A Wise Heart and a Wise Tongue
September 15, 2024
Proverbs 1:20-33; James 3:1-12
Title: A Wise Heart and a Wise Tongue
Pastor Fred Okello
Brothers and sisters, we gather once again to meditate on the power of our words. Speech is more than just sounds; it is a supernatural weapon provided by God. God created the heavens and the earth with speech, and we use speech to convey what we value and appreciate. As a church, it is time to give life to our existence by allowing God's Spirit to refresh and transform us. Our words have the power to either give or take life, to create or destroy. Today, we are at a crossroads: will we use our words to bring life, transformation, and growth, or will we allow them to destroy the very kingdom we are supposed to build?
Let me begin with a fantastic illustration. Pat Clawson, a close friend of Andre and Kathie Gariepy, invited them to a fish feed at Emmanuel UMC on a warm, rainy July evening. From the minute they arrived, they were received with open arms and hearts, surrounded in the warmth of the Emmanuel members. They felt an instant connection with those around them, fueled not only by the great meal, but also by the lively conversation and deep fellowship they shared.
That night, they felt a strong sense of connection and community, which stayed with them. They were lured in by the congregation's real love and spirit, which made them feel like they could actually belong. The modest, compassionate request altered the trajectory of their spiritual path. They were officially welcomed into the Emmanuel UMC family on August 11th, with a colorful and touching worship service. Their presence is now valued by the congregation, and their tale exemplifies the transformative power of a kind invitation and a caring community.
In Proverbs, we hear wisdom shouting out in the streets, pushing us to pay attention. God's Word reminds us that rejecting it leads to ruin, whereas accepting it leads to life. Andre and Kathie enjoyed the warmth and knowledge of Emmanuel UMC, and we must continue to listen to wisdom. Our words can inspire people to live, heal, and transform. We must be deliberate in our communication, spreading seeds of optimism in our community, just as we nurture blooming flowers in the spring.
Spring conjures up images of growth and regeneration, which are similar to what we are expected to achieve in our personal lives. We celebrate when our yards bloom with flowers, but how much more should we celebrate when our church is full of fresh life, individuals transformed by God's love! Let us care for the souls around us in the same way that we care for our gardens, speaking life into those who need it the most.
James gives a dramatic picture of the tongue's power, comparing it to a single spark that can ignite a vast forest. Just like a single invitation to a fish fry altered Andre and Kathie's spiritual path, our words have the power to provide life, encouragement, and hope to others. However, we must be cognizant of the possible harm that our words may create. We are expected to be builders of God's kingdom, to speak words that encourage rather than tear down.
James reminds us that controlling our tongue is one of the most difficult problems we face. If we want to transform our church and community, we must start by regulating how we speak. Words have the power to harm or heal, to bring people closer to God or drive them away. When we engage with someone, we must remember the immense power we have in our words. A simple, loving invitation can set someone on the path to Christ.
Our church's mission is clear: we are a people on mission not meeting-centered. Andre and Kathie felt a strong connection as a result of a simple invitation; we, too, can form significant connections in our community. I am seeing God providing us with the tools, gifts, and graces we require to address the needs of our congregation and those outside its walls. What we are asked is to speak life, be practical in our outreach, and draw more people into the kingdom by using the power of love and words.
God is renewing our hope, positivism, and desire to serve Him. This is not the moment for inert conversation, but rather active, life-giving communication. We are asked to be realistic, to understand our community's needs, and to seek the Lord of the Harvest to provide us with the tools we require. We require additional workers, gifts, and graces to satisfy the needs of our community. However, recruitment into the Kingdom is not about fancy speeches or great gestures; rather, it is about using God's basic, powerful gift of speech.
Conclusion: Brothers and sisters, the time has come. We must decide how to use the power of our speech. Will we be building or tearing down? Will we bring life or destruction? God has asked us to be His messengers of life, to provide hope, transformation, and rebirth to those who need it the most. As we move forward, let us be practical, wise, and communicate with love and intention. As a result, the life-giving power of Jesus Christ will transform not only our church, but our entire community as well.