The Power of Words and Co-Laboring with Christ
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the profound power of our words and the importance of co-laboring with Christ. We began by celebrating birthdays and acknowledging the joy and community within our church. This set the stage for a deeper discussion on how the Spirit of God moves in our lives, often speaking to us in moments of quiet or through everyday activities. We delved into Proverbs 18:21, emphasizing that "death and life are in the power of the tongue," and how our words can shape our reality and future.
We discussed the concept of co-laboring with Christ, highlighting that we are in a covenant relationship with Him. This partnership means that while Christ leads, we actively participate in His work, whether through His written word (Logos) or His spoken word (Rhema). This co-laboring is essential for bringing the Kingdom of God to earth as it is in heaven.
We also examined the misuse of the "name it, claim it" theology, clarifying that true spiritual warfare involves speaking God's truth into situations and tearing down strongholds of false beliefs. Our words should always be seasoned with grace, aimed at edifying and building up others.
A significant portion of our discussion focused on handling offenses and the four-step process for dealing with them: forgive, identify the belief system, forgive yourself, and replace lies with God's truth. This process is crucial for maintaining spiritual freedom and avoiding the spiritual "constipation" that comes from holding onto unforgiveness.
We concluded by discussing the importance of perspective within the church. Different spiritual gifts and perspectives can either unify or divide us. Understanding and respecting these differences is key to working together effectively in God's Kingdom. We must learn to appreciate each other's unique contributions and avoid conflicts that arise from differing perspectives.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Power of Words: Our words hold the power of life and death. What we speak can shape our reality and future. Therefore, it is crucial to speak life, grace, and truth into every situation, aligning our words with God's will and purpose. [35:12]
2. Co-Laboring with Christ: Being in a covenant relationship with Christ means we actively participate in His work. This partnership involves both His written word (Logos) and His spoken word (Rhema). Our role is to follow His lead and bring the Kingdom of God to earth. [36:41]
3. Handling Offenses: The four-step process for dealing with offenses—forgive, identify the belief system, forgive yourself, and replace lies with God's truth—is essential for maintaining spiritual freedom. This process helps us avoid the spiritual "constipation" that comes from holding onto unforgiveness. [50:07]
4. Spiritual Warfare: True spiritual warfare involves speaking God's truth into situations and tearing down strongholds of false beliefs. It is not about chasing after the devil but about addressing belief systems and imaginations that are contrary to God's word. [41:47]
5. Perspective in the Church: Different spiritual gifts and perspectives can either unify or divide us. Understanding and respecting these differences is key to working together effectively in God's Kingdom. We must learn to appreciate each other's unique contributions and avoid conflicts that arise from differing perspectives. [01:11:52]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[30:48] - Celebrating Birthdays
[32:35] - The Spirit of God in Worship
[33:49] - Hearing God's Voice
[35:12] - Proverbs 18:21: Power of the Tongue
[36:41] - Co-Laboring with Christ
[38:16] - The Vine and the Branches
[40:10] - Speaking Life, Not Death
[41:47] - True Spiritual Warfare
[43:44] - The Second Half of Proverbs 18:21
[46:27] - Responding with Grace
[48:44] - Four Steps to Handle Offenses
[50:07] - Forgive and Identify Belief Systems
[55:05] - Replacing Lies with God's Truth
[56:57] - Spiritual Constipation
[58:41] - Casting Your Anxieties on Him
[01:01:02] - God's Discipline vs. Wrath
[01:04:31] - Compassion for the Unsaved
[01:11:52] - The Importance of Perspective
[01:16:47] - Working Together in Unity
[01:18:22] - Personal Testimony and Closing
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Proverbs 18:21 - "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit."
2. 1 Corinthians 3:9 - "For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building."
3. Colossians 4:6 - "Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone."
### Observation Questions
1. What does Proverbs 18:21 say about the power of our words?
2. According to 1 Corinthians 3:9, what is our role in relation to Christ?
3. In the sermon, what are the four steps mentioned for handling offenses? [50:07]
4. How does Colossians 4:6 instruct us to respond to others, especially when we are offended?
### Interpretation Questions
1. How can the power of our words, as described in Proverbs 18:21, impact our daily lives and relationships?
2. What does it mean to be a co-laborer with Christ, and how does this partnership manifest in our actions and decisions? [36:41]
3. Why is it important to follow the four-step process for handling offenses, and what might happen if we skip any of these steps? [50:07]
4. How can speaking with grace, as advised in Colossians 4:6, transform our interactions and relationships within the church and beyond?
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent situation where your words had a significant impact. How could you have spoken life instead of death in that situation? [35:12]
2. In what ways can you actively participate in co-laboring with Christ this week? Identify one specific action you can take. [36:41]
3. Think of a person who has offended you. How can you apply the four-step process for handling offenses to this situation? [50:07]
4. How can you ensure that your words are always seasoned with grace, especially in challenging conversations? What practical steps can you take? [46:27]
5. Identify a belief system or stronghold in your life that is contrary to God's word. How can you begin to tear it down by speaking God's truth into that situation? [41:47]
6. How can you better appreciate and respect the different spiritual gifts and perspectives within your church community? Share a specific example of how you can do this. [01:11:52]
7. Reflect on a time when you felt spiritually "constipated" due to unforgiveness. How did it affect you, and what steps can you take to avoid this in the future? [56:57]
Devotional
Day 1: The Power of Words
Our words hold immense power, capable of bringing life or death into our circumstances. Proverbs 18:21 reminds us that "death and life are in the power of the tongue," urging us to be mindful of what we speak. Words can shape our reality and future, influencing not only our lives but also the lives of those around us. Speaking life, grace, and truth into every situation aligns our words with God's will and purpose. This practice is not just about positive thinking but about actively participating in God's work through our speech. By choosing our words carefully, we can build up, encourage, and bring healing to others. [35:12]
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 significant impact. How can you intentionally speak life and encouragement into a similar situation today?
Day 2: Co-Laboring with Christ
Being in a covenant relationship with Christ means we are called to actively participate in His work. This partnership involves both His written word (Logos) and His spoken word (Rhema). As co-laborers, we follow Christ's lead, bringing the Kingdom of God to earth through our actions and words. This relationship is not passive; it requires our active engagement and willingness to be used by God in various ways. By understanding our role in this divine partnership, we can better align our efforts with God's purposes, making a tangible impact in our communities and beyond. [36:41]
1 Corinthians 3:9 (ESV): "For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building."
Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you can more actively participate in God's work. What steps can you take this week to align your actions with His purposes?
Day 3: Handling Offenses
Handling offenses is crucial for maintaining spiritual freedom. The four-step process—forgive, identify the belief system, forgive yourself, and replace lies with God's truth—helps us navigate the challenges of unforgiveness. Holding onto offenses can lead to spiritual "constipation," hindering our growth and freedom in Christ. By forgiving others and ourselves, and by replacing lies with God's truth, we can experience true spiritual liberation. This process not only heals our hearts but also strengthens our relationships and fosters a healthier community. [50:07]
Ephesians 4:31-32 (ESV): "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."
Reflection: Think of someone you need to forgive. Can you ask God to help you begin to extend His love and forgiveness to them today?
Day 4: Spiritual Warfare
True spiritual warfare involves speaking God's truth into situations and tearing down strongholds of false beliefs. It is not about chasing after the devil but about addressing belief systems and imaginations that are contrary to God's word. By focusing on God's truth and speaking it into our lives and circumstances, we can dismantle the lies and strongholds that the enemy tries to establish. This approach to spiritual warfare is proactive and grounded in the power of God's word, enabling us to stand firm against the enemy's schemes. [41:47]
2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (ESV): "For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ."
Reflection: Identify a false belief or stronghold in your life. How can you replace it with God's truth today?
Day 5: Perspective in the Church
Different spiritual gifts and perspectives within the church can either unify or divide us. Understanding and respecting these differences is key to working together effectively in God's Kingdom. By appreciating each other's unique contributions, we can avoid conflicts that arise from differing perspectives and instead foster a spirit of unity and collaboration. This approach not only strengthens the church but also enhances our collective ability to fulfill God's mission on earth. Embracing diverse perspectives allows us to see the fuller picture of God's work and purpose. [01:11:52]
Romans 12:4-5 (ESV): "For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another."
Reflection: Think about a time when differing perspectives caused conflict in your church or community. How can you contribute to fostering unity and appreciation for diverse gifts and viewpoints today?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "When the Spirit of God are in worship, it just is great. So I'm always excited to be here. Always excited to share with you guys. Part of the word today, a lot of times the words that the Lord will speak to me comes out of my quiet time, but it doesn't come out of the quiet time as you think it would." [32:35] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "We are co-laborers with Christ, right? Amen. Everybody know what that means? That means we're in covenant with Jesus. We are in covenant with him. We are in a partnership with him. So when we're in a partnership, when we're in a covenant with somebody, we do what? We communicate, right? We do things together." [36:41] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "If you paint a house, you're going to get paint on you. If you're in the kingdom, you're going to get blessings on you. Right? That Cadillac assignment, right? Depends on your assignment. And everybody in here has a different assignment. We're going to go into that. That's going to, at the end of the message, you'll know it's the end of the message, because I'm going to talk about assignment." [40:10] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We are called to do something. You guys know what we're called to do as Christians? And I'm speaking to the church and Christians here. Do you know what we're called to do? Let your speech always be with what? As though seasoned with maturity. The word salt, maturity. So that you will know how to, you should respond to what?" [46:27] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Cast your anxieties on Him. A lot of times, we go out and we do life, right? I can walk into a room and pick up fear, and nothing had to happen to me. I can walk into a room and pick up depression just because of the atmosphere, and maybe the demonic stuff that's going on maybe in the room." [58:41] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "So many people take this out of context, and I see them, they're out there in a place, they're out there in a place, and they're out there in a place, parking lot, laying hands on a Cadillac. Oh my God, you want to get into the Cadillac. God, I speak this Cadillac into my existence. Oh Lord. Lord, this Cadillac is mine. Yeah, no, that's not what we're talking about." [40:10] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "One of the highest forms of warfare is to declare the heart of a father into a situation, or the heart of a father for that individual against those belief systems. It will rip those strongholds completely down. That belief system will completely come down, ministering the love Right? That is spiritual warfare at its highest." [43:44] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "I want to give you guys four steps that I think everybody should know. Now, I know you guys know the first step, but I don't think you know the other three steps. You might, but every Christian should know how to process when you have been offended or there's an offense or a traumatic event has come against you. You should know this four-step process." [48:44] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We got Christians that have sin in their life and God will discipline them. That's his job. They're not getting away with it. If they believe in Jesus, trust me, they're not getting away with it. They don't need the police. You, the police officer, are going around them, right? Can we all agree? God disciplines." [01:02:37] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Perspective. Right? Because I can have perspective, the right perspective, and I can move mountains. Right? I can remove mountains, move mountains. I can speak into people's lives. I can operate with power and authority with the proper perspective, but with the wrong perspective, I can destroy people's lives in the church." [01:11:52] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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