Living Faithfully: The Power of Submission and Words
Summary
In this sermon, I was reminded of the importance of living a life that is consistent with my faith. The speaker emphasized the significance of submission and speech in our Christian walk. Submission, as discussed, is not an optional part of our Christian journey. It is about selflessly laying down our lives in numerous ways every day to serve others, following the example of Jesus Christ. The speaker also highlighted the power of our words. As Christians, we are called to control our tongues and ensure that our words are not careless, foul, or abusive. Instead, our words should be wise, good, helpful, encouraging, gracious, and ultimately life-giving.
The speaker also pointed out that the world is watching us, and our words and actions should match our faith. He emphasized that our words hold the power of life and death in other people's lives. He also shared a story about a man who, despite his concerns, chose to submit to the decisions of his church leaders during the COVID-19 pandemic. This man's attitude was presented as a refreshing example of a Christian living with a submissive spirit in a world where everyone has strong opinions and wants their way all the time.
Key Takeaways:
- Submission is a crucial part of our Christian walk, and it involves selflessly serving others following the example of Jesus Christ. #!!39:42!!#
- Our words hold the power of life and death in other people's lives, and as Christians, we are called to control our tongues. #!!41:03!!#
- The world is watching us, and our words and actions should match our faith. #!!41:48!!#
- Even when we disagree with decisions made by our leaders, we should strive to submit to them, trusting that they are making decisions prayerfully and with the best interests of the church at heart. #!!38:24!!#
- We should strive to be an asset to the Gospel of Jesus Christ by living consistently with our faith. #!!48:21!!#
Study Guide
Main Points from the Sermon:
1. The world is starving for encouragement and positive words. As Christians, we have a responsibility to watch our speech and ensure it aligns with the example Jesus has given us. Are we an asset or an obstacle to the Gospel of Jesus Christ? [47:39]
2. Our speech is a powerful tool that can either bring life or death to others. Non-believers are watching to see if the words coming out of our mouths match our faith. We are called to control our tongues and ensure our words are wise, helpful, and encouraging. [41:03]
3. There are spiritual obstacles that keep people from coming to God. These obstacles can range from the problem of pain and suffering to the reconciliation of science with the scriptures. However, the focus is on how we, as Christians, can be an obstacle if we don't live consistently with the teachings of Jesus. [24:14]
4. The power of words can change the culture of an environment. The story of Johnny, a grocery bagger with Down syndrome, illustrates how his daily words of encouragement transformed his workplace and impacted the lives of many customers. [46:56]
Bible Chapters for the Group to Read:
1. Ephesians 4
2. Colossians 4
3. Proverbs 18
4. Romans 12
Discussion Guide:
Observation Questions:
1. What does Ephesians 4:29 say about the kind of language we should use?
2. How does Proverbs 18:20-21 describe the power of words?
3. In Romans 12:2, what does it mean to be transformed by the renewing of our minds?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the story of Johnny the grocery bagger illustrate the power of words as described in Proverbs 18:20-21?
2. What does it mean to be an asset or an obstacle to the Gospel of Jesus Christ as mentioned in the sermon?
3. How does Ephesians 4:29 and Colossians 4:6 guide us in our speech as Christians?
Application Questions:
1. Can you recall a time when your words had a significant impact on someone else, either positively or negatively?
2. How can you apply the teachings from Ephesians 4:29 and Colossians 4:6 in your daily conversations?
3. In what ways can you use your words to be an asset to the Gospel of Jesus Christ in your workplace, school, or family?
Devotional
Day 1: The Power of Encouragement
The world is starving for encouragement, and as Christians, we have the power to provide it. Our words can bring life or death to others, and we must be mindful of the impact they have. We should strive to use our words to uplift and inspire, rather than tear down or criticize. [47:39]
Bible passage: Proverbs 18:21 - "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits."
Reflection: Reflect on your conversations from the past week. Were your words more often life-giving or destructive? How can you use your words to encourage others in the coming week?
Day 2: The Call to Submission
Submission is a difficult but necessary part of the Christian life. We are called to submit to God, our leaders, and even those we disagree with. This act of submission is a powerful testimony to the transformative power of Christ in our lives. [39:42]
Bible passage: Ephesians 5:21 - "Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent situation where you struggled to submit. How could you have handled it differently in a way that honors Christ?
Day 3: The Importance of Consistency
Our actions and attitudes should reflect our faith. The world is watching, and inconsistencies between our faith and our actions can damage our witness for Christ. We should strive to live a life that is consistent with our profession of faith. [30:26]
Bible passage: James 1:22 - "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."
Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where your actions don't align with your faith. How can you bring this area into alignment with your beliefs?
Day 4: The Impact of Our Words
Our words have the power to build up or tear down. As Christians, we should strive to use our words to encourage, uplift, and bring life to others. Our words should reflect the love and grace of Christ. [41:03]
Bible passage: Ephesians 4:29 - "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent conversation where you could have used your words more wisely. How can you ensure your words reflect Christ in future conversations?
Day 5: The Call to Transformation
We are called to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. This transformation should be evident in our daily choices, actions, and attitudes. As we allow God to transform us, we become a powerful witness to His love and grace. [48:21]
Bible passage: Romans 12:2 - "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."
Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life that needs transformation. How can you surrender this area to God and allow Him to transform you?
Quotes
1. "Our world is so starving for just a little bit of encouragement that people will wait longer in line at a grocery store just to hear something positive. Christians, we have to watch our speech, we have to watch our submission, and to see how well they line up with the example that Jesus has given us." 47:17
2. "Your tongue, your words that you use, they really do ultimately hold the power of life and death in other people's lives. The world will watch to see whether or not what you say matches your faith. After all, the scriptures say that ultimately out of the overflow of your heart, the mouth speaks." 39:50
3. "We live in a culture that is so used to critical words, to negative words. We always see the bad in people, but so seldom do people actually find the positive and more than that actually speak encouragement to people." 43:47
4. "The truth that you are what you are and not what you tell other people you are. As Christians, we have to make continual evaluations of our lives and see where am I doing a poor job representing the person of Jesus." 32:25
5. "Submission truly is the heartbeat of the Gospel. It is selflessly you and me laying down our lives a hundred different ways a day for the sake of serving other people. Our example is Jesus himself." 32:25
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