1. Lessons From The Life Of The Talking Tom Cat (James 3:1-10) Introduction 1)The value of the Tom Cat is not in his OUTWARD stature but his value is in his INNER gift. -I’m valuable because of the gift of -I’m valuable because of the gift of Christ in me (2 Cor.4:7/ 2Cor.9:15) Christ in me (2 Cor.4:7/ 2Cor.9:15) 2)The Tom Cat is gifted but lacks character (double tongued). -Gifts get us to a place; CHARACTER -Gifts get us to a place; CHARACTER keeps us there. keeps us there.

2. Lessons From The Life Of The Talking Tom Cat (James 3:1-10) Body A)We must have the gifts & FRUITS of the Spirit. -The last fruit is self control. -The last fruit is self control. -VS.1-2 SELF CONTROL STARTS WITH MY -VS.1-2 SELF CONTROL STARTS WITH MY TONGUE. TONGUE. B)VS.3-4 James compares the tongue to the small bits in a horses mouth that turn the entire horse’s body and the small rudder that turns an entire ship. -It’s amazing how something (tongue) so small can -It’s amazing how something (tongue) so small can have that much power. have that much power.

3. Lessons From The Life Of The Talking Tom Cat (James 3:1-10) Body C)VS.5-8 In the absence of self control which starts with the tongue, there is great damage. -A small tongue can start a large fire. -A small tongue can start a large fire. -The tongue can destroy in seconds what took -The tongue can destroy in seconds what took years to build. years to build. D)VS.9-10 We bless God an curse men who are made after the similitude of God with the same tongue. -God is not please when Christians are double -God is not please when Christians are double tongued! tongued!

4. Lessons From The Life Of The Talking Tom Cat (James 3:1-10) Close 1)We say that changing my speech is too hard. -God changes James, the writer of this text -God changes James, the writer of this text from a skeptic of Jesus to a teacher of Jesus. from a skeptic of Jesus to a teacher of Jesus. -John 7:3-5 ‘His brothers (James) did not -John 7:3-5 ‘His brothers (James) did not believe in him (Jesus). believe in him (Jesus). -Mark 6:4 ‘Jesus was without honor amongst -Mark 6:4 ‘Jesus was without honor amongst his own kin (James). his own kin (James). -James world was changes with a simple -James world was changes with a simple confession of his mouth (Romans 10:9). confession of his mouth (Romans 10:9).