The document contains a proposed change to the bylaws for the FSBC North Hollywood church regarding quorum requirements for conducting business. It also contains a sermon on taming the tongue based on James 3:1-12. The sermon discusses the power of words and gossip, and encourages controlling what comes out of your mouth by applying a "THINK" test to determine if something needs to be said. It emphasizes that if you have an issue with someone, especially church leadership, you should go directly to that person rather than spreading gossip.

1. Announcement
forspecialbusiness
meeting…

2. Proposed Bylaw Change for FSBC North
Hollywood
Section 15. Quorum: One-third of the active
members of this church, or a minimum of 15
active 10 active members, shall constitute a
quorum to do business. The Church Clerk, with
the assistance of the Church Secretary, shall
document the number of active members on an
annual basis.

4. TheTerrible,
Troubling
Tongue
James 3:1-12

5. Tiny maker of BIGTROUBLES…
•Four preachers sitting on a park
bench…
•This is probably the most convicting
section of James– so today will be the
most difficult
•The reason is for many of us, we have
a problem controlling our tongues
•We gossip, murmur about things we
don’t like, quick to judge and lash out

6. “Let not many of you become teachers, my
brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a
stricter judgment. 2 For we all stumble in many
ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he
says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the
whole body as well. 3 Now if we put the bits into
the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we
direct their entire body as well. 4 Look at the
ships also, though they are so great and are
driven by strong winds, are still directed by a

7. very small rudder wherever the inclination of
the pilot desires. 5 So also the tongue is a small
part of the body, and yet it boasts of great
things.
See how great a forest is set aflame by such a
small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, the very
world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our
members as that which defiles the entire body,
and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set
on fire by hell. 7 For every species of beasts and

8. birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is
tamed and has been tamed by the human race.
8 But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless
evil and full of deadly poison. 9With it we bless
our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men,
who have been made in the likeness of God;
10 from the same mouth come both blessing and
cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to
be this way. 11 Does a fountain send out from
the same opening both fresh and bitter water?

9. 12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives,
or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water
produce fresh.”
James 3:1-12, NASB

10. A.Want to teach Bible…?
•V1,This one scares me silly every week

11. “Let not many of you become
teachers, my brethren, knowing that
as such we will incur a stricter
judgment.”
James 3:1, NASB

12. A.Want to teach Bible…?
•V1, Best advice ever for anyone
thinking of teaching or preaching
•One of the reasons I was afraid to
answer God’s call on me to preach
•The Greek word for “Incur a stricter
judgment” is ‘krina’
•It means the teacher/preacher will be judged more
strictly because of his influence on the people– his
life is held to a higher standard

13. B. Perfect Man…
•Vs 2-4,

14. “4 Look at the ships also, though they
are so great and are driven by strong
winds, are still directed by a very
small rudder wherever the inclination
of the pilot desires.”
James 2:4, NASB

15. B. Perfect Man…
•Vs 2-4, No one I have ever met always has
control of their mouths
•Proverbs 11:13 says, “A talebearer reveals secrets,
But he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter.”
•Proverbs 16:28 says, “A perverse man sows strife,
And a whisperer separates the best of friends.”
•Again, if you have an issue with someone, you are
to talk to that person alone first, if to anyone at all

16. C. Sin and theTongue’s Power…
•Vs 5-6, Gossip

17. “5 So also the tongue is a small part of the body,
and yet it boasts of great things. See how great
a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! 6 And
the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity;
the tongue is set among our members as that
which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire
the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell.”
James 3:5-6, NASB

18. C. Sin and theTongue’s Power…
•Vs 5-6, Gossip has one purpose: to tear a
person down
•One man told so many malicious lies about
his pastor, that he was finally convicted and
went to him to ask forgiveness…
•I’ve heard some of you say, “It’s not gossip if it’s
true…”
•Wrong—Matthew 18 tells us to go to the
person with who we have an issue, only them!

19. D. Using God’s name…
•Vs 7-8,

20. “7 For every species of beasts and birds, of
reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed
and has been tamed by the human race.
8 But no one can tame the tongue; it is a
restless evil and full of deadly poison.”
James 3:7-8, NASB

21. D. Using God’s name…
•Vs 7-8, the tongue is the main expressor
of our personalities, and usually calls for
an immediate reaction in others
•Mean words have destroyed people,
churches, and homes– yet there are still
many “religious” people who never even try to
control what they say
•Anyone who loves to gossip is 3 things–
immature,cowardly, wanting to destroy

22. D. Using God’s name…
•Vs 9-10,

23. “9With it we bless our Lord and Father, and
with it we curse men, who have been made in
the likeness of God; 10 from the same mouth
come both blessing and cursing. My brethren,
these things ought not to be this way.”
James 3:9-10, NASB

24. D. Using God’s name…
•Vs 9-10, when we think we’re “going after”
someone on God’s behalf, we’re wrong
•Under the excuse of “for praying with
intent”, we pass along juicy information,
that gets changed and twisted as it passes the
“prayer chain”
•Most often this happens to church staff…

25. “19 Do not receive an accusation against an
elder except on the basis of two or three
witnesses. 20Those who continue in sin,
rebuke in the presence of all, so that the rest
also will be fearful of sinning.”
1Timothy 5:19-20, NASB

26. D. Using God’s name…
•If you have a problem with the pastor, go
to HIM. Period.
•Vs 11-12

27. “11 Does a fountain send out from the same
opening both fresh and bitter water? 12 Can a
fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a
vine produce figs? Nor can salt water
produce fresh.”
James 3:11-12, NASB

28. D. Using God’s name…
•If you have a problem with the pastor, go
to HIM. Period.
•Vs 11-12
•We can’t keep others from gossiping, but
we can absolutely make sure it doesn’t start with
us individually
•I’m going to give you a simple test, that if you
will follow it, you will NEVER be guilty of gossip
again!!!

29. THINK
•T– Is itTrue? Did you find out for sure?
•H– Is it Helpful? Does it build up the person
you’re talking about, or tear them down?
•I– Is it inspiring? Can I test it by God’sWord and
it still be OK to say?
•N– Is it Necessary? Do you really have to say it?
•K– Is it Kind? If you were that person, would
you want to hear it said about you?

30. Take Home!
•Gossip is not of God
•It is allows the Enemy
to use you to destroy–
Don’t let him!!!
•Remember Jesus words: “…I tell you,
men will give an account of every
careless word they have spoken.”
Mat 12:36, NIV