SEVENTEENTH WEEK AFTER PENTECOST – September 23/27,

2009

Texts: Ephesians 4:29-5:2; Matthew 12:33-37

Message: Communication – It’s All Greek to Me

1. Your speech _________________________ you.

Whether you like it or not and whether you realize it or not, people
hear what you say and they identify you by it. So if you want to be
identified as a follower of Christ, you need to talk like one.

2. Your speech reveals your _________________________.

If your heart is filled with good, your mouth reflects that. If it is filled
with bad, your mouth reflects that. It is pretty simple – when in doubt,
throw it out.

3. Your speech will be ____________________________.

Not only will we be judged by God on Judgment Day, but we are being
watched and judged by others. Don’t say the wrong things in the
wrong way, and cause a person to turn totally away from God and
miss out on their salvation.
“The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue
speaks what is just.” Psalm 37:30

4. Prepare your heart for __________________________.

Don’t allow anger or bitterness to take root in your spirit. Bitterness
has a way of penetrating to our soul and affecting every relationship.
Guard against it.
“Let your roots grow down into Him and draw up nourishment from
Him, so you grow in faith, strong and vigorous in the truth you
were taught….” Colossians 2:7

5. Train your _____________________________.

There is a need for each of us to understand that what comes out of
our mouths carries great power. I believe Satan recognizes the power
that’s in our mouths and so many times he convinces us to say the
wrong words.
“Set a guard over my mouth; keep watch over the doors of my
lips.” Psalm 141:3

6. Is it… ____rue?
 ____elpful?
____nspirational?
____ecessary?
____ind?

We need to ask ourselves five things before we say anything to

anybody to help us navigate the often tricky landscape of
relationships. God wants us to build people up in the faith, not beat
them up. God’s desire is for us to love each other.
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved
you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that
you are My disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35

7. Learn how to ___________________________.

We show obedience to God when we listen to His Word and we show
respect and interest in others when we listen. Dale Carnegie said that
you can make more friends in two weeks by becoming a good listener
than you can in two years trying to get other people interested in
you.

† † † LESSON FROM GOD’S WORD † † †

Ephesians 4:29-5:2; Matthew 12:33-37

Our Faith in Action

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. {30} And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of
God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. {31} Get
rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with
every form of malice. {32} Be kind and compassionate to one another,
forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you…Be imitators of
God, therefore, as dearly loved children {2} and live a life of love, just
as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and
sacrifice to God. Ephesians 4:29-5:2

The Work of Christ

"Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its
fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. {34} You brood of
vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the
overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. {35} The good man brings
good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings
evil things out of the evil stored up in him. {36} But I tell you that men
will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless
word they have spoken. {37} For by your words you will be acquitted,
and by your words you will be condemned." Matthew 12:33-37

1. Identifies 2. Heart 3. Judged 4. Good 5.

Mouth
6. True, Helpful, Inspirational, Necessary, Kind 7. Listen