1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:16,100 Welcome to Hub City Vineyard. 2 00:00:16,100 --> 00:00:22,720 To get connected or to give online, go to hcv.church or give.htv.church. 3 00:00:22,720 --> 00:00:26,960 If at any point during this message you feel called to make a change in your life, text 4 00:00:26,960 --> 00:00:30,200 change me to 970-00. 5 00:00:30,200 --> 00:00:32,240 Thank you and enjoy the message. 6 00:00:32,240 --> 00:00:37,120 Good morning everyone and welcome to Hub City Vineyard Sunday live stream. 7 00:00:37,120 --> 00:00:41,360 I just want to apologize first for those of you that are still tuned in. 8 00:00:41,360 --> 00:00:44,120 We literally had a power outage this morning. 9 00:00:44,120 --> 00:00:46,000 We lost all power. 10 00:00:46,000 --> 00:00:52,640 Now you do know that literally our Sunday live stream is live because we were broadcasting 11 00:00:52,640 --> 00:00:53,640 live. 12 00:00:53,640 --> 00:00:59,880 We lost all power, we lost the internet and we lost the ability to share the sermon with 13 00:00:59,880 --> 00:01:00,880 you this morning. 14 00:01:00,880 --> 00:01:07,040 But we're back and I just want to thank you for tuning in and being with us this morning 15 00:01:07,040 --> 00:01:11,320 and welcoming us into your home no matter where you are in your living room or your 16 00:01:11,320 --> 00:01:14,080 kitchen or your bedroom. 17 00:01:14,080 --> 00:01:20,480 I just want to thank you for welcoming us into where you are. 18 00:01:20,480 --> 00:01:25,720 Just to give you a few updates about our community of faith this morning, I shared on Thursday 19 00:01:25,720 --> 00:01:32,440 in my weekly email we have found a temporary meeting location for our in-person gatherings. 20 00:01:32,440 --> 00:01:39,200 We are going to begin meeting at the Hagerstown premium outlets for our in-person gatherings. 21 00:01:39,200 --> 00:01:45,280 Our target date for our first Sunday morning gathering which will be at 9 and 11 is Sunday, 22 00:01:45,280 --> 00:01:46,280 July 5th. 23 00:01:46,280 --> 00:01:48,280 And again I do say that's a target date. 24 00:01:48,280 --> 00:01:55,000 We'll be bringing you updates weekly about our progress and about different building 25 00:01:55,000 --> 00:02:01,160 codes that we need to meet to make sure that when we do gather we're safe and we're meeting 26 00:02:01,160 --> 00:02:08,620 all of the restrictions that are still being handed down from the state as far as COVID-19. 27 00:02:08,620 --> 00:02:15,420 We want to bring you the safest, best place for us all to gather and us all to reconnect 28 00:02:15,420 --> 00:02:16,420 with God. 29 00:02:16,420 --> 00:02:20,880 So with all that said this morning I would just like to open in prayer. 30 00:02:20,880 --> 00:02:24,600 It's kind of thrown us all off here a little bit, this power outage. 31 00:02:24,600 --> 00:02:30,720 And I just really have a powerful message to share with you that's been really impacting 32 00:02:30,720 --> 00:02:32,920 my life over the last two weeks. 33 00:02:32,920 --> 00:02:36,880 And I know that God wants to supernaturally speak to your heart and change you as well. 34 00:02:36,880 --> 00:02:41,400 So let's invite the Holy Spirit to come and to surround us with His presence in the changes 35 00:02:41,400 --> 00:02:42,400 this morning. 36 00:02:42,400 --> 00:02:46,560 So just ask and invite your Spirit to be with us, God. 37 00:02:46,560 --> 00:02:49,320 We thank you, God, for you working out all the details. 38 00:02:49,320 --> 00:02:55,840 And I just pray that you would use my words as a tool to change all of us, God. 39 00:02:55,840 --> 00:03:03,640 May my words be yours and may we just supernaturally reflect on where we are this morning in terms 40 00:03:03,640 --> 00:03:08,600 of our lives and how you desire to change us in Jesus' name. 41 00:03:08,600 --> 00:03:09,600 Amen. 42 00:03:09,600 --> 00:03:14,280 So we are kicking off a new series this morning called Tongue-pierced. 43 00:03:14,280 --> 00:03:20,280 And for the next four weeks we're going to be looking at the power of words, the words 44 00:03:20,280 --> 00:03:25,640 that we speak not only to others, but the words that we speak to God, the words that 45 00:03:25,640 --> 00:03:31,840 we speak about ourselves, the words that we speak about our community, and how powerful 46 00:03:31,840 --> 00:03:37,680 they are and how they can ultimately transform our lives and the lives of the people around 47 00:03:37,680 --> 00:03:38,680 us. 48 00:03:38,680 --> 00:03:45,560 So a group of sociologists intrigued by the impact words have on daily life recently conducted 49 00:03:45,560 --> 00:03:50,040 a study of the most powerful words in the English language. 50 00:03:50,040 --> 00:03:52,580 Now what they did, they took a different approach. 51 00:03:52,580 --> 00:03:58,680 Instead of just looking for one word or a few words that are impactful in the English 52 00:03:58,680 --> 00:04:05,920 language, they broke it down to use the most powerful four-word phrase, three-word phrase, 53 00:04:05,920 --> 00:04:10,980 two-word phrase, and of course the single most powerful word in the English language. 54 00:04:10,980 --> 00:04:17,720 They found the most powerful four-word phrase to be once upon a time. 55 00:04:17,720 --> 00:04:23,180 Now as a child, think about it, when you heard those words once upon a time, immediately 56 00:04:23,180 --> 00:04:26,400 it meant that something significant was about to happen. 57 00:04:26,400 --> 00:04:33,100 In fact, something fantastic could follow those four words because it's almost as if 58 00:04:33,100 --> 00:04:37,960 something intriguing or an adventure was going to take place and we wanted to be focused 59 00:04:37,960 --> 00:04:40,920 on it and we wanted to go on this adventure. 60 00:04:40,920 --> 00:04:47,000 Now unfortunately, as adults, those words have kind of lost its meaning, if you will, 61 00:04:47,000 --> 00:04:52,060 because we think we have made it and we've arrived and we can no longer take an adventure 62 00:04:52,060 --> 00:04:55,220 or live in some fantasy world. 63 00:04:55,220 --> 00:05:02,960 But have you ever thought for a second that our personal story actually begins with the 64 00:05:02,960 --> 00:05:06,860 four-word phrase once upon a time? 65 00:05:06,860 --> 00:05:12,660 As you made your entrance into this world, your story began. 66 00:05:12,660 --> 00:05:18,260 Think about it, once upon a time, a woman gave birth to a baby. 67 00:05:18,260 --> 00:05:24,200 That baby grew, became a child and learned, worked through the difficult teenage years, 68 00:05:24,200 --> 00:05:30,440 slowly matured and now became the man or woman that you are today. 69 00:05:30,440 --> 00:05:33,060 Actually stated friends, we all live in a story. 70 00:05:33,060 --> 00:05:38,680 Every day the story of our life is played out in our homes, our workplaces, our schools, 71 00:05:38,680 --> 00:05:40,560 our athletic events. 72 00:05:40,560 --> 00:05:43,640 In fact, the church that we attend. 73 00:05:43,640 --> 00:05:49,340 These places are full of interesting people, conflicts, decisions and if you really think 74 00:05:49,340 --> 00:05:51,560 about it, intrigue. 75 00:05:51,560 --> 00:05:57,600 Each of our lives is unique and they all hinge on the elementary building blocks that comprise 76 00:05:57,600 --> 00:06:01,100 every story and that is words. 77 00:06:01,100 --> 00:06:07,400 Think about it, no story we have ever read or told to our children gets very far without 78 00:06:07,400 --> 00:06:08,840 words. 79 00:06:08,840 --> 00:06:13,420 And the same is true for your and my life. 80 00:06:13,420 --> 00:06:20,740 Our everyday lives as we make decisions and choices and speak with other people, our words 81 00:06:20,740 --> 00:06:27,640 actually dictate the direction our lives will go, not only now but into the future. 82 00:06:27,640 --> 00:06:34,200 Our words have the potential to open doors and the opportunity to quickly close them. 83 00:06:34,200 --> 00:06:40,680 They can nourish and build our relationships or they can tear people down. 84 00:06:40,680 --> 00:06:47,960 The words we speak about ourselves, our self-talk if you will, have the power to shape our subconscious, 85 00:06:47,960 --> 00:06:55,160 the view of our worth and our abilities, determining the very actions that we take on a daily basis. 86 00:06:55,160 --> 00:07:00,960 Have every thought that the words that we say to and hear from God are critical to the 87 00:07:00,960 --> 00:07:09,300 story that we live both now and in the future when we spend eternity with God in his kingdom. 88 00:07:09,300 --> 00:07:16,240 In short, our words create our lives and that leads us to our first thought this morning. 89 00:07:16,240 --> 00:07:20,560 You see, words are a gift from God. 90 00:07:20,560 --> 00:07:26,880 See the phrase once upon a time is in direct connection with the most important story ever 91 00:07:26,880 --> 00:07:29,480 told and that's God's story. 92 00:07:29,480 --> 00:07:38,080 The story in which you and me, our lives are intertwined with one another as we begin and 93 00:07:38,080 --> 00:07:41,240 walk out a relationship with Jesus. 94 00:07:41,240 --> 00:07:46,600 In the Bible, the book of Genesis begins, in the beginning, God created the heavens 95 00:07:46,600 --> 00:07:48,060 and the earth. 96 00:07:48,060 --> 00:07:49,940 The earth was formless and empty. 97 00:07:49,940 --> 00:07:57,960 The darkness covered the deep waters and the spirit of God was hovering over the surface 98 00:07:57,960 --> 00:07:59,360 of the waters. 99 00:07:59,360 --> 00:08:06,220 Now continuing on in verses three through 27, we read this, then God said, let there 100 00:08:06,220 --> 00:08:09,180 be light and there was light. 101 00:08:09,180 --> 00:08:14,040 Then God said, let there be a space between the waters to separate the waters of the heavens 102 00:08:14,040 --> 00:08:16,520 from the waters of the earth. 103 00:08:16,520 --> 00:08:22,320 Then God said, let the waters beneath the sky flow together into one place so dry ground 104 00:08:22,320 --> 00:08:23,680 may appear. 105 00:08:23,680 --> 00:08:30,900 Then God said, let the land sprout with vegetation, every sort of seed bearing plant and trees 106 00:08:30,900 --> 00:08:33,700 that grow seed bearing fruit. 107 00:08:33,700 --> 00:08:39,880 Then God said, let the lights appear in the sky to separate the day from the night. 108 00:08:39,880 --> 00:08:44,540 Let them be signs to mark the seasons, days and years. 109 00:08:44,540 --> 00:08:48,820 Then God said, let the water swarm with fish and other life. 110 00:08:48,820 --> 00:08:53,040 Let the skies be filled with birds of every kind. 111 00:08:53,040 --> 00:08:58,640 Then God said, let the earth produce every sort of animal, every producing offspring 112 00:08:58,640 --> 00:09:00,220 of the same kind. 113 00:09:00,220 --> 00:09:07,440 Then God said, let us make human beings in our image to be like us. 114 00:09:07,440 --> 00:09:09,160 We think about it. 115 00:09:09,160 --> 00:09:16,360 God, God's words alone literally set the world into motion from the beginning of time. 116 00:09:16,360 --> 00:09:22,920 Words now, now that'll be a God's words have been the tools that carry the power to create 117 00:09:22,920 --> 00:09:24,400 reality. 118 00:09:24,400 --> 00:09:31,320 Now he has passed that those tools to us literally given us the power to create and shape our 119 00:09:31,320 --> 00:09:32,760 very lives. 120 00:09:32,760 --> 00:09:40,800 The problem, the problem is this, our understanding of words and language is a learned behavior. 121 00:09:40,800 --> 00:09:47,020 Most of our harmful speech patterns are negative language are seared into our minds at a very 122 00:09:47,020 --> 00:09:48,760 early age. 123 00:09:48,760 --> 00:09:53,160 Now if you're anything like me, have you ever opened your mouth to, to speak or correct 124 00:09:53,160 --> 00:09:56,840 your children and suddenly you heard your mom come out? 125 00:09:56,840 --> 00:10:01,400 Or have you ever said something to your spouse suddenly to be in all that? 126 00:10:01,400 --> 00:10:04,640 Wow, that sounded like my father. 127 00:10:04,640 --> 00:10:11,880 See before we ever said ma or da, we began to internalize the meaning of conversations 128 00:10:11,880 --> 00:10:14,280 taking place all around us. 129 00:10:14,280 --> 00:10:20,400 When we started speaking, we learned to talk by repeating what we heard from our parents 130 00:10:20,400 --> 00:10:22,820 and other family members. 131 00:10:22,820 --> 00:10:29,400 Did you like the way your parents spoke to you when you were a child? 132 00:10:29,400 --> 00:10:34,720 If not, hopefully you're not speaking the same way to your children. 133 00:10:34,720 --> 00:10:39,680 Now think about the way your, your father spoke to your mother and your mother to your 134 00:10:39,680 --> 00:10:40,680 father. 135 00:10:40,680 --> 00:10:45,800 As you saw that picture while you were growing up, did you like the way they communicated 136 00:10:45,800 --> 00:10:47,360 to one another? 137 00:10:47,360 --> 00:10:52,680 Well chances are you may not even know it, but you're communicating the same way to your 138 00:10:52,680 --> 00:10:55,840 spouse in your different relationships today. 139 00:10:55,840 --> 00:10:56,840 Why? 140 00:10:56,840 --> 00:10:58,360 Because that's what we learned. 141 00:10:58,360 --> 00:11:01,320 If not, here's the reality. 142 00:11:01,320 --> 00:11:06,640 We have to become intentional in the way we're communicating to others. 143 00:11:06,640 --> 00:11:12,320 Otherwise it's just going to be what we learned many, many years ago. 144 00:11:12,320 --> 00:11:17,040 Now to start changing things for the better, we need to recognize the ability to use the 145 00:11:17,040 --> 00:11:21,520 words at all is a gift from God. 146 00:11:21,520 --> 00:11:29,040 God has given us this gift and he's challenging us to use these words well, to be responsible, 147 00:11:29,040 --> 00:11:32,800 to value the words that he's given us when we speak them. 148 00:11:32,800 --> 00:11:38,040 Now just take for a second and imagine if a friend of yours, a close friend, someone 149 00:11:38,040 --> 00:11:47,240 that you loved and trusted, imagine if he or she handed you $25,000 in cash. 150 00:11:47,240 --> 00:11:52,880 And when he or she handed you that money, this is what they said, this is my gift to 151 00:11:52,880 --> 00:11:53,880 you. 152 00:11:53,880 --> 00:11:54,880 It's free and clear. 153 00:11:54,880 --> 00:12:01,720 I want you to use it to create a better life for yourself and for others. 154 00:12:01,720 --> 00:12:05,640 Now I don't know about you, but if someone was to hand me that kind of money and said 155 00:12:05,640 --> 00:12:11,160 that statement, someone that I loved and trusted, I would be intentional about how I spent that 156 00:12:11,160 --> 00:12:12,160 money. 157 00:12:12,160 --> 00:12:17,720 I wouldn't just blow it on one purchase, but I would be intentional about how I spent it 158 00:12:17,720 --> 00:12:22,240 to improve not only my own life, but someone else's. 159 00:12:22,240 --> 00:12:24,920 Our words are just the same. 160 00:12:24,920 --> 00:12:30,600 Our words are a gift from God and our words are just as important in shaping the lives 161 00:12:30,600 --> 00:12:31,600 of others. 162 00:12:31,600 --> 00:12:35,000 In fact, more important than money. 163 00:12:35,000 --> 00:12:39,720 See we have to use this power that God has given us as a means to create a better life 164 00:12:39,720 --> 00:12:44,600 for ourselves and for all the people around us. 165 00:12:44,600 --> 00:12:50,600 Listen to Luke 12, 48, for those who are received a greater revelation from their master are 166 00:12:50,600 --> 00:12:53,180 required greater obedience. 167 00:12:53,180 --> 00:12:58,180 And those who have been trusted with great responsibility will be held more responsible 168 00:12:58,180 --> 00:12:59,480 to their master. 169 00:12:59,480 --> 00:13:05,200 Friends, God is calling us to be responsible with the words we use, which leads us to our 170 00:13:05,200 --> 00:13:07,080 next thought this morning. 171 00:13:07,080 --> 00:13:11,440 Words can build up or tear down. 172 00:13:11,440 --> 00:13:12,840 Think about it. 173 00:13:12,840 --> 00:13:18,640 Our life is full of, we're constantly surrounded by and bombarded with what? 174 00:13:18,640 --> 00:13:19,640 Words. 175 00:13:19,640 --> 00:13:26,880 We read words on the news, we hear words being spoke to us, reflect on the weight and impact 176 00:13:26,880 --> 00:13:31,720 of words and how they change the outlook of your life. 177 00:13:31,720 --> 00:13:38,040 See, now when we think about the words that change our lives and impact our lives, now 178 00:13:38,040 --> 00:13:39,840 think about the words that you speak. 179 00:13:39,840 --> 00:13:44,880 Okay, when we begin to be able to internalize the words that come out of our mouth, then 180 00:13:44,880 --> 00:13:49,200 we recognize that in fact those words are life or death. 181 00:13:49,200 --> 00:13:56,680 King Solomon widely considered the wisest man to ever live said this in Proverbs 1821, 182 00:13:56,680 --> 00:14:02,240 words kill, words give life, they're either poison or fruit. 183 00:14:02,240 --> 00:14:04,180 You choose. 184 00:14:04,180 --> 00:14:05,180 You choose. 185 00:14:05,180 --> 00:14:09,240 See, what will you say today? 186 00:14:09,240 --> 00:14:16,520 What you say today will change your entire outlook of your life. 187 00:14:16,520 --> 00:14:17,520 Right? 188 00:14:17,520 --> 00:14:21,880 Your words are either going to lead you toward a path of abundant life. 189 00:14:21,880 --> 00:14:25,320 You know how Jesus talks about an abundant life flowing within us? 190 00:14:25,320 --> 00:14:29,840 It all comes out in your words or they're going to lead you toward death. 191 00:14:29,840 --> 00:14:32,800 Now I'm not referring to physical death. 192 00:14:32,800 --> 00:14:40,480 I'm referring to the destruction of relationships, of a career, of momentum, of joy, of peace, 193 00:14:40,480 --> 00:14:43,000 hope, of contentment. 194 00:14:43,000 --> 00:14:49,240 In his essay, War of Words, Paul David Tripp wrote this, you have never spoken a neutral 195 00:14:49,240 --> 00:14:50,680 word in your life. 196 00:14:50,680 --> 00:14:53,120 Your words have direction to them. 197 00:14:53,120 --> 00:14:58,400 If your words are moving in the life direction, they will be words of encouragement, hope, 198 00:14:58,400 --> 00:15:02,720 love, peace, unity, instruction, wisdom, and correction. 199 00:15:02,720 --> 00:15:09,160 But if your words are moving in a death direction, they will be words of anger, malice, slander, 200 00:15:09,160 --> 00:15:14,680 jealousy, gossip, division, contempt, racism, violence, judgment, and condemnation. 201 00:15:14,680 --> 00:15:21,480 Friends, as I was reading that quote this week, it just sounds like our country. 202 00:15:21,480 --> 00:15:25,240 Like our country is so divided and wrecked. 203 00:15:25,240 --> 00:15:26,240 What is it leaning towards? 204 00:15:26,240 --> 00:15:28,080 Is it speaking words of life? 205 00:15:28,080 --> 00:15:33,000 No, it's speaking words of death and destruction. 206 00:15:33,000 --> 00:15:38,120 Now I know if you're anything like me as a kid on the elementary playground, we would 207 00:15:38,120 --> 00:15:43,520 always say or say to one another, sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will 208 00:15:43,520 --> 00:15:44,960 never hurt me. 209 00:15:44,960 --> 00:15:49,120 And those words coming out of our mouth, we firmly believe, but they're just a flat out 210 00:15:49,120 --> 00:15:50,120 lie. 211 00:15:50,120 --> 00:15:54,080 They sound good in theory, but it's just wrong. 212 00:15:54,080 --> 00:15:57,200 Words hurt. 213 00:15:57,200 --> 00:16:02,480 Think about the last time someone spoke harshly to you. 214 00:16:02,480 --> 00:16:05,220 What those words made you feel like. 215 00:16:05,220 --> 00:16:11,400 How you ultimately changed what you were doing because those words were spoken. 216 00:16:11,400 --> 00:16:16,800 Now see during Jesus's ministry, the religious leaders of the day, the Pharisees, they were 217 00:16:16,800 --> 00:16:20,000 always trying to make him mess up. 218 00:16:20,000 --> 00:16:26,520 They would ask questions to try to catch him in a lie or some form of inconsistency in 219 00:16:26,520 --> 00:16:27,520 his teaching. 220 00:16:27,520 --> 00:16:32,040 And, and in one of those attempts, the Pharisees approached Jesus and said, Hey, what's the 221 00:16:32,040 --> 00:16:35,120 greatest commandment in all of scripture? 222 00:16:35,120 --> 00:16:39,120 Jesus, without hesitation responded with Matthew 22. 223 00:16:39,120 --> 00:16:44,200 You must love the Lord your God for your heart, all your soul and all your mind. 224 00:16:44,200 --> 00:16:45,720 This is the first and greatest commandment. 225 00:16:45,720 --> 00:16:47,960 The second is equally important. 226 00:16:47,960 --> 00:16:50,560 Love your neighbor as yourself. 227 00:16:50,560 --> 00:16:55,200 See according to Jesus, the greatest call on our lives is to love God with everything 228 00:16:55,200 --> 00:16:56,860 that we are. 229 00:16:56,860 --> 00:17:00,660 And then to love those around us as much as we love ourselves. 230 00:17:00,660 --> 00:17:07,040 How can we hope to accomplish those two things with words? 231 00:17:07,040 --> 00:17:11,520 Words are the primary way we relate or communicate with each other. 232 00:17:11,520 --> 00:17:18,440 If we follow what we should begin and do in our conversations, then we would speak life. 233 00:17:18,440 --> 00:17:24,120 We can't simply choose to speak words of life over death, right? 234 00:17:24,120 --> 00:17:30,720 We have to choose to speak love and encouragement and comfort and celebration instead of words 235 00:17:30,720 --> 00:17:36,460 of criticism and gossip and complaining and negativity and hate. 236 00:17:36,460 --> 00:17:40,760 Our words are an outward indication of what is happening in our heart. 237 00:17:40,760 --> 00:17:43,360 They're like a, literally like a neon sign. 238 00:17:43,360 --> 00:17:47,880 Think about our neon sign that we had in our old location, open, right? 239 00:17:47,880 --> 00:17:54,400 Well, our words are literally like that neon sign broadcasting what is happening in our 240 00:17:54,400 --> 00:17:55,680 lives. 241 00:17:55,680 --> 00:18:01,560 Friends, simply say that it's impossible to love your neighbor as yourself unless you're 242 00:18:01,560 --> 00:18:04,080 consumed with loving God first. 243 00:18:04,080 --> 00:18:08,440 Because God's spirit is what gives us the ability to love others. 244 00:18:08,440 --> 00:18:12,360 Which moves us to our next thought this morning, you see the quality of life is determined 245 00:18:12,360 --> 00:18:13,580 by words. 246 00:18:13,580 --> 00:18:14,860 Think about that. 247 00:18:14,860 --> 00:18:18,480 The quality of life is determined by words. 248 00:18:18,480 --> 00:18:20,400 Matthew 15, 18. 249 00:18:20,400 --> 00:18:24,200 What comes out of your mouth reveals the core of your heart. 250 00:18:24,200 --> 00:18:26,960 Words can pollute, not food. 251 00:18:26,960 --> 00:18:32,600 See friends, the way you and I choose to communicate will ultimately affect our everyday lives 252 00:18:32,600 --> 00:18:36,600 and in every area of our life as well. 253 00:18:36,600 --> 00:18:41,560 Every word that is spoken has a consequence attached to it. 254 00:18:41,560 --> 00:18:47,240 How you speak to your friends and family and, and your coworkers will determine the quality 255 00:18:47,240 --> 00:18:49,080 of those relationships. 256 00:18:49,080 --> 00:18:51,340 The same is true in your spiritual life. 257 00:18:51,340 --> 00:18:57,680 How will you communicate with God in prayer and how well you listen to the Holy spirit 258 00:18:57,680 --> 00:19:00,920 in prayer develops your connection with him. 259 00:19:00,920 --> 00:19:02,440 How about this one? 260 00:19:02,440 --> 00:19:07,280 How you speak about yourself will determine the quality of your actions and interactions 261 00:19:07,280 --> 00:19:08,840 every day. 262 00:19:08,840 --> 00:19:14,500 When you consider everything altogether, it naturally follows the simple truth that the 263 00:19:14,500 --> 00:19:18,440 quality of our life is determined by the words that we speak. 264 00:19:18,440 --> 00:19:25,040 That's why James said in James 3, 2, we all fail in many areas, but especially with our 265 00:19:25,040 --> 00:19:26,040 words. 266 00:19:26,040 --> 00:19:31,080 If we're able to bridle the words we say, we are powerful enough to control ourselves 267 00:19:31,080 --> 00:19:36,240 in every way and that means our characters mature and fully developed. 268 00:19:36,240 --> 00:19:37,600 What is James saying? 269 00:19:37,600 --> 00:19:42,240 He's saying the indication of a heart that is allowing God's love to fill it and flow 270 00:19:42,240 --> 00:19:47,760 through it is the words that we share with others. 271 00:19:47,760 --> 00:19:53,020 And see friends, the battle of our words and our life rages on every day. 272 00:19:53,020 --> 00:20:00,160 Every time we speak, we choose a side, which leads us to our action steps this morning. 273 00:20:00,160 --> 00:20:04,840 Friends, we first, we need to avoid complaining. 274 00:20:04,840 --> 00:20:11,320 Look at Philippians 2, 14, live a cheerful life without complaining or division among 275 00:20:11,320 --> 00:20:13,040 yourselves. 276 00:20:13,040 --> 00:20:19,240 How often do you catch yourself complaining about your boss, your kids, right? 277 00:20:19,240 --> 00:20:26,440 How they just don't listen, your friends neediness, your busy schedule, your constant aches and 278 00:20:26,440 --> 00:20:29,400 pains, the list can go on and on. 279 00:20:29,400 --> 00:20:35,080 For some reason we have bought into the idea that complaining about our difficulties will 280 00:20:35,080 --> 00:20:36,080 make us feel better. 281 00:20:36,080 --> 00:20:40,800 I don't know if you've learned this or not, but what I've learned is the more we complain, 282 00:20:40,800 --> 00:20:42,680 the more negative we are. 283 00:20:42,680 --> 00:20:47,800 The more we talk about our struggles, the more strength we give them. 284 00:20:47,800 --> 00:20:51,040 And as those struggles gain strength, what happens to us? 285 00:20:51,040 --> 00:20:53,180 We get more frustrated, right? 286 00:20:53,180 --> 00:20:55,080 We get more doubtful. 287 00:20:55,080 --> 00:20:56,440 We get more negative. 288 00:20:56,440 --> 00:21:02,080 And then there's this vicious cycle of complaining that constantly surrounds us. 289 00:21:02,080 --> 00:21:08,000 Paul understood that complaining never leads to anything positive. 290 00:21:08,000 --> 00:21:10,200 That's why I said stop complaining. 291 00:21:10,200 --> 00:21:12,040 Don't do it anymore. 292 00:21:12,040 --> 00:21:17,120 Complaining about every little thing that's wrong in our life will do nothing but heighten 293 00:21:17,120 --> 00:21:19,000 the problem. 294 00:21:19,000 --> 00:21:23,560 Which moves us to our second thing we need to avoid, we need to avoid gossip. 295 00:21:23,560 --> 00:21:28,960 Verse 18, eight, the words of a gossip merely reveal the wounds of his own soul and his 296 00:21:28,960 --> 00:21:33,440 slander penetrates into the innermost being. 297 00:21:33,440 --> 00:21:37,800 Gossip in all forms is wrong and destructive. 298 00:21:37,800 --> 00:21:38,800 Most of the time. 299 00:21:38,800 --> 00:21:43,640 Now, when, when people talk about someone behind their back, they don't even know if what they're 300 00:21:43,640 --> 00:21:47,840 saying is true because they heard it from someone else. 301 00:21:47,840 --> 00:21:51,920 And typically it's a distortion of the truth. 302 00:21:51,920 --> 00:21:56,080 They are only repeating what that other person shared with them. 303 00:21:56,080 --> 00:21:59,720 And friends, we can't buy into that negativity. 304 00:21:59,720 --> 00:22:06,960 When we discuss someone else's problems with anyone other than that person, it's a sin. 305 00:22:06,960 --> 00:22:09,080 And simply stated, we're wrong. 306 00:22:09,080 --> 00:22:11,080 There's no other way around it. 307 00:22:11,080 --> 00:22:15,320 Not only does it tear people down, but it destroys trust. 308 00:22:15,320 --> 00:22:22,000 It's impossible to gossip about someone else without being personally effective in a negative 309 00:22:22,000 --> 00:22:23,000 way and friends. 310 00:22:23,000 --> 00:22:25,280 It's rampant in the church. 311 00:22:25,280 --> 00:22:27,680 And as a community of faith, I want to challenge you. 312 00:22:27,680 --> 00:22:29,800 We need to change that. 313 00:22:29,800 --> 00:22:32,340 Which moves us to our next thing we need to avoid. 314 00:22:32,340 --> 00:22:34,720 We need to avoid negativity. 315 00:22:34,720 --> 00:22:41,720 Good Ephesians 429, never let ugly, hateful words come from your mouth, but instead let 316 00:22:41,720 --> 00:22:45,680 your words become beautiful gifts that encourage others. 317 00:22:45,680 --> 00:22:50,360 Do this by speaking words of grace to help them. 318 00:22:50,360 --> 00:22:58,280 Columnist Steven Pinker wrote this, the media exaggerates negative news. 319 00:22:58,280 --> 00:23:01,600 The distortion has consequences. 320 00:23:01,600 --> 00:23:05,440 Whether or not the world is really getting worse, no one knows. 321 00:23:05,440 --> 00:23:11,300 But the nature of news that we watch each and every day makes us think that it is. 322 00:23:11,300 --> 00:23:13,400 He goes on the right. 323 00:23:13,400 --> 00:23:19,360 Consumers of negative news, not surprisingly, become gloom. 324 00:23:19,360 --> 00:23:26,520 A recent literature review cited misperception of risk, anxiety, lower mood levels, learned 325 00:23:26,520 --> 00:23:30,080 helplessness, contempt, and hostility toward others. 326 00:23:30,080 --> 00:23:34,360 Again, friends, that's the world we live in today. 327 00:23:34,360 --> 00:23:37,080 We are constantly bombarded with negative news. 328 00:23:37,080 --> 00:23:42,080 Our phones go off at the very second that something negative happens. 329 00:23:42,080 --> 00:23:48,800 What if over the next few days you and I shut off the news? 330 00:23:48,800 --> 00:23:54,560 And instead of watching the news, what if we were to record our words? 331 00:23:54,560 --> 00:23:57,200 What we literally speak each and every day. 332 00:23:57,200 --> 00:24:00,200 What if we began to review those words that are spoken? 333 00:24:00,200 --> 00:24:07,400 Because that's going to indicate the reality of our heart, the condition of our heart. 334 00:24:07,400 --> 00:24:10,040 What's going on inside you and me? 335 00:24:10,040 --> 00:24:16,040 If we're constantly negative or fearful or frustrated, it means we're not speaking words 336 00:24:16,040 --> 00:24:18,140 of life and hope over ourselves. 337 00:24:18,140 --> 00:24:23,760 That means we're not hearing from Jesus and the hope that he would give us. 338 00:24:23,760 --> 00:24:26,620 God is challenging this this morning. 339 00:24:26,620 --> 00:24:37,200 Be a people of hope, of light, not of selfishness and negativity and doubt and fear and anger. 340 00:24:37,200 --> 00:24:40,440 What kind of verbal fruit are you producing this morning? 341 00:24:40,440 --> 00:24:45,720 James 312 says, does a fig tree produce olives or a grapevine produce figs? 342 00:24:45,720 --> 00:24:46,720 No. 343 00:24:46,720 --> 00:24:52,000 And you can't draw fresh water from a salty spring. 344 00:24:52,000 --> 00:24:55,560 What are your words saying about you this morning? 345 00:24:55,560 --> 00:24:59,840 See friends, we have to avoid those three topics. 346 00:24:59,840 --> 00:25:04,240 In direct contrast, we have to choose something completely different. 347 00:25:04,240 --> 00:25:05,960 What are those three things we need to choose? 348 00:25:05,960 --> 00:25:08,200 First, we need to choose praise. 349 00:25:08,200 --> 00:25:10,640 Look at Psalm 145 verses one through two. 350 00:25:10,640 --> 00:25:13,160 I lift you high and praise my God. 351 00:25:13,160 --> 00:25:16,000 Oh my King, I will bless your name into eternity. 352 00:25:16,000 --> 00:25:20,400 I bless you every day and keep it up from now to eternity. 353 00:25:20,400 --> 00:25:22,160 What is praise? 354 00:25:22,160 --> 00:25:25,920 It's simply thanking God for who he is. 355 00:25:25,920 --> 00:25:29,980 Words of praise reflect a God focused heart. 356 00:25:29,980 --> 00:25:38,000 They demand a shift away from self, from selfishness and toward God goodness and love and focusing 357 00:25:38,000 --> 00:25:40,120 on being filled with the spirit. 358 00:25:40,120 --> 00:25:46,320 But see too often as Jesus followers, we only praise God on Sunday mornings while turning 359 00:25:46,320 --> 00:25:47,320 in church. 360 00:25:47,320 --> 00:25:51,360 We, we think that we can only praise when we have a worship band in front of us and 361 00:25:51,360 --> 00:25:54,480 we can extend our arms so we can sing back to God. 362 00:25:54,480 --> 00:25:59,120 In reality, if we're going to win the battle of words in our life, we have to choose to 363 00:25:59,120 --> 00:26:00,200 praise him every day. 364 00:26:00,200 --> 00:26:02,820 Look at Psalm 63, three through four. 365 00:26:02,820 --> 00:26:05,780 Your unfailing love is better than life itself. 366 00:26:05,780 --> 00:26:11,440 How I praise you, I will praise you as long as I live, lifting my hands to you in prayer. 367 00:26:11,440 --> 00:26:18,280 One of the most practical ways to focus on God daily is the creative habit of starting 368 00:26:18,280 --> 00:26:20,680 your day with praise. 369 00:26:20,680 --> 00:26:26,380 Really dedicate the first hour of your day to, to, to giving him back to God, to thanking 370 00:26:26,380 --> 00:26:28,200 him for who he is in your life. 371 00:26:28,200 --> 00:26:33,920 Play some songs on your, on your phone or your iPad or on your computer and see if your 372 00:26:33,920 --> 00:26:39,040 day changes when you choose to open with praise. 373 00:26:39,040 --> 00:26:42,080 What are the first words that come out of your mouth on a daily basis? 374 00:26:42,080 --> 00:26:46,600 Now, if you're anything like me, when I wake up in the morning, the first thing that comes 375 00:26:46,600 --> 00:26:51,720 to my mind is everything hurts. 376 00:26:51,720 --> 00:26:53,960 I am tired. 377 00:26:53,960 --> 00:26:55,380 What happened yesterday? 378 00:26:55,380 --> 00:26:57,480 It's almost like I look in the rear view mirror. 379 00:26:57,480 --> 00:26:59,520 I feel beat up. 380 00:26:59,520 --> 00:27:05,560 I mean, they literally are some of the words that came out of my mouth when I woke up this 381 00:27:05,560 --> 00:27:06,560 week. 382 00:27:06,560 --> 00:27:07,760 First thing, I'm getting up out of bed. 383 00:27:07,760 --> 00:27:12,080 I stand up and think my body hurts. 384 00:27:12,080 --> 00:27:20,440 Now what if I, you are willing to replace those words with words of praise, with words 385 00:27:20,440 --> 00:27:22,120 of thankfulness and gratitude. 386 00:27:22,120 --> 00:27:24,700 God, thank you for getting me up today. 387 00:27:24,700 --> 00:27:30,620 Thank you for, for giving the ability to stand up, to, to walk to the sing, to make a cup 388 00:27:30,620 --> 00:27:31,620 of coffee. 389 00:27:31,620 --> 00:27:36,640 See, an attitude of gratitude suddenly changes the entire outlook of the day. 390 00:27:36,640 --> 00:27:38,880 Friends, we need to start our day with praise. 391 00:27:38,880 --> 00:27:41,760 We need to choose praise. 392 00:27:41,760 --> 00:27:44,400 Second thing is we need to choose encouragement. 393 00:27:44,400 --> 00:27:46,480 Look at Romans 15 13. 394 00:27:46,480 --> 00:27:52,240 I pray that God, the source of hope will fill you completely with joy and peace because 395 00:27:52,240 --> 00:27:53,640 you trust in him. 396 00:27:53,640 --> 00:28:01,880 Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the spirit overflowing. 397 00:28:01,880 --> 00:28:05,800 See our world, our community needs us to overflow. 398 00:28:05,800 --> 00:28:13,880 Every person you walk by on the street, stand beside in Walmart, work with every day might 399 00:28:13,880 --> 00:28:19,600 as well be re wearing an invisible sign that says, encourage me. 400 00:28:19,600 --> 00:28:22,600 People want to be encouraged. 401 00:28:22,600 --> 00:28:25,400 Johan Wolfgang goth wrote this. 402 00:28:25,400 --> 00:28:31,120 If you treat an individual as he is, he will remain how he is. 403 00:28:31,120 --> 00:28:36,800 If you treat him as if he were what he ought to be and could be, he will become what he 404 00:28:36,800 --> 00:28:40,160 ought to be and could be. 405 00:28:40,160 --> 00:28:42,760 That is the essence of encouragement. 406 00:28:42,760 --> 00:28:49,040 Treating people in your life to, to, to literally become the best person, the best version of 407 00:28:49,040 --> 00:28:52,780 themselves, whether they're currently living it or not. 408 00:28:52,780 --> 00:28:55,520 That happens through encouragement. 409 00:28:55,520 --> 00:29:00,240 What if you practice speaking encouragement to your spouse, to your children, to your 410 00:29:00,240 --> 00:29:02,640 friends, to your classmates? 411 00:29:02,640 --> 00:29:07,640 What if encouragement became what you were known for? 412 00:29:07,640 --> 00:29:12,040 And friends, it's hard because again, we constantly focus on the negative. 413 00:29:12,040 --> 00:29:17,100 Me being a coach, it's really difficult when you're working with, with young people to 414 00:29:17,100 --> 00:29:19,200 learn how to play baseball or softball. 415 00:29:19,200 --> 00:29:23,000 You always want to point out a nitpick of the little things they're doing wrong. 416 00:29:23,000 --> 00:29:25,760 And yes, you have to do that to correct them. 417 00:29:25,760 --> 00:29:31,960 But if that's all you focus on, then the game loses what it means to be fun. 418 00:29:31,960 --> 00:29:33,760 Right? 419 00:29:33,760 --> 00:29:36,400 And then you see your team constantly focused on the negative. 420 00:29:36,400 --> 00:29:41,600 If they make a mistake, oh, I'm bad or I'm no good or I can't be successful. 421 00:29:41,600 --> 00:29:45,040 We can't allow ourselves to constantly focus on the negative. 422 00:29:45,040 --> 00:29:51,240 We have to focus on words of hope, on a vision of how they become better and then speak that 423 00:29:51,240 --> 00:29:53,840 encouragement into their lives. 424 00:29:53,840 --> 00:30:00,040 And see, as we become people of encouragement, then we see people grow and change and flourish 425 00:30:00,040 --> 00:30:02,760 in ways they've never imagined. 426 00:30:02,760 --> 00:30:08,100 First Thessalonians 5 11 says, encourage each other and build each other up just as 427 00:30:08,100 --> 00:30:09,640 you are already doing. 428 00:30:09,640 --> 00:30:13,120 But, but see, are you doing it? 429 00:30:13,120 --> 00:30:17,000 See when we read that verse, it says encourage each other and build each other up just as 430 00:30:17,000 --> 00:30:18,800 you're already doing. 431 00:30:18,800 --> 00:30:23,280 Paul assumed it, but should he have assumed it? 432 00:30:23,280 --> 00:30:25,920 See, see God is challenging us through this series. 433 00:30:25,920 --> 00:30:28,640 We have got to become a people of encouragement. 434 00:30:28,640 --> 00:30:32,720 And then the last thing we need to choose is our third one is you need to choose to 435 00:30:32,720 --> 00:30:34,320 hold your tongue. 436 00:30:34,320 --> 00:30:36,280 James 3 2. 437 00:30:36,280 --> 00:30:40,840 We all fail in many areas, but especially with our words. 438 00:30:40,840 --> 00:30:46,100 Yet if we're able to bridle the words we say, we are powerful enough to control ourselves 439 00:30:46,100 --> 00:30:47,240 in every way. 440 00:30:47,240 --> 00:30:51,320 And that means our characters mature and fully developed. 441 00:30:51,320 --> 00:30:54,080 Now do you know anyone who talks too much? 442 00:30:54,080 --> 00:30:55,080 Right? 443 00:30:55,080 --> 00:30:57,480 Now, I'd be willing to guess. 444 00:30:57,480 --> 00:31:01,280 I'd be willing to guess that the second I asked you that question, like two or three 445 00:31:01,280 --> 00:31:04,600 people pop to your head, you're like, yep. 446 00:31:04,600 --> 00:31:08,000 Now here's something to think about. 447 00:31:08,000 --> 00:31:12,380 Would your name be someone else's answer? 448 00:31:12,380 --> 00:31:16,800 Could you be accused of talking too much? 449 00:31:16,800 --> 00:31:22,280 Have we ever realized that sometimes our best language is just not saying anything at all 450 00:31:22,280 --> 00:31:24,000 and listening? 451 00:31:24,000 --> 00:31:31,580 Proverbs 12 15 says a fool is in love with his own opinion, but wisdom means being teachable. 452 00:31:31,580 --> 00:31:36,880 Sometimes we're so busy explaining, proving, justifying, arguing our points that we don't 453 00:31:36,880 --> 00:31:39,040 even listen to other people's opinions. 454 00:31:39,040 --> 00:31:43,320 We don't even listen to other people's pains and anguish so that we can actually pray for 455 00:31:43,320 --> 00:31:44,680 them. 456 00:31:44,680 --> 00:31:50,320 Proverbs 12 23 says those who possess wisdom don't feel the need to impress others with 457 00:31:50,320 --> 00:31:53,120 what they know. 458 00:31:53,120 --> 00:31:57,160 But foolish ones make sure their ignorance is on display. 459 00:31:57,160 --> 00:32:00,000 I love this quote from Winston Churchill. 460 00:32:00,000 --> 00:32:08,960 He said this, we are masters of the unsaid words, but slaves of those we let slip out. 461 00:32:08,960 --> 00:32:14,700 See, we have to start paying attention to our own mouths. 462 00:32:14,700 --> 00:32:19,480 We have to become aware of the words that we're speaking and the words that we let slip 463 00:32:19,480 --> 00:32:20,480 out. 464 00:32:20,480 --> 00:32:23,740 Friends, we can't allow our tongues to be our master. 465 00:32:23,740 --> 00:32:27,080 We have to choose to master our tongues. 466 00:32:27,080 --> 00:32:31,760 Now you remember the sociologists that set out to determine the most powerful four word 467 00:32:31,760 --> 00:32:35,200 phrase, three word phrase, two word phrase, and the single most powerful word, the English 468 00:32:35,200 --> 00:32:36,200 language. 469 00:32:36,200 --> 00:32:37,200 That's right. 470 00:32:37,200 --> 00:32:39,600 The first three word phrase was once upon a time. 471 00:32:39,600 --> 00:32:43,600 The most powerful three word phrase was, I love you. 472 00:32:43,600 --> 00:32:48,040 The most powerful two word phrase was, I'm sorry. 473 00:32:48,040 --> 00:32:55,440 And the most powerful single word was I. Now, if you're anything like me, when I saw those 474 00:32:55,440 --> 00:32:59,840 answers, I wasn't surprised at all because we already know the phrase. 475 00:32:59,840 --> 00:33:00,840 I love you. 476 00:33:00,840 --> 00:33:02,000 I'm sorry. 477 00:33:02,000 --> 00:33:06,640 And I come with immense power. 478 00:33:06,640 --> 00:33:12,240 And as I've been studying and wanting to share this, this talk with you over the last two 479 00:33:12,240 --> 00:33:15,840 weeks, because remember we took last week off and went out into the neighborhoods to 480 00:33:15,840 --> 00:33:19,680 pray for our neighborhoods and it's happening again today. 481 00:33:19,680 --> 00:33:22,560 If you want to join us, it's starting at 1030. 482 00:33:22,560 --> 00:33:25,560 I have 30 minutes to meet down in the pavilion to go out on a prayer walk. 483 00:33:25,560 --> 00:33:27,760 That would be great. 484 00:33:27,760 --> 00:33:30,760 But I've actually been preparing for this message for two weeks. 485 00:33:30,760 --> 00:33:34,680 And I tell you what, I've done a lot of soul searching. 486 00:33:34,680 --> 00:33:36,280 I've thought about the words that I speak. 487 00:33:36,280 --> 00:33:38,360 I've thought about the words that my children speak. 488 00:33:38,360 --> 00:33:41,920 I thought about the words that the teams that I coach speak. 489 00:33:41,920 --> 00:33:47,640 And it's amazing when you read a book like this and you prepare a message like this, 490 00:33:47,640 --> 00:33:51,320 how much you realize, wow, I'm negative. 491 00:33:51,320 --> 00:33:57,040 You know, just the fact that I wake up and think that my body hurts or I, what happened 492 00:33:57,040 --> 00:33:59,560 to me yesterday, or I felt like I got hit by a truck. 493 00:33:59,560 --> 00:34:03,280 It's just, again, that's just negative. 494 00:34:03,280 --> 00:34:07,640 But when we shift the words that we speak and we begin to listen to how other people 495 00:34:07,640 --> 00:34:11,120 talk about themselves and we correct them, not in a rude way. 496 00:34:11,120 --> 00:34:12,320 Why would you say that about yourself? 497 00:34:12,320 --> 00:34:14,800 Just say, Hey, just don't choose to use those words. 498 00:34:14,800 --> 00:34:16,360 You're not bad. 499 00:34:16,360 --> 00:34:18,320 You're not a failure. 500 00:34:18,320 --> 00:34:19,600 You know, God loves you. 501 00:34:19,600 --> 00:34:22,380 God, God, God has an incredible plan for your life. 502 00:34:22,380 --> 00:34:28,160 When we begin to shift and, and, and speak life into people, I tell you what, lives are 503 00:34:28,160 --> 00:34:33,240 transformed, but friends, we got to evaluate where our heart is. 504 00:34:33,240 --> 00:34:37,600 And this morning I want to encourage you, will you go on this journey with me for the 505 00:34:37,600 --> 00:34:43,480 night, for the next month and really do some soul searching and, and some, some heart identification 506 00:34:43,480 --> 00:34:47,200 of what comes out of our mouths? 507 00:34:47,200 --> 00:34:50,720 Do words of life come out of our mouths or the words of death? 508 00:34:50,720 --> 00:34:54,240 And I firmly believe that if we go on this journey together, if we take these next four 509 00:34:54,240 --> 00:34:58,940 weeks and really internalize and reflect on where we are and where we could be and where 510 00:34:58,940 --> 00:35:04,040 God wants us to be, we'll become a community of faith that becomes a powerful force for 511 00:35:04,040 --> 00:35:08,080 God's kingdom in our community because we're constantly speaking words of life, but it's 512 00:35:08,080 --> 00:35:10,280 a choice. 513 00:35:10,280 --> 00:35:12,800 Will you choose to change this morning? 514 00:35:12,800 --> 00:35:14,720 I'm choosing to change. 515 00:35:14,720 --> 00:35:19,040 I'm choosing to listen to more and I'm choosing to speak life, but it's a choice that we all 516 00:35:19,040 --> 00:35:21,440 must take together. 517 00:35:21,440 --> 00:35:25,960 So I want to invite you for, to just simply start this journey with me. 518 00:35:25,960 --> 00:35:28,560 I, I, this is all I want you to do. 519 00:35:28,560 --> 00:35:31,400 Do you need to change the way you speak? 520 00:35:31,400 --> 00:35:33,720 Do you need to change some of the words that come out of your mouth? 521 00:35:33,720 --> 00:35:35,200 Do you need to get rid of gossip? 522 00:35:35,200 --> 00:35:36,680 Do you need to stop complaining? 523 00:35:36,680 --> 00:35:38,400 You know, are there some things you need to work on? 524 00:35:38,400 --> 00:35:43,000 I believe that if you're really honest, you'll say, yeah, Chris, there's something because 525 00:35:43,000 --> 00:35:48,000 I know I have things and I've really found those things over the last two weeks, but 526 00:35:48,000 --> 00:35:52,240 I want to invite you to go on this journey with me and I want to pray, pray for you that 527 00:35:52,240 --> 00:35:55,520 the God's spirit would lead you to change. 528 00:35:55,520 --> 00:35:58,680 So if you're, if you're listening this morning, if you're tuned in, if you're back tuning 529 00:35:58,680 --> 00:36:03,720 in, if you're watching later in the week, is there something in your life that you want 530 00:36:03,720 --> 00:36:04,720 to change? 531 00:36:04,720 --> 00:36:07,600 If you say, yeah, I just want you to slip your hand up. 532 00:36:07,600 --> 00:36:09,480 I want you to say, yeah, I need to change my words. 533 00:36:09,480 --> 00:36:10,560 I need to change my outlook. 534 00:36:10,560 --> 00:36:16,280 I need to change, um, what is happening in my life because of the words that I speak 535 00:36:16,280 --> 00:36:17,280 over myself. 536 00:36:17,280 --> 00:36:24,760 I need to change my communication with God and the way I talk and share with him. 537 00:36:24,760 --> 00:36:28,400 If that's you just slip your hand up right where you are. 538 00:36:28,400 --> 00:36:29,400 I don't care where you are. 539 00:36:29,400 --> 00:36:30,640 Just slip your hand up and say, yeah, Chris, that's me. 540 00:36:30,640 --> 00:36:32,840 Cause that's just an acknowledgement of saying I want to change. 541 00:36:32,840 --> 00:36:35,400 And now I just want to pray for all of us. 542 00:36:35,400 --> 00:36:39,000 So Holy spirit comes around each and every person that slipped their hand up. 543 00:36:39,000 --> 00:36:41,960 God that, that, uh, said, yeah, I want to change. 544 00:36:41,960 --> 00:36:43,920 I need to change the words that I speak. 545 00:36:43,920 --> 00:36:49,280 I need to change how I talk to my wife or my children or my coworkers or my class or 546 00:36:49,280 --> 00:36:50,280 my team. 547 00:36:50,280 --> 00:36:53,920 I just need to change the way I listen. 548 00:36:53,920 --> 00:36:56,920 Whatever it is that they slipped their hand up for God, I pray them. 549 00:36:56,920 --> 00:37:01,840 I pray that you would reveal to them how they can change. 550 00:37:01,840 --> 00:37:07,360 I pray that this, this opening talk is a, is a light bulb comes on for all of us that, 551 00:37:07,360 --> 00:37:12,320 that, that the words that we speak over ourselves, over our church, over our, over the tri-state 552 00:37:12,320 --> 00:37:16,520 area are words that can bring about change and God, we want to be that change in this 553 00:37:16,520 --> 00:37:18,960 world. 554 00:37:18,960 --> 00:37:24,020 So Holy spirit just supernaturally begin to work on each and every person's life. 555 00:37:24,020 --> 00:37:30,120 Make us more into your image so that we can become more like Jesus each and every day. 556 00:37:30,120 --> 00:37:31,440 In Jesus name. 557 00:37:31,440 --> 00:37:32,440 Amen. 558 00:37:32,440 --> 00:37:37,280 Now, if you prayed that prayer this morning or you put your hand up, I want you to text 559 00:37:37,280 --> 00:37:43,600 change me C H A N G E M E to nine seven zero zero zero. 560 00:37:43,600 --> 00:37:45,280 Change me to nine seven zero zero zero. 561 00:37:45,280 --> 00:37:47,840 And you say, Chris, why would I do that? 562 00:37:47,840 --> 00:37:52,400 Why would I text change me to the, to the, to that number? 563 00:37:52,400 --> 00:37:55,960 Well, this is why, because we're in this together. 564 00:37:55,960 --> 00:37:56,960 I want to pray for you. 565 00:37:56,960 --> 00:37:58,400 I want to encourage you. 566 00:37:58,400 --> 00:38:00,160 I want to send you scriptures. 567 00:38:00,160 --> 00:38:05,200 I want to let you know that we're in this together, that we're changing together so 568 00:38:05,200 --> 00:38:09,600 that we can be a people of hope and that we can be a people that speak life. 569 00:38:09,600 --> 00:38:14,440 And I, and I, and our community of faith will reach out to you this week and, and we'll 570 00:38:14,440 --> 00:38:20,000 invite you into this journey that we're on so that our story, right? 571 00:38:20,000 --> 00:38:26,240 Once upon a time, remember, so that our story is a story that brings about hope and meaning 572 00:38:26,240 --> 00:38:27,520 and change. 573 00:38:27,520 --> 00:38:29,040 So have a great week. 574 00:38:29,040 --> 00:38:30,480 Thanks for hanging in there with us. 575 00:38:30,480 --> 00:38:34,040 Sorry about the technical issues earlier. 576 00:38:34,040 --> 00:38:40,120 And I want to encourage you to, to, to text that and, and, and ultimately just to stay 577 00:38:40,120 --> 00:38:44,880 tuned that, that all that HCV is doing over the next few weeks, because change is coming. 578 00:38:44,880 --> 00:38:47,320 We're going to meet, be able to meet again soon. 579 00:38:47,320 --> 00:38:48,320 So have a great week. 580 00:38:48,320 --> 00:39:10,480 God bless. 581 00:39:19,320 --> 00:39:20,320 Thank you. 582 00:39:20,320 --> 00:39:21,320 Have a great week.