by Pastor Chuck Ryan
The Power of the Spoken Word
Text: James 3:1-2
Thesis: The privilege to teach comes with a warning because of the power of the spoken word.
a
1. James is not only concerned with “good works” but also “good words”.
A. The spoken word has its origins in the Godhead.
“Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness.”
Genesis 1:26
B. Speech is a universal gift of God.
“So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God He created them; male and female
he created them.” Genesis 1:27
C. God has entrusted mankind with the gift of the spoken word with a
warning.
“Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach
2. James is aware that there is an eagerness among some Christians to be
“teachers” (NIV) or “masters” (KJV).
A. Jesus in Matthew 23 reveals the seven “Woes” of the religious leaders of his day.
1. Beware of those who will never sit under the teaching of another
person but are willing to teach a class.
2. To be a good teacher you must have a teachable spirit.
a. Learn from others that are mature in Christ and who have
sound understanding of scriptures; either in person or from
“Biblical Commentaries”.
3. Too much authority given to an immature Christian can produce
arrogance.
“He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as
the devil.” 1 Timothy 3:6
3. James makes it clear that teaching is not only a position of honor but
responsibility.
A. Teachers need to teach the Truth of God and not their own opinions.
B. A teacher must practice good “Exegesis” and not “Eisegesis”.
The Apostle Paul Admonishes Young Timothy
* “Until I come, devote yourselves to the public reading of scripture, to
* “Do your best to present yourselves to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15
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