Not Many Of You Should Become Teachers
In this sermon, we enter James 3:1, where Scripture delivers a sobering reminder about the weight and responsibility of teaching the Word of God. James confronts the community’s desire for the position of teacher, calling believers to examine not just the role they aspire to but the integrity and maturity required of those who speak on behalf of Christ. Through this passage, we are shown that our words reveal the true state of our hearts and that the tongue is one of the clearest indicators of the inner work of grace.
This message walks through the first movements of James chapter 3, highlighting how the desire to teach can become distorted when driven by pride, recognition, or ambition rather than a genuine calling. We reflect on the seriousness of handling Scripture, the accountability tied to guiding others in the faith, and the reality that those who speak much for the Lord must guard their speech with wisdom, humility, and integrity. James reminds us that teachers will be judged with greater strictness, not as a discouragement, but as a call to sober self-examination and faithful stewardship of God’s Word.
More than a warning, this passage points us toward the heart of Christian maturity. It urges every believer, teacher or not, to consider how their speech reflects their transformation in Christ. Our words are works, revealing what we believe, what we value, and whether our faith is truly shaping our conduct. The sermon challenges us to cultivate a life where knowledge produces humility, where responsibility deepens love for the church, and where the tongue becomes an instrument that edifies rather than harms.
May this message lead you to pursue integrity in your speech, humility in your growth, and a reverent understanding of the calling to teach. And may it strengthen your desire to use your words in a way that displays the grace of Christ and faithfully points others to the truth of His gospel.
Capitol Commons Reformed Church, Sermon Recording for December 7, 2025
Pastor Ray Caguin
About the Speaker
Ray Caguin
Pastor at Capitol Commons Reformed Church
Ray Caguin is a pastor at Capitol Commons Reformed Church and the founder and CEO of ART Fulfillment Solutions, Inc. He holds a BA in Integrated Marketing Communications from the University of Asia & The Pacific, pursued a Master of Divinity at Grace School of Theology, and is currently studying for a Master of Arts in Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary, as well as Biblical Studies and Counseling at The Expositors Academy. He serves the Lord alongside his wife, Celina, and their two Shih Tzus, Memo and Nava.
For Biblical Counseling or other matters, you may reach Ray here:
About This Series
The Book of James
The book of James will look piercingly into our lives and how we behave and conduct ourselves, and will force us to see where we are not being who we ought to be in Christ. Are we truly living out in our lives Christ Jesus, who is truly living in us. My prayer is that as we go through this series—and according to the Lord’s will, I estimate this series to go on for about 23 Sundays at the minimum—that the Holy Spirit, as nobody else can, will do surgery on every one of our hearts and minds, so that Sunday after Sunday after Sunday, we are surrendering more and more of our hypocrisies and weaknesses in repentance to Him, but also maturing and being transformed more and more into Christlikeness.
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