Today, on the verdict with Pastor John Monroe, I guarantee that every single one of us here. have been crushed, have been hurt, have been wounded, have been humiliated because of insensitive, unkind, cruel, untrue, abusive words. Because our words have such tremendous power, Our tongues must be Controlled. Welcome to the Verdict, featuring the Bible teaching of Pastor John Monroe. Harsh and abusive rhetoric has become common in today's world.
and we see how words have tremendous power to wound and divide. Today on the verdict, we're thinking of healthy relationships and learning how to put away all forms of destructive speech as we put on the virtues of Christ.
Now, continuing our study in Colossians, here's Pastor John Monroe. How do you get along with people? All of us would like to think that we're good at relating to others. But the fact is that many of us have dysfunctional relationships. Today, we're continuing the series in Colossians, where Paul presents the preeminence of our Lord Jesus Christ.
in the miracle of conversion. The preeminent Christ lives within us. and transforms our relationships. Today we're looking at Colossians 3 verses 8 through 14. where Paul helps us in relating to one another.
Now, this is very practical teaching, which impacts our homes, the workplace, our society, and the church. I'm sure you'll be challenged. as we listen to the Word of God today. I invite you to open your Bibles to Colossians chapter three. Colossians 3, and we're going to be looking at verses 8.
Through fourteen As you're turning there, let me remind you that in Colossians, Paul brilliantly presents. the supremacy and the sufficiency of Jesus Christ. And in so doing, he makes several magnificent statements regarding the person of our Lord Jesus Christ. Here are four of them. In chapter 1, verse 17, he says regarding Christ, he is before all things, and in him that is in Christ, all things hold together.
That is, Christ is the creator of all things, the sustainer, and the goal of all creation. In our Lord Jesus Christ, everything in the whole universe is held together. Apart from Christ, everything in the universe, including ourselves, would cease to exist. Christ. is supreme.
is Paul's argument, because that's under attack. in an ancient heresy in Colossae. Secondly, in chapter 2, verse 9. He says regarding Christ, for in him The whole fullness of deity dwells bodily. These false teachers in ancient Colossa were perpetuating the heresy that Jesus Christ was not fully God.
And Paul gives a masterful Refutal of such heretical teaching. In Christ, he is saying, the invisible God has become visible. That is, that Christ is God. Thirdly, in chapter 2, verse 10, He says to the Colossian believers, and to us, you have been filled in him, that is, filled in Christ. who is the head of all rule and authority.
The people of God are in Christ. And everything we need is found in Christ. Not only is Christ preeminent and supreme then, he is sufficient. For our every spiritual need. All we need.
It's fine. in Christ. Christianity is not Christ plus anything, it is Christ. And Christ alone. That is As followers of Jesus Christ, we are complete.
In Christ.
Now the fourth saying comes from this passage. In chapter 3, verse 11. Where Paul says Christ is all and in all. Here Paul is underlining the lordship and the supremacy of Christ. In the new community, there are Greeks and there are Jews.
There are slaves and there are free people. There are all these different nationalities, including the barbarian. That word was used of someone who didn't speak Greek. Greek was the language of the educated, and someone who didn't speak Greek was regarded as someone who babbled. And hence this word barbarian.
But Paul is saying Christ is so magnificent, so supreme. That he is in each individual, irrespective of their nationality, their language, their color, of their skin. Or what language they speak. All such distinctions and barriers are irrelevant in the church. This morning, I had the privilege of welcoming some of her brothers and sisters from China.
And the newcomers' reception? with a young lady from Barbados, with a young man from Nigeria. with several from the Ukraine. We had a Russian. We had South African.
We had a few Americans who crept in. And I probably missed a few. How wonderful to think. That irrespective of all of these differences, That Christ is so magnificent that He indwells every single believer. He is all and in.
All. No place for discrimination. No place for prejudice. No place for snobbery. We can joke about different nationalities, but we are.
All in Christ. And Christ is in each one of us. The mind-blowing truth of Christianity. The Supreme Christ, the preeminent Christ. The magnificent Christ is all.
and is in every true Believer.
So as you greet what one another remember. that Christ Not only dwells in you, But in that brother, that sister, You just meet.
Now Paul, the master theologian and preacher that he is, always emphasizes in his writings the practical implications of doctrine. And in the verses we're going to read and look rather simply at, he now emphasizes the need for healthy relationships in the community of believers, the church. which has as its head The preeminent Christ. How we speak to one another and how we treat one another is an outworking of our new identity in Christ. Because in the Christian faith, we learn this: that not only are we united to Christ.
We are united to one another. Therefore And this is challenging. For most of us, myself included. Therefore our speech and our conduct Must always be respectful. Gracious, kind, loving, and Christ-like, that is displaying Christ.
I've called this message healthy. relationships. This is very practical. It impacts all of us. It impacts our homes, how we treat.
Our husband, our wife, if we're married. Our children, our friends if we're single. It impacts the workplace. What are we known for in that office, that bank, the hospital, the school, where we are as we treat other people? How are we seeing?
In society, and also, how do we treat one another in the life? Of the church. Paul tells us to put away sinful, destructive speech which characterizes the old self, the old man. What we were in Adam, and to put on positive graces and virtues which characterize the new community, what we are in Christ.
Now we're different. And our relationships are transformed because we are united with Christ and now united with our brothers and sisters in Christ. I know each one of you here. wants to put off all abusive speech. and to put on these wonderful Christian Graces.
Let's learn how to do that then as we come to Colossians 3, verses 8. Through fourteen. This is convicting, it's designed to be. Don't apply it. To your wife, your husband, your children, your mom or dad.
Let's all take it personally tonight. Colossians 3 verse 8. But now you must put them all away. Anger. Wrath, malice, slander.
and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self, the old man, with his practices. and have put on the new self, the new man. which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its Creator. Here, there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian.
Scythian, slave, free, but Christ is all and in all. Put on, then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, Compassion. Kindness. Humility. Meekness And patience.
Bearing with one another. And if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other as the Lord has forgiven you.
So you also must forgive. And above all these, put on love. Which binds everything together. and perfect. Harmony.
Isn't verse fourteen a wonderful verse? Above all these, put on love. which binds everything together. Imperfect. Harmony.
First of all, in verses eight and nine, we can learn that abusive speech Must end. Although the tongue is a small member in the body, its impact is far-reaching. What devastation Flows From sinful Speech. Turn with me to Proverbs. There's an example of this.
Proverbs 18. Proverbs 18, the words of Solomon. Verse twenty one. Psalms Proverbs. Death and life.
are in the power of the tongue. And those who love it will eat its fruits. That's power, isn't it? Death and life are in the power. of the tongue.
Over to the New Testament, James. Little book of James. Let preachers love It's so practical. I was gonna say easy to preach, but No it's not necessarily easy, but it's easier than some. James 3 verse 5 So also the tongue is a small member.
yet it boasts of great Thanks. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small Fire. I guarantee that every single one of us here have been crushed, have been hurt, have been wounded, have been humiliated because of insensitive, unkind, cruel, untrue, abusive words. And we probably, not probably, I'm sure all of us have hurt others. with their tongues.
Words can make us laugh or cry. They can bring joy or sorrow to the home. With a few words, we can calm someone, we can comfort them, or we can devastate them. Proverbs Twelve. Verse 18.
Let me read it to you. There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts. To select someone with a sword. thrusting in and piercing the person. But the tongue of the wise Brings Healing.
Words. It can be like a sword causing tremendous damage. Or they can bring healing. Because our words have such tremendous power Our tongues must be Control. What hurt?
There is in homes. What unrest in the workplace? What divisions in the church have resulted From sinful speech. A half-truth. A cutting remark.
A false flattery, a repeated gossip, an innuendo, a slanderous lie. The Bible says that each one of us, James 1, verse 19, must be quick to hear. Slow to speak. And slow to anger. That's tough for some of us, isn't it?
We're quick to speak and we're slow. to hear. I've been told that from time to time. Choose Your words carefully. Think.
Before you speak. Before you write that email. Before you send that text. before you make that call. Before you speak to that person, the wise person is restrained in his or her Speech.
Someone said, So far today, God, I've done all right. I haven't gossiped, I haven't lost my temper. I haven't been greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish, or overindulgent, and I'm thankful for that. But in a few minutes, Lord, I'm going to get out of bed. And from then on, I'm probably going to need a lot more help.
Very, very True. One woman said to the other Do you wake up grumpy in the morning? No, she says he wakes up himself. Um But some of us wake up grumpy. In the morning, Uh not in our home, of course.
But I hear in other homes That can happen. and it's reflected in our speech. The Roman Seneca said, Speech is the index of the mind. Our words are a reflection that they are a good barometer of our character. Our words reveal the inner condition of our heart.
That's what the Lord taught. In Matthew chapter 12, Verse thirty-four. Matthew 12 Verse thirty-four Jesus says You brood of vipers. How can you speak good when you're evil? For out of the abundance of the heart, The mouth speaks.
The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. I tell you, on the day of judgment, people will give account for every careless word they speak. For by your words you will be justified. And by your words you will be condemned. We meet someone, if they don't say anything, we've got no idea what kind of person they are.
But once we speak, Our heart. is revealed. How would you describe your words over this past week? How would your friends describe The words they hear from you. The people in your office, the people in your home.
How would they describe your words? Complaining? Critical? Filthy? Cutting, gossip, profane.
Or were they thankful? Joyful. Encouraging, wise, caring. compassionate and loving.
Now, there are various forms of sinful speech Paul is going to say, which must be discarded. Like dirty, outdated clothes. He's using this metaphor of someone wearing old clothes and they're dirty. And he's saying, I want you to get rid of them. I want you to throw them away.
That is the picture. Mentioned. Verse eight. Eight. You must put them all away.
And the first one mentioned is anger. The common emotion of anger is mentioned first. This is a deep-seated, smoldering resentment, a seething hatred. There are many causes for anger. feelings of helplessness.
resentment against some real or imagined injustice or abuse, frustration with events and people, and we get angry. Angry isn't necessarily evil, but when we are angry, it is very, very easy to sin. One commentator writes: when a tide of passion or a surge of anger is felt, It must be dealt with as the alien intruder it really is. and turned out of the house as having no right to be there at all. let alone to be giving orders.
You bring anger into your home. This rider is saying, get it out. It's an alien intruder. Put away. Your anger.
The next one, which is mentioned in verse 8, is wrath. This is rage. This is not smoldering anger. This is an outburst of temper. The time bomb has exploded.
It's like setting. Straw on fire. Quickly. There's an uncontrollable fire. Anyone here have temper tantrums?
Verbal outbursts. Don't say that's just the way I am. People have to accept it. No, that's not good enough. This rage, this wrath.
Paul is saying is totally inconsistent with your new life in Christ. It's a dirty. Piece of clothes. Which must be thrown away. Then third, there is malice.
This malice is ill-will, such as vindictive words intended to hurt or to cause harm. This is the evil desire to get back at someone in a mean-spirited, vindictive, malicious way. Says Paul, put all malice away. You say, Christians wouldn't be like that. Of course they would.
He's writing to Christians. Yes, as Christians, we can get angry, there can be wrath, and there can be malice, totally inconsistent with being in Christ. The fourth one is slander. This is sinful speech directed at those made in the image of God. Character assassination.
In the church, of course, it's sometimes phrased in spiritual platitudes. But people's reputations and integrity are attack. Slander has no place. Among Christians. We can ruin a person.
We can cause trouble between friends. Because of slander. Gossip is often slanderous. Although it may appear to be very innocent. Proverbs 16, verse 28 says, A whisperer separates close friends.
Here are two women who are close friends. A third person resents that friendship and begins to gossip and slander them. And soon the two friends. are alienated. Don't slander.
And don't listen to it. Proverbs 26, verse 20: For lack of wood, the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases. Wouldn't that be wonderful at church if there was no slander? Put away all Slander. Here is the fifth one.
End of verse 8, and obscene talk. From your mouth. This is evil and filthy. Speaking. More likely to come from men than women, but some women are also obscene in their talk.
This would be cursing. Blasphemy, swearing, and the like. A foul mouth. Dirty jokes. From time to time, children speak to me.
about parents who use obscenities in their home. How sad. Destructive, ungodly, displeasing to the Lord. It is said of Jesus that people marveled at the gracious words which proceeded from his mouth. That's.
When you're like When your sons and daughters are older, that they could say of you. My dad was gracious in his speech. As opposed to saying, Well, my dad had a dirty mouth. My dad, when he was angry, swore. He cursed.
He shouted. Paul says, no, I want you to end all Obscene. Talk. In verses 9 through 11, he says that lying must end. Verse 9, don't lie to one another, saying you've put off the old man with its practices and have put on the new man, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its Creator and so on.
The context here is lying to one's fellow believers. We need to be reliable, we need to be truthful, we need to be people of integrity. When we carry out business, we must be truthful. We mustn't mislead people to get that deal, to get that promotion. We must always be truthful.
to her husbands, or wives, or children, or parents, or friends. No lying. Not pretending to be friendly to someone and then lying about them and gossiping about them behind their back. A.W. Tozer says never pass anything on about anything else that will hurt him or her.
Lying is very Serious. Proverbs six reminds us that the Lord hates a lying tongue. John 8. Jesus says, the devil is the father of lies. When John in Revelation 21 describes those who will be in the lake of fire, he includes.
Liars.
Someone has said it's easy to tell a lie. But it's hard to tell only one. Lying leads to another lie, and another lie, and another lie. Zero tolerance, no lying. In the Christian community, all lying.
But stand. This is the verdict featuring the Bible teaching of Pastor John Monroe. There's still more to hear when John returns in just a moment, so stay with us. From matters of truth and identity, to the subjects of love and grace, our world seems more confused than ever. but to find truth and certainty about who we are and find peace, we must turn our attention away from the world and look to the Word of God.
To help you do that, John wrote a booklet titled Eternal Security, Finding Certainty in a Chaotic World. Through this special resource, John shares his personal testimony, along with a careful examination of Scripture, to offer us clarity on matters of eternity. Get your copy today by visiting our website at theverdict.org. While you're there, consider making an investment in this Bible teaching ministry. Whether it's $5, $50, or more, your gift today helps cover the cost of sharing these gospel messages to listeners around the world.
And if you haven't already, be sure to subscribe to the Verdict Podcast, featuring John's weekly podcast exclusive called Avizandam. It's available wherever you get your podcasts, or simply go to our website. Again, that's theverdict.org. The verdict is a ministry of Calvary Church in South Charlotte. We're located on the corner of Highway 51 and Ray Road.
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Now, here's Pastor John Monroe.
Well, what's your verdict? Are you an angry person? A gossip Are you someone who's always speaking behind people's back and poisoning relationships? Will you today ask God for His help to control your tongue? I know you want to be someone who's known for your gracious speech and gentle speech rather than abusive or harsh.
or deceitful speech. And don't forget to join me next time as we continue to see how the gospel transforms our relationships. Will discover the graces and virtues that we can demonstrate in Christ. Thanks for joining us today on The Verdict. I'm Michelle Davies.
Today's program with Pastor John Monroe was produced and sponsored by Calvary Church in Charlotte, North Carolina.
