Preached by Pastor Mike Hess Sunday morning 02/14/2010.

Don’t Play with Fire (Part 2)

James 3:9-12

Introduction:

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living  sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is  your spiritual worship.” Romans 12:1

Our worship of God should permeate every area of our lives:

Our homes
Our worship at church
Our thought life
Our marriages
Our friendships
Our resources
Our work
Our speech

A Controllable Fire will cause inconsistency in 3 areas:

I. Inconsistency in Our Worship(3:9)

 Emotions/                        \Moral Nature
      Will[     (Image of God)     ]Reasoning
Intelligence\                          /Self-consciousness

“If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him, whoever loves God must also love his brother.” 1 John 4:20-21

II. Inconsistency in Our Purity (3:10)

“Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the  master of the house, ready for every good work.” 2 Timothy 2:21

Preaching and teaching the Word : “So then faith comes by hearing and hearing through the word of Christ.” Romans 10:17

Comfort: “But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not  only by his coming but also by the comfort with which he was comforted by you; as he told us of  your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me;  so that I rejoiced still more.” 2 Corinthians 7:6-7

Worship: “Through him let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips  that acknowledge his name.” Hebrews 13:15

“The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life.” Proverbs 10:11

“The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked, what is perverse.” Proverbs 10:32

III. Inconsistent Results (3:11-12)

“A hateful heart cannot produce loving words or works. An unrighteous heart cannot produce  righteous words or works.” John MacArthur

“Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.” Matthew 7:20

Application:

1. You are counted righteous in Jesus Christ so now you have the ability, by God’s grace to live, act and even speak righteously. (2 Pet. 1:3)

2. Fill your heart with God’s Word and allow that to change how you speak.

3. Today needs to be the day of repentance, change and action with our words.

Proverbs 4:23

“Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.”

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