Words of Power: Building Up, Not Tearing Down
Summary
In this sermon, I began by expressing gratitude for the summer students who have been instrumental in the church's activities. I acknowledged their hard work and dedication, and prayed for their continued success as they return to their various schools. I also prayed for all students, teachers, and faculty members who are preparing for the new academic year, asking for God's wisdom, courage, and discernment to be upon them. I then transitioned into the main topic of the sermon, which was the power of words. I emphasized the importance of using words constructively, to build up rather than tear down. I drew a parallel between the destructive power of a nuclear bomb and the potential destructive power of our words, urging the congregation to use their words for mass construction instead.
Towards the end of the sermon, I reiterated the importance of using words of encouragement and construction. I challenged the congregation to think about the impact of their words and to strive to use them in a way that elicits positive responses and actions. I concluded the sermon with a prayer, asking for the Holy Spirit's guidance in using our words wisely and constructively. I prayed for the courage to help rather than hurt others with our words, and for our words to be God-centered.
Key Takeaways:
- The power of words is immense, and they can be used either constructively or destructively. We should strive to use our words to build up rather than tear down (#!!01:06:55!!#).
- Our words elicit emotional responses and actions from people, and it's our responsibility to ensure that we're using this power wisely (#!!01:09:26!!#).
- We should strive to use our words in a way that is God-centered and God-breathed, drawing from the Holy Spirit that lives within us (#!!01:11:07!!#).
- It's important to be mindful of the impact of our words, even in seemingly innocuous situations like commenting on social media or having a casual conversation (#!!01:09:26!!#).
Study Guide
Bible Passages:
1. Genesis 1:1-31
2. Romans 8:11-17
3. Proverbs 18:21
Key Points from the sermon:
1. The words we speak, write, type, hear, and pray have power.
2. The same spirit that God used to bring Jesus back to life lives in us, giving our words the power of life and death.
3. We need to use our words to build people up, not knock them down.
Observation Questions:
1. In Genesis 1, how many times is the phrase "God said" used and what does this signify?
2. What does Romans 8:11-17 tell us about the spirit that lives within us?
3. What does Proverbs 18:21 say about the power of the tongue?
Interpretation Questions:
1. What does it mean when it says in Genesis 1 that God spoke the world into creation?
2. How does Romans 8:11-17 explain the power that lives within us?
3. How can we understand the power of the tongue as described in Proverbs 18:21 in our daily lives?
Application Questions:
1. How can we use our words to build up others in our daily interactions?
2. In what ways can we ensure that the words we speak, write, and hear are God-centered?
3. How can we use our words to bring life and not death in our relationships and interactions with others?
Devotional
Day 1: The Power of Words
Words have the power to build up or tear down, to heal or to harm. They can be a source of comfort and encouragement, or they can cause pain and division. The Bible reminds us of the importance of using our words wisely and with love.
Proverbs 12:18 - "The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent conversation you had. Were your words constructive or destructive? How can you ensure your words bring healing and not harm in future conversations?
Day 2: The Holy Spirit Within Us
As believers, we have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us. This is a powerful truth that can transform our lives and guide us in our daily walk with God.
1 Corinthians 3:16 - "Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in your midst?"
Reflection: How often do you acknowledge the presence of the Holy Spirit within you? What are some ways you can remind yourself of this truth daily?
Day 3: Building Up, Not Knocking Down
Our words should be used to build others up, not knock them down. This is a principle that is emphasized throughout the Bible.
Ephesians 4:29 - "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."
Reflection: Can you recall a time when your words knocked someone down instead of building them up? How can you make amends and ensure your future words are constructive?
Day 4: Accountability and Condemnation
While it is important to hold each other accountable, we must do so without condemnation. Our goal should always be restoration and growth, not punishment or shame.
Galatians 6:1 - "Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted."
Reflection: Have you ever held someone accountable in a destructive manner? How can you approach accountability with gentleness and a spirit of restoration moving forward?
Day 5: God's Creation Through Words
God spoke the world into existence. His words have creative power, and as His children, our words can also have a powerful impact on the world around us.
Genesis 1:3 - "And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light."
Reflection: How can you use your words to create a positive impact in your environment, just as God used His words to create the world?
Quotes
1. "The words we hear have power. Words we hear control our emotional responses to things. So just like when my mom would yell my name or whatever. Sometimes she wouldn't even yell. Sometimes she would be nice and calm about it. And that was always the scariest because I expected her to be loud." - 56:43
2. "We need to be careful with the things that we're intaking. The famous saying is garbage in garbage out. So if you're constantly listening to something that is maybe degrading and condemning or songs that have tons of swears in it or whatever, you're probably going to start swearing." - 59:20
3. "The words we say, the things we intake need to be God-centered. Because if you have God coming in, you will have God going out. Let's allow the Holy Spirit to use us to build people up, not just break them down." - 01:02:14
4. "We need to stop using words of destruction and start using words of construction. Let's start building people up, not knocking them down. We Christians today, the collective body of believers, are so good at words of destruction." - 01:04:39
5. "We have the power of the Holy Spirit living in us, the same Spirit that breathed life into the world. So why is it that speaking words of construction is not our first response? I don't have the answer. I really don't. Is it because we live in a sin filled broken world? I'm sure that plays into it. But we need to be better than that. We can't use that as an excuse." - 01:06:55
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