The “Word” Became Flesh

Text: John 1:1-5 & 14;  Ephesians 1:15-23

Place Preached - (Mississauga International Baptist Church)

Date Preached - (10/07/01)

Introduction:   

The “Word” in the Flesh.

John 1:14  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

We (you & I) don’t have to look back very far to see sin in our talk.

EXAMPLES:

• Thoughtless Words
• Words spoken out of irritation.
• Words of Accusation
• Selfish Demands
• Deceitful or manipulative words.

Our Tendency Is To Forget

Communication problems reveal problems at a deeper and much more fundamental level.

Our need is not for new technique, skills or knowledge, but a new or renewed heart.

What exasperates us in others likely still needs to be changed within us.

Our need is truly deep.  Are you gripped with the gravity and depth of your own need?

The Coming of the Word

LOOK UP & READ John 1:1-5; 10-14; 16-18

The Word became flesh because there was no other way to fix what was broken in us.  Our problem cannot be solved by normal human means.

James 3:7-8  For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:

8  But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

The War Beneath the War of Words

If it was only a war of flesh and blood, there was no need for the Word to come.

The war of words is the fruit of the war of wars.

Ephesians 6:12  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

It is the fundamental basis of what life is all about.

Is there hope?

Life Is War

What is really wrong?

There are some surface issues in our communication problems.  These are the flesh and blood issues.  EG. Too few bathrooms, not enough time, different viewpoints etc.

Let’s just be honest and admit that WE are the common element in all of our communication problems.  WE are what is wrong in each situation.

The Right Resources For The Struggle

Ephesians 1:15-23

Paul uses four dynamic words to capture the resources that are at our disposal because of Christ’s redeeming work.

I. HOPE

In the Word there is hope.

Hope for our words – We can win the war!!!

• Marital communication can improve.

• Sinful anger does not need to win the day.

• You can minister effectively to your children.

Hope will Help us

To speak as god ordained…….

With a distant husband, a critical wife, a bitter Christian, a contentious neighbour, or complaining children.

When we are hurt, tired, discouraged.  When we struggle with our own angry, complaining and bitter ways.

Most of our daily conversation is not previously scripted.

We are so often thrust into moments that were not part of the agenda for our day.   Many of these moments cannot be avoided.

GIVE PERSONAL EXAMPLES

This is where we get into trouble.

II. RICHES

This is the second word used to present the benefits of the work of the “Word”.

2 Peter 1:3  According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

Not “a lot”, not “more than most”, but “everything” we need!!!

The Lord will never put you into a situation without giving you everything you need to do what he has called you to do!!

His supply is the only thing that will tame the human tongue.

III. POWER Eph. 1:19

This is the third item in Paul’s resource list.

Someone has written a book, “Winning with Word Power”, and “How to Increase your Word Power”.

Our problem is not skill or lack of vocabulary, it is spiritual powerlessness.

Ephesians 3:20  Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

A. His Power is within us

B. His Power is at work

Because of the power and presence of God’s indwelling Holy Spirit the tongue can do the good that God has ordained.

• None of us can say we are too weak.

• We cannot blame our personalities.

• We cannot blame our past.

• We cannot blame people around us.

• We cannot blame our present situation.

God has not given us His spirit in spite of these realities, but because of them.

III. RULE Eph. 1:22-23

This is the final word that summarizes the resources we have in Christ.

Our words reveal many times that rather than trusting in the Lord we are trying to (BE) Him.

Often our words reveal an attempt to control things for our own good.

EXAMPLES of verbal attempts at control….

These following examples flow out of fear, pride, and self-focus.

I have a right to ____________ ______________ __________.

I must have ____________ ______________ __________.

I am entitled to ____________ ______________ __________.

Can’t I have just one night’s peace? Etc. etc.

Conclusion:     (Review)

In the Word we find hope when all seems hopeless, riches when we feel poor, power when we see our weakness, and rule when everything around us seems out of control.

CHRIST & YOUR TALK

Is your communication with others built on the foundation Christ established for us?

1. Do you humbly admit your inability and seek the Lord’s help before important times of communication?

2. In your primary relationships are you seeking to accomplish with words what only the Lord can do by His grace and power?

3. Do you fall prey to hopelessness so that you either give up speaking when your words are needed or give in to patterns of sinful talk?

4. Are you willing to admit your communication weaknesses, recognize recurring patterns, confess to God and those you have offended, and commit to new patterns of talk?

5. Are you able to humbly consider what others point out as sin in your talk?  Or do you deny, rationalize, turn the tables, shift blame, or wallow in your failure?

6. Do you daily thank the Lord for His provision, and the hope it gives that you can speak in a way that blesses others and glorifies Him?