I would encourage the preacher attracted to an opportunity to harangue his hearers because of perceived or known indiscretions of gossip and the like to, once again, resist for the sake of the entire community. As always, focus on the Christ.
Year B is funny in the summer months. The less experienced preacher could easily find himself stuck for something to say if he is preaching gospels, expends his reserve on John 6 in the first week it comes up, and then feels as if he is beating a dead horse in what seems like the eighteenth Sunday in a row (even if it is only Proper’s 13-15), trying to come up with something creative to say about the Bread of Life. You learn the lesson quickly if you are using the lectionary: Plan well by looking ahead!
The same might seem true if you are dealing with a James series for four weeks. What is so different about James 3 from James 2 and the rest of the book? Is it not all about works, works, works?
The good news about James is that this week’s pericope is focused on one theme, the power of the tongue in particular, with illustrations of the damage it can do and the command to use it wisely rather than foolishly. The temptation for the preacher is different here than in James 2, where a doctrine lesson may seem like an easy route. The enticement in this reading may vary from preacher to preacher, church to church. But I would encourage the preacher attracted to an opportunity to harangue his hearers because of perceived or known indiscretions of gossip and the like to, once again, resist for the sake of the entire community. As always, focus on the Christ who is the gift every sermon worth its salt delivers.
Having said that, there is no doubt James is addressing a real and immediate issue pertinent to his audience. Just as chapter 2 reveals that his congregation has a problem with discrimination between the wealthy and the poor (which gives him the fertile ground to outline a stellar Theology of the Cross in James 2:5-7), so chapter 3 reveals a problem with language, words, and power that has been wielded irresponsibly (or foolishly, since this is wisdom literature!) among James’ hearers. And who among us has not been faced with the cancer of gossip in the body of Christ? The open secret of the “prayer chain” which works like the party line telephone reality of yesteryear, the brokenness of secrets revealed, of confessions divulged, of confidentiality sacrificed on the altar of blissful thoughtfulness?
The Reformation mind resonates with James 3, particularly in the context of verse 1. “False teaching” is the catalyst for James’ rant and colorful illustrations, just as surely as it was for Martin Luther versus heterodoxy of every stripe. This is why, for example, his Small Catechism underscores the significance of true teaching and confession at many turns (see especially his explanation of the Second and Third Commandments and the First and Second Petitions of the Lord’s Prayer).
The Christ who would be delivered here as the true Word whom the tongue wisely blesses is the Christ who is the master of language. He is the One who, though oppressed, afflicted, and led like a lamb to his shearers (and slaughterers!), opened not His mouth (Isaiah 53:7). Yet, He is also the One who is the Word of God from the beginning. Indeed, who is the Wisdom of God, the Word that slays and makes alive, the Word that created, the Word that confused the languages at Babel, the Word that inspired the prophets, the Word that proclaimed the mighty works of God at Pentecost in the cure for Babel, the Word that grows and continues to proclaim in all mouths up to and including the end that “Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of the Father” (Philippians 2:11).
The Christ who would be delivered here as the true Word whom the tongue wisely blesses is the Christ who is the master of language.
I would encourage the preacher faced with James 3 not to be satisfied with the small potatoes of trying to cure gossip in the congregation through “best practices” or “tried and true principles” like a talk radio host or advice columnist. Rather, the preacher ought to preach the Word (the second person of the Holy Trinity), to deliver the Word (made flesh), the Word who opens the ears of the deaf, loosens the tongue of the mute, and serves for all as the fresh water spring bub-bub-a-bubbling up to eternal life (James 3:11-12; also see John 4:14; 7:38).
The following outline presents one way forward with a “taming the tongue” sermon which strives to deliver this Jesus and honor Him in faith as James does. He is the giver-God who is the giver of all good gifts, including the tongue, which the Lord calls His people to use wisely and in faith. How better to utilize the tongue faithfully than in confession of the giver.
Outline:
- James warns us against the misuse of the tongue. Where does this touch us? Crescendo:
- Potty talk, impolite words, they are one thing, but ultimately small potatoes.
- Gossip (a cancer in the Church and the family).
- The Second Commandment and its explanation (turns out this is the big potatoes).
- Teaching, then, is the major emphasis in James 3. Words matter!
- The God of wisdom James delivers is less interested in how “polite” people are and much more concerned with their salvation!
- The prophets, the apostles, the Christ Himself had a sharp tongue when appropriate (there are plenty of examples; see Luke 13:32; Philippians 3:8; Matthew 3:7; 23:33; and Galatians 5:12).
- We is a lot of instruction about faithfulness, keeping confidences, being faithful, and confessing the truth of God in Christ, but the root of it all is love (see Ephesians 4:15; 1 John 3:18; Romans 10:9-10; and 1Peter 4:8).
- God gave us eyes, ears, all our members, including a mouth, for a reason.
- What/who is the only thing that can save a sinful mouth?
- Not washing it out with soap, but God Himself recreating it in the One who opened not His mouth.
- Jesus acknowledges it is what comes out of a man’s mouth which makes him unclean (Mark 7:14ff).
- There is only one thing that can make him clean: Christ Himself as cleaner (sacramental).
- The power of renewal is the Christ who is the Word, God’s final Word, God’s Word of Truth, and other similar titles.
- The Christ whose mouth fulfills what we cannot, both in what He does not say (like a lamb to the shearers He opened not His mouth) and in what He does say (the Gospel FOR YOU!).
- Woe to me! I am a man of unclean lips (Isaiah 6:5-7)!
- The Lord has given you a mouth too... and cleansed it.
- The Lord has opened up your mouth to proclaim, to welcome, some to teach, some to preach, and for all to call on the name of the Lord (Joel 2:32; Acts 2:21).
- Finally, the Lord has opened your mouth also, to receive every good and perfect gift from above, including the body and blood of Christ.
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Additional Resources:
Craft of Preaching-Check out 1517’s resources on James 3:1-12.
Concordia Theology-Various helps from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO to assist you preaching James 3:1-12.
Text Week-A treasury of resources from various traditions to help you preach James 3:1-12.
Lectionary Kick-Start-Check out this fantastic podcast from Craft of Preaching authors Peter Nafzger and David Schmitt as they dig into the texts for this Sunday!
