Sermon Info
Summary
Your words carry weight. When you speak, do you build up others or tear others down. What we say and how we say it matters. This Christmas there will be many opportunities to speak love and life into those in your family, friends, neighbors, co-workers and more. Let’s embrace this time of year and speak “good news that will cause great joy.” Let’s bring Jesus into this world through our words of affirmation. We have been blessed, so now may we be a blessing!
Content
Talk Isn’t Cheap
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11
Have you ever thought to thank God for the simple privilege of being able to speak? Communicating with words may be such a basic part of our lives that we begin to take for granted the power and responsibility God has given us when He gives us the breath to speak and the minds to write. How wonderful it is, that today we can read and hear the words of the angel Gabriel above!
The world says “talk is cheap,” but Christians know that our voices were bought at a price. Jesus died so you’d have something worthwhile to say today. Empty words, deceptive speech, and unfulfilled promises threaten to make us jaded about the power of our words, but when we speak in accordance to God’s Word, everything changes.
In Matthew 4:4, Jesus cited Scripture when He was tempted by Satan in the wilderness: It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ Indeed, it was God’s Word which served as Jesus’ own responses to Satan’s temptation. We are called to use our own words to advance His!
With our words, we can spread truth. We can communicate complex ideas about our world and our place in it. And in this way, we can persuade others to receive that truth. Our words can also serve to inspire others: we can ignite passions, bring encouragement, and share our dreams.
But that’s not all! Our words are the building blocks of our prayers, which are our means of glorifying, thanking, and petitioning God for our needs. Our words enable us to intercede on behalf of others, and to express our gratitude to the people around us.
God made man for community, and our words stitch that community together. Our stories are meant to be told, and our ideas are meant to be shared and grown in collaboration. Words not backed up by action may be purposeless, but when used wisely, words put the workers of God’s Kingdom to action.
The Word, Not Magic
And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. Genesis 1:3
The creation narrative found in the first few chapters of Genesis introduce our God as a builder. His very words created light — and daytime and nighttime — on the first day. Nothing came into existence without Him (John 1:3). The beauty of the natural world was by His design. From the biggest star to the smallest atom which makes it up, God made it all.
Likely since the beginning of time, mankind has desired to have that kind of power. Rather than give God the glory, Satan tempts us to play God ourselves. Throughout history, people have sought out such illusive power by means of witchcraft, manifestation, black and white magic, and sorcery.
Leviticus 20:6 is just one verse which reveals God’s opinion of such practices: I will set my face against anyone who turns to mediums and spiritists to prostitute themselves by following them, and I will cut them off from their people.
What all of these practices hold in common that makes them sinful is their rejection of God as the ultimate authority in favor of making idols and gods of ourselves and others. These mystical practices share this rebellious spirit which sets us at odds with God’s will. They reject God’s Word, and the reality which He has spoken into existence.
An example of a sorcerer in the Bible is found in Acts 8, where a man named Simon was performing wonders and glorifying himself. These acts attract people with the allure of supernatural power and the lie that we can create something apart from our Creator. In a sense, they worship the power of words in place of the One who first spoke them.
Words are incredibly powerful, but they are not magic. We have no magical ability to speak things into existence; God never intended for us to have such power on our own. After all, with our sinful nature, what good would we do apart from Him?
But in God’s grace, we have a greater power, which comes from Him. Guided by the Holy Spirit, the words and prayers of a believer in Christ Jesus can prompt our Mighty God to move mountains. And when we speak life to others, we can share the truth and love of our God of miracles.
RESOURCES:
Words From the Mount // Part 5: Put It Into Practice // Jeff Simmons
