CORRECTION AND ENCOURAGEMENT
but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all
aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ,
Ephesians 4:15
In this age of instantaneous communication we have become
used to communication that is one dimensional. To grab our attention it has to
be able to be grasped in one second or less. The meaning has to be no more than
the words say. It cannot require thought to understand it. It can contain no
more than one message. It cannot have any subtleties.
It is not surprising that the most common communication on
the planet today is in the form of a “text message” on our cell phones, a
“status update” on facebook or a “tweet” on Twitter.
The problem with this emphasis on single purpose
communication is it is like eating junk food. Feed someone junk food every day
and soon healthy food no longer appeals to them.
The Bible is not a text message, status update or a tweet
from God. If we read it as such we will not be able to gain the riches it
intends to bestow on us.
The Bible is God’s Wisdom.
When I was a son to my father, Tender and the only son in
the sight of my mother, 4 Then he taught me and said to me, “Let
your heart hold fast my words; Keep my commandments and live;
Acquire wisdom! Acquire understanding!
Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth.
6 “Do not forsake her, and she will guard you;
Love her, and she will watch over you.
Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth.
6 “Do not forsake her, and she will guard you;
Love her, and she will watch over you.
The primary thing is wisdom. Acquire wisdom; And with all
your acquiring, get understanding. “Prize her, and she will exalt you; She will
honor you if you embrace her. 9 “She will place on your head a
garland of grace; She will present you with a crown of beauty.”
Hear, my son, and accept my sayings. And the years of your
life will be many.
11 I have directed you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in upright paths.
11 I have directed you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in upright paths.
When you walk, your steps will not be impeded;
And if you run, you will not stumble.
13 Take hold of instruction; do not let go.
Guard her, for she is your life.
And if you run, you will not stumble.
13 Take hold of instruction; do not let go.
Guard her, for she is your life.
Proverbs 4:3-13 (NASB)
Words of Wisdom must be continually reflected on to bring
forth their meaning. Their meaning is found by continually meditating on them.
We find their applications as we spend time with them.
The word meditate today might sound like something straight
out of the New Age. It is not. Thousands of years before the Maharishi taught
the Beatles to chant the names of Hindu gods and called it meditation the
principle of true meditation was taught to Joshua.
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but
you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to
all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then
you will have good success.
Joshua 1:8 (NKJV)
The word God used to tell Joshua what to do with His word in
Hebrew is וְהָגִיתָ (hagitah). It comes from the root הָגִהָ (hagah) which means to meditate, to muse,
to speak, to utter, to mutter, to moan, to groan, to growl, to roar, to plot,
to devise and to imagine.
The concept is that we are to be continually interacting
with the words God gives us – spiritually, mentally, and physically -- in a
lifelong seeking to apply them to our lives. As we do so we find in them the
riches of their wisdom. With that in mind let’s look at our first scripture
again.
but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all
aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ,
Ephesians 4:15
As we look at the message we see that we are clearly told to
grow up. We are also told how to grow up. Further we are told what it looks
like to grow up.
but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all
aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ,
Ephesians 4:15
Last time I spoke I shared with you how by speaking the
truth about ourselves with each other we find an amazing path to freedom.
Today I want to go further and share two of the most
important understandings I have found in this scripture to personally grow up
and to help others grow up into the likeness of Jesus.
Correction and Encouragement
Both absolutely require that we speak the truth with love to
each other.
As I have said before it is easy to speak the truth without
love and it is easy to “love” without expressing truth. These two ways of communicating represent our
human tendencies to Fight (speak the truth without love) or Flee (maintain
absolute silence for love’s sake).
While these two polar opposite communication forms may seem
to deal with relationship conflict well they actually kill relationships
completely.
One person has to die in each situation for the relationship
to continue. In fighting the aggressor lives alone. In fleeing the one fleeing
dies in silence.
As Christians we are not to fight or flee we are to stand.
That is the position when we speak the truth in love -- By doing so we open the
door for growth for ourselves and for other.
We will never grow if we will not receive correction.
For this command is a lamp,
this teaching is a light,
and correction and instruction
are the way to life,
this teaching is a light,
and correction and instruction
are the way to life,
Proverbs 6:23 (NIV)
Correction and instruction
are the way to life…..
are the way to life…..
Since Correction and Instruction are the way to life what
attitude should we have toward them?
Do you like to breath?
Do you like to eat?
If your boat crashed in the middle of the ocean would you
hang on to the life raft? Would you grab hold of the life line from the
helicopter that came to rescue you?
If you are at all like me I have not always perceived
correction and instruction like these things. But the Bible says they are even
more involved in keeping us alive than these things are.
With that thought in mind let me ask you a very personal
question. Do you allow people to speak the truth to you? Especially those who
really know you and love you? More than allowing people to speak the truth to
you do you passionately pursue them to speak it to you?
When people do speak the truth – especially those who do so
because they love you – do you reward them with honor by listening carefully in
a state of humility? Do you thank them for taking the risk of telling you the
truth? Or do you stop your ears and silence them through aggression or playing
the victim?
When people speak the truth to us because they love us we
are being given a priceless gift.
Even when our adversaries speak truth to us in bitterness it
can still be a priceless gift. They may give us an even more accurate picture
of how we look because they would not hold back anything like those who love us
might.
If you have not been overly excited about this aspect of the
Christian life then could I challenge you today to become so. It is a way for
you to make incredible advancement in your growth as a Christian. See it as it
is. You are destined for greatness but you will never achieve it without others
to help you get there.
Like an amazing athlete has never won gold without being
ready to listen to and practice what they have heard from their coaches and
fellow athletes, you cannot win the prize without letting others “coach” you.
I now want to talk about our call to be “coaches”. To do so
I want us to visit Pike Place Fish Market in Seattle:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNXxL1CEn-Q&feature=autoplay&list=UUbL8p_Wl7DvH6B0_RcteP2w&playnext=1
In three studies of the concept of mutual coaching in the
workplace used in Pike’s Peak Fish Market in Seattle they found these amazing
results:
Study 1:
Training alone increased productivity by 22.4 percent,
whereas training and follow-up coaching increased productivity by 88 percent!
Study 2:
Coaching produced a 529% return on investment as well as
significant intangible benefits.
Study 3:
Results from coaching include increased self-awareness 68%, better goal-setting 62%, lower stress levels 57%, increased confidence 52%, enhanced communication skills 40% and better relationship with co-workers 33%.
Results from coaching include increased self-awareness 68%, better goal-setting 62%, lower stress levels 57%, increased confidence 52%, enhanced communication skills 40% and better relationship with co-workers 33%.
I now want to talk about our call to be coached and to be
coaches. While correction and instruction are so vital in a coaching role, the
most important gift a coach can give to his athletes is inspiration.
A primary tool to build inspiration in people is in your
mouth at this very moment. You have the potential to change a person’s destiny
as you use this tool. If you use it well you can see changed relationships,
workplace environments, homes, churches, cities and even nations. It is the
gift of God’s encouragement through you.
Philipians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable,
whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good
repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on
these things.
Sometimes in the meanness of spirit that religion can
inculcate in people we lose the very beauty of Christ’s message.
We can become negative and shrill people who only relate to
others in a condemning way. But that is not the way Jesus would have us be.
He tells us all of our communication is to bring grace to
the hearers.
Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only
such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so
that it will give grace to those who hear.
Ephesians 4:29
Life Giving words are always the place where Grace and Truth
meet each other.
Lovingkindness and truth have met together; Righteousness
and peace have kissed each other.
Psalm 85:10
Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses
of those without strength and not just please ourselves. 2 Each
of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification.
Romans 15:1-2
For the Law was given through Moses; grace
and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.
John 1:17
Life giving words reflect the truth of God and the Grace of
God in full measure.
Life giving words never ultimately tear down a person though
they often tear them away from wrong behavior.
They always give grace to others without sacrificing truth.
They are the voice of Jesus through us, drawing out of
others what God sees in them.
That is the gift of encouragement God has put in us to give
to others.
Therefore
encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
I
Thessalonians 5:11
TO BE
UNITED WITH CHRIST MEANS WE ARE ENCOURAGERS
If you have
any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love,
if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make
my joy complete by being like‑minded, having the same love, being one in spirit
and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in
humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to
your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Philippians
2:1-4
WE
ENCOURAGE AS A RESULT OF OUR OF COMMITMENT
I want you
to know how much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all
who have not met me personally. My purpose is that they may be encouraged in
heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete
understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ,
in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Colossians
2:1-2
ENCOURAGEMENT
BRINGS AND BUILDS AND UNITY
Each of us
should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3 For even Christ did
not please himself but, as it is written: "The insults of those who insult
you have fallen on me.“ For everything that was written in the past was
written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the
Scriptures we might have hope. . . . the God who gives endurance and
encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ
Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of
our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you,
in order to bring praise to God.
Romans
15:2-7
ENCOURAGEMENT
GROWS OUT OF LOVE
I have
great confidence in you; I take great pride in you. I am greatly encouraged; in
all our troubles my joy knows no bounds. For when we came into Macedonia, this
body of ours had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn‑‑conflicts on the
outside, fears within. But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the
coming of Titus, and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had
given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent
concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever.
2
Corinthians 7:4-6
ENCOURAGE OTHERS DAILY
But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called
Today . . .
Hebrews 3:13
ENCOURAGE
THOSE WHO ARE STRUGGLING WITH SELF CONFIDENCE
And we urge
you, brothers, . . . encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with
everyone.
I
Thessalonians 5:14
DON'T BE
AFRAID TO PRAISE - GOD COMMANDS IT
Give her
the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Proverbs
31:31
GOD
COMMANDS OTHERS NOT TO PRAISE THEMSELVES IF YOU DON'T PRAISE THEM WHO WILL?
Let another
praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips.
Proverbs
27:2
DON'T JUST
THINK IT - SAY IT!
Better is open rebuke than hidden love.
Proverbs
27:5
ENCOURAGE
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT NOT OUTWARD THINGS WHICH OTHERS HAVE NO
RESPONSIBILITY FOR
Similarly, encourage
the young men to be self‑controlled.
Titus 2:6
FOCUS ON
THE GOOD - THEN SAY IT TO THE PERSON IN WHOM YOU SEE IT!
Finally,
brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is
pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable‑‑if anything is excellent or
praiseworthy‑‑think about such things.
Philippians
4:8
ESPECIALLY
ENCOURAGE THOSE WHO WORK CLOSEST WITH YOU
But your
assistant, Joshua son of Nun, will enter it. encourage him, because he will
lead Israel to inherit it.
Deuteronomy
1:38
REWARD
FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS WITH PRAISE
Follow my
example, as I follow the example of Christ. 2 I praise you for remembering me
in everything and for holding to the teachings, just as I passed them on to
you.
I
Corinthians 11:1
REWARD A
JOB WELL DONE WITH PRAISE
"`Well
done, my good servant!' his master replied. `Because you have been trustworthy
in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.'
Luke 19:17
COMMUNICATE
GOOD NEWS ABOUT THE WORK YOU ARE DOING TOGETHER
Tychicus,
the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so
that you also may know how I am and what I am doing. 22 I am sending him to you
for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage
you.
Ephesians
6:21
SHARE YOUR
VISION OF THE FUTURE
For the
Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of
the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will
rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught
up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will
be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage each other with these words.
I
Thessalonians 4:16
SHARE WHAT
GOD IS TEACHING YOU TO MAKE YOU A MORE EFFECTIVE WORKER FOR HIM
. . .
encourage others by sound doctrine. . .
Titus 1:9
PRINCIPLE:
Our mouths speak what is in our hearts
"The good man out of the good treasure of his heart
brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings
forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.
Luke 6:45
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable,
whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good
repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on
these things.
Philippians 4:8
Speaking the Truth in Love Part 2 Odcf Sunday Nov 25 2012
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