Corrupting Talk
Audio Recording
Sermon Outline
Speaker: Rev. Scott Strickman
Sermon Series: Joined Together, Growing Together
Ephesians 4:25-5:2 (ESV)
25 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. 26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil. 28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. 29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
5:1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Sermon Outline
We are called out of a corrupted life with corrupting words (v29) into a life of grace where our words build up.
1. The Hearts of People
v31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.
2. The Heart of God
v32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
5:2 walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us
3. The Heart of God’s People
v30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God
v32 kind… tenderhearted, forgiving
v29 as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
Prayer of Confession
Our compassionate Father, you know who we truly are, but you love us anyway. We try to hide our corrupt desires and thoughts. The troubles within us seep out through our words. You see into our hearts even if we restrain our lips. We confess our sins, those seen and unseen. Forgive us for every corrupting thing we have said. Forgive our slander, our insults, our gossip, our manipulations. Forgive us for grieving the Holy Spirit. May the good news announced by Jesus be the truth that grips our hearts. May your grace materialize in the things we say and do. Amen.
Questions for Reflection
What kinds of statements do you restrain? What sorts of thoughts do you have that you know you should not articulate?
Why is it so hard to keep our deep feelings hidden when we speak? How does tone betray us?
What role does truth play in keeping communication clear? How does truth get manipulated? How can you be truthful without causing unnecessary harm?
Why is gossip and slander so damaging?
Do you see any corrupting talk in what the Bible records about the life and ministry of Jesus? What kinds of situations do we read about Jesus being in where he exists amidst corrupt people?
How does Jesus suffering to bring forgiveness reveal the heart of God? What does this say about the nature of God?
What is hard to believe about the gospel message? If God is truthful, why do we have trouble grasping that God really is kind to us?
How can what Jesus has done for you be more defining to your identity? Why is that one act of love and grace so crucial for us?
How can you deal with your hurts, resentments, ruminations, etc. within a new paradigm characterized, by God’s love, kindness, forgiveness and grace for us? What is needed to exist in periods of inner difficulty?
What can you commitment to that will help you be someone who consistently speaks so that others are built up?