Date of Sermon Delivery: 18. 9. 2022

Place of sermon Delivery:  Delhi, India

Sunday Worship Service

Speaker: Jatin Bisht

Title : Let no-one Despise your young life but be a positive young influencer “In Speech”

Bible : 1 Timothy 4:12, James 3:1-18

Key verse : 1 Timothy 4:12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.

 

Hello, 

people of God.

It is great to see everyone here again.

I hope you are well and doing great in your area of studies, office, business, or home, and whatever you may do, do it for the glory of the Lord, and then there will be joy.

Nowadays, I am so preoccupied with my studies that I wake up around 7 a.m. and go to bed around 1 a.m. or 2 a.m.Hardly 5-6 hours I am able to sleep. Sometimes it is very difficult for me, but whenever I feel difficult.

I tell myself that I am doing this for the glory of God.

I want to encourage you with this thing, whatever you are doing, do it for the glory of the Lord.

Paul says in 1 Corinthians 10:31 (So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.)

God gave us his promise word this year.

1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV)

Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.

Last year when we came into this place, Hudson line, everything was new for us. Maybe we  were new for this society, and for some months we faced some issues here, but I do believe by our speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity they could be able to see the goodness of our God.

 

The Letter of 1 Timothy was written by Paul to his young son in the ministry while Paul was in prison. And when Paul was writing this letter to Timothy, he was around 30 years of age, and he was serving as a church leader in Ephesus. And Paul hinted that some members doubted Timothy’s leadership abilities because he was young.

 

So Paul’s advice to Timothy is to represent yourself so well that they do not even have time to think about your age but respect your maturity in the Lord.

In 1 Timothy 4:12, Paul explains to Timothy how he could behave and live among others.

 

Whenever a pastor asks me about our church, I always emphasise one thing: in our church, everyone is young.Not only because we are under 35 years old, but we are all young from the inside.

Whenever I see or meet young brothers and sisters, I feel burdened by seeing their lives, because in today’s time, young people are trapped in the web of bad things, I hope that we pray with burden for such people so that they also come into the light.

 

Here Paul instructs Timothy, Do not look down on you because you are young. it is natural for people to look down on younger generations just because they are young and inexperienced, but Paul says to Timothy that you can pay attention to your elder or believer by your own good character.

And he gave him five ways that he should set an example.

 

Can anyone tell me that five ways?

1. Speech, 2. Conduct, 3. Love, 4. Faith, and 5. Purity.

Can you repeat with me?

Let no-one despise your young life but be a positive young influencer in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.

 

So in this morning's first way "in speech", other ways we will see in our coming sermons.

Today we will deal with "Let no-one despise your young life but be a positive young influencer in speech" and to understand it, I want to take your attention into James 3:1-12

 

One author said, "Words make worlds." Through this, she meant that words have the power to create things, people, experiences, art, relationships, etc.

Do you know the first book of the Bible? Genesis.

The first verse of Genesis 1 says, "In the Beginning, God created the Heavens and the Earth."

He did not use his hands, he did not borrow some materials to make things, he did not ask anyone for help.

But all he did was speak, through his word.

God said, "Let there be light," and there was light.

Words make worlds, words even make us.

Do you know, how words make us?

Some of us are working confidently in this church, or in your office, or in your study, because somebody spoke to you, about your talent, gift, skill, and qualities.

But some of us are insecure, afraid, and hopeless because of words. Maybe somebody has spoken to us.

Sometimes, my own words create fear inside of me. No-one is telling me anything, but my feelings connect to my memory that involved words.

So today I want to tell you word is so powerful.

Proverbs 18:21a says "The tongue has the power of life and death.

 

Let’s open with me this morning James 3:1-12

1. Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 

2 We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their 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 body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 

8 but no human being 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 human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 

10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 

11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 

12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

 

Let’s pray.

Dear God, thank you that you love us, protect us and teach us every time. Lord in this morning also, teach us that how we can example for your kingdom and for your glory. May you fill us all with your heavenly wisdom and help us all understand today’s word.

We all pray in Jesus' name. Amen

 

In James, the term "tongue" in this passage is a reference to our words or our speech.

It is a blessing for human beings that we are made in his image and we have the ability to speak in words.

God speaks in words, and he gave this gift of communication to us, so we are able to speak in words.

As our deeds are evidence of our faith,  so also are our words.

Jesus said in Matthew 12:34b, "For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.

What is in my heart, Can I show it by tearing my chest? No

If there is anything in my heart, it comes out in my words.

Words reveal what is in our hearts.

 

In today's passage, James 3:1-12.

 

James reveals three things to us.

1. The word/speech has the power to direct (3:1-4)

1. Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 

2 We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their 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. 

Why does James start his text by saying that not many of you should become teachers?

Because in the early church, many people tried to be teachers and leaders, because a teacher had honour, respect, and position. Therefore, everyone wanted to be teacher. No one wanted to be a learner. Everyone in the church wanted to teach.

So James says here, you should not all be inspired to be teachers, because of the great disadvantage, that they will be judged more strictly on the day of judgement (Luke 12:47-48).

I think the biggest challenge of being a preacher is for me to live what I preach. It is easy to talk to others, but the hard part is to take home what I preach and live according to it.

It is not easy to preach all this truth and then have to live it in daily life. It will not do any good for me, to tell others what to do, if I do not practise what I preach.

 

In verse 2 James says, if any man does not stumble in his words or his speech, that person is mature. And that man will be able to control his whole body. If you can control your tongue, that will direct you through life in the right way. Because our words have the power to direct, that can be in a good way or a bad way too.

And to understand it, James uses two illustrations (horse and ship).

I did horse riding, when I went to Shimla, it was horrible riding because I did not know how to control it and the whole night, pain was in my whole body.

That big and powerful horse animal with that little tiny bit in its mouth can be led, directed, and guided.

So our tongue can have a significant influence and direction in our lives.

Second word he used here ship, which is guide by very small rudder.

Very small bit, very big horse, very small rudder, very big ship.

very large ship, turned around just a rudder, and so in our speech that our tongue directs us.

Having control of the tongue means that you have control of  the whole body, 

2. The word has the power to destroy (3:5-8)

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 body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 

8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

 

If we do not control our word, then it will not guide, but bring disaster, It will bring pain, it will bring wounds, It will bring brokenness, it will bring sadness, because if our word is not in control, then it is somewhere destroying things.

James says our tongue is like fire.

Did you ever see a small spark turn into a big fire?

i did a lot of time, a small matchstick, fire all over the ground. A small spark catches fire very quickly in a dry place. if someone is already dry from inside, and if you just give one small spark by your word, it will burn him/her.

So James says our tongue is like fire, Satan try to use our tongue a lot, because our words can inflict bigger wounds on someone than slapping their cheek.

If we do not control, our words, they will lead us to destruction.

But James also says we cannot control our tongue. Yes we cannot control it, but Jesus says, what is impossible with man is possible with God.

If we ask to God, he will help us to control our tongue.

Once words have escaped our mouth, there is no bringing them back. We cannot get them back. Therefore, think before you speak. (James 1:19)

Our mouth is used most of the time to spread gossip. It can destroy a church, it can destroy relationships, it can destroy family love.

 So always question yourself before you share anything with anyone, or even yourself.

Is it true? What do I know or what do I share?

Next, it may be true, but ask yourself, is it necessary? Is this information I am about to share necessary for this person?

Next, is it beneficial to what I am sharing? What good comes out of this conversation?

Next, do I have permission to share this information?

And last, what is my motivation behind what I am sharing?

If we find anything ungodly, then do not share it.

Be careful what comes from our mouth.

If you cannot speak in right way, it is better to close your mouth and when you practise it in the right way, it will be more powerful in the right way, and used for God’s glory.

Proverbs 18:21a says "The tongue has the power of life and death.

As we speak for someone, we have ability to build him/her up or tear them down.

What are we doing?

Ephesian 4:29 (use your word to build someone up)

3. The word display our heart (3:9-12)

9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 

10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 

11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 

12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

 

In this verse James is speaking about doble-tongued, in worship time tongue praise God with sweet words. But when this same tongue go out it speak evil of their brother.

Luke 6:45 says A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. for the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.

What is in our heart comes out of our mouth, as same what is on the tree, comes out in the fruit.

What is in my life that will come in my mouth.

Here James uses illustrations from nature. If someone pray sound is so sweet, but that person is not really sweet, then they are like sweet poison.

In nature, only one kind of water comes out of any one spring. From a fresh water spring comes from fresh water, and from a salt water spring comes salt water.

In the same way only one kind of fruit comes from any one tree. From a fig tree comes figs, and from a grapevine comes grapes. And we can recognise the spring by its water and the tree by its fruit.

In the same way, we can recognise ourselves by our speech. If I am speaking evil and bitter, it’s because of my heart,

 

But James explain in 3:17 how we can convert our word into blessing word?

How can we convert our tongue into a life-giving tongue?

It is by the wisdom form above(Heaven/Gods wisdom)

If we have the wisdom of God, then our speech will be a blessing for us and for others. Because God’s wisdom is pure, peaceable(always tries to do what leads to peace), gentle(care about others), open to reason/submissive (respect other thoughts and desire), full of mercy(do not judge others but always ready to forgive other), good fruit (fruit of the spirit), impartial (do not take sides or show favouritism), sincere (never tries to deceive someone for his own gain)

Is our wisdom and our speech sincere?

Dear brothers and sisters,

Our words and our actions are like a drop of perfume.

With one drop of good perfume, we can make others feel happy.

With one drop of bad perfume, we can make others miserable.

If we put one drop of black ink into one basket of pure water, the entire water becomes black.

If we put one drop of yellow ink into one basket of pure water, the entire water becomes yellow.

With one word, we can encourage others to go high.

With one word, we can discourage others from giving up.

Our word and actions, even the smallest, is like a perfume, seed, ink which can change others, society, church into good directions or bad directions.

We have a blessing in our tongue, if we use it for the purpose that God gave us tongue.

We have a weapon to kill everyone, if we use it for the purpose that devil desires.

A good word spoken at the right time is better than golden apples in a silver basket.

Dear brothers and sisters,

Yes, we are all young people. Be thankful to God, feel blessed that God called us in our young life. Do not use filthy language, do not take lords name in vain, do not gossip, or slander others, do not hurtful or rude with others, but use your words to encourage, use your word to give someone new life, and use your words to praise God.  God expects for us to obey his word in our speech.

My sisters, brothers, partners, elders of my CLF Church. I believe you will not let no-one despise your young life but you will be a positive young influencer "In Speech in this week.

Amen.

Let us pray.

Lord, help us to set an example to our siblings, to our parents, to our colleagues, and even those older than us. God, we want to honour you with our speech and give us power to control our tongue.

In Jesus' name we pray.

Amen