Sermon Tone Analysis

We are in week 2 of a series called.

Connection Lost: Finding real community in a disconnected world.

Have you ever been surrounded by people and felt lonely?

Have you ever been texting people throughout the day but still feel disconnected?

We can have friends online, but not have anyone we feel truly connected with.

We believe that with God even in a disconnected world, genuine connection is still possible.

And over the next several weeks we are going to talk about how to connect with people in real and meaningful ways and how to overcome some of the pitfalls that can keep us from connecting as God intended.

Last week we made a word cloud together, of things that help build community.

One of the top answers that came out of that exercise was what we are going to talk about today.

But first, let me share a story with you.

OPEN: A woman went into the office of a divorce lawyer and told him she wanted to file for divorce.

OPEN: A woman went into the office of a divorce lawyer and told him she wanted to file for divorce.

By Jeff Strite

Summary: Much of the conflict in our lives comes from "a failure to communicate".

But it isn't that we fail to make ourselves clear.

The problem is often that our communication is corrupt.

Do you know what that means and do you know how to fix that?

OPEN: A woman went into the office of a divorce lawyer and told him she wanted to file for divorce.

“Do you have any grounds!” the judge asked.

“Do you have any grounds!” the judge asked.

“Just two acres,” she said.

“Just two acres,” she said.

“Ma’am you don’t understand.

I mean do you have a grudge!”

“Ma’am you don’t understand.

I mean do you have a grudge!”

“No we don’t have a grudge, we park the car in front of the house.”

“No we don’t have a grudge, we park the car in front of the house.”

Frustrated, the lawyer continued, “Let me try again.

Does your husband beat you up!”

Frustrated, the lawyer continued, “Let me try again.

Does your husband beat you up!”

She replied.

“No, I get up before he does.”

She replied.

“No, I get up before he does.”

“(Sigh) Ok… why do you want a divorce?” the judge asked.

“(Sigh) Ok… why do you want a divorce?” the judge asked.

“We just don't seem to be able to communicate.”

“We just don't seem to be able to communicate.”

Communication is key in building connection and building communities.

Our vision for the Denver Church of christ is this.

Connecting every generation of every community to God and one another

Connection starts with communication.

It was fun making the word cloud last week.

Let’s do that again.

But this time,

I want to hear, things that hinder genuine communication.

https://www.mentimeter.com/s/134f93cde29223009eb8ecf60baf9050/ffda69f7cbf1#

Go to menti.com

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APPLY: For the next few weeks we’re looking at conflicts and how to Resolve those conflicts.

The first issue we’re going to talk about is the part that communication… or actually how the FAILURE of communication adds to conflict.

says: "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths…" The KJV says it a little different: “Let no corrupt COMMUNICATION proceed out of your mouth…” You see, for the Christian, a failure to communicate does NOT mean that we’re not communicating.

Instead it means that - too often - we’re using corrupt words when we communicate with people.

You see, for the Christian, a failure to communicate does NOT necessarily mean that we’re not communicating.

Instead it means that - too often - we’re using corrupt words when we communicate with people.

says: "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths…" The KJV says it a little different: “Let no corrupt COMMUNICATION proceed out of your mouth…” You see, for the Christian, a failure to communicate does NOT mean that we’re not communicating.

Instead it means that - too often - we’re using corrupt words when we communicate with people.

What does that word “corrupt” or unwholesome mean?

Well, I looked it up.

The Greek word for “corrupt” means “rotten, putrefied, not fit to be used, worthless”.

In other words: It’s trash talk.

You may mean exactly what comes out of your mouth but God is saying He’s NOT all that impressed by what we say sometimes.

What does that word “corrupt” mean?

Well, I looked it up.

The Greek word for “corrupt” means “rotten, putrefied, not fit to be used, worthless”.

In other words: It’s trash talk.

You may mean exactly what comes out of your mouth but God is saying He’s NOT all that impressed by what we say sometimes.

Now, what is it that makes communication CORRUPT in God’s eyes?

First, it starts with what motivates you.

Ephesians tells us:

"Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice."

(

In other words of corrupt communication that comes out of your mouth is triggered by anger what lies within your heart – anger, hatred and malice.

Someone has crossed the line somewhere… and you feel violated.

There’s an urge to unload our frustration on ignorant people.

) In other words of corrupt communication that comes out of your mouth is triggered by anger what lies within your heart – anger, hatred and malice.

Someone has crossed the line somewhere… and you feel violated.

There’s an urge to unload our frustration on ignorant people.

ILLUS: Just to give you an example of how this works – how many of you have ever been youth to a sporting Event?

Do your recall how the refs are often treated at those games?

I remember when I was at a wrestling meet.

On this particular occasion it was apparent that the refs were not making very good calls.

And I still remember the voice of someone in the stands calling out:

Are you blind?

How can you miss that??

Come on!!

What’s wrong with you?

And you know who was saying all those mean and hateful things???

It was ME.

I insulted refs.

I belittled them.

I questioned their intelligence.