Me and My Big Mouth: Blessing Words (Proverbs 16:24)

Series: Me and My Big Mouth

Sermon Title: Blessing Words

Scripture: Proverbs 16:24

Date: July 22, 2018

 

Last week's WEEKLY CHALLENGE: Meditate on these two questions: Where do I have work to do? and Who hopes you get to work soon?

 

Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down.  (Proverbs 26:20, NIV)

The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.  (Proverbs 18:21, NIV)

Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.  (Proverbs 16:24, NIV)

Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; when he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive.  (Proverbs 17:28, NIV)

"Spirit-filled living causes us to see and love others as Jesus did."  -Peter Lord

 

Let's notice two things about how our words can have a pwerfully positive impact on others:

1. Instructions
   • These commands that we'll look at from Scripture are not just about words, but words backed up with a credible lifestyle, and are a significant way these commands can be obeyed.
   • This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.  (John 15:12)
   • Be devoted to one another in love.  Honor one another above yourselves.  (Romans 12:10, NIV)
   • Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.  (Romans 15:7, NIV)
   • And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.  (Ephesians 4:32)
   • "My challenge: to go out of my way to show kindness, because a chain reaction can start an explosion of God's love."  -Daisy Cordle
   • Not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching.  (Hebrews 10:25)
   • Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed.  The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.  (James 5:16)
   • If you roll out the red carpet for a billionaire, he will not notice it.  For a millionaire, he expects it; for a thousandaire, he will thank you for it.  But if you do this for a hunredaire, he will tell everyone about it.
2. Implementation
   • We can obey these instructions with words of:
     1. appreciation
     2. acceptance
        • "It is traumatic and soul shattering when you feel not wanted or not accepted."  -Peter Lord
     3. approval
        • And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."  (Matthew 3:17)
     4. attention
        • "One of the greatest gifts you can give anyone is the gift of attention."  -Jim Rohn
     5. apology
     6. affirmation
        • "The voice that calls us the beloved will give us words to bless others, and reveal to them that they, too, are no less blessed."  -Henri Nouwen

 

WEEKLY CHALLENGE: Meditate on these two questions: Where do I have work to do?  Who hopes I get to work soon?