Hello Family and Friends

Here are my sermon notes from this last Sunday – September 6, 2015

Please feel free to share and copy.       

Title of Sermon:

“Living as those made alive in Christ”

Alternate title: Noise Pollution

Theme addresses:

Moral behavior and the common use of profanity in everyday language.

Living an authentic Christian life. Christian Reality

The message was Presented September 6, 2015 – Communion Sunday.

Written by Bill Ferguson

I’ll be reading from both the King James and New International translation

Scripture Reading…………………….. Colossians 3:1-11

Referring scripture………….… James 5:12, Exodus 20:7

& Psalm 141: 3 - 4

Responsive reading ………Psalm 143…… # 856 – 857

The Words of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God.

     We learn from today’s scripture that we, as Christians, are to set our sights and focus upon Christ Jesus as Lord, who raised us to new life, for this is our authentic reality. We trust Christ Jesus who sits at God’s right hand in honor and power in the reality of heaven. Friends, because we are heaven bound, we are to set our thoughts and hopes on him. Today’s message is saying: Let Christ Jesus fill our thoughts and take hold of our will so we need not give a thought to earthly troubles and fears. Friends, born again believers are in Christ Jesus. We died to Him and now He is our genuine world and life and we share in His glory. We can put sin and our sinful ways to death, those earthly wants and needs that are bad and cause harm to others and to ourselves. The Apostle Paul tells us to have nothing to do with evil or sin or any kind of anger, greed, filthy language, lying, or any thoughts of impurity or idolatry. For these things stir God’s anger and we do not want that. Listen. When we have received His grace and forgiveness, why would we go back to what hurts others or ourselves? Today’s scripture message is saying: Strip off this old nature of sin and put on His nature of fruitfulness and renewal by clothing yourselves in His goodness with your new nature within you that He created. Scripture tells us that: Neither our nationality nor socioeconomic status matter when we are in Christ Jesus; all that matters is that he is real and true and lives in us. 

     It is not enough just to know what we should know, we must do as we are called to do. We need to not only engage God’s Word, but also obey and practice his precepts. If not, we are not living an authentic Christian life.  How do we do this? Paul tells us to put to death our old man (–our sin and evil desires-) and not only embrace our new lives in Christ Jesus but reside in them as well. As born again Christians, we are to make Christ Jesus first in order to receive His blessings and empowerment! That way, Jesus is our focus and attention rather than our own agendas. Then, we can lead lives of distinction, maturity, and character (Matt. 6:33; Rom. 6:1-14; Eph. 2:1-10).

     Even though Christ Jesus is our reality, we must contend with the reality of daily battles while living in a secular world. While watching television the other night, my wife and I couldn’t help but notice the extreme use of profanity being used. It was disturbing to say the least. After a few moments we changed the channel and, thank God, discovered a much better program.   

     Profanity and crude language are becoming more and more common in our society, not only on prime time television, but in the movies and music as well. The entertainment industry seems to be working overtime to desensitize the American public.  We must not kid ourselves, television and other forms of entertainment hold a great power of influence on the American society. Yes, America reflects much of what we see and hear through our entertainment. Many writers and producers seem to be intent on pushing the limits of how much immoral and offensive behavior and speech the public will allow. For Christians, it is becoming more and more difficult to find entertaining programs that are family friendly and not offensive. Christians are confronted from every direction with secular society’s influence.

     Some people will argue that “words are just words until you put a meaning to it.” That is a nonsensical statement. All words have meaning. It appears that the entertainment industry has done an excellent job of desensitizing the American public to the point that many people (especially the very young or young adults) have no idea of what polite language is.

     Listen. The Bible address the use of profanity and gives us direction. Yet, only a few pay attention. Turn to Colossians 3:8. This section, written by the Apostle Paul, is called rules for Holy Living. It says; “But now you must rid yourself of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.”  Now let’s turn to the book of James chapter 3. This section, 3:1-12, is called Taming the Tongue. Look at verse 9-12. And James, the brother of Jesus, says: “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.” And our Heavenly Creator says in Exodus 20:7; “You shall not miss use the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.” And Jesus says in Matthew 5:10 -11 “Listen and understand. What goes into a man’s mouth does not make him unclean, but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him unclean.” There are many more verses in both the Old and New Testament that address moral behavior.

     “Thou shall not use the Lord thy God’s Name in vain.” Yet, how many times have we all heard “God’s Name” spoken with disrespect, not only on television, but in the movies and in public?

     I am also amazed at how many people who claim Christianity as their faith, yet are not fazed by the current language trend. We even see it posted on Facebook. Profane and vulgar language is noise pollution of the worst kind.

     What does vulgar language do? Let’s make a short investigation.  

1.     Vulgar language dishonors God and degrades men and women. And stings the ears of young children.  

2.     Conversation punctuated by cursing, swear words, and crude or dirty expressions obscures the beauty of noble ideas. It weakens our witness.

3.     Words that condemn others can inflame anger and destroy relationships. They can inflict lasting hurt to sensitive souls who are battered by verbal abuse.

4.     Vulgar language sends the wrong message to young people who are easily influenced by the actions, language and lifestyle of older adults who they look up to.

     What else does vulgar language do?

1.     Ungodly language creates an immoral, unwholesome and un-spiritual atmosphere, which is hostile to clean thinking and clean living.

2.     Its deafening sound can all but drown out the voice of God's Holy Spirit speaking to you.

That's why the Word of God – The Bible - spells out in clear terms the kind of language that must not come from the lips of the followers of Christ Jesus, as well as the kind that should characterize our speech (Colossians 3:8).       

     Centuries ago the psalmist offered a prayer that we would be wise to echo. You might to write this down.  Psalm 141:3 - 4 says; “Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.  Let not my heart be drawn to what is evil, to take part in wicked deeds with men who are evildoers; let me not eat of their delicacies.” Beloved, that prayer is needed today in America and all over the world more than ever before. And we need to pray it daily.

     If you feel the Holy Spirit speaking to you to make a new commitment or recommitment to our Lord Jesus, you are welcome to come forward during our closing hymn or during communion. If you want me to pray with you just ask.

Dear Heavenly Father we praise your Holy Name. Forgive us of our sins and keep a guard over our mouths so that only the words from our mouths will bring glory to you and not weaken our witness. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Communion …………………..…. UMH ………….. # 15 & 16