Good Words

Preliminary manuscript for sermon at Green Lake Church for Sabbath, December 7, 2013. Comments and criticism welcome.

Bible Readings

OT. Genesis 1:1-5

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. Then God said, "Let there be light," and there was light.

And God saw that the light was good. Then he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light "day" and the darkness "night." And evening passed and morning came, marking the first day. Genesis 1:1-5 NLT

NT: John 1:1-5.

In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God.

He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. John 1:1-5. NLT

Sermon text:

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. And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you." Matthew 12:35-37

Words have magic power.

Nicely done.

Good job.

Perfect.

No worries.

That was helpful, thanks.

It's so good to see you.

My day is better when you're part of it.

You look nice, today.

Finally, one of the sweetest things I've heard in a long time. A young woman said about her fiance: 

“When I'm with him, I can be completely myself.”

Do you feel the power of these words? Writing them puts a smile on my face. Reading them probably puts a smile on your face. They make life sweeter, better. Dark days are a little brighter when we hear words like these.

I have favorite words from the Bible.

Fear not little flock. It is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Luke 12

Grace and peace to you. (passim, The Epistles and Revelation)

Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more. John 8

The people sitting in darkness have seen a great light.

On those dwelling in shadowy regions, a light has dawned. Matthew 1

Blessed are the poor in spirit,

Theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5

Christmas time is a season of good words.

Handel's Messiah sets the best words of the Bible to music.

“There shall a Star rise out of Jacob . . .”

And I imagine the blaze of Venus on the eastern horizon on an icy cold, cloudless morning.

Unto us a child born

To us a son is given

And the government with be on his shoulders.

His name will be called Wonderful,

Counselor,

the Mighty God,

the Everlasting Father.

His government and its peace
will never end. Isaiah 9:6-7

I come back to these words over and over—when I read about the Central African Republic and the horrific chaos and violence that seems to eternally haunt the place. I come back to these words to fuel my hope when I read about another poor man who has spent years or even decades on death row for a crime he did not do. When I am confronted again with apparently insoluble conflict in a marriage.

He shall lead his flock, like a shepherd.

Hearing these words or rehearsing them in my mind, I pray, “Hurry up and do it.” And sometimes I pray, “Teach he how I can partner with you in serving your flock.”

Then there are the grand, triumphant words of the hallelujah chorus.

Hallelujah!

For the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth.

Hallelujah!

The kingdom of this world

Is become the kingdom of our Lord,

And of His Christ,

And He shall reign for ever and ever,

King of kings, and Lord of lords,

And He shall reign forever and ever,

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Goodness will triumph. Evil will be displaced. Justice will reign from pole to pole and sea to sea. Hallelujah!

When we allow these words to permeate our minds, darkness will have less influence. Our confidence in God will deepen. Our commitments to goodness and righteousness are invigorated. We become allies with God in working toward the triumph of goodness.

This is the beautiful power of words. However, as with anything power, words can be misused. They can cut and twist. You know the old saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me!” Kids say it as a defense against the jagged, ugly words hurled by others. While it is true that most of the time it is preferable to be hit with words than with rocks or ax handles, the saying is, of course, false. Words can hurt.

God calls us away from ugly words, harsh words, biting words. As disciples of Jesus, we are called to a radical, counter-cultural language. Talk radio specializes in ugly words. People on the left and right entertain us by feeding our sense of outrage. These personalities earn their keep by being more sarcastic, more biting, more angry. Listening to these kinds of words frequently will warp our own souls. They will lead us to be angry about what we cannot fix and complacent about the things that we can fix. I have never yet heard anyone describe some positive action they have taken as a result of listening to talk radio or Bill O'Reilly or Jon Stewart. Good words bear good fruit. They nourish life and hope. They spur us to effective, hopeful action.

We can apply the same rule to the preaching we listen to. If a preacher specializes in condemning sin, the most likely effect of listening to that preacher is increased outrage against the sins of others! So, ask yourself what is the effect of the words I am hearing—whether here at Green Lake Church or on TV or over the internet.

Deliberately seek out good words. Deliberately avoid ugly words, jagged words, cutting words.

Now let me really go to meddling. Tell me about the words in your house. Are your children eager to hear your voice? Are they drawn to you by your good words or are you withering their souls with sharp words, disapproving words?

Kids, especially teenagers, if your parents recorded your words would you be okay with them sharing the recording with us hear at church?

Employers, what kind of words do you use with your employees? When you have to correct them are your words more cutting than necessary?

Within a Christian context the force of these questions is highlighted by the words of Jesus:

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. And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you." Matthew 12:35-37

Words matter.

In this season of happy words, hopeful words, confident words about the purpose and power of God, let's cultivate the habit of saying good words, beautiful words, words that heal and inspire. As we do this, we will be partnering with God and we will increase our own capacity to fully trust God's good words to us.