Advent and the Messianic Prophecies - Part 2

 

 This message was preached at Word Of Grace Church on November 14th Dec 2025, by Navaz. For the audio & video, please click here.  For the worship, please click here. 

The Anointed Messiah

Introduction

Isaiah 61 stands as one of the most hope-filled and powerful passages in Scripture. Written against the dark backdrop of exile, oppression, and spiritual decline, it points forward to a Redeemer who would bring healing, freedom, and restoration. This chapter ultimately finds its fulfilment in Jesus Christ, who boldly declares in Luke 4 that this ancient prophecy is realized in Him.

At its heart, Isaiah 61 carries a sweeping message: Judgment gives way to hope, hope leads to redemption, redemption results in restoration, and restoration ushers in new creation.

Background to the Book of Isaiah

The book of Isaiah spans nearly 100 years of Israel’s history. Scholars generally agree on one of two views: either Isaiah wrote the first part of the book while his disciples completed the latter sections, or Isaiah himself authored the entire work but entrusted portions of it to his students for preservation.

Isaiah ministered during the reigns of Kings Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah in the southern kingdom of Judah, while Assyria conquered the northern kingdom of Israel.

The book can broadly be divided into three sections:

• Chapters 1–39 (c. 800 BC): Isaiah’s lifetime, calling Judah to repentance
• Chapters 40–55 (c. 550–539 BC): Addressing Israel during the Babylonian exile
• Chapters 56–66 (post-515 BC): Hope after the return from exile and the rebuilding of the temple

Isaiah 61 belongs to this final section and is saturated with expectation—a promise that God has not abandoned His people.

A Messianic Promise of Hope

Isaiah 61 was written with the awareness that Israel would face exile and devastation. The temple would lie in ruins, and the people would experience loss, shame, and despair. Yet this chapter speaks of a coming Messiah who would restore what was broken.

The passage declares:

“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor…”

This is not merely poetic comfort—it is a prophetic announcement of God’s rescue plan.

Jesus Reads Isaiah 61

Fast forward to Luke 4. Israel is once again under foreign rule, this time by the Romans. Centuries of conquest have left the people longing for deliverance. Many expected a political Messiah who would overthrow oppressors by force.

Instead, Jesus inaugurates His ministry with a radically different message.

Returning to His hometown of Nazareth, Jesus enters the synagogue “as was His custom.” The scroll of Isaiah is handed to Him, and He reads from what we now know as Isaiah 61. Then, He does something astonishing—He stops mid-sentence.

He reads:

“To proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour”

But He does not continue with:

“and the day of vengeance of our God.”

Why?

Two Comings, One Messiah

Jesus’ deliberate pause reveals a profound truth: His mission unfolds in two phases.

The First Coming – Grace and Salvation

Jesus declares that Isaiah 61 is fulfilled in their hearing. He is openly identifying Himself as the Messiah. His first coming is marked by grace, mercy, and salvation:

“I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world.” (John 12:47)

This is the present season—the year of the Lord’s favour—where forgiveness is offered and hearts can be transformed.

The Second Coming – Justice and Judgment

The “day of vengeance” will come later. Scripture makes it clear that Christ will return to judge the living and the dead. Until then, the door of grace remains open.

We are still living in that season of favour.

Good News for the Poor

Jesus’ announcement shocked His audience. He declared good news not for the powerful, but for:

• The poor
• The broken-hearted
• The captives
• The blind
• The oppressed

In Jesus’ day, these groups were often considered cursed or insignificant. Yet Jesus places them at the very centre of God’s kingdom.

This theme echoes throughout His teaching, especially in the Sermon on the Mount: “Blessed are the poor in spirit.”

The poverty Jesus addresses is ultimately spiritual poverty—a condition shared by all humanity. Sin leaves us bankrupt, captive, blind, and broken. But in Christ, our debt is cancelled.

Recovery of Sight to the Blind

Interestingly, Jesus adds a phrase not found directly in Isaiah 61: “recovery of sight for the blind.” This comes from Isaiah 42.

Why does He include it?

Because spiritual blindness is humanity’s deepest problem. No amount of human wisdom can fix it. We need divine revelation. Jesus is the Light of the world, opening blind eyes and leading people out of darkness into truth.

The gospel convicts, heals, restores, and illuminates—by the power of the Holy Spirit.

The Great Exchange

Isaiah 61 beautifully describes what Jesus gives us in exchange for our brokenness:

• A crown of beauty instead of ashes – where there was ruin, God gives dignity
• The oil of joy instead of mourning – where there was sorrow, God gives healing joy
• A garment of praise instead of despair – where sin weighed us down, God clothes us in righteousness

This is not surface-level change. It is deep, Spirit-led restoration.

Who We Become

Those who receive this work of Christ are called:

“Oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendour.”

This is the purpose of salvation—not merely heaven someday, but transformation now. God restores us so His glory can be seen through renewed lives.

Isaiah 61 operates on three levels:

1. What it meant for Israel in exile
2. How it is fulfilled in Christ
3. What it now means for us

Christ fulfils the prophecy, works transformation in us, and continues His mission through us.

Living in the Year of the Lord’s Favor

The church is called to reflect this kingdom reality—to preach good news, heal broken hearts, and proclaim freedom to those enslaved by sin. We are the new Zion, a city set on a hill, displaying what redeemed humanity looks like.

One day, Christ will return. That day will be glorious for some and devastating for others.

Until then, now is the day of salvation.

The question remains: How will you respond?

 Word of Grace is an Evangelical (Born Again),  Spirit-filled (Charismatic), Reformed, English-speaking church in Pune that upholds the Bible as God's inspired Word for life. We are a church community that has people from every part of India and parts of the world. We are here to put the Great Command and the Great Commission into practice by equipping and releasing every member into works of service.  Word of Grace is part of a wider international family of Churches called RegionsBeyond.To know more about us please log onto www.wordofgracechurch.org. 

Advent and the Messianic Prophecies - Part 1

 

 This message was preached at Word Of Grace Church on November 30th Nov 2025, by Colin. For the audio & video, please click here.  For the worship, please click here. 

Messianic Prophecies: Discovering Jesus in the Old Testament

As we step into the season of Advent, the historic Christian rhythm invites us into four weeks of anticipation—four weeks of preparing our hearts to remember the birth of Christ and to look ahead to His promised return. Advent literally means arrival, and for centuries believers have used this period to rekindle awe for the greatest gift ever given: Jesus Christ.

Yet the story of Jesus does not begin in Bethlehem. It begins long before shepherds saw angels or wise men followed a star. The Old Testament—often viewed as ancient history, laws, and rituals—is in fact filled with signs, shadows, and promises pointing directly to Christ. These are known as Messianic prophecies, and they reveal that Christmas is not merely a New Testament event—it is a story God has been telling from the very beginning.

The Old Testament: A Hidden Portrait of Jesus

Scripture contains three major roles in Israel’s story: prophet, priest, and king. Each functioned uniquely, yet each foreshadowed someone greater:

• The Prophet spoke God’s word.
• The Priest stood between God and people as a mediator.
• The King ruled with righteousness and justice.

Jesus Christ fulfils all three perfectly—He is the Prophet who reveals God’s heart, the High Priest who offers Himself as the sacrifice for sin, and the King who reigns forever in righteousness.

But the Old Testament does more than describe roles—it provides portraits:

• Jesus is a prophet like Moses.
• A priest greater than Aaron (Hebrews).
• A champion like Joshua, who won victory after victory.
• An offering like Isaac, but one whom the Father did not spare.
• A king like David, yet much greater.
• A wise counsellor like Solomon, embodying wisdom itself.
• A rejected but exalted Saviour like Joseph, who becomes the bread for the hungry.

Even Israel’s symbols whisper His name:

• The Passover Lamb without blemish.
• The mercy seat where atonement is made.
• The bronze serpent lifted up for healing.
• Manna from heaven.
• Water from the rock.
• The scapegoat who carries our sins away.
• The ark that saves from judgment.

Once you see Jesus as the "master key," the Old Testament comes alive. As Jesus Himself said, “These are the Scriptures that testify about Me.” (John 5:39)

The First Prophecy of the Messiah

The earliest gospel message appears shockingly early—in Genesis 3:15. Addressing the serpent after the fall, God declares:

“I will put hostility between you and the woman,
between your offspring and her offspring;
He will strike your head,
and you will strike His heel.”

This verse predicts:

1. A miraculous birth — “the seed of the woman” hints at a virgin birth.
2. A suffering Savior — Satan would “strike His heel.”
3. A victorious Messiah — Christ would crush the serpent’s head.

The entire gospel is hidden in this single sentence.

Prophecies That Point to Christ

One reason we trust Scripture is its astonishing prophetic accuracy. Written over 1,500 years by more than 40 authors, the Bible contains approximately 300 prophecies about the Messiah. The probability of even eight being fulfilled by chance is virtually zero—mathematicians compare it to picking a single marked coin from an area stretching across multiple states and filled two feet deep with identical coins.

Yet Jesus fulfilled them all.

Here are just a few examples:

Born in Bethlehem

Micah 5:2 predicted the Messiah would come from Bethlehem—a prophecy fulfilled when a census decree forced Joseph and Mary to travel there.

Born of a virgin

Isaiah 7:14 foretold: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son.”

Called out of Egypt

Hosea 11:1 predicted the Messiah’s early years in Egypt—fulfilled when Joseph and Mary fled from Herod.

Worshipped with gifts by kings

Psalm 72 describes kings bringing tribute—echoed in the visit of the Magi.

Details of the crucifixion

Centuries before crucifixion existed, Psalm 22 described:

• mockers surrounding Jesus,
• His hands and feet pierced,
• His cry: “My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?”

These prophecies were not random—they were purposeful, preserved, and fulfilled to demonstrate God's sovereignty and His faithfulness to His promises.

Why Does This Matter for Us Today?

1. Scripture Is Reliable

The accuracy of prophetic fulfilment shows that the Bible is trustworthy. It is not a collection of myths but the unfolding story of God’s redemption.

2. God Is Sovereign

If He can orchestrate world events to fulfil His plan for Christ, then He can surely work faithfully in our lives as well.

3. Christmas Should Renew Our Awe

Like the shepherds who trembled before angels and the wise men who travelled across nations bearing gifts, we too should approach Christmas with wonder, gratitude, and worship.

Conclusion: Seeing Jesus Everywhere

The Old Testament is not just ancient history—it is a treasure map whose X is Christ. From Genesis to Malachi, every story, symbol, sacrifice, and prophecy whispers His name. This Advent season, let’s open Scripture with fresh eyes and ask:
“Where is Jesus here?”

Because He is there—on every page, in every story, and at the centre of God’s plan from the very beginning.

 Word of Grace is an Evangelical (Born Again),  Spirit-filled (Charismatic), Reformed, English-speaking church in Pune that upholds the Bible as God's inspired Word for life. We are a church community that has people from every part of India and parts of the world. We are here to put the Great Command and the Great Commission into practice by equipping and releasing every member into works of service.  Word of Grace is part of a wider international family of Churches called RegionsBeyond.To know more about us please log onto www.wordofgracechurch.org. 

James - The Prayer of Faith - Part 5

 

 This message was preached at Word Of Grace Church on November 23rd 2025, by Navaz. For the audio & video, please click here.  For the worship, please click here. 

The Prayer of Faith

James 5:13-20

INTRODUCTION

James was addressing the disconnect between words and the profession of faith – waywardness was creeping into the church, and he was addressing various contexts in which it was appearing. He was also addressing the real-life challenges of persecution and trials.

Verse 13- 14 – The troubled, happy and sick

Anyone in trouble? Anyone happy? Anyone sick? – This pretty much covers everyone! There is only one response that is the best in all three situations, and that is to PRAY and PRAISE.

V14- Role of Elders and the sick.

If anyone is sick, let him/her call the elders to pray and anoint him with oil, in the name of the Lord.

This, I think, is relatively neglected in the charismatic and evangelical circles. We do pray for each other at church, and we send WhatsApp texts requesting the church to pray. How about calling your leader and a couple of other friends to come and pray for you? It is a biblical way to respond.

One of the reasons I think we have not given this importance is partly because we are reacting to the religious Christian orders that did this as a ritual. Just because something was used badly is not a reason to stop using it. 

Notice the onus is on the sick person – It is their responsibility to call the elders to pray. This is good because it requires humility on the part of the church member, requires them to recognise the anointing and grace upon the leadership of the church, and recognises their spiritual authority over the church they claim to be part of.

It also takes the pressure off the Leaders to run to every household to pray. They are required to respond to your request. God is so wise!! This instruction is only for believers and not for non-Christians. This is a good guideline and is wisdom for these times.

Notice it says elders- plural. Again, this is a good practice as it takes the pressure off one person. Today, we have created almost an idol around faith healers. When two pray, you don’t know whose faith/anointing healed the person.

V14b - Anoint in the name of the Lord.

Anointing sick people with oil was a common ancient practice across multiple cultures—Jewish, Mesopotamian, Egyptian, Greek, and Roman—used for medical treatment, ritual blessing, and symbolic healing. James’s instruction fits into this wider world while giving the act a uniquely Christian meaning.

We see this practice referred to in the story of the good Samaritan as well. So, James is making it clear in whose name  a sick person should be anointed. The anointing could be symbolic, like a dab on the forehead – All the kings were anointed with oil. Oil was medicinal as well – it had healing properties.

What we can get from this section of scripture is that prayer and medication go together. The Samaritan bound the victim's wounds. Ps 147:3 – the Lord is close to the broken-hearted and binds up our wounds.

V15- Prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well- the Lord will raise Him up.

Is James guaranteeing healing? We need to be careful about using scripture as a formula. You will need to listen to the sermon preached on James 1 to get a fuller understanding of our response to sickness and suffering. In short, God is sovereign in all things. He knows and does what He thinks is best, even though we do not understand. Be sure of this our pain is not not meaningless. When we suffer, God allows it so that our faith and character may be refined into pure gold. There is also an eschatological view of this, in that we will one day ultimately be saved from all sorrow, sickness and pain. “Raise him up” either now or on the last day.

The “save” is therefore for the body and or the spirit.

We can fall into two errors: God does not heal (the cessationists are of this view)

God will or must heal everyone who is prayed for in faith.

God sometimes heals and sometimes does not – it is a mystery that we must leave in God’s hands. The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, so that we may follow all the words of this law. (Jer 29:29)

Paul prayed 3 times, and the only answer he got was “My grace is sufficient for you”. This should sober us and humble us. Never guarantee anyone healing or answered prayer in the way they want it. Sometimes a No is the answer to prayer.

V15b – “and if he has sinned, he will be forgiven”

Forgiveness is guaranteed if we confess our sins. What a gracious God. He throws that in for free because forgiveness of sins is a gift our Lord gave us. It is for this reason that He went to the cross – the written code was cancelled, and we were condemned. Therefore, it is a good practice to ask people before we pray for them if there is anything they need to set right before God. Some things can hinder our prayers and one of them is unconfessed sin. Peter warns husbands to treat their wives well so that their prayers will not be hindered (1Pet 3:7).

V16 Confess your sins to each other so you may be healed.

However, from the whole counsel of scripture, we do see how sin can affect a person’s life. Hezekiah was about to die – God told him to repent and put his house in order, and he lived for another 15 years.  To some, Jesus said Your sins are forgiven and they got healed. Sometimes there can be a connection between our sickness and sin. Remember, we deal with the world, the flesh and the devil. It rains on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Sometimes our lifestyle choices cause diseases in our body, where we have not honoured God’s temple. We need to take this seriously, see it as sin, and repent. Sicknesses like diabetes, blood pressure, etc., are related to lifestyle – are we overeating, overworking, worrying, being anxious, harbouring unforgiveness and bitterness? These things are known to affect our bodies.

Confess: is to acknowledge. Confess your faults to one another.

As Christians, we have given up on this practice, and again, it could be a reaction to the tradition of confessing to the priest. We see confession of sin is a Jewish practice. In Matt 3:6, John the Baptist was baptising people as they confessed their sins. But here it says, “confess to each other”. The healing we can receive is both spiritual and physical. Remember, sins thrive in secrecy, but confession brings them into the open, and now someone can check on you and ask you how you are doing. Of course, our confession needs to happen with someone we can trust; it should be discreet and with integrity.

Lesson for the hearer of the confession: This is a sacred trust and is NEVER to be used as a point of discussion, even anonymously. The heart is a holy place, and we must handle it with integrity and grace.As the listener, do not judge, do not condemn, do not ever weaponise the information you have against that person.

V16b- The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

Much of our prayer is not effective because it is not fervent or powerful. As David Guzik, a Bible commentator, puts it, “True prayer is sharing the heart of God where we enter into the things that He cares about as the song goes 'break my heart for what breaks yours”.

Fervent prayer is not to twist the arm of a reluctant God, but so that we might understand his heart, mind and will for the situation.

Righteous man – Our righteousness is our standing in Christ – what he has done for us. We are clothed in His righteousness. WE don’t earn it – it is a gift. So, it is basically talking about someone who is a Christ follower. Maybe people were putting their faith in all kinds of “god men” in those days, and James is careful to qualify who prays and what type of prayer and to whom. In verse 14, we also see the care he takes to mention “in the name of the Lord”.

V17 – Elijah was a man just like us.

What this means is we see Elijah as one of the greats of the OT. But he was an ordinary man with all kinds of weaknesses, but he knew how to pray fervently.  What I get from this is that God is no respecter of persons. Anyone who prays in line with God's will sees their prayers answered.

CONCLUSION

V19- As we draw this series to a close, we see James' intent of this letter – for whom it was written. It is for people who were slowly wandering from the truth.

Nobody wanders deliberately. You are never static – some tide is constantly pulling you in a direction. If it is not the tide and pull of the Holy Spirit towards the things of God, then it’s the tide of culture, pleasure, and the world that will pull you in its direction.

The Christian faith is to be lived in community. We cannot practice it alone. That's why we need to come together in house groups and share life; we need to come together to pray and seek God.

God uses people to bring us back on track. When we do this, God gets the glory. It is not that God cannot work alone, but He has chosen to use flawed people like you and me to restore another flawed brother or sister.

V20. Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover a multitude of sins.

The great news is that God is a God of second and third chances. He is ever willing to forgive us and restore us. That is the hope we have in the cross.

So, the wandering soul is the subject of James’ letter, i.e., people who have wandered from a living faith that needs to be followed in action. We cannot profess a living faith without it being accompanied by action. We need to do the work of God and be obedient (not selectively but in everything) to demonstrate an active living faith. This is the salt and the light, even the world will experience and see, and God gets put on display.

There are several topics in James. Please read it and allow the Holy Spirit to show you where your obedience is lacking. Then confess it to a trusted Christian and friend, ask for prayer, and see the power of God surge through your life.

 Word of Grace is an Evangelical (Born Again),  Spirit-filled (Charismatic), Reformed, English-speaking church in Pune that upholds the Bible as God's inspired Word for life. We are a church community that has people from every part of India and parts of the world. We are here to put the Great Command and the Great Commission into practice by equipping and releasing every member into works of service.  Word of Grace is part of a wider international family of Churches called RegionsBeyond.To know more about us please log onto www.wordofgracechurch.org. 

James - War and Peace - Part 4

 This message was preached at Word Of Grace Church on November 16th 2025, by Lasya. For the audio & video, please click here.  For the worship, please click here. 

War and Peace 

How many of you left your hometown at one point or another? How do you feel when you move to a new city/country? Like you don't belong, so you need to prove yourself, like you finally get to do what you want? 

James is writing to the dispersed believers across the known world. They are dealing with persecution, but also opportunity. They are immersed in the gentile way of life and the ethos of the world seems to be getting into them a bit. He’s hearing a lot of words but not enough action, a lot of thoughts but not enough wisdom and a lot of plans but not God’s purpose. Do we see any of this in our own situation today?  

Let’s look at James 4 and here is the set up to it:

James 3: 13- 18 “13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”

James makes a distinction between worldly wisdom and heavenly wisdom, and the distinguishing factor is the motive of bitter jealousy and selfish ambition. But wisdom that comes from God is unadulterated- no hidden agenda, it reaps a fruit of righteousness as it is sown in peace by peacemakers - blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called children of God. 

Peace is a weighty word, and it is not merely the absence of war, but the presence of God. So how do we lose peace? James is bringing some wisdom. He uses this method of asking questions to let us ponder the deeper issues of the human heart.  

James 4:1-17

James points out 3 ways in which our peace is compromised. Don’t look at these as condemnation, but an inspection of the walls of our peace. We have more anxiety in our day than any generation before. We are richer than ever before but unhappy. Think about your own lives… is your peace compromised? It’s likely one of these things: 

1. Fights

What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?

James does not address the nature of the conflict, only the condition of our hearts. 2 battles - one on the inside and one on the outside. 

Romans 7:18-19 “ 18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.” Does this sound familiar? Have you experienced this battle? 

Passion here refers to hedonistic pleasure - wanting to be comfortable, to feel good. Our hearts have a throne and whatever is enthroned in that place is the driver for all the decisions we make. What is on the throne of your heart? Illustration of a life driven by comfort v. wanting to please God.  

V. 2 - You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. Example of the very first murder - Cain and Abel. Cain wanted to be approved the way Abel was. But God did not give in to his emotions - he said, If you do well, will you not be accepted? 

2 Outworking of punishment - external quarrels, internal judgement. 

You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.

How is our prayer life? What does our prayer list look like?

The question is twofold - Do you pray? COME FOR PRAYER MEETINGS THAT HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH YOUR PRAYER LIST! What do you pray for? Why do you want the things you want? The self care movement has completely made us selfish. When is the last time you’ve been blessed with something that you didn't spend on yourself?  The word Spend is the same verb used to describe the wasteful spending of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15:14.

So where do fights come from? When 2 selfish people rub shoulders, there is conflict. 2 ways to resolve it… either let God soften our edges or don't rub shoulders. The issue with the latter is that there is a deeper problem.  In our digital age, we can think we don't fight with anyone. But we cannot have quarrels if we don't have real relationships.

2. Friendships

Whether we acknowledge it or not, we have friends and enemies. Popular quote “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with”. The second we open our eyes, there are calls for our attention, affection, time… whose calls do you answer the most? 

4  You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”?

Meeting with God for 15 mins in the morning and not thinking about him the rest of the day is a chore/ business meeting, not a friendship. What occupies our thoughts when we are free?  Abraham was called a friend of God. Means, he desired to respond to God in obedience more than the passions of his own heart. 

Romans 8:7 “For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot.”

Why does God desire submission and humility? Does he want to control us? Not at all.. Quite the opposite! 

Gal 5:1 , 13-18 ”It is for freedom that Christ has set us free… You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.”

How do we get out of this mess? 

6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

Our relationship with God - cause and effect relationship - friendship with the world means enmity with God. 

Let’s practice this each morning:

• submit yourselves to God and he will give grace , 
• resist the devil and he will flee, 
• draw near to God and he will draw near to you 
• Humble yourselves and he will exalt you 
  
  

3. Future 

The final thing on peace is the future - anxiety stems from not knowing the future. 

13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— 14 yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. 15 Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” 16 As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. 17 So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.

How many planners do we have in the house? The real issue here is not about planning, but the source of it. We need to realise that our very breath is given us by God, so how much more should we seek him for the purpose of our lives. 

Proverbs 3:6 “In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

 Word of Grace is an Evangelical (Born Again),  Spirit-filled (Charismatic), Reformed, English-speaking church in Pune that upholds the Bible as God's inspired Word for life. We are a church community that has people from every part of India and parts of the world. We are here to put the Great Command and the Great Commission into practice by equipping and releasing every member into works of service.  Word of Grace is part of a wider international family of Churches called RegionsBeyond.To know more about us please log onto www.wordofgracechurch.org. 

James - The Power of the Tongue - Part 3

 This message was preached at Word Of Grace Church on November 9th 2025, by Colin. For the audio & video, please click here.  For the worship, please click here. 

The Power of the Tongue: A Call to Spiritual Maturity

Reflections from James 3

The book of James is known for its practical wisdom—truths that don’t just shape what we believe, but how we live. In recent weeks, James 1 and 2 reminded us how God uses suffering to mature us, and how genuine faith expresses itself through works.
This message from James chapter 3 turns our attention to something surprisingly small, yet incredibly powerful: the tongue.

Why Our Words Matter

Scripture places extraordinary weight on speech. From the opening pages of the Bible, God creates with words—“Let there be light.” Words also played a role in the fall, through the serpent’s deceptive conversation with Eve. And salvation itself is tied to confession: “If you confess with your mouth…you will be saved.”

Words are not harmless.
They can wound, heal, build, or destroy. As Proverbs says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.”

Jesus’ own warning is sobering: “People will give an account for every careless word.” Our speech reveals the condition of our heart.

Five Images That Reveal the Power of the Tongue

James uses vivid examples to describe how something so small can wield enormous influence.

1. A Horse’s Bit

A massive animal is controlled by a tiny piece placed in its mouth. Likewise, the tongue can direct the entire course of our lives.

2. A Ship’s Rudder

Even a large ship driven by fierce winds moves wherever the small rudder turns it. Our words work the same way—they steer our relationships, choices, reputation, and destiny.

3. A Spark That Starts a Forest Fire

Just as a single spark can burn thousands of acres, a single careless word can destroy relationships, divide communities, and crush hearts.

4. A World of Poison

James describes the tongue as “a world of unrighteousness,” capable of deadly harm. Every animal on earth can be tamed—but the tongue cannot be tamed by man alone.

5. A Spring That Shouldn’t Produce Bitter and Sweet Water Together

James exposes a painful contradiction: with the same tongue we bless God but curse His image-bearers.
“This should not be,” James says—and we feel the truth of it.

How We Misuse Our Words

James—and the rest of Scripture—names many ways our speech can bring harm:

• Untruths and exaggeration
• Angry, harsh, reactive words
• Fearful, unbelieving speech that discourages others (like the ten spies who spread fear in Israel)
• Gossip, slander, criticism
• Complaining and negativity
• Unforgiving, cutting, or demeaning words (“You’re useless…you’re stupid…”)

Many of us carry scars from words spoken to us. Many of us have also wounded others with our own.

The Hope: The Holy Spirit Can Transform Our Speech

James is clear: Humans cannot tame the tongue—but the Holy Spirit can.
When a person follows Christ, their speech comes under new management.

The goal is not merely to avoid harmful speech. Scripture calls us to intentionally speak words that:

• build up,
• encourage,
• strengthen,
• comfort,
• honor, and
• express love.

Ephesians 4:29 gives a beautiful framework:
“Only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs.”

Imagine marriages, families, workplaces, and churches if every believer practiced this daily.

Blessing Instead of Cursing

Followers of Jesus are called to become people whose words bring life.
Hebrews 3:13 says, “Encourage one another daily.” Not occasionally—daily.

Words that bless include:

• Appreciation: “I’m grateful for you.”
• Encouragement: “You’re not alone—God is with you.”
• Honor and respect within marriage
• Loving words of warmth and affection
• Forgiving words that heal wounds

When we speak this way, our tongues become instruments of God’s grace.

True Spiritual Maturity Starts With the Tongue

James began his letter by listing three signs of authentic spirituality, and the first was control of the tongue.

A mature believer is not someone who knows the most Scripture, speaks the loudest in church, or appears the most gifted—but someone whose speech reflects Christ.

A transformed tongue leads to a transformed life.

A Final Prayer

Lord,
Help us bring our tongues under the control of Your Spirit.
Teach us to refuse gossip, slander, bitterness, anger, and careless speech.
Fill our mouths with words that bless, encourage, strengthen, and honor You.
Make our speech a fountain of life in every place You send us.
Amen.

 Word of Grace is an Evangelical (Born Again),  Spirit-filled (Charismatic), Reformed, English-speaking church in Pune that upholds the Bible as God's inspired Word for life. We are a church community that has people from every part of India and parts of the world. We are here to put the Great Command and the Great Commission into practice by equipping and releasing every member into works of service.  Word of Grace is part of a wider international family of Churches called RegionsBeyond.To know more about us please log onto www.wordofgracechurch.org.