James 3:1-2 Control the mouth, control everything else.

• James 3:3: Control the mouth, control the whole horse.

• James 3:4-5a: Control the rudder, control the whole ship.

• James 3:5b-6: Control the sparks, control the forest fire.

James 3:7-12

• Cussing is when you use profanity to make a point.

• Cursing is when you use harmful words to cause injury. Proverbs 18:21; James 3:9-10

Luke 6:45 NLT What you say flows from what is in your heart.

Psalm 51:10 NLT Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.

PSALM 19:14 NLT May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Faith without action is dead. James 2:26

James 2:14-18

• James is NOT saying that we’re saved by works.

• James IS saying that our works are evidence of the faith that saved us.

James 2:19-21

• Abraham’s action was the evidence of his faith. Genesis 22

James 2:22-24

James 2:25

• Rahab’s action was the evidence of her faith. Joshua 2

James 2:13b:Mercy triumphs over judgment.

• All of us deserve judgment.

>>Ecclesiastes 12:14; Romans 6:23a

• Instead, God offers us mercy.

>>Micah7:18b;1 Peter 1:3

• Therefore, mercy triumphs over judgment. >>John 3:16

James 2:1-13 My mercy must triumph over judgment.

James says, “Just do it!” James 1:21-27 NIV

• What is “it?” “IT” is what the word says.

1. Listen to the Word. (v. 21, 25)

• God plants his word in you through your conscience. Romans 2:14-15

• God plants his word in you whenever you hear biblical truth. Matthew 3:1-8

2. Let the Word Transform You. (Romans 12:2a)

3. Do What the Word Says. (v. 21, 26, 27)

QUESTIONS TO ASK OURSELVES

• What is your conscience telling you to do right now?

• What has been “sown” in my heart that I need to cultivate?

• What sin do I need to free myself from?

We celebrate the life and legacy of an amazing husband, father, and brother in the Lord - Bill Konkler.