Teaching Tongues
James 3:1-12
What are some characteristics of good Bible teachers?
Good with the language. Able to speak well.
Know the Bible well?
Know how to organize a lesson.
Know what the students need to learn.
They have actually done or experienced whatever it is they are teaching about.
What are some reasons that “not many” should become teachers?
A. Why does James say not many should become teachers when so many need to be taught?
1. James counts himself among the teachers. “we”
2. “Teachers” or “masters”?
3. Are we talking about false teachers here? “brethren” (potentially maybe)
4. What about the commands like the “Great Commission”, for bishops and the Lord’s servant to be able to teach and to teach faithful mean who can teach others. And what about following the example of the teachers Jesus and Paul?
5. Some people back in James’ day wanted to become teachers of the law. So what’s the problem according to Paul? 1 Tim. 1:5-8
6. Can teaching cause offense (sin) in the church? Rev. 2:20-23, 2 Tim. 4:3-4
B. Is a teacher under a greater condemnation for what they do or for what they say?
1.
What were the two reactions to Jesus’ statement, “"Take heart, son; your sins are
forgiven." Matt. 9:2 (Was Jesus trying to teach something?)
a. How did the scribes (teachers of the Law) react? V. 3
b. How did the multitude (less knowledge of the Law) react? V. 8
c. What caused the two groups to reach different conclusions about Jesus?
2. What did the great Jewish theologians teach in Jesus’ day? Mark 7:8-9
a. How was this a problem? [Teachings (therefore the teachers) were against God]
b. What happens when Christians are taught go against the will of God?
3. What did the scribes do? Matt. 23:4-23; 34; Mark
4. Did Jesus warn the teachers about their teaching or their deeds?
5. Was Jesus stricter with the teachers of his day?
C. Is teaching a gift that God gives to only a select few? 1 Cor. 12:28-29; Eph 4:11
1. How do we apply Hebrews 5:12?
2. Will God give the church all the teachers it needs?
3. Will everyone who has been gifted by God as a teacher use their gift? (Matt. 25)
4. What did Jesus say about those who don’t use their gifts? Matt. 25:29
Conclusion - As teachers we must be careful to teach truth from the Bible because…
What have we seen about speech so far in this book?
·
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be
swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath (
·
If any man among you seem
to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue,
but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is
vain (
·
So speak ye, and
so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty (
Our study today concerns a subject that is in everyone's mouth … the TONGUE.
Janice Stevenson, 46, faces a federal charge of setting timber on fire on U.S.
Forest Service property, U.S. Attorney Ted L. McBride said Friday.
If convicted, she faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. She
also could be billed for the cost of the blaze, which could run into the
hundreds of millions of dollars, authorities said.
Investigators said Stevenson admitted that she stopped by a road August 24, lit
a cigarette and tossed the burning match on the ground, according to U.S.
Forest Service agents.
"Rather than putting the fire out, she looked at it and decided to leave
the area," a court affidavit said.
D. What is the meaning of all the analogies James uses to describe the tongue?
1. A horse’s bit - why is it important that a horse obey the rider? V. 3
2. A ship’s rudder - the influence of the wind is obvious, but the rudder? V. 4
a. How is the tongue (a small member) able to be the most influential part of our body?
b. Have you ever experienced some words changing the course of events? (loose lips…)
3. A raging fire - what happens with fire that is not controlled? V. 5
a. What are some of the destructive things produced by an uncontrolled tongue?
(1) Slander
(2) Lies, half-truths, and silence when the truth needs to be said
(3) Profanity (misuse of the Lord’s name)
(4) Complaining and negative speech
(5) Criticism, put-downs, and judgments
(6) Anger and arguing
(7) Unbelief
b. How can the tongue defile the whole person? Prov. 6:16-19; Matt. 15:18
c. “Course of nature” (v. 6) - everywhere the tongue goes it can set a fire.
4. A wild beast - we have mastered everything God has given us except… v. 7
5. A deadly poison - how careful are we with the poisons we use? V. 8
6. An “unruly evil” - requires our constant attention.
7. A flowing fountain - what is so strange about a fountain that produces both kinds of water? (one must be a fake!)
8. A fruitful fig tree - how would you react to a tree with native and foreign fruit growing on it? (it’s a deception, I must be on candid camera!)
Conclusion - the tongue is dangerous because…
E. How can we control our tongues?
1. Can man tame the tongue according to verse 8?
2. What is at the heart of the problem? Matt. 15:18
3. Does anyone know a spiritual heart specialist we can go to?
a.
What is the surgery like? Rom.
b. What is removed in the procedure? Col. 2:11
4. Who is the greatest tongue suppresser? Why do you say that? Ps. 141:3
Conclusion - Matt. 12:30-37