Words Matter: The Power of Our Speech
Summary
In the message, the focus is on the profound impact of words and the importance of aligning one's heart with the teachings of Jesus Christ. The message begins with an acknowledgment of God's grace and mercy, emphasizing the need to lay down any burdens that may hinder one's relationship with God. The congregation is reminded of the fresh start that a new year brings and the anticipation of seeing how God will work within the community and beyond the church walls.
The message then transitions into a prayer, asking God to ensure that the words spoken are His and that the hearts of the listeners are open to receive the intended message. The prayer also seeks to comfort those with heavy hearts, suggesting that everyone comes to church carrying their own struggles.
The core of the message is a return to the "Life of Christ" series, focusing on the role of the Holy Spirit in convicting and regenerating believers, and the danger of denying the Holy Spirit's work. The Holy Spirit is described as a Helper, promised by Jesus, and essential for bearing good fruit in one's life.
The passage from Matthew 12:33-37 is then introduced, emphasizing the theme "our words matter." The message highlights the human tendency to recognize physical dangers but often overlook the potential harm of our words. The speaker draws parallels between the caution exercised in physically dangerous situations and the care that should be taken with speech.
A personal story is shared about a co-worker who outwardly appeared to be a Christian but ultimately denied Christ in a conversation. This anecdote serves to illustrate the difference between merely practicing religion and having a genuine relationship with Jesus. The Pharisees are used as a biblical example of this discrepancy, as they were religious leaders who knew Scripture but lacked a true understanding of God and did not bear good fruit.
The message further explores the concept of a "store room" within individuals from which either good or evil can be produced, depending on the condition of one's heart. The speaker contrasts two individuals: one who does not fit the traditional image of a Christian but has a genuine love for Jesus, and another who appears religious but lacks a true relationship with Jesus.
The message concludes with a call to self-examination, encouraging listeners to consider whether their words bring glory to God or push people away. The importance of being the hands and feet of Jesus, not just in actions but also in words, is underscored. The speaker challenges the congregation to be lifegiving in their speech and to reflect the abundant life that Jesus came to give.
Key Takeaways:
- Words carry immense power and can either uplift or devastate those around us. It is crucial to be mindful of the impact our words have on others, as they can shape someone's day or outlook on life. The Bible teaches that we will be judged for every careless word, highlighting the significance of speaking with intention and kindness. [45:39]
- The true measure of one's faith is not found in outward appearances or religious practices, but in the condition of the heart. A heart aligned with God will naturally produce good fruit, which includes words that are edifying and life-giving. This internal transformation is more important than fitting a particular mold or image. [57:18]
- The story of the co-worker serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of a superficial faith that seeks to please others rather than God. Authentic faith is not about keeping up appearances but about a genuine relationship with Jesus that is evident in both words and actions. [50:03]
- The example of the Pharisees is a reminder that knowledge of Scripture alone is insufficient. It is the application of that knowledge, driven by love for God and others, that bears good fruit. The Pharisees' failure to do so serves as a warning against hypocrisy and self-righteousness. [54:18]
- As followers of Christ, the message emphasizes the responsibility to be ambassadors of the gospel through our speech. Words should be used to draw people closer to Jesus, not to judge or alienate them. The ultimate goal is to demonstrate the love and grace of Jesus in every interaction. [01:05:35]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Matthew 12:33-37
- James 1:19
- Proverbs 18:21
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Matthew 12:33-37, what does Jesus say about the relationship between a tree and its fruit? How does this relate to our words? ([46:18])
2. In the sermon, what personal story did the pastor share to illustrate the difference between outward religious appearance and genuine faith? ([48:46])
3. What does James 1:19 advise about speaking and listening, and why is this important according to the sermon? ([45:39])
4. How does Proverbs 18:21 describe the power of the tongue, and what implications does this have for our daily interactions? ([45:39])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus emphasize the importance of the heart's condition in producing good or evil words? How does this connect to the concept of bearing good fruit? ([46:18])
2. How does the pastor's story about the co-worker who denied Christ highlight the dangers of superficial faith? What does this teach us about the importance of a genuine relationship with Jesus? ([48:46])
3. What does it mean to be "slow to speak" as advised in James 1:19, and how can this practice impact our relationships and witness as Christians? ([45:39])
4. How can the understanding that "death and life are in the power of the tongue" from Proverbs 18:21 change the way we approach conversations and conflicts? ([45:39])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent conversation where your words either uplifted or hurt someone. How can you be more mindful of the impact of your words in the future? ([45:01])
2. The pastor mentioned the importance of self-examination regarding whether our words bring glory to God or push people away. How can you incorporate this practice into your daily life? ([01:04:19])
3. Think about a time when you put on a facade of faith rather than living out a genuine relationship with Jesus. What steps can you take to ensure your faith is authentic and not just for appearances? ([48:46])
4. How can you apply the advice from James 1:19 to be "quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger" in a specific relationship or situation this week? ([45:39])
5. Identify one person in your life who needs encouragement. What specific words or actions can you use to speak life into their situation this week? ([45:01])
6. The sermon emphasized the responsibility of being ambassadors of the gospel through our speech. How can you intentionally use your words to draw someone closer to Jesus this week? ([01:05:35])
7. Reflect on the example of the Pharisees who knew Scripture but did not apply it with love. How can you ensure that your knowledge of the Bible translates into loving actions and words? ([54:18])
Devotional
Day 1: The Power of Our Words
Words can build up or break down; choose them wisely. The tongue has the power to speak life or death into the lives of others. It is a small member of the body but holds great potential for impact. Recognize the weight of words and use them to uplift and encourage. [45:39]
James 3:5-6 - "Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell."
Reflection: How have your words affected others recently, and what changes can you make to ensure they are life-giving?
Day 2: Heart Condition Reflects Faith
True faith is an inward matter of the heart, not outward appearances. The heart that is aligned with God will naturally produce good fruit, including edifying words. This transformation is the essence of genuine faith. [57:18]
Luke 6:45 - "A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of."
Reflection: What does the fruit of your speech reveal about the condition of your heart?
Day 3: The Danger of Superficial Faith
Superficial faith is a facade that crumbles under scrutiny. Authentic faith is not about appearances but about a deep, personal relationship with Jesus that is evident in both words and actions. [50:03]
1 Samuel 16:7 - "But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.'"
Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you prioritize appearance over authenticity in your walk with God?
Day 4: Knowledge Without Love Bears No Fruit
Scriptural knowledge must be applied with love to bear fruit. The Pharisees' failure to apply their knowledge with love serves as a warning against hypocrisy and self-righteousness. [54:18]
1 Corinthians 8:1 - "Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that 'We all possess knowledge.' But knowledge puffs up while love builds up."
Reflection: How can you ensure that your knowledge of Scripture is accompanied by love and humility in your daily interactions?
Day 5: Ambassadors of the Gospel Through Speech
Our words should reflect Jesus' love and grace, drawing others closer to Him. As His ambassadors, we must use our speech to demonstrate the gospel, not to judge or alienate. [01:05:35]
Colossians 4:6 - "Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone."
Reflection: How can you use your words this week to be an ambassador for Christ, showing His love and grace to those around you?
Quotes
1) "Our tongue has the ability to give life and to destroy it. Our words matter. We have the ability to speak positively with our kids and we have the ability to make them feel that big." [46:18] (Download)
2) "We can walk into a church, put on our good Christian clothes, shake hands with some people around us and make ourselves look good. But the question comes out, what happens when we leave these walls?" [48:10] (Download)
3) "For my coworker, it was about religion; she went to church to make Grandma happy... but it was clear at the end of that conversation she had no real relationship with Jesus." [50:03] (Download)
4) "God is concerned about what's inside of your heart at that moment... he knows from the point of where your heart is that's where the good in you is going to flow out." [57:18] (Download)
5) "Words have extreme power; they have the ability to build others up, they have the ability to encourage others... our words have power and they have meaning." [43:51] (Download)
6) "Jesus said I came to give life and to give it abundantly. Are we showing the world the life that he came to give or are we just using scripture to tear people down?" [01:05:35] (Download)
7) "Jesus could see their heart, he could see their motives for everything they did. He knew they were not doing this out of love for people, they were not doing it out of love for God." [55:36] (Download)
8) "Our heart is what's going to produce good fruit. Our heart is what's going to produce good results. Our heart is what's going to point people back to Jesus." [01:02:58] (Download)
9) "We can speak both Truth and Love at the same time and God is more concerned with where your heart is than what you look like on the outside." [01:04:19] (Download)
10) "We've been called to walk out into the world around us and proclaim the good news of the gospel and that message is for everyone, not just people that look like us, act like us, talk like us." [01:05:35] (Download)
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