Wow! What a sermon we had tonight!

Pastor Tommy amazed us all with some stories from his past. The best of all had to do with a scooter and 8 ft tall flames. As epic as that sounds, its definitely one of those do-not-try-at-home stories.

In all seriousness, Pastor Tommy took us on a journey through James 3:3-12,

³When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. ⁴Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. ⁵Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. ⁶The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

⁷All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, ⁸but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
⁹With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. ¹⁰Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. ¹¹Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? ¹²My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

James compares our tongues to horse bits and ship’s rudders; small objects that steer large things. It is the same way with the words we say; although it’s small, it controls the type of person we are to the world. A mean person says mean things, a nice person says nice things, etc.

Controlling the tongue is difficult. James goes as far as to call it impossible. It should then go without saying that controlling it is an intentional act, it’s something that we have to put our will to. We have to make the conscious decision to learn to control the tongue; it doesn’t happen by accident.

Some questions to ask yourself to help you control your tongue:

What does your mind dwell on?
Remember Philippians 4:8. Whatever is holy, whatever is pure…
Do I consider the other person’s feelings before I speak?
With what motives are you speaking with?
To congratulate, to comfort, to attack…
What types of music, books, tv shows, movies, etc., are affecting the way you speak?

Taming the tongue is impossible to do. No MAN has ever accomplished that goal. But we have a GOD who can do all things. If you want to learn to tame your tongue, go to God for help! You can’t do it on your own but God is just a prayer away, waiting to help you in all that you do.

UPCOMING EVENTS!!
THE BIG SERVE! Registration is out! Get excited to hear Press Play and help out the community!!
WATER WARS! 7/23 from 7:00 to 9:00 pm @ youth center!!
NO YOUTH ON 7/28 due to Mega Sports Camp! Instead, meet us for lunch, games, and bowling at the Colosseum at 12:15 (bring money)
MEGA SPORTS CAMP VOLUNTEERS! Volunteer online! Pastor Jan needs you!
SUNDAY SCHOOL! We’re going to talk about Jesus and what role He plays in your life! 9:30 to 10:30 am @ Youth Center

Blessings!!
Alexa

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