Proverbs 1: 20-33 James 3:1-12
I picked these two passages a month ago, not knowing how portentous they would become because of events that have transpired this week. James is cautioning us against the way we use words and how much power the tongue holds when it is used. We can either speak blessings or we can speak curses. We can cause division or we can create reconciliation with our words.
James warns us that teachers should constantly watch their words because there are always people listening and learning from them, and therefore, they can cause more damage than others. Who are the teachers of our church? An obvious one is the Sunday School teachers, another obvious one is myself. But are we truly the only ones that teach others the way to act and talk as a Christian – especially when we consider our youth who listen avidly to the words we speak and the things we do?
When new people come into a church, who do they look toward to show them the way, whom do they question to ask what they should say or do at certain times in worship? The elders and deacons are teachers in those instances, the organists or choir director are teachers, but so is everyone else. When we go out into the world, it is not like it was 50 or even 20 years ago. We’re not sure if our neighbor is a Christian or our co-worker either. We may be the lone Christian in a group more often than we think. Therefore, every person that believes in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior have become teachers in recent years.
We tell the world who Jesus is and based upon our actions and words, we show them the love of God or the judgment of humans. Last week, I spoke on some controversial topics and I did so aware that there would be people that did not agree with me on some or all points. That’s okay. The point of a sermon is not always about telling you the way you should be, but to generate discussion on topics that sometimes we like to avoid. However, we cannot afford to ignore these topics when they are directly affecting us and the world around us.
I brought up a woman’s right to choose because we have a supreme court nominee that believes even birth control is a form of abortion when we have finally lowered accidental teen births by dramatic numbers by offering birth control to anyone who needs it. I brought up criminals and the recidivism rate because millions upon millions of dollars go into housing people that keep going back when instead, if we took some time to educate them and help them with their mental and emotional problems – maybe they would become productive members of society and that money could be used to help feed our homeless and make sure every veteran gets the health care they deserve instead of waiting months or years for treatment.
I brought up the refugees because despite the public’s negative viewpoint on holding the children, there have been reports than more than ever children are being held at detainment centers and reuniting them with their parents has become a serious challenge. Another waste of our valuable tax dollars not to mention morally reprehensible to cause such hurt in a child.
I don’t have all the answers to these social issues, but I do want us to speak of them and speak about them in the light of Christ. I want us to look to the Bible, and pray to God, and listen to the Holy Spirit for guidance on these very hard issues. I am hoping that we can work together, acknowledging we don’t always agree with each other, but through respecting each other’s opinions we may come to a compromise that makes life better for everyone. It is not all black and white in this world. It doesn’t have to be if you believe one thing you cannot see the reason someone believes differently than you.
I saw a cartoon once that showed two people standing on opposite sides of the number 9. To one person, it looked like a 6 and they said so. The other disagreed and said no it’s a 9. Based on their perspective, based on where life had led them so far and the experiences they have had – they were both right. The glass is both half full and half empty.
I have never meant to cause anyone any harm. I became a minister because God kept pushing and I finally gave in. Sometimes, I fight against the call God has placed upon my life. I am not perfect. I am a sinner. I need Jesus Christ to save me. I’ve always been aware that as a pastor, my life would be analyzed and dissected by others, that I would be judged for the things I do and say. It’s not easy living in a goldfish bowl. And it's really not easy to ask someone to live in that goldfish bowl with me.
That became even more clear this week when someone left an anonymous note that basically threatened the life and longevity of the church by telling Consistory that people would not tithe as long as I was the pastor here. They believe I am a terrible example for our youth and that my sermons are not biblically based.
It also became obvious that gossip is a rampant problem in our church and whether the things we are speaking of are true or not, it is still gossip and James cautions us against this because words have power.
James tells us that the tongue is a small thing that can cause huge problems. He cautions us against using our tongue to speak thoughtlessly, without consideration of others, and to use it to spread lies or even the truth. He considers it to be a sinful behavior because it does not take many words to cause a raging fire of doubt and fear in other people.
James cautions against this kind of speaking because this is where the devil thrives. I ask you to pray and to search your heart because I feel like there is an unhealthy force at work within the church and we cannot let it win. We cannot let the devil win because it is him that seeks to divide us when God constantly calls us toward love, forgiveness, and reconciliation.
I am using myself for this sermon, but there are others in this church who have suffered because of unruly tongues spreading gossip. Again, whether it is true or not, James does not discriminate – it is all sinful. The letter also stated that no one new has been coming into the church while some people have left. This has been true for longer than me being here and it’s hard to bring in new people when people feel judged.
The people of this church have the ability to be extremely compassionate, kind, and giving. I admire many of you and the work you do for God. But there is division in this church and it is not all caused by me. There is an element of judgement in this church that makes people feel uncomfortable and unwelcome. I’m not sure you even mean to do it, but it is there. I have been told repeatedly from many sources that that’s the reason they do not attend here.
This is fixable. God gives us the Bible to show us how to heal every wound. I want us to fix it together. I want us to work toward making our church warm, welcoming, and an environment where people feel loved and accepted, not judged. We can only do that if you are all willing to work with me rather than against me. I pray that you will take these words to heart, and work on the issues in this church. Jesus warns us that a house divided cannot stand.
God is with you. Jesus will help you through this if you let him. Listen for the Holy Spirit for she will speak in your hearts and guide you to the right path and decisions. May God bless each and every one of you.
Amen.
