The Body of Christ and the Power of the Tongue

02/16/25 • 52 min

Life with Jesus is a journey—one of transformation. He changes us from the inside out, and every day, He continues His work in us. One Body, Many Parts 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 reminds us that the Church is one body made up of many different parts. Each of us has a unique role to play in God’s kingdom, and no one is without purpose. "All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it." (1 Corinthians 12:27) We need each other – No part of the body can function alone. Just as an eye needs a hand and a foot needs a leg, we are dependent on one another to build the Church. We all have gifts – God has given us different talents and abilities. If you don’t know yours yet, ask God to reveal it to you. We are called to community – Meeting together, whether in Life Groups or Sunday services, strengthens our faith and allows us to grow together in Christ. Ask yourself: What role has God given me in His body? Controlling the Tongue James 3:1-18 teaches us about the power of our words. Our tongues may be small, but they have the ability to build up or tear down. "The tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire." (James 3:5) Our words have power – Proverbs 18:21 tells us that “death and life are in the power of the tongue.” What we say can bring encouragement and healing or cause harm. We must choose our words carefully – James 1:26 warns that if we do not bridle our tongues, our faith is worthless. Speak words of grace and encouragement – Ephesians 4:29 reminds us that only wholesome talk should come from our mouths, bringing grace to those who hear. How Can We Control Our Tongue? Rely on the Holy Spirit – James 3:8 says no human can tame the tongue, but with God’s help, we can. Guard our hearts – “Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.” (Luke 6:45) What we fill our hearts with will eventually come out in our words. Be intentional with our speech – Proverbs 15:4 says “a gentle tongue is a tree of life.” Our words should bring life, not destruction. Key Scriptures to Hold On To: “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” (Colossians 4:6) “Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.” (Proverbs 16:24) Final Thoughts We are called to be part of the body of Christ, using our gifts to serve and encourage one another. At the same time, we must be mindful of our words, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide our speech so that it brings life and not destruction. What is the gift God has placed in your hand? Ask Him today. How can you use your words to build up those around you? Let’s be people who uplift, encourage, and speak life! Romans 12:2 – Ask God to change the way you think and be an example with your words. Let’s commit to using our words wisely and embracing our role in the body of Christ!

Previous Episode

Don't Forget to Remember

This Sunday, we were blessed to have Stuart Watkins share a powerful and thought-provoking message about the importance of remembering God's goodness in our lives. His message reminded us of the incredible truth that God calls us to remember His gracious dealings with us and to live a life rooted in love for God, ourselves, and our neighbours. The Call to Remember The foundation of Stuart's message came from Psalm 103: "Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s." – Psalm 103:1-5 We were reminded not to forget God's forgiveness, healing, provision, protection, love, and mercy. The word "benefits" here can also be understood as "gracious dealings" – God's consistent and undeserved grace towards us. Remembering is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, appearing over 550 times. From the Old Testament through to the New Testament, God calls us to remember what He has done, as seen in the practice of communion: "And when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, 'This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.'" – 1 Corinthians 11:24 Practical Step: Consider keeping a prayer journal to write down moments of God's goodness. When storms come, you can look back and remember His faithfulness. The Importance of Testimony Sharing our testimonies is another way we remember God's work. A "testimony" is "God, do it again!" When we hear of God moving in someone else's life, we can reach out and believe He can do the same for us. Loving God, Ourselves, and Our Neighbours Stuart also challenged us to remember to love, drawing from the words of Jesus: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbour as yourself.'" – Matthew 22:37-39 Loving God Loving God isn't just about feelings; sometimes it looks like obedience, other times like worship. It means spending time in prayer, reading His word, and living in a way that honours Him. Loving Ourselves We are called to love our neighbours as ourselves. If we struggle to love ourselves, it can impact how we love others. Stuart reminded us that comparison is often the thief of self-love. We must remember that we are: "Fearfully and wonderfully made." – Psalm 139:14 Our mistakes and failures don't define us. The enemy may try to attach our shortcomings to our identity, but God reminds us that we are His beloved children. "The awareness of our rubbish can become the soil that buries the diamonds in our lives." Loving Our Neighbours Love is powerful. In a world full of brokenness, people don't need more rules or judgment – they need love. Loving our neighbours is often met with challenges, but we must persevere. Key Takeaway God calls us to remember His goodness and live a life of love. Remember what God has done in the past to fuel your faith for the present and the future. And remember to love wholeheartedly – God, yourself, and your neighbour. Let's commit to being a community that remembers well, loves deeply, and trusts God completely. Have a blessed week!

Next Episode

Who’s Wisdom Are You Going to Live By?

As followers of Christ, we must ask ourselves: whose wisdom are we living by? Are we relying on our own understanding, the guidance of others, or the wisdom of God? This was the central challenge posed in today’s sermon. A Church That Looks Like Jesus What would a church that truly reflects Jesus look like? How would it act? What would it sound like? Our goal should be to cultivate a church that not only speaks about Jesus but also embodies His character in every way. This requires each of us to bring our gifts and talents together, allowing the Holy Spirit to work through us. The Holy Spirit’s ultimate purpose is to glorify Jesus, and when He is working in our lives, we will be guided, corrected, and motivated to be more like Him. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we have the ability to change atmospheres. When we step into a room, people should sense Christ in us. This is the church that God is reviving, stirring back to life in a new season. The Fullness of the Holy Spirit For the church to fully represent Jesus, we must understand and embrace the fullness of the Holy Spirit. The presence of the Holy Spirit in us is like spiritual DNA, shaping us to reflect the character of Jesus: Love Joy Peace Patience Kindness Goodness Faithfulness Gentleness Self-control These fruits of the Spirit should be evident in our lives. But beyond these, God also equips His people with spiritual gifts that enable the church to thrive. These gifts include: Administration Apostleship Discernment Evangelism Faith Healing Hospitality Leadership Mercy Prophecy Serving Speaking in tongues Wisdom Miracles Encouragement When we ask God for spiritual gifts, we should expect Him to answer. We are called not just to speak about Jesus but to demonstrate His power and presence in tangible ways. A fully functioning church is one where both Word and Spirit are alive and active. Developing Expectation and Obedience What are your expectations of what the Holy Spirit can do through you? Do you truly believe He can use you, or do doubts and negativity hold you back? A critical culture can creep in, but we are called to cultivate a Holy Spirit culture—one that is filled with faith, expectation, and obedience. God calls us to have simple faith and quick obedience. We don’t always need to understand everything, but we need to be willing to step out in faith and trust in Him. If we all embraced this calling, imagine the impact the church could have! Not just a few people doing God’s work, but the entire body of Christ actively fulfilling their God-given purpose. Returning to Our First Love Revelation 2:4-5 asks: Why have we drifted? It’s a powerful question. Think back to when you first became a follower of Christ. Where is your heart now compared to then? Have you lost your first love? Is your heart still full of love for God and people? If not, it’s time to return to Him with fresh passion and devotion. A Season of Refreshing and Restoration Exodus 34 reminds us that God displays awesome power through His people—miracles, signs, wonders, and provision. God is refreshing and restoring His church, bringing fresh encounters through the Word and the Spirit. This is more than just a personal renewal—it is the energizing of a missionary movement to change the world. Ephesians 1:15-23 encourages us to pray for spiritual wisdom and understanding. God’s work on earth happens through people like you and me. We must fan into flame the gifts God has placed within us. Take Action Have you asked God to speak to you? Have you asked God to use you? Are you making the choice to develop your gifts? God is calling us to push into Him and embrace the wisdom that comes from above. Let us be a church that not only talks about Jesus but lives like Him in every way. Amen!