WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.459 How many of you like to build things? 00:00:08.859 --> 00:00:09.599 That's it. 00:00:10.200 --> 00:00:11.900 We don't got any more builders in here than that? 00:00:13.900 --> 00:00:14.400 ! 00:00:14.400 --> 00:00:15.580 Maybe you're the creative type. 00:00:15.580 --> 00:00:24.280 Give you a puzzle, you'll put it together by yourself and take joy from it. 00:00:24.280 --> 00:00:28.660 You give me a puzzle, it'll stress me out, man. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:32.420 Especially those thousand piece things. 00:00:32.920 --> 00:00:34.079 Find a corner piece. 00:00:34.759 --> 00:00:35.100 How? 00:00:36.340 --> 00:00:38.259 It's got a little bit of an eye in it. 00:00:39.840 --> 00:00:48.159 I go see different people from time to time and sometimes when I'm visiting people, 00:00:48.820 --> 00:00:53.019 somebody I'm thinking of in particular up in an assisted living home in Wichita Falls 00:00:53.019 --> 00:00:57.439 and she's got a group of friends that work on puzzles together. 00:00:57.439 --> 00:01:04.319 And they completed one and it was so beautiful, they asked the manager of the place, can we 00:01:04.319 --> 00:01:05.200 put this on the wall? 00:01:05.700 --> 00:01:06.879 And she said, give me a minute. 00:01:07.099 --> 00:01:12.519 And she went and bought this beautiful wood frame and they were remodeling the entire facility 00:01:12.519 --> 00:01:15.140 and they said, this is going to go in a place of prominence on the wall. 00:01:15.420 --> 00:01:19.039 So you had a bunch of creative types, a bunch of builders coming together, working on this 00:01:19.039 --> 00:01:21.180 puzzle and now it is displayed for all to see. 00:01:21.879 --> 00:01:24.219 And I would have had no part in that. 00:01:24.219 --> 00:01:25.500 I just would have been cheering them on. 00:01:25.640 --> 00:01:26.539 Good job, you people. 00:01:27.659 --> 00:01:29.819 But a lot of people are project oriented. 00:01:30.039 --> 00:01:36.140 They love to break down the details and they love to create something positive, something 00:01:36.140 --> 00:01:38.799 useful from their hard work. 00:01:39.560 --> 00:01:45.500 These are the kind of people that Ikea furniture was made for, designed for. 00:01:45.500 --> 00:01:51.459 Some of you, if you've never experienced Ikea furniture, you may not get that joke unless 00:01:51.459 --> 00:01:52.620 you've just heard about it. 00:01:52.719 --> 00:01:56.799 But has anybody ever tried to put something together that you bought at Ikea? 00:01:56.900 --> 00:02:00.980 Now we don't have one up here, but down in the Metroplex, yeah, more people than I thought. 00:02:01.099 --> 00:02:01.740 Okay, good. 00:02:02.180 --> 00:02:03.840 I was hoping some of you might relate. 00:02:04.379 --> 00:02:05.439 This is a good way. 00:02:05.539 --> 00:02:08.120 Now, first of all, this is what their instructions look like. 00:02:08.120 --> 00:02:10.800 It's this little man and then little pictures. 00:02:10.800 --> 00:02:15.280 And at the end of the day, you're just going to end up calling in the customer service line. 00:02:15.380 --> 00:02:16.100 That's just how it works. 00:02:18.640 --> 00:02:20.900 God bless you if that's your idea of a good time. 00:02:22.540 --> 00:02:25.300 You look at a pile of parts and say, challenge accepted. 00:02:26.140 --> 00:02:28.300 Now, let's get to the rest of you. 00:02:29.000 --> 00:02:30.800 How many of you like to bulldoze things? 00:02:32.980 --> 00:02:33.780 There you go. 00:02:33.780 --> 00:02:37.080 Demo Day. 00:02:37.400 --> 00:02:42.939 Anybody ever watch the, was it Fixer Upper, Chip and Joanna Gaines, Waco's favorite couple? 00:02:43.800 --> 00:02:47.639 And what was Chip's, if you did watch that show, we're getting a little bit niche here 00:02:47.639 --> 00:02:49.039 in your TV watching habits. 00:02:49.159 --> 00:02:50.960 It came on Home and Garden Television for a while. 00:02:51.300 --> 00:02:53.759 And now I think it's on the Magnolia Network if you have that. 00:02:53.759 --> 00:02:56.879 But Chip Gaines' favorite thing was what? 00:02:57.939 --> 00:02:58.580 Demo Day. 00:02:58.680 --> 00:02:59.139 There you go. 00:02:59.219 --> 00:03:01.860 We have a lot of Fixer Upper fans in the room. 00:03:01.860 --> 00:03:06.320 Yes, that was his favorite thing because he got to go in with a sledgehammer and just 00:03:06.320 --> 00:03:07.360 bust stuff up. 00:03:07.560 --> 00:03:08.280 It was great. 00:03:08.460 --> 00:03:12.480 And of course, they were going to flip that house and make it all nice and try to sell it 00:03:12.480 --> 00:03:13.020 for a profit. 00:03:13.280 --> 00:03:17.260 But some of us just like to go in and hit things. 00:03:17.260 --> 00:03:20.920 So much so that these came about. 00:03:22.200 --> 00:03:23.580 Anybody know what this is? 00:03:24.820 --> 00:03:26.220 It's a rage room. 00:03:27.100 --> 00:03:29.460 I don't think we have one in this area. 00:03:30.480 --> 00:03:31.440 Maybe we should. 00:03:31.439 --> 00:03:35.259 Maybe you give people an outlet to go for their anger. 00:03:35.419 --> 00:03:35.960 I don't know. 00:03:36.020 --> 00:03:38.719 I don't know if that's a healthy way to express your anger or not. 00:03:38.900 --> 00:03:44.939 But that's kind of the whole concept is you pay somebody money to give you some weapons 00:03:44.939 --> 00:03:47.699 and go into a room and just break a bunch of stuff. 00:03:48.520 --> 00:03:50.520 I think you got to wear protective gear and all that. 00:03:50.639 --> 00:03:53.259 But probably sign your life away on release forms. 00:03:53.259 --> 00:04:02.859 But listen, they literally just say, here, we exist to help you break things down, tear 00:04:02.859 --> 00:04:03.579 things apart. 00:04:04.219 --> 00:04:05.979 And people love it. 00:04:06.780 --> 00:04:09.419 So let's be honest. 00:04:09.479 --> 00:04:11.019 It might sound a little fun sometimes. 00:04:11.020 --> 00:04:19.240 Where are we going with building things and bulldozing things? 00:04:19.980 --> 00:04:30.280 Well, the truth is, in the book of James, James teaches us that our tongue can either build 00:04:30.280 --> 00:04:33.639 things up or tear things down. 00:04:33.639 --> 00:04:37.680 So would you go with me to that passage, James chapter 3. 00:04:38.000 --> 00:04:39.099 James chapter 3. 00:04:39.199 --> 00:04:43.759 We're continuing on in this series that we started last Sunday called Summer Stretch. 00:04:44.060 --> 00:04:46.079 Last Sunday, what did we talk about? 00:04:46.139 --> 00:04:46.479 Do you remember? 00:04:47.000 --> 00:04:50.000 Stretch your time. 00:04:50.099 --> 00:04:50.579 There you go. 00:04:50.699 --> 00:04:51.240 Be confident. 00:04:51.419 --> 00:04:52.180 Say it with your chest. 00:04:52.519 --> 00:04:54.479 Stretch your time. 00:04:54.480 --> 00:05:03.220 And we kind of came down to the question, are you focusing on what is good instead of what's 00:05:03.220 --> 00:05:03.840 best? 00:05:04.220 --> 00:05:11.120 Has your idea of good taken the place of God's idea of best in your life? 00:05:11.340 --> 00:05:17.259 Somebody came to me right before the service and said, hey, you know, we're not always spending, 00:05:17.400 --> 00:05:19.620 we're not spending our time, we're investing it. 00:05:19.660 --> 00:05:21.580 And I said, hey, somebody was paying attention, man. 00:05:21.580 --> 00:05:22.120 That's awesome. 00:05:22.120 --> 00:05:24.740 That is a concept we learned last week. 00:05:24.840 --> 00:05:27.819 It's not just spending time, it's investing it. 00:05:27.879 --> 00:05:29.319 So what are you investing it in? 00:05:29.399 --> 00:05:33.759 Are you investing your time in the things of the kingdom of God? 00:05:34.360 --> 00:05:36.340 So let's go to James chapter 3 now. 00:05:37.480 --> 00:05:40.699 Today, we're not going to talk about stretching your time. 00:05:40.819 --> 00:05:44.660 Today, we're going to talk about stretching your talk. 00:05:45.660 --> 00:05:47.060 Stretching your talk. 00:05:47.060 --> 00:05:51.879 Let's look at what James says in the third chapter of this letter. 00:05:52.600 --> 00:05:53.800 He doesn't pull any punches. 00:05:54.259 --> 00:05:54.639 All right? 00:05:55.180 --> 00:05:55.920 Verse 1. 00:05:56.060 --> 00:06:02.459 Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we 00:06:02.459 --> 00:06:04.660 who teach will be judged more strictly. 00:06:05.459 --> 00:06:09.160 By the way, teachers, preachers in the room, don't forget that. 00:06:09.160 --> 00:06:16.760 If you take it upon yourself to open God's word and teach from it, teach the eternal truths 00:06:16.760 --> 00:06:22.380 that apply to every one of us, we bring on a stricter judgment for ourselves. 00:06:23.520 --> 00:06:29.360 We are allowing God to use us as his mouthpiece on this earth, as his vessel on this earth. 00:06:30.200 --> 00:06:35.940 And so it is a high and holy calling and privilege, and we don't take it lightly. 00:06:35.939 --> 00:06:37.339 Verse 2. 00:06:38.160 --> 00:06:40.279 We all stumble in many ways. 00:06:41.219 --> 00:06:49.759 Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check. 00:06:49.819 --> 00:06:52.220 You know what perfect there in that context means? 00:06:52.720 --> 00:06:53.319 Complete. 00:06:53.860 --> 00:06:54.259 Whole. 00:06:55.519 --> 00:06:56.379 So now verse 3. 00:06:56.879 --> 00:07:02.459 When we put bits into the mouths of horses, anybody know what they're talking about, putting a bit in a horse's mouth? 00:07:02.459 --> 00:07:05.939 More hands can go up. 00:07:06.019 --> 00:07:06.739 Y'all can engage. 00:07:06.919 --> 00:07:08.620 This is Henrietta, Texas, y'all. 00:07:08.719 --> 00:07:09.399 It's Clay County. 00:07:09.719 --> 00:07:11.959 You know what a bit in a horse's mouth is, right? 00:07:12.539 --> 00:07:12.979 All right. 00:07:13.180 --> 00:07:15.779 I was like, they're all going to track with this one. 00:07:16.779 --> 00:07:18.899 Or you take ships as an example. 00:07:19.439 --> 00:07:22.859 Although they're so large and are driven by strong winds, 00:07:23.120 --> 00:07:28.639 they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 00:07:28.639 --> 00:07:34.719 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. 00:07:35.680 --> 00:07:39.759 Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 00:07:40.060 --> 00:07:44.479 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. 00:07:44.819 --> 00:07:49.699 It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one's life on fire, 00:07:49.779 --> 00:07:53.959 and it sets itself on fire by hell. 00:07:55.099 --> 00:07:55.979 Verse 7. 00:07:55.980 --> 00:08:05.980 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind. 00:08:06.540 --> 00:08:08.819 Anybody got a dog or a cat? 00:08:10.520 --> 00:08:14.840 This really has nothing to do with the sermon except this part of the passage right here. 00:08:15.280 --> 00:08:16.759 How many dog people are in the room? 00:08:16.860 --> 00:08:18.160 Can you wave at me? 00:08:18.620 --> 00:08:20.240 How many cat people are in the room? 00:08:20.759 --> 00:08:22.020 How many are both? 00:08:22.019 --> 00:08:22.659 Okay. 00:08:25.299 --> 00:08:26.740 God bless you dog people. 00:08:26.919 --> 00:08:27.219 All right. 00:08:31.139 --> 00:08:31.879 That's all right. 00:08:33.199 --> 00:08:34.620 Heaven's open for all. 00:08:36.980 --> 00:08:39.860 I don't understand how sometimes you cat people, but that's all right. 00:08:39.919 --> 00:08:40.379 Just kidding. 00:08:41.259 --> 00:08:42.740 But you understand the point? 00:08:42.879 --> 00:08:44.679 We can tame all kinds of animals. 00:08:44.840 --> 00:08:47.919 You look at a lion and then you look at your tabby cat in your house and say, 00:08:47.919 --> 00:08:51.679 how are those two related, but somehow they come from the whole same family. 00:08:52.199 --> 00:08:54.360 And a wolf and your little poodle, right? 00:08:54.500 --> 00:08:55.399 I mean, how does that work? 00:08:55.500 --> 00:09:00.099 But sometimes we have taken all these species and figured out how to tame them. 00:09:00.779 --> 00:09:04.719 But no human being, verse 8, can tame the tongue. 00:09:06.099 --> 00:09:11.199 We can take a wild animal and tame it, but we can't control this thing. 00:09:11.200 --> 00:09:16.680 It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 00:09:16.920 --> 00:09:25.400 With the tongue, we praise our Lord and Father, and with it, we curse human beings who have been made in God's likeness. 00:09:26.120 --> 00:09:30.700 Out of the same mouth comes praise and cursing. 00:09:31.700 --> 00:09:35.580 My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 00:09:37.160 --> 00:09:38.140 What's he saying? 00:09:38.139 --> 00:09:42.279 Again, your tongue is either a tool or a weapon. 00:09:43.379 --> 00:09:53.240 It can be a tool to build up, or it can be a weapon to tear down, depending on how you use it. 00:09:53.679 --> 00:09:54.559 So let's get into it. 00:09:54.620 --> 00:09:58.179 Number one, if you're keeping notes in your bulletin, you want to fill in those blanks. 00:09:58.220 --> 00:10:00.580 Number one, your words carry power. 00:10:01.039 --> 00:10:02.259 Your words carry power. 00:10:02.700 --> 00:10:05.639 James does not pull punches in chapter 3 here. 00:10:05.639 --> 00:10:11.000 The tongue is small, but it steers everything like a horse's bit. 00:10:11.199 --> 00:10:11.860 Here we go. 00:10:12.039 --> 00:10:12.259 See? 00:10:12.819 --> 00:10:14.419 Now you know what we're talking about, right? 00:10:14.539 --> 00:10:15.419 Oh yeah, that thing. 00:10:17.120 --> 00:10:21.059 How do you control a mighty animal like a horse? 00:10:21.819 --> 00:10:29.019 We don't need to look far to remember just how strong and sometimes deadly horses can be. 00:10:29.019 --> 00:10:38.899 So many families in this room or in our community have been touched by accidents, sometimes fatal, with horses. 00:10:39.539 --> 00:10:41.960 So how do we control these great beasts? 00:10:42.659 --> 00:10:44.179 With a tiny little piece of metal. 00:10:46.679 --> 00:10:47.899 How does that work? 00:10:48.759 --> 00:10:51.840 Something so small controlling something so mighty. 00:10:51.840 --> 00:10:55.920 And then a ship's rudder is the other example that James gives. 00:10:56.139 --> 00:10:57.980 You think of a mighty ship. 00:10:58.259 --> 00:10:59.940 A huge cargo ship. 00:11:00.139 --> 00:11:04.280 And the direction it goes is controlled by that little piece of metal right there. 00:11:05.560 --> 00:11:06.399 Isn't that crazy? 00:11:07.540 --> 00:11:09.000 Yeah, it's got big engines. 00:11:09.420 --> 00:11:10.620 It's got boiler rooms. 00:11:10.720 --> 00:11:12.040 It's got all this technology. 00:11:12.039 --> 00:11:21.240 But at the end of the day, all that is just controlling one little piece of metal that tells it where to go. 00:11:23.099 --> 00:11:33.599 What an interesting illustration, an effective illustration that James gives us about what our mouth, what our tongue, let's just call it our talk. 00:11:34.199 --> 00:11:35.919 What our talk can do. 00:11:37.559 --> 00:11:39.259 It can control us. 00:11:39.679 --> 00:11:41.120 It can control our lives. 00:11:41.120 --> 00:11:46.159 It can set the course of either building up or tearing down. 00:11:46.480 --> 00:11:49.560 Verse 8, no human being can tame the tongue. 00:11:49.879 --> 00:11:53.360 It's a restless evil full of deadly poison. 00:11:53.740 --> 00:11:55.179 Your words carry power. 00:11:56.000 --> 00:12:01.279 They can be used as positive power or they can be used as negative power. 00:12:02.279 --> 00:12:05.340 He says they can start fires. 00:12:06.639 --> 00:12:07.820 Destructive fires. 00:12:07.820 --> 00:12:10.820 So it can be used for a positive purpose. 00:12:12.020 --> 00:12:17.040 And certainly horses with bits in their mouths can be used for positive purposes. 00:12:17.540 --> 00:12:21.100 Certainly ship's rudders can be used for positive purposes. 00:12:21.100 --> 00:12:27.019 But the tongue is also likened to a fire which exists to destroy. 00:12:27.019 --> 00:12:31.740 So we've all felt the damage that words can do. 00:12:32.420 --> 00:12:34.259 From sarcastic comments. 00:12:34.379 --> 00:12:36.019 From careless comments. 00:12:37.460 --> 00:12:38.800 From venting. 00:12:38.799 --> 00:12:42.259 Just let me go off for a minute here. 00:12:43.259 --> 00:12:44.899 And it feels good. 00:12:45.620 --> 00:12:54.939 But we can't take back what is done from those thoughtless, sarcastic, careless, venting comments. 00:12:54.940 --> 00:12:56.980 That's why it matters. 00:12:57.540 --> 00:13:00.280 That's why God included it in our Bible. 00:13:00.900 --> 00:13:03.780 That's why James mentions it here. 00:13:04.120 --> 00:13:08.100 And throughout the scriptures we have warnings about our talk. 00:13:08.100 --> 00:13:09.420 So. 00:13:09.420 --> 00:13:09.460 So. 00:13:10.460 --> 00:13:12.519 Not just in person. 00:13:13.659 --> 00:13:14.879 But in today's world. 00:13:15.320 --> 00:13:18.379 We've also got to think about our talk online. 00:13:20.320 --> 00:13:21.519 Because often. 00:13:22.220 --> 00:13:24.860 We would never say face to face. 00:13:25.220 --> 00:13:27.720 What we're willing to type on a computer screen. 00:13:27.980 --> 00:13:28.940 Or on a phone screen. 00:13:31.980 --> 00:13:32.680 Look. 00:13:32.679 --> 00:13:35.859 If it does not. 00:13:36.439 --> 00:13:37.419 We're jumping ahead. 00:13:37.539 --> 00:13:39.199 But if it does not build up. 00:13:40.419 --> 00:13:41.739 Then what business. 00:13:42.159 --> 00:13:43.639 Does a child of God have. 00:13:44.319 --> 00:13:45.019 In saying it. 00:13:46.500 --> 00:13:47.919 And that's the reality of it. 00:13:48.799 --> 00:13:49.239 Say yes. 00:13:49.319 --> 00:13:50.879 But somebody's got to say it. 00:13:51.279 --> 00:13:52.399 That's your flesh talking. 00:13:53.979 --> 00:13:55.459 That is your sense. 00:13:55.459 --> 00:13:56.279 Of saying. 00:13:56.759 --> 00:13:59.279 I need justice for a perceived wrong. 00:13:59.659 --> 00:14:00.299 Number one. 00:14:00.639 --> 00:14:02.240 The wrong might not be. 00:14:02.679 --> 00:14:03.599 As perceived. 00:14:04.099 --> 00:14:05.099 As in reality. 00:14:05.239 --> 00:14:06.239 As you perceive it to be. 00:14:06.919 --> 00:14:09.019 You think a wrong has been done. 00:14:10.199 --> 00:14:10.799 Number one. 00:14:10.859 --> 00:14:11.620 You've been wrong before. 00:14:11.819 --> 00:14:12.639 I've been wrong before. 00:14:13.659 --> 00:14:15.419 What we think needs to happen. 00:14:15.579 --> 00:14:17.079 May actually not need to happen. 00:14:17.779 --> 00:14:18.379 Number two. 00:14:18.459 --> 00:14:20.599 We may not need to be the one to say it. 00:14:21.519 --> 00:14:22.120 Number three. 00:14:22.199 --> 00:14:23.799 The way in which we say it. 00:14:24.159 --> 00:14:25.919 Is very likely in those moments. 00:14:25.919 --> 00:14:27.539 Not how Christ would say it. 00:14:29.039 --> 00:14:30.539 So often times. 00:14:30.839 --> 00:14:32.500 We must just stop. 00:14:33.120 --> 00:14:33.500 Pray. 00:14:33.879 --> 00:14:35.259 And obey the proverbs. 00:14:35.459 --> 00:14:35.899 That say. 00:14:36.519 --> 00:14:39.219 Wisdom is often found in silence. 00:14:40.299 --> 00:14:40.599 So. 00:14:40.939 --> 00:14:41.479 Last Sunday. 00:14:41.579 --> 00:14:43.339 We talked about there's a time for everything. 00:14:43.799 --> 00:14:45.039 There's a time to keep quiet. 00:14:45.239 --> 00:14:46.639 And there's a time to speak up. 00:14:46.979 --> 00:14:48.179 The time to speak up. 00:14:48.239 --> 00:14:50.339 Is when you are guided by the Holy Spirit. 00:14:50.859 --> 00:14:53.359 When you know you're not reacting in the flesh. 00:14:53.359 --> 00:14:55.620 But you're being moved by God's Spirit. 00:14:55.620 --> 00:14:59.820 And you're being used to build up. 00:15:00.039 --> 00:15:01.340 Not tear down. 00:15:02.000 --> 00:15:04.080 That's when it's time to speak up. 00:15:04.500 --> 00:15:04.700 So. 00:15:05.240 --> 00:15:06.740 Your words carry power. 00:15:07.019 --> 00:15:08.240 We must understand this. 00:15:08.600 --> 00:15:09.060 Number two. 00:15:09.580 --> 00:15:11.740 God wants your words to build. 00:15:11.740 --> 00:15:14.580 Very simple points. 00:15:14.680 --> 00:15:16.720 But if we can wrap our heads around these. 00:15:16.899 --> 00:15:18.200 It will transform. 00:15:18.659 --> 00:15:19.720 Our relationships. 00:15:20.120 --> 00:15:20.740 Our lives. 00:15:21.019 --> 00:15:22.840 The things we care about the most. 00:15:23.500 --> 00:15:24.600 It'll transform it. 00:15:25.100 --> 00:15:27.299 If we remember that our words have power. 00:15:27.659 --> 00:15:29.399 And God wants to use that power. 00:15:29.560 --> 00:15:30.460 To build up. 00:15:30.720 --> 00:15:31.879 Not to tear down. 00:15:32.419 --> 00:15:34.200 Your words can build your church. 00:15:34.659 --> 00:15:35.759 Or they can tear it down. 00:15:36.180 --> 00:15:37.519 Build your kids. 00:15:38.000 --> 00:15:38.840 Or tear them down. 00:15:38.840 --> 00:15:40.139 Build your wife. 00:15:40.240 --> 00:15:40.860 Your husband. 00:15:42.680 --> 00:15:43.700 Co-workers. 00:15:44.120 --> 00:15:44.960 Employees. 00:15:46.639 --> 00:15:48.019 Those who see. 00:15:48.440 --> 00:15:49.840 Your posts online. 00:15:50.460 --> 00:15:51.620 Or those who are affected. 00:15:52.080 --> 00:15:53.139 By your posts online. 00:15:54.080 --> 00:15:54.940 Secret meetings. 00:15:55.120 --> 00:15:56.120 Careless comments. 00:15:58.500 --> 00:16:00.040 It'll either build it up. 00:16:00.300 --> 00:16:01.139 Or tear it down. 00:16:01.300 --> 00:16:02.740 God wants to use. 00:16:03.040 --> 00:16:03.900 Your talk. 00:16:04.400 --> 00:16:06.200 To build up. 00:16:06.460 --> 00:16:07.420 Not to tear down. 00:16:07.419 --> 00:16:08.139 So. 00:16:08.339 --> 00:16:09.919 Let's look at what he has to say about it. 00:16:09.979 --> 00:16:10.339 Ephesians. 00:16:10.599 --> 00:16:12.319 Gives us a great passage on this. 00:16:12.419 --> 00:16:13.299 Ephesians chapter 4. 00:16:13.699 --> 00:16:15.459 Let no corrupting talk. 00:16:15.759 --> 00:16:17.019 Come out of your mouths. 00:16:17.139 --> 00:16:17.860 But only. 00:16:18.159 --> 00:16:19.659 Such as is good for. 00:16:20.159 --> 00:16:20.779 What does that say? 00:16:21.759 --> 00:16:22.360 Building up. 00:16:22.399 --> 00:16:23.000 Let's do it again. 00:16:23.299 --> 00:16:25.159 Only such as is good for. 00:16:25.759 --> 00:16:26.599 Building up. 00:16:26.740 --> 00:16:28.459 As fits the occasion. 00:16:29.419 --> 00:16:30.899 That it may give grace. 00:16:30.979 --> 00:16:32.019 To those who hear. 00:16:32.019 --> 00:16:33.199 I love. 00:16:33.199 --> 00:16:35.720 That it put that phrase in there. 00:16:35.720 --> 00:16:37.439 As fits the occasion. 00:16:38.240 --> 00:16:38.639 Sometimes. 00:16:39.199 --> 00:16:41.319 It might be the right thing to say. 00:16:41.539 --> 00:16:42.759 But the wrong. 00:16:43.399 --> 00:16:44.579 Time to say it. 00:16:45.000 --> 00:16:46.840 And that's what we talked about a little bit last Sunday. 00:16:47.079 --> 00:16:48.860 There's a time for everything. 00:16:49.079 --> 00:16:50.600 There's a season for everything. 00:16:50.860 --> 00:16:53.439 But it might not be when we want it to be. 00:16:53.659 --> 00:16:53.879 Right? 00:16:54.819 --> 00:16:56.679 How many of you asked God for something. 00:16:57.240 --> 00:16:59.199 And he didn't give it to you when you wanted it. 00:16:59.200 --> 00:17:00.140 He gave it to you later. 00:17:01.140 --> 00:17:02.480 I can raise both hands on that. 00:17:02.640 --> 00:17:04.440 That's how it's been for me many times. 00:17:04.640 --> 00:17:04.840 Right? 00:17:05.660 --> 00:17:07.740 Because God knows when it's best. 00:17:07.740 --> 00:17:09.740 So we have to follow his prompting. 00:17:10.420 --> 00:17:12.360 His leading in our talk. 00:17:13.140 --> 00:17:14.980 Not our own flesh. 00:17:15.160 --> 00:17:16.080 Not what we want. 00:17:16.360 --> 00:17:17.259 Not what we think. 00:17:17.380 --> 00:17:18.160 In the moment. 00:17:18.799 --> 00:17:19.519 Is right. 00:17:20.779 --> 00:17:23.420 Does it really fit the occasion right now? 00:17:24.700 --> 00:17:24.940 So. 00:17:24.940 --> 00:17:29.860 Only such talk as is good for building up. 00:17:29.960 --> 00:17:30.700 How about Colossians? 00:17:30.940 --> 00:17:34.200 Let your conversation always be full of grace. 00:17:34.920 --> 00:17:36.220 Seasoned with salt. 00:17:36.480 --> 00:17:39.380 So that you may know how to answer everyone. 00:17:40.080 --> 00:17:41.559 Going back to the spring. 00:17:41.700 --> 00:17:43.500 And I think even maybe back late winter. 00:17:43.900 --> 00:17:45.259 We talked about salt. 00:17:46.360 --> 00:17:48.539 And we talked about Roman soldiers. 00:17:48.539 --> 00:17:50.240 Who used to get paid in salt. 00:17:50.320 --> 00:17:51.480 It was called white gold. 00:17:51.480 --> 00:17:55.460 And it had this high value as a commodity. 00:17:56.539 --> 00:17:59.500 And so salt would carry great value and importance. 00:17:59.720 --> 00:18:03.339 As Jesus is using through Paul. 00:18:03.420 --> 00:18:04.839 The writer to the church in Colossae. 00:18:04.980 --> 00:18:07.480 He's using this as an illustration. 00:18:09.099 --> 00:18:11.559 Let your speech be seasoned with salt. 00:18:11.839 --> 00:18:13.799 Let it bring great value. 00:18:14.860 --> 00:18:15.860 What does salt do? 00:18:15.940 --> 00:18:16.740 It can heal. 00:18:16.740 --> 00:18:18.620 It can preserve. 00:18:19.680 --> 00:18:21.019 It can flavor. 00:18:21.259 --> 00:18:21.880 Enhance. 00:18:22.039 --> 00:18:22.539 Improve. 00:18:23.160 --> 00:18:24.599 Salt can do all these things. 00:18:24.920 --> 00:18:28.039 So if your speech is not doing those things. 00:18:28.599 --> 00:18:30.859 Then we're not following the Bible's instructions. 00:18:32.240 --> 00:18:33.240 Our conversation. 00:18:34.200 --> 00:18:35.980 Our whole manner of life. 00:18:36.140 --> 00:18:38.000 But certainly including our talk. 00:18:38.519 --> 00:18:40.920 Should be seasoned with salt. 00:18:41.539 --> 00:18:42.500 So it can heal. 00:18:42.640 --> 00:18:43.259 So it can preserve. 00:18:43.819 --> 00:18:44.799 So it can improve. 00:18:44.799 --> 00:18:46.039 And enhance. 00:18:46.740 --> 00:18:48.359 Not tear down. 00:18:49.519 --> 00:18:50.000 Then. 00:18:50.700 --> 00:18:52.240 You'll know how to answer everyone. 00:18:53.779 --> 00:18:55.180 You ever felt in the moment. 00:18:55.319 --> 00:18:56.440 That you just don't know what to say. 00:18:57.839 --> 00:18:59.059 Maybe don't say anything. 00:19:00.579 --> 00:19:01.900 Maybe that's a time. 00:19:02.380 --> 00:19:03.279 Or a season. 00:19:03.759 --> 00:19:04.259 To be quiet. 00:19:05.099 --> 00:19:06.480 Until God gives you. 00:19:06.900 --> 00:19:07.779 Something to say. 00:19:08.559 --> 00:19:09.299 Seasoned with salt. 00:19:11.440 --> 00:19:11.920 So. 00:19:11.920 --> 00:19:12.019 Well. 00:19:15.700 --> 00:19:17.180 I'm not teaching anything. 00:19:18.300 --> 00:19:20.500 That probably most of you have not heard before. 00:19:22.019 --> 00:19:23.800 But my question to you is. 00:19:25.140 --> 00:19:27.259 How well are we following this instruction? 00:19:28.840 --> 00:19:29.779 How well. 00:19:30.460 --> 00:19:31.620 Is our talk. 00:19:32.420 --> 00:19:33.240 Building up. 00:19:33.960 --> 00:19:35.039 And not tearing down. 00:19:35.039 --> 00:19:38.220 You might say. 00:19:38.220 --> 00:19:39.859 In an honest response. 00:19:40.299 --> 00:19:41.839 It depends on the day. 00:19:42.619 --> 00:19:44.319 It depends on the moment. 00:19:44.819 --> 00:19:46.200 Depends on the topic. 00:19:46.420 --> 00:19:47.720 Depends on what we're talking about. 00:19:47.779 --> 00:19:48.000 Right? 00:19:49.000 --> 00:19:50.899 There are certain triggers. 00:19:51.579 --> 00:19:53.240 That just set me off. 00:19:53.319 --> 00:19:53.539 Man. 00:19:54.420 --> 00:19:56.680 You start talking about this with me. 00:19:56.940 --> 00:19:58.039 I'm going to get upset. 00:19:58.420 --> 00:19:58.619 Right? 00:19:58.619 --> 00:20:03.179 The truth is. 00:20:03.839 --> 00:20:06.119 We probably fail at this more often. 00:20:06.119 --> 00:20:07.579 Than we would like to admit. 00:20:08.779 --> 00:20:10.599 If there was instant replay. 00:20:11.059 --> 00:20:12.099 In your day. 00:20:12.939 --> 00:20:14.059 How many times. 00:20:14.659 --> 00:20:15.859 Would it come out. 00:20:16.359 --> 00:20:17.479 That your speech. 00:20:17.939 --> 00:20:18.579 Your talk. 00:20:19.000 --> 00:20:19.659 Your words. 00:20:20.319 --> 00:20:21.599 Did more to tear down. 00:20:21.799 --> 00:20:22.659 Than to build up. 00:20:23.519 --> 00:20:24.879 I can raise my hand. 00:20:24.939 --> 00:20:26.459 And say far more often. 00:20:26.599 --> 00:20:27.519 Than I would like to admit. 00:20:29.619 --> 00:20:30.379 Instant replay. 00:20:30.539 --> 00:20:31.759 Is a valuable thing sometimes. 00:20:34.239 --> 00:20:35.379 They use it in sports. 00:20:35.459 --> 00:20:36.339 How many of you watch football? 00:20:36.599 --> 00:20:37.279 You got any football fans? 00:20:37.339 --> 00:20:37.899 We're in Texas. 00:20:38.059 --> 00:20:38.339 Come on. 00:20:38.759 --> 00:20:39.419 I know you watch. 00:20:39.500 --> 00:20:40.379 At least high school football. 00:20:42.559 --> 00:20:43.359 Instant replay. 00:20:43.539 --> 00:20:44.239 You've got the guy. 00:20:44.339 --> 00:20:45.299 The official there. 00:20:45.379 --> 00:20:45.879 The referee. 00:20:46.179 --> 00:20:46.599 And he's. 00:20:46.859 --> 00:20:48.059 Somebody throws a flag. 00:20:48.179 --> 00:20:49.859 Or they make a call on the field. 00:20:49.959 --> 00:20:51.159 And then somebody challenges it. 00:20:51.199 --> 00:20:51.399 And said. 00:20:51.399 --> 00:20:51.899 Wait a minute. 00:20:52.159 --> 00:20:53.739 I don't think that's how it went down. 00:20:54.419 --> 00:20:55.979 I want you to go take another look at that. 00:20:56.299 --> 00:20:57.259 So the referee goes. 00:20:57.339 --> 00:20:58.539 And he watches the video again. 00:20:58.539 --> 00:20:59.379 And he's communicating. 00:20:59.579 --> 00:21:00.460 With the office. 00:21:00.460 --> 00:21:01.299 Up at the league office. 00:21:01.359 --> 00:21:02.420 The NFL league offices. 00:21:02.539 --> 00:21:03.339 And they're watching it. 00:21:03.460 --> 00:21:04.480 And they're breaking it down. 00:21:04.559 --> 00:21:04.920 They're saying. 00:21:05.000 --> 00:21:05.220 Yep. 00:21:05.299 --> 00:21:06.399 I think you made the right call. 00:21:06.480 --> 00:21:07.319 Or they're saying. 00:21:07.319 --> 00:21:07.619 Nope. 00:21:08.259 --> 00:21:09.339 He was in bounds. 00:21:09.379 --> 00:21:10.619 Or he didn't get the first down. 00:21:10.659 --> 00:21:12.420 Or whatever the call in the field was. 00:21:12.599 --> 00:21:14.759 They have to then overturn it. 00:21:15.759 --> 00:21:16.940 The problem is. 00:21:16.940 --> 00:21:17.940 You cannot overturn. 00:21:17.940 --> 00:21:19.860 You cannot overturn. 00:21:19.860 --> 00:21:19.920 You cannot overturn. 00:21:19.920 --> 00:21:19.920 00:21:19.920 --> 00:21:19.920 00:21:19.920 --> 00:21:22.400 What is said. 00:21:22.400 --> 00:21:24.039 With your mouth. 00:21:25.840 --> 00:21:27.640 You can say the words. 00:21:27.779 --> 00:21:28.759 Oh I didn't mean that. 00:21:30.039 --> 00:21:31.799 Or I take that back. 00:21:32.539 --> 00:21:34.160 But you can't take it back. 00:21:35.720 --> 00:21:37.299 And whether or not. 00:21:37.559 --> 00:21:38.440 You meant it. 00:21:38.500 --> 00:21:39.420 In the moment. 00:21:39.660 --> 00:21:40.420 You said it. 00:21:40.559 --> 00:21:41.340 And the damage. 00:21:41.900 --> 00:21:42.700 Has been done. 00:21:42.700 --> 00:21:45.860 So it's a serious. 00:21:46.180 --> 00:21:47.720 A grave thing. 00:21:48.259 --> 00:21:49.700 To be very careful. 00:21:50.200 --> 00:21:52.120 With what we say. 00:21:53.000 --> 00:21:54.940 I've had to go to people in this church. 00:21:55.980 --> 00:21:57.140 And say listen. 00:21:57.440 --> 00:21:58.960 I spoke harshly to you. 00:21:59.740 --> 00:22:02.080 I spoke in an unkind way to you. 00:22:02.740 --> 00:22:03.640 Please forgive me. 00:22:04.319 --> 00:22:05.500 I can't go back. 00:22:05.700 --> 00:22:06.799 And take it back. 00:22:07.980 --> 00:22:09.700 The instant replay showed. 00:22:09.819 --> 00:22:10.500 I was wrong. 00:22:10.500 --> 00:22:13.180 But I can't overturn. 00:22:13.359 --> 00:22:14.220 The call on the field. 00:22:14.759 --> 00:22:16.660 I can't just go make it right again. 00:22:17.779 --> 00:22:19.539 But I can humble myself. 00:22:19.900 --> 00:22:20.980 And ask for their forgiveness. 00:22:21.480 --> 00:22:22.119 And say God. 00:22:22.259 --> 00:22:23.099 Help me. 00:22:23.259 --> 00:22:24.359 Control my tongue. 00:22:24.539 --> 00:22:24.819 Better. 00:22:25.119 --> 00:22:26.099 By your spirit. 00:22:27.279 --> 00:22:28.779 Because I'm not strong enough. 00:22:30.140 --> 00:22:30.420 So. 00:22:32.039 --> 00:22:33.420 Is our conversation. 00:22:33.839 --> 00:22:34.480 Always. 00:22:35.259 --> 00:22:36.180 Full of grace. 00:22:36.880 --> 00:22:37.880 Seasoned with salt. 00:22:37.880 --> 00:22:41.280 Or sometimes. 00:22:41.420 --> 00:22:42.700 Would an instant replay reveal. 00:22:43.440 --> 00:22:43.720 No. 00:22:44.360 --> 00:22:45.520 We've been tearing down. 00:22:45.800 --> 00:22:46.580 Not building up. 00:22:47.660 --> 00:22:48.180 Finally. 00:22:48.280 --> 00:22:49.300 Philippians chapter 4. 00:22:49.380 --> 00:22:49.900 And verse 8. 00:22:50.000 --> 00:22:51.060 Finally my brothers. 00:22:52.160 --> 00:22:53.260 Whatever is true. 00:22:54.020 --> 00:22:55.180 Whatever is noble. 00:22:55.340 --> 00:22:56.340 Whatever is right. 00:22:56.480 --> 00:22:57.340 Whatever is pure. 00:22:57.500 --> 00:22:58.380 Whatever is lovely. 00:22:58.540 --> 00:22:59.620 Whatever is admirable. 00:22:59.940 --> 00:23:01.920 If there is anything excellent. 00:23:02.120 --> 00:23:03.160 Or praiseworthy. 00:23:03.580 --> 00:23:05.820 Think about these things. 00:23:05.819 --> 00:23:08.839 Why is it so important. 00:23:08.839 --> 00:23:10.639 To think about these things. 00:23:11.639 --> 00:23:14.079 Because what comes out of your mouth. 00:23:15.980 --> 00:23:17.220 What's in your heart. 00:23:17.679 --> 00:23:19.019 What's in your mind. 00:23:19.539 --> 00:23:21.039 What you've been thinking about. 00:23:21.299 --> 00:23:22.859 What you've been dwelling on. 00:23:23.240 --> 00:23:25.679 Eventually that will come out. 00:23:26.579 --> 00:23:28.059 Whether it's in public. 00:23:28.480 --> 00:23:29.519 Or in private. 00:23:29.519 --> 00:23:33.839 It will come out. 00:23:34.639 --> 00:23:36.240 So this is our litmus test. 00:23:36.599 --> 00:23:38.259 This is what we look at. 00:23:38.440 --> 00:23:39.000 And say. 00:23:39.299 --> 00:23:40.879 What is coming out of my mouth. 00:23:41.119 --> 00:23:41.339 Well. 00:23:41.680 --> 00:23:43.359 What is coming out of my mouth. 00:23:43.460 --> 00:23:45.200 Is what is in my heart. 00:23:45.299 --> 00:23:46.400 The Bible even says. 00:23:46.980 --> 00:23:48.480 What out of the abundance. 00:23:48.940 --> 00:23:49.779 Of the heart. 00:23:49.940 --> 00:23:51.319 The mouth speaks. 00:23:52.279 --> 00:23:52.639 So. 00:23:53.460 --> 00:23:54.160 Verse 9. 00:23:54.160 --> 00:23:55.279 Whatever you have learned. 00:23:55.759 --> 00:23:56.279 Or received. 00:23:56.839 --> 00:23:57.440 Or heard. 00:23:58.099 --> 00:23:58.839 From me. 00:23:58.839 --> 00:23:59.919 Or seen in me. 00:24:00.579 --> 00:24:01.119 Do it. 00:24:01.459 --> 00:24:02.459 Put it into practice. 00:24:02.919 --> 00:24:03.879 And the God of peace. 00:24:04.119 --> 00:24:05.139 Will be with you. 00:24:05.639 --> 00:24:06.579 So that's the challenge. 00:24:07.139 --> 00:24:08.019 The challenge is. 00:24:08.220 --> 00:24:09.159 What you've heard. 00:24:09.319 --> 00:24:10.079 That list. 00:24:10.899 --> 00:24:11.679 Whatever's true. 00:24:11.799 --> 00:24:12.099 Noble. 00:24:12.259 --> 00:24:12.500 Right. 00:24:12.619 --> 00:24:12.899 Pure. 00:24:13.059 --> 00:24:13.319 Lovely. 00:24:13.500 --> 00:24:14.000 Admirable. 00:24:14.439 --> 00:24:15.059 Do that. 00:24:16.139 --> 00:24:17.379 Think on those things. 00:24:18.119 --> 00:24:19.359 Consider those things. 00:24:20.220 --> 00:24:21.259 Go back to them. 00:24:21.279 --> 00:24:21.799 Every day. 00:24:21.879 --> 00:24:22.500 Every morning. 00:24:22.919 --> 00:24:23.439 Say. 00:24:23.579 --> 00:24:23.879 God. 00:24:24.000 --> 00:24:25.579 Keep me focused on you. 00:24:25.819 --> 00:24:26.759 Your goodness. 00:24:26.759 --> 00:24:30.180 That song I heard in church. 00:24:31.180 --> 00:24:34.079 That time I had with you in the scriptures this morning. 00:24:35.720 --> 00:24:38.160 Let me think on those things. 00:24:38.440 --> 00:24:41.220 So what comes out of my mouth in the moment. 00:24:41.680 --> 00:24:42.579 Comes from you. 00:24:42.980 --> 00:24:44.180 Not from my flesh. 00:24:45.500 --> 00:24:45.980 Finally. 00:24:46.079 --> 00:24:47.819 I want to equip you with some practical steps. 00:24:49.500 --> 00:24:50.839 The three gate rule. 00:24:51.200 --> 00:24:53.119 There was a famous radio host. 00:24:53.119 --> 00:24:54.459 Who said this. 00:24:54.699 --> 00:24:55.419 Before you speak. 00:24:55.579 --> 00:24:56.299 Ask yourself. 00:24:56.419 --> 00:24:57.459 If what you're going to say. 00:24:57.539 --> 00:24:58.099 Is true. 00:24:58.659 --> 00:24:59.639 Is kind. 00:25:00.659 --> 00:25:01.219 Necessary. 00:25:01.699 --> 00:25:02.139 Helpful. 00:25:02.779 --> 00:25:04.000 If the answer is no. 00:25:04.819 --> 00:25:06.379 Maybe what you're about to say. 00:25:06.519 --> 00:25:07.239 Should be left. 00:25:07.879 --> 00:25:08.399 Unsaid. 00:25:09.699 --> 00:25:11.399 Now he didn't come up with that concept. 00:25:11.500 --> 00:25:11.939 Alone. 00:25:13.179 --> 00:25:15.039 It's been attributed to many people. 00:25:15.139 --> 00:25:16.259 This three gate rule. 00:25:16.359 --> 00:25:18.539 But it actually is traced back to a British poet. 00:25:18.919 --> 00:25:20.079 Named Marianne Pittsgird. 00:25:20.079 --> 00:25:22.939 And he said. 00:25:23.039 --> 00:25:23.779 She said. 00:25:24.139 --> 00:25:24.699 Is it true. 00:25:24.980 --> 00:25:26.119 Is it kind. 00:25:26.399 --> 00:25:27.500 Is it necessary. 00:25:28.119 --> 00:25:29.519 These are three gates. 00:25:29.519 --> 00:25:31.699 That we should filter our words through. 00:25:31.819 --> 00:25:33.000 Before we say them. 00:25:33.159 --> 00:25:35.379 And all that happens in a split second. 00:25:36.139 --> 00:25:37.079 In the moment. 00:25:37.299 --> 00:25:38.619 Right before you respond. 00:25:38.879 --> 00:25:39.579 Is this true. 00:25:39.659 --> 00:25:40.359 What I'm about to say. 00:25:40.879 --> 00:25:41.699 Is it kind. 00:25:42.319 --> 00:25:44.139 And is it necessary. 00:25:44.779 --> 00:25:45.059 Right. 00:25:45.819 --> 00:25:46.799 So let's look at that. 00:25:47.659 --> 00:25:49.220 Call it the three gate rule. 00:25:50.079 --> 00:25:50.819 Is it true. 00:25:51.559 --> 00:25:52.339 Is it kind. 00:25:52.819 --> 00:25:53.619 Is it necessary. 00:25:53.819 --> 00:25:54.279 Number one. 00:25:54.319 --> 00:25:54.779 Is it true. 00:25:54.939 --> 00:25:56.960 Don't pass along what you haven't verified. 00:25:57.879 --> 00:25:58.839 Y'all that right there. 00:25:59.359 --> 00:26:01.019 Would weed out so much. 00:26:01.019 --> 00:26:02.199 Of what is said online. 00:26:02.939 --> 00:26:04.539 What is repeated as gossip. 00:26:05.539 --> 00:26:07.259 If you don't have this verified. 00:26:07.599 --> 00:26:08.419 Don't spread it. 00:26:09.460 --> 00:26:09.720 Look. 00:26:09.819 --> 00:26:10.639 I've been guilty of that. 00:26:10.720 --> 00:26:12.000 Just as much as any of you have. 00:26:12.000 --> 00:26:14.240 You hear a rumor. 00:26:14.559 --> 00:26:15.920 And it's a juicy rumor. 00:26:16.579 --> 00:26:17.380 And man. 00:26:17.480 --> 00:26:18.839 We all love to be the one. 00:26:18.940 --> 00:26:19.839 With the juicy gossip. 00:26:19.980 --> 00:26:20.200 Right. 00:26:20.680 --> 00:26:21.660 The bit of information. 00:26:22.700 --> 00:26:24.079 Makes us feel like we matter. 00:26:24.160 --> 00:26:25.259 Like people are going to want to hear. 00:26:25.319 --> 00:26:26.160 What we have to say. 00:26:27.779 --> 00:26:29.000 Don't pass it along. 00:26:29.039 --> 00:26:30.339 If it's not verified. 00:26:32.480 --> 00:26:33.519 Stop gossip. 00:26:33.619 --> 00:26:34.500 In its tracks. 00:26:35.039 --> 00:26:36.759 With some questions like these. 00:26:36.960 --> 00:26:38.359 Have you talked to this person. 00:26:38.480 --> 00:26:39.079 Directly yet. 00:26:39.079 --> 00:26:39.939 About this. 00:26:40.839 --> 00:26:41.819 You know more than likely. 00:26:41.980 --> 00:26:43.220 We don't know the whole story. 00:26:44.419 --> 00:26:46.480 I prefer not to talk about this. 00:26:46.519 --> 00:26:47.439 Without them here. 00:26:48.819 --> 00:26:49.720 There are ways. 00:26:49.720 --> 00:26:50.659 That you. 00:26:51.039 --> 00:26:52.779 Can not only not engage. 00:26:53.119 --> 00:26:54.779 In unverified gossip. 00:26:55.579 --> 00:26:56.779 But also not. 00:26:57.199 --> 00:26:57.980 Participate in. 00:26:58.899 --> 00:27:00.220 Or be a party to. 00:27:00.639 --> 00:27:01.460 This kind of thing. 00:27:02.419 --> 00:27:03.439 These short phrases. 00:27:03.439 --> 00:27:05.019 Can reroute an entire. 00:27:05.779 --> 00:27:06.339 Conversation. 00:27:07.439 --> 00:27:08.679 Can stop it in its tracks. 00:27:09.419 --> 00:27:10.039 And possibly. 00:27:10.980 --> 00:27:12.679 You're not going after that person. 00:27:12.779 --> 00:27:13.339 But possibly. 00:27:13.460 --> 00:27:14.279 God could use. 00:27:14.299 --> 00:27:15.339 Those kinds of responses. 00:27:15.879 --> 00:27:17.159 To convict the other person. 00:27:17.259 --> 00:27:17.559 You know. 00:27:17.980 --> 00:27:19.699 That is the right response to this. 00:27:20.919 --> 00:27:22.220 Maybe I shouldn't be out here. 00:27:22.279 --> 00:27:22.799 Spreading this. 00:27:23.720 --> 00:27:24.539 Is it true? 00:27:24.639 --> 00:27:25.019 Number two. 00:27:25.059 --> 00:27:25.500 Is it kind? 00:27:28.099 --> 00:27:29.339 We're not talking about. 00:27:29.599 --> 00:27:30.639 Fake niceness. 00:27:31.059 --> 00:27:32.740 We're talking about real grace. 00:27:33.419 --> 00:27:34.399 Is it kind? 00:27:34.400 --> 00:27:34.460 Kind. 00:27:36.300 --> 00:27:38.660 Jesus always showed kindness. 00:27:40.220 --> 00:27:42.100 Even to those who hurt him. 00:27:42.860 --> 00:27:44.600 He responded with grace. 00:27:46.480 --> 00:27:47.600 Replace criticism. 00:27:48.080 --> 00:27:49.040 With encouragement. 00:27:49.840 --> 00:27:50.600 Building up. 00:27:50.599 --> 00:27:55.099 They may not be doing everything perfectly. 00:27:56.059 --> 00:27:57.019 But you can say. 00:27:57.099 --> 00:27:57.559 You know what? 00:27:57.659 --> 00:27:58.659 I appreciate you. 00:27:59.639 --> 00:28:01.199 You're an image bearer of God. 00:28:01.699 --> 00:28:02.899 I respect you. 00:28:03.059 --> 00:28:03.959 And I appreciate. 00:28:04.439 --> 00:28:05.480 The good I see. 00:28:06.339 --> 00:28:07.359 That was thoughtful. 00:28:08.659 --> 00:28:09.519 You're growing. 00:28:09.699 --> 00:28:10.439 And I see it. 00:28:11.480 --> 00:28:12.879 Thank you for showing up. 00:28:13.980 --> 00:28:15.439 Sometimes that's all it takes. 00:28:15.440 --> 00:28:16.400 You know. 00:28:16.700 --> 00:28:18.960 I can't really find anything else nice to say. 00:28:19.279 --> 00:28:19.840 But you know what? 00:28:19.920 --> 00:28:20.779 Thanks for showing up. 00:28:23.259 --> 00:28:23.900 Sometimes. 00:28:24.360 --> 00:28:26.860 Just finding something kind to say. 00:28:27.140 --> 00:28:28.420 Can go so much further. 00:28:28.600 --> 00:28:29.740 Not only for that person. 00:28:30.019 --> 00:28:31.160 But for our spirits. 00:28:31.580 --> 00:28:32.500 For our hearts. 00:28:33.000 --> 00:28:33.200 Why? 00:28:33.460 --> 00:28:34.960 Because we're being like Jesus. 00:28:35.880 --> 00:28:37.120 Because in that moment. 00:28:37.559 --> 00:28:39.940 We're choosing kindness and grace. 00:28:40.120 --> 00:28:41.759 Instead of in what our minds. 00:28:41.759 --> 00:28:43.700 Is justified anger. 00:28:44.420 --> 00:28:44.980 Condemnation. 00:28:44.980 --> 00:28:45.839 And criticism. 00:28:46.559 --> 00:28:47.640 Small words. 00:28:47.880 --> 00:28:49.279 Can have a big impact. 00:28:50.079 --> 00:28:50.559 Number three. 00:28:50.660 --> 00:28:51.220 Is it necessary? 00:28:52.319 --> 00:28:54.279 Just because it may be true. 00:28:54.400 --> 00:28:55.079 Doesn't mean. 00:28:55.299 --> 00:28:56.980 It always must be said. 00:28:57.120 --> 00:28:59.039 And especially at that moment. 00:28:59.559 --> 00:29:01.220 Is it God or you. 00:29:01.539 --> 00:29:03.099 Who wants you to step in? 00:29:04.259 --> 00:29:05.579 That's a hard question. 00:29:06.640 --> 00:29:07.559 Is it truly. 00:29:08.099 --> 00:29:09.240 God or you. 00:29:09.700 --> 00:29:11.039 Who wants you to step in. 00:29:11.180 --> 00:29:11.779 In that moment. 00:29:13.019 --> 00:29:13.700 Number three. 00:29:13.700 --> 00:29:15.819 Are you the best one to say it? 00:29:17.080 --> 00:29:18.420 Or would it be better said. 00:29:18.500 --> 00:29:19.680 Or maybe better received. 00:29:20.180 --> 00:29:21.100 By someone else. 00:29:22.059 --> 00:29:23.279 Could someone go with you? 00:29:23.539 --> 00:29:25.200 Or could you go to someone else. 00:29:25.279 --> 00:29:25.900 And say you know. 00:29:26.140 --> 00:29:27.000 I see this. 00:29:27.319 --> 00:29:28.720 I don't want to approach this person. 00:29:28.779 --> 00:29:29.500 In the wrong spirit. 00:29:29.860 --> 00:29:31.279 Is there any way you could go with me? 00:29:31.380 --> 00:29:32.220 Or is there any way. 00:29:32.360 --> 00:29:33.660 Maybe you're closer to them. 00:29:34.039 --> 00:29:34.600 Could you. 00:29:35.039 --> 00:29:35.620 Talk to them. 00:29:36.160 --> 00:29:36.500 For me. 00:29:36.500 --> 00:29:39.779 Is it true. 00:29:40.279 --> 00:29:41.259 Is it kind. 00:29:41.720 --> 00:29:43.079 Is it necessary. 00:29:45.140 --> 00:29:46.559 We come back to this. 00:29:47.900 --> 00:29:49.240 Every word we speak. 00:29:49.880 --> 00:29:51.119 Is either building up. 00:29:51.500 --> 00:29:52.440 Or bulldozing. 00:29:54.680 --> 00:29:55.900 It's either helping. 00:29:56.299 --> 00:29:57.119 Or hurting. 00:29:57.880 --> 00:29:58.700 Building up. 00:29:58.920 --> 00:29:59.759 Or tearing down. 00:30:00.299 --> 00:30:01.480 You don't need a hammer. 00:30:02.160 --> 00:30:03.319 To wreck something. 00:30:03.319 --> 00:30:05.139 Just words. 00:30:06.460 --> 00:30:07.519 Just idle talk. 00:30:08.399 --> 00:30:09.259 Careless talk. 00:30:09.740 --> 00:30:10.659 Unkind talk. 00:30:11.639 --> 00:30:12.659 Selfish talk. 00:30:13.439 --> 00:30:15.039 Can do as much damage. 00:30:15.319 --> 00:30:16.480 As a sledgehammer. 00:30:16.599 --> 00:30:17.059 And a rage room. 00:30:17.059 --> 00:30:20.059 But Jesus wants to redeem that. 00:30:21.019 --> 00:30:22.179 He wants to use. 00:30:22.379 --> 00:30:23.139 Your words. 00:30:23.259 --> 00:30:24.059 To build up. 00:30:24.299 --> 00:30:25.359 He wants your mouth. 00:30:25.460 --> 00:30:26.000 To become. 00:30:26.139 --> 00:30:26.819 A place. 00:30:27.119 --> 00:30:28.220 Of grace. 00:30:28.460 --> 00:30:29.259 Let me say that again. 00:30:29.559 --> 00:30:30.960 God wants your mouth. 00:30:31.200 --> 00:30:31.980 To become. 00:30:32.220 --> 00:30:33.000 A place. 00:30:33.119 --> 00:30:33.639 Of grace. 00:30:33.799 --> 00:30:34.659 He wants you to be. 00:30:34.740 --> 00:30:35.740 The kind of person. 00:30:36.279 --> 00:30:37.819 Who builds others up. 00:30:37.879 --> 00:30:38.779 In a world. 00:30:39.319 --> 00:30:40.079 Where everybody's. 00:30:40.139 --> 00:30:41.119 Tearing everybody else down. 00:30:42.480 --> 00:30:43.480 On an internet. 00:30:43.700 --> 00:30:44.220 Where everybody's. 00:30:44.299 --> 00:30:45.179 Tearing everybody else down. 00:30:45.759 --> 00:30:46.839 On social media. 00:30:47.059 --> 00:30:47.700 Where everybody's. 00:30:47.740 --> 00:30:48.700 Tearing everybody else down. 00:30:50.200 --> 00:30:51.579 In private conversations. 00:30:51.980 --> 00:30:52.919 Where it's so common. 00:30:53.259 --> 00:30:54.399 To tear others down. 00:30:54.700 --> 00:30:55.419 He wants you. 00:30:55.460 --> 00:30:56.099 To be the one. 00:30:56.539 --> 00:30:57.319 To build up. 00:30:58.079 --> 00:30:58.759 So let me ask you. 00:30:58.759 --> 00:30:59.419 One last time. 00:30:59.500 --> 00:31:00.039 Are you a builder. 00:31:00.519 --> 00:31:01.440 Or a bulldozer. 00:31:01.879 --> 00:31:02.679 Would you bow your heads. 00:31:02.700 --> 00:31:03.319 And pray with me. 00:31:03.839 --> 00:31:04.200 God. 00:31:04.259 --> 00:31:05.000 I pray right now. 00:31:05.079 --> 00:31:06.240 That you would convict us. 00:31:06.440 --> 00:31:07.319 Every day. 00:31:07.679 --> 00:31:08.740 There's not one. 00:31:08.740 --> 00:31:09.240 Man. 00:31:09.359 --> 00:31:09.619 Woman. 00:31:09.700 --> 00:31:10.139 Or child. 00:31:10.240 --> 00:31:10.740 In this room. 00:31:10.799 --> 00:31:11.579 Who doesn't struggle. 00:31:11.740 --> 00:31:12.859 With what they say. 00:31:13.399 --> 00:31:14.519 We all sin. 00:31:14.599 --> 00:31:15.339 With our lips. 00:31:15.460 --> 00:31:16.119 Every day. 00:31:16.119 --> 00:31:16.759 We sin. 00:31:16.759 --> 00:31:17.559 With our mouths. 00:31:17.679 --> 00:31:18.319 Every day. 00:31:18.319 --> 00:31:19.099 We sin. 00:31:19.099 --> 00:31:19.919 With our talk. 00:31:20.239 --> 00:31:21.119 Every day. 00:31:21.199 --> 00:31:21.459 God. 00:31:23.139 --> 00:31:24.219 Forgive us. 00:31:25.799 --> 00:31:26.819 Teach us. 00:31:27.519 --> 00:31:28.079 Mold us. 00:31:28.179 --> 00:31:28.859 Shape us. 00:31:29.079 --> 00:31:30.159 To be more careful. 00:31:30.159 --> 00:31:31.119 With our words. 00:31:32.059 --> 00:31:33.500 Not just in public. 00:31:34.199 --> 00:31:35.399 But in private too. 00:31:35.400 --> 00:31:39.300 There's somebody here. 00:31:39.380 --> 00:31:40.160 Who doesn't know you. 00:31:40.240 --> 00:31:40.480 God. 00:31:40.580 --> 00:31:40.700 Then. 00:31:41.759 --> 00:31:42.980 Asking for your forgiveness. 00:31:43.860 --> 00:31:44.940 Doesn't do much good. 00:31:45.019 --> 00:31:45.940 They've got to be forgiven. 00:31:46.500 --> 00:31:47.500 Once and for all. 00:31:47.560 --> 00:31:48.360 For all their sins. 00:31:48.460 --> 00:31:49.700 And if there's somebody in the room. 00:31:51.140 --> 00:31:52.980 Who has not yet humbled yourself. 00:31:52.980 --> 00:31:53.600 Before God. 00:31:53.660 --> 00:31:53.940 And said. 00:31:54.000 --> 00:31:54.920 God forgive me. 00:31:55.040 --> 00:31:55.900 For I'm a sinner. 00:31:56.740 --> 00:31:58.540 I believe that Jesus did. 00:31:58.960 --> 00:32:00.040 Come to this earth. 00:32:00.039 --> 00:32:01.859 Was born. 00:32:03.579 --> 00:32:04.740 Did many miracles. 00:32:05.420 --> 00:32:06.259 Died on the cross. 00:32:06.379 --> 00:32:07.220 Rose from the dead. 00:32:07.579 --> 00:32:09.139 And for the first time today. 00:32:09.180 --> 00:32:10.480 I want to place my faith in him. 00:32:10.639 --> 00:32:11.779 To forgive my sin. 00:32:12.159 --> 00:32:13.779 So I can have his Holy Spirit. 00:32:13.879 --> 00:32:14.680 So he can help me. 00:32:14.720 --> 00:32:16.099 In all these ways in my life. 00:32:16.639 --> 00:32:18.220 I need to become a child of God. 00:32:18.299 --> 00:32:19.460 Is there anybody like that in the room? 00:32:19.700 --> 00:32:20.579 Slip your hand up. 00:32:20.579 --> 00:32:23.059 I'd love to talk with you. 00:32:23.119 --> 00:32:23.579 If that's you. 00:32:24.899 --> 00:32:26.419 Assuming the vast majority of you. 00:32:26.500 --> 00:32:27.039 In this room. 00:32:27.899 --> 00:32:29.000 Are children of God. 00:32:29.039 --> 00:32:29.439 Like me. 00:32:30.799 --> 00:32:32.159 I'm going to challenge you this. 00:32:35.460 --> 00:32:36.220 Right now. 00:32:36.439 --> 00:32:37.220 Either out loud. 00:32:37.299 --> 00:32:38.099 Or in your head. 00:32:38.099 --> 00:32:38.899 Would you be willing. 00:32:39.000 --> 00:32:40.119 To pray this prayer with me. 00:32:40.199 --> 00:32:41.579 I think every one of us. 00:32:41.679 --> 00:32:42.659 Could use this. 00:32:43.439 --> 00:32:43.720 Lord. 00:32:44.220 --> 00:32:45.179 Tame my talk. 00:32:46.000 --> 00:32:47.059 Use my words. 00:32:47.179 --> 00:32:47.740 To build. 00:32:47.879 --> 00:32:48.559 Not break. 00:32:49.539 --> 00:32:50.559 Make my mouth. 00:32:51.119 --> 00:32:52.079 A place of grace. 00:32:52.839 --> 00:32:53.759 In Jesus name. 00:32:54.359 --> 00:32:54.639 Amen. 00:32:56.299 --> 00:32:57.299 Let's try that together. 00:32:57.419 --> 00:32:57.859 If we could. 00:32:58.299 --> 00:32:59.319 I'm going to say it again. 00:32:59.359 --> 00:33:00.679 If you'd like to repeat it out loud. 00:33:00.839 --> 00:33:02.599 Or if you'd just like to say it in your heart. 00:33:02.799 --> 00:33:04.539 Or if you just want to pray along with us. 00:33:04.740 --> 00:33:06.500 I'm going to invite you to do that right now. 00:33:07.659 --> 00:33:08.019 God. 00:33:08.019 --> 00:33:08.059 God. 00:33:08.099 --> 00:33:08.720 Hear your people. 00:33:08.839 --> 00:33:09.899 As we pray this to you. 00:33:10.799 --> 00:33:11.240 Lord. 00:33:12.279 --> 00:33:13.279 Tame my talk. 00:33:15.639 --> 00:33:16.779 Use my words. 00:33:16.899 --> 00:33:17.399 To build. 00:33:17.519 --> 00:33:18.079 Not break. 00:33:20.579 --> 00:33:21.960 Make my mouth. 00:33:21.960 --> 00:33:23.220 A place of grace. 00:33:25.500 --> 00:33:26.659 In Jesus name. 00:33:27.000 --> 00:33:27.220 Amen. 00:33:28.559 --> 00:33:29.039 God. 00:33:29.119 --> 00:33:30.019 Let that be true. 00:33:30.019 --> 00:33:30.819 Of our church. 00:33:31.399 --> 00:33:32.679 Let that be true. 00:33:32.799 --> 00:33:33.759 In our homes. 00:33:34.359 --> 00:33:35.419 In our marriages. 00:33:38.220 --> 00:33:39.099 In school. 00:33:39.220 --> 00:33:40.139 As our young people. 00:33:40.419 --> 00:33:41.480 Start up classes. 00:33:42.159 --> 00:33:42.779 Our teachers. 00:33:43.000 --> 00:33:43.539 And staff. 00:33:43.619 --> 00:33:44.960 Are jumping into the deep end. 00:33:44.960 --> 00:33:48.680 Let their talk. 00:33:49.340 --> 00:33:50.460 As people of God. 00:33:51.340 --> 00:33:52.579 Be so different. 00:33:52.779 --> 00:33:53.900 So distinguishable. 00:33:54.019 --> 00:33:55.660 So easy to see the difference. 00:33:56.220 --> 00:33:58.220 In those who are Jesus followers. 00:33:58.400 --> 00:33:59.380 And those who are not. 00:34:00.860 --> 00:34:01.980 By our grace. 00:34:02.100 --> 00:34:02.819 By our love. 00:34:02.940 --> 00:34:03.660 By the way. 00:34:04.340 --> 00:34:05.079 We speak. 00:34:05.940 --> 00:34:06.620 They'll know. 00:34:07.180 --> 00:34:08.000 We follow you. 00:34:08.920 --> 00:34:09.940 It's in Jesus name. 00:34:10.000 --> 00:34:10.800 We ask all this. 00:34:11.599 --> 00:34:11.900 Amen. 00:34:11.900 --> 00:34:12.940 Jared's going to lead us. 00:34:13.059 --> 00:34:13.619 Very briefly. 00:34:14.660 --> 00:34:15.960 In a verse of a song. 00:34:16.260 --> 00:34:17.400 You can keep your seats. 00:34:17.480 --> 00:34:18.320 You can come forward. 00:34:18.519 --> 00:34:19.480 You can come talk to me. 00:34:19.519 --> 00:34:19.940 Down front. 00:34:19.980 --> 00:34:20.639 If you've got something. 00:34:20.639 --> 00:34:21.260 On your heart. 00:34:21.460 --> 00:34:22.200 But let's. 00:34:22.360 --> 00:34:23.619 Leave just the last couple. 00:34:23.660 --> 00:34:24.200 Of minutes here. 00:34:24.360 --> 00:34:25.700 To do some business with God. 00:34:25.700 --> 00:34:25.800 Amen. 00:34:25.800 --> 00:34:25.800 00:34:25.800 --> 00:34:25.800 00:34:25.800 --> 00:34:25.800 00:34:25.800 --> 00:34:25.800 00:34:25.800 --> 00:34:25.800 00:34:25.800 --> 00:34:25.800 00:34:25.800 --> 00:34:25.800 00:34:25.800 --> 00:34:25.800 00:34:25.800 --> 00:34:25.800 00:34:25.800 --> 00:34:25.800 00:34:25.800 --> 00:34:25.800 00:34:25.800 --> 00:34:25.800 00:34:25.800 --> 00:34:25.800 00:34:25.800 --> 00:34:25.800 00:34:25.800 --> 00:34:25.800 00:34:25.800 --> 00:34:25.800 00:34:25.800 --> 00:34:25.800 00:34:25.800 --> 00:34:25.800 00:34:25.800 --> 00:34:25.800 00:34:25.800 --> 00:34:25.800 00:34:25.800 --> 00:34:25.800 00:34:25.800 --> 00:34:27.800 Amen. 00:34:27.800 --> 00:34:27.800 00:34:27.800 --> 00:34:27.800 00:34:27.800 --> 00:34:27.800 00:34:27.800 --> 00:34:29.800 Amen. 00:34:29.800 --> 00:34:29.800 00:34:29.800 --> 00:34:29.800 00:34:29.800 --> 00:34:29.800 00:34:29.800 --> 00:34:31.800 Amen.