The Intentional Power of Words and Faith

 

Summary

In today's gathering, we focused on the profound power of words and the importance of being intentional with our speech. We began by acknowledging God as a promise keeper, miracle worker, and light in the darkness, emphasizing the importance of faithfulness and trust in His promises. As we navigate through life's challenges, it's crucial to remember that God rewards our faithfulness, even when circumstances seem daunting. This is especially relevant during our family month, where we declare, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord," a statement of faith and commitment to God.

We explored the significance of seeking God's kingdom first, as outlined in Matthew 6, and how this prioritization leads to the fulfillment of our needs. This principle is not just about material provisions but about aligning our lives with God's will, trusting that He knows our needs better than we do. The sermon also highlighted the importance of the family unit as the foundation of society, where values and principles are first taught and nurtured.

A significant portion of the message was dedicated to the power of the tongue, as discussed in the book of James. The tongue, though small, has the potential to direct, destroy, and reveal the true nature of our hearts. We are reminded that our words can either build up or tear down, and as believers, we are called to speak words of life and blessing. The tongue's power to direct is likened to a rudder on a ship or a bit in a horse's mouth, small yet capable of steering the entire vessel or animal. Similarly, our words can guide our lives and the lives of those around us.

The message concluded with a call to action: to be intentional with our words, seek opportunities to bless others, and focus on the condition of our hearts. As we move forward, let us commit to using our words to uplift and encourage, reflecting the love and grace of God in all our interactions.

Key Takeaways:

1. Faithfulness in Adversity: Trusting God as a promise keeper and miracle worker requires faithfulness, even in challenging circumstances. Our commitment to God, especially in our families, is a declaration of faith that invites His blessings and guidance. [36:40]

2. Seek First the Kingdom: Prioritizing God's kingdom and righteousness ensures that our needs are met. This principle teaches us to trust in God's provision and align our lives with His will, knowing that He understands our needs better than we do. [40:15]

3. The Power of the Tongue: The tongue, though small, has the potential to direct, destroy, and reveal. Our words can build up or tear down, and as believers, we are called to speak life and blessing, reflecting the love and grace of God. [45:03]

4. Family as the Foundation: The family unit is the foundation of society, where values and principles are first taught. Our responsibility is to guide our children in the right direction, ensuring they grow up with a strong moral and spiritual foundation. [01:16:00]

5. Intentional Speech: We must be intentional with our words, seeking opportunities to bless others and focusing on the condition of our hearts. Our speech reveals our true nature, and as Christians, we are called to speak words that are full of grace and seasoned with salt. [01:31:08]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [36:40] - God as Promise Keeper
- [40:15] - Seek First the Kingdom
- [45:03] - The Power of the Tongue
- [52:22] - The Lying Tongue
- [58:03] - The Boastful Tongue
- [59:47] - The Double-Tongued Person
- [01:03:39] - The Critical Tongue
- [01:11:21] - The Tongue's Power to Direct
- [01:16:00] - Family as the Foundation
- [01:26:32] - Children as Arrows
- [01:31:08] - The Tongue's Power to Reveal
- [01:34:16] - Speech Betrays the Heart
- [01:39:17] - Intentional Speech
- [01:44:48] - Prayer and Blessing

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 6:33 - "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."
2. James 3:1-12 - Discusses the power of the tongue and its potential to direct, destroy, and reveal.
3. Proverbs 18:21 - "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits."

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Observation Questions:

1. What does Matthew 6:33 suggest about the priorities we should have in our lives? How does this align with the sermon’s emphasis on seeking God's kingdom first? [40:15]

2. According to James 3:1-12, what are the three main functions of the tongue as discussed in the sermon? How are these functions illustrated? [45:03]

3. How does Proverbs 18:21 relate to the sermon’s message about the power of words? What examples were given in the sermon to illustrate this power? [52:22]

4. What role does the family play in the context of the sermon, and how is it described as the foundation of society? [01:16:00]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the principle of seeking God's kingdom first challenge the way we typically prioritize our daily lives and needs? What might this look like in practical terms? [40:15]

2. In what ways can the tongue direct our lives and the lives of others, according to the sermon? How can this be both positive and negative? [45:03]

3. The sermon discusses the family as a foundational unit. How does this perspective influence the way we view our responsibilities within our families? [01:16:00]

4. How does the sermon suggest we can be intentional with our words to reflect the love and grace of God? What are some practical steps mentioned? [01:39:17]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current priorities. How can you better align them with the principle of seeking God's kingdom first? What specific changes can you make this week? [40:15]

2. Think of a recent situation where your words had a significant impact. How did they direct, destroy, or reveal something in that situation? What would you do differently now? [45:03]

3. Consider the role of your family in your spiritual life. How can you contribute to making your family a stronger foundation for faith and values? What specific actions can you take? [01:16:00]

4. Identify a person in your life who could benefit from words of encouragement. How can you intentionally use your words to bless them this week? [01:39:17]

5. Reflect on a time when your words may have hurt someone. How can you seek reconciliation and healing in that relationship? What steps will you take this week? [01:39:17]

6. How can you ensure that your speech consistently reflects your faith, both in church and in everyday interactions? What specific practices can help you maintain this consistency? [01:33:26]

7. Think about the condition of your heart as revealed by your speech. What areas need transformation, and how can you invite God into that process? [01:34:16]

Devotional

Day 1: Faithfulness in Adversity
In times of adversity, trusting in God as a promise keeper and miracle worker requires unwavering faithfulness. This faithfulness is not passive but an active declaration of trust in God's promises, even when circumstances seem overwhelming. As we navigate life's challenges, we are reminded that God rewards our faithfulness, and our commitment to Him, especially within our families, invites His blessings and guidance. This is a powerful statement of faith that aligns with the declaration, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." [36:40]

Isaiah 41:10 (ESV): "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Reflection: In what specific area of your life are you currently facing adversity, and how can you actively declare your trust in God's promises today?


Day 2: Seek First the Kingdom
Prioritizing God's kingdom and righteousness is a principle that ensures our needs are met, not just materially but in every aspect of our lives. This prioritization is about aligning our lives with God's will, trusting that He knows our needs better than we do. By seeking His kingdom first, we open ourselves to His provision and guidance, allowing Him to fulfill our needs in ways we might not expect. This trust in God's provision is a testament to our faith and reliance on His wisdom. [40:15]

Matthew 6:33-34 (ESV): "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to trust God's provision, and how can you begin to seek His kingdom first in that area today?


Day 3: The Power of the Tongue
The tongue, though small, holds immense power to direct, destroy, and reveal the true nature of our hearts. Our words can build up or tear down, and as believers, we are called to speak life and blessing, reflecting the love and grace of God. The tongue's power to direct is likened to a rudder on a ship or a bit in a horse's mouth, small yet capable of steering the entire vessel or animal. This analogy reminds us that our words can guide our lives and the lives of those around us, making it crucial to be intentional with our speech. [45:03]

Proverbs 18:21 (ESV): "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits."

Reflection: Think of a recent conversation where your words may have had a negative impact. How can you seek to repair any damage and choose words that bring life and blessing in future interactions?


Day 4: Family as the Foundation
The family unit is the foundation of society, where values and principles are first taught and nurtured. It is within the family that children learn about faith, love, and integrity, shaping their moral and spiritual foundation. As parents and guardians, we have the responsibility to guide our children in the right direction, ensuring they grow up with a strong moral and spiritual foundation. This responsibility is a sacred trust, and by committing to serve the Lord as a family, we create an environment where faith can flourish. [01:16:00]

Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (ESV): "And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise."

Reflection: How can you intentionally create opportunities within your family to teach and nurture values and principles that align with God's word?


Day 5: Intentional Speech
Being intentional with our words means seeking opportunities to bless others and focusing on the condition of our hearts. Our speech reveals our true nature, and as Christians, we are called to speak words that are full of grace and seasoned with salt. This intentionality requires us to be mindful of the impact our words have on others and to use our speech to uplift and encourage, reflecting the love and grace of God in all our interactions. By doing so, we become vessels of His love and grace in the world. [01:31:08]

Colossians 4:6 (ESV): "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."

Reflection: Identify one person in your life who needs encouragement. How can you intentionally use your words to bless and uplift them today?

Quotes

"Father, we thank you, O God. We thank you that we can say that you're all things to us this morning, O God. Father, when we need promises, that you're a promise keeper. Your word tells us that you're not slack concerning your promises. So, God, we thank you that you keep your promises toward us. That your promises are yea and amen to those who believe, O God. We thank you that when we want a miracle in our lives, O God, we keep your promises toward us. O God, we can receive miracles because you're a miracle worker." [00:36:40] (29 seconds)


"There's a principle that Jesus gives us in Matthew chapter 6 and he said, but seek. First, the kingdom of God and his righteousness and everything else will be added on to you. And the things that Jesus refers to when he says that are the things that we all need in necessities of life, food, clothing and shelter, the basic necessity of life. And Jesus said, seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. And he says, I will take care of that. He says, because your father in heaven know that you need those things." [00:40:25] (26 seconds)


"James says, indeed we put bits in horse's mouth that they may obey us and we turn their whole bodies. So you put this little thing in the horse's mouth and you can control this huge animal, big animal, hundreds of pounds heavier than you, you can control. He talks about ships. He says, although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. You know, James uses the analogy of horses, huge animals, and ships, big sea -going vessels that are easily controlled with small pieces of equipment." [01:13:29] (36 seconds)


"Now this is family month. And as for family month. We talk about families. We talk about the home. And we talk about the importance of the home. I believe that the home is the place for instruction and learning. You know, we think that we send our kids to school and that's where they get learning and instruction. No, it starts in the house first. It starts in the home. And when you send them out to school and they get some instruction, when they come back home, it continues in the home. Amen. The home is the singular, most important aspect of society." [01:14:44] (34 seconds)


"So children are God's heritage. God blesses us. And the psalmist says that children are like arrows in the hand of a mighty warrior. They have to be aimed to do any good, to be any good. Right? But we can't over -aim them. We can't, when I say we can't over -aim them, sometimes there's some parents that are so much sticklers for what their children are going to become that they become a danger to the children themselves. Right? Your child wants to be an artist and he wants to go out there and paint and draw and do all those things but you want him to be a doctor or a lawyer." [01:26:32] (30 seconds)


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Transcript
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