Sunday Sermon Starter 1-23-12

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We do not always realize the impact of our words. Its true that the vast majority of what we say is fleeting and forgotten shortly after it is said; however, at the same time words have the ability to hang around unendingly, especially when we do not want them to. In a day when we have the ability to communicate about as quickly as the speed of light we must remember the need to slow down and think before we speak because a single word can either result in delight or devastation.

Title: Just By One Little Word

Text: Matthew 12:34-37

Main Point: On a regular basis we hear news stories highlighting the power that a single matchstick contains. For instance, it has the ability to burn away millions of acres along with hundreds of years of natural vegetation; it can cause a family to lose the products of a lifetime of work and generations’ worth of memories; it can cause lives to be lost, never to be regained. On the other hand, a single matchstick can light a candle to deliver a family from the darkness of a storm, start a stove to cook food for hundreds of hungry people, and start a fire to warm a person exposed to the elements. In many ways our words are like matchsticks because each one can have harmful or helpful effects depending on how we use them. For example, just one little word can:

Discussion Points:

  • Stir Up Anger – Proverbs 15:1 – when men are provoked, Solomon advises one to speak gently to them and give them good words to pacify them. Gideon did this to Ephraim and their anger was abated (Judges 8:3). However, when rough words are used anger will be the result. Example: Jephthah and the men of Ephraim (Judges 12:1-4).
  • Wound the Spirit – Proverbs 18:8; 26:22. Matthew Henry wrote, “Tale-bearers are those who secretly carry stories…which perhaps have some truth in them, but are secrets not fit to be told, or are basely misrepresented.” These type of words can cut deep to the reputation and credibility of those to whom they speak usually causing irreparable harm. Reporters jump on a story about supposed criminal activity and name suspects who eventually are proven innocent – their name will never be the same though. Christians jump down the throats of others marking them and speaking ill of them even though such may be entirely false – their reputation will never be the same. There is a great need to think twice before we speak once to avoid such wounding words.
  • Hinder One’s Hope – Proverbs 29:20 – Solomon speaks of one who is hasty and rash in his judgments speaking without proper footing on which to stand; this man is unwise and without hope of maturing unless he changes. Such unkind words actually say more about the one speaking than the one about whom they are spoken.
  • Uplift the Disheartened – Proverbs 12:25; 15:23 – Solomon says that in turning the tide of evil good words are an effective tool. Kind words have an uncanny ability to damage done by all forms of evil. However, its not just about saying the right thing but choosing the right time to say it. Saying something good will always produce the best effect when spoken at the appropriate time.
  • Open Hearts – Proverbs 16:24. Its always been said that you can attract more flies with honey than vinegar. Sadly this saying has been perverted to indicate we should never criticize for any reason; however, its misuse does not completely invalidate it. A kind word can open the most unlikely of doors. Proverbs 25:11 – just as lovely to the eyes is the idea of apples of gold in pictures of silver so are words fitly spoken lovely to the ears. They will not only open ears but will open hearts to the teaching of the gospel.

See the power of our words. This reality should awaken us to the need to not always just say what we think assuming there will not be any consequences. Just one little word has a lot of power; let’s harness that power to accomplish good to the glory of God!

-Andy Brewer

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