Foundations: Ministry - SERMON NOTES

Intro: (1) series recap (2) ministering = serving (3) approaching church as a waiter (cf. dad retiring)

Wisdom
1. Wise listening (James 1:19): (1) “quick to hear” → obstacles of busyness, screens, disinterest, disagreement (2) “slow to speak” → tendencies to interrupt, jump to conclusions, offer advice, control, get attention (cf. Proverbs 10:19) (3) “slow to anger” → what makes you angry and why, anger turns off listening (4) asking questions (cf. elmo on x)

2. Wise speaking (James 3:6-9, 17): (1) v.6-9 → capable of evil (cf. world of unrighteousness, stains whole body, sets life on fire, can’t be tamed, poison) (2) lasting effect of words (3) v.17 → capable of good (cf. pure, peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy/good fruits, impartial, sincere) (4) key is “above” in v.16 → importance of tone (5) tending a garden (cf. Prov. 18:20-21)

Truth
1. Loving truth (Ephesians 4:15, 22-25): (1) “speak your truth” (2) v.22-25 → first app of new
creation is speaking truth relationally (3) v.15 →this is one way we grow spiritually (4) two ways this DOESN’T happen → “love” without truth (cf. benevolence), truth without love (cf. tone, timing) (5) which is your tendency and do you provide a heads up (cf. my bluntness)

2. Confronting truth (Mt. 18:15, Gal. 6:1-2): (1) wrongs have to be addressed → intentional or not (2) biblical examples → Nathan/David, Paul/Peter, Philemon/Onesimus (3) Mt. 18:15-7 → talk to the person you have a problem with (#1 church issue) → do it in person (4) Gal. 6:1-2 → importance of gentleness, humility, “law of Christ” (cf. John 13:34) (5) not natural

Conclusion: foundation of God’s word in James 1:21 (cf. Deut. 30:14, Jer. 31:33)