Put Down The Sledge Hammer - RJ
Notes
Transcript
Put Down The Sledge Hammer
Put Down The Sledge Hammer
Theme: KINDNESS
Photo
Building site revelation – Easy and quick to tear down, much harder harder & longer to build back up.
Building site revelation – Easy and quick to tear down, harder & longer to build back up.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness.
Demolishing our Kitchen at Princess St - Can be quite satisfying to tear down but leaves a lot of mess to clean up
Easy to tear down - much harder to rebuild
Some people are waiting with the sledge hammer all the time…whether it be hurt & pain in their own life etc
6 Fools’ words get them into constant quarrels; they are asking for a beating. 7 The mouths of fools are their ruin; they trap themselves with their lips.
6 Fools’ words get them into constant quarrels; they are asking for a beating. 7 The mouths of fools are their ruin; they trap themselves with their lips. 8 Rumors are dainty morsels that sink deep into one’s heart.
Proverbs 18:6
We are called to be builders, not demolition crew
Our words have constructive & destructive power
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.
9 The hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbor, But through knowledge the righteous will be delivered.
16 Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, And the Lord listened and heard them; So a book of remembrance was written before Him For those who fear the Lord And who meditate on His name.
What we say matters, we have the ability to build up or tear down by our words
What we say matters, we have the ability to build up or tear down by our words
Gods first priority is people
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness.
We find a powerful scripture in the most unlikely of passages, Proverbs 31 - most call it the passage on the Virtuous Woman
King Lemuel – could be Solomon & Bathsheba, King Hezekiah or another
Taught by his Mother
Proverbs 31:
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness.
In her tongue is the law of kindness.--Kindness is the law by which she regulates all her words.
One of the things that makes her such a godly, wonderful, wise woman is the fact that she has control over her attitude and over her mouth. We always end up speaking that which is in our heart, so our heart must first be yielded and submitted to God. When she speaks, she speaks with kindness and graciousness – on her tongue is the Law of Kindness. The Law of Kindness is the Law of Love. Her mouth only speaks things that will bless and benefit others, even if it is a rebuke. She speaks the truth in love.
One of the things that makes her such a godly, wonderful, wise woman is the fact that she has control over her attitude and over her mouth. We always end up speaking that which is in our heart, so our heart must first be yielded and submitted to God. When she speaks, she speaks with kindness and graciousness – on her tongue is the Law of Kindness. The Law of Kindness is the Law of Love. Her mouth only speaks things that will bless and benefit others, even if it is a rebuke. She speaks the truth in love.
Law of kindness – “law of Love” – Grace and mercy, which is the law of Christ
Points to the redemptive work of Jesus Christ - the gospel
2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
4 Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?
It is speech which has the wisdom of the Holy Spirit guiding it, bringing about change that only the gospel of God’s love and kindness can.
- Gospel – speech which has the wisdom of the Holy Spirit guiding it, bringing about change that only the gospel of God’s love and kindness can.
Septuagint (Greek Old Testament), "She places order on her tongue." Her speeches are guided by wisdom and grace, and not extreme passions (She doesn't let her emotions get the better of her)
This practice is called a law in her tongue, because it is constant and customary, and proceeds from an inward and powerful principle of true wisdom.
What that means is - The Law of Kindness is using wisdom that the Holy spirit gives from the deep revelation of Jesus Christ in or lives, to speak in a way that is kind, constructive and full of life!
Build people up better than we found them.
Build people up better than we found them.
Build people up better than we found them.
29 Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.
Be a builder
Gods first priority is people
Gods way is personal vulnerability (the cross) and the well being of the community
How do we have the law of kindness on our tongue?
1. How do we have the law of kindness on our tongue?
1. How do we have the law of kindness on our tongue?
Internal reality of Jesus Christ - can’t have the law of kindness in your heart if the law of Love is not in your heart
Identity in Christ - not insecure and nasty
8 Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
You will struggle to be kind with unforgiveness in your heart - Ps John Rewald
James
Be vulnerable - Ps John Hunt - The culture of this world is individual happiness and personal protection. Gods way is personal vulnerability (the cross) and the well being of the community
Humble yourself - Pride is always up for a fight
Gods way is personal vulnerability (the cross) and the well being of the community
Be full of the Holy Spirit
Be full of the Holy Spirit - fruit of kindness - as a Christian we work in the Holy Spirit to be kind, leading others to repentance, healing & restoration
Guard your heart - because out of the heart the mouth speaks? if you find you are being unkind - what’s going on in your heart?
35 A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart.
Matthew
45 A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.
29 Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.
Luke 6:45
Pray - God help me to speak words of life - Prayer of Jabez - Help me to be a blessing not a curse
Remember people are God’s first priority
People are not the enemy - Powers and principalities are!
2. How do we help someone rebuild, when they’ve been demolished?
2. How do we help someone rebuild, when they’ve been demolished?
Listen - have kind ears - Don’t rush ahead, wait for the Holy Spirit to give you wisdom to speak kindly
28 The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil.
Proverbs
Cultivate genuine relationship - not an act of emotion, but a choice
Cultivate genuine relationship -love
Put personal agenda aside - Have a sensitive spirit and respect the other person
Encourage
24 Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.
Proverbs 16:24
Proverbs 16:24
The law of kindness is using wisdom that the Holy Spirit gives from the deep revelation of Jesus Christ in our lives to speak in a way that is kind, constructive and full of life!
Jesus had the law of kindness on His lips
THINK
T – Is it TRUE
H – Is it HELPFUL
I – Is it INSPIRING
N – Is it NECESSARY
K – Is it KIND