGUE
1. James 3:9-12
2. In the natural world, inconsistency is an impossibility.
a. E.g. a spring cannot bring forth both fresh water and bitter water at the same time.
b. A tree cannot bring forth apples and oranges at the same time…etc.
3. But look at the inconsistencies we make in the spiritual world:
a. How often do some worship and praise God in the assembly, then leave the building and begin criticizing their own brothers and sisters in Christ.
b. How often do we go from praising God to criticizing His Son’s Body, the church…How can we embrace God while at the same time cursing His children?
c. How can we praise God, then curse those who are made in the similitude of God? Is that consistency?
d. “Brethren, these things ought not so to be.”
CONCLUSION:
A. “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh” (Matthew 12:34) … if we want to control our tongue, we must start with the heart.
B. And even though it is the bit that guides the house … and the rudder that guides the ship, still, someone must have their hands on the “steering device.”
C. Since “NO MAN” can tame the heart (3:8), only Jesus can do it. He will tame your heart, but not until you give it to Him in faithful obedience.