Words Matter: Building Up Through Grace and Love

Summary

### Summary

Grace and peace to everyone gathered here today, both in person and online. We are grateful for your presence and excited to share some important updates and events happening in our church community. We have a new church app that will help you stay connected, sign up for events, and give offerings. This Wednesday, we kick off our Faithful Summer Fun series, an intergenerational gathering featuring activities, meals, study, and worship. Also, don't miss our annual church picnic next Sunday, where we will welcome new members.

Today marks the conclusion of our five-week series on the power of words. Throughout this series, I've been deeply convicted by the teachings, realizing the importance of using words to build up rather than tear down. In week one, we focused on the significance of uplifting words. Week two emphasized the need for life-giving words within our families. Week three challenged us to be reconcilers in a divided culture. Week four encouraged us to expand our vocabulary of praise beyond the church walls. Overall, I've learned to be more thoughtful with my words, as James 1:19 advises: "Be quick to listen, slow to speak."

Our theme verse, Ephesians 4:29, reminds us to let no evil talk come out of our mouths but only what is useful for building up. This verse has guided us to improve our conversation patterns and word choices. Mother Teresa's wisdom on practicing silence—of the ears, tongue, and mind—has also been enlightening. Silence helps us listen to God's voice and refrain from harmful words.

Scripture calls us to a higher standard in our speech because Jesus, the Word made flesh, exemplified this. Jesus' words and actions showed that everyone matters to God. To emulate Jesus, we can listen more actively, ask more questions, and pray more regularly. These practices will help us align our words with the Word of God, making our message of love and grace more compelling.

### Key Takeaways

1. The Power of Uplifting Words: Words have the power to build up or tear down. Ephesians 4:29 encourages us to use words that are useful for building up, so that our words may give grace to those who hear. This principle is crucial not just in our personal lives but also in our interactions within the community and online. [50:52]

2. Life-Giving Words in the Family: Our families need to hear life-giving words rather than hurtful ones. Many of us grew up in homes where positive words were scarce, and changing this pattern can bring healing and growth. Speaking words of encouragement and love can transform our households into places of refuge and support. [48:47]

3. Reconciliation in a Divided Culture: Engaging in political or social discussions does not exempt us from the call to be reconcilers. We must act in ways that reflect the light of Christ, even in contentious environments. This means being peacemakers and bridge-builders, showing that our faith transcends divisions. [49:17]

4. Expanding Our Vocabulary of Praise: Praise should not be confined to the church. We need to carry our language of praise into our daily lives, blessing those we interact with. This practice can spread the joy and love of Christ beyond the church walls, making our faith more visible and impactful. [49:49]

5. Practicing Silence: Mother Teresa's advice on practicing three types of silence—of the ears, tongue, and mind—can help us listen to God's voice and avoid harmful words. Silence allows us to hear God's guidance, speak life-giving words, and focus our minds on truth and contemplation. This practice can deepen our spiritual lives and improve our interactions with others. [52:24]

### YouTube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[05:21] - Introduction and Announcements
[06:43] - Faithful Summer Fun Series
[07:32] - Coffee with the Pastor
[08:19] - Annual Church Picnic
[09:07] - Hymn: Come Thou Almighty King
[47:48] - The Power of Words Series Recap
[50:52] - Ephesians 4:29 and Building Up
[52:24] - Mother Teresa's Three Types of Silence
[55:08] - Jesus, the Word Made Flesh
[59:03] - Emulating Jesus: Listening, Asking, Praying
[01:06:16] - Practical Application and Homework
[01:07:42] - Closing Prayer and Hymn

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Ephesians 4:29 - "Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear."
2. James 1:19 - "You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger."
3. John 1:1, 14 - "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth."

#### Observation Questions
1. What does Ephesians 4:29 instruct us to do with our words? How does this align with the sermon’s emphasis on using words to build up rather than tear down? [50:52]
2. According to James 1:19, what are the three actions we should take regarding our speech and listening? How does this verse relate to the overall message of the sermon? [49:49]
3. How does John 1:1, 14 describe Jesus? What significance does this have in understanding the power of words as discussed in the sermon? [55:08]
4. What are the three types of silence Mother Teresa recommends practicing? How do these types of silence help us in our spiritual lives? [52:24]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it important to use words that build up rather than tear down, according to Ephesians 4:29? How can this principle be applied in our daily interactions, both in person and online? [50:52]
2. How does practicing silence of the ears, tongue, and mind, as suggested by Mother Teresa, help us listen to God's voice and avoid harmful words? What impact might this have on our relationships? [52:24]
3. In what ways did Jesus exemplify the power of words through His actions and teachings? How can we emulate His example in our own lives? [55:08]
4. How can being quick to listen and slow to speak, as advised in James 1:19, transform our communication patterns and relationships? [49:49]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent conversation where your words either built someone up or tore them down. How could you have handled it differently to align with Ephesians 4:29? [50:52]
2. Think about your family dynamics. How can you incorporate more life-giving words into your interactions with family members this week? [48:47]
3. In what ways can you act as a reconciler in your community, especially in politically or socially charged discussions? How can you reflect the light of Christ in these situations? [49:17]
4. Identify one area outside of church where you can expand your vocabulary of praise. How can you intentionally bless someone with your words this week? [49:49]
5. Choose one type of silence (ears, tongue, or mind) to practice this week. What specific steps will you take to implement this practice in your daily routine? [52:24]
6. Jesus often listened more than He spoke. How can you practice active listening in your conversations this week? What might be the benefits of this approach? [59:03]
7. Consider the advice to "be curious, not furious." How can you apply this mindset in a current conflict or disagreement you are facing? What questions can you ask to better understand the other person's perspective? [01:01:22]

Devotional

Day 1: The Power of Uplifting Words
Words have the power to build up or tear down. Ephesians 4:29 encourages us to use words that are useful for building up, so that our words may give grace to those who hear. This principle is crucial not just in our personal lives but also in our interactions within the community and online. [50:52]

Ephesians 4:29 (ESV): "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: Think of a recent conversation where you could have used more uplifting words. How can you intentionally use words to build someone up today?

Day 2: Life-Giving Words in the Family
Our families need to hear life-giving words rather than hurtful ones. Many of us grew up in homes where positive words were scarce, and changing this pattern can bring healing and growth. Speaking words of encouragement and love can transform our households into places of refuge and support. [48:47]

Proverbs 16:24 (ESV): "Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body."

Reflection: Identify one family member who needs to hear life-giving words from you today. What specific words of encouragement or love can you share with them?

Day 3: Reconciliation in a Divided Culture
Engaging in political or social discussions does not exempt us from the call to be reconcilers. We must act in ways that reflect the light of Christ, even in contentious environments. This means being peacemakers and bridge-builders, showing that our faith transcends divisions. [49:17]

Matthew 5:9 (ESV): "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God."

Reflection: Think of a recent disagreement or division you have encountered. How can you act as a peacemaker in that situation today?

Day 4: Expanding Our Vocabulary of Praise
Praise should not be confined to the church. We need to carry our language of praise into our daily lives, blessing those we interact with. This practice can spread the joy and love of Christ beyond the church walls, making our faith more visible and impactful. [49:49]

Psalm 34:1 (ESV): "I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth."

Reflection: Consider your daily interactions. How can you incorporate words of praise and blessing into your conversations today?

Day 5: Practicing Silence
Mother Teresa's advice on practicing three types of silence—of the ears, tongue, and mind—can help us listen to God's voice and avoid harmful words. Silence allows us to hear God's guidance, speak life-giving words, and focus our minds on truth and contemplation. This practice can deepen our spiritual lives and improve our interactions with others. [52:24]

Lamentations 3:26 (ESV): "It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord."

Reflection: Take a moment of silence today to listen for God's voice. What is He guiding you to say or not say in your interactions with others?

Quotes

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "In week one, I learned the importance of using words that will build up and to refrain from using words that will tear down. In week two, I learned that my family and my household my family needs to hear me speak life giving words rather than hurtful words. And some of you grew up in homes where that would have been very helpful. In week three, I learned that I don't get a pass if I engage politically. That I still need to be a reconciler in a culture of conflict. I need to act in ways that reflect and radiate the light of Christ into the culture." [48:47] (53 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Overall, I think what I have learned is that I need just to be much more thoughtful in the ways that I use my words. And that means, as James 1 19 says, speaking less and listening more. So this week, I've made a couple calls to apologize to people about things I've said that were irresponsible or thoughtless. Where it would have been better for me had I exercised my right to remain silent before saying what I said." [50:20] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "The word came announcing that God was like a father who loves his children or a mother who loves her children when they've been foolish and squandered everything. God loves them and wants the lost every last one to come home. Isn't that a good word? And there are just too many people in this who don't know that this word of God's love in Christ Jesus is for them." [57:24] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "I want you when you get up in the morning and go to bed at night every night this week sing Jesus loves me and end your day by singing Jesus loves me embed that in your heart if the words that we followers of Jesus speak and live are somehow related to that word the word made flesh I think more people will find what we have to share worth listening to." [58:28] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "How do we keep our words so closely to the word that was with God since the beginning? Well, there are three things that I notice about Jesus the incarnate word of God that we can emulate. First, we can listen more actively. Second, we can ask more questions. Third, we can pray more regularly." [59:03] (444 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "Mother Teresa offers a meditation on the power of words by recommending that we practice silence when we can. Specifically she encourages us to practice three types of silence and you might want to write these down on the back of your bulletin where there's some white space but one of these is silence of the ears by listening always to the voice of God and to the cry of the poor and needy and closing our ears to all other voices that come from fallen human nature such as gossip tail bearing and uncharitable words. Number two silence of the tongue by praising God and speaking the life giving word of God that is truth that enlightens and inspires brings peace, hope and joy and by refraining from every offense and every word that causes darkness turmoil, pain and death and the third silence is silence of the mind by opening it to the truth and knowledge of God in prayer and contemplation and closing ourselves to all untruths, distractions destructive thoughts rash judgments false suspicions of others and vengeful thoughts." [52:24] (102 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Scripture reveals that Christians are to hold themselves to a higher standard when it comes to using our words and the ways that we speak and act and live but especially how we speak unfortunately a whole lot of evidence that Christians are doing that but this is because the words of scripture not only help us to hear God's word but because the most powerful word of God came to be with us and the gospel of John chapter one we read in the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word was God and the word became flesh and blood and lived among us full of grace and truth." [53:59] (62 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Jesus often recognized that his own disciples were such poor listeners that he would say things like let he who has ears hear the composer and musician Paul Williams once wrote an album dedication and he said there are two types of people there are those who listen and those who wait to speak this album is for the listeners isn't that a great sentiment I've read that when someone recorded the new testament on tape they discovered that the actual words spoken by Jesus amounted to about 30 minutes of the hours it took to read the gospel I can't believe that's right I do think it's probably closer to 30 minutes because I just know the story of the Samaritan woman is real long so anyway but I do know for sure that Jesus spent as much or more time listening as he did talking." [01:00:16] (72 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "The German poet Renier Maria Rilke advises us that the best way to deal with life's difficult questions is often to just sit with them for years and years he writes try to love the questions themselves and to live the question without really knowing it we may live our way into the answer I love that you know when I was in seminary we get really academic in seminary and we know that in the original Hebrew the prediction that a virgin would give birth doesn't say that a virgin will give birth to a child it says that a young woman will give birth to a child but then when I translated the Greek version of the Hebrew scriptures and translated it into Greek the Septuagint for Greek speaking Jews the translators used the word that translates as virgin but the more ancient scripture doesn't use that and for a boy that spun me out for a while you know thinking well how do you say this creed you know I believe in Jesus born of the Virgin Mary I came to another question and this was the question do I believe in a God who is loving enough and powerful enough to create this life giving love mysteriously without any explanation yeah I believe in that type of God I believe that God can do amazing things out of love and so I say the creed absolutely you know affirm that creed now." [01:03:01] (125 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "If what I said earlier was accurate that the words of Jesus actually probably take about 30 minutes the gospels are also very clear that Jesus spent a great deal of time in prayer Mark 1.35 is a prime example of Jesus' prayer life it says and in the morning he went out to a lonely place and there he prayed he went to a lonely place but he wasn't alone because he was praying that's what he was doing that picture Doris Donnelly observes people who listen to God in prayer put the world on alert that they're trying to hear more clearly the voice of God and that both they and the world may change when they do it should change us." [01:05:11] (55 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Chatbot

Transcript

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