HeartSight – Seven Practices #4 Inspire

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HeartSight – Seven Practices #4 Inspire            6-14-20

Bottom Line: Our language must represent Jesus and build others up.

Introduction:

 A. My favorite phrase to hear during a long lecture was “And in conclusion” or “finally”!  Magic words! Getting to the point & the end!

   1. In the sermon it was the catch words of offering the invitation.

   2. Remember the song book shuffle after hearing those magic words?

 B. Paul had a magic word. He’d make his points and arguments and when he was ready to go from Principles to practice, conclusion or application, he’d use the word…

   1. “Therefore” = as a result, this means, since that is true…

   2. Often lost in chapter divisions or overlooked like an article

 C. “Therefore” always means “don’t miss this” – “this is truth”

   1. Romans 11 and 12 is a good example

   2. Eph.4:17-24 the principle of spiritual change and commitment

   3. “Therefore” is the connection between principle & practice

 D. Seven Practices of a Transformed Life – vs.25-32

   1. Authenticity, vs.25; 2. Self-control, vs.26-27; 3. Integrity, vs.28

   2. Practice #4 is about how we talk to others – INSPIRE!

 E. Since we have a new Christ-like mind, it affects what we say, why we say it, and how we say it. Vs.29

   1. “Do not let” = It’s trying to come out, the temptation is there

   2. Reminds us to use self-control and not let anger win

 F. What is “unwholesome”? (Little Debbie Zebra Cakes in CO)

   1. Gr. sapros = that which itself is rotten and disseminates rottenness

   2. W/ “talk” = logos, not just bad language but malicious & slander

          * injures others or sparks dissension

   3. Our experience with A rotten potato. Interview Donna

 G. Are your words to others rotten or inspiring?

   1. We teach a lot about walking like Jesus, but what about our talk?

1. What is rotten or unwholesome talk?

 A. Things that Jesus would never say!

   1. Filthy and ungodly talk – acceptable in the world, but…

   2. Mean and hateful talk

   3. Gossip and slander – talking bad about others, hurting them

   4. Judgmental and critical – selfish and prideful, Matt.7:1

   5. Racist and prejudiced – generalizing and judging based on race

        *Jesus w/ the woman at the well in John 4 – zero judging

   6. Misrepresenting Jesus and/or His Body the Church!

 B. These all happen on social media and by Christians!

 C. The danger is that unwholesome talk comes from an unwholesome heart! Remember unwholesome means rotten!

2.  Children of God choose to use wholesome talk. We inspire!

 A. We are light giving – in a dark world!

 B. We are life building – speaking to their need

 C. We are love sharing – “benefits” = “confer a blessing”

   * MSG says, “each word a gift”

Conclusion:

A. Recently read The Nightingale, by Kristen Hannah. Novel about two sisters in WW2; Vianne, a young mom in small French town and Isabelle in Paris w/ the French Resistance = becomes the Nightingale. Vianne’s best friend and neighbor, Rachel, forced to wear yellow star = Jew.

B. Labels can be wrong and hurtful – What if you had a true label about your speech? Wore a sign, Wholesome or Unwholesome

C. Paul said that followers of Jesus were living epistles! What does your letter say to others about Jesus and your transformed life?

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Bible Study from: Seven Practices of a Transformed Life (4)

Sunday, June 14, 2020

1.  Why do you think most people ignore the significance of Paul’s use of “Therefore” in his writings?

2.  Review Paul’s principles of a changed life in Eph.4:17-24. What is his central point?

3.  We are looking at the Seven Practices of a Transformed Life in Eph.4:25-32. What are the three we have looked at in vs.25-28?

4.  Read vs.29 and explain why it is dealing with the practice of inspiring others. Is that an accurate description of the practice from Paul?

5.  What does the word “unwholesome” make you think about?

6.  How important is it to not only walk like Jesus but to talk like Him?

7.  What is your definition of rotten or unwholesome talk?

8.  Why is there so much unwholesome talk on social media?

9.  Do we have a responsibility to represent Jesus on social media?

10. According to vs.29, what is wholesome talk and what does it do?

11. When is it okay for our talk to be unwholesome?

12. How much of your talk is wholesome or unwholesome?