James 3:1
Notes
Transcript
Welcome
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Song: King of Kings
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Song: I Will Wait for You
Introduction
Introduction
How do you know who to trust?
Who do you listen to?
It’s difficult these days to know who to trust, isn’t it? Because we live in a world where misunderstanding, misinformation, half truths and outright lies abound.
In the third chapter of this letter, James tackles the issue of how we use our words
1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 2 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. 3 If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. 4 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. 5 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! 6 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. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.
And we’re going to get into this passage more next week, but for this week I have been really struck by and meditating on the first verse.
Exposition: Not many should become teachers
Exposition: Not many should become teachers
1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.
“Not many should become teachers.”
Interesting statement as he is launching into a discussion of the danger of words
This is actually a very profound challenge to our world today, for reasons we’ll get into later.
What does James mean by “teacher”?
Broad definition in the ancient world was any literate, educated person who possessed a platform from which to teach others
“Teaching” did not simply mean lecturing and putting out information
Teachers were those who gave knowledge and understanding, who imparted wisdom, who instilled values, who taught skills
Ultimately, the teacher was a person with the role of forming others
This was a very high and noble calling with a great deal of honor and respect because most people were not literate or educated
Jewish teachers were called “Rabbi”
Hebrew word that means “teacher”
Their job was to teach God’s people to live according to the Scriptures
To give knowledge and understanding of the scriptures, to teach people to obey God and live with wisdom and righteousness
There were not very many Rabbi’s, and people would travel for miles to hear one, because it might be the only chance they had to hear from a rabbi in their whole life
A semi formal office within the church
One of the gifts that the Holy Spirit gives is the gift of teaching
To explain the scriptures so that the people of God can understand them and live them out
This was roughly equivalent in the early church to a rabbi
So this was a place of honor and dignity within the church community
James is addressing a problem where too many people want to become teachers, presumably because people wanted the prestige and honor that came with that position.
Why would this be a concern?
People wanted to occupy the place of honor in the community
People wanted to “be important” and placed an wrongful, even idolatrous value on the ministry of teaching
People love to know things other people don’t know, and they love to be in a position of teaching
Illustration: Would you rather be the one explaining something or the one having something explained to them?
Most people would rather go to Youtube than ask another person to teach them how to do something
Because we feel stupid when we don’t know something that we think we’re supposed to know
Example: Charcoal BBQ
All of these reasons are not healthy, wise, godly reasons to be a teacher!
These concerns breed jealousy, division, ambition, and fake devotion to Jesus
Personal example: I have to wrestle with the reality in ministry that by talking about Jesus I can make much of myself
Left unchecked, that will consume me and my ministry and leave me with a forced, fake devotion to Jesus that will not do anyone any good
We have evidence from James that this was exactly what was happening in the communities that James was writing to James 3:13-18
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
Why does James warn against becoming a teacher?
Because he knows that people often aspire to a position of influence and authority for wrong reasons.
He warns his readers that “we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.”
James is identifying himself as a teacher
What does “judged with greater strictness mean?”
One option is judged more harshly with greater condemnation for equivalent sin
But James is not teaching a double standard here, because he goes on in chapter 3 to talk about sins of the tongue that involve humanity more broadly
James is likely referring to the idea that a person who teaches exposes themselves to greater probability of sin and therefore greater likelihood of judgment - TWO REASONS FOR THIS
“The teacher places himself in greater danger of judgment because the main tool of his ministry is also the part of the body most difficult to control: the tongue.”
Because the tongue is difficult to control, which is the whole point of these first 12 verses of chapter 3
Because to teach people is to occupy a place of influence in their life, to form them
Both of these realities are actually seen in Jesus’ response to the Pharisee teachers in the gospel of Matthew
And Jesus warns against careless words in Matthew 12:36
36 I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak,
In this context, Jesus is calling out several issues with the teaching coming from the Pharisees
They are not themselves submitted to Jesus
They do not speak truth - they speak falsely about things they do not understand
Specifically in this text they are saying that Jesus does miracles by the power of the devil
They, as teachers of the people, lead the people of Israel ultimately to reject their messiah.
Because to teach is to occupy a place of influence and authority, which therefore puts a person in a place of greater responsibility
To teach means that if you go sideways, you take others down with you
We know this is tragic because we feel it every time a well known pastor experiencers moral failure and brings down a community with him
So James is warning those who are aspiring to be teachers to perform a deep self evaluation
Is their motive truly devotion to Jesus or is it their own desire to feel important?
Do they really possess the necessary skill to speak truthfully about the Scriptures?
Will their teaching actually help people be formed into the image of Jesus?
By warning people about the danger involved in taking upon the responsibility of teaching, James is acting with profound love and grace
To warn those who lack the spiritual maturity, moral qualifications, or correct understanding of doctrine away from teaching is to help them avoid placing themselves under judgment
James is not seeking to turn everyone away from teaching - he himself was a teacher!
But he is trying to weed out those who would take upon themselves the role of “teacher” without the right motives and qualifications
Summary: What makes a good teacher?
A person who is devoted to Jesus
A person who speaks the truth
A person who helps others become like Jesus
This gets REALLY sticky when we think about the ramifications of this teaching in our world today.
Application
Application
First, the straightforward and non-controversial application of this scripture has to do with those in the church who are going to occupy a role of teaching
We have a responsibility to raise up leaders who can teach and equip God’s people based on a true and accurate understanding of the word of God and the world we live in
We need people in our church to be equipped to teach and lead the people of God
Particularly here at RCC, the truth is that our church needs to hear from more people than just Pastor Brian
And we need to be careful about this - we want to raise up godly, biblical leaders
We need leaders and teachers with godly motives
The church is not served by people of self seeking ambition stepping into a role of leadership to satisfy their own desire for importance within the community
Our teaching and ministry and leadership is ultimately not about us, our ideas, our ambition, our plans, our opinions, but about submitting to the lordship of Jesus
We need teachers who speak truthfully and accurately about the Scriptures.
There is nothing more dangerous than a little bit of information wielded in ignorance
This doesn’t mean that we jump down the throat of anyone in a teaching role that makes a mistake or speaks inaccurately, because we are gracious and humble, knowing we are all works in progress
But it’s a good and fair expectation that people who occupy a role of teaching in the people of God have a decent education and understanding of the Scriptures
DO NOT use this as an excuse not to exercise your God-given spiritual gift: “I don’t know enough” - rather, see this as a challenge to study hard ask a lot of questions, submit to a trusted mentor
We need teachers who will help us become more like Jesus
One thing that should terrify people in the teaching ministry is the thought that people may hear more from me than from God
That I might form a church community in my image rather than in the image of Jesus
So I need to take care that my teaching actually serves to point people to Jesus and be helpful to their maturing into the likeness of Jesus
Before you write this sermon off as having nothing to do with you because you are “not a teacher,” think about this:
With regard to “not many should be teachers,” in a very real sense that ship has already sailed
James was writing to a group of people who were largely illiterate and without any real platform
Today, virtually everyone can read and write, everyone has immediate access to more information than any generation before us, and has access to numerous large platforms via social media
The information age that we live in has made many people into self proclaimed experts
156 million blogs on the web
over 200 million registered Twitter accounts
over 490 million unique users on Youtube
over 800 million active users on Facebook
As in James’ day, people love to feel important, to have the place of honor, to be perceived as experts and those who “know things”
What this means is that we have a very real information crisis in our world today
There is more information available now than ever before
But a LOT of that information is terrible
So a lot of the ideas, advice, counsel being tossed around is not necessarily of high quality or truly adhering to a Christian worldview
This should bother us, because we follow and serve King Jesus, who is himself the embodiment of truth. We can not participate in a system of misinformation, deception, half truths and outright lies and serve the Way, the Truth and the Life at the same time.
First, we to practice discernment with regard to the teachers we listen to and the content we consume
Discernment means to think carefully and evaluate
Proverbs 14:15
15 The simple believes everything,
but the prudent gives thought to his steps.
Honestly, the proverbs have a great deal of profound wisdom for how we use our words
There’s a LOT of misinformation out there, and we need to be very thoughtful
Not everything that you see online is true
Just because something is reposted or retweeted 100,000 times doesn’t mean its true
Just because something is called a “documentary” doesn’t mean its true
Just because a person is claiming to be a Christian doesn’t make their words true
What questions should we ask of the teachers and content we consume?
Is there any actual evidence here or is it just speculation?
Can I examine the evidence for myself?
You should not just blindly accept anything, including anything from me!
Don’t just say, “well Pastor Brian said it, so it must be true” - examine the scriptures for yourself!
The point is be thoughtful and careful with the words we listen to, as well as the words we use!
We should be careful about the way in which our words function to influence and even teach others
If you repost something that turns out to be false, you have participated in the system of misinformation
What’s worse, if you post something about someone else that turns out to be false and damaged their reputation, you have committed the sin of slander
Again, this is no small issue for a follower of Jesus
We cannot casually throw around things online that may or may not be true
The same questions that teachers in the church must ask themselves are appropriate on a personal level as well
Are my motives pure? Am I submitted to Jesus and to his reign?
Is what I am going to post true?
If I cannot verify whether it is true or not, I probably shouldn’t post it
Which is why I don’t post a lot on social media
Is what I am going to post going to be helpful for my readers to become more like Jesus?
In fact, these principles are good to think through in all of our words!
Am I following Jesus?
Am I speaking honestly and truthfully?
Am I helping people become more like Jesus?
Super practical challenge:
There are thirty one chapters in Proverbs, one for every day of the long months
Read one chapter of Proverbs every day for the next month, and highlight or underline everything that has to do with speech or how you use your words
Conclusion
Conclusion
Ultimately, the reason this is so important is that we follow Jesus, who is himself the Word of God and the ultimate embodiment of truth, and if we serve him as king and Lord we cannot ever be a participant in falsehood.
So we have to be so careful in our teaching and in our speaking, not because we want to be technically correct about everything, but because we want to honor the one who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
So we take care in our leadership and teaching ministries, as well as in our everyday personal lives, to be people submitted to Jesus in humility and truth, who speak honestly and point others to Jesus.
Transition to Communion
Transition to Communion
As we head into a time of communion, I’m encouraged by this thought: ultimate, the rock bottom foundation and anchor of truth that I build everything on is not my understanding of everything, but instead the person of Jesus Christ.
That this man, Jesus of Nazareth, lived a perfect life as the Son of God and died in my place as a ransom for sin, was buried, and three days later was resurrected from the dead by the power of God.
That the facts surrounding the empty tomb of this man have never in 2,000 years been adequately explained by any other explanation than the resurrection of Jesus.
And because of the truth of this event, because of the truth of the gospel, I am reconciled to God. I can rest in this and have confidence in this even if I do not know everything else.
Let’s take a few minutes to reflect and mediate upon the truth of the gospel, and in a few minutes we will come back together and take communion.
Song: King of my Heart
Song: King of my Heart
Dismissal
Dismissal
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Have a great week
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