Brookfield Church of Christ
Jan 19, 2020 Sunday School James
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  • THEMES

    Taming the Tongue

    Wisdom from Above

    James 3:1-3
    James 3:1–2 ESV
    Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.

    1. Question - What warning does James give to those who seek to be teachers?

    Luke 12:48 ESV
    But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.
    The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Letter of James A. Control of the Tongue Manifests the Transformed Heart (3:1–12)

    Paul ranked the gift of teaching very high on the list of gifts the Spirit bestows on the church

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    Paul ranked the gift of teaching high on the list of gifts the Spirit bestows on the church
    1 Corinthians 12:28 ESV
    And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues.
    1 cor
    Ephesians 4:11 ESV
    And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,
    Romans 12:7 ESV
    if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching;
    Ephesians 4:11 ESV
    And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,
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    Paul considered his teaching with the utmost of importance
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    Acts 20:26-
    Acts 20:26–30 ESV
    Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.

    2. Question - How does James, in this instance, define a “perfect” man?

    James 3:2 ESV
    For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.
    James 3:1 ESV
    Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.
    James 3:3–5 ESV
    If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!
    jm 3:
    james
    James 1:2 ESV
    Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,
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    The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Letter of James A. Control of the Tongue Manifests the Transformed Heart (3:1–12)

    Probably, then, it is not so much “control” that James intends to illustrate but “direction”: as the bit determines the direction of the horse, so the tongue can determine the destiny of the individual. Believers who exercise careful control of the tongue are able also to direct their whole life in its proper, divinely charted course: they are “perfect” (v. 2). But when that tongue is not restrained, small though it is, the rest of the body is likely to be uncontrolled and undisciplined also

    Food for Thought - It is not so much “control” that James intends to illustrate but “direction”: as the bit determines the direction of the horse, so the tongue can determine the destiny of the individual. Believers who exercise careful control of the tongue are able also to direct their whole life in its proper, divinely charted course: they are “perfect” (v. 2). But when that tongue is not restrained, small though it is, the rest of the body is likely to be uncontrolled and undisciplined also.

    3. Question - What can occur with a single match in a large forest?

    James 3:6–8 ESV
    And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
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    4. Question - What is the destructive power of the tongue?

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    World of unrighteousness.

    Stains the whole body.

    Full of deadly poison.

    James 3:9–11 ESV
    With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water?
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    James 1:8 ESV
    he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
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    5. Question - What is the hypocritical duality of the tongue being illustrated here?

    Matthew 15:11 ESV
    it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.”
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    Matt 15:17-20
    Matthew 15:17–20 ESV
    Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is expelled? But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.”

    WISDOM FROM ABOVE

    jAMES 3:13-
    James 3:13–18 ESV
    Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
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      • James 3:13–18NLT

      • James 3:13KJV1900

  • James 4:1–3 ESV
    What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.
    James 4:1-4
    James 4:1–3 ESV
    What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.

    THEMES: 1. Warnings Against Worldliness; 2. Boasting About Tomorrow

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    James 4:1-
    James 4:1
    James 4:1–3 ESV
    What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.
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    The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Letter of James B. True Wisdom Brings Peace (3:13–4:3)

    Desires translates the Greek word hēdonē, which means simply “pleasure,” but often with the connotation of a sinful, self-indulgent pleasure (we get our word “hedonism” from it)

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    1. You desire and do no have, so you murder

    2. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel.

    3. Why don’t we receive?

    James 4:3 ESV
    You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.
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    James 4:4 ESV
    You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
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    Jer 3
    Jeremiah 3:20 ESV
    Surely, as a treacherous wife leaves her husband, so have you been treacherous to me, O house of Israel, declares the Lord.’ ”

    Note: James, following this tradition, uses “adulteresses” to label his readers as unfaithful people of God. By seeking friendship with the world, they are, in effect, committing spiritual adultery.

    James 4:5–10 ESV
    Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
    James 5:
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    Romans 7:23–25 ESV
    but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.
    Apollos.
    James 4:11–12 ESV
    Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?
    James 4:11-1

    4. Is there a proper way to judge?

    John 7:24 ESV
    Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”
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    Galatians 6:1 ESV
    Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.
    gal 6:
    Galatians 2:11 ESV
    But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned.
    Romans 16:17 ESV
    I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.
    Gal
    Philippians 3:17 ESV
    Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.
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    ​rom 16:17

    Boasting About Tomorrow

    James 4:13–17 ESV
    Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.
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    5. In business, is it wrong to plan, develop forecasts and make a profit?

    6. What is the reason for James’ chastisement of the merchants?

    Failed to look at life from a Christian perspective

    Did not acknowledge the Lord’s sovereignty and providence as they made their plans

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    The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Letter of James A. Arrogant Planning Ignores God’s Providence (4:13–17)

    James is not rebuking these merchants for their plans or even for their desire to make a profit. He rebukes them rather for the this-worldly self-confidence that they exhibit in pursuing these goals—a danger, it must be said, to which businesspeople are particularly susceptible

    7. What message does James give on a person’s expectation of life?

    Proverbs 27:1 ESV
    Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.
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    Luke 12:15 ESV
    And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”

    8. What is the key qualifier we all should add to our planning?

    James 4:15 ESV
    Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”

    9. What is the root problem of their boasting?

    James 4:16 ESV
    As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.
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    James 1:16 ESV
    Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.
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      • James 4:1–3KJV1900

      • James 4:3KJV1900

      • James 4:4KJV1900

      • Jeremiah 3:20KJV1900

      • James 4:5–10KJV1900

      • Romans 7:23–25KJV1900

      • James 4:11–12KJV1900

      • John 7:24KJV1900

      • Galatians 6:1KJV1900

      • Galatians 2:11KJV1900

      • Romans 16:17KJV1900

      • Philippians 3:17KJV1900

      • James 4:13–17KJV1900

      • Proverbs 27:1KJV1900

      • Luke 12:15KJV1900

      • James 4:15KJV1900

      • James 4:16KJV1900

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