Sermon Notes

Intro

1. Nationally, we are in the perfect breeding ground for negativity, depression, anger, envy, etc. Consider these factors: 1. COVID-19 and the huge disruption to our way of life – social distancing, shopping, access to normal conveniences of life (shops, public places, doctors, gyms, et), separation from elderly loved ones,   uncertainty about what guidelines to follow, when will it ever be completely safe again; 2. Economic volatility and job security. 3.along with this is are the political wranglings and debates; 4. gov’t reaching into every sector of society; 5. Is …it is a boiling pot of frustration, negativity, anger, depression, envy…it comes out in our words and responses.
   1. James says: Be slow to speak and quick to listen
   2. Solomon says: Let your words be few
   3. Prov 10.19: The more you talk, the more likely you are to sin. If you are wise, you will keep quiet.

2. Big Idea: Your words have creative power.
3. You are where you are today in life, relationships with God, relationships with family/spouse/children/siblings, b/c of words…words that have spoken over you or words that you have spoken.
   1. The words you believe will define who you are (the fruitfulness of your life).
   2. The words you confess will determine where you will go.

Prov.18.21: Life and death are in the power of the tongue.

The Words of God

1. Gen.1 – “Then God said” – God could’ve thought or waved His hand and brought the universe into order, but He spoke it. His words created order and life. Gen.1.2 says the world was without form or order. There was no shape to it and then God spoke – 1.3. On the fifth and sixth days, God brought life to the earth. He animated everything with His words.
2. Appl – Your words will either bring order and life or they’ll bring chaos and death. These are both the words you project and the words circulating in your mind (thoughts). Your words are either bringing you life/hope/joy and order/confidence/assurance or confusion/frustration/anger and lack/limit.
3. Gen.1.27 – We are created in the image and likeness of God. He spoke forth His will and the earth came into order and we can speak forth God’s will and see things get into alignment with it – John 15.7 & John 16.23f.

The Words of Jesus

1. John 1.1-4. He is the Word; he brought life to everything and when He came to earth His words started a revolution that changed the course of humanity. His words are “spirit and life”(J.6.63) He has the words of eternal life; His words are like seeds that when planted and activated in the good soil of a person’s heart they will bring a huge change and transformation.
2. How did Jesus cast out demons? He spoke a command. How did he heal most people? He declared God’s will.
3. His words inspired people. Some were inspired to follow Him and others were inspired to kill him. His words cut and divided people. They caused people to take a stand one way or the other.
4. His words when received bring peace, direction, correction, hope and instruction. His words when heeded bring you into your destiny.

The Words of Satan

1. He used words to tempt A&E. The name “devil” means accuser, defamer, slanderer…he uses words to cast doubt about God’s character, words and actions. He uses words to create fear, suspicion, confusion, division, discouragement in your life. He uses words to keep you from believing your full identity in Jesus. He bears false witness.
2. He wants us to take on his attitude of accusation, grumbling, negativity and ingratitude. The devil can’t kill you whenever he wants b/c that would have already happened, but he will use words to deceive you and accusations to destroy you. He will do everything in his power to keep you from experiencing the love of God and from living in your destiny as his dearly loved child.
3. His words sound just like your voice. What is the chatter you hear in your mind, when something doesn’t go as planned or you are complimented or a prayer seems to go unanswered.
   1. My situation with a relationship and I was getting very upset about it; I finally told Stephanie; she prayed and I could literally feel this oppression and anger leave.
   2. Talking with an Airman at Jan drill and his life was a mess; we prayed and broke the power of the enemy’s lies over his life. I saw him three weeks later and it was a 180; he had hope and direction.

The Words of Your Mouth

1. The words you believe (fully persuaded by) will define who you are. (and your fruitfulness in life)
   1. The words your family spoke over you; important people; things you’ve read or heard; God and the enemy have sown into your life. Anything that you have come into agreement with either consciously or sub-consciously be it good or bad will define who you are.
      1. This is why it is so important to know the Word of God. The greater the difference between your words and God’s Word the greater the gap between the kind of life your living and the kind of life God offers. The reason some of you have such a unsatisfying life is b/c there is such disparity between what you say and think about God, yourself and life and God has spoken and revealed about Himself, you and the abundant life that is available to all. If you will come into agreement what the word of God says and the Word of God revealed, you will live the kind of life you have always wanted.
   2. The entire key to your maturity as a follower of Jesus centers around having your mind renewed by the Word & word and thinking the way God thinks about you and life. It is moving from an earthbound, sin tainted, devil afflicted mindset to a Kingdom based, righteous standing, HS anointed one. This is why Romans 12.1-2 is the center stage for Christian transformation. As long as we’re letting this earthbound system dominate our thinking, we will never live at the level of wholeness and fruitfulness that God desires.
2. The words you confess will determine where you will go.
   1. Eternally
      1. Rom 10.8-10; “Luke 12.8-9”
      2. Matt.12.33-37
   2. Relationally
      1. Prov.18.6, 7, 13, 19, 20, 21,22
      2. Your marriage is a reflection of the words spoken over it; your relationship with your family and children is a reflection of the words. The relational dynamics in your marriage are a product of the words that have come out of your mouth.
      3. The words that come out of your mouth are the building materials of every relationship that you have. Your words are building something. What have your words built in your marriage…with your children…with your parents…others?
         1. Pic of a beautiful castle; pic of a shack in a garbage dump.
      4. Husbands look how Jesus treats His bride – Eph.5.25-27. He makes her beautiful by the words he speaks over her. His words as revealed in God’s Word make her beautiful, joyful, hopeful, and filled with life. What about your words spoken over your wife…are they making her clean or dirty?
   3. Your future in this life
      1. Prov 12.18, 15.1, 21.23, etc– Words open and close opportunities; this is why typically the person who is more intelligent and has greater ability but does not know how to control his tongue will not be as successful in life as the person who is less intelligent and has less ability but knows how to control his words.
      2. Often times in large companies, you’ll have an employee who knows more than the supervisor or even the CEO, but is in a lesser role b/c they do not know how to control their words.
      3. Be clear: Your words ARE creating your future!
      4. Peggy Morrison said: Peggy is the prophet of her own life.
      5. Culturally with COVID-19; Georg Floyd Protest; massive unemployment, we are in a moment when our words are imparting our collective future. As a nation, we are moving to harmony, reconciliation and justice or discord, division and injustice.
3. The words you confess (good or bad) will determine where you will go (eternally, relationally & your future in this life); the words you believe (true or false) will define who you are.

Conclusion

1. Big Idea: Your words have creative power.
2. I heard a person say: The political spirit seeks to win and not serve; the religious spirit seeks to be right and not love.
   1. Where are your words coming from? A spirit that seeks to be right and win or one that seeks to love and serve.
3. The sweetest words that Jesus ever spoke…repent. Change your thinking and change your action (words, responses). Come into agreement with God’s written Word and the Living Word!