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Apocrypha, 2 Maccabees, 12. 41 So they all blessed the ways of the Lord, the righteous judge, who reveals the things that are hidden;42 and they turned to supplication, praying that the sin that had been committed might be wholly blotted out. The noble Judas exhorted the people to keep themselves free from sin, for they had seen with their own eyes what had happened as the result of the sin of those who had fallen. 43 He also took up a collection, man by man, to the amount of two thousand drachmas of silver, and sent it to Jerusalem to provide for a sin offering. In doing this he acted very well and honorably, taking account of the resurrection.44 For if he were not expecting that those who had fallen would rise again, it would have been superfluous and foolish to pray for the dead. 45 But if he was looking to the splendid reward that is laid up for those who fall asleep in godliness, it was a holy and pious thought. Therefore he made atonement for the dead, so that they might be delivered from their sin.

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1 Corinthians 3:15 If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.

BARNES COMMENTARY: 1Co 3:15 If any man’s work shall be burned – If it shall not be found to hear the test of the investigation of that Day – as a cottage of wood, hay, and stubble would not bear the application of fire. If his doctrines have not been true; if he has had mistaken views of piety; if he has nourished feelings which he thought were those of religion; and inculcated practices which, however well meant, are not such as the gospel produces; if he has fallen into error of opinion, feeling, practice, however conscientious, yet he shall suffer loss.
He shall suffer loss – :
(1) He shall not be elevated to as high a rank and to as high happiness as he otherwise would. That which he supposed would be regarded as acceptable by the Judge, and rewarded accordingly, shall be stripped away, and shown to be unfounded and false; and in consequence, he shall not obtain those elevated rewards which he anticipated. This, compared with what he expected, may be regarded as a loss.
(2) he shall be injuriously affected by this forever. It shall be a detriment to him to all eternity. The effects shall be felt in all his residence in heaven – not producing misery but attending him with the consciousness that he might have been raised to superior bliss in the eternal abode – The phrase here literally means, “he shall be mulcted.” The word is a legal term, and means that he shall be fined, that is, he shall suffer detriment.
But he himself shall be saved – The apostle all along has supposed that the true foundation was laid 1Co_3:11, and if that is laid, and the edifice is reared upon that, the person who does it shall be safe. There may be much error, and many false views of religion, and much imperfection, still the man that is building on the true foundation shall be safe. His errors and imperfections shall be removed, and he may occupy a lower place in heaven, but he shall be safe.
Yet so as by fire – ὡς διὰ πυρός hoÌ„s dia puros. This passage has greatly perplexed commentators; but probably without any good reason. The apostle does not say that Christians will be doomed to the fires of purgatory; nor that they will pass through fire; nor that they will be exposed to pains and punishment at all; but he “simply carries out the figure” which he commenced, and says that they will be saved, as if the action of fire had been felt on the edifice on which he is speaking. That is, as fire would consume the wood, hay, and stubble, so on the great Day everything that is erroneous and imperfect in Christiana shall be removed, and that which is true and genuine shall be preserved as if it had passed through fire. Their whole character and opinions shall be investigated; and that which is good shall be approved; and that which is false and erroneous be removed.
The idea is not that of a man whose house is burnt over his head and who escapes through the flames, nor that of a man who is subjected to the pains and fires of purgatory; but that of a man who had been spending his time and strength to little purpose; who had built, indeed, on the true foundation, but who had reared so much on it which was unsound, and erroneous, and false, that he himself would be saved with great difficulty, and with the loss of much of that reward which he had expected, as if the fire had passed over him and his works. The simple idea, therefore, is, that that which is genuine and valuable in his doctrines and works, shall be rewarded, and the man shall be saved; that which is not sound and genuine, shall be removed, and he shall suffer loss. Some of the fathers, indeed, admitted that this passage taught that all people would be subjected to the action of fire in the great conflagration with which the world shall close; that the wicked shall be consumed; and that the righteous are to suffer, some more and some less, according to their character. On passages like this, the Roman Catholic doctrine of purgatory is based. But we may observe:
(1) That this passage does not necessarily or naturally give any such idea. The interpretation stated above is the natural interpretation, and one which the passage will not only bear, but which it demands.
(2) If this passage would give any countenance to the absurd and unscriptural idea that the souls of the righteous at the Day of Judgment are to be re-united to their bodies, in order to be subjected to the action of intense heat, to be brought from the abodes of bliss and compelled to undergo the burning fires of the last conflagration, still it would give no countenance to the still more absurd and unscriptural opinion that those fires have been and are still burning; that all souls are to be subjected to them; and that they can be removed only by masses offered for the dead, and by the prayers of the living. The idea of danger and peril is, indeed, in this text; but the idea of personal salvation is retained and conveyed.

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Matthew 12:32 And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.

BARNES COMMENTARY: Neither in this world, nor in that which is to come – That is, as Mark expresses it, “hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation.” This fixes the meaning of the phrase. It means, then, not the future age or dispensation, known among the Jews as the world to come, but it means that the guilt will be unpardoned forever; that such is the purpose of God that he will not forgive a sin so direct, presumptuous, and awful. It cannot be inferred from this that any sins will be forgiven in hell. The Saviour meant simply to say that there were “no possible circumstances” in which the offender could obtain forgiveness. He certainly did “not” say that any sin unpardoned here would be pardoned hereafter.

Dr. Lightfoot: “They that endeavor hence to prove the remission of some sins after death, seem little to understand to what Christ had respect when he spake these words. Weigh well this common and, most known doctrine of the Jewish schools, and judge.

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Matthew 5:26 Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.

ADAM CLARKE COMMENTARY: This text has been considered a proper foundation on which to build not only the doctrine of a purgatory, but also that of universal restoration. But the most unwarrantable violence must be used before it can be pressed into the service of either of the above antiscriptural doctrines. At the most, the text can only be considered as a metaphorical representation of the procedure of the great Judge; and let it ever be remembered, that by the general consent of all (except the basely interested) no metaphor is ever to be produced in proof of any doctrine. In the things that concern our eternal salvation, we need the most pointed and express evidence on which to establish the faith of our souls.

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Adam’s (author) comments: after reading much about purgatory, one other thing worth mentioning is that in the Old Days, evidently the Jews, before Christ, believed in “praying for the dead”. This would explain the thinking in Macabees.

Send comments to Adam Osborne

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Matthew 16: 13-20 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”

14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he warned his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ. Also see Hebrews 6:23

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1. The speculation we see in the passage (vv. 13-14). Jesus asked what are the people saying about him. Some say “John the Baptist” (Matt 14). Herod saw Jesus as the reincarnation of John the Baptist. Some saw him as Elijah because of the prophecy; but we know that John the Baptist fulfilled that prophecy. Some saw him as Jeremiah. The Jews believed that Jeremiah would come back before Jesus was to come.

Being right on the view of Jesus Christ is the most important question of all time. Even most Jews feel that Jesus was a Rabbi, a teacher. Even Muslims feel that Jesus was a prophet.

Jesus is not just a historical figure. Jesus is far, far more.

2. The revelation we see in the passage (vv.15-17). Peter states that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the Living God. Peter had come to the correct conclusion. Peter did not know this because of human reasoning. According to Jesus, he came to that conclusion because of the sovereign work in the life of Peter. God had revealed it to him. Galatians 1:15-17. In the same way, Paul tells us that God had revealed to him who Jesus was.

3. The application we see in the passage (vv. 18-20)

• The church’s foundation is Christ. Deuteronomy32:31. God is our Rock. Psalm 118:32 the stone that the Jews have rejected.
• The church’s function. The church WILL go forth, and the gates of hell will NOT prevail against it. We are encroaching on the enemies territory, and we will prevail. We should be actively sharing the gospel. The gospel can and will save people. The Gospel is STILL the power of God unto salvation. We can live confidently and offensively knowing the power of God. The Gospel will bring the unsaved out unto salvation.
• The church’s fruit. Verse 19. The “keys” of the kingdom. Keys refers to the scribes, the teachers, whose duties are to tell of God. Matthew 13:52. We see Peter preaching on the day of Pentecost and thousands come to Jesus for salvation. Now we, the CHURCH have the keys. We have been given the keys to the kingdom. Romans 10:13. We can tell people who have called upon the name of The Lord that they ARE saved because the bible says it.

Matthew 16:1-12. The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven.

2 He replied, “When evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’ 3 and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. 4 A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a miraculous sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” Jesus then left them and went away.

The Yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees
5 When they went across the lake, the disciples forgot to take bread. 6 “Be careful,” Jesus said to them. “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

7 They discussed this among themselves and said, “It is because we didn’t bring any bread.”

8 Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, “You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread? 9 Do you still not understand? Don’t you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? 10 Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? 11 How is it you don’t 11 How is it you don’t understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 12 Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees.

1. We need to GRASP what we are to do (vv.1-4). The Sadducees request was not sincere. He had already given them numerous signs, they wanted a sign from heaven, some supernatural sign. Something that could not be explained. We need to recognize the signs of the one and only true God. Jesus was killed, put in the ground, and three days later arose and defeated death.

2. We need to GUARD against the extremes of the Sadducees and the Pharisees (vv.5-6). The Pharisees added to the Law, and the Sadducees took away from the Law. False doctrine will infiltrate your life unless you guard against it. Just like yeast it will grow, eventually taking over everything.

3. We need to GROW (vv.7-12). The disciples at first didn’t understand. They misunderstood what Jesus was talking about. They needed to grow, so that whey would begin to understand. How often do we take the Lord’s words and misinterpret them?

How do you grow? By getting into the Word Of God. It helps you to grow in truth so you will not be deceived. We need to learn how to grow on our own so that we can firmly grasp the truth. Don’t fall prey on false doctrine.

————-OTHER SCRIPTURES TO STUDY ————–

Galatians 1:6-9 6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! 9 As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!

Ephesians 4:11-16. 11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every 14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

1 Timothy 1:3-20 3 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer 4 nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promote controversies rather than God’s work—which is by faith. 5 The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 6 Some have wandered away from these and turned to meaningless talk. 7 They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.

8 We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. 9 We also know that law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious; for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, 10 for adulterers and perverts, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine 11 that conforms to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.

12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. 13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 14 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

18 Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight, 19 holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith. 20 Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.

2 Timothy 3:1-9. 1 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self–control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.

6 They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over weak–willed women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, 7 always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth. 8 Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth—men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. 9 But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone.

2 Peter 2:1-19. 1 You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. 3 Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer. 5 Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor’s crown unless he competes according to the rules. 6 The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. 7 Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.

8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, 9 for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained. 10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.

11 Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him;

12 if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us;

13 if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself. 14 Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 16 Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. 17 Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 who have wandered away from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some. 19 Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”

2 Peter 3:17-18. 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

The Definition of the

Council of Chalcedon (451 A.D). The fourth of seven ecumenical councils.

Therefore, following the holy fathers, we all with one accord teach men to acknowledge one and the same Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, at once complete in Godhead and complete in manhood, truly God and truly man, consisting also of a reasonable soul and body; of one substance with the Father as regards his Godhead, and at the same time of one substance with us as regards his manhood; like us in all respects, apart from sin; as regards his Godhead, begotten of the Father before the ages, but yet as regards his manhood begotten, for us men and for our salvation, of Mary the Virgin, the God-bearer; one and the same Christ, Son, Lord, Only-begotten, recognized in two natures, without confusion, without change, without division, without separation; the distinction of natures being in no way annulled by the union, but rather the characteristics of each nature being preserved and coming together to form one person and subsistence, not as parted or separated into two persons, but one and the same Son and Only-begotten God the Word, Lord Jesus Christ; even as the prophets from earliest times spoke of him, and our Lord Jesus Christ himself taught us, and the creed of the fathers has handed down to us.

VERBAL MATURITY =Verbal maturity sufficient to communicate and articulate as a man.
BIBLICAL MANHOOD, LESSON 11: Feb 7, 2015

Verbal maturity sufficient to communicate and articulate as a man.

Here’s a striking phenomenon of our times – many adolescent boys and young men seem to communicate only through a series of guttural clicks, grunts and incoherent language that can hardly be described as verbal. A man must be able to speak, to be understood, and to communicate in a way that will honor God and convey God’s truth to others.

The booklet goes on to say:

• Parents must work with boys, requiring them to speak, to articulate and to learn respect for language.
• This respect must extend to an ability to enunciate words so that articulation is clear and communication succeeds.
• This skill must be learned at the dinner table, in family conversation and in one-on-one talk, especially between father and son.
• Beyond the context of conversation, a boy must learn how to speak before larger groups, overcoming the natural intimidation and fear that comes from looking at a crowd, opening one’s mouth and projecting words.
• Though not all men will become public speakers, every man should have the ability to take his ground, frame his words and make his case when truth is under fire and when belief and conviction must be translated into argument.

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• SECURLAR WORLD: In your opinion, where is our society at large when it comes to Men or Boys in the subject of Verbal Communication?
Are we good? Are we effectively communicating? Are we declining? If we are declining, in your opinion, why?
• Is it necessary, is it desired, that as Verbal Communicators, to stay with the old “English” standards that we learned in our school days?
• If society in general is changing the way we speak, isn’t it natural just to speak in the way that society is going?”

I came across 14 points We will hit these points very quickly, so we can focus on the more important “Spiritual implications of speech”. . These points are not “biblical” per-se, but as we discuss these think about how you could also use them during spiritual discussions. All you educated men out there, use this for a quick review:

1. Effective communicators know how to prepare a message with a singular and crystal clear focus.
2. Effective communicators know how to read an audience and are able to customize their presentation to make that audience want to listen.
3. Effective communicators are passionate about their subject.
4. Effective communicators leave the audience no doubt about how to benefit from the objective of the talk.
5. Speak not with forked tongue. If you talk bad about people when other people are around, then do you think others will trust you when they aren’t around?
6. Get personal. The more personal and engaging the conversation is the more effective it will be. …. “people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”
7. Get specific: Learn to communicate with clarity. Simple and concise is always better than complicated and confusing.
8. Have a servant’s heart. When you truly focus on contributing more than receiving, you will have accomplished the goal.
9. Have an open mind: A speaker takes their game to a whole new level the minute they willingly seek out those who hold dissenting opinions and opposing positions with the goal not of convincing them to change their minds, but with the goal of understanding what’s on their mind.
10. Shut-up and listen: Know when to dial it up, dial it down, and dial it off (mostly down and off).
11. Replace ego with empathy: When candor is communicated with empathy & caring, good things happen. Empathetic communicators display a level of authenticity and transparency.
12. Read between the lines: Learn to listen, and understand. Begin to read between the lines. Learn to understand what is not said, witnessed, or heard.
13. When you speak, know what you’re talking about: Develop a technical command over your subject matter. If you don’t possess subject matter expertise, few people will give you the time of day.
14. Speak to groups as individuals: We don’t always have the luxury of speaking to individuals in an intimate setting. Great communicators can tailor a message such that they can speak to large numbers of people in an auditorium and have them feel as if they were speaking directly to each one of them as an individual.

BIBLICAL JOURNEY on Verbal Communication:

(Excerpts of: “The Power of Speech, for Good or Evil” by Wayne Jackson)

FIRST POINT:
From Genesis, when do we first hear, or recognize “speech”?
• . Right from the beginning of the bible, Chapter 1, the reader is introduced to the power of speech.
• In Psalms it says: “He spoke, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast” (Psa. 33:9). In this passage of course the Psalmist was discussing the Creation of our World.
• The New Testament reads: “By faith we understand that the worlds have been framed by the “WHAT”?
o Word of God” (Heb. 11:3).>
Of the millions of biological creatures on this planet, only humans have the ability to communicate through verbalized speech. That has obvious implications…which are…
• It would seem, “speech” is a very special gift from the Creator.

So, if it is a truly unique, and special gift from God to man, then I would think that as Godly men and women, we must use this gift correctly, lest we mismanage the gift that He gave us….

SECOND POINT:
Let’s discuss the POWER of human speech in James 3:4-12.
Jas 3:4 Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs.
Jas 3:5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!
Jas 3:6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.
Jas 3:7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind,
Jas 3:8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
Jas 3:9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.
Jas 3:10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.
Jas 3:11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water?
Jas 3:12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.

ASK: “What do we learn from these passages?”
• No man has the ability to control his words entirely.
• The tongue is a force either for blessing or cursing.
• It is a life-long challenge to learn how to bless, and attempt to eliminate the cursing.

THIRD POINT:
A Proper Use of the Gift of Speech
What do you think should be the most important thing we do with speaking?
• Praise the Creator.
• Psalms 18:3 I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.

The book of Psalms. Does anyone here know what the HEBREW word is for Psalms?
• rehillim
Do you know what Psalms means? Until I did this study, I thought it meant “singing”…
• praises

When Jesus taught us to pray, how did Jesus “address” God in what we would call “The model prayer”, or the “Lord’s prayer?”
• “Our Father who are in heaven, Hallowed be your name” (Mt. 6:9).

What was Jesus doing here?
• Praising God. The expression “hallowed” suggests the idea of holding in reverence, treating as holy.
FOURTH POINT:
SOMEONE either tell us what the GREAT COMMISSION is, or for more bonus points, recite the verses:
Mat 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Mat 28:20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
So, what are these verses telling us?
• One of our PRIME DUTIES is to use HIS gift of speech to speak forth words of truth OF Jesus Christ. To spread the Gospel.

FIFTH POINT: There is also power in speech to bless our brothers and sisters in a great variety of ways. Can anyone think of any scriptures for this?
• 1Co 14:3 On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation.
• 2Ti 4:2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.
o Through speech we may lovingly reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with longsuffering and teaching.
• 1Th 4:18 Therefore encourage one another with these words. (discussing the return of Jesus and meeting him in the air]
o We may offer words of comfort in troubling times.

SIXTH POINT: As Christians, we need to be aware of what God thinks about our speech. Does anyone know a scripture that declares this?
• Psalms 19:14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.

SEVENTH POINT: Words Fitly Spoken
In Prov. 25:11 Solomon once said that, “a word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a network of silver”
ASK: SOMEONE TELL ME WHAT THAT MEANS:
• This proverb likely describes the beauty of a word spoken, appropriately and at the right time.
• This verse should be a reminder to God’s people that their own words should be wisely chosen, along with the “timing” of when the words are spoken.

EIGHTH POINT:
The Plague of Profanity
by Wayne Jackson
ASK: PROFANITY: Are you as sick of hearing it as I am? How have some of you handled it? On TV; or in the supermarket; or in a restaurant?

TRIVIA: A recent study by the Parents Television Council found the use of profanity during the so-called “family hour” (8:00 to 9:00 Eastern time) is up fifty-eight percent from two years ago. And the nature of the language (e.g., sexual explicitness) is getting qualitatively worse.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT “PROFANITY”. Can someone give me a verse?
Ephesians 4:29: “Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good for edifying as the need may be, that it may give grace to them that hear”
• The term rendered “corrupt” is the Greek sapros, akin to sepo (“to rot”). It denotes that which provides no good service.
• Colossians 3:8 “[B]ut now do ye also put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, railing, shameful [‘filthy’ KJV] speaking out of your mouth”.
o The term signifies that which is characterized by shame.
o In connection with Colossians 3:8 (above), in 1957 the noted Scottish scholar, William Barclay wrote: “There can never have been a time in history when so much filthy language is used as it is today. And the tragedy is that today there are many people who have become so habituated to unclean talk that they are unaware that they are using it”. (Note of the fact that these comments were written forty-two years ago. If such was the case then, what is it now?)

Out in the world….in the local military community….do you feel that you hear it so much, that soon you just get used to it? [Discuss]. Does “your old man” have a tendency to start talking like them? [Discuss] What can we do about it?
• “We can’t cut ourselves off from the whole of society” . That is right, of course. But we can attempt to minimize our exposure.

NINTH POINT:
ASK: Is there ever a time when “good words” can become profane? Give me an example by saying the GOOD word, in the correct context.
• BAD WAY OF SAYING IT: “O my God!” – as a reaction of surprise. “Lordy mercy!” “Jesus Christ!” and such like are equally inappropriate.

Words become profane when sacred meanings are treated in a common and trivial fashion. One of the commands in the Old Testament is: “You shall not take the name of Jehovah your God in vain” (Ex. 20:7). ASK: ANY IDEA OF WHAT THAT WAS TALKING ABOUT?
• This probably refers to an appeal to the Lord’s name within the context of a false oath (cf. Lev. 19:12). Lev 19:12 You shall not swear by my name falsely, and so profane the name of your God: I am the LORD.

There are some words which are inherently evil, like “hell” or “damn,”. However, of course there is a proper context in which they are permissible.
• Jesus spoke of that sort of person who is “a child of hell” (Mt. 23:15), and the Great Commission warns that those who believe not “shall be damned” (Mk. 16:16, KJV).
• It is the manner in which such terms are employed, i.e., hatefully, vindictively, in a pejorative fashion, that makes the use of them wrong.

TENTH POINT:
Taking a biblical word, and modernizing it, to where it actually “corrupts” the word. Does ANYBODY have any idea as to what I am talking about?
In the bible, when you hear the word “MIRACLE”, what is the word usually describing? [DISCUSS]
And how do we hear the word MIRACLE being used today?
• The term “miracle” has become such a carelessly used word in modern society (e.g., “miracle drugs,” a “miracle rescue”, getting that job was a “miracle”.). The way we use this word now tends to detract from the biblical usage. It neuters the sacred record of the thrust of what a “miracle” actually is in the divine scheme of things.
• A “miracle,” as commonly portrayed in Scripture is an event that is the result of the direct action of God.

Can anyone besides a seminary graduate (pastors) tell me how many miracles are actually recorded in the bible?
• Depending upon how the total is tabulated, there is the record of at least thirty-five specific miracles performed by the Savior during his earthly ministry.

A miracle is a self-authenticating event. It cannot be explained reasonably in any naturalistic fashion.
• Even Christ’s enemies were forced to acknowledge his supernatural ability (see Mt. 27:42; Jn. 11:47), though they sought to rationalize the signs by assigning to them a sinister power (cf. Mt. 12:24).

ELEVENTH POINT:
The Perversion of the Power of Speech
Off the top of your head, what’s the greatest violation of speech imaginable?
• When man employs his tongue to deny the very One who made him. The fool says: “There is no God” (Psa. 14:1; 53:1).
What’s the next “really bad way of perverting the power of speech?
• CHANGING GOD’S WORD: God, gave us his Word, the Bible. In it he has spoken to man with a message designed to lead him to heaven. Men must know that truth in order to be set free from the consequences of sin (Jn. 8:32). It is a wickedness of indescribable proportion to alter the character of that divine message so as to lead men falsely, thus depriving them of the hope of life eternal.
• Jesus warned: “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves” (Mt. 7:15).
• Paul spoke of those who “pervert” the gospel by attempting to change the character thereof, mingling it with other systems (e.g., Judaism – Gal. 1:6-8).
Another way of perverting the POWER of speech:
• Distortion of the truth, or LYING.
• Truth is intrinsic to the very nature of God. He is a “God of truth” (Dt. 32:4; Isa. 65:16), who cannot lie (Num. 23:19; Tit. 1:2; Heb. 6:18).
• Lying is an assault upon the very fabric of God’s being.
• It is classified as a sin (Psa. 59:12) that Jehovah hates (Prov. 6:19; 12:22).

In regards to LYING, “Satan is the {FATHER] of lies in John 8:44.

Man, by virtue of long-standing habit (Eph. 2:3), has a weak propensity toward lying (Rom. 3:13), and believing lies (Rom. 1:25; 2 Thes. 2:10-12). CAN SOMEONE TELL ME OF LIES, EVEN SURPRISING LIES, IN THE BIBLE?
• Cain lied about the murder of his brother (Gen. 4:9).
• Abram lied about the identity of Sarai (Gen. 12:13; cf. 20:5),
• Jacob and Rebecca lied to Isaac (Gen. 27).
• Peter lied about knowing Christ (Mt. 26:58,69-75),
• The first case of “church discipline” involved Ananias and Sapphira, who lied to God, misrepresenting the matter of a contribution to the Jerusalem church (Acts 5:1-11).

Lying is strongly condemned in the New Testament (Eph. 4:25; Col. 3:9-10), and the final book of the New Testament warns that “all liars” will have their portion in the hell of fire (Rev. 21:8).
[Only discuss if someone brings this up] Rahab was commended for her faith, not her lying. She is honored for her courage and her acknowledgment of the workings of the true God (Josh. 2:9), not the manner in which she pursued the protection of the Hebrew spies. Her lying is no more excused than was her harlotry.

TWELTH POINT
When we tame our tongue, learn God’s word, THEN, we can speak correctly. Then, we can be used GREATLTY by God. Here are a few examples.
• Peter, and his sermon at Pentecost: From the book of Acts 2:14-36. To briefly summarize the event: Jesus had been resurrected, and before he ascended into heaven, he told the disciples to wait for the comforter to arrive. The comforter did arrive, and everyone started speaking in tongues so that foreigners were being spoken to in their own languages. The sincere among this crowd wanted to know the meaning of what they heard, while others merely mocked, attributing what they heard to excessive drinking. Peter stepped in, communicating EFFECTIVELY with the crowd.
14 But Peter stood up with the eleven, raised his voice, and addressed them: “You men of Judea and all you who live in Jerusalem, know this and listen carefully to what I say.
o
James, his speech to the Jerusalem Council – To briefly remind you, some of the religious sects were teaching that in order to be saved, you still needed to be circumcised like the Jews were circumcised. This was discussed in the book of Galatians, which reportedly was written 50 to 60 AD. So, most people who were DIRECT witnesses to the death, burial, resurrection of Jesus were still alive.
What was the result of his effective communication? A decisive verdict in favour of a circumcision-free, law-free gospel.
OTHERS:
• Moses – even though he was a poor speaker, he had courage in the LORD and was obedient to speak before Pharaoh and lead the exodus.
• Stephen – before the Sanhedrin and witnessing while feeding widows
• Paul – preaching and apologetics in the face of adversity at Athens or in front of Herod.
• Jesus – the seven woes or any other time he confronted people publicly.

MISC SCRIPTURES

Ephesians 6:19 and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel,. What’s this say to us?

Matthew 12:36 I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, What’s this say to us?

James 1:19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; What’s this say to us?

1 Corinthians 2:3-8 I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power. We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. What’s this say to us?
• As we speak to our fellow man, God’s Spirit gives wisdom to the wise, not man’s wisdom.
• We speak to the wise, the men and women who God has enlightened their hearts. Not the powerful and rulers of this age.

Job 12:11 Does not the ear test words as the palate tastes food? What’s this say to us?
• We are to test what we hear.

Pro 26:6 Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off his own feet and drinks violence. What’s this say to us?
• You are to be careful who you have communicate for you.

My daughters favorite verse about “Communication” Eph 6:4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Here’s a hard one….what do you think I took from this one?
Php 2:19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you.
• Discussing good news is important to the laborers in Christ.

Here’s a good one: Colossians 4:3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison–
Col 4:4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. What’s this say to us?
• We are to pray, and have others pray, that we can declare (Verbally Communicate) the mystery of Christ.

1Thes 2:7 But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. What’s this say to us?
• The importance of communicating with a gentle spirit.

2Th 2:15 So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter. What’s this say to us?
• We are to teach by communication, spoken word or by written letter.

2Ti 2:14 Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. What’s this say to us?
• Don’t quarrel over “words”.

Now, here’s a verse which you will all recognize, talking about the Word of God, but how does this relate to OUR COMMUNICATION?
Hebrew 4:12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. What’s this say to us?
• As we speak the Word, as we communicate the Word, it will pierce the hearts and souls of men. Men, this is what we are called to do. Not in our own strength, but in His strength.

 
1Pe 4:10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 1Pe 4:11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies–in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. What’s this say to us?
• God has given us the gift of speech, and this is how we are to use use…to serve one another….and glorify God.

1Jn 4:5 They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. 1Jn 4:6 We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error. What’s this say to us?
• The way we speak will identify us as people who love God.