Let us pray.
Holy God, we thank you so much for this time.
Thank you so much for your favor, your grace, your power, your mercy, your might.
Holy God, we ask tonight that you would send your Holy Spirit, that your word would be
elevated by the power of your Holy Spirit, that I would decrease and you would increase.
That you would prepare the hearts of your people to hear whatever you have to say.
Lord, may the word of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight.
My rock and my redeemer, in Christ's name we pray, amen.
Reading from Ephesians 4, verse 25 and 29.
Oh, in your pew Bibles, it is page, it is nine what?
Nine, seven, eight.
Thank you.
Praise nine, seven, eight.
Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor,
for we are members of one another.
Verse 29.
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.
That it may give grace to those who hear.
There's a television show on Netflix called House of Cards.
I think it's an intriguing show.
I've been watching it now for about two years.
Well, not two years.
I'm on the second season.
The story follows the lives of a politician named Frank Underwood and his wife, Claire,
played by actors Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright, respectively.
What happens in the story is you see them ruthlessly or ascend or rise through the ranks of government
to ultimately, or seeking to become ultimately the president and the first lady of the United States.
The title of the show is a metaphor or a figure of speech.
This figure of speech, House of Cards, highlights the arc or the overall theme
and the story of the television series.
So that what we are observing when we watch this show are thoughts, actions, and characteristics
that define the culture or the atmosphere of what can be considered to be a house of cards.
To put it more plainly, the definition of a house of cards is an organization or a plan that is very weak
and can easily be destroyed.
So what we are witnessing in this television world is a house, a political house, being constructed.
This house, so to speak, is a house being built by Frank and Claire Underwood and their associates in the world of politics and government.
And we are being led to believe that when it is finally finished, it will bear the mark or the distinction of being what a house of cards is,
which is fragile and vulnerable and ultimately destined to fall apart.
Which begs us to ask the question.
Once we start to understand what's being built in this imaginary world,
what then makes up the foundation of such a house?
This house of cards.
Well, if we observe the narrative and the story of Frank and Claire, some of you may be familiar with the story,
but we can see quite clearly what this house of cards is built upon.
It's built upon lies, deception, pride, lack of genuine grace.
In other words, I'll do for you, but you got to do something for me or else.
Mindset.
It is also built upon mercilessness and even murder.
In Ephesians 4, 25 and 29, and really throughout the letter of Ephesians,
instructions are given to the house of God or to the ecclesia or to the church.
God's people.
We are the audience of Ephesians.
We who follow Jesus are who the writer is talking to.
And contrary to being a house of cards, we are set up to be just the opposite.
We are a house or a church built on a firm foundation.
And this foundation is Jesus Christ, who John's gospel declares is full of grace and full of truth.
And it is worth noting that here in this text that we're going to read today,
that we're looking at today, actually, both words, truth and grace,
are referenced when describing what should come out of our mouths as members of Christ's body,
as members of this house and the universal house.
These are also characteristics that should define the church in relation to the world.
The first characteristic is truth or what is real and not false.
The second is talk that builds up and that is full of grace,
as opposed to talk that tears down.
First, let's look at truth.
Ephesians 4, 25 starts off,
therefore, having put away falsehood.
Now, falsehood is a fancy word for lying.
Just like any other way to say,
another way to say therefore is for this reason.
So for this reason, having put away falsehood,
or as a result, having put away falsehood.
Now, we can infer or we can gather from this language,
therefore, or for this reason,
that we, you and I,
have been given something that gives us the power or the access
to the power that we need to put aside such behavior.
It also assumes that something about practicing falsehood
was customary to our way of life
before we had access to this power.
Some clues are given earlier in this chapter
to what this power is.
First of all, Ephesians points out that as followers of Christ,
Christ, as a church,
we are not ignorant anymore.
Or our understanding is no longer darkened
because we are not alienated
from the life of God as we used to be.
Or we did not know Christ.
So given what God has done,
we are now hyper-aware of sin
in our lives, as sin,
because of the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives,
in a way that we had not been before.
Because of the life of God
that we have been exposed to in our relationship with Christ.
This is because of that.
We are not ignorant anymore.
So, for instance,
since we're talking about falsehood,
where a little white lie
was considered okay or customary
if no one got hurt, so to speak.
Now, for us at least,
it's no longer okay.
Next, Ephesians tells us here
in verse 21
that being in Christ
and being taught in him
exposes us to the truth
that is also in Jesus.
So then as the body of Christ
or the church,
that truth
is then an essential element
of who we are.
because Christ was
and continues to be
full of truth.
As is himself,
and he is himself
our essential element
in whom we live and move
and have our being.
What is an essential element?
Really, what is that?
And what does it have to do with Ephesians?
Let me tell you where I get it from.
Essential element is a phrase
used in film finance.
Maybe other places too,
but here's how it works
from a film finance perspective.
If you and I want to put together a movie,
and some of you may know that
I'm used to,
well, I'm still in the movie business,
so this is what I'm saying
is credible
in terms of essential element.
Now, essential element is a phrase
used in the film finance business.
Now, if you want to put together a movie,
right,
you need insurance
for the production
in case anything goes wrong.
Now, there is insurance
that for everything
from the equipment to the actors
because
if something unfortunate occurs,
and we call it Murphy's Law in film,
the insurance is in place
to cover any losses.
Now, apart from the regular insurance,
there is a special insurance
that covers what is designated
or identified
to be the essential element
of that production,
and this insurance is called
essential element insurance.
So this is a special insurance
that typically covers an actor,
an actor specifically,
who because of his or her presence
in the film,
this allows the film
to be more sellable
or bankable in the marketplace
in an almost guaranteed sort of way,
although nothing is guaranteed,
in an almost guaranteed sort of way.
So when the film is completed,
because this individual
has a strong built-in audience
or out there
or they are just a movie star,
pretty much,
this essential element insurance
covers them.
Now, if anything happens
to this person,
then the production will shut down
and it will cease
to be a production.
And it will not matter
if anything
or anyone else
is insured.
So let's say
you're trying to put together
a movie with me,
Pastor Nick,
and Denzel Washington.
Who do you think
will be considered
the essential element?
You are absolutely,
100% correct,
Denzel Washington.
So anyone who is considered
worthy of being
the essential element
in a film
then is critical
to the life of the film
from start to finish.
In a similar way,
Jesus Christ,
who is full of truth,
is critical
to the life of the church
and therefore
truth and speaking truth
is and should be
an essential characteristic
extending from Christ
our essential element
that is practiced
in the life of the church.
Why?
The first answer is truth
is part of Christ's character.
He's overflowing with it.
And we no longer
are alienated
from the life of God
because our connection
with him.
But another reason
is that we need
to speak truth
to one another
for the sake of unity.
The writer of Ephesians,
speaking to the church,
tells us that
after we put away
falsehood,
then our next step
is to speak the truth
to our neighbor.
Our neighbor being referenced here
are our fellow believers.
Well, how do you know?
Because we are told
that the people
who are speaking,
we are speaking truth
to our members
one to another.
Members of the same body,
the church.
unity of the church
is strengthened by truth
because on the contrary,
as one commentator explains,
falsehood,
lying,
can cause dissension
and alienation
within the body
as one commentator explains.
Now, so,
we can see that
there is dissension
and alienation
that causes distrust
and fear,
pride,
lack of grace
or genuine grace.
All this because
lying works against
the spirit of unity.
And if there's anywhere
in the world
that we need to hear
the truth about something,
then it should be the church.
We owe it to one another
to tell the truth.
And people should trust
what we say
as Christians.
And putting away falsehood
is something
that requires practice
because we will play
how we practice.
It has to be our practice
to one another.
Now, putting away a falsehood
and speaking truth
is not easy sometimes.
I can admit that.
If we're honest.
Because speaking
or even hearing the truth
can at times be
inconvenient.
Especially when hearing it
about ourselves.
This is where you and I
most likely have
the biggest problems
with truth.
When it is directed
at us personally
to correct us.
Even if we accept
that what is being said
is true.
Because although truth
is a blessing
it can be an inconvenience
but
in its inconvenience
it can be a powerful
and life changing
blessing.
Try to imagine
when you've heard
an inconvenient truth
from someone you know
who loves you
or at least
cares about your well-being.
a loving parent
a loving spouse
a close friend
a sibling
someone who loves you
or at least likes you.
A brother or sister in Christ
who is trying to look out
for us
because we are members
one to another.
We tend to receive truth
much better
from
those kind of folks
in our lives
because we know
that somehow
such culprits
of even inconvenient truth
spoke it to help us
to make us better
to keep us moving forward
something
in a something healthy
and in a way
that's
towards something healthy
and away from
anything that would be unhealthy
and unity is essential
to keeping the church healthy.
So putting away falsehood
fosters a healthy church
that is continually nurtured
and cultivated
by this truth telling
not only operating
on one accord
in unity
but also
powerfully
operating
in our calling
and responsibility
as a church
of the living God
who Paul
when writing to Timothy
in 1 Timothy 3.15
designates to be
a pillar
and buttress
of truth
in the world.
A pillar
is a firm
upright support
for a superstructure
a buttress
likewise
an architectural
structure
which serves
to support
or reinforce
a wall
and in order
to be a pillar
and buttress
of truth
we have to be
practicing truth
with one another
and in any aspect
of our lives
individually
so the church
can be unified
and healthy
totally unlike
a house of cards
that's built
upon deception
we have another
responsibility
in the house
of God
verse 29
warns us
keep away
from corrupting
talk
one translator
says
unwholesome
talk
another
expands
on the word
and its meaning
and calls it
worthless
talk
another
goes even
more in
with the word
and writes
let no evil
talk
come out
of your mouths
this is not
just cussing
or saying
a cuss word
it goes much
deeper than that
the word
use
word use
sorry
of corrupting
here is
interesting
because the
same idea
is used
earlier in
scripture
to describe
decaying
trees
that produce
rotten fruit
it can also
describe
withered flowers
or rancid
fish
rancid meaning
unpleasant
or distasteful
it depicts
a certain kind
of speaking
that goes
beyond
hurting
someone's
feelings
it is
speaking
that can
literally
destroy
something
or in
this case
destroy
someone
from the
inside out
but not
only that
it can
produce
rotten fruit
in their
lives
and I
don't know
anyone
who likes
loves
or enjoys
being around
rotten fruit
except for
fruit flies
and no one
likes to be
around fruit
fries
or rancid
fish
or anything
that's rotten
if you ever
smelled
rancid
or rotten
fish
you get
the idea
and what
is really
interesting
is that
the writer
of Ephesians
is not
referencing
the speech
of unbelievers
he is talking
to
what my
pastor in
Los Angeles
would characterize
as people
who are saved
sanctified
filled
with the
Holy Ghost
and on their
way to heaven
anyhow
these are
Christian folks
so we as
Christians
can be
party
to the
production
of
rotten
fruit
in the
lives
of other
people
and Ephesians
saying to you
and I
don't do
that
now I
don't know
if you know
someone whose
life has been
shipwrecked
by the
corrupting
words of a
Christian
devout
Christians
but I
do
sometimes
it can
occur
or happen
in a
marriage
situation
where what's
being said
can be
characterized
as emotional
abuse
it is
destroying
something
in that
spouse
and unfortunately
in the
children
who would
witness it
I
know
people
who've
been
the
target
of
corrupting
and
unwholesome
language
by devout
believers
sincere
believers
maybe during
their childhood
from a
Christian
parent
or both
parents
or another
relative
who is also
a Christian
and often
the trauma
inflicted
from such
an experience
if they do
not seek
help
and in many
cases
professional
help
they can
become
extremely
difficult
to be
around
much like
something
that is
rotting
now
like
rotten
fruit
there is
hope
for their
healing
and restoration
at the
feet of
Jesus
there is
hope
but that
could take
some time
and meanwhile
life can
become
unnecessarily
difficult
for them
and even
for people
who they
may have
to interact
with
and there
are also
some who
because of
their experience
with corrupting
words
coming from
a believer
have chosen
not to be
involved
with the
Christian
faith
nor have
anything
to do
with the
church
so in a
sense
unwholesome
talk can
and will
hinder
our
Christian
witness
but here
in Ephesians
we are
given an
option
in the
phrase
but only
meaning
that
there is
never a
reason
to use
corrupting
talk
there is
never a
reason
to tear
down
someone
even if
you and
I feel
like in
a specific
situation
someone may
quote unquote
deserve it
truth is
they never
deserve it
now if you
never felt
this way
about a
situation
of someone
well all I
can say
is keep
on living
because you
will
but the
Bible is
telling us
we should
not choose
this path
of speaking
even if
provoked
because that
moment of
irritation
is never
worth the
long term
consequences
or rotten
fruit that
will come
from damaging
people with
our words
it's never
worth that
instead we
ought to speak
with the
goal of
building
others up
and even
doing that
requires wisdom
because verse
29 goes on
to say that
whatever we
say that
is good
ought to
fit the
occasion in
which we
say it
in other
words if we
are given
the opportunity
to build
someone up
that we
ought to
have made
sure that
we took
the time
to fully
assess what
the need
is or
what is
lacking that
needs to
be built
up and
often times
making this
assessment of
need is
most effective
when we
have taken
the time
to build
relationships
with people
and in
this case
with other
members of
the body
of Christ
this is one
of the reasons
why discipleship
of small
groups is so
important in
a local
church family
it makes
the church
smaller and
more personal
Christianity
is not a
faith that's
meant to
live be
lived in
isolation
there is
no such
thing as
a lone
wolf
Christian
daily
encouragement
is needed
community
is essential
we all
need to be
built up
and identified
by one
another
because it
is a fight
of faith
that we
are involved
in and
we need
one another
for this
fight
but the
Bible says
it's a
good fight
now
often times
building up
that area
where there
is lack
in someone's
life
that can
become that
one moment
that could
change the
trajectory
of that
life
just like
corrupting
speech can
lead to the
rottenness
or rotten
fruit
edifying
speech
can lead
to an
individual
lead an
individual
toward
gloriously
fulfilling
their
God
given
purpose
and
being
fruitful
in the
body
of Christ
and in
the world
finally
we do
this
we do
all this
wholesome
speaking
so that
grace
can be
given to
those
who hear
the grace
that he
is given
yes
is a
charitable
act
sorry
and in
this
generous
act
called
grace
the
recipient
of
wholesome
words
coming
from us
is
enabled
by
and
through
our
words
to
grow
spiritually
and
in
maturity
it's
interesting
because
one
commentator
describes
the church
presented
in
Ephesians
is a
growing
dynamic
organism
the church
is still
a growing
dynamic
organism
it hasn't
changed
in order
for this
growth to
occur
the first
has to
continue
to be
unity
that
contributes
to the
equilibrium
or the
health
of the
body
and out
of this
unity
and the
truth telling
that has
cultivated it
wholesome
speech to
one another
should follow
and be
practiced
and if
we know
that unwholesome
words lead
to rotten
fruit or
things that
decay
then words
that are
carefully
expressed
through
discernment
of an
individual's
need to
build
someone up
should lead
to that
person's
growth
and therefore
contribute
to his
growing
this
growing
dynamic
organism
called the
body of
Christ
or the
church
so this
grace that
is passed
along through
speech is
helping men
and women
to grow
spiritually
to mature
to see
themselves
how God
sees them
but how
does God
see us
verse Peter
2 tells us
when he
declares
you are
a chosen
race
a royal
priesthood
a holy
nation
a people
of his
own
possession
that you
us the
church
may proclaim
the excellencies
of him
who called
us out
of darkness
into his
marvelous
light
in closing
I declared
it as
Christians
as a
church
we are
citizens
of an
unshakable
kingdom
we are
not a
house
of cards
vulnerable
to
destruction
because of
falsehood
and evil
speaking
the church
is built
on the
firm
foundation
of Jesus
Christ
we are
required to
be truth
tellers to
one another
to be men
and women
whose words
do not act
as a
decaying
force
but as
an edifying
platform
of edification
this has
to be our
practice by
the power
of the
Holy
Spirit
so that
by the
time the
world
which is
itself a
house of
cards
is encountering
us whether
individually or
as a community
bearing the
banner of
Jesus Christ
representing
that unified
healthy and
dynamic organism
called the
church
what they
meaning the
world
are coming
face to
face with
is a people
who are
operating or
playing successfully
in the field
of truth
and edifying
speech
because we
have been
practicing
this way
all along
to the glory
of God
and when that
happens
lives will be
changed and
we will march
forward as the
unshakable
pillar of
pillar and
buttress of
truth
that we are
called to be
in this
world
amen
have
done
in this
minute
process
and
ask
to find
the
team
and
who
and
even
in this
time
have
opened
ray
Russel
and
hear
until
Mueller
Wenn
worthy
from
other
videos
of
for closing worship.