Words of Faith – Sermon for September 15, 2018

This weekend at St. Peter was our annual Country Time luncheon. We served a total of 755 meals (quite a few in a town with a population of 1,100!). In addition, we still had worship! So, here’s my sermon for September 15 & 16. 

The sermon text for the week is James 3:1-12.  

Has anyone heard the quote “Preach the gospel always, and if necessary, use words”? It’s a famous quote attributed to St. Francis of Assisi, although he almost certainly never actually said it.

“Preach the gospel always, and if necessary, use words.”

The point is that actions speak louder than words, and that’s often true. The problem is, that quote usually gets used to say don’t talk about Jesus. People use it to say the church should care for people and serve them, but not say why we care. That’s actually the opposite of what St. Francis did in his life, and it’s certainly not what James would have us do.

For the last two weeks, we’ve heard James talk about the importance of action as part of faith. Chapter 1 of James said hearing the good news of Jesus without doing something about is missing the point.
In chapter 2, James makes the bold claim that faith without works is dead, that living faith has an effect on how you live.

Now, in chapter 3, James says that words are powerful. The tongue, this little part of our body that you can’t even usually see from the outside, the tongue makes a huge difference. If a living faith requires action, then the words we speak reveal the motives behind our actions. Having a living faith changes the way we speak. Our faith motivates us to speak good news, to speak words of life and hope to our neighbors.

James says the tongue is like a little spark that can start a raging fire. I imagine the people living in the west who have been dealing with these massive wildfires can attest to how dangerous a spark can be.

I grew up around horses, so James’ first example makes more sense to me. When you’re riding a horse, if you stop and think about it, the horse is a big, strong animal that can do whatever it wants. But because it has the bit in its mouth, it will go where you tell it to go. You can guide the whole horse with just this little piece of metal. Your words affect how people encounter God.

The words we speak make a difference, because words are how we express and understand our faith.

Last week, we gave our third-graders Bibles, books full of words, because words are the primary way we know God. I heard someone say once that the church is basically a book club that never gets past the same book. We call it the word of God, the words of life.

This week in confirmation class, we talked about how God created the world. Genesis 1 tells us that God speaks words, and creation appears. God speaks the world and us into existence.

As we celebrate Kooper’s baptism tonight, the words matter. Without God’s word joining with the water, all we’re doing is splashing some water. Without the words of the communion story, without hearing the promise of Jesus to be present in the bread and wine, it’s just a snack.

James’ point is that God works through words. Actually, it’s more specific than that. God works through our words. God works through your words.

I wonder if we recognize how much our words matter. This reading gives us an opportunity to think about how we use our words. Do you use your words to hurt or to heal?
Is what comes out of your mouth “a restless evil, full of deadly poison” as James puts it, or do your words bless the people around you?

Do you use your words to bully others, to gossip, or complain, or to stand up for people even when others are speaking against them?

What we say betrays who we are and what we believe. Your speech reveals your character and your faith.




James describes the tongue as untamable, more dangerous than any wild animal. And yet, the tongue can be used for good.

All of you have people in your life that you love and care for. Think about how you show them that you love them. Part of it is through doing things. You show your children you love them by caring for them, providing food for them, and taking them places, but sometimes what they most need is to hear the actual words, “I love you.”

It’s good to show your husband or wife that you care for them by washing their dirty dishes and buying them presents, but sometimes, they just need to hear out loud in words that you love them.

The people who love you need to hear that you love them too. They need to hear when you’re grateful for what they’ve done. Look for opportunities this week to speak the words “Thank you” and “I love you.” Words are powerful.

When you boil down what James is saying, his biggest concern is how often with the same tongue we bless the Lord and Father, and then curse those who are made in the likeness of God. If you claim to love the Creator, you can’t turn around and hate the creation.

If you claim to love God, you also have to love the people God loves. Loving requires loving your neighbors, because your neighbors are God’s children, just like you are.

Do your words reflect what you believe? Do your words reflect God’s love for the people you’re talking to, or the people you’re talking about?

It’s not just verbal, audible words either. Do your Facebook posts and emails treat your neighbors as people made in the image of God?

Do your emails and texts and memes show God’s love? Instead of going for political points or for a cheap laugh, instead of dehumanizing others, or treating other people as less than, as animals, or as things, use your words to speak life.

Use your words to give hope, to welcome others into the arms of our loving God. Words are powerful. Words reflect character. Words reflect faith.

In the Gospel reading, Jesus asks the disciples first what other people are saying about him, and then more personally, “Who do you say that I am?” (See this post by Karoline Lewis for more on this)

Jesus is still asking us that question. Who do you say Jesus is? What do your actions say about Jesus?
What do your priorities say about what you believe? Do your words match your faith?

Jesus warns the disciples that words are dangerous. Following Jesus means taking up your cross, and that can mean literally dying. Even when it doesn’t include dying, our words of faith are dangerous because they change you. They make you lose your life for the sake of others.

Words of faith have the power to change the world. What will you say about Jesus?

May your words and your actions always point people to Jesus your loving savior.

And when you fail, when you say things you know Jesus wouldn’t want you to say, when you act contrary to your faith, may you remember the promise of Jesus’ love in the words spoken over you at your baptism:

You have been sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked with the Cross of Christ forever.
You are a beloved child of God.

And may the peace of Christ, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Amen