Me and My Big Fat Mouth - Overview

Big Idea of Series: Your words bring life or death, fruit or poison, you choose. – Pro 18:21

Christ Centered Focus of Series: You can’t just get a swear jar, or practice saying positive statements. Those are just temporary fixes, band-aids to a much deeper problem. Your words – what you say to others out loud, about others to yourself and what you say about yourself – are a reflection of just how far the Cross of Christ has penetrated your heart. When the old self has been crucified by the Cross of Christ you don’t have to try to reform your speech because a changed heart comes a renewed vocabulary.

It Starts with the Heart.

Passage: Matthew 15:1-17

Problem: We believe that lip service is enough.

Solution: Only the Gospel can change the deepest levels of the heart.

HP: Change your heart and your words will follow.

The Stories We Tell.

Passage: 1 Cor 13

Problem: Just after we observe what others do and just before we feel some emotion about it, we tell ourselves a story – one that may not be true.

Solution: Take your cues from love’s point of view.

HP: Take your cues from Love’s point of view.

Slow…..it….way……down.

Passage: James 1:19-20

Problem: When you are in a hurry to speak people feel like they are not being heard and feelings get hurt, rapport is lost, and trust is eroded.

Solution: When you slow it down, you also calm it down.

HP: Slow it down and God can calm things down.

Don’t Settle for Fairness.

Passage: Matthew 5:38-48

Problem: The mistake most of us make is we believe that being fair is what is most important.

Solution: There is something better than fairness, it’s going the extra mile.

HP: Go the extra mile because God goes the extra miles for you.

Murderer or Medic now choose.

Passage: James 4:1-12

Problem: Speak when you are angry you will make the best speech you will ever regret. – Ambrose Bierce

Solution: God acts on behalf of those who humbles themselves before Him.

HP: Take an interest in others because God takes an interest in you.