WEBVTT

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 Morning. Thanks for your prayers. While Beth and I were on vacation, we had a restful time,

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 but it's good to be back with you all. Some of you are thinking, he was away on vacation? I

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 didn't even know. I was, and it was good. It was restful. Thanks for your prayers.

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 So this morning, as you'll notice from the sermon card in the pew, we are actually launching into

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 a new section of the book of Proverbs. And let me say just a couple words about that before we get

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 into our main topic this morning. Why don't you turn with me to Proverbs chapter 10? Proverbs

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 chapter 10. Let me just double check what page number that is in the Bible. That's page 533.

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 Proverbs chapter 10. This is where this new section of the book of Proverbs begins.

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 If you've been with us this summer for the past nine weeks, believe it or not, we've really been

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 dealing with introduction. And you think, oh my goodness, a nine-week introduction to the book of

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 Proverbs. When will it end? No, but the first nine chapters of the book of Proverbs are mostly,

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 as we've seen, what? They're poems in praise of wisdom. They are meant to sort of serve as an

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 introduction to stoke our desire to want to get wisdom and grow in wisdom and obtain wisdom. But now,

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 starting in chapter 10, we get to the body, we get to the meat of the book. We get to the actual

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 proverbs themselves, these short, memorable, little, powerful sayings that you have to slow down and

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 really ponder in order to let them sink in and do their work of making you wise. But if you were to

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 start reading at chapter 10, one of the things you'd notice is that these proverbs don't seem to be

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 arranged in any particular order. Chapter 10, verse 1, all the way through chapter 22, verse 16, for

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 example, is the first collection of these proverbs, which is from Solomon, we're told. But you know, as you

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 read along through this first collection, one proverb is about hard work and diligence, and then the next one

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 is about pride and humility, and then the next one is about how to treat the poor, and you jump from one

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 thing to the next, to the next, to the next, it can feel a bit like walking through a cocktail party

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 and getting a snippet of 15 conversations all about something different. And you think, what is going on

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 in this book? And then after you finish the collection from Solomon, you find that there are five more

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 collections pretty much all arranged in the same way. A grab bag of proverbs that seem to be arranged

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 almost at random. And again, that makes us ask, why is the book of proverbs put together this way?

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 Well, actually, I don't think it's a mistake. I don't think the scribes were just lazy and happened to just

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 sort of jumble them all together as quickly as they could. I don't think the Holy Spirit made a mistake when he

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 inspired the book of proverbs this way. I think on the one hand, the way that this book is put together is meant to make a

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 slow down. It's meant, you know, we're not meant to read a proverb the same way that we read a narrative.

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 You know, if you read a narrative, you can just sort of get caught up in the story and kind of flow along

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 with it. But you know, a proverb, you're supposed to ponder it. You're supposed to turn it over in your

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 mind and think it through in the details of your life. And so, the book of proverbs almost

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 constantly interrupts you. So, you can't just sort of go into cruise control as you read along.

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 It sort of interrupts

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 your flow so that you have to stop and be arrested and really think about what's being said.

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 But on the other hand, the fact that all these different proverbs and all these different topics are kind of

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 woven together and all jumbled together, I think is really teaching us a lesson about what it means to be truly wise.

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 In other words, it's showing us that wisdom is a whole life sort of thing.

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 All of the different virtues, all the different elements of character that make up the life of one who is truly wise,

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 things like honesty and humility and generosity and diligence and discretion.

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 Proverbs is saying to us they are all inseparable.

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 Yes, you might be honest, but if you're not also generous, then you're not really wise.

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 We can't think that just because we've mastered one theme in Proverbs that we've arrived.

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 No, they all go together.

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 We don't have an excuse to not grow in the other areas.

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 They form a whole life.

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 So, in reality, Proverbs presents us not with a random assortment, actually.

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 It's not a grab bag. It's not a jumble.

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 It's more like a tapestry.

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 And each of these threads is woven in and through and back and around with all the other threads

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 so that we never lose sight of the fact that there's a complete picture of wisdom.

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 There's a complete life of wisdom towards which God wants to take us.

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 More practically, so that we never forget in our humility to also be truthful, for example.

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 So that we never forget in our discretion to also be generous.

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 So that we never forget in our hard work to also be humble.

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 And you know, the beautiful thing is that in creating a life of wisdom in this way,

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 it's actually forging us more and more into the image of God.

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 One of the things that we know is that God's attributes, his characteristics, who God is,

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 they're never inseparable from one another.

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 Has anyone here been attending Mike Bell's Sunday School class?

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 Mike, are you here this morning?

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 He's here. Hey, Mike.

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 Mike, did you cover the simplicity of God in your Sunday School class?

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 He did.

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 Now that sounds like a strange attribute.

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 God is simple, but what does that mean?

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 It means that none of the attributes of God can be separated from any other.

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 That God is always one in who he is.

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 That in his holiness, he's always loving.

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 That in his truthfulness,

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 he is always jealous for his name.

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 That God is always perfectly consistent with who he is.

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 And that's the kind of people that God wants to make us to be so that we reflect his image.

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 Now, all this raises the question, of course, of how we should teach this section of Proverbs.

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 How should we go about listening and learning and instructing ourselves in this section of the book?

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 Now, of course, we could go chapter by chapter and we could hit each thread as it happens to come up every week.

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 Or we could take one topic and we could go across the chapters and we could gather up as much as we can about what Proverbs has to teach us on that particular theme.

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 Now, of course, there are pros and cons of each method, right?

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 Of course, the benefit of going along chapter by chapter, verse by verse,

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 is that we'd see again and again how the life of wisdom is a whole life sort of thing.

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 We'd see all the interconnections between all these different virtues.

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 And that'd be good.

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 But, you know, I think the reality is,

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 and as we the pastors have thought about how to teach this book,

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 I think the reality is, is that we'd end up sacrificing some depth if we took that method.

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 After all, if we had to talk about honesty and diligence and doing justice all in one sermon,

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 we'd only have time to scratch the surface, right?

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 So instead, this summer, we're going to move topically through these last chapters of Proverbs.

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 Each week, we're going to take up one important theme that Proverbs presents to us,

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 and we're going to try to go deep.

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 But we have to remember as we do so,

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 that all of these topics that we'll hit over the next couple of months aren't standalone topics.

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 Rather, they all unpack just one interconnected element of what a whole life of wisdom really looks like.

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 They all go together.

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 So that's where we're going to go.

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 That's where we're going from here on out in our Proverbs series.

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 And this morning, we're going to begin with a topic, with a theme,

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 about which Proverbs has more to say than almost anything else.

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 And it might come as a bit of a surprise what that topic is.

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 Think to yourself, what are the marks of someone who is really wise in your mind?

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 What are they particularly known for?

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 Is it how they manage their money?

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 Is it how they maybe exercise authority and power?

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 Is it how they make decisions?

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 Is that what makes them wise in your mind?

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 Is it how they cultivate their family or their friendships?

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 Now, Proverbs has a lot to say about all that, and we'll get there.

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 But more than all of those things, more than money, more than power,

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 more than decision-making, more than family and friendships,

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 Proverbs comes back again and again and again to your tongue,

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 to your words.

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 In fact, there are over 90 individual Proverbs that have to do with your speech.

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 Does that strike you as odd?

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 Of all the things that Proverbs could be so concerned about in making us wise,

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 why is it so concerned with our words?

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 Well, the first thing that Proverbs teaches us when it comes to our words is their power.

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 This is our first big point this morning, the power of our words.

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 Turn with me to Proverbs 18, 21.

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 If you turn to only one verse this morning,

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 and we're going to look at a lot of different verses,

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 just rest on this one.

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 Proverbs 18, 21.

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 Proverbs 18, 21 says this,

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 Death and life are in the power of the tongue,

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 and those who love it will eat its fruit.

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 You know, we can all remember being on the playground, can't we?

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 Chanting back and forth to one another,

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 sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.

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 How many people have said that at one point in your life, right?

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 To that nasty so-and-so who is always picking on you.

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 And yet we all know that at a very deep level,

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 that playground taunt couldn't be further from the truth.

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 Sticks and stones merely bruise us,

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 but words have the power to rip us up inside, don't they?

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 Or in the words of Proverbs,

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 death and life are in the power of the tongue.

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 One wise pastor I read recently made the observation that adultery,

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 although considered by most to be a very serious sin,

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 and it certainly is,

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 in his observation,

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 adultery rarely sends a whole church into meltdown among the members.

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 But then he goes on to say that gossip, however,

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 even though gossip is perceived by many to be just a small little sin,

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 in his experience, gossip has destroyed numerous churches.

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 Death and life are in the power of the tongue.

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 Now, why is that?

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 Why are words so powerful?

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 Well, on the one hand, words have the power to go deep.

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 Words don't just hit you, they go in you.

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 Proverbs 12, 18 says,

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 there is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts,

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 but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

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 Proverbs says,

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 words can be like the thrust of a sword striking to the very center of your being.

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 Or,

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 they can go down deep like a medicine,

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 healing you from the inside out.

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 After all, how many of us replay over and over words

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 or conversations that we've had with parents or friends

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 or loved ones that have wounded us

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 or shaped us in some way and we can't seem to shake it?

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 I recently saw Cars 3 in the movie theater

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 with my six-year-old son, Jack.

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 Spoiler alert, by the way.

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 I saw Cars 3 in the movie theater

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 and one of the main storylines is just that.

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 One of the cars,

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 Cruz Ramirez,

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 the yellow, I think it's a Porsche,

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 I don't know.

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 I'm not a car guy.

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 Anyway, she's been told again and again and again

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 that she isn't cut out to be a racer.

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 Dream small or not at all

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 is what her parents told her.

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 You don't have what it takes.

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 And that word has gone so deep

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 that it shapes her whole vision of life.

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 And of course, you guessed it,

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 by the end of the movie,

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 she ends up being a racer.

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 Hooray!

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 She overcomes.

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 But,

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 it takes the whole movie

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 for her to realize that.

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 And it takes a lot of people around her

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 to reprogram her

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 to actually think that she can do it.

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 That's a silly example, I know.

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 But more seriously,

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 how many of us are still trying to outlive

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 the damaging sword thrusts of words

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 from our past?

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 But on the flip side,

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 don't we also know the healing power of words?

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 The power of encouragement

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 or the power of truthful affirmation.

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 Even the healing power of timely correction.

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 And we'll get into that next week.

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 Matt's going to pick up that whole theme in Proverbs.

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 Words have the power to go deep

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 and heal those places

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 where nothing else can reach.

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 So, words are powerful because they go deep.

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 But words are also powerful,

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 according to Proverbs,

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 because they spread wide.

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 Proverbs 16, 27 says,

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 A worthless man plots evil

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 and his speech is like a scorching fire.

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 His speech is like a scorching fire.

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 What does fire do naturally?

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 What is it in the nature of fire to do?

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 It spreads, right?

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 It doesn't stay contained.

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 It goes wide.

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 And think about that.

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 Think about how quickly a rumor

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 can spread through a high school

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 or a neighborhood or a church.

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 It's almost effortless

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 how quickly it can happen.

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 Like fire consuming the dry grass.

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 It moves from person to person

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 without anything to stop it.

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 But again, the flip side is also true.

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 Proverbs 10, 11 says,

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 The mouth of a righteous man

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 is a fountain of life.

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 And in 15, 4, we're told,

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 A gentle tongue is a tree of life.

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 Like a fountain flowing with water,

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 rushing out for all to drink.

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 Like a tree spreading its branches

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 for all to find shade from the hot sun.

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 Words have the power to spread wide for good.

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 And don't we see that in the book of Acts,

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 for example?

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 Isn't one of the exciting things

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 about the book of Acts

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 that the word of the gospel,

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 the good news,

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 the good news about Jesus' life

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 and death and resurrections

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 just can't help but spread and grow.

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 And in its wake,

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 it leaves joy and peace

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 like a fountain,

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 like a tree of life.

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 Words are powerful

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 because they go deep

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 and they spread wide.

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 But you know,

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 the biggest reason why words are so powerful

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 is ultimately theological.

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 God, we see from the very opening chapter

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 of the Bible

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 is a speaking God.

00:16:28.059 --> 00:16:30.679
 God's words are powerful.

00:16:32.379 --> 00:16:34.039
 He speaks and what happens?

00:16:34.299 --> 00:16:36.120
 Worlds jump into existence

00:16:36.120 --> 00:16:36.820
 out of nothing.

00:16:38.059 --> 00:16:39.379
 His words are creative words,

00:16:39.460 --> 00:16:41.899
 but his words are also covenantal words.

00:16:42.639 --> 00:16:45.600
 They're words that make not just worlds and planets,

00:16:45.740 --> 00:16:47.940
 but they're words that forge relationships

00:16:47.940 --> 00:16:49.300
 and make promises.

00:16:49.820 --> 00:16:52.200
 They're words that project a future, a hope.

00:16:52.520 --> 00:16:54.540
 They're words that keep and hold.

00:16:56.120 --> 00:16:56.780
 And as humans,

00:16:56.940 --> 00:16:59.340
 we're made in the image of this speaking God.

00:17:00.660 --> 00:17:01.920
 And so our words,

00:17:02.020 --> 00:17:03.560
 in their own creaturely way,

00:17:03.680 --> 00:17:06.820
 also have a kind of derivative power.

00:17:09.700 --> 00:17:10.380
 Of course,

00:17:10.440 --> 00:17:13.880
 not to literally create worlds from nothing,

00:17:15.779 --> 00:17:16.799
 but still,

00:17:16.799 --> 00:17:18.779
 very powerful.

00:17:20.359 --> 00:17:21.680
 They bear the mark.

00:17:21.740 --> 00:17:23.200
 Our words bear the mark

00:17:23.200 --> 00:17:24.700
 of the God

00:17:24.700 --> 00:17:26.639
 in whose image we are made.

00:17:28.519 --> 00:17:29.119
 You see, friends,

00:17:29.200 --> 00:17:30.059
 to speak

00:17:30.059 --> 00:17:32.759
 is to participate

00:17:32.759 --> 00:17:35.680
 in the image of the speaking God.

00:17:38.559 --> 00:17:39.480
 I read this week

00:17:39.480 --> 00:17:41.019
 that the average American speaks

00:17:41.019 --> 00:17:43.019
 about 700 times per day.

00:17:44.599 --> 00:17:45.659
 700 times!

00:17:46.799 --> 00:17:49.119
 I'm not sure how they managed to count all those,

00:17:49.399 --> 00:17:50.500
 but there you go.

00:17:50.599 --> 00:17:51.819
 Maybe they had someone following around

00:17:51.819 --> 00:17:52.339
 with a clicker.

00:17:52.960 --> 00:17:53.379
 700!

00:17:54.200 --> 00:17:56.220
 That's not even counting all your Facebook posts.

00:17:56.440 --> 00:17:57.859
 700 times a day.

00:18:00.139 --> 00:18:02.639
 700 small reminders

00:18:02.639 --> 00:18:04.159
 that we are made

00:18:04.159 --> 00:18:06.359
 in the image of the God who speaks

00:18:06.359 --> 00:18:09.479
 and that we have been entrusted

00:18:09.479 --> 00:18:12.979
 with one of the most powerful realities

00:18:12.979 --> 00:18:14.459
 in the universe.

00:18:14.939 --> 00:18:19.299
 One of the things that characterizes God himself,

00:18:19.719 --> 00:18:21.759
 the power of words.

00:18:21.759 --> 00:18:28.339
 And if words are so powerful,

00:18:28.480 --> 00:18:30.180
 if ultimately they are part of what it means

00:18:30.180 --> 00:18:32.240
 to bear God's image in the world,

00:18:33.519 --> 00:18:34.279
 then of course,

00:18:34.359 --> 00:18:36.319
 we should pay very close attention

00:18:36.319 --> 00:18:38.460
 to how we use our words.

00:18:40.140 --> 00:18:41.079
 Death and life

00:18:41.079 --> 00:18:43.339
 are in the power of the tongue.

00:18:43.339 --> 00:18:45.359
 So first then,

00:18:45.439 --> 00:18:46.720
 we've seen how words are powerful,

00:18:47.319 --> 00:18:49.039
 but Proverbs is also going to describe

00:18:49.039 --> 00:18:50.099
 in more detail

00:18:50.099 --> 00:18:52.720
 what this death and life look like

00:18:52.720 --> 00:18:53.699
 when it comes to our words.

00:18:53.959 --> 00:18:54.539
 In other words,

00:18:54.779 --> 00:18:56.859
 how can our words be used to bring about death

00:18:56.859 --> 00:18:58.859
 and how can they be used to bring about life?

00:18:58.939 --> 00:19:00.859
 What do foolish and wise speech

00:19:00.859 --> 00:19:02.220
 actually look like?

00:19:03.539 --> 00:19:05.039
 Now let's take the negative first.

00:19:05.159 --> 00:19:07.039
 What characterizes foolish words

00:19:07.039 --> 00:19:07.899
 that lead to death?

00:19:08.079 --> 00:19:10.779
 What do we need to be on our guard against

00:19:10.779 --> 00:19:13.399
 as this book teaches us how to be wise?

00:19:14.460 --> 00:19:16.039
 Well, as we look across these chapters,

00:19:16.160 --> 00:19:17.720
 we see that there are three big areas

00:19:17.720 --> 00:19:19.839
 that Proverbs highlights.

00:19:21.319 --> 00:19:23.779
 Three big ways in which our speech

00:19:23.779 --> 00:19:25.440
 leads to death.

00:19:27.200 --> 00:19:28.420
 The first is lying.

00:19:30.420 --> 00:19:32.680
 Proverbs 12, 22 puts it

00:19:32.680 --> 00:19:34.779
 probably as starkly as you can.

00:19:35.899 --> 00:19:38.319
 Lying lips, it says,

00:19:38.819 --> 00:19:40.279
 are an abomination.

00:19:40.779 --> 00:19:41.319
 To the Lord.

00:19:42.259 --> 00:19:43.680
 But those who act faithfully

00:19:43.680 --> 00:19:44.859
 are His delight.

00:19:47.139 --> 00:19:49.119
 It's easy to think that lying is no big deal.

00:19:49.920 --> 00:19:51.859
 After all, that's how the world works, right?

00:19:53.180 --> 00:19:54.220
 Sometimes you have to lie

00:19:54.220 --> 00:19:56.279
 or bend the truth to get things done.

00:19:58.559 --> 00:20:00.460
 But that's not how God sees it, friends.

00:20:03.079 --> 00:20:05.279
 God is a truth-speaking God.

00:20:05.440 --> 00:20:08.619
 What He says always matches reality.

00:20:08.740 --> 00:20:10.099
 What God says is reality.

00:20:10.099 --> 00:20:12.899
 And so to misrepresent reality with our words,

00:20:12.980 --> 00:20:14.799
 to lie, to bear false witness,

00:20:15.039 --> 00:20:16.719
 is ultimately kicking against

00:20:16.719 --> 00:20:18.339
 the very grain of the universe.

00:20:19.679 --> 00:20:21.299
 Pastor Matt talked about this a couple weeks ago

00:20:21.299 --> 00:20:22.659
 when we looked at Proverbs chapter 8.

00:20:23.099 --> 00:20:25.500
 Wisdom is the very groove and grain

00:20:25.500 --> 00:20:26.679
 of the created order.

00:20:30.000 --> 00:20:32.059
 That's why we read in Proverbs 12, 19,

00:20:32.199 --> 00:20:33.579
 truthful lips endure forever,

00:20:33.579 --> 00:20:36.980
 but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

00:20:39.059 --> 00:20:42.039
 Lying is ultimately self-defeating.

00:20:44.579 --> 00:20:46.699
 It destroys relationships

00:20:46.699 --> 00:20:49.119
 by eroding the trust and sincerity

00:20:49.119 --> 00:20:50.379
 that real relationships need.

00:20:50.740 --> 00:20:51.599
 And so it ultimately

00:20:51.599 --> 00:20:54.419
 undoes the liar themselves.

00:20:55.240 --> 00:20:56.939
 It undoes any hope that they have

00:20:56.939 --> 00:20:59.659
 for trust and sincerity and intimacy.

00:20:59.660 --> 00:21:03.440
 And so Proverbs is saying that lying

00:21:03.440 --> 00:21:04.720
 puts you at odds with God,

00:21:04.960 --> 00:21:05.700
 with the world,

00:21:05.920 --> 00:21:06.880
 even with yourself.

00:21:07.259 --> 00:21:09.120
 It's foolish in the extreme,

00:21:09.400 --> 00:21:12.300
 no matter what the short-term payoff might be.

00:21:16.519 --> 00:21:17.620
 But in addition to lying,

00:21:17.759 --> 00:21:19.060
 Proverbs also points to gossip

00:21:19.060 --> 00:21:21.160
 as another prime example of foolish speech.

00:21:21.279 --> 00:21:22.360
 Proverbs 16, 28 says,

00:21:22.359 --> 00:21:24.839
 A dishonest man spreads strife

00:21:24.839 --> 00:21:25.659
 and a whisperer,

00:21:25.719 --> 00:21:26.939
 that's another word for a gossip.

00:21:27.559 --> 00:21:28.799
 A whisperer, a gossip,

00:21:29.000 --> 00:21:30.919
 separates close friends.

00:21:32.599 --> 00:21:33.519
 What is gossiping?

00:21:33.559 --> 00:21:34.159
 Gossiping, of course,

00:21:34.199 --> 00:21:35.059
 is spreading information

00:21:35.059 --> 00:21:36.059
 behind people's back,

00:21:36.159 --> 00:21:36.879
 not to help them,

00:21:36.939 --> 00:21:38.879
 but rather to damage their reputations.

00:21:39.899 --> 00:21:40.819
 And unlike lying,

00:21:41.059 --> 00:21:42.119
 the information in gossip

00:21:42.119 --> 00:21:43.240
 might actually be true.

00:21:43.659 --> 00:21:45.099
 You might actually be saying something

00:21:45.099 --> 00:21:46.939
 that's quite in line with reality.

00:21:47.959 --> 00:21:48.959
 But it's the intention

00:21:48.959 --> 00:21:50.619
 and the timing of the gossip

00:21:50.619 --> 00:21:51.559
 that makes it destructive.

00:21:51.559 --> 00:21:52.700
 And if we're honest,

00:21:53.599 --> 00:21:56.619
 we love gossip, don't we?

00:21:58.779 --> 00:21:59.679
 Come on.

00:21:59.960 --> 00:22:01.599
 A little dirt on somebody else?

00:22:02.759 --> 00:22:03.799
 Controversy, scandal,

00:22:03.940 --> 00:22:04.940
 the salacious details?

00:22:06.440 --> 00:22:07.019
 I mean, come on.

00:22:07.159 --> 00:22:09.159
 How many magazines at Target

00:22:09.159 --> 00:22:11.440
 are just full, basically, of gossip?

00:22:12.599 --> 00:22:13.940
 Some of it might be true.

00:22:15.000 --> 00:22:16.019
 I guess it's not technically

00:22:16.019 --> 00:22:17.319
 behind those people's backs

00:22:17.319 --> 00:22:18.299
 because it's blazing

00:22:18.299 --> 00:22:19.879
 across the front page of a magazine.

00:22:19.880 --> 00:22:21.360
 But I'm pretty sure

00:22:21.360 --> 00:22:22.360
 they weren't in agreement

00:22:22.360 --> 00:22:23.920
 when those publications

00:22:23.920 --> 00:22:24.700
 went to press.

00:22:28.000 --> 00:22:29.000
 Proverbs puts it this way

00:22:29.000 --> 00:22:30.520
 in chapter 18, verse 8.

00:22:30.740 --> 00:22:31.840
 The words of a whisperer,

00:22:31.860 --> 00:22:32.720
 the words of a gossip,

00:22:33.120 --> 00:22:34.820
 are like delicious morsels.

00:22:35.400 --> 00:22:36.280
 They go down

00:22:36.280 --> 00:22:37.820
 into the inner parts of the body.

00:22:39.580 --> 00:22:40.160
 In other words,

00:22:41.620 --> 00:22:42.220
 Proverbs is saying

00:22:42.220 --> 00:22:43.420
 gossip is dangerous

00:22:43.420 --> 00:22:44.720
 because we love

00:22:44.720 --> 00:22:46.000
 to just gobble it up.

00:22:46.000 --> 00:22:49.619
 But it's ultimately saying

00:22:49.619 --> 00:22:52.119
 that we are what we eat.

00:22:54.019 --> 00:22:55.200
 Listening to gossip,

00:22:55.539 --> 00:22:56.420
 gobbling it up,

00:22:56.559 --> 00:22:57.460
 will go down

00:22:57.460 --> 00:22:58.359
 into the inner parts

00:22:58.359 --> 00:22:58.980
 of your body

00:22:58.980 --> 00:22:59.980
 and turn you

00:22:59.980 --> 00:23:01.119
 into a gossip yourself.

00:23:04.200 --> 00:23:05.319
 In fact, Proverbs

00:23:05.319 --> 00:23:06.240
 time and time again

00:23:06.240 --> 00:23:07.480
 holds us responsible

00:23:07.480 --> 00:23:08.640
 not just for speaking

00:23:08.640 --> 00:23:09.400
 foolish words,

00:23:09.539 --> 00:23:10.660
 but also for listening

00:23:10.660 --> 00:23:11.579
 to foolish words.

00:23:13.039 --> 00:23:14.079
 Proverbs 17, verse 4 says,

00:23:14.079 --> 00:23:15.960
 an evildoer listens

00:23:15.960 --> 00:23:17.359
 to wicked lips.

00:23:17.519 --> 00:23:18.500
 A liar gives ear

00:23:18.500 --> 00:23:19.899
 to a mischievous tongue.

00:23:23.419 --> 00:23:24.339
 I read somewhere

00:23:24.339 --> 00:23:25.439
 that it takes two people

00:23:25.439 --> 00:23:26.659
 to destroy a church.

00:23:27.559 --> 00:23:28.639
 Someone who gossips

00:23:28.639 --> 00:23:30.359
 and someone who listens.

00:23:34.139 --> 00:23:35.019
 Rather than listen

00:23:35.019 --> 00:23:35.879
 to gossip or lies,

00:23:35.960 --> 00:23:36.819
 the right response

00:23:36.819 --> 00:23:38.059
 is to say,

00:23:38.639 --> 00:23:39.799
 you know what,

00:23:39.819 --> 00:23:40.399
 I don't want to talk

00:23:40.399 --> 00:23:41.059
 about that person

00:23:41.059 --> 00:23:42.059
 without them being here.

00:23:42.059 --> 00:23:44.099
 Why don't we go get them

00:23:44.099 --> 00:23:45.599
 and continue this conversation

00:23:45.599 --> 00:23:46.240
 or why don't we just

00:23:46.240 --> 00:23:46.940
 change the subject?

00:23:49.359 --> 00:23:50.379
 How easy is that?

00:23:51.859 --> 00:23:53.099
 You just saved a church.

00:23:53.259 --> 00:23:54.240
 You just saved a relationship.

00:23:54.419 --> 00:23:55.359
 You just saved a reputation

00:23:55.359 --> 00:23:56.139
 by saying those

00:23:56.139 --> 00:23:57.179
 two simple sentences.

00:24:01.619 --> 00:24:02.399
 There's a third way

00:24:02.399 --> 00:24:03.220
 that Proverbs depicts

00:24:03.220 --> 00:24:03.879
 foolish words.

00:24:04.399 --> 00:24:05.179
 It's not just lying.

00:24:05.419 --> 00:24:06.099
 It's not just gossip

00:24:06.099 --> 00:24:06.879
 that brings death.

00:24:07.740 --> 00:24:08.419
 Those are kind of easy

00:24:08.419 --> 00:24:09.200
 to spot, aren't they?

00:24:09.220 --> 00:24:09.859
 We sort of know

00:24:09.859 --> 00:24:10.639
 going in that like,

00:24:10.720 --> 00:24:11.559
 yeah, lying and gossip,

00:24:11.559 --> 00:24:12.259
 but those are pretty bad.

00:24:12.299 --> 00:24:13.119
 We just stay away from those.

00:24:14.099 --> 00:24:14.940
 But Proverbs highlights

00:24:14.940 --> 00:24:15.539
 another one.

00:24:16.879 --> 00:24:17.659
 Careless words.

00:24:19.759 --> 00:24:20.519
 We already looked

00:24:20.519 --> 00:24:21.679
 at Proverbs 12, 18,

00:24:21.919 --> 00:24:22.940
 but listen to it again.

00:24:24.019 --> 00:24:24.720
 There is one

00:24:24.720 --> 00:24:26.519
 whose rash words

00:24:26.519 --> 00:24:28.559
 are like sword thrusts.

00:24:29.919 --> 00:24:30.879
 Rash words,

00:24:31.379 --> 00:24:32.159
 reckless words,

00:24:32.299 --> 00:24:33.240
 unthinking words,

00:24:33.279 --> 00:24:33.919
 just saying whatever

00:24:33.919 --> 00:24:34.639
 comes to mind

00:24:34.639 --> 00:24:35.179
 in the moment.

00:24:35.899 --> 00:24:37.099
 That can be just

00:24:37.099 --> 00:24:38.220
 as damaging,

00:24:38.440 --> 00:24:39.759
 just as death-dealing

00:24:39.759 --> 00:24:40.799
 as lying and gossip.

00:24:41.559 --> 00:24:42.339
 Even if it's not

00:24:42.339 --> 00:24:43.179
 intentionally meant

00:24:43.179 --> 00:24:43.779
 to be so.

00:24:45.379 --> 00:24:46.759
 That's how powerful

00:24:46.759 --> 00:24:47.839
 our words are.

00:24:50.559 --> 00:24:51.139
 So friends,

00:24:51.200 --> 00:24:51.519
 I wonder,

00:24:51.619 --> 00:24:52.159
 as you think about

00:24:52.159 --> 00:24:53.259
 these categories

00:24:53.259 --> 00:24:54.399
 of foolish words,

00:24:55.200 --> 00:24:56.240
 do you see any of it

00:24:56.240 --> 00:24:56.779
 in your life?

00:24:58.700 --> 00:24:59.960
 Are you bending the truth

00:24:59.960 --> 00:25:00.919
 to cover things up,

00:25:01.579 --> 00:25:02.539
 to get your own way,

00:25:02.619 --> 00:25:03.599
 or to get people's approval?

00:25:03.599 --> 00:25:06.679
 Are you prone to speak

00:25:06.679 --> 00:25:07.240
 about others

00:25:07.240 --> 00:25:08.119
 when they're not around,

00:25:09.079 --> 00:25:10.299
 maybe telling yourself

00:25:10.299 --> 00:25:11.079
 that you're doing so

00:25:11.079 --> 00:25:11.719
 because you're really

00:25:11.719 --> 00:25:12.699
 concerned about the person

00:25:12.699 --> 00:25:13.539
 and want to help them,

00:25:13.639 --> 00:25:14.799
 but deep down,

00:25:14.919 --> 00:25:16.719
 you're just sharing the dirt

00:25:16.719 --> 00:25:18.179
 that you have about others?

00:25:20.759 --> 00:25:21.539
 Or do you find

00:25:21.539 --> 00:25:22.359
 that you're rash?

00:25:24.719 --> 00:25:25.619
 Do you find yourself

00:25:25.619 --> 00:25:26.699
 saying things often

00:25:26.699 --> 00:25:27.879
 without thinking first?

00:25:27.880 --> 00:25:30.440
 Now, of course,

00:25:30.480 --> 00:25:31.140
 we all put our foot

00:25:31.140 --> 00:25:32.260
 in our mouths at times.

00:25:32.580 --> 00:25:33.760
 Golly, I've done it.

00:25:34.160 --> 00:25:35.120
 I have to talk a lot

00:25:35.120 --> 00:25:35.820
 as a pastor,

00:25:36.020 --> 00:25:36.700
 so, you know,

00:25:36.800 --> 00:25:37.580
 sometimes my foot

00:25:37.580 --> 00:25:38.440
 has ended up in my mouth

00:25:38.440 --> 00:25:39.120
 many times.

00:25:40.800 --> 00:25:41.520
 And some of us

00:25:41.520 --> 00:25:42.300
 struggle more than others

00:25:42.300 --> 00:25:43.020
 with impulsivity.

00:25:43.100 --> 00:25:43.460
 I get it.

00:25:43.480 --> 00:25:44.340
 But at the same time,

00:25:44.440 --> 00:25:44.760
 friends,

00:25:45.600 --> 00:25:46.900
 being unfiltered

00:25:46.900 --> 00:25:49.180
 is not a virtue.

00:25:53.640 --> 00:25:54.600
 Just because you're

00:25:54.600 --> 00:25:55.440
 slandering someone

00:25:55.440 --> 00:25:56.300
 on social media

00:25:56.300 --> 00:25:57.400
 doesn't make it

00:25:57.400 --> 00:25:58.660
 any less slander.

00:26:02.440 --> 00:26:03.340
 Again and again,

00:26:03.480 --> 00:26:04.280
 Proverbs tells us

00:26:04.280 --> 00:26:04.880
 that these sort of

00:26:04.880 --> 00:26:05.680
 speech habits,

00:26:05.940 --> 00:26:07.220
 they corrode relationships,

00:26:07.780 --> 00:26:08.920
 they fracture communities,

00:26:09.040 --> 00:26:09.720
 and ultimately,

00:26:10.080 --> 00:26:10.960
 they bring death.

00:26:14.519 --> 00:26:15.640
 So what's the alternative?

00:26:15.640 --> 00:26:17.620
 If those are the kinds

00:26:17.620 --> 00:26:18.440
 of speech that we need

00:26:18.440 --> 00:26:19.040
 to confess,

00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.940
 repent of,

00:26:20.180 --> 00:26:20.600
 avoid,

00:26:20.940 --> 00:26:21.820
 help one another

00:26:21.820 --> 00:26:23.180
 to root out of our lives,

00:26:23.220 --> 00:26:23.880
 what sort of speech

00:26:23.880 --> 00:26:24.660
 should we pursue

00:26:24.660 --> 00:26:25.180
 and cultivate?

00:26:25.700 --> 00:26:26.759
 What characterizes

00:26:26.759 --> 00:26:27.640
 wise words,

00:26:27.720 --> 00:26:28.759
 words that lead to life?

00:26:30.960 --> 00:26:31.440
 And there are

00:26:31.440 --> 00:26:32.680
 four distinguishing marks

00:26:32.680 --> 00:26:34.000
 of life-giving words

00:26:34.000 --> 00:26:34.480
 in Proverbs.

00:26:34.580 --> 00:26:35.100
 Derek Kidner

00:26:35.100 --> 00:26:36.320
 actually points these out

00:26:36.320 --> 00:26:37.320
 in his very excellent

00:26:37.320 --> 00:26:38.160
 short commentary

00:26:38.160 --> 00:26:38.800
 on Proverbs.

00:26:39.140 --> 00:26:40.420
 Here are the four things

00:26:40.420 --> 00:26:41.660
 that wise,

00:26:41.820 --> 00:26:42.720
 life-giving words

00:26:42.720 --> 00:26:43.259
 look like.

00:26:43.380 --> 00:26:43.820
 First,

00:26:44.380 --> 00:26:45.080
 they're honest.

00:26:45.640 --> 00:26:47.460
 Listen,

00:26:48.460 --> 00:26:49.340
 truthful lips

00:26:49.340 --> 00:26:50.340
 endure forever,

00:26:50.460 --> 00:26:51.040
 1219.

00:26:51.960 --> 00:26:52.700
 The righteous

00:26:52.700 --> 00:26:53.960
 hates falsehood,

00:26:54.080 --> 00:26:54.880
 13.5.

00:26:55.300 --> 00:26:56.660
 A faithful witness

00:26:56.660 --> 00:26:57.560
 does not lie,

00:26:57.680 --> 00:26:58.420
 14.5.

00:26:58.620 --> 00:26:59.800
 A truthful witness

00:26:59.800 --> 00:27:00.620
 saves lives,

00:27:00.740 --> 00:27:01.280
 14.25.

00:27:01.360 --> 00:27:01.720
 You don't have to

00:27:01.720 --> 00:27:02.320
 write all those down,

00:27:02.400 --> 00:27:03.040
 but just listen

00:27:03.040 --> 00:27:04.200
 as they roll over.

00:27:05.240 --> 00:27:06.080
 Righteous lips,

00:27:06.160 --> 00:27:06.380
 that is,

00:27:06.740 --> 00:27:07.780
 words that speak

00:27:07.780 --> 00:27:08.580
 what's straight,

00:27:08.700 --> 00:27:09.300
 what's right,

00:27:09.480 --> 00:27:09.840
 honest,

00:27:09.960 --> 00:27:10.300
 integrity.

00:27:11.259 --> 00:27:12.380
 Those kinds of words

00:27:12.380 --> 00:27:13.080
 are the delight

00:27:13.080 --> 00:27:13.680
 of the king,

00:27:13.680 --> 00:27:14.700
 and he loves him

00:27:14.700 --> 00:27:15.259
 who speaks

00:27:15.259 --> 00:27:15.900
 what is right.

00:27:18.340 --> 00:27:19.620
 The wise are those

00:27:19.620 --> 00:27:21.259
 whose words reflect reality.

00:27:21.380 --> 00:27:22.560
 They're true and honest.

00:27:23.660 --> 00:27:24.039
 But,

00:27:24.279 --> 00:27:26.100
 that doesn't mean

00:27:26.100 --> 00:27:27.360
 that the wise

00:27:27.360 --> 00:27:29.039
 will always have to be

00:27:29.039 --> 00:27:29.660
 saying something.

00:27:29.759 --> 00:27:30.220
 Have you ever been around

00:27:30.220 --> 00:27:30.880
 someone like that?

00:27:31.580 --> 00:27:32.860
 I just need to say this

00:27:32.860 --> 00:27:33.500
 because it's true.

00:27:34.960 --> 00:27:35.279
 Well,

00:27:35.340 --> 00:27:35.960
 the next mark

00:27:35.960 --> 00:27:36.660
 of wise words,

00:27:36.740 --> 00:27:37.440
 according to Proverbs,

00:27:37.560 --> 00:27:38.799
 is that there'll be few.

00:27:38.799 --> 00:27:40.399
 And this point

00:27:40.399 --> 00:27:41.299
 is made with irony

00:27:41.299 --> 00:27:42.899
 in 1728.

00:27:43.659 --> 00:27:44.240
 Maybe you've heard

00:27:44.240 --> 00:27:45.079
 this proverb before.

00:27:45.180 --> 00:27:46.059
 It's a bit of a popular one.

00:27:46.200 --> 00:27:47.079
 Even a fool

00:27:47.079 --> 00:27:48.099
 who keeps silent

00:27:48.099 --> 00:27:49.339
 is considered wise.

00:27:49.879 --> 00:27:51.359
 When he closes his lips,

00:27:51.440 --> 00:27:52.460
 he's deemed intelligent.

00:27:52.599 --> 00:27:53.059
 There you go.

00:27:53.180 --> 00:27:53.779
 Do you want other people

00:27:53.779 --> 00:27:54.460
 to think you're wise?

00:27:54.799 --> 00:27:56.099
 Stop talking.

00:28:00.559 --> 00:28:01.460
 But what Proverbs

00:28:01.460 --> 00:28:01.960
 sort of says

00:28:01.960 --> 00:28:03.240
 with humor and irony there,

00:28:03.579 --> 00:28:04.139
 it gives a lot

00:28:04.139 --> 00:28:05.319
 of positive examples too.

00:28:05.319 --> 00:28:07.159
 When words are many,

00:28:07.639 --> 00:28:08.740
 transgression is not lacking.

00:28:08.939 --> 00:28:09.220
 But,

00:28:09.619 --> 00:28:11.419
 whoever restrains his lips

00:28:11.419 --> 00:28:12.119
 is prudent.

00:28:12.879 --> 00:28:13.659
 That's 1019.

00:28:14.359 --> 00:28:15.939
 Whoever guards his mouth

00:28:15.939 --> 00:28:17.259
 preserves his life.

00:28:17.439 --> 00:28:18.740
 He who opens wide his lips

00:28:18.740 --> 00:28:19.379
 comes to ruin.

00:28:19.460 --> 00:28:20.240
 That's 133.

00:28:21.099 --> 00:28:22.659
 Whoever keeps his mouth

00:28:22.659 --> 00:28:23.399
 and his tongue

00:28:23.399 --> 00:28:25.079
 keeps himself out of trouble.

00:28:25.159 --> 00:28:26.019
 21-23.

00:28:27.019 --> 00:28:27.399
 So, you see,

00:28:27.480 --> 00:28:28.299
 the wise person

00:28:28.299 --> 00:28:29.240
 knows when to speak

00:28:29.240 --> 00:28:30.919
 and when to remain silent.

00:28:32.220 --> 00:28:33.799
 And the wise person

00:28:33.799 --> 00:28:34.899
 also knows that

00:28:34.900 --> 00:28:36.180
 few words

00:28:36.180 --> 00:28:37.660
 will often have

00:28:37.660 --> 00:28:38.380
 more power

00:28:38.380 --> 00:28:39.500
 than lots and lots

00:28:39.500 --> 00:28:40.620
 of mere talk.

00:28:43.820 --> 00:28:44.820
 So, they're honest.

00:28:45.040 --> 00:28:45.540
 They're few.

00:28:45.660 --> 00:28:46.280
 The third mark

00:28:46.280 --> 00:28:47.060
 is that wise words

00:28:47.060 --> 00:28:47.860
 will be calm.

00:28:50.480 --> 00:28:51.740
 17-27 reads,

00:28:51.820 --> 00:28:52.640
 whoever restrains

00:28:52.640 --> 00:28:53.100
 his words

00:28:53.100 --> 00:28:53.820
 has knowledge

00:28:53.820 --> 00:28:54.920
 and he who has

00:28:54.920 --> 00:28:56.600
 a cool spirit

00:28:56.600 --> 00:28:58.340
 is a man of understanding.

00:28:59.820 --> 00:29:00.880
 Now, we'll get into this

00:29:00.880 --> 00:29:01.420
 in more detail

00:29:01.420 --> 00:29:01.960
 in a few weeks

00:29:01.960 --> 00:29:02.640
 when we talk about

00:29:02.640 --> 00:29:03.480
 the theme of anger

00:29:03.480 --> 00:29:04.060
 in Proverbs.

00:29:04.059 --> 00:29:04.519
 We're going to spend

00:29:04.519 --> 00:29:05.779
 a whole chapter

00:29:05.779 --> 00:29:06.859
 looking at how Proverbs

00:29:06.859 --> 00:29:07.720
 deals with a really

00:29:07.720 --> 00:29:08.679
 important issue of anger

00:29:08.679 --> 00:29:09.299
 because it has a lot

00:29:09.299 --> 00:29:10.139
 to say about that.

00:29:10.419 --> 00:29:11.179
 But for now,

00:29:11.440 --> 00:29:12.419
 this picture that we have

00:29:12.419 --> 00:29:13.480
 of wise speech,

00:29:14.079 --> 00:29:15.259
 of someone whose life,

00:29:15.539 --> 00:29:16.879
 whose words give life,

00:29:17.259 --> 00:29:18.500
 isn't speech that's ready

00:29:18.500 --> 00:29:19.480
 to just erupt

00:29:19.480 --> 00:29:20.279
 at any moment.

00:29:21.039 --> 00:29:21.679
 It doesn't come

00:29:21.679 --> 00:29:22.740
 gushing forth

00:29:22.740 --> 00:29:23.619
 with frustration

00:29:23.619 --> 00:29:24.379
 or anger.

00:29:26.440 --> 00:29:27.619
 It's quick to listen.

00:29:28.019 --> 00:29:28.859
 It's slow to speak.

00:29:28.960 --> 00:29:30.200
 It's slow to become angry.

00:29:30.200 --> 00:29:31.900
 as the epistle

00:29:31.900 --> 00:29:32.660
 of James will say.

00:29:32.759 --> 00:29:33.980
 It weighs its words.

00:29:34.299 --> 00:29:35.120
 It speaks directly.

00:29:35.259 --> 00:29:36.000
 It speaks honestly,

00:29:36.160 --> 00:29:37.700
 but it speaks gently.

00:29:40.500 --> 00:29:41.580
 Fourth and last mark

00:29:41.580 --> 00:29:44.000
 of life-giving words

00:29:44.000 --> 00:29:46.779
 is that they'll be apt.

00:29:47.660 --> 00:29:49.019
 A-P-T, apt.

00:29:49.220 --> 00:29:50.340
 They'll be fitting words.

00:29:50.339 --> 00:29:54.359
 25.11 says,

00:29:54.519 --> 00:29:56.359
 A word fitly spoken

00:29:56.359 --> 00:29:58.899
 is like apples of gold

00:29:58.899 --> 00:30:00.439
 in a setting of silver.

00:30:02.639 --> 00:30:03.779
 15.23,

00:30:04.019 --> 00:30:06.379
 To make an apt answer

00:30:06.379 --> 00:30:09.199
 is a joy to a man

00:30:09.199 --> 00:30:11.299
 and a word in season

00:30:11.299 --> 00:30:13.019
 how good it is.

00:30:15.879 --> 00:30:17.359
 So words that give life

00:30:17.359 --> 00:30:18.139
 isn't just about

00:30:18.139 --> 00:30:19.579
 saying something right.

00:30:20.339 --> 00:30:22.679
 But also in the right way

00:30:22.679 --> 00:30:24.079
 and at the right time.

00:30:26.859 --> 00:30:27.819
 Proverbs 27.14

00:30:27.819 --> 00:30:29.039
 actually gives a funny example

00:30:29.039 --> 00:30:30.099
 of how not to do this.

00:30:30.500 --> 00:30:31.119
 There's a lot of humor

00:30:31.119 --> 00:30:31.919
 in the book of Proverbs

00:30:31.919 --> 00:30:32.759
 when you start to read it.

00:30:33.279 --> 00:30:34.859
 This is what Proverbs 27.14 says,

00:30:35.439 --> 00:30:36.939
 Whoever blesses his neighbor

00:30:36.939 --> 00:30:38.119
 with a loud voice

00:30:38.119 --> 00:30:39.919
 rising early in the morning

00:30:39.919 --> 00:30:42.339
 will be counted as cursing.

00:30:43.859 --> 00:30:44.459
 Do you see the picture?

00:30:45.059 --> 00:30:45.779
 In other words,

00:30:45.839 --> 00:30:46.740
 at 5 a.m.,

00:30:46.740 --> 00:30:47.980
 don't shout up

00:30:47.980 --> 00:30:49.240
 at your neighbor's open window,

00:30:49.240 --> 00:30:50.380
 Hey, good morning!

00:30:50.900 --> 00:30:51.779
 Have a great day!

00:30:51.920 --> 00:30:53.200
 Praying for your big meeting today!

00:30:54.880 --> 00:30:55.960
 That's not going to land well.

00:30:56.620 --> 00:30:57.779
 Just in case you need to know that.

00:30:59.620 --> 00:31:00.720
 What's the point being made?

00:31:01.599 --> 00:31:02.819
 Truly wise words

00:31:02.819 --> 00:31:04.180
 are spoken in the right way

00:31:04.180 --> 00:31:05.700
 at the right time.

00:31:07.120 --> 00:31:08.299
 That same thing said

00:31:08.299 --> 00:31:09.160
 maybe at 8.30

00:31:09.160 --> 00:31:09.960
 as you guys are pulling

00:31:09.960 --> 00:31:10.980
 out of the driveway together

00:31:10.980 --> 00:31:12.180
 might have been the best thing

00:31:12.180 --> 00:31:12.660
 that your neighbor

00:31:12.660 --> 00:31:13.480
 could have heard all day.

00:31:13.480 --> 00:31:18.380
 The New Testament counterpart

00:31:18.380 --> 00:31:18.900
 to all of this

00:31:18.900 --> 00:31:20.259
 is found in Ephesians 4.29.

00:31:20.539 --> 00:31:22.180
 Let no corrupting talk

00:31:22.180 --> 00:31:23.220
 come out of your mouths,

00:31:23.920 --> 00:31:25.680
 but only such as is good

00:31:25.680 --> 00:31:26.740
 for building up

00:31:26.740 --> 00:31:28.579
 as fits the occasion

00:31:28.579 --> 00:31:30.140
 that it may give grace

00:31:30.140 --> 00:31:31.099
 to those who hear.

00:31:32.200 --> 00:31:33.279
 And I think that verse

00:31:33.279 --> 00:31:34.279
 is the Apostle Paul

00:31:34.279 --> 00:31:36.599
 boiling down a lifetime

00:31:36.599 --> 00:31:38.099
 of meditation on the Proverbs.

00:31:38.099 --> 00:31:40.779
 Let no corrupting talk

00:31:40.779 --> 00:31:41.659
 come out of your mouths,

00:31:41.779 --> 00:31:43.240
 but only such as is good

00:31:43.240 --> 00:31:44.240
 for building up

00:31:44.240 --> 00:31:46.139
 as fits the occasion

00:31:46.139 --> 00:31:48.119
 that it may give grace

00:31:48.119 --> 00:31:48.879
 to those who hear.

00:31:51.819 --> 00:31:53.059
 And that's the promise

00:31:53.059 --> 00:31:54.099
 of Proverbs as well.

00:31:55.039 --> 00:31:56.459
 That our words

00:31:56.459 --> 00:31:58.199
 can actually be instruments

00:31:58.199 --> 00:32:00.639
 of grace and healing.

00:32:01.379 --> 00:32:02.759
 Not just death,

00:32:02.899 --> 00:32:05.059
 but life is in the power

00:32:05.059 --> 00:32:05.740
 of the tongue.

00:32:06.539 --> 00:32:07.859
 The tongue of the wise

00:32:07.859 --> 00:32:08.699
 brings healing,

00:32:08.839 --> 00:32:09.719
 12.18 says.

00:32:10.399 --> 00:32:11.319
 And this is a great one.

00:32:11.419 --> 00:32:12.500
 Proverbs 16.24.

00:32:13.219 --> 00:32:14.319
 Gracious words

00:32:14.319 --> 00:32:16.119
 are like a honeycomb.

00:32:17.379 --> 00:32:18.659
 Sweetness to the soul

00:32:18.659 --> 00:32:20.579
 and health to the body.

00:32:23.039 --> 00:32:24.299
 There is power

00:32:24.299 --> 00:32:25.439
 in our words

00:32:25.439 --> 00:32:27.699
 to do much good.

00:32:30.559 --> 00:32:31.799
 Friends, can you imagine

00:32:31.799 --> 00:32:33.479
 if our church,

00:32:34.399 --> 00:32:35.479
 if our homes,

00:32:35.639 --> 00:32:36.519
 if our friendships

00:32:36.519 --> 00:32:38.019
 were characterized

00:32:38.019 --> 00:32:38.039
 were characterized

00:32:38.039 --> 00:32:40.379
 by that sort of speech?

00:32:42.779 --> 00:32:43.779
 What if we,

00:32:44.279 --> 00:32:46.259
 our local church,

00:32:46.359 --> 00:32:47.339
 what if all the local churches

00:32:47.339 --> 00:32:47.819
 in New Haven,

00:32:48.079 --> 00:32:48.960
 what if we were all

00:32:48.960 --> 00:32:51.680
 colonies of wise,

00:32:52.259 --> 00:32:53.819
 life-giving speech

00:32:53.819 --> 00:32:54.960
 in the midst of the world?

00:32:56.660 --> 00:32:58.799
 What if the way we speak here

00:32:58.799 --> 00:32:59.819
 is very different

00:32:59.819 --> 00:33:01.980
 than the way speech happens

00:33:01.980 --> 00:33:03.920
 outside the church?

00:33:03.920 --> 00:33:06.680
 Would we not be

00:33:06.680 --> 00:33:09.200
 if our words were honest

00:33:09.200 --> 00:33:09.980
 and apt

00:33:09.980 --> 00:33:10.759
 and few

00:33:10.759 --> 00:33:11.380
 and gentle?

00:33:11.480 --> 00:33:12.400
 Would we not be

00:33:12.400 --> 00:33:13.860
 the salt and light

00:33:13.860 --> 00:33:14.560
 that Jesus said

00:33:14.560 --> 00:33:15.080
 we would be?

00:33:18.460 --> 00:33:20.039
 And if the way we spoke

00:33:20.039 --> 00:33:21.000
 began to change

00:33:21.000 --> 00:33:21.860
 not just our individual

00:33:21.860 --> 00:33:22.680
 relationships

00:33:22.680 --> 00:33:23.759
 and not just our church,

00:33:23.840 --> 00:33:24.600
 but through

00:33:24.600 --> 00:33:25.840
 those relationships,

00:33:26.700 --> 00:33:27.380
 what if it began

00:33:27.380 --> 00:33:27.820
 to change

00:33:27.820 --> 00:33:28.759
 our broader culture

00:33:28.759 --> 00:33:29.279
 as well?

00:33:29.279 --> 00:33:32.059
 What if instead

00:33:32.059 --> 00:33:32.700
 of striving

00:33:32.700 --> 00:33:33.980
 for mere civility

00:33:33.980 --> 00:33:34.960
 in our public discourse,

00:33:35.059 --> 00:33:35.639
 there was actually

00:33:35.639 --> 00:33:36.579
 something greater

00:33:36.579 --> 00:33:38.200
 that God would bring about

00:33:38.200 --> 00:33:39.839
 through our presence

00:33:39.839 --> 00:33:40.920
 of salt and light?

00:33:46.220 --> 00:33:47.299
 But you and I both know

00:33:47.299 --> 00:33:47.879
 that as awesome

00:33:47.879 --> 00:33:48.839
 of a vision as that is

00:33:48.839 --> 00:33:49.480
 is not easy.

00:33:51.460 --> 00:33:52.160
 Proverbs admits

00:33:52.160 --> 00:33:53.279
 as much.

00:33:54.559 --> 00:33:55.539
 Proverbs 21, 15

00:33:55.539 --> 00:33:55.879
 says,

00:33:55.879 --> 00:33:57.039
 there is gold

00:33:57.039 --> 00:33:58.279
 an abundance

00:33:58.279 --> 00:33:59.399
 of costly stones,

00:33:59.799 --> 00:34:01.259
 but the lips

00:34:01.259 --> 00:34:02.079
 of knowledge

00:34:02.079 --> 00:34:04.000
 are a precious jewel.

00:34:05.799 --> 00:34:06.839
 In other words,

00:34:06.980 --> 00:34:08.219
 wise speech

00:34:08.219 --> 00:34:09.420
 is precious

00:34:09.420 --> 00:34:10.320
 and very hard

00:34:10.320 --> 00:34:10.860
 to come by.

00:34:11.259 --> 00:34:12.759
 It's more rare

00:34:12.759 --> 00:34:13.759
 than gold.

00:34:13.940 --> 00:34:14.699
 It's harder

00:34:14.699 --> 00:34:15.320
 to find

00:34:15.320 --> 00:34:16.480
 than costly stones.

00:34:18.519 --> 00:34:19.940
 But if it's so hard

00:34:19.940 --> 00:34:20.599
 to come by,

00:34:20.659 --> 00:34:21.420
 how do we get it?

00:34:21.420 --> 00:34:24.539
 And again,

00:34:24.619 --> 00:34:25.000
 this is where

00:34:25.000 --> 00:34:26.099
 Proverbs is so insightful.

00:34:27.579 --> 00:34:28.000
 And it's where

00:34:28.000 --> 00:34:28.760
 Proverbs connects

00:34:28.760 --> 00:34:29.320
 with the broader

00:34:29.320 --> 00:34:30.280
 scope of Scripture.

00:34:30.760 --> 00:34:31.740
 In Proverbs 4, 23,

00:34:31.860 --> 00:34:32.860
 we read,

00:34:33.519 --> 00:34:34.340
 keep your heart

00:34:34.340 --> 00:34:36.039
 with all vigilance,

00:34:36.639 --> 00:34:37.500
 for from it

00:34:37.500 --> 00:34:38.639
 flow the springs

00:34:38.639 --> 00:34:39.200
 of life.

00:34:40.260 --> 00:34:41.280
 Keep your heart

00:34:41.280 --> 00:34:42.300
 with all vigilance,

00:34:42.360 --> 00:34:42.860
 for from it

00:34:42.860 --> 00:34:43.840
 flow the springs

00:34:43.840 --> 00:34:44.240
 of life.

00:34:44.659 --> 00:34:45.380
 And in Proverbs,

00:34:46.039 --> 00:34:46.700
 that flowing

00:34:46.700 --> 00:34:47.920
 includes your words.

00:34:49.639 --> 00:34:50.559
 Listen to 10, 20.

00:34:50.559 --> 00:34:51.159
 The tongue

00:34:51.159 --> 00:34:51.779
 of the righteous

00:34:51.779 --> 00:34:52.679
 is choice silver,

00:34:52.779 --> 00:34:53.219
 but the heart

00:34:53.219 --> 00:34:53.639
 of the wicked

00:34:53.639 --> 00:34:54.500
 is of little worth.

00:34:55.519 --> 00:34:55.820
 Do you see

00:34:55.820 --> 00:34:56.380
 what that proverb

00:34:56.380 --> 00:34:57.199
 puts in parallel?

00:34:57.920 --> 00:34:58.500
 The tongue

00:34:58.500 --> 00:34:59.920
 and the heart.

00:35:00.500 --> 00:35:01.400
 As if to say,

00:35:01.679 --> 00:35:03.099
 what's in your heart

00:35:03.099 --> 00:35:04.039
 is what's going

00:35:04.039 --> 00:35:05.239
 to drive your words.

00:35:08.340 --> 00:35:09.199
 Jesus himself

00:35:09.199 --> 00:35:09.779
 put it clearly

00:35:09.779 --> 00:35:10.920
 in Matthew 12, 34.

00:35:11.119 --> 00:35:11.980
 Out of the abundance

00:35:11.980 --> 00:35:13.039
 of the heart,

00:35:13.840 --> 00:35:14.759
 the mouth speaks.

00:35:16.519 --> 00:35:17.460
 The ability

00:35:17.460 --> 00:35:18.599
 to speak wise,

00:35:19.079 --> 00:35:19.940
 life-giving words

00:35:19.940 --> 00:35:20.460
 is more than

00:35:20.460 --> 00:35:21.440
 just trying hard,

00:35:21.920 --> 00:35:22.400
 practicing,

00:35:22.780 --> 00:35:23.280
 or working

00:35:23.280 --> 00:35:24.079
 on new habits.

00:35:25.519 --> 00:35:26.019
 Of course,

00:35:26.079 --> 00:35:26.760
 the Bible would have us

00:35:26.760 --> 00:35:27.599
 make every effort

00:35:27.599 --> 00:35:28.039
 to do so,

00:35:28.099 --> 00:35:28.679
 but the solution

00:35:28.679 --> 00:35:29.679
 has to run deeper

00:35:29.679 --> 00:35:30.119
 than that

00:35:30.119 --> 00:35:31.019
 if it's going to work

00:35:31.019 --> 00:35:31.880
 and if it's going to last

00:35:31.880 --> 00:35:32.679
 because ultimately

00:35:32.679 --> 00:35:33.840
 there's a direct line

00:35:33.840 --> 00:35:34.720
 between your tongue

00:35:34.720 --> 00:35:35.780
 and your heart.

00:35:36.340 --> 00:35:37.639
 And what fills your heart

00:35:37.639 --> 00:35:38.280
 is what's going to come

00:35:38.280 --> 00:35:39.559
 flowing out of your mouth.

00:35:40.740 --> 00:35:41.340
 That's why Jesus

00:35:41.340 --> 00:35:42.559
 can say in the same place

00:35:42.559 --> 00:35:43.000
 in Matthew,

00:35:43.159 --> 00:35:44.119
 on the day of judgment,

00:35:44.539 --> 00:35:45.440
 people will give account

00:35:45.440 --> 00:35:46.780
 for every careless word

00:35:46.780 --> 00:35:47.420
 they speak.

00:35:50.260 --> 00:35:51.320
 On the day of judgment,

00:35:52.000 --> 00:35:53.019
 we'll all give an account

00:35:53.019 --> 00:35:54.940
 for every careless word

00:35:54.940 --> 00:35:55.500
 we speak.

00:35:56.780 --> 00:35:57.220
 Why?

00:35:58.360 --> 00:35:59.300
 That seems harsh.

00:36:01.800 --> 00:36:02.980
 Because Jesus is teaching us

00:36:02.980 --> 00:36:03.720
 that our words

00:36:03.720 --> 00:36:05.099
 reveal our hearts.

00:36:07.039 --> 00:36:07.820
 In other words,

00:36:07.900 --> 00:36:09.619
 our words reveal

00:36:09.619 --> 00:36:11.280
 what's truly important to us,

00:36:11.420 --> 00:36:12.340
 what we value,

00:36:12.340 --> 00:36:14.539
 what we really worship.

00:36:17.260 --> 00:36:18.120
 Think about it.

00:36:20.000 --> 00:36:21.460
 When you're tempted to lie,

00:36:21.780 --> 00:36:22.320
 for example,

00:36:23.079 --> 00:36:27.500
 what's really driving your heart?

00:36:29.019 --> 00:36:30.220
 I can tell you what it is

00:36:30.220 --> 00:36:30.960
 for me personally.

00:36:32.079 --> 00:36:33.200
 Nine times out of ten

00:36:33.200 --> 00:36:33.880
 when I'm tempted

00:36:33.880 --> 00:36:35.039
 to bend the truth

00:36:35.039 --> 00:36:36.300
 or to just straight up lie,

00:36:37.280 --> 00:36:38.400
 you know why I want to do it?

00:36:39.780 --> 00:36:40.920
 It's because I'm afraid

00:36:40.920 --> 00:36:42.380
 of losing someone's approval.

00:36:44.539 --> 00:36:46.079
 So rather than be honest

00:36:46.079 --> 00:36:47.240
 and say the hard thing,

00:36:47.619 --> 00:36:48.360
 the thing that maybe

00:36:48.360 --> 00:36:49.599
 won't make me look so good

00:36:49.599 --> 00:36:50.539
 because I actually forgot

00:36:50.539 --> 00:36:51.079
 that appointment

00:36:51.079 --> 00:36:51.820
 and now I'm sort of

00:36:51.820 --> 00:36:52.639
 making an excuse

00:36:52.639 --> 00:36:53.460
 and lying as to why

00:36:53.460 --> 00:36:54.240
 I didn't show up,

00:36:55.420 --> 00:36:57.320
 or rather saying the thing

00:36:57.320 --> 00:36:58.200
 that will make someone else

00:36:58.200 --> 00:36:59.119
 upset with me,

00:36:59.920 --> 00:37:00.960
 rather than do that,

00:37:01.039 --> 00:37:01.920
 I'm tempted to kind of

00:37:01.920 --> 00:37:03.380
 bend the truth a little bit.

00:37:06.320 --> 00:37:07.440
 And you know what's going on

00:37:07.440 --> 00:37:08.000
 in that moment?

00:37:08.000 --> 00:37:11.539
 My heart loves

00:37:11.539 --> 00:37:12.579
 and values

00:37:12.579 --> 00:37:14.039
 human approval

00:37:14.039 --> 00:37:15.559
 more than it loves

00:37:15.559 --> 00:37:16.300
 and values

00:37:16.300 --> 00:37:17.159
 God's approval.

00:37:17.900 --> 00:37:19.019
 Out of the abundance

00:37:19.019 --> 00:37:20.340
 of the heart,

00:37:20.880 --> 00:37:21.820
 the mouth speaks.

00:37:24.800 --> 00:37:25.760
 Now maybe it's not

00:37:25.760 --> 00:37:26.519
 approval for you.

00:37:27.900 --> 00:37:28.820
 Maybe you could care less

00:37:28.820 --> 00:37:29.800
 what people think about you.

00:37:31.219 --> 00:37:32.159
 But maybe for you

00:37:32.159 --> 00:37:32.699
 it's comfort.

00:37:34.820 --> 00:37:35.900
 If lying will just

00:37:35.900 --> 00:37:37.159
 get someone off your back,

00:37:37.159 --> 00:37:38.759
 if they'll stop annoying you

00:37:38.759 --> 00:37:39.639
 and you can get back

00:37:39.639 --> 00:37:40.940
 to the comfortable status quo,

00:37:41.059 --> 00:37:41.819
 that's the time

00:37:41.819 --> 00:37:42.399
 when you'll be tempted

00:37:42.399 --> 00:37:42.879
 to lie.

00:37:43.879 --> 00:37:45.019
 No, I'm not free tomorrow.

00:37:45.119 --> 00:37:45.619
 I can't make it.

00:37:45.639 --> 00:37:46.980
 I got this really big thing

00:37:46.980 --> 00:37:47.920
 I got to take care of.

00:37:48.899 --> 00:37:49.559
 Really, you're just going

00:37:49.559 --> 00:37:50.559
 to stay home and watch TV

00:37:50.559 --> 00:37:51.519
 and you just don't want

00:37:51.519 --> 00:37:52.039
 to be annoyed

00:37:52.039 --> 00:37:52.539
 by the person

00:37:52.539 --> 00:37:53.339
 that you're talking to.

00:37:58.819 --> 00:37:59.559
 Friends, we could go

00:37:59.559 --> 00:38:00.159
 on and on

00:38:00.159 --> 00:38:00.639
 and think through

00:38:00.639 --> 00:38:01.799
 all the different examples

00:38:01.799 --> 00:38:02.960
 of wise and foolish speech

00:38:02.960 --> 00:38:03.839
 that we've covered this morning

00:38:03.839 --> 00:38:04.699
 and do the same thing.

00:38:05.299 --> 00:38:05.739
 Think about it.

00:38:05.739 --> 00:38:06.699
 Why are we tempted

00:38:06.699 --> 00:38:08.079
 to talk and talk and talk

00:38:08.079 --> 00:38:08.739
 rather than just

00:38:08.739 --> 00:38:09.819
 let our words be few?

00:38:11.000 --> 00:38:12.639
 Why do we keep rambling on

00:38:12.639 --> 00:38:14.259
 even after we've made our point?

00:38:16.679 --> 00:38:17.659
 Is it because we're trying

00:38:17.659 --> 00:38:18.719
 to prove to others

00:38:18.719 --> 00:38:19.539
 that we really know

00:38:19.539 --> 00:38:20.459
 what we're talking about

00:38:20.459 --> 00:38:21.239
 and we're trying to get

00:38:21.239 --> 00:38:22.599
 their verdict on our lives?

00:38:23.759 --> 00:38:24.919
 Or are we really wanting

00:38:24.919 --> 00:38:25.739
 to teach them a lesson

00:38:25.739 --> 00:38:26.859
 after all they've done to us?

00:38:28.679 --> 00:38:29.199
 You see,

00:38:29.259 --> 00:38:30.479
 it all comes out of our heart.

00:38:30.559 --> 00:38:31.899
 It all comes down to the heart.

00:38:31.900 --> 00:38:34.500
 What has taken the place

00:38:34.500 --> 00:38:35.800
 of God in the center

00:38:35.800 --> 00:38:37.160
 of your life

00:38:37.160 --> 00:38:38.160
 in your heart?

00:38:38.480 --> 00:38:39.420
 Because the truth is,

00:38:39.500 --> 00:38:39.639
 friends,

00:38:39.680 --> 00:38:40.440
 if we cared more

00:38:40.440 --> 00:38:41.460
 about God's approval,

00:38:41.940 --> 00:38:42.740
 if we cared more

00:38:42.740 --> 00:38:43.700
 about God's verdict,

00:38:44.240 --> 00:38:44.960
 if we cared more

00:38:44.960 --> 00:38:46.139
 about God's glory

00:38:46.139 --> 00:38:47.639
 than we did

00:38:47.639 --> 00:38:48.480
 about human approval

00:38:48.480 --> 00:38:49.780
 or some creaturely verdict

00:38:49.780 --> 00:38:50.840
 or our own glory

00:38:50.840 --> 00:38:51.880
 or our own security,

00:38:52.740 --> 00:38:54.740
 if we cared more

00:38:54.740 --> 00:38:55.420
 about God,

00:38:56.860 --> 00:38:58.119
 then more and more

00:38:58.119 --> 00:38:58.800
 and more our speech

00:38:58.800 --> 00:38:59.780
 would be full of wisdom

00:38:59.780 --> 00:39:01.519
 and our words

00:39:01.519 --> 00:39:02.200
 would be honest

00:39:02.200 --> 00:39:03.180
 and few

00:39:03.180 --> 00:39:04.360
 and calm

00:39:04.360 --> 00:39:05.519
 and apt

00:39:05.519 --> 00:39:07.240
 and they'd give grace

00:39:07.240 --> 00:39:08.000
 to those who hear.

00:39:10.960 --> 00:39:12.100
 But how do we get that?

00:39:14.700 --> 00:39:15.720
 How does God

00:39:15.720 --> 00:39:17.620
 become the overriding center,

00:39:18.340 --> 00:39:20.180
 the thrilling highlight

00:39:20.180 --> 00:39:21.540
 of our hearts again?

00:39:23.040 --> 00:39:24.080
 How does God come

00:39:24.080 --> 00:39:25.400
 and fill our hearts

00:39:25.400 --> 00:39:26.200
 so that the abundance

00:39:26.200 --> 00:39:26.940
 of our mouth

00:39:26.940 --> 00:39:28.360
 is life and not death?

00:39:29.780 --> 00:39:33.260
 Well, in order to get there,

00:39:33.340 --> 00:39:33.960
 you have to look

00:39:33.960 --> 00:39:35.760
 not just to God's spoken word,

00:39:36.120 --> 00:39:37.019
 but you have to look

00:39:37.019 --> 00:39:38.220
 to His incarnate word.

00:39:39.860 --> 00:39:40.740
 Earlier in the service,

00:39:40.820 --> 00:39:42.160
 Kelly read for us John 1

00:39:42.160 --> 00:39:43.980
 where we're told

00:39:43.980 --> 00:39:44.960
 that the word

00:39:44.960 --> 00:39:46.019
 who was with God

00:39:46.019 --> 00:39:46.580
 in the beginning

00:39:46.580 --> 00:39:48.019
 and who was God

00:39:48.019 --> 00:39:48.820
 and through whom

00:39:48.820 --> 00:39:50.040
 everything was made,

00:39:50.160 --> 00:39:52.720
 the eternal word of God

00:39:52.720 --> 00:39:53.680
 became flesh

00:39:53.680 --> 00:39:55.040
 and dwelt among us.

00:39:56.260 --> 00:39:57.940
 And throughout Jesus' ministry,

00:39:58.040 --> 00:39:58.720
 you know what would happen?

00:39:58.719 --> 00:40:00.359
 People would marvel

00:40:00.359 --> 00:40:01.980
 at Jesus' words

00:40:01.980 --> 00:40:04.480
 for they were honest

00:40:04.480 --> 00:40:06.619
 and they were fitting.

00:40:08.019 --> 00:40:09.579
 No one has ever spoke

00:40:09.579 --> 00:40:10.399
 like this man

00:40:10.399 --> 00:40:12.879
 and they were free of guile

00:40:12.879 --> 00:40:14.699
 and they were free of fear

00:40:14.699 --> 00:40:16.079
 and they gave grace

00:40:16.079 --> 00:40:16.980
 to all who heard.

00:40:18.439 --> 00:40:20.359
 But then as His ministry went on,

00:40:20.679 --> 00:40:22.359
 the rumors began to spread

00:40:22.360 --> 00:40:24.800
 and then the slander.

00:40:25.220 --> 00:40:26.640
 He's demon-possessed,

00:40:26.840 --> 00:40:27.380
 they said.

00:40:28.220 --> 00:40:29.700
 He's out of His mind.

00:40:30.180 --> 00:40:31.880
 He's overstepping His authority.

00:40:32.000 --> 00:40:33.220
 He's a blasphemer.

00:40:34.620 --> 00:40:35.519
 Such were the words

00:40:35.519 --> 00:40:36.440
 that started to surround

00:40:36.440 --> 00:40:37.340
 Jesus' ministry.

00:40:37.500 --> 00:40:38.760
 And then in the final days

00:40:38.760 --> 00:40:39.940
 of His earthly life,

00:40:40.200 --> 00:40:40.460
 Jesus,

00:40:40.599 --> 00:40:42.200
 the eternal word of God,

00:40:42.360 --> 00:40:43.820
 stood before the court of man

00:40:43.820 --> 00:40:44.700
 and was condemned

00:40:44.700 --> 00:40:45.760
 by their word.

00:40:45.760 --> 00:40:48.680
 And He was mocked

00:40:48.680 --> 00:40:50.060
 and He was denied

00:40:50.060 --> 00:40:52.140
 and He was ridiculed.

00:40:53.520 --> 00:40:54.860
 And when He was crucified,

00:40:55.160 --> 00:40:57.040
 they hung a sign over His head

00:40:57.040 --> 00:40:59.100
 written in three different languages

00:40:59.100 --> 00:41:00.380
 so that no matter

00:41:00.380 --> 00:41:02.040
 what tongue you spoke,

00:41:02.160 --> 00:41:03.680
 you could understand the mockery.

00:41:04.120 --> 00:41:05.600
 There, on the cross,

00:41:05.720 --> 00:41:06.460
 hung up to Guy,

00:41:06.820 --> 00:41:07.440
 the sign said,

00:41:07.600 --> 00:41:09.040
 here is the King of the Jews.

00:41:09.039 --> 00:41:15.300
 But here's the surprising things, friends.

00:41:16.960 --> 00:41:18.980
 That as Jesus descended down

00:41:18.980 --> 00:41:20.800
 into all of our human words

00:41:20.800 --> 00:41:23.559
 of mockery and condemnation,

00:41:24.420 --> 00:41:27.059
 Jesus' own final words

00:41:27.059 --> 00:41:27.779
 from the cross

00:41:27.779 --> 00:41:30.480
 were not words of retaliation

00:41:30.480 --> 00:41:31.599
 or anger or judgment,

00:41:31.699 --> 00:41:32.880
 though all of those responses

00:41:32.880 --> 00:41:33.960
 would have been totally just.

00:41:34.039 --> 00:41:35.539
 No, His last word from the cross,

00:41:35.639 --> 00:41:36.659
 according to John's gospel,

00:41:36.759 --> 00:41:37.039
 was,

00:41:37.239 --> 00:41:38.380
 it's finished.

00:41:39.039 --> 00:41:40.500
 It's done.

00:41:42.460 --> 00:41:43.340
 In other words,

00:41:43.500 --> 00:41:45.800
 all the penalty for our sins,

00:41:46.279 --> 00:41:47.840
 every careless word,

00:41:48.219 --> 00:41:50.000
 every self-promoting lie,

00:41:50.340 --> 00:41:52.259
 every salacious piece of gossip

00:41:52.259 --> 00:41:53.159
 and slander,

00:41:53.460 --> 00:41:55.199
 everything that we had said,

00:41:55.599 --> 00:41:56.739
 every careless word

00:41:56.739 --> 00:41:57.840
 that we had spoke

00:41:57.840 --> 00:41:59.599
 for which God would hold us

00:41:59.599 --> 00:42:01.719
 accountable on judgment day,

00:42:02.079 --> 00:42:04.199
 Jesus bore upon His own body

00:42:04.199 --> 00:42:05.239
 on the cross.

00:42:09.039 --> 00:42:10.259
 And three days later,

00:42:10.380 --> 00:42:12.199
 Jesus rose from the grave,

00:42:13.420 --> 00:42:15.800
 proving that now

00:42:15.800 --> 00:42:17.920
 there's no longer judgment

00:42:17.920 --> 00:42:20.699
 for those who praise their trust in Him.

00:42:22.039 --> 00:42:23.500
 There's no longer judgment,

00:42:24.039 --> 00:42:25.059
 but acceptance.

00:42:25.219 --> 00:42:25.440
 You see,

00:42:25.500 --> 00:42:26.079
 on the cross,

00:42:26.179 --> 00:42:28.119
 Jesus bore the word of judgment

00:42:28.119 --> 00:42:28.800
 we deserve

00:42:28.800 --> 00:42:30.039
 so that in His resurrection,

00:42:30.219 --> 00:42:30.719
 He might give us

00:42:30.719 --> 00:42:31.639
 the word of acceptance

00:42:31.639 --> 00:42:33.059
 and the word of righteousness

00:42:33.059 --> 00:42:34.000
 that He deserved.

00:42:34.000 --> 00:42:39.159
 The whole story of the Bible

00:42:39.159 --> 00:42:41.420
 is a story of words.

00:42:42.619 --> 00:42:44.679
 From the creative word of God

00:42:44.679 --> 00:42:46.599
 that spoke everything into existence

00:42:46.599 --> 00:42:48.380
 to the covenantal word

00:42:48.380 --> 00:42:50.760
 that took Israel to Himself,

00:42:51.039 --> 00:42:52.079
 to the incarnate word

00:42:52.079 --> 00:42:53.820
 that fulfilled all of Israel's hopes,

00:42:54.019 --> 00:42:55.760
 to now the new creative word

00:42:55.760 --> 00:42:57.099
 that comes out with the gospel,

00:42:57.519 --> 00:42:59.019
 causing us to come alive

00:42:59.019 --> 00:43:00.739
 and place our trust in Him

00:43:00.739 --> 00:43:02.279
 so that we can know new life.

00:43:05.279 --> 00:43:06.799
 It's all about words, friends.

00:43:08.139 --> 00:43:09.219
 Not mere talk,

00:43:09.679 --> 00:43:10.699
 but powerful,

00:43:11.259 --> 00:43:11.819
 life-giving,

00:43:11.979 --> 00:43:13.359
 eternal words.

00:43:15.779 --> 00:43:16.739
 And if you're here this morning

00:43:16.739 --> 00:43:18.339
 and you've placed your trust in Christ,

00:43:18.419 --> 00:43:18.979
 then what we know

00:43:18.979 --> 00:43:19.879
 is that the Holy Spirit

00:43:19.879 --> 00:43:20.459
 has come

00:43:20.459 --> 00:43:21.739
 and given you

00:43:21.739 --> 00:43:22.559
 a new heart.

00:43:23.779 --> 00:43:24.099
 Do you remember

00:43:24.099 --> 00:43:25.019
 what happened at Pentecost

00:43:25.019 --> 00:43:26.579
 after Jesus rose from the dead,

00:43:26.679 --> 00:43:27.459
 ascended to the Father?

00:43:27.519 --> 00:43:28.500
 What happened at Pentecost?

00:43:28.500 --> 00:43:31.039
 Jesus sends the Spirit down

00:43:31.039 --> 00:43:31.880
 in power

00:43:31.880 --> 00:43:34.480
 like tongues of flame,

00:43:34.739 --> 00:43:35.239
 Luke says.

00:43:36.860 --> 00:43:37.800
 And what happens?

00:43:38.340 --> 00:43:40.820
 The disciples begin to speak.

00:43:41.659 --> 00:43:43.340
 No longer words of fear,

00:43:43.820 --> 00:43:45.500
 no longer words of self-accusation,

00:43:46.179 --> 00:43:47.320
 but words of praise

00:43:47.320 --> 00:43:49.099
 and words of glory to God.

00:43:49.420 --> 00:43:50.880
 God was healing their hearts,

00:43:51.260 --> 00:43:52.119
 healing their speech.

00:43:52.219 --> 00:43:52.420
 You see,

00:43:52.480 --> 00:43:54.800
 the words that God had confused

00:43:54.800 --> 00:43:55.820
 at Babel

00:43:55.820 --> 00:43:56.559
 in the Old Testament

00:43:56.559 --> 00:43:57.079
 in judgment,

00:43:57.079 --> 00:43:58.619
 God was now healing

00:43:58.619 --> 00:44:00.799
 and uniting at Pentecost.

00:44:00.920 --> 00:44:02.420
 He was bringing our language

00:44:02.420 --> 00:44:03.819
 back into line

00:44:03.819 --> 00:44:05.759
 with His new creative purposes.

00:44:06.480 --> 00:44:07.480
 And even today, friends,

00:44:07.539 --> 00:44:08.880
 the Holy Spirit will continue

00:44:08.880 --> 00:44:10.259
 to do His work

00:44:10.259 --> 00:44:12.139
 in your heart

00:44:12.139 --> 00:44:13.659
 because of what Christ has done.

00:44:14.900 --> 00:44:15.779
 And as the Holy Spirit

00:44:15.779 --> 00:44:17.199
 takes what Christ has done

00:44:17.199 --> 00:44:18.340
 and makes it a greater

00:44:18.340 --> 00:44:19.840
 and greater reality

00:44:19.840 --> 00:44:20.699
 on your heart,

00:44:21.039 --> 00:44:22.559
 your words will begin

00:44:22.559 --> 00:44:23.779
 to overflow with it.

00:44:23.779 --> 00:44:23.840
 Amen.

00:44:23.840 --> 00:44:23.900
 Amen.

00:44:27.079 --> 00:44:28.259
 And then you won't need

00:44:28.259 --> 00:44:28.920
 to bend the truth

00:44:28.920 --> 00:44:30.039
 to get human approval

00:44:30.039 --> 00:44:33.380
 because now only the approval

00:44:33.380 --> 00:44:35.500
 of God is what matters.

00:44:35.840 --> 00:44:37.779
 The Holy God

00:44:37.779 --> 00:44:39.179
 who gave His Son

00:44:39.179 --> 00:44:40.239
 in love for you,

00:44:40.380 --> 00:44:41.519
 that's all that matters.

00:44:43.519 --> 00:44:44.960
 So you can speak words

00:44:44.960 --> 00:44:46.079
 that are honest and true.

00:44:47.579 --> 00:44:48.340
 And now you don't need

00:44:48.340 --> 00:44:49.739
 to talk and talk and talk

00:44:49.739 --> 00:44:50.559
 hoping that someone

00:44:50.559 --> 00:44:51.400
 will recognize you

00:44:51.400 --> 00:44:52.739
 and someone will acknowledge you.

00:44:52.739 --> 00:44:53.779
 You can let your words

00:44:53.780 --> 00:44:54.460
 be few

00:44:54.460 --> 00:44:57.880
 because your Father

00:44:57.880 --> 00:44:58.600
 in heaven

00:44:58.600 --> 00:44:59.800
 and His Son,

00:44:59.920 --> 00:45:00.540
 Jesus Christ,

00:45:00.620 --> 00:45:02.100
 is the only one

00:45:02.100 --> 00:45:03.240
 who really deserves

00:45:03.240 --> 00:45:03.900
 recognition

00:45:03.900 --> 00:45:04.960
 and acknowledgement

00:45:04.960 --> 00:45:05.680
 anyway.

00:45:08.380 --> 00:45:10.019
 Let all praise be to Him

00:45:10.019 --> 00:45:11.880
 and let your words

00:45:11.880 --> 00:45:12.360
 be few.

00:45:16.700 --> 00:45:17.800
 And the more you keep

00:45:17.800 --> 00:45:18.900
 in step with the Spirit,

00:45:19.580 --> 00:45:20.519
 the more you find

00:45:20.519 --> 00:45:21.260
 that your words

00:45:21.260 --> 00:45:22.100
 will be honest

00:45:22.100 --> 00:45:23.360
 and few

00:45:23.360 --> 00:45:25.200
 and they will be fitting.

00:45:26.880 --> 00:45:28.060
 Fitting to the occasion,

00:45:28.160 --> 00:45:29.040
 the right words

00:45:29.040 --> 00:45:30.460
 at the right time,

00:45:31.000 --> 00:45:31.780
 full of grace,

00:45:32.300 --> 00:45:33.500
 full of healing power.

00:45:35.440 --> 00:45:36.400
 This is what God

00:45:36.400 --> 00:45:37.580
 is doing in our midst,

00:45:37.720 --> 00:45:38.040
 friends.

00:45:40.640 --> 00:45:41.400
 Is that true

00:45:41.400 --> 00:45:42.120
 of you this morning?

00:45:42.119 --> 00:45:45.339
 If not,

00:45:45.420 --> 00:45:46.079
 this offer

00:45:46.079 --> 00:45:46.819
 is free

00:45:46.819 --> 00:45:47.519
 to all

00:45:47.519 --> 00:45:48.359
 who come

00:45:48.359 --> 00:45:49.539
 to Christ in faith.

00:45:51.119 --> 00:45:51.599
 Forgiveness,

00:45:52.380 --> 00:45:53.440
 a new heart,

00:45:53.880 --> 00:45:54.900
 the Holy Spirit

00:45:54.900 --> 00:45:56.059
 living within you.

00:45:57.500 --> 00:45:58.500
 Lay down

00:45:58.500 --> 00:45:59.239
 your old way

00:45:59.239 --> 00:45:59.920
 of doing things,

00:46:00.000 --> 00:46:00.599
 the way in which

00:46:00.599 --> 00:46:01.199
 you tried to

00:46:01.199 --> 00:46:02.699
 cover your reputation

00:46:02.699 --> 00:46:03.420
 with your speech

00:46:03.420 --> 00:46:04.400
 and protect yourself

00:46:04.400 --> 00:46:05.880
 and get ahead

00:46:05.880 --> 00:46:06.279
 in the world.

00:46:06.380 --> 00:46:07.219
 Lay it down

00:46:07.219 --> 00:46:09.199
 and entrust yourself

00:46:09.199 --> 00:46:10.099
 to the word

00:46:10.099 --> 00:46:11.400
 of life.

00:46:11.400 --> 00:46:12.559
 Jesus Christ.

00:46:15.380 --> 00:46:15.800
 And Christians,

00:46:15.920 --> 00:46:16.840
 you see how powerful

00:46:16.840 --> 00:46:17.619
 your words are?

00:46:19.320 --> 00:46:20.139
 If you do,

00:46:20.240 --> 00:46:21.720
 how are we using them

00:46:21.720 --> 00:46:23.119
 for wise,

00:46:23.579 --> 00:46:24.460
 life-giving purposes?

00:46:26.180 --> 00:46:27.280
 You see what a privilege

00:46:27.280 --> 00:46:28.480
 you have

00:46:28.480 --> 00:46:30.039
 to bring grace

00:46:30.039 --> 00:46:30.920
 to those who hear.

00:46:32.200 --> 00:46:33.139
 God has given you

00:46:33.139 --> 00:46:34.099
 a ministry

00:46:34.099 --> 00:46:35.220
 of speech

00:46:35.220 --> 00:46:36.840
 that will bring life

00:46:36.840 --> 00:46:38.420
 and grace

00:46:38.420 --> 00:46:39.420
 and healing.

00:46:39.420 --> 00:46:43.500
 how exciting

00:46:43.500 --> 00:46:44.420
 is that?

00:46:46.579 --> 00:46:47.720
 What a privilege

00:46:47.720 --> 00:46:48.700
 to bring grace

00:46:48.700 --> 00:46:49.539
 to those who hear.

00:46:51.340 --> 00:46:52.800
 Death and life

00:46:52.800 --> 00:46:54.139
 are in the power

00:46:54.139 --> 00:46:56.019
 of your tongue.

00:46:56.019 --> 00:47:00.880
 And through the Spirit,

00:47:01.460 --> 00:47:03.099
 may your words,

00:47:03.500 --> 00:47:04.119
 may the words

00:47:04.119 --> 00:47:04.679
 that characterize

00:47:04.679 --> 00:47:05.500
 our church

00:47:05.500 --> 00:47:06.480
 and God willing,

00:47:06.559 --> 00:47:06.960
 may the words

00:47:06.960 --> 00:47:07.500
 that characterize

00:47:07.500 --> 00:47:08.239
 our city

00:47:08.239 --> 00:47:10.000
 be more and more

00:47:10.000 --> 00:47:10.860
 by God's grace

00:47:10.860 --> 00:47:12.099
 words that bring life.

00:47:14.139 --> 00:47:15.159
 And may the word

00:47:15.159 --> 00:47:15.619
 of life,

00:47:15.759 --> 00:47:16.559
 Jesus Christ,

00:47:17.460 --> 00:47:18.300
 be praised.

00:47:19.960 --> 00:47:20.380
 Friends,

00:47:20.460 --> 00:47:20.820
 let's pray.

00:47:20.820 --> 00:47:29.059
 Lord Jesus,

00:47:29.240 --> 00:47:29.920
 word incarnate,

00:47:30.120 --> 00:47:30.720
 we pray that you

00:47:30.720 --> 00:47:31.300
 would come now

00:47:31.300 --> 00:47:32.000
 by your Spirit.

00:47:34.780 --> 00:47:35.200
 Lord,

00:47:35.240 --> 00:47:36.080
 help us to see ways

00:47:36.080 --> 00:47:36.880
 in which our words

00:47:36.880 --> 00:47:37.660
 have been foolish.

00:47:39.800 --> 00:47:40.940
 Grant us your forgiveness,

00:47:41.160 --> 00:47:41.559
 we pray.

00:47:42.780 --> 00:47:43.760
 And by your Spirit,

00:47:43.900 --> 00:47:44.539
 help us

00:47:44.539 --> 00:47:45.900
 to speak words

00:47:45.900 --> 00:47:47.120
 that are truly life-giving.

00:47:47.119 --> 00:47:49.940
 Show us,

00:47:50.159 --> 00:47:50.279
 Lord,

00:47:51.239 --> 00:47:52.239
 through the spotlight

00:47:52.239 --> 00:47:53.039
 of your Spirit,

00:47:53.639 --> 00:47:54.799
 those things

00:47:54.799 --> 00:47:56.400
 that are ruling

00:47:56.400 --> 00:47:57.219
 in our hearts

00:47:57.219 --> 00:48:00.480
 and help us

00:48:00.480 --> 00:48:01.259
 to lay them down

00:48:01.259 --> 00:48:01.839
 at your feet.

00:48:04.099 --> 00:48:04.779
 Oh Lord,

00:48:04.839 --> 00:48:05.699
 would you reign supreme,

00:48:05.799 --> 00:48:06.799
 would you fill our hearts,

00:48:06.900 --> 00:48:07.239
 we pray,

00:48:07.339 --> 00:48:08.099
 so that our words

00:48:08.099 --> 00:48:08.920
 might overflow

00:48:08.920 --> 00:48:10.579
 with truth

00:48:10.579 --> 00:48:11.719
 and grace.

00:48:13.059 --> 00:48:14.039
 In Jesus' name

00:48:14.039 --> 00:48:14.420
 we pray,

00:48:14.539 --> 00:48:14.779
 Father.

00:48:15.239 --> 00:48:15.519
 Amen.