July 16, 2023
Your Words
- Matt Nickoson
Sermon Notes
"Don't jump on that trampoline, your guts will fall out!" – Grandma Betty
"If your friends jumped off a bridge, would you do it too?" - Mom
"I'm rubber, you're glue, whatever you say bounces off me and sticks to you." – Mom and Dad
"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me." – Mom and Dad
Words have the power to give life or take it away.
Proverbs 18:21 NIV
"The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit."
Colossians 4:6 NIV
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Proverbs 10:19 MSG
"The more talk, the less truth; the wise measure their words."
3 principles for gracious words:
1. Tell the truth.
Ephesians 4:25 NIV
Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.
2. Have hard conversations.
Ephesians 4:26-27 NIV
"In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.
3. Say only what is useful to build up others.
Ephesians 4:29 NIV
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Ephesians 4:32 NIV
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.