Sermon: Parlance-Part 2
by Chris Cumming         

In the sermon, “Brash” I began with a reading from Ephesians 4 and 5.  The key verses were found in chapter 5:

Ephesians 5:3-4
3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 
4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. 


The purpose of that sermon was to encourage all of us to, “Utter good Communication.”  We will continue with this same purpose today.

Utter good communication.

At the same time I was working out the sermon, “Brash” I saw another item on the Internet that I thought might make for the basis of a good sermon.  I had no idea at the time that both sermons would complement each other so well.

If you will remember, I told you that the sermon, “Brash” was the basis of a lifelong tool that you must acclimate to your own unique life in the salvation process.  What I am about to share with you are more elements for that tool that help you to utter good communication with yourself, those in the faith, individuals in the world and most importantly before Jesus Christ and God the Father.

The title of the piece I found on the Internet is, “When To Keep Your Mouth Shut.”  Such a title immediately begs the question, “Is there, also, a list of things firstfruits should talk about according to God’s Word?”  Yes, there is and this will make for a third sermon on uttering good communication.  This sermon today is this third sermon.

The sermon on when to keep our mouths shut was Parlance-Part 1.  In it, I gave you a list of situations where we should keep silent, such as when one is in the heat of anger, when one does not have all the facts or when you have not verified the story.  There were 20 situations in all.  See that sermon here.

In this sermon we are going to get to the ultimate way of uttering good communication.  It will not be so much of a list of things to say as it will be to a biblical concept and truth to be filled with good communication.  It begins in Matthew 12.  As God has often done in His construction of biblical verses, He shows us both sides of a given subject.  Often this is the good and evil sides or the positive and negative sides of character and maturity.  He shows the good and positive and then gives us the negative and evil to better highlight and explain the good and positive.

In Matthew 12, let us begin with verse 34.  I am going to read verses 34 through verse 37 in its entirety and then separate out the specific good and positive phrases.  This passage will also show you the ultimate importance of having and uttering good communication.

Matthew 12:34-37
34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. 
35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. 
36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. 
37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. 

Note:  Verses 36 and 37 clearly show the importance of good communication.  Phrases in verses 34 and 35 show us how.

Key Phrases:
1] Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
2] A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things.

What is the bottom line here?  Both phrases speak to abundance of the heart.  We easily see the procedure and the way, don’t we?  Fill our heart, mind, and soul with something.  From this abundance, the good communication comes forth.  Where do we begin learning about this abundance or the substances with which to fill our heart, mind, and soul.  Let us go to the book of wisdom.  Turn to Proverbs and chapter 1.  I will give you the text straight and then again with word meanings from Strong’s.

Proverbs 1:1-7...The Beginning of Knowledge
1 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; 
2 To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; 
3 To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; 
4 To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. 
5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: 
6 To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings. 
7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. 

Proverbs 1:1-7...The Beginning of Knowledge
1 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; 
2 To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding (H998 perfectly understanding wisdom); 
3 To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice (H6664 prosperity, righteousness), and judgment, and equity (H4339 prosperity or concord); 
4 To give subtilty (H6195 wisdom) to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion (H4209 good—sagacity—discernment, sound judgment, wisdom). 
5 A wise man will hear, and will increase (H3254 prolong) learning (H3948 doctrine, fair speech) and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels (H8458 good advice)
6 To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings (the wording of the proverb). 
7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. 

Substances for the heart:
1] wisdom
2] instruction
3] prosperity
4] righteousness
5] concord
6] sagacity
7] discernment
8] sound judgment
9] prolonged learning of doctrine and fair speech
10] wise counsel and good advice.
11] knowledge
12] understanding

All these come from God as is clearly stated in verse 7.  And where is God?  In the salvation process.

Let us see if we can verify this:

Wisdom…perfectly understanding wisdom:
James 1:5
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 

James 3:17
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

Note: Among other things, this last verse is describing good communication.

Instruction:
Proverbs 4:13
Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life. 

Proverbs 19:27
Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge. 

Prosperity:
Psalm 35:27 
Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant. 

Notice this from the Biblical Illustrator:

Let the Lord be magnified. (take notice how this text is speaking to many elements including our communication)

Magnifying God

I. here is God’s feeling towards man’s welfare. He has pleasure in his prosperity. This proves to us—

1. God’s interest in our existence.
2. God’s goodwill towards our state.
3. God’s evident willingness to help.

II. here is man’s true well-being—“Prosperity.” The true prosperity of a soul is its spiritual vitality, and this manifests itself—

1. By an ever-growing love towards religious exercises.
2. By a deepening apprehension of Divine realities. That which was dark becomes light; that which was obscure stands out in living reality.
3. By an increasing delight in Christian work. A prosperous soul is active in the performance of acts of charity and kindness.
4. By an increasing development of a Christlike character. The prosperous Christian grows, and becomes daily more like Christ in thought, word, and action.
5. By a constant accession of peace, contentment, and joy. ~Biblical Illustrator
 

Righteousness:
Matthew 6:33
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 

Note: Righteousness comes from God.

Ephesians 4:23-25
23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 
24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. 
25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. 

Note: God is true righteousness and holiness.  Notice how verse 25 is speaking to good communication

Concord
accord, harmony, agreement, peace:
Romans 14:19
Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. 

Colossians 3:15
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 

Hebrews 12:14
Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: 

Sagacity
ability to follow a path, acuteness of mental discernment, soundness of judgment:
Luke 9:23
And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 

Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 

2 Peter 1:5-8
5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 
6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 
7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 
8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Discernment
…the faculty of discerning, acuteness of judgment, understanding, insight:
Proverbs 2:6
For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. 

Proverbs 4:5
Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. 

Proverbs 8:5-9
5 O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart. 
6 Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things. 
7 For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips. 
8 All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them. 
9 They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge. 

Sound judgment:
Proverbs 2:6-7
6 For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. 
7 He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.
 

Proverbs 8:14
Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength. 

Prolonged learning of doctrine and fair speech:

Proverbs 4:2
For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law. 

Proverbs 9:9
Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.

2 Timothy 3:16-17   [see Lesson]
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. 

2 Timothy 4:13   [see Lesson]
The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.

Titus 1:9   [see Lesson]
Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. 

Titus 2:1   [see Lesson]
But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:
 

Wise counsel and good advice:
Proverbs 8:14

Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength. 

Proverbs 19:20
Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end. 

Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 

Knowledge:
Psalm 119:66

Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments. 

Proverbs 8:10
Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold. 

Understanding:
Psalm 119:104

Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way. 

Proverbs 4:7
Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. 

Let us look at a passage of scripture that hits on most of these substances for the heart:

Proverbs 2:1-12
1 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; 
2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; 
3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; 
4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; 
5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. 
6 For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. 
7 He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. 
8 He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints. 
9 Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path. 
10 When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; 
11 Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee: 
12 To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things; 

Let us end with these scriptures.

1 Corinthians 1:30
But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 

Ephesians 2:10
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. 

Ephesians 1:3-4
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 
4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 

Continue uttering good communication.

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