Sermon Notes: The Rock Church (www.rock-church.com) May 15th 2011

May 15 2011


Verbal jabs


Recap of James 3: words can be hell..the power of the tongue. If we're careful we can bring life.
Community= disagree but not dissagreable.
Be listeners and respect to be a healthy community.
Put our words into pratice. Better with our language.


(NIV)James 4:11-12
Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. [12] There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you---who are you to judge your neighbor?


We don't want to be defined as being judemental.
Eph 4:15
(NIV)Ephesians 4:15
Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.


Community is always on the line...
Slandering and judging is something we can't have...
Defined: slander- to belittle.
Judge: codemn and send away.
Opposite of love. Moral superiority.
This applies to one another : brothers and sisters.
are men and women equal. Gen. 2:18


(NIV)Genesis 2:18
The Lord God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him."
Ezer kenegdo... balance, equal power.
When James addresses this- he's talking to equals. We're connected.
Look as them as equal.
Phil2:5-11
(NIV)Philippians 2:5-11
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: [6] Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, [7] but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. [8] And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death---even death on a cross! [9] Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, [10] that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [11] and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.


We want to be like Jesus. He made Himself equal.
Mindset defined. A habitual mental attitude.
What is our mindset?
We push out the Less Thans....
If we can see ourselves as equals then we can learn from each other.
Jesus had a humilty and
Eph 4:15


(NIV)Ephesians 4:15
Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.
We need an awareness of how we speak to each other.
Mature body of ppl use truth in their language. We need to come from love. We equal. Our words should be coded in love...
To redeem- love seeks to reclaim and build.




Self Evaluation -
Do u have a fault finding state of mind?
- quick to judge...
Be very careful.
Are u constantly irritated by a person r or a group of ppl?
Do u enjoy telling ppl about their faults and hearing about em..
V 11
(NIV)James 4:11-12
Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. [12] There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you---who are you to judge your neighbor?


Only God has enough understanding enough wisdom. We have no idea what ppl deserve.
You will ever know.
We don't know what ppl deserve.


Example: when it comes to patience..
Do you know how you compare? Do you have a right to make moral judgements?
Jesus had a mindset of equality. ie the women caught into adultery... he asked them if they were without sin... "you need to know love doesn't throw stones..." Echo Division...


Gal6:1
(NIV)Galatians 6:1


Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.


Back to James: (NIV)James 4:11
Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it.