From Gossip to Gospel
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Video of wild fire - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6xMd0wSbZc
Words and Gossip that we spread can be like these forest fires
17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed. 20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned 21 when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. 29 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.
Body
We Have Been Taught To Leave Behind Our Old Ways
We Have Been Taught To Leave Behind Our Old Ways
17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.
20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned 21 when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
For those of us that have chosen to follow Jesus we have been taught to leave behind our old ways. \
Gossip is a way of the world. Division is as well.
Speak Truth, Not Lies
Speak Truth, Not Lies
25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.
We see here that Paul is saying to put off falsehood and to speak truthfully
We need to leave the lies behind and not talk about other people falsely
We have to be intentional with our words because they can spread like the wild fire and cause so much damage
Use Words To Build Not Break
Use Words To Build Not Break
29 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.
We have to use our words to build other up around us
I remember people in college that would talk about things that people are doing that was bad. What they were talking about was true BUT this was wrong.
If the things we are talking about another person are true it doesn’t make it not gossip
If we are speaking about things that people are doing in order to put someone down then it shouldn’t be said.
We have to build people up with our words. and if we are talking about a bad thing that someone is doing but not going to then directly to correct and support them then this is wrong
Conclusion
Why do you think it can be hard to leave behind our old ways of doing things?
How can gossip be like a spark that starts a wild fire?
Why do you think it can be so easy to gossip about others?
Has there even been a time when someone has spoken lies about you? How did it make you fee? Would you want someone else to feel this way?
What are some practical ways that we can make sure that we are not gossiping about others?
