My beloved chaplain had the weekend off to be with his family. So yesterday I had to conduct the Sunday morning service...
I was thus placed in charge by him to oversee things until he returned. However, for some unknown reason, the volunteer minister who was scheduled to come and give his sermon didn't show. So this left me by myself, and it turned out that I had to step behind the pulpit to speak to the fifty or so men who were in attendance.
Therefore, after the choir sang their last song, it was time for me to give my message. And by God's grace, I did. Of course, I was nervous, as I seldom get the opportunity to actually preach a full sermon. Most often I simply give short exhortations as a prelude to get the congregation ready for the main speaker, which is usually the chaplain, or a preacher from the outside.
Fortunately, though, I had a sermon prepared for such a time as this. I spoke to the men on the subject of the tongue, and the title of the message was "Just Shut Up!" I asked the congregation to participate, and I asked them questions as we went along. It was a sobering and serious message, but I included some humor too.
Moreover, I believe that when my approximately forty minute sermon was done, we were able to see our little tongues in a different light. Likewise, we would all be more careful in the way we speak to people. I included myself in this, and I confessed to them that I needed such a message as much as they did.
My first Scripture for the message was James 1:19, "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath" (anger). I then read James 1:26-27. Verse 26 says, "If any man among you seems to be religious, and bridles not his tongue, but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is vain" (worthless).
I concentrated on these passages first. However, a short while later I had the congregation read all of James chapter three. This chapter, as many Christians know, is the primary section in the Bible on the tongue. It deals with using and controlling our tongues, as well as how deadly and out of control tongue could be. I likened the untamed tongue to a flamethrower. I told the men that there are times when we need to shut up and stay quiet. I added that many of us know firsthand how dangerous the tongue could be because we've witnessed terrible fights which broke out when the tongues of our fellow prisoners ran wild. I mentioned that riots could even start when tongues get out of control with rage. Threats are made. Men are provoked by careless words. And the result is retaliation and revenge and bloodshed, all of which could've been avoided if tongues only stayed still and mouths stayed shut.
In addition, I also said that for many of us, our speech is not much different than that of non-Christians. We cuss, gossip, complain, tell lies and hurt others with careless words. And this is not good, I told them. But I explained, too, how our tongues could be used by God for good purposes. I said that God wants our tongues to be instruments for blessing instead of for cursing.
Then, near the end of my sermon, I made a short quip which had these guys laughing. I said, "Sometimes it's not wise to speak your mind because you'll end up showing others that you don't have one." Of course, I said this in a humorous, gentle way, so they'd know I was joking with them and wasn't trying to put anyone down. It was well received, however, and they got the point.
All told, this was an enjoyable time and I believe the men got the message. Some of them even came up to me afterwards to ask questions. Today, I'm absolutely certain, the Lord Jesus helped me out one hundred percent.
D.B.
Therefore, after the choir sang their last song, it was time for me to give my message. And by God's grace, I did. Of course, I was nervous, as I seldom get the opportunity to actually preach a full sermon. Most often I simply give short exhortations as a prelude to get the congregation ready for the main speaker, which is usually the chaplain, or a preacher from the outside.
Fortunately, though, I had a sermon prepared for such a time as this. I spoke to the men on the subject of the tongue, and the title of the message was "Just Shut Up!" I asked the congregation to participate, and I asked them questions as we went along. It was a sobering and serious message, but I included some humor too.
Moreover, I believe that when my approximately forty minute sermon was done, we were able to see our little tongues in a different light. Likewise, we would all be more careful in the way we speak to people. I included myself in this, and I confessed to them that I needed such a message as much as they did.
My first Scripture for the message was James 1:19, "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath" (anger). I then read James 1:26-27. Verse 26 says, "If any man among you seems to be religious, and bridles not his tongue, but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is vain" (worthless).
I concentrated on these passages first. However, a short while later I had the congregation read all of James chapter three. This chapter, as many Christians know, is the primary section in the Bible on the tongue. It deals with using and controlling our tongues, as well as how deadly and out of control tongue could be. I likened the untamed tongue to a flamethrower. I told the men that there are times when we need to shut up and stay quiet. I added that many of us know firsthand how dangerous the tongue could be because we've witnessed terrible fights which broke out when the tongues of our fellow prisoners ran wild. I mentioned that riots could even start when tongues get out of control with rage. Threats are made. Men are provoked by careless words. And the result is retaliation and revenge and bloodshed, all of which could've been avoided if tongues only stayed still and mouths stayed shut.
In addition, I also said that for many of us, our speech is not much different than that of non-Christians. We cuss, gossip, complain, tell lies and hurt others with careless words. And this is not good, I told them. But I explained, too, how our tongues could be used by God for good purposes. I said that God wants our tongues to be instruments for blessing instead of for cursing.
Then, near the end of my sermon, I made a short quip which had these guys laughing. I said, "Sometimes it's not wise to speak your mind because you'll end up showing others that you don't have one." Of course, I said this in a humorous, gentle way, so they'd know I was joking with them and wasn't trying to put anyone down. It was well received, however, and they got the point.
All told, this was an enjoyable time and I believe the men got the message. Some of them even came up to me afterwards to ask questions. Today, I'm absolutely certain, the Lord Jesus helped me out one hundred percent.
D.B.
