WEBVTT 00:00:00.280 --> 00:00:06.740 If someone asks you, what are some precious jewels? 00:00:08.259 --> 00:00:10.439 What would come to your mind? What would you put on your list? 00:00:11.439 --> 00:00:15.679 Maybe a diamond, emerald, ruby? 00:00:16.379 --> 00:00:20.339 Some of you may have such a list with Valentine's Day coming up. I don't know. 00:00:21.920 --> 00:00:25.420 Well, according to Proverbs, 00:00:25.420 --> 00:00:32.920 we could put wise words on that list of precious jewels. 00:00:33.660 --> 00:00:40.620 Because the book of Proverbs compares wise words, knowledgeable words, 00:00:40.920 --> 00:00:44.340 words of understanding with precious jewels. 00:00:44.840 --> 00:00:47.719 Look at it. Chapter 20, verse 15. 00:00:47.719 --> 00:00:52.640 There is gold and abundance of costly stones, 00:00:52.640 --> 00:00:58.899 but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel. 00:01:00.140 --> 00:01:02.899 Raymond Ortlund says that last phrase, 00:01:03.460 --> 00:01:05.819 the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel, 00:01:06.420 --> 00:01:10.420 means that knowledgeable, informed, intelligent words 00:01:10.420 --> 00:01:15.700 are rare and valuable in God's eyes. 00:01:15.700 --> 00:01:22.740 He then points out that we understand the value of wise speech. 00:01:23.500 --> 00:01:24.280 Look what he says. 00:01:24.980 --> 00:01:27.480 We know what it's like to be listening to someone, 00:01:27.879 --> 00:01:31.460 and it's obvious they do not know what they're talking about. 00:01:32.200 --> 00:01:35.159 We also know what it's like to fall silent 00:01:35.159 --> 00:01:37.680 whenever a certain person speaks, 00:01:38.079 --> 00:01:40.159 because whatever that person has to say 00:01:40.159 --> 00:01:44.840 is wise and helpful and almost a work of art. 00:01:46.920 --> 00:01:48.379 You know what he's talking about. 00:01:49.920 --> 00:01:54.759 Think about one of the last big family reunions you went to, 00:01:54.759 --> 00:01:59.859 or maybe a large work-related gathering. 00:01:59.859 --> 00:02:02.620 Think about one of the last big family reunions you went to, 00:02:02.620 --> 00:02:06.359 weren't there several people that you just hoped 00:02:06.359 --> 00:02:10.639 you didn't get stuck having to have a conversation with? 00:02:12.060 --> 00:02:16.479 I mean, you knew that they were going to talk about a lot of things 00:02:16.479 --> 00:02:19.740 that they really didn't know what they were talking about. 00:02:21.060 --> 00:02:26.360 You know people that they like to talk a lot, 00:02:26.360 --> 00:02:30.280 but they just don't say much. 00:02:31.440 --> 00:02:32.860 But in that gathering, 00:02:33.680 --> 00:02:38.320 there was one person, maybe two, 00:02:39.340 --> 00:02:40.440 that you wanted. 00:02:40.540 --> 00:02:44.000 You were going to make sure you got to spend some time with them. 00:02:44.960 --> 00:02:47.800 Not so much because you had things to say, 00:02:49.020 --> 00:02:53.060 but because you wanted to listen to what they had to say. 00:02:53.060 --> 00:02:58.120 Because you value what they think. 00:02:58.860 --> 00:03:05.539 You recognize that that person is wise, is helpful. 00:03:06.460 --> 00:03:10.620 You benefit, other people benefit from what they have to say. 00:03:11.780 --> 00:03:13.879 We know from experience 00:03:13.879 --> 00:03:17.819 that knowledgeable, wise, and helpful speech 00:03:17.819 --> 00:03:20.379 really is a precious jewel 00:03:20.379 --> 00:03:22.639 because of its value 00:03:22.639 --> 00:03:26.239 and it's in short supply. 00:03:28.019 --> 00:03:30.379 Well, Proverbs has much to say about our speech 00:03:30.379 --> 00:03:31.459 as we are learning. 00:03:32.780 --> 00:03:36.240 We shifted gears from the negative to the positive last week 00:03:36.240 --> 00:03:39.039 and started looking at the good use of words, 00:03:40.659 --> 00:03:43.539 the value of wise speech. 00:03:43.539 --> 00:03:47.620 Last week we focused on the value of speaking truthfully, 00:03:48.299 --> 00:03:51.680 appropriately, timely, calmly, 00:03:52.199 --> 00:03:54.459 and then speaking less. 00:03:55.819 --> 00:03:58.539 Well, I want us to continue this line of thinking 00:03:58.539 --> 00:04:01.899 by looking at how a wise person 00:04:01.899 --> 00:04:04.759 uses words to encourage. 00:04:06.120 --> 00:04:09.419 A wise person understands the value 00:04:09.419 --> 00:04:11.780 of words of encouragement. 00:04:11.780 --> 00:04:14.020 Now, the book of Proverbs 00:04:14.020 --> 00:04:15.780 describes this idea 00:04:16.459 --> 00:04:18.540 of speaking encouraging words 00:04:18.540 --> 00:04:21.579 in a rich variety of ways 00:04:21.579 --> 00:04:24.379 and I want to bring out three of them. 00:04:25.220 --> 00:04:27.160 I want us to look at three statements. 00:04:27.680 --> 00:04:29.259 First, from Proverbs 10. 00:04:30.079 --> 00:04:30.620 Look at it. 00:04:30.939 --> 00:04:34.060 The lips of the righteous feed many. 00:04:34.899 --> 00:04:36.759 The word feed is translated 00:04:36.759 --> 00:04:38.379 nourish in the NIV, 00:04:39.420 --> 00:04:41.519 encourage in the New Living translation, 00:04:41.779 --> 00:04:43.619 in some passages, 00:04:43.619 --> 00:04:44.819 this word, 00:04:45.779 --> 00:04:47.359 nourish, encourage, feed, 00:04:47.359 --> 00:04:50.979 is translated to shepherd 00:04:50.979 --> 00:04:54.739 as in shepherding, 00:04:55.339 --> 00:04:57.599 taking care of sheep. 00:04:58.559 --> 00:05:00.779 This verse is saying that 00:05:00.779 --> 00:05:03.179 encouraging words 00:05:03.179 --> 00:05:06.159 are words that provide 00:05:06.159 --> 00:05:08.359 what we might call emotional 00:05:08.360 --> 00:05:10.199 or spiritual nourishment, 00:05:10.199 --> 00:05:12.199 comfort, 00:05:12.199 --> 00:05:12.800 comfort, 00:05:13.800 --> 00:05:14.939 guidance, 00:05:15.939 --> 00:05:17.340 even security, 00:05:18.360 --> 00:05:18.920 protection. 00:05:19.920 --> 00:05:21.840 Look at the second verse 00:05:21.840 --> 00:05:23.699 in Proverbs 12. 00:05:24.520 --> 00:05:26.699 Anxiety in a man's heart 00:05:26.699 --> 00:05:28.900 weighs him down, 00:05:29.480 --> 00:05:30.879 but a good word 00:05:30.879 --> 00:05:32.379 makes him glad. 00:05:32.379 --> 00:05:34.459 The word anxiety 00:05:34.459 --> 00:05:35.339 in this verse 00:05:35.339 --> 00:05:37.159 is referring to fear, 00:05:37.300 --> 00:05:38.680 maybe fear of the unknown 00:05:38.680 --> 00:05:39.879 about the future. 00:05:40.659 --> 00:05:41.879 It's talking about worry. 00:05:43.199 --> 00:05:44.620 Several commentators 00:05:44.620 --> 00:05:45.719 in trying to 00:05:45.719 --> 00:05:48.279 describe what it's talking about 00:05:48.279 --> 00:05:50.600 use the word depression 00:05:50.600 --> 00:05:53.779 in describing the extent 00:05:53.779 --> 00:05:54.740 of the fear 00:05:54.740 --> 00:05:56.300 or anxiety. 00:05:56.300 --> 00:05:58.259 The idea is that 00:05:58.259 --> 00:05:59.480 when we are really anxious 00:05:59.480 --> 00:06:00.319 about something, 00:06:00.500 --> 00:06:02.160 it can weigh us down. 00:06:03.800 --> 00:06:04.840 It can give us 00:06:04.840 --> 00:06:07.160 an emotionally heavy heart. 00:06:08.379 --> 00:06:08.680 And you know 00:06:08.680 --> 00:06:09.460 that's especially true 00:06:09.460 --> 00:06:10.680 about depression. 00:06:12.620 --> 00:06:13.780 All of us, 00:06:14.199 --> 00:06:15.319 to some degree, 00:06:15.639 --> 00:06:16.420 most of us, 00:06:16.939 --> 00:06:18.139 in small degrees, 00:06:19.139 --> 00:06:20.660 we have experienced 00:06:20.660 --> 00:06:22.759 times of depression. 00:06:22.759 --> 00:06:25.099 Well, what is helpful 00:06:25.099 --> 00:06:26.139 in such a situation 00:06:26.139 --> 00:06:27.779 is described in this verse 00:06:27.779 --> 00:06:29.420 as a good word. 00:06:30.060 --> 00:06:30.779 A good word 00:06:30.779 --> 00:06:32.079 that makes a person glad, 00:06:32.579 --> 00:06:33.699 that cheers him up. 00:06:35.000 --> 00:06:35.399 And so, 00:06:35.579 --> 00:06:36.819 from this perspective, 00:06:37.279 --> 00:06:37.860 this verse, 00:06:39.120 --> 00:06:40.339 encouraging words 00:06:40.339 --> 00:06:41.639 could be any kind 00:06:41.639 --> 00:06:42.719 of good words 00:06:42.719 --> 00:06:44.120 that provide 00:06:44.120 --> 00:06:45.159 an emotional 00:06:45.159 --> 00:06:47.279 or spiritual lift 00:06:47.279 --> 00:06:49.259 to a person 00:06:49.259 --> 00:06:49.639 that's down. 00:06:51.339 --> 00:06:52.240 Encouraging words 00:06:52.240 --> 00:06:53.060 could be words 00:06:53.060 --> 00:06:54.980 that just sort of 00:06:54.980 --> 00:06:56.800 pick someone up 00:06:56.800 --> 00:06:58.900 who's down. 00:07:00.259 --> 00:07:01.480 Let's look at the third 00:07:01.480 --> 00:07:03.220 from Proverbs 16. 00:07:03.960 --> 00:07:04.980 Gracious words 00:07:04.980 --> 00:07:06.079 are like a honeycomb, 00:07:07.060 --> 00:07:08.699 sweetness to the soul, 00:07:09.340 --> 00:07:10.319 and health 00:07:10.319 --> 00:07:11.420 to the body. 00:07:12.460 --> 00:07:12.740 Now, 00:07:12.900 --> 00:07:13.699 both the NIV 00:07:13.699 --> 00:07:15.199 and the New American Standard 00:07:15.199 --> 00:07:15.920 translation, 00:07:16.420 --> 00:07:17.639 they translate 00:07:17.639 --> 00:07:18.759 the second part 00:07:18.759 --> 00:07:19.560 of that verse 00:07:19.560 --> 00:07:21.300 more literally 00:07:21.300 --> 00:07:22.300 like this, 00:07:22.720 --> 00:07:23.839 sweet to the soul 00:07:23.839 --> 00:07:24.680 and healing 00:07:24.680 --> 00:07:25.620 to the bones. 00:07:27.420 --> 00:07:28.319 They're describing 00:07:28.319 --> 00:07:29.939 the power of words 00:07:29.939 --> 00:07:31.600 figuratively 00:07:31.600 --> 00:07:33.800 to heal bones. 00:07:35.139 --> 00:07:35.420 Now, 00:07:35.600 --> 00:07:36.800 let's note two things 00:07:36.800 --> 00:07:39.279 about the effect 00:07:39.279 --> 00:07:40.879 that gracious words 00:07:40.879 --> 00:07:41.779 can have 00:07:41.779 --> 00:07:43.620 on an individual 00:07:43.620 --> 00:07:45.019 who receives them. 00:07:45.019 --> 00:07:46.399 they can have 00:07:46.399 --> 00:07:47.699 a sweet taste. 00:07:48.759 --> 00:07:50.519 They have a pleasantness 00:07:50.519 --> 00:07:51.139 to them 00:07:51.139 --> 00:07:52.479 when we hear them. 00:07:52.819 --> 00:07:53.199 They're sweet 00:07:53.199 --> 00:07:53.759 to the soul. 00:07:54.339 --> 00:07:54.919 And they have 00:07:54.919 --> 00:07:55.959 a healing touch. 00:07:56.680 --> 00:07:56.959 Healing 00:07:56.959 --> 00:07:58.839 to the bones 00:07:58.839 --> 00:08:00.399 is the way 00:08:00.399 --> 00:08:01.279 the writer 00:08:01.279 --> 00:08:02.019 describes it. 00:08:03.079 --> 00:08:03.359 So, 00:08:03.479 --> 00:08:04.419 encouraging words 00:08:04.419 --> 00:08:05.139 we're talking about. 00:08:06.180 --> 00:08:07.279 There are all kinds 00:08:07.279 --> 00:08:07.819 of words. 00:08:07.819 --> 00:08:10.079 But they can be 00:08:10.079 --> 00:08:10.699 any kind 00:08:10.699 --> 00:08:13.219 of gracious words 00:08:13.219 --> 00:08:15.060 that are just 00:08:15.060 --> 00:08:16.099 pleasant. 00:08:17.540 --> 00:08:18.500 They bring 00:08:18.500 --> 00:08:19.159 healing 00:08:19.159 --> 00:08:20.899 to emotional 00:08:20.899 --> 00:08:21.959 or spiritual 00:08:21.959 --> 00:08:23.000 wounds. 00:08:24.959 --> 00:08:25.120 Now, 00:08:25.199 --> 00:08:25.899 let's try 00:08:25.899 --> 00:08:26.819 to apply this now. 00:08:28.060 --> 00:08:28.560 We see 00:08:28.560 --> 00:08:29.159 from these three 00:08:29.159 --> 00:08:29.560 verses, 00:08:31.060 --> 00:08:31.800 there's just 00:08:31.800 --> 00:08:33.100 all kinds 00:08:33.100 --> 00:08:34.500 of words 00:08:34.500 --> 00:08:35.740 we can use 00:08:35.740 --> 00:08:37.620 to encourage 00:08:37.620 --> 00:08:38.879 another person. 00:08:39.500 --> 00:08:40.220 There's all kinds 00:08:40.220 --> 00:08:40.659 of ways 00:08:40.659 --> 00:08:41.799 we can use 00:08:41.799 --> 00:08:43.740 words wisely, 00:08:44.680 --> 00:08:45.279 helpfully, 00:08:45.680 --> 00:08:47.220 to pick people 00:08:47.220 --> 00:08:47.720 up 00:08:47.720 --> 00:08:49.460 when they need it. 00:08:50.200 --> 00:08:50.860 What all 00:08:50.860 --> 00:08:52.039 three verses 00:08:52.039 --> 00:08:52.700 have in common 00:08:52.700 --> 00:08:53.840 is that they 00:08:53.840 --> 00:08:55.139 provide emotional, 00:08:55.399 --> 00:08:55.840 spiritual, 00:08:56.320 --> 00:08:57.220 and or 00:08:57.220 --> 00:08:58.960 physical support 00:08:58.960 --> 00:09:00.980 according to 00:09:00.980 --> 00:09:01.539 the person's 00:09:01.539 --> 00:09:02.120 need. 00:09:03.340 --> 00:09:04.120 But in order 00:09:04.120 --> 00:09:04.799 for us 00:09:04.799 --> 00:09:06.339 to be able 00:09:06.339 --> 00:09:07.179 to wisely 00:09:07.179 --> 00:09:08.199 encourage 00:09:08.199 --> 00:09:10.599 the person 00:09:10.599 --> 00:09:11.159 that God's 00:09:11.159 --> 00:09:11.559 brought into 00:09:11.559 --> 00:09:12.299 our lives, 00:09:12.819 --> 00:09:14.159 we've got to 00:09:14.159 --> 00:09:14.939 take an interest 00:09:14.939 --> 00:09:15.159 in them. 00:09:15.219 --> 00:09:15.719 We've got to 00:09:15.719 --> 00:09:16.299 notice them. 00:09:17.759 --> 00:09:18.839 We've got to 00:09:18.839 --> 00:09:19.579 pay attention 00:09:19.579 --> 00:09:20.059 to them. 00:09:21.199 --> 00:09:21.879 We've got to 00:09:21.879 --> 00:09:22.479 try to 00:09:22.479 --> 00:09:23.899 find out 00:09:23.899 --> 00:09:24.500 what their 00:09:24.500 --> 00:09:25.419 needs are. 00:09:27.279 --> 00:09:27.779 So, 00:09:27.839 --> 00:09:28.179 here's where 00:09:28.179 --> 00:09:28.439 we're going 00:09:28.439 --> 00:09:29.059 to pause. 00:09:30.039 --> 00:09:31.000 How well 00:09:31.000 --> 00:09:32.379 and how 00:09:32.379 --> 00:09:33.000 often 00:09:33.000 --> 00:09:34.320 do you 00:09:34.320 --> 00:09:34.799 do that? 00:09:36.379 --> 00:09:37.000 I want you 00:09:37.000 --> 00:09:37.340 to think 00:09:37.340 --> 00:09:37.740 about the 00:09:37.740 --> 00:09:38.100 people who 00:09:38.100 --> 00:09:38.620 are closest 00:09:38.620 --> 00:09:39.159 to you. 00:09:39.440 --> 00:09:39.639 You know, 00:09:39.659 --> 00:09:40.080 as we go 00:09:40.080 --> 00:09:40.460 through any 00:09:40.460 --> 00:09:41.159 kind of study 00:09:41.159 --> 00:09:41.559 on Sunday 00:09:41.559 --> 00:09:41.860 morning, 00:09:42.240 --> 00:09:42.679 Sunday night, 00:09:42.740 --> 00:09:43.120 Wednesday night, 00:09:43.179 --> 00:09:43.360 whenever, 00:09:43.500 --> 00:09:44.039 as you go 00:09:44.039 --> 00:09:44.299 through your 00:09:44.299 --> 00:09:44.720 own personal 00:09:44.720 --> 00:09:45.259 Bible study, 00:09:46.259 --> 00:09:48.120 try to apply 00:09:48.120 --> 00:09:50.580 it where you 00:09:50.580 --> 00:09:51.440 are to how 00:09:51.440 --> 00:09:52.340 your life is. 00:09:53.019 --> 00:09:53.720 Don't think 00:09:53.720 --> 00:09:55.100 in generalities. 00:09:55.100 --> 00:09:57.560 right now, 00:09:57.639 --> 00:09:58.019 we're talking 00:09:58.019 --> 00:09:59.540 about the 00:09:59.540 --> 00:10:01.600 wisdom of 00:10:01.600 --> 00:10:02.180 using our 00:10:02.180 --> 00:10:02.960 words to 00:10:02.960 --> 00:10:04.220 encourage people. 00:10:04.540 --> 00:10:04.879 We're talking 00:10:04.879 --> 00:10:05.759 about encouraging 00:10:05.759 --> 00:10:06.720 speech. 00:10:07.759 --> 00:10:08.620 And there's a 00:10:08.620 --> 00:10:09.080 lot of different 00:10:09.080 --> 00:10:10.040 ways we can do 00:10:10.040 --> 00:10:10.360 that. 00:10:11.379 --> 00:10:11.779 But here's what 00:10:11.779 --> 00:10:12.139 I want you to 00:10:12.139 --> 00:10:12.320 do. 00:10:12.759 --> 00:10:13.500 Think about the 00:10:13.500 --> 00:10:14.800 people that you 00:10:14.800 --> 00:10:16.259 are the closest 00:10:16.259 --> 00:10:16.600 to. 00:10:17.279 --> 00:10:18.180 The people that 00:10:18.180 --> 00:10:19.180 God has in your 00:10:19.180 --> 00:10:20.100 life, in your 00:10:20.100 --> 00:10:22.120 family, among 00:10:22.120 --> 00:10:23.000 your friends, 00:10:23.340 --> 00:10:24.040 people you work 00:10:24.040 --> 00:10:24.480 with, go to 00:10:24.480 --> 00:10:25.019 school with. 00:10:27.440 --> 00:10:28.600 Do you know 00:10:28.600 --> 00:10:29.360 how those 00:10:29.360 --> 00:10:30.500 closest to you 00:10:30.500 --> 00:10:32.320 need to be 00:10:32.320 --> 00:10:33.980 encouraged right 00:10:33.980 --> 00:10:36.560 now, today, 00:10:37.180 --> 00:10:39.240 based on what 00:10:39.240 --> 00:10:40.259 you know is 00:10:40.259 --> 00:10:40.940 going on in 00:10:40.940 --> 00:10:41.460 their life? 00:10:43.379 --> 00:10:44.300 Think about it 00:10:44.300 --> 00:10:44.879 in light of what 00:10:44.879 --> 00:10:45.519 we've seen in 00:10:45.519 --> 00:10:46.159 those verses. 00:10:46.960 --> 00:10:47.620 Is there 00:10:47.620 --> 00:10:48.320 someone around 00:10:48.320 --> 00:10:49.039 you right now 00:10:49.039 --> 00:10:50.220 who is in need 00:10:50.220 --> 00:10:51.700 of your 00:10:51.700 --> 00:10:53.080 shepherding 00:10:53.080 --> 00:10:53.980 words, 00:10:54.480 --> 00:10:55.680 of comfort 00:10:55.680 --> 00:10:56.000 maybe? 00:10:57.519 --> 00:10:58.340 Or they 00:10:58.340 --> 00:10:59.100 need you to 00:10:59.100 --> 00:11:00.440 sort of provide 00:11:00.440 --> 00:11:01.279 some guidance. 00:11:03.060 --> 00:11:04.139 Or it may be 00:11:04.139 --> 00:11:04.940 there's fear 00:11:04.940 --> 00:11:05.860 and they need 00:11:05.860 --> 00:11:07.600 words that will 00:11:07.600 --> 00:11:08.920 convey security. 00:11:10.639 --> 00:11:11.620 Or maybe you 00:11:11.620 --> 00:11:12.899 need to help 00:11:12.899 --> 00:11:15.080 them in applying 00:11:15.080 --> 00:11:16.080 God's word in a 00:11:16.080 --> 00:11:16.600 way that will 00:11:16.600 --> 00:11:17.840 nourish them 00:11:17.840 --> 00:11:18.539 spiritually. 00:11:18.539 --> 00:11:24.559 right now, is 00:11:24.559 --> 00:11:24.899 there anyone 00:11:24.899 --> 00:11:25.699 close to you 00:11:25.699 --> 00:11:27.059 that's allowed 00:11:27.059 --> 00:11:28.980 stress or 00:11:28.980 --> 00:11:30.980 fear to 00:11:30.980 --> 00:11:31.759 weigh them 00:11:31.759 --> 00:11:32.120 down? 00:11:32.659 --> 00:11:33.399 They've got a 00:11:33.399 --> 00:11:34.099 heavy heart. 00:11:35.699 --> 00:11:37.259 It may be 00:11:37.259 --> 00:11:38.379 that hearing 00:11:38.379 --> 00:11:39.719 encouraging words 00:11:39.719 --> 00:11:40.759 of affirmation 00:11:40.759 --> 00:11:41.500 from you, 00:11:42.500 --> 00:11:43.839 it may be that 00:11:43.839 --> 00:11:45.379 your loving 00:11:45.379 --> 00:11:46.360 words of 00:11:46.360 --> 00:11:47.139 concern 00:11:47.139 --> 00:11:49.559 is what 00:11:49.559 --> 00:11:50.439 will pick 00:11:50.439 --> 00:11:51.179 them up 00:11:51.179 --> 00:11:52.120 quicker 00:11:52.120 --> 00:11:54.200 than anything 00:11:54.200 --> 00:11:55.659 else could. 00:11:57.720 --> 00:11:58.840 The third 00:11:58.840 --> 00:12:00.340 application for 00:12:00.340 --> 00:12:00.799 that third 00:12:00.799 --> 00:12:01.279 verse, 00:12:02.480 --> 00:12:02.960 is there anyone 00:12:02.960 --> 00:12:04.059 in your life 00:12:04.059 --> 00:12:04.720 that maybe 00:12:04.720 --> 00:12:06.240 has a wounded 00:12:06.240 --> 00:12:06.919 spirit? 00:12:08.379 --> 00:12:09.419 Maybe as a 00:12:09.419 --> 00:12:10.100 result of some 00:12:10.100 --> 00:12:10.919 things that you 00:12:10.919 --> 00:12:11.679 have said 00:12:11.679 --> 00:12:13.399 or done 00:12:13.399 --> 00:12:14.000 to them, 00:12:15.419 --> 00:12:15.939 it may be 00:12:15.939 --> 00:12:16.459 that what they 00:12:16.459 --> 00:12:17.059 need is to 00:12:17.059 --> 00:12:17.839 hear from 00:12:17.839 --> 00:12:19.079 your lips 00:12:19.079 --> 00:12:21.679 some heartfelt, 00:12:23.079 --> 00:12:24.079 sincere 00:12:24.079 --> 00:12:26.299 encouragement. 00:12:27.759 --> 00:12:28.739 Words that 00:12:28.739 --> 00:12:29.679 will lift 00:12:29.679 --> 00:12:30.379 them up. 00:12:32.059 --> 00:12:32.620 Words that 00:12:32.620 --> 00:12:33.159 will give 00:12:33.159 --> 00:12:34.399 them hope. 00:12:34.859 --> 00:12:35.359 Words that 00:12:35.359 --> 00:12:36.859 God will use 00:12:36.859 --> 00:12:38.899 to meet 00:12:38.899 --> 00:12:40.139 that real 00:12:40.139 --> 00:12:40.859 need that 00:12:40.860 --> 00:12:41.159 they're 00:12:41.159 --> 00:12:41.539 struggling 00:12:41.539 --> 00:12:42.100 with right 00:12:42.100 --> 00:12:42.379 now. 00:12:44.379 --> 00:12:45.039 Or could 00:12:45.039 --> 00:12:45.399 it be that 00:12:45.399 --> 00:12:45.840 there's just 00:12:45.840 --> 00:12:46.200 some people 00:12:46.200 --> 00:12:46.539 in your 00:12:46.539 --> 00:12:48.440 life that 00:12:48.440 --> 00:12:48.800 they just 00:12:48.800 --> 00:12:49.200 need to 00:12:49.200 --> 00:12:50.080 hear you 00:12:50.080 --> 00:12:50.879 speak some 00:12:50.879 --> 00:12:51.919 pleasant 00:12:51.919 --> 00:12:54.779 words for 00:12:54.779 --> 00:12:55.539 a change? 00:12:58.000 --> 00:12:58.680 Let's be 00:12:58.680 --> 00:12:59.360 real honest. 00:13:00.740 --> 00:13:01.659 Most of us 00:13:01.659 --> 00:13:02.200 need to put 00:13:02.200 --> 00:13:02.779 forth more 00:13:02.779 --> 00:13:03.919 effort to 00:13:03.919 --> 00:13:04.899 notice what's 00:13:04.899 --> 00:13:06.159 going on in 00:13:06.159 --> 00:13:06.980 the lives of 00:13:06.980 --> 00:13:07.539 the people 00:13:07.539 --> 00:13:09.120 around us. 00:13:10.860 --> 00:13:11.379 You don't 00:13:11.379 --> 00:13:11.620 need to 00:13:11.620 --> 00:13:11.980 worry about 00:13:11.980 --> 00:13:12.419 the stranger 00:13:12.419 --> 00:13:12.740 on the 00:13:12.740 --> 00:13:13.019 street. 00:13:15.720 --> 00:13:16.340 You don't 00:13:16.340 --> 00:13:16.779 need to be 00:13:16.779 --> 00:13:18.220 concerned at 00:13:18.220 --> 00:13:18.800 all about 00:13:18.800 --> 00:13:19.519 the so 00:13:19.519 --> 00:13:19.759 called 00:13:19.759 --> 00:13:20.539 celebrities 00:13:20.539 --> 00:13:21.340 that are 00:13:21.340 --> 00:13:21.840 all over 00:13:21.840 --> 00:13:22.539 the news 00:13:22.539 --> 00:13:22.860 on the 00:13:22.860 --> 00:13:23.159 internet 00:13:23.159 --> 00:13:23.480 and on 00:13:23.480 --> 00:13:23.840 TV. 00:13:25.980 --> 00:13:26.639 What they 00:13:26.639 --> 00:13:27.019 do and 00:13:27.019 --> 00:13:27.320 what they 00:13:27.320 --> 00:13:27.659 think 00:13:27.659 --> 00:13:28.440 matters 00:13:28.440 --> 00:13:29.240 zero. 00:13:29.820 --> 00:13:30.500 What they 00:13:30.500 --> 00:13:30.960 think and 00:13:30.960 --> 00:13:31.300 what they're 00:13:31.300 --> 00:13:32.259 doing is a 00:13:32.259 --> 00:13:33.120 negative number 00:13:33.120 --> 00:13:33.639 in terms of 00:13:33.639 --> 00:13:34.279 what matters 00:13:34.279 --> 00:13:34.879 in your 00:13:34.879 --> 00:13:35.279 life, 00:13:35.340 --> 00:13:35.639 in my 00:13:35.639 --> 00:13:35.940 life, 00:13:35.940 --> 00:13:36.440 and in 00:13:36.440 --> 00:13:37.020 the world 00:13:37.020 --> 00:13:37.600 that really 00:13:37.600 --> 00:13:38.320 is. 00:13:40.140 --> 00:13:40.860 But the 00:13:40.860 --> 00:13:41.440 people that 00:13:41.440 --> 00:13:42.000 you live 00:13:42.000 --> 00:13:42.320 with, 00:13:43.560 --> 00:13:44.000 the people 00:13:44.000 --> 00:13:44.460 you go to 00:13:44.460 --> 00:13:45.280 school with, 00:13:46.080 --> 00:13:46.560 people you 00:13:46.560 --> 00:13:47.280 work with, 00:13:48.480 --> 00:13:49.160 people that 00:13:49.160 --> 00:13:49.800 you worship 00:13:49.800 --> 00:13:50.220 the Lord 00:13:50.220 --> 00:13:50.740 with right 00:13:50.740 --> 00:13:51.140 here in 00:13:51.140 --> 00:13:52.300 this church 00:13:52.300 --> 00:13:52.720 family, 00:13:53.640 --> 00:13:55.700 we need to 00:13:55.700 --> 00:13:56.340 ask God 00:13:56.340 --> 00:13:57.420 to help 00:13:57.420 --> 00:13:59.740 us to 00:13:59.740 --> 00:14:00.560 develop a 00:14:00.560 --> 00:14:01.920 real desire 00:14:01.920 --> 00:14:04.020 to know 00:14:04.020 --> 00:14:04.440 what's going 00:14:04.440 --> 00:14:04.840 on in their 00:14:04.840 --> 00:14:05.340 life so that 00:14:05.340 --> 00:14:05.700 we can 00:14:05.700 --> 00:14:06.340 encourage 00:14:06.340 --> 00:14:06.680 them. 00:14:07.460 --> 00:14:07.980 And we 00:14:07.980 --> 00:14:08.200 need to 00:14:08.200 --> 00:14:08.660 ask God 00:14:08.660 --> 00:14:09.080 to help 00:14:09.080 --> 00:14:09.540 us to 00:14:09.540 --> 00:14:10.639 develop the 00:14:10.639 --> 00:14:12.740 habit of 00:14:12.740 --> 00:14:13.120 not just 00:14:13.120 --> 00:14:13.879 thinking about 00:14:13.879 --> 00:14:14.600 being an 00:14:14.600 --> 00:14:15.080 encourager, 00:14:15.639 --> 00:14:17.100 but actually 00:14:17.100 --> 00:14:18.780 speaking words 00:14:18.780 --> 00:14:21.040 that heal, 00:14:21.780 --> 00:14:22.259 that give 00:14:22.259 --> 00:14:22.660 hope, 00:14:23.340 --> 00:14:24.060 that lift 00:14:24.060 --> 00:14:24.440 up, 00:14:25.139 --> 00:14:25.920 that comfort, 00:14:27.320 --> 00:14:27.780 that just 00:14:27.780 --> 00:14:28.220 plain 00:14:28.220 --> 00:14:29.220 encourage in 00:14:29.220 --> 00:14:29.720 some way. 00:14:30.980 --> 00:14:31.200 Now, 00:14:31.840 --> 00:14:33.259 not only do 00:14:33.259 --> 00:14:33.840 people around 00:14:33.840 --> 00:14:35.320 us need 00:14:35.320 --> 00:14:36.960 it, but 00:14:36.960 --> 00:14:37.360 we do 00:14:37.360 --> 00:14:37.600 too, 00:14:37.660 --> 00:14:38.000 don't we? 00:14:39.920 --> 00:14:40.240 Or you 00:14:40.240 --> 00:14:40.520 might say, 00:14:40.580 --> 00:14:41.760 I don't need 00:14:41.760 --> 00:14:42.040 that. 00:14:42.680 --> 00:14:43.260 I don't like 00:14:43.260 --> 00:14:44.500 criticism, but 00:14:44.500 --> 00:14:44.980 as long as 00:14:44.980 --> 00:14:45.340 people don't 00:14:45.340 --> 00:14:46.140 criticize me, 00:14:46.260 --> 00:14:46.700 I don't 00:14:46.700 --> 00:14:47.180 really need 00:14:47.180 --> 00:14:47.680 all that 00:14:47.680 --> 00:14:49.900 encouraging, 00:14:50.180 --> 00:14:50.840 fluffy stuff. 00:14:51.680 --> 00:14:52.460 You're lying. 00:14:54.340 --> 00:14:54.900 You're a 00:14:54.900 --> 00:14:55.580 human being. 00:14:57.940 --> 00:14:58.420 Encouraging 00:14:58.420 --> 00:14:59.360 words can 00:14:59.360 --> 00:15:00.580 lift you. 00:15:00.580 --> 00:15:03.800 they can do 00:15:03.800 --> 00:15:04.379 something to 00:15:04.379 --> 00:15:04.820 you that 00:15:04.820 --> 00:15:05.800 nothing else 00:15:05.800 --> 00:15:06.360 can do. 00:15:08.139 --> 00:15:09.340 You like 00:15:09.340 --> 00:15:09.600 it. 00:15:10.020 --> 00:15:11.120 You enjoy 00:15:11.120 --> 00:15:12.100 it because 00:15:12.100 --> 00:15:13.120 it meets a 00:15:13.120 --> 00:15:14.879 need that 00:15:14.879 --> 00:15:16.040 we all have 00:15:16.040 --> 00:15:17.860 as a human 00:15:17.860 --> 00:15:18.320 being. 00:15:19.180 --> 00:15:20.180 We need to 00:15:20.180 --> 00:15:21.100 be encouraged. 00:15:22.460 --> 00:15:22.720 Now, 00:15:23.020 --> 00:15:24.280 I want you to 00:15:24.280 --> 00:15:24.720 look again at 00:15:24.720 --> 00:15:25.500 that last 00:15:25.500 --> 00:15:26.800 Proverbs 16, 00:15:26.799 --> 00:15:27.339 24. 00:15:29.059 --> 00:15:30.259 Gracious words 00:15:30.259 --> 00:15:31.099 are like a 00:15:31.099 --> 00:15:31.819 honeycomb, 00:15:32.899 --> 00:15:34.059 sweetness to 00:15:34.059 --> 00:15:34.919 the soul, 00:15:35.359 --> 00:15:36.139 and health 00:15:36.139 --> 00:15:36.959 to the body. 00:15:38.000 --> 00:15:38.959 Why would 00:15:38.959 --> 00:15:39.719 that not 00:15:39.719 --> 00:15:40.899 also apply 00:15:40.899 --> 00:15:42.219 to the 00:15:42.219 --> 00:15:43.059 godly person 00:15:43.059 --> 00:15:44.099 who speaks 00:15:44.099 --> 00:15:45.159 the words 00:15:45.159 --> 00:15:47.179 as well as 00:15:47.179 --> 00:15:47.899 the person on 00:15:47.899 --> 00:15:48.479 the receiving 00:15:48.479 --> 00:15:48.919 end? 00:15:48.919 --> 00:15:52.120 it helps 00:15:52.120 --> 00:15:52.639 us. 00:15:53.099 --> 00:15:53.679 It's 00:15:53.679 --> 00:15:54.519 beneficial to 00:15:54.519 --> 00:15:54.919 us. 00:15:55.099 --> 00:15:55.439 It's 00:15:55.439 --> 00:15:55.819 sweet. 00:15:55.919 --> 00:15:56.159 It's 00:15:56.159 --> 00:15:57.000 pleasant to 00:15:57.000 --> 00:15:57.839 us, 00:15:58.719 --> 00:16:00.379 for us, 00:16:00.979 --> 00:16:02.659 to speak 00:16:02.659 --> 00:16:03.500 such words. 00:16:05.360 --> 00:16:06.399 We need 00:16:06.399 --> 00:16:07.039 to do it. 00:16:07.659 --> 00:16:07.979 And people 00:16:07.979 --> 00:16:08.559 in our lives 00:16:08.559 --> 00:16:09.479 need to hear 00:16:09.479 --> 00:16:09.759 it. 00:16:10.799 --> 00:16:11.259 Starting 00:16:11.259 --> 00:16:11.879 today, 00:16:13.839 --> 00:16:14.199 and I want 00:16:14.199 --> 00:16:14.439 you to make 00:16:14.439 --> 00:16:14.779 a commitment 00:16:14.779 --> 00:16:15.539 for every day 00:16:15.539 --> 00:16:16.019 this week, 00:16:17.019 --> 00:16:17.639 look for 00:16:17.639 --> 00:16:18.399 opportunities 00:16:18.399 --> 00:16:20.079 in the lives 00:16:20.079 --> 00:16:20.459 of those 00:16:20.459 --> 00:16:21.379 special people 00:16:21.379 --> 00:16:21.779 who are in 00:16:21.779 --> 00:16:22.360 your life. 00:16:24.840 --> 00:16:25.519 Look for 00:16:25.519 --> 00:16:26.120 opportunities. 00:16:26.980 --> 00:16:27.419 Look for 00:16:27.419 --> 00:16:28.059 needs 00:16:28.059 --> 00:16:30.679 for you 00:16:30.679 --> 00:16:32.439 to speak 00:16:32.439 --> 00:16:33.100 encouraging 00:16:33.100 --> 00:16:34.860 words to 00:16:34.860 --> 00:16:35.199 them. 00:16:36.899 --> 00:16:37.179 I mean, 00:16:37.240 --> 00:16:37.759 make it a 00:16:37.759 --> 00:16:38.120 commitment. 00:16:38.279 --> 00:16:38.519 Starting 00:16:38.519 --> 00:16:38.939 today, 00:16:40.299 --> 00:16:40.919 you're going 00:16:40.919 --> 00:16:41.120 to start 00:16:41.120 --> 00:16:41.579 looking. 00:16:42.000 --> 00:16:42.220 What are 00:16:42.220 --> 00:16:42.899 some needs 00:16:42.899 --> 00:16:44.360 that an 00:16:44.360 --> 00:16:44.840 encouraging 00:16:44.840 --> 00:16:46.000 word for 00:16:46.000 --> 00:16:47.620 me could 00:16:47.620 --> 00:16:48.000 meet? 00:16:48.000 --> 00:16:48.919 Legitimately. 00:16:50.779 --> 00:16:51.519 Pick out 00:16:51.519 --> 00:16:52.500 specific people 00:16:52.500 --> 00:16:52.840 that you 00:16:52.840 --> 00:16:53.379 know, 00:16:54.059 --> 00:16:54.519 maybe in 00:16:54.519 --> 00:16:55.000 your home 00:16:55.000 --> 00:16:56.159 that especially 00:16:56.159 --> 00:16:56.720 need it right 00:16:56.720 --> 00:16:57.039 now, 00:16:57.340 --> 00:16:57.940 or somebody 00:16:57.940 --> 00:16:58.360 you work 00:16:58.360 --> 00:16:58.639 with or 00:16:58.639 --> 00:16:58.940 go into 00:16:58.940 --> 00:16:59.480 school with, 00:16:59.600 --> 00:17:00.179 or somebody 00:17:00.179 --> 00:17:00.840 in your 00:17:00.840 --> 00:17:01.059 Sunday 00:17:01.059 --> 00:17:01.779 school class. 00:17:03.679 --> 00:17:04.319 Make it a 00:17:04.319 --> 00:17:04.579 point. 00:17:05.619 --> 00:17:06.000 Speak, 00:17:06.380 --> 00:17:07.619 need specific 00:17:07.619 --> 00:17:08.599 words of 00:17:08.599 --> 00:17:09.180 encouragement 00:17:09.180 --> 00:17:10.440 to them. 00:17:12.319 --> 00:17:12.859 We need to 00:17:12.859 --> 00:17:13.380 ask God to 00:17:13.380 --> 00:17:13.960 help us to be 00:17:13.960 --> 00:17:14.759 wise with our 00:17:14.759 --> 00:17:15.359 words. 00:17:15.359 --> 00:17:15.459 words. 00:17:16.699 --> 00:17:17.419 We need to 00:17:17.419 --> 00:17:17.859 ask God to 00:17:17.859 --> 00:17:18.259 help us to be 00:17:18.259 --> 00:17:18.859 wise with our 00:17:18.859 --> 00:17:19.619 words every 00:17:19.619 --> 00:17:20.359 day in all 00:17:20.359 --> 00:17:21.259 kinds of ways 00:17:21.259 --> 00:17:21.799 for sure. 00:17:22.619 --> 00:17:23.179 But we need 00:17:23.179 --> 00:17:23.539 help. 00:17:24.279 --> 00:17:24.799 We need 00:17:24.799 --> 00:17:26.919 reminders to 00:17:26.919 --> 00:17:27.339 be an 00:17:27.339 --> 00:17:28.439 encourager every 00:17:28.439 --> 00:17:28.759 day. 00:17:30.039 --> 00:17:30.339 Now, 00:17:30.979 --> 00:17:31.439 since we've 00:17:31.439 --> 00:17:31.799 looked at the 00:17:31.799 --> 00:17:32.719 importance of 00:17:32.719 --> 00:17:34.079 discovering people's 00:17:34.079 --> 00:17:35.039 needs in order 00:17:35.039 --> 00:17:36.579 to know how to 00:17:36.579 --> 00:17:37.279 encourage them, 00:17:38.279 --> 00:17:39.139 I think it's 00:17:39.139 --> 00:17:39.579 important that we 00:17:39.579 --> 00:17:40.179 sort of take a 00:17:40.179 --> 00:17:42.039 detour from the 00:17:42.039 --> 00:17:44.039 next point about 00:17:44.039 --> 00:17:45.079 wisely using our 00:17:45.079 --> 00:17:47.539 words, let's 00:17:47.539 --> 00:17:48.500 think about this. 00:17:49.700 --> 00:17:50.740 A wise person 00:17:50.740 --> 00:17:51.319 knows that 00:17:51.319 --> 00:17:52.440 sometimes words 00:17:52.440 --> 00:17:53.220 are not enough. 00:17:55.220 --> 00:17:55.659 You see, as I 00:17:55.659 --> 00:17:56.440 was preparing this 00:17:56.440 --> 00:17:58.599 week and got to 00:17:58.599 --> 00:18:00.500 thinking about how 00:18:00.500 --> 00:18:01.399 important it is to 00:18:01.399 --> 00:18:02.579 be an encourager, 00:18:02.920 --> 00:18:03.980 to offer encouraging 00:18:03.980 --> 00:18:05.500 words to the 00:18:05.500 --> 00:18:06.000 people we are 00:18:06.000 --> 00:18:06.599 closest to 00:18:06.599 --> 00:18:08.819 especially, I also 00:18:08.819 --> 00:18:09.420 got to thinking, 00:18:09.420 --> 00:18:11.620 in a lot of 00:18:11.620 --> 00:18:14.519 situations, words 00:18:14.519 --> 00:18:15.240 are important but 00:18:15.240 --> 00:18:15.800 words are not 00:18:15.800 --> 00:18:16.220 enough. 00:18:18.400 --> 00:18:19.460 There are times 00:18:19.460 --> 00:18:21.140 when words alone 00:18:21.140 --> 00:18:23.740 fail to meet the 00:18:23.740 --> 00:18:25.120 need at hand. 00:18:26.340 --> 00:18:27.240 And Proverbs 00:18:27.240 --> 00:18:28.860 clearly illustrates 00:18:28.860 --> 00:18:30.880 this by comparing 00:18:30.880 --> 00:18:31.759 the person who is 00:18:31.759 --> 00:18:33.000 willing to work 00:18:33.000 --> 00:18:34.580 with the person 00:18:34.580 --> 00:18:35.600 who only wants to 00:18:35.600 --> 00:18:36.000 talk. 00:18:36.700 --> 00:18:37.300 Look at it 00:18:37.300 --> 00:18:38.480 from Proverbs 14. 00:18:38.480 --> 00:18:40.579 All hard work 00:18:40.579 --> 00:18:41.579 brings a profit, 00:18:42.480 --> 00:18:44.360 but mere talk 00:18:44.360 --> 00:18:46.519 leads only to 00:18:46.519 --> 00:18:47.019 poverty. 00:18:48.720 --> 00:18:49.240 Now remember, 00:18:49.480 --> 00:18:50.500 Proverbs are just 00:18:50.500 --> 00:18:52.380 general rules of 00:18:52.380 --> 00:18:52.680 life. 00:18:52.839 --> 00:18:53.539 This is how life 00:18:53.539 --> 00:18:54.599 normally works. 00:18:54.960 --> 00:18:55.420 And generally 00:18:55.420 --> 00:18:58.559 speaking, the 00:18:58.559 --> 00:18:59.620 farmer, the 00:18:59.620 --> 00:19:00.559 business person 00:19:00.559 --> 00:19:01.160 that would be in 00:19:01.160 --> 00:19:03.740 mind here, the 00:19:03.740 --> 00:19:04.279 person who is 00:19:04.279 --> 00:19:05.400 willing to work 00:19:05.400 --> 00:19:08.100 hard, it's 00:19:08.100 --> 00:19:08.440 going to be to 00:19:08.440 --> 00:19:09.120 their advantage. 00:19:09.660 --> 00:19:10.240 They're going to 00:19:10.240 --> 00:19:10.680 be able to take 00:19:10.680 --> 00:19:11.060 care of 00:19:11.060 --> 00:19:11.500 themselves. 00:19:12.080 --> 00:19:13.180 It is profitable 00:19:13.180 --> 00:19:14.540 to work hard in 00:19:14.540 --> 00:19:14.840 this world. 00:19:15.000 --> 00:19:15.519 That's just a 00:19:15.519 --> 00:19:17.060 basic way God 00:19:17.060 --> 00:19:18.100 created life to 00:19:18.100 --> 00:19:18.400 work. 00:19:19.500 --> 00:19:20.280 If you work 00:19:20.280 --> 00:19:22.000 hard normally, 00:19:22.400 --> 00:19:24.220 it's to your 00:19:24.220 --> 00:19:24.780 advantage. 00:19:25.200 --> 00:19:26.820 It is profitable. 00:19:27.660 --> 00:19:28.660 But people who 00:19:28.660 --> 00:19:29.960 just talk a good 00:19:29.960 --> 00:19:32.140 game, who just 00:19:32.140 --> 00:19:32.740 talk about what 00:19:32.740 --> 00:19:33.559 they're going to 00:19:33.559 --> 00:19:35.279 do, but never 00:19:35.279 --> 00:19:37.039 do it, they're 00:19:37.039 --> 00:19:37.420 going to come up 00:19:37.420 --> 00:19:37.740 short. 00:19:38.819 --> 00:19:39.279 They're going to 00:19:39.279 --> 00:19:40.200 be needy, 00:19:40.299 --> 00:19:41.779 sometimes even in 00:19:41.779 --> 00:19:43.279 poverty, literally. 00:19:44.559 --> 00:19:45.660 The ESV study 00:19:45.660 --> 00:19:46.859 Bible says this 00:19:46.859 --> 00:19:48.120 verse is a 00:19:48.120 --> 00:19:49.380 rebuke against 00:19:49.380 --> 00:19:50.099 people who are 00:19:50.099 --> 00:19:51.359 always talking and 00:19:51.359 --> 00:19:52.579 planning, but 00:19:52.579 --> 00:19:54.079 never accomplishing 00:19:54.079 --> 00:19:54.680 anything. 00:19:54.740 --> 00:20:00.460 You know, it is 00:20:00.460 --> 00:20:01.680 good to plan and 00:20:01.680 --> 00:20:02.259 to think. 00:20:02.440 --> 00:20:03.279 It's even good to 00:20:03.279 --> 00:20:04.220 dream and have 00:20:04.220 --> 00:20:04.900 goals. 00:20:06.360 --> 00:20:07.120 But there comes a 00:20:07.120 --> 00:20:09.920 time when it's 00:20:09.920 --> 00:20:10.500 time to quit 00:20:10.500 --> 00:20:11.180 thinking about 00:20:11.180 --> 00:20:11.539 this. 00:20:11.840 --> 00:20:12.620 It's time to quit 00:20:12.620 --> 00:20:13.420 looking at all the 00:20:13.420 --> 00:20:13.960 plans. 00:20:14.320 --> 00:20:15.240 It's time to stop 00:20:15.240 --> 00:20:16.000 talking about it. 00:20:16.080 --> 00:20:17.019 It's time to do 00:20:17.019 --> 00:20:17.420 something. 00:20:20.180 --> 00:20:21.460 There comes a time 00:20:21.460 --> 00:20:22.180 when there's 00:20:22.180 --> 00:20:23.799 nothing more to be 00:20:23.799 --> 00:20:24.160 said. 00:20:26.039 --> 00:20:26.759 And we've just 00:20:26.759 --> 00:20:28.120 got to do. 00:20:28.119 --> 00:20:28.179 food. 00:20:30.179 --> 00:20:30.819 That's what he's 00:20:30.819 --> 00:20:31.279 talking about. 00:20:32.159 --> 00:20:32.579 Now, to put this 00:20:32.579 --> 00:20:34.059 another way, there 00:20:34.059 --> 00:20:35.899 are times when even 00:20:35.899 --> 00:20:37.099 our well-meaning, 00:20:37.299 --> 00:20:39.859 encouraging words are 00:20:39.859 --> 00:20:41.000 absolutely no 00:20:41.000 --> 00:20:41.919 substitute for 00:20:41.919 --> 00:20:42.339 action. 00:20:42.599 --> 00:20:42.979 In fact, they're 00:20:42.979 --> 00:20:43.939 just an excuse. 00:20:44.799 --> 00:20:45.199 I want you to look 00:20:45.199 --> 00:20:46.219 at what James, the 00:20:46.219 --> 00:20:47.199 wisdom writer of the 00:20:47.199 --> 00:20:48.679 New Testament, says 00:20:48.679 --> 00:20:49.519 about this very thing 00:20:49.519 --> 00:20:50.139 we're looking at. 00:20:50.639 --> 00:20:51.359 From James 00:20:51.359 --> 00:20:52.000 chapter 2. 00:20:52.000 --> 00:20:53.759 If a brother or 00:20:53.759 --> 00:20:54.859 sister is poorly 00:20:54.859 --> 00:20:56.119 clothed and lacking 00:20:56.119 --> 00:20:57.640 in daily food, and 00:20:57.640 --> 00:20:58.539 one of you says to 00:20:58.539 --> 00:21:00.759 them, go in peace, be 00:21:00.759 --> 00:21:02.740 warmed and filled, 00:21:03.660 --> 00:21:04.960 without giving them 00:21:04.960 --> 00:21:06.180 the things needed for 00:21:06.180 --> 00:21:08.180 the body, what good 00:21:08.180 --> 00:21:08.859 is that? 00:21:10.220 --> 00:21:11.960 James is trying to 00:21:11.960 --> 00:21:13.539 teach in this section 00:21:13.539 --> 00:21:16.019 that faith without 00:21:16.019 --> 00:21:17.200 works is meaningless. 00:21:18.319 --> 00:21:19.819 If your life doesn't 00:21:19.819 --> 00:21:20.960 back up your profession 00:21:20.960 --> 00:21:22.059 of faith, your 00:21:22.059 --> 00:21:22.920 profession of faith is 00:21:22.920 --> 00:21:23.319 meaningless. 00:21:24.039 --> 00:21:24.960 And so he compares 00:21:24.960 --> 00:21:25.480 it here. 00:21:27.240 --> 00:21:28.420 Words of compassion 00:21:28.420 --> 00:21:29.880 without acts of 00:21:29.880 --> 00:21:32.360 compassion are 00:21:32.360 --> 00:21:32.799 meaningless. 00:21:34.620 --> 00:21:35.660 We need to let this 00:21:35.660 --> 00:21:36.519 sink in. 00:21:38.420 --> 00:21:39.279 Some of the people 00:21:39.279 --> 00:21:40.319 that we do need to 00:21:40.319 --> 00:21:41.200 encourage with our 00:21:41.200 --> 00:21:43.380 words, they need to 00:21:43.380 --> 00:21:45.460 experience from us 00:21:45.460 --> 00:21:48.960 encouraging actions. 00:21:50.960 --> 00:21:51.860 Some of the people 00:21:51.860 --> 00:21:54.380 in some of the 00:21:54.380 --> 00:21:55.360 situations that you 00:21:55.360 --> 00:21:56.779 thought about a 00:21:56.779 --> 00:21:59.100 moment ago, some of 00:21:59.100 --> 00:22:01.299 the people close to 00:22:01.299 --> 00:22:04.539 you, who have needs 00:22:04.539 --> 00:22:05.519 that you're aware of, 00:22:06.440 --> 00:22:07.539 that need your 00:22:07.539 --> 00:22:09.319 encouragement, your 00:22:09.319 --> 00:22:10.420 encouraging words, 00:22:11.420 --> 00:22:12.700 some of them need for 00:22:12.700 --> 00:22:14.340 you to go another 00:22:14.340 --> 00:22:17.240 step and show some 00:22:17.240 --> 00:22:20.579 encouraging actions as 00:22:20.579 --> 00:22:21.019 well. 00:22:21.660 --> 00:22:22.880 Because if you don't, 00:22:23.500 --> 00:22:24.420 your words are not 00:22:24.420 --> 00:22:25.059 going to bring about 00:22:25.059 --> 00:22:26.720 the needed change that 00:22:26.720 --> 00:22:27.980 they need and you 00:22:27.980 --> 00:22:29.620 really want them to 00:22:29.620 --> 00:22:30.140 experience. 00:22:31.400 --> 00:22:34.799 Now, think with me. 00:22:36.460 --> 00:22:37.819 What are some of the 00:22:37.819 --> 00:22:39.079 things that people in 00:22:39.079 --> 00:22:41.240 your life who you 00:22:41.240 --> 00:22:42.700 care about, you want to 00:22:42.700 --> 00:22:45.140 meet their needs, what is 00:22:45.140 --> 00:22:45.840 it that they need 00:22:45.840 --> 00:22:47.620 beside your encouraging 00:22:47.620 --> 00:22:48.660 words? 00:22:50.660 --> 00:22:51.600 Well, just because of 00:22:51.600 --> 00:22:52.220 the day in which we 00:22:52.220 --> 00:22:54.160 live, knowing how life 00:22:54.160 --> 00:22:56.540 can be, I know that 00:22:56.540 --> 00:22:57.400 there are some people in 00:22:57.400 --> 00:22:58.820 your life that in 00:22:58.820 --> 00:23:00.780 addition to your words, 00:23:01.420 --> 00:23:03.300 they need time. 00:23:04.000 --> 00:23:05.780 They need face time 00:23:05.780 --> 00:23:06.520 with you. 00:23:06.720 --> 00:23:08.460 I'm talking about in 00:23:08.460 --> 00:23:10.820 person, eye to eye. 00:23:10.819 --> 00:23:12.500 They need your 00:23:12.500 --> 00:23:12.960 attention. 00:23:14.179 --> 00:23:15.059 They need to know that 00:23:15.059 --> 00:23:16.480 you care enough to sit 00:23:16.480 --> 00:23:18.539 down and be with 00:23:18.539 --> 00:23:18.960 them. 00:23:19.659 --> 00:23:21.259 Look into their eyes. 00:23:22.079 --> 00:23:22.679 Listen. 00:23:23.079 --> 00:23:25.299 Really listen to what 00:23:25.299 --> 00:23:26.079 they have to say. 00:23:27.839 --> 00:23:29.019 Some people in your 00:23:29.019 --> 00:23:30.119 life really need it 00:23:30.119 --> 00:23:32.439 because they rarely have 00:23:32.439 --> 00:23:32.700 it. 00:23:34.519 --> 00:23:36.139 And it may not be that 00:23:36.139 --> 00:23:38.079 there are people in 00:23:38.079 --> 00:23:39.179 your life who need 00:23:39.179 --> 00:23:39.599 your attention. 00:23:39.599 --> 00:23:40.819 It may not be that 00:23:40.819 --> 00:23:42.139 you're just never 00:23:42.139 --> 00:23:42.599 there. 00:23:43.539 --> 00:23:46.139 The problem is, when 00:23:46.139 --> 00:23:48.379 you are there, you 00:23:48.379 --> 00:23:48.959 aren't there. 00:23:51.199 --> 00:23:52.699 If you think spending 00:23:52.699 --> 00:23:55.740 time with people, with 00:23:55.740 --> 00:23:56.559 most of the time your 00:23:56.559 --> 00:23:57.859 face is stuck in an 00:23:57.859 --> 00:23:59.980 iPhone, or you're 00:23:59.980 --> 00:24:01.039 preoccupied with your 00:24:01.039 --> 00:24:03.259 iPad, or listening to 00:24:03.259 --> 00:24:05.139 the radio, got your 00:24:05.139 --> 00:24:07.159 earphones on, or you 00:24:07.159 --> 00:24:08.219 got to watch TV, 00:24:08.220 --> 00:24:10.400 B, or B, what you 00:24:10.400 --> 00:24:12.160 think is multitasking, 00:24:13.160 --> 00:24:14.839 you're not giving 00:24:14.839 --> 00:24:17.180 people the time, the 00:24:17.180 --> 00:24:17.720 attention. 00:24:18.559 --> 00:24:19.460 You're not giving 00:24:19.460 --> 00:24:22.279 people the you that 00:24:22.279 --> 00:24:24.079 they really need. 00:24:25.079 --> 00:24:25.759 I want you to look at 00:24:25.759 --> 00:24:27.960 this familiar picture on 00:24:27.960 --> 00:24:28.460 the screen. 00:24:28.460 --> 00:24:31.299 That particular picture is 00:24:31.299 --> 00:24:33.660 not one you've seen, but 00:24:33.660 --> 00:24:34.500 you've seen one like 00:24:34.500 --> 00:24:34.700 it. 00:24:35.240 --> 00:24:36.539 Lisa and I were in 00:24:36.539 --> 00:24:38.140 Pigeon Forge last 00:24:38.140 --> 00:24:38.579 fall. 00:24:39.779 --> 00:24:40.900 We're at a restaurant. 00:24:41.039 --> 00:24:41.579 This is in the 00:24:41.579 --> 00:24:41.920 morning. 00:24:43.640 --> 00:24:44.259 Those are teenagers, 00:24:44.360 --> 00:24:45.079 older teenagers. 00:24:45.860 --> 00:24:46.640 They're not looking at a 00:24:46.640 --> 00:24:46.880 menu. 00:24:48.620 --> 00:24:50.059 Each one has their face 00:24:50.059 --> 00:24:52.220 in that iPad, iPhone. 00:24:52.220 --> 00:24:55.299 They made no eye 00:24:55.299 --> 00:24:55.660 contact. 00:24:55.900 --> 00:24:56.620 They carried on no 00:24:56.620 --> 00:24:57.259 conversation. 00:24:57.759 --> 00:24:58.980 When the food came, 00:24:59.059 --> 00:25:00.059 they moved their phone 00:25:00.059 --> 00:25:01.160 over to put the plate 00:25:01.160 --> 00:25:02.519 there, and they ate and 00:25:02.519 --> 00:25:03.039 watched that. 00:25:03.319 --> 00:25:04.400 They didn't talk to one 00:25:04.400 --> 00:25:04.640 another. 00:25:07.559 --> 00:25:11.460 But even worse, one 00:25:11.460 --> 00:25:12.579 night on that same 00:25:12.579 --> 00:25:14.600 trip, Lisa and I went 00:25:14.600 --> 00:25:15.259 out to eat. 00:25:16.799 --> 00:25:17.960 Now, I was sitting here, 00:25:18.279 --> 00:25:19.279 and Lisa was there, and 00:25:19.279 --> 00:25:20.539 over here, it was just in 00:25:20.539 --> 00:25:22.319 my eye contact view. 00:25:23.480 --> 00:25:24.680 There was a lady about 00:25:24.680 --> 00:25:27.180 my age who appeared to 00:25:27.180 --> 00:25:28.220 be with her mother. 00:25:30.359 --> 00:25:32.299 And the lady my age, I 00:25:32.299 --> 00:25:35.480 am not exaggerating, she 00:25:35.480 --> 00:25:39.440 caught my attention, and 00:25:39.440 --> 00:25:42.539 all she did for the time 00:25:42.539 --> 00:25:43.500 she gave her order, I 00:25:43.500 --> 00:25:44.319 guess, until the food 00:25:44.319 --> 00:25:46.240 came, all she did was 00:25:46.240 --> 00:25:48.299 look down and do 00:25:48.299 --> 00:25:50.379 something with her iPhone. 00:25:50.539 --> 00:25:52.920 She didn't look at her 00:25:52.920 --> 00:25:53.799 mother, she didn't talk 00:25:53.799 --> 00:25:54.339 to her mother, she 00:25:54.339 --> 00:25:55.159 didn't listen to her 00:25:55.159 --> 00:25:56.299 mother, because mother 00:25:56.299 --> 00:25:56.799 didn't talk. 00:25:57.500 --> 00:25:59.539 She just fooled with that 00:25:59.539 --> 00:25:59.920 phone. 00:26:01.779 --> 00:26:03.859 And her mother, sitting 00:26:03.859 --> 00:26:05.460 across the table, sitting 00:26:05.460 --> 00:26:06.539 up with her hands on the 00:26:06.539 --> 00:26:08.119 table, just sort of 00:26:08.119 --> 00:26:08.980 staring at her daughter, 00:26:11.299 --> 00:26:12.420 sort of pleasant looking, 00:26:12.599 --> 00:26:15.039 but no kind of 00:26:15.039 --> 00:26:15.579 interaction. 00:26:15.579 --> 00:26:18.559 And I thought about that, 00:26:18.599 --> 00:26:19.439 and I told Lisa about 00:26:19.439 --> 00:26:19.659 that. 00:26:21.399 --> 00:26:22.539 They're supposed to be 00:26:22.539 --> 00:26:25.259 out spending time 00:26:25.259 --> 00:26:29.179 together, but they 00:26:29.179 --> 00:26:31.019 didn't spend any time 00:26:31.019 --> 00:26:31.720 together. 00:26:33.859 --> 00:26:35.980 There were a few points 00:26:35.980 --> 00:26:37.500 where I did note that the 00:26:37.500 --> 00:26:39.279 woman my age with her 00:26:39.279 --> 00:26:41.299 phone said a few words to 00:26:41.299 --> 00:26:43.079 her mother, obviously, 00:26:43.079 --> 00:26:44.220 about what she was doing 00:26:44.220 --> 00:26:45.579 on that phone, what she 00:26:45.579 --> 00:26:48.119 was looking at, but her 00:26:48.119 --> 00:26:49.220 mother didn't care a thing 00:26:49.220 --> 00:26:50.099 in the world about it. 00:26:53.179 --> 00:26:54.579 Technology is a wonderful 00:26:54.579 --> 00:26:54.960 thing. 00:26:55.960 --> 00:26:57.379 I use it every day. 00:26:57.500 --> 00:26:59.460 I enjoy technology. 00:26:59.460 --> 00:27:00.720 But I want you to 00:27:00.720 --> 00:27:01.539 understand something. 00:27:03.360 --> 00:27:04.819 A lot of people in this 00:27:04.819 --> 00:27:07.059 room, you are allowing 00:27:07.059 --> 00:27:08.940 such technology to 00:27:08.940 --> 00:27:11.299 destroy personal 00:27:11.299 --> 00:27:13.279 relationships with people 00:27:13.279 --> 00:27:14.660 that I know you really 00:27:14.660 --> 00:27:16.840 and do care about, you 00:27:16.840 --> 00:27:17.600 love. 00:27:18.539 --> 00:27:19.660 Some of you parents are 00:27:19.660 --> 00:27:21.759 allowing your teenagers 00:27:21.759 --> 00:27:24.400 or even younger to 00:27:24.400 --> 00:27:26.079 develop those kind of 00:27:26.079 --> 00:27:28.900 habits and inability to 00:27:28.900 --> 00:27:31.259 communicate by always 00:27:31.259 --> 00:27:32.740 having that before their 00:27:32.740 --> 00:27:35.740 face as if you don't 00:27:35.740 --> 00:27:36.320 exist. 00:27:37.160 --> 00:27:38.120 And the dumbest thing of 00:27:38.120 --> 00:27:39.980 all is you pay for it. 00:27:42.519 --> 00:27:44.860 I've got two boys that 00:27:44.860 --> 00:27:46.320 you know and you can ask. 00:27:48.400 --> 00:27:51.480 If you pay for it, it's 00:27:51.480 --> 00:27:51.880 yours. 00:27:52.740 --> 00:27:54.960 You just let them use it. 00:27:54.960 --> 00:27:57.539 And you're the one that 00:27:57.539 --> 00:27:59.620 needs to be in control and 00:27:59.620 --> 00:28:00.819 do what needs to be done. 00:28:01.299 --> 00:28:02.539 But you know why a lot of 00:28:02.539 --> 00:28:04.039 your teenagers do that? 00:28:04.279 --> 00:28:05.279 Because they learned it 00:28:05.279 --> 00:28:05.900 from you. 00:28:07.440 --> 00:28:08.880 Maybe not it was an iPhone 00:28:08.880 --> 00:28:09.500 or an iPad. 00:28:09.700 --> 00:28:10.600 Maybe it was the TV. 00:28:11.079 --> 00:28:12.000 Maybe it was the radio. 00:28:12.380 --> 00:28:13.400 Maybe you were always on the 00:28:13.400 --> 00:28:14.579 phone with your buddy. 00:28:14.579 --> 00:28:20.500 But they learned that family 00:28:20.500 --> 00:28:22.220 time really doesn't mean 00:28:22.220 --> 00:28:22.919 anything. 00:28:24.399 --> 00:28:25.339 There's really no such thing 00:28:25.339 --> 00:28:26.799 in our house as personal, 00:28:27.139 --> 00:28:28.259 looking at one another, 00:28:28.539 --> 00:28:29.559 listening to one another, 00:28:29.799 --> 00:28:30.819 carrying on a conversation 00:28:30.819 --> 00:28:31.879 with one another, and 00:28:31.879 --> 00:28:33.319 actually taking an interest 00:28:33.319 --> 00:28:34.720 in one another's lives. 00:28:34.720 --> 00:28:41.799 There's a tremendous 00:28:41.799 --> 00:28:45.279 breakdown in personal 00:28:45.279 --> 00:28:47.160 interaction in this country. 00:28:50.160 --> 00:28:54.140 And it is basically not 00:28:54.140 --> 00:28:55.600 destroying families like 00:28:55.600 --> 00:28:57.019 drugs and alcohol, but it's 00:28:57.019 --> 00:28:58.740 destroying families' ability 00:28:58.740 --> 00:29:03.120 to communicate, to express 00:29:03.119 --> 00:29:06.899 love, to know and be known, 00:29:07.899 --> 00:29:09.939 to develop lives together, 00:29:10.419 --> 00:29:11.719 husbands and wives, parents 00:29:11.719 --> 00:29:12.299 and children. 00:29:13.479 --> 00:29:15.500 And it filters on out into 00:29:15.500 --> 00:29:16.659 every other relationship as 00:29:16.659 --> 00:29:16.899 well. 00:29:21.679 --> 00:29:23.399 Many people in your life, or 00:29:23.399 --> 00:29:26.719 some people at least, need to 00:29:26.719 --> 00:29:29.719 have you to give them your 00:29:29.719 --> 00:29:32.539 undivided attention, need to 00:29:32.539 --> 00:29:34.119 see your eyes, know that your 00:29:34.119 --> 00:29:36.799 ears are tuned more than 00:29:36.799 --> 00:29:39.039 anything else they need from 00:29:39.039 --> 00:29:39.460 you. 00:29:40.159 --> 00:29:43.480 They may not say that, but it 00:29:43.480 --> 00:29:44.019 is true. 00:29:45.940 --> 00:29:48.899 Now quickly, some people need 00:29:48.899 --> 00:29:52.759 our help physically, 00:29:55.639 --> 00:29:58.220 materially, financially. 00:29:58.220 --> 00:30:03.000 Some people that we have good 00:30:03.000 --> 00:30:04.440 intentions of encouraging them 00:30:04.440 --> 00:30:06.640 with our words, they have 00:30:06.640 --> 00:30:08.660 needs that we need to step up 00:30:08.660 --> 00:30:10.680 to the plate and actually meet. 00:30:11.220 --> 00:30:13.299 Because God's placed them in our 00:30:13.299 --> 00:30:16.100 lives for us to do this. 00:30:16.819 --> 00:30:17.980 And you don't have to have a lot 00:30:17.980 --> 00:30:19.680 of money or even excess funds to 00:30:19.680 --> 00:30:19.960 do it. 00:30:20.339 --> 00:30:21.920 I remember times growing up, and 00:30:21.920 --> 00:30:24.539 my family, we were not poor 00:30:24.539 --> 00:30:27.079 people, but we were not well-off 00:30:27.079 --> 00:30:27.439 people. 00:30:27.899 --> 00:30:29.099 We were below comfortable 00:30:29.099 --> 00:30:29.500 people. 00:30:29.699 --> 00:30:31.059 I didn't know that until I got 00:30:31.059 --> 00:30:31.639 to be older. 00:30:33.319 --> 00:30:34.599 But I figured it out. 00:30:36.359 --> 00:30:38.139 But I can remember my parents 00:30:38.139 --> 00:30:41.480 buying, not just a bag of 00:30:41.480 --> 00:30:43.919 groceries, but buying real 00:30:43.919 --> 00:30:46.720 needed food and clothing and 00:30:46.720 --> 00:30:48.759 other necessities for a neighbor 00:30:48.759 --> 00:30:52.759 family with four boys who are in 00:30:52.759 --> 00:30:56.379 desperate shape. 00:30:57.980 --> 00:31:01.339 Severe poverty through circumstances 00:31:01.339 --> 00:31:02.960 beyond their control. 00:31:04.319 --> 00:31:06.720 And other neighbors stepped up and 00:31:06.720 --> 00:31:09.039 did that for this family. 00:31:10.140 --> 00:31:13.220 And back in those days, my parents 00:31:13.220 --> 00:31:15.579 and these other neighbors, they 00:31:15.579 --> 00:31:17.660 didn't tell this family, we're 00:31:17.660 --> 00:31:18.599 praying for you. 00:31:18.599 --> 00:31:20.659 Why don't you call this government 00:31:20.659 --> 00:31:21.139 agency? 00:31:21.299 --> 00:31:22.679 Why don't you call that social 00:31:22.679 --> 00:31:23.159 agency? 00:31:23.500 --> 00:31:24.839 Or let's see if we can get our 00:31:24.839 --> 00:31:25.839 church involved. 00:31:26.439 --> 00:31:26.759 No. 00:31:28.019 --> 00:31:29.480 My parents and these other 00:31:29.480 --> 00:31:31.959 neighbors, they did what they 00:31:31.959 --> 00:31:35.119 could do to meet needs that they 00:31:35.119 --> 00:31:36.719 saw and cared about. 00:31:37.379 --> 00:31:39.000 And yes, they got their church 00:31:39.000 --> 00:31:39.459 involved. 00:31:39.459 --> 00:31:42.939 But they didn't let their church 00:31:42.940 --> 00:31:46.340 or some other organization be a 00:31:46.340 --> 00:31:48.519 substitute for their involvement, 00:31:48.920 --> 00:31:52.680 for their sacrificial giving to 00:31:52.680 --> 00:31:56.180 meet needs that God laid before 00:31:56.180 --> 00:31:59.220 them, put on their heart they 00:31:59.220 --> 00:32:02.620 needed to meet, even if it costs 00:32:02.620 --> 00:32:05.980 us more than we can really afford. 00:32:06.980 --> 00:32:08.460 Some people who need your 00:32:08.460 --> 00:32:11.640 encouragement, they need more than 00:32:11.640 --> 00:32:13.780 that and it will cost you. 00:32:14.720 --> 00:32:16.120 But let me also say some people 00:32:16.120 --> 00:32:18.220 who need your encouragement may 00:32:18.220 --> 00:32:20.360 need help that you cannot provide. 00:32:21.259 --> 00:32:22.800 For an example, as we were talking 00:32:22.800 --> 00:32:26.320 about depression earlier, I am fully 00:32:26.320 --> 00:32:28.200 aware that some people suffer with 00:32:28.200 --> 00:32:30.040 severe depression. 00:32:30.040 --> 00:32:33.200 And they need more than an 00:32:33.200 --> 00:32:36.000 encouraging word from a loving 00:32:36.000 --> 00:32:36.500 friend. 00:32:36.600 --> 00:32:37.540 They need that. 00:32:37.539 --> 00:32:41.119 They may need professional help. 00:32:42.019 --> 00:32:44.259 They may need spiritual counseling. 00:32:44.440 --> 00:32:46.740 They may need to see a medical 00:32:46.740 --> 00:32:47.220 doctor. 00:32:47.579 --> 00:32:50.159 They may need to see a counselor. 00:32:51.819 --> 00:32:53.720 And so when those situations 00:32:53.720 --> 00:32:56.259 arise, we need to offer our 00:32:56.259 --> 00:32:58.200 encouraging word but do whatever we 00:32:58.200 --> 00:33:00.960 can to get them the help that they 00:33:00.960 --> 00:33:03.099 need that we can't provide. 00:33:03.099 --> 00:33:06.259 Let's go back to words. 00:33:07.299 --> 00:33:08.299 Words are powerful. 00:33:09.639 --> 00:33:11.519 We've seen already in our other 00:33:11.519 --> 00:33:13.079 studies, they can destroy but they can 00:33:13.079 --> 00:33:14.279 also build up. 00:33:14.980 --> 00:33:18.019 And as God's people, that's what we're 00:33:18.019 --> 00:33:18.579 called to do. 00:33:19.179 --> 00:33:21.259 To use our words to build up. 00:33:22.379 --> 00:33:24.819 Use our words to encourage. 00:33:24.819 --> 00:33:27.720 And I want to encourage you to make a 00:33:27.720 --> 00:33:31.700 commitment that starting today, you're 00:33:31.700 --> 00:33:35.000 going to be more aware of the need to 00:33:35.000 --> 00:33:38.000 be an encourager to people you already 00:33:38.000 --> 00:33:39.740 know, you live with, you work with, you 00:33:39.740 --> 00:33:40.399 go to school with. 00:33:42.599 --> 00:33:45.759 Ask God to just give you the desire and 00:33:45.759 --> 00:33:50.099 show you how and when and where to do 00:33:50.099 --> 00:33:50.980 these kind of things. 00:33:50.980 --> 00:33:54.099 But I want to conclude that we have each 00:33:54.099 --> 00:33:55.500 of these messages on our words. 00:33:56.579 --> 00:33:58.640 Words matter more than a lot of people 00:33:58.640 --> 00:34:03.759 think because Jesus made it clear, made 00:34:03.759 --> 00:34:08.559 it perfectly clear in how he described 00:34:08.559 --> 00:34:10.900 words being used on judgment day. 00:34:11.679 --> 00:34:13.099 Look at it again. 00:34:14.000 --> 00:34:16.820 I tell you, Jesus said, on the day of 00:34:16.820 --> 00:34:19.619 judgment, people will give account for 00:34:19.619 --> 00:34:21.799 every careless word they speak. 00:34:22.500 --> 00:34:25.199 For by your words you will be justified. 00:34:26.079 --> 00:34:29.519 And by your words you will be condemned. 00:34:30.719 --> 00:34:31.699 Let's pray together. 00:34:33.079 --> 00:34:33.619 Dear God, 00:34:33.619 --> 00:34:44.299 Father, we are selfish people 00:34:44.300 --> 00:34:51.180 who naturally just look out for 00:34:51.180 --> 00:34:51.860 ourselves. 00:34:54.140 --> 00:34:56.019 But help us this morning, dear God, to 00:34:56.019 --> 00:35:01.220 be awakened to the fact that there are 00:35:01.220 --> 00:35:05.860 people right around us that we know and 00:35:05.860 --> 00:35:10.420 love who need for us to notice them, 00:35:10.420 --> 00:35:15.099 take an interest in them, see their needs, 00:35:16.619 --> 00:35:19.639 and act. 00:35:21.639 --> 00:35:30.340 Father, show us who we need today to speak 00:35:30.340 --> 00:35:32.280 some encouraging words to. 00:35:32.800 --> 00:35:34.539 Show us what kind of words. 00:35:34.539 --> 00:35:41.079 Help us to do it from a motivation of real 00:35:41.079 --> 00:35:43.900 love, care, concern. 00:35:44.900 --> 00:35:50.119 Help us to desire deeply to lift this 00:35:50.119 --> 00:35:51.920 person up. 00:35:51.920 --> 00:36:02.680 Lord, show us what's needed in addition to our 00:36:02.680 --> 00:36:03.200 words. 00:36:05.380 --> 00:36:08.000 Show us what needs to change there, not just 00:36:08.000 --> 00:36:10.900 one time, but the lifestyle change. 00:36:13.380 --> 00:36:14.500 Show us, dear God, 00:36:14.500 --> 00:36:24.360 how we need to speak and act in an 00:36:24.360 --> 00:36:26.800 encouraging way. 00:36:29.920 --> 00:36:31.300 Then an attitude of prayer. 00:36:31.860 --> 00:36:34.659 Let's listen to the Lord and respond to Him 00:36:34.659 --> 00:36:35.260 right now. 00:36:37.119 --> 00:36:38.840 Understand that if you're not a Christian, 00:36:38.840 --> 00:36:42.360 your greatest need is a relationship with 00:36:42.360 --> 00:36:44.920 Jesus Christ that comes through turning from 00:36:44.920 --> 00:36:47.220 your sin and trusting Him and Him alone for 00:36:47.220 --> 00:36:47.880 your salvation. 00:36:49.579 --> 00:36:54.200 Understand that it's by the grace of God that 00:36:54.200 --> 00:36:58.860 we can even speak encouraging words appropriately. 00:37:00.980 --> 00:37:06.860 So seek God's help, first of all in this.