The Gospel Speaks.

Steve Gentry

[0:00] Welcome to the Village. If you’ve never been here before, my name’s Steve. And if you’ve never been [0:03] here before, you remember to turn your clocks back or forward. And that’s good because some [0:08] people that normally come didn’t. But I’m so glad to have you here. My name’s Steve. Probably, [0:13] typically 80 to 85 percent of the time, I’m the one that does the teaching here on Sunday mornings. [0:19] And just to tell you a little bit about us, we’re about Jesus. Make no mistake, we won’t cover that [0:27] up. We are here desiring to see the gospel work into our lives and out of our lives,

[0:34] to start a movement in Richmond and beyond of people being redeemed by Jesus and transformed [0:40] for His mission. We’ve been going through the book of James. And I’ll tell you where we were last [0:45] week. If you weren’t here last week, we discussed the issue at the end of James chapter 2, [0:51] where James talks all about the fact that faith without works is dead and what that means and how [0:58] faith isn’t the product of works, but work is the product of faith. And that when faith is true in [1:06] our lives, what happens is that God transforms us and then works out of our lives for His glory

[1:13] and for His worship. And today, what’s interesting about the beginning of chapter 3 is that James [1:19] seems to start a brand new section that is tough to connect to the last section [1:24] because he’s going to talk about two things today. He’s going to talk about who should teach [1:31] and the fact that our mouths get us in trouble quite a bit. If you are a teenager, you know [1:39] that way too much that your mouth is usually the source of much of the grief that you’re going to [1:46] carry through life. I know for me, and I’ll just tell you right now, the first part of what we’re

[1:52] going to talk about today versus one and two are great. I love talking about teaching. I love [1:58] talking about who should and shouldn’t teach. I take great pride in that to send full places [2:04] because I teach. And whatever it is you do in life, whether it be sell cars or wash cars, [2:10] you’re proud of what you do and you think that there’s something special about what you do. [2:15] So for me, teaching and it’s like, yep, not everybody should be teachers. Yep, that’s true. [2:21] It’s pride for me. But the second part, it’s really bad because I’m a teacher. I’ll tell you

[2:27] that when you preach in churches, you have the gift of gab. And James is going to talk to us [2:34] about a lot. He’s going to spend about 10 verses explaining to us the fact that when the words that [2:40] you use when you speak really drive where your life is going to go. And if you give me enough [2:48] time, I will put my foot right in my mouth and I will annoy you and run you away from me. [2:54] So I am in no way qualified to talk about this stuff because it is probably one of the biggest [3:04] struggles that I have in my life is that I think, excuse me, I speak before I think.

[3:10] I talk way too much. I would rather someone understand me than I understand you. [3:17] And we’re going to talk about those issues today and the fact that the way that we talk and the [3:23] speech that we use and the way that we communicate is a great qualifier for the work of the gospel [3:31] in our lives. So you’re going to join me on an interesting journey. I’m not sure how it’s [3:37] going to work out because I’m on a lot of cold medicine right now and I’m very foggy. [3:43] So we could talk about something that has nothing to do with that.

[3:47] So we’re going to have some fun today and you’re going to see if I can make it. [3:52] All right. And I promise you I’ll do my best. But let’s go ahead and go to James chapter three.

[3:58] I’m going to start reading in verse one.

[4:02] Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach [4:09] will be judged with greater strictness for we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not [4:17] stumble in what he says, you notice that what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle [4:29] his whole body. And let’s camp out there for just a minute and let’s figure out what James is [4:34] actually talking about, because what we’re going to see today is there is a great temptation to [4:39] look at these verses and just apply them to our lives apart from any other verses in James and

[4:45] beyond. What I’m saying is he ends chapter two. And remember, when these were originally written, [4:50] they were not in chapter and verse like we have today. They were just letters. [4:56] And when he ends chapter two, he ends it on a note. Faith without works is dead. And then he [5:01] immediately goes right into not everyone should be a teacher. So is this a completely separate [5:08] thing or does it have anything to do with the last section? Because I know at least 70 percent of [5:14] you, and I’m just kind of guesstimating there, read this verse and you think, oh, thank God,

[5:20] I don’t have to get up on the stage because there it says not everyone should be a teacher. [5:25] And so you take great comfort in that passage. And then when we move on and we begin to talk [5:33] about the tongue and the mouth and the effect of what we say in the lives of us and other people, [5:39] we’re going to have a temptation to read that apart from anything else and just think, OK, [5:45] so if the gospel is working in my life, my life, I’ll be a nice swell, kind person that’s likable, [5:52] that’s friendly, and everybody’s going to have good things to say about me.

[5:56] I’m just going to be a swell guy. And so for some of you, you take comfort in the fact [6:04] that you seem to have found a verse that says you never have to teach anyone anything because not [6:09] everyone should be a teacher. And then the other half is just, well, I’m a nice guy and gosh, [6:15] doggit, people are going to like me. What I want to do today is I want to take it way past that, [6:23] because when you only read scripture on that surface, you’re missing the foundation [6:30] that James has spent the first two chapters of the book building for us. Because what did he spend

[6:38] the first two chapters doing? He spent the first two chapters showing us step by step what it is [6:44] that you and I need to build the foundation of our life on. And that is the gospel of Jesus Christ, [6:52] whether it be suffering, whether it be endurance, whether it be the role of faith in our lives, [6:59] whether it be the relationships that we have with each other, whether it be our anger, [7:03] whether it be our identity, whatever it is, our hope is only going to be found in the finished [7:10] work of Jesus on the cross and in the resurrection. Our life must be built on nothing but the gospel.

[7:20] So what is James talking about here when he discusses the fact that not everyone should be [7:25] a teacher? Because if you become a teacher, realize that you are going to be judged with [7:30] greater strictness than anyone else. And then it almost seems like he completely changes his [7:35] mode of thought. And he’s like, well, everybody stumbles. And if you don’t, you’re perfect.

[7:42] It’s like, man, is he confused or is he just giving us some chicken soup for the soul and a [7:49] couple of different Proverbs here? And I’m going to say, no, it’s neither one of those things. [7:53] This is one complete thought from start to finish, helping us build our lives on the [7:59] foundation of the gospel. Because understand when he says faith without works is dead, [8:03] remember what was he talking about? He was saying that if your faith does not cause you to live for [8:09] the gospel, you don’t have real faith. And we talked about Ephesians chapter two.

[8:15] When Paul says, for everyone that is born is born into sin and they’re born dead. In other words, [8:24] we live without life in Christ, but God has made us alive in Jesus. And this faith helps us and [8:32] guides us as we walk into works that God has prepared beforehand for us.

[8:38] So number one, the first thing he’s talking about here when he says not everybody should [8:41] be a teacher, here’s what he’s saying. If you don’t have faith that works, you shouldn’t teach. [8:47] Because why? Because you’re dead. You’re dead. This is a warning to the church that not everyone [8:56] that seems to have the personality that is fit and the giftedness that works for teaching should [9:03] be allowed to preach or should be allowed to lead a community group or should be allowed to go back [9:09] and teach children the scriptures and how to live for the gospel because they’re false brothers.

[9:16] They’re not Christians. So in no way should you let them teach just based on the fact [9:23] that they’ve got a great personality. And then number two, he’s giving us an identity under [9:32] which we must live under in the reality of what it’s like to be a teacher. He says that when you [9:40] teach, you will be judged by a greater standard than anyone else and that is absolutely true. [9:47] He’s giving you the gravity of what it means to be a teacher of the gospel.

[9:53] There is a weightiness to it because number one, the gospel, when you decide to become a teacher or [10:03] a preacher of it, it immediately puts you under a microscope where everyone’s concerned. [10:09] All right. I learned this firsthand. I am not judged by the same standard that you judge yourself. [10:16] Why? Because you expect more out of me, do you not? If you heard this week that I was guilty of some [10:23] crime and I was going to go to jail, would you not say hypocrite? But yet someone else who isn’t [10:30] preaching here on Sunday mornings does the same thing. Sin, that’s just what it does to people.

[10:37] Why is it different for me? Well, it’s logical. And I accept it because when someone comes and [10:45] takes on the responsibility of an elder and a teacher of the gospel, does it not put across [10:51] that I am at least striving to live this? Does it not go without saying that I am struggling to live [11:00] the gospel at least as much as you are, if not more, and that I am to be held by the standard [11:07] of the words that I speak? Is that not logical? Of course it is. So you are going to judge me by [11:18] a greater standard than you judge someone that does not teach because I’m teaching the word of

[11:26] God. But then secondly, I’m going to be judged by, and I make this very personal because I’m [11:36] teaching you right now, so it kind of goes without saying, I’m going to be talking about me. [11:40] I’m going to be judged by a different standard by God. You say, what do you mean?

[11:47] Look in Luke chapter 12, verse 48, it should be up on the screen. [11:52] Luke chapter 12, verse 48, it says, but the one who did not know and did what deserved [11:58] and did what deserved a beating will receive a light beating. Jesus has just gotten through [12:03] with some parables about judgment and the disciples come to him and say, Jesus, can you just flesh [12:09] out for us exactly what you were talking about? And Jesus looks to them and he gives us one of [12:13] the scariest sections of scripture that should bring us all to a place where we’re like, am I

[12:18] in the gospel? But he says to the one that does something ignorantly and it is a sin, [12:23] he will be judged because it deserves a beating. But if he does it ignorantly, [12:30] he receives a lighter beating. There’s a difference between a child that has been told, [12:35] do not do this. And he does it. And the beating that he’s going to get, then the child like my [12:41] son who just kind of ignorantly goes to the front door and tries to open it. [12:46] I’m not going to go up to him and be like, you shouldn’t do that. He doesn’t know any better.

[12:54] But am I going to let him go out into the front yard at one? No, I’m not. I’m going to grab him [13:00] and be like, no, Liam, you can’t do that. But when he’s five and he knows better, he may get the [13:08] half because I love him and I don’t want him running out in the street.

[13:18] But notice what he says when he goes on. He says, everyone to whom much was given of him, [13:25] much will be required. And from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.

[13:33] Where the gospel is concerned, much has been given to me.

[13:42] Went to college, got a degree in biblical studies,

[13:46] have a master’s degree in counseling, went to seminary, masters of divinity. Much has been [13:53] given to me in knowledge, the gospel. And it’s not that I’m awesome because of it. [14:01] I stumble all over it all the time, probably more than you do. I just know more. So I see it.

[14:08] But here’s the key. I’ve been given much. So if I were to look at James 3.1 and it says, [14:16] not everyone should be a teacher. And I say, well, I’m not perfect. So I guess I shouldn’t teach.

[14:24] Will I not face judgment for not investing the talent that I’ve given that I’ve, excuse me, [14:30] that I’ve been given? Now we’ve talked about me a little bit. What about you?

[14:40] What have you been given? Because you see, when we read this and we find comfort, [14:46] because not everybody should be a teacher.

[14:50] I don’t want that hassle. I understand. He’s talking about the difference between spiritual [14:58] life and spiritual death. Now, should everyone become a preacher? No. No. I have, I know some [15:08] of you. All right. No. You’d run everybody off. All right. You’d come up here, sweat more buckets [15:17] than I do. Okay. In the New Testament, Paul especially spells out for us that God has given [15:26] all of us different spiritual gifts. And some of us have spiritual gifts that lend themselves [15:32] to teaching in a public venue. Some of us have been given spiritual gifts that lend itself to

[15:37] teaching in small venues like community groups. Some of us have been given spiritual gifts that [15:42] lend themselves for us to teach Bible studies. Some of us have been given spiritual gifts to [15:46] teach Bible studies. I’ll tell you right now, I should not be back there teaching children. [15:52] Two things will happen. Number one, I’ll go insane. And number two, it just won’t be good. [16:00] The kids will never want to come back. Why did the pastor scream at us? Because he was losing [16:05] his mind, son. So not everybody should teach children. All right. Not me. But here’s the

[16:15] thing. Some of you have spiritual gifts that do not lend themselves to teaching, but lend themselves [16:20] to other things. All right. So here’s what James is talking about, especially it’s important for [16:26] us to look at verse two in this. He tells us in verse two, he says, for we all stumble in many ways. [16:34] Okay. All means all. And that’s all all mean. In other words, I’m a preacher. Am I perfect? [16:42] No. Do I stumble in many ways? More than you know, and more than I want you to know. [16:49] Okay. Do you stumble? Absolutely. In many, many ways, because you are a sinner. All right. All of

[16:57] you. Nobody in here is good except Jesus. So the fact that I stumble does not disqualify me from [17:06] teaching. Why? Because remember what is he saying in verse one when he says for anyone that he [17:12] teaches will be judged with greater strictness. What did he say at the end? Excuse me. In chapter [17:17] two, verse 13, verses 12 and 13, when he talked about judgment, what am I going to be judged by?

[17:24] The gospel. What are you going to be judged by? The gospel. Okay. Because he says we are going [17:32] to be judged by what law? The law of liberty. What is the law of liberty? The gospel. [17:38] So what standard do we have for number one, judging ourselves and number two, judging teachers? [17:46] And I’ll tell you real quick, that standard is set by the perfect man. In verse two, it says, [17:51] and if anyone does not stumble in what he says, because teachers, we say the wrong thing all the [17:58] time, you’ll probably hear me say, Paul wrote the book of James at some point today and it’ll be

[18:04] wrong because he wrote the other 75% of the New Testament and it’s just my de facto place to go. [18:09] All right. Notice what he says. If he does what he says, he’s a perfect man able also to bridle [18:15] his whole body. Who is perfect? Jesus. Who was able to bridle what he said? Jesus. What standard [18:31] should you judge your life by? Me? No. Jesus. That’s a lofty standard, is it not? [18:41] So here’s what James is actually saying. If you’re going to teach number one, [18:45] you need to have faith that works. You need to be a true believer. Number two, if you’re going to

[18:50] teach the gospel, you must also realize that the standard that is set that you must strive to live [18:55] by is the standard that Jesus set for you because him and him alone is where perfection is found. [19:04] So what James is talking about is redeeming our ambition for what we do in our lives, [19:11] in teaching and beyond for the gospel. Ambition must be redeemed by the gospel. [19:20] If I come up here and decide to become a teacher and a preacher of the gospel [19:25] for my fame and for my pride because I want to build the best thing for me that I could

[19:34] ever possibly build in my life. Is that the standard that Jesus set for teachers to live by? [19:42] No. No. What did Jesus say in the Garden of Gethsemane right before he went to the cross? [19:49] He said, not my will, but yours be done. What did Jesus live for? The glory of the father. [19:56] Philippians chapter two, Paul writes, and what does he say? He says, have the same mindset [20:03] that Jesus had. Later in Philippians, when he’s talking to the church, he says, [20:09] have one mind among yourselves. The mindset of Jesus Christ.

[20:15] So what James is actually talking about here is the ambition in our lives for whatever we’re [20:22] going to be doing, whether it be teaching or whether it be baking for the sick and the needy, [20:28] whether it be the gift that great mothers have of raising their children, whether it be putting [20:34] signs up on Sunday morning or putting pipe and drape up, whatever place God has put you [20:41] whatever giftedness he has given you needs to be redeemed by the gospel because the standard [20:49] that is set for teachers and everyone else is the standard of Jesus. Jesus is redeeming us for

[20:59] himself. And so the guideline that we must look at for our lives is the guideline that Jesus [21:06] set in the gospel. So if you are going to become a teacher, realize it’s not going to be fame [21:15] inducing. It’s not going to be pride building. If it’s for the gospel, it’s going to be more [21:19] emasculating than anything else. Because you’re living your life for the gospel. Faith without [21:28] works is dead. You should in no way look at this verse and say, not everyone should be a teacher. [21:37] So the gospel means I don’t have to teach anyone. No, that’s not what he’s saying. And you said,

[21:44] no, no, that’s what he’s saying. No, that’s not what he’s saying. And you may say, no, [21:48] right there, that’s what he said, literally. And I say, is it? Let’s keep going. All right. And [21:56] you’re like, man, where are you going with this, Steve? Or I’m going with this is that you need to [22:00] stop using this as an excuse to not teach anybody about the gospel. Because no matter what you’re [22:06] doing in your life, inevitably you are teaching people all about the gospel in everything that [22:11] you do and in every way that you do it. All right. Here’s why. Look at verse three.

[22:19] If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as [22:26] well. Look at the ships also. Though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are [22:32] guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small [22:39] member, yet boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire. [22:47] Immediately, my mind goes to a group of women. See, I can’t bridle my tongue. I told you I’d [22:57] show you a group of women sitting at a coffee shop gossiping. Oh, what a large fire can be set

[23:11] ablaze by such a small part of your body. I think about men around the water cooler at work.

[23:22] I think about us standing right outside in the entryway before and after church. [23:28] I think about the lunch that you’re inevitably going to go to with a couple of your friends [23:32] to talk about me. Hey, man. Hopefully you only say good things. Maybe not. Steve was off his game [23:47] today. Must have been the drugs. Here’s what he’s talking about. Speech must be guided by the gospel. [23:55] All right. Here’s what happens in our lives. He uses this great example [24:03] that if you put a bit into the mouth of a horse, can you not direct that horse?

[24:08] I rode a horse one time and I had some success with it, even though it seemed like he was directing [24:13] me more than I was him. But a seasoned person that rides horses quite frequently, when they take [24:21] those reins, some people, they don’t even need those reins and they put the bit into the horse’s [24:25] mouth. They can guide that horse just by moving the head of the horse directed by the mouth and [24:31] they can get that horse to do whatever they want. Even jump over things, which I think is probably [24:36] the scariest thing you could ever do in your life. But what he’s saying here is your mouth must be

[24:46] by the gospel and your mouth. If faith without works is dead and faith with works is life, [24:56] it’s going to need to start with the conversations that you have with other people.

[25:04] You must realize that wherever you are in life, as soon as you tell someone that you are a believer [25:12] in Jesus Christ, you begin teaching them either lies or truths about the gospel. [25:24] And you say, well, I didn’t ask for that. It doesn’t matter.

[25:32] You are a teacher of the gospel if you believe in it, no matter where you are [25:40] and no matter what you’re doing. And that’s how God designed the gospel to be. [25:45] If you remember back in James chapter one, verse 22, when he begins to talk about [25:49] not only simply hearing the word, but also being a doer of the word, he immediately begins to talk [25:55] about a few things in which he says, excuse me, that the mouth is going to be just so integral [26:04] in the work of the gospel. Notice that in James chapter one, verse 18, he says that the mouth,

[26:13] we must be slow to anger, slow to speak, quick to listen. And then here he’s saying that your mouth [26:23] is going to be the guide to how you live your life in the gospel. If you are not a teacher, [26:29] you are going to be doing something else. And James is writing to make sure that we realize [26:35] that whatever it is that we’re doing, it is going to teach people about the gospel. [26:40] You want some examples? Well, here’s an example. First one,

[26:45] if you live your life with the gift of just being handy, which I envy because I am not, [26:57] and you can build things, you can fix things, you can just do anything you want to understand [27:02] how you use that giftedness teaches someone something about the gospel. [27:09] Do you spend all of your time only fixing what’s yours? Do you spend all of your time only fixing [27:17] what makes you feel good about yourself? Do you spend all of your time only fixing and building [27:23] things that add to your comfort and your leisure and build your kingdom on this earth?

[27:27] Or do you use that gift to further the kingdom of God?

[27:32] Do you see in someone that you’re in relationship with, they’re going to see how you use the gifts [27:39] God has given you. And you’re going to either show through your giftedness. Number one, [27:43] that the gospel is a life to live for, or the gospel is just some hobby that you do on Sunday [27:49] mornings. How you use your giftedness under the gospel of Jesus Christ reveals what the gospel [27:58] actually means to you. And you say, well, I’m just not a gifted person, so I guess I’m just [28:05] disqualified altogether. No, if that’s you, you simply aren’t being discipled.

[28:14] The scriptures tell us each and every one of us have gifts, whether it be something that you think [28:20] is so miniscule that it couldn’t possibly be redeemed by the gospel, or something that’s so [28:28] grand that will give you just too much responsibility in your life, like preaching from stage. [28:34] I’m under a microscope. It’s just the way it goes. James is singing. He’s under a microscope. [28:40] Anytime you become a pastor, you’re under a microscope, not because our gifts are better [28:46] than anyone else’s, but because they’re just out front. Your giftedness needs to be used by God to

[28:56] get the work of redemption into other people’s lives. Whether it be any type of ability under the [29:04] sun, or whether it just be the fact that you can run really far.

[29:11] That’s a great ability. I wish I had it. You need to be discipled so that you can learn [29:19] how to use God’s gifts and abilities in your life for the gospel. But what inevitably happens [29:26] while you’re using those abilities? Well, let’s say you’re using those abilities to serve and [29:31] teach others, which is the mission of Jesus, by the way. You ever heard the saying that St. [29:37] Francis of Assisi didn’t say, preach the gospel always, use words if necessary? He never said [29:45] that, by the way. He was smarter than that. Well, even if it gives you great comfort,

[29:51] it’s stupid. So stop saying that saying. Okay? Here’s why. You have to use words.

[30:04] It’s possible to do a lot of really good things, and nobody has any clue you’re doing it for the [30:10] gospel. And you’re like, well, it’s, you know, it’s the motivation that counts.

[30:17] Not if they don’t know why you’re doing it. You’re like, well, that’s pretty brash. Yeah, [30:24] it is. Why? Because the gospel must be articulated in two words. Like, what do you mean? [30:31] Romans chapter 10, we covered it a few weeks ago. How will they believe if they have not heard? [30:38] And how will they hear if no one preaches? So just by those verses, is it necessary to open [30:48] your mouth to preach the gospel? Yes. Yes. Absolutely. But that makes me very uncomfortable. [30:59] Of course it does. Here’s why what James is saying right here is so important.

[31:08] Because in our lives, what we have done is we have made the gospel something that we’re very [31:14] uncomfortable because it causes some strife in our relationships with people that don’t believe the [31:18] gospel. Of course it does. Jesus has said, he came to set brother against brother. [31:24] If you believe the gospel, you’re going to be different than somebody that doesn’t believe the [31:27] gospel. But here’s where you need to redeem your speech is so important. You’re not going to [31:33] accidentally start telling people the gospel. It’s not going to happen by accident. It’s going to be

[31:41] intentional. And here’s what James is talking about, because speech reveals the heart. When [31:56] we look at chapter three, where he spends all of these verses showing what comes out of our mouths [32:02] reveals who we really are. Here’s where he goes. Look in verse six.

[32:47] I mean, he just, this does not take a great deal of explanation to see what he’s talking about. [32:52] He says that with your mouth, you can ruin relationships and you can build relationships. [32:58] It sets on fire the entire course of life and your mouth can send you to hell and will because [33:04] out of the same mouth, you praise God. But then you walk out the door and you curse someone. [33:08] He says, these things ought not to be so with what you say, you reveal what you really believe [33:14] in your heart. Here’s why a ship is directed by just a rudder. Have you ever seen a huge cruise

[33:21] ship? Well, if you look at the back, the things that direct those cruise ships are nowhere near [33:25] the size of the actual ship, yet they are able to direct the entire ship. So your mouth directs the [33:32] entire course of your life because your mouth needs to be redeemed for the purpose of the gospel. [33:38] And if you go your whole life, never redeeming your speech, your communication, your conversation [33:45] for the gospel, James is saying you need to take really quick inventory of your life to find out [33:50] if you really believe the gospel. Because your mouth is where it starts.

[33:59] And some of you mothers are like, listen, son, it starts with your mouth. Sassy.

[34:12] Here’s where James is talking. And it’s very easy to look at these verses and just say, well, [34:16] then I just need to be a friendly person and the gospel is working. Nice people go to hell all the [34:22] time. Friendly people go to hell all the time. He’s talking about the gospel. He’s talking about [34:30] number one, what do you say to other people? How do you talk to other people? Right. That’s the [34:36] easy place to start, but it’s not where you should start. What do you say to yourself? [34:45] And what do you say about yourself? And what does the gospel say to you and about you?

[34:51] That’s where it starts. The way that you talk and communicate with and about other people is a [34:57] direct reflection of what you actually believe about yourself. The gospel gives you freedom, [35:07] does it not? Freedom in Jesus. The gospel also says you’re a sinner. So if you think highly of [35:14] yourself and you just think you’re the greatest thing ever and you’re just full of pride, [35:18] guess what? The gospel rebukes you. But if you believe the gospel and you think very lowly of [35:25] yourself and you’re condemning yourself all the time and you think you’re no good and you’re

[35:30] worthless and you could never be used by God to do anything, guess what? The gospel rebukes you for [35:35] that as well. See, the gospel leaves no stone in your life untouched. It lifts them up, shows you [35:45] what’s going on underneath that stone, all the bugs, all the dirt, all the nastiness. [35:49] And the gospel, what it does is it doesn’t say clean them up. The gospel comes in and says, [35:53] Jesus already cleaned it up. So you are a sinner. The gospel needs to clean that pride from you. [36:01] Also, you are loved by God. If you come to Jesus, you’re a joint heir. You’re adopted by him.

[36:08] You’re more than victorious. You’re more than a conqueror. You are an heir to the kingdom of God.

[36:16] He can use you because he’s redeemed you. He’s transformed you. And how you communicate with [36:23] other people is a direct reflection of how the gospel is being communicated to yourself [36:28] by yourself. So how do you talk to other people? How do you talk about other people? [36:35] See, because you may be an introvert, okay, and you’re like, well, I just don’t feel comfortable [36:39] talking to other people. Oh, you’re talking to somebody. So let’s just start with how do you [36:44] talk about other people? And all of us are going to be nailed with this one, me included.

[36:51] Do you get in your group of friends and just immediately start running people down? [36:56] Do you get in your group of friends and just immediately start running someone in your group [36:59] of friends down? I do that to the drummer all the time. I’m just going to be transparent with you. [37:07] Yeah. Most of his problems come from me.

[37:15] Your mouth has this amazing ability to uncover and reveal unrighteousness or righteousness. [37:25] Here’s what I mean. Go to the book of Proverbs. I’m going to start reading in verse, excuse me, [37:29] chapter 17, verse nine, and this is going to be up on the screen so you don’t have to go there.

[37:34] Here’s how here’s the power of the mouth. Whoever covers an offense seeks love, [37:39] but he who repeats a matter separates close friends. Do you see the power of the mouth in that? [37:47] If you just forgive, you build relationships. But if you go and run that person down or you keep [37:57] going back to them and reminding them of the sin that they did against you over and over and over, [38:04] your words have the power to just completely and forever in that relationship.

[38:12] Proverbs chapter 11, verse nine, with his mouth, the godless man would destroy his neighbor, [38:20] but by knowledge, the righteous are delivered. Do you notice that if you ever, [38:24] you just have one of those people either at work or that lives in your neighborhood or you’re on a [38:28] sports team with them, or they’re just some dude from the coffee shop around the corner and you [38:32] hate them. And every chance you get, you just run them down and you want to destroy them. [38:41] Oh, no, you don’t have people like that. Just me. All right.

[38:46] No, but that’s what we do, is it not? You know, that is revealing unrighteousness in our lives. [38:54] Look to Proverbs chapter 18, verse two, a fool takes no pleasure in understanding, [39:00] but only in expressing his opinion. Ever been in a debate? Ever been in an argument? [39:09] Do you care what the other person is saying or do you just want them to know what you’re saying?

[39:15] Is that a revelation of the gospel? Well, these gas prices, that’s not what I’m talking about.

[39:24] How do you handle yourself in relationships with other people? What is it revealing [39:27] about your faith in the gospel? Well, that’s just Steve. The gospel doesn’t go there. [39:33] It doesn’t. It seems to me that God wanted to go there and you’re trying to steer the ship [39:39] away from there with your mouth. And God says, no, I’ll steer it. Thanks. And so he goes back here. [39:46] And then finally, Proverbs 17, verse 27 through 28, whoever restrains his words has knowledge [39:53] and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. Even a fool who keeps silent

[40:01] is considered wise. When he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent. I’m just going to give you [40:07] the negative before I give you the positive. If you are unrighteous, guess what? The only way [40:12] for you to be smart is to shut up. I didn’t write it. Solomon and the Holy Spirit got together on [40:23] this one. The unrighteous man, guess what? Shouldn’t teach because he can’t.

[40:34] Because he doesn’t know God. Because he hasn’t been transformed by what? The gospel, faith without [40:42] works is dead. An unrighteous man who claims to know God yet opens his mouth and only reveals [40:51] folly over and over and over again. Does not know God. And you say, well, what about grace? [40:58] Absolutely. Every man stumbles, but who’s perfect? Jesus. And who’s redeemed you? Jesus. Who’s your [41:05] standard? Jesus. But who’s also your forgiveness? Jesus. Depend on the cross. Because here is what [41:14] happens when you do depend on the cross. Proverbs 16 verse 24. Gracious words are like a honeycomb.

[41:23] Sweetness to the soul and health to the body. I love the fact that Solomon uses the Hebrew word [41:30] for grace. This is when you speak of grace, it creates health everywhere. Proverbs chapter 12 verse 25. [41:47] Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down. Stress. It weighs you down. Anxiety. It weighs you down. [41:54] But what does a relationship with God give you? It says, but a good word makes him glad. [42:00] You see the power words have in people’s lives. How are you wielding the power of words? [42:07] Then look, and finally in Proverbs chapter 15 verses one through four. A soft answer turns away

[42:12] wrath, but harsh words stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise commends knowledge with the mouths of [42:19] fools pour out folly. The eyes of the Lord are in every place keeping watch on the evil and the [42:25] good. A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit. Notice what [42:32] this says. Number one, wise speech builds, it reconciles, and it guides. What are three things? [42:41] Excuse me, what is something that does three of those things? Builds, reconciles, and guides. [42:46] The greatest wisdom anyone can ever know. The gospel. How can you begin to live?

[42:53] Proverbs chapter 15 verse one through four. The gospel. Are your words important no matter what [43:00] you do in your life? Yes, because with your speech you are teaching someone something about the gospel [43:09] no matter what you’re doing, where you’re doing it, and how you’re doing it. Whether you’re on a [43:16] job doing someone’s taxes. What you say reveals the very truth or the very lie about God.

[43:29] This is urgent and it has a lot of gravity on it. [43:36] And this is why James warned us about teaching. Excuse me, teaching. Because all of us are doing it,

[43:44] but most of us aren’t doing it for the gospel. And it reveals your very heart. Because here’s how he finishes.

[44:00] He says in verse 10, from the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things [44:08] ought not to be so. Because remember what he said in chapter one? He said a double-minded man

[44:16] doesn’t believe the gospel. He says you either believe the gospel or you don’t. [44:19] James doesn’t play around. Then look at this. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening [44:25] both fresh and salt water? Can a fig tree bear olives or a grapevine produce figs? [44:33] Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.

[44:41] Here’s what James is saying. What you say reveals your heart. [44:45] It does. And what he’s saying is that the gospel produces gospel living. Or put it better, [44:52] on our wavelength, the gospel produces mission. The gospel does not produce a double-minded person [45:00] who both praises God with his lips and curses everyone else with his lips. [45:04] The gospel does not produce a double-minded person who doesn’t want to teach about the [45:09] gospel but wants all the benefits of the gospel. The gospel does not produce a double-minded person

[45:14] who wants to have his kingdom but still get heaven in the end. The gospel produces people that love [45:21] the gospel and live for the gospel. The fruit of the gospel must come out of your life if you truly [45:31] believe the gospel. And you’re like, Steve, those are strong words. And I don’t think I can live up [45:37] to that standard. None of us can. Go back. All of us stumble in many ways. Anyone that doesn’t [45:49] stumble in what he says ever is a perfect man. Who is the basis for the gospel in your life? Jesus.

[46:01] How are you reacting to what Jesus has done for you? Do you just want to be a nice person? [46:10] Or do you want to see the same redemption that God gave you go into other people’s lives? [46:17] Because that is the heart of every believer. We desire to see the gospel go out of our lives [46:24] and into the lives of others. If the gospel does not produce mission in your life, [46:30] do you have faith that is working?

[46:37] If the gospel does not urge you to consider your words, [46:44] do you have faith? No. A couple of questions and then we’re done.

[46:54] How often do you talk about the gospel with your family?

[47:00] The weight of that over the past year has almost crushed me since I’ve become a father.

[47:09] I want my son to learn to pray for me.

[47:16] How’s that ever going to happen if I don’t talk about the gospel with my boy?

[47:24] How often do you talk about the gospel with your loved ones? [47:28] How often do you talk about the gospel with your friends? [47:30] How often do you talk about the gospel with your co-workers? [47:34] That would just be awkward. I’m not talking about getting up on your desk [47:41] and opening gospel tracks here folks.

[47:46] I’m talking about first starting in elementary school where the gospel is concerned [47:51] and just how you treat people. Not so that they’ll like you, but so that you can get to the gospel. [47:59] It’s a big difference there.

[48:03] Do you ever talk about the gospel with anyone outside of a church service?

[48:10] And what does that reveal about you?

[48:14] Hopefully it reveals a person that’s struggling but has a desire [48:19] to see the gospel work out of their lives and just doesn’t know how. [48:23] Well here’s hope. You need to be discipled.

[48:29] We want to disciple you. We love you and I want to see the gospel work into your life as well as [48:36] out of your life through your mouth and through other people. And you may be saying, [48:43] but other people don’t talk about the gospel. Are other people your standard or is Jesus your standard?

[48:51] You don’t need to lead a Billy Graham crusade tomorrow [48:55] to have the gospel coming out of your mouth, but you do need to start somewhere.

[49:02] How are you dreaming about living for the gospel?

[49:08] And what are you saying to make it happen? [49:13] Father, we come before you right now to ask that we would not be people

[49:21] who say we’re believers

[49:25] yet speak as if something else is coming out of our lives.

[49:31] Lord, help us to become people who love you, people who want to be guided by you, [49:37] and people who want to see the work of redemption not just be something that we stagnate in, [49:46] but instead be something that is a force that comes into our life and is so dynamic that it [49:52] forces itself out of our lives. May we not live and speak under our own power, but may we speak [49:59] the very words of God that you’ve given us. Father, Jesus told us that we would see greater [50:05] miracles than even he did come from the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

[50:11] Lord, may you do that miracle work of transformation out of the very lives of everyone in the village. [50:18] May we see ourselves as people who don’t just simply teach from the stage, but rather however [50:24] we’re gifted and wherever we’re gifted. May we be people that seek to redeem and use our gifts for [50:30] the gospel and through it teach others the mighty work of God in our lives. God, help us.

[50:40] Our tongues are so sharp.

[50:44] Help us to use that sharpness to further the work of your grace. Help us to dream big for the gospel.