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The Gospel of Matthew Bible Studies
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Time after Pentecost - Lectionary 24
(B) Grace, mercy, and peace be with you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Our second reading for today is the third of five consecutive passages from the letter of James. In his letter, James describes how we are to relate with each other as Christians – thus providing an example to the world of what the kingdom of God is like. In the previous two passages, James stressed that our so-called “faith” must lead to practical works of love. For example, last week he showed that if we “say” that we love each other, then we should not show any kind of favoritism based upon wealth or social status. In today’s passage, James deals with a topic that is timeless but also very contemporary. He writes about the importance of speech – of how we use our tongues. As he illustrates, even a little bit of indiscreet speech can cause great deal of damage. He writes that even though the tongue is a small member, it – like the rudder on a ship or a bridle on a horse – can steer us either to the path of love and wisdom or toward destruction (vs. 1-5). It takes only a spark – a misplaced, unkind, or untrue word – to burn down a community that has been nurtured and established like an old-growth forest (vs. 5-6). The tongue’s “deadly poison” is always just a word or two away from infecting a whole group (vs. 8). The power of words to both bless and curse is a power that should never be taken lightly, particularly when our words are directed at God – but also when they are directed at fellow believers – people who are created in God’s image and likeness (vs. 9). Yes, words are important – and how we use them can have real consequences. In my sermon today, I would like to look at some ways that we should NOT use our tongues – and also at some ways in which we should. To begin with, James stresses that we should always be careful with our speech. And this is especially true for those whom he calls “teachers” – people who have a public position of leadership. As James writes: “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For all of us make many mistakes.” Yes, we all make many mistakes – but the mistakes of “teachers” – those who are in the public realm – can cause very harmful consequences. We certainly see this in the world at large. Many of us, for example, may remember the reaction two and a half years ago when radio talk show host Don Imus casually used a racial slur to describe the women’s basketball team at Rutgers University. Although what he said was not pre-meditated in any way – it just sort of “came up” in a conversation he was having on his show – his careless words nevertheless hurt a lot of people deeply, and they ended up costing him his job. And just this past week, many people – of all political persuasions – were stunned with Congressman Joe Wilson rudely interrupted President Obama’s speech to the congress by shouting “You lie!” He did not plan to say that – his emotions just got the best of him at an inappropriate moment – but his two words nevertheless created a lot of ill feeling. If an ordinary citizen had spoken like Don Imus or Joe Wilson in their daily conversation, it would have been bad enough. But to do so in their public positions dramatically “amplified” the harmful effects. And the same is also true for myself as a pastor – if I misuse my tongue in casual conversation, it is bad enough – but it can be especially harmful if I say something wrong or hurtful or inflammatory while preaching from this pulpit. Be that as it may, it is incumbent upon ALL of us as Christians to be careful with our speech. A careless or thoughtless or hurtful or inflammatory word – or the spreading of a rumor – can lead to major consequences. As a phrase I once heard puts it, we need to “engage brain before putting mouth in gear.” We need to always be aware that our words have power – and that once spoken, they can not be taken back. May we like the Psalmist pray, “Set a watch before my mouth, O LORD, and guard the door of my lips.” (Ps. 141:3a) How we speak and what we speak – even if not done intentionally – can cause great harm to individual persons and to the entire community. May God keep us from doing that. But when thinking about the tongue, we need to do more than just focusing upon what we should not do. As Christians, we are also called upon to consider how our words can be used to help and build up and encourage one another. Martin Luther puts it this way when explaining the eighth commandment “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor” in his Small Catechism. He writes: “We are to fear and love God so that we do not betray, slander, or lie about our neighbor – but defend them, speak well of them, and explain their actions in the kindest way.” To me, there are three main aspects of how we can use our words positively – that I will refer to briefly. First of all, we can encourage each other. All of us, I know, really appreciate it when someone gives us a “thank-you” or expression of appreciation for something we have done. And we also appreciate it when persons encourage or sympathize with us during difficult times. And think of how we feel when someone tells us that they love us. We need these words of encouragement and love from others – and they also need them from us. These might seem small or even trivial, but imagine how much better things could be if we all would make it a priority to share a word of kindness and love each and every day. Secondly, instead of just talking about people, we can talk to them. As Jesus once put it in the gospel of Matthew: “If a person sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the person listens to you, you have regained that one.” There have been a number of times where I have been very grateful when someone has pointed out to me something that I was doing wrong – or something I had said that had hurt their feelings – instead of just telling others about it. When done in humility and love – rather than in judgment or anger – our words to others with whom we have a concern can be of great help. Finally, we can take Luther’s advice of always trying to defend and speak well of our neighbor if at all possible, and try to explain their actions in the kindest way. This does not mean that we have to agree with what they may say or do. Even within our own midst, we will certainly have disagreement about things and issues. But when we disagree, we can do so in love – remembering that the other person is also beloved by God. We do not need to “demonize” people whose ideas and actions we might oppose and believe to be wrong. This is true in our nation and community, and it must especially be true in the church. When we disagree, we are called upon to do so in ways which show that we respect and love each other –even as we deal with issues that we may feel very passionately about. Yes, the tongue – though small – has great power. To conclude this sermon, I would like to for you to try an experiment with me. Repeat after me… “I love you.” That’s great! Say those words again to someone next to you – with meaning! “I love you.” Don’t those words make you feel good?! They make me feel wonderful and valued. Now repeat after me again… “I hate you.” How do those words make you feel? Do you want to say them to the person next to you? Those words make me feel upset and perhaps even angry. Yes, through our speech we have been entrusted with a great power – a power which can either build one another and our community – or to destroy each other and our life together. It is a power which must always be used with great care - and with love. May we as God’s people always strive to use our words to build up and encourage and bless one another – and thereby show the world that the kingdom of God is truly in our midst. I love you! In Jesus’ name. Amen! -------------------- Pastor George Karres 418 W. Main St. Sidney, MT 59270
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