’TIL DEATH DO US PART
Matthew 12:33-37
(The third in a sermon series from Matthew 12 called “Words We Live By”)*
Sermon Objective: To show the true indicator of the heart’s condition (words) and the possibility of cleansing.
Supporting Scripture: Ezekiel 36:24-28; 1 Corinthians 10:1-13; Ephesians 5:1-4; Philippians 2:14-15; James 5:7-12; 1 Peter 4:7-11;
PREFACE
We are continuing a sermon series from Matthew 12 called “Words We Live By.” Many creeds, pledges, and mottoes have shaped our country, as well as it’s individual citizens. In many instances the words convey uplifting and presumably timeless messages. They play an important role in creating a collective identity – even in shaping a national consciousness. They operate behind the scenes as a moral compass and a driving force.
Previous sermons have looked at the statement on the Statue of Liberty: “GIVE ME YOUR TIRED, YOUR POOR, YOUR HUDDLED MASSES YEARNING TO BREATHE FREE. . . ” We saw that the Church embodies those words in our spirit of mercy and compassion just as Jesus suggested in Matthew 12:7, “I desire mercy not sacrifice.” We also looked at “IN GOD WE TRUST” from Matthew 12:21; we discovered it is still the desire of God that “In his name the nations will put their hope.”
You are familiar with these “Words We Live By.” They are found everywhere! They have woven themselves into our lives. Some, which we will not be able to look at are:
• “What the people don’t know WILL hurt them” (The motto of the Johnston City Press-Chronicle)
• “The salvation of the state is the watchfulness of the people” (The Nebraska State Capitol)
There are others I’ll mention next week -- our concluding week of the series – when the sermon will be “E Pluribus Unum” (vv. 46-50 ).
All of these are “Words We Live By” which can illuminate the “WORDS we live by” -- namely Jesus Christ’s.
SERMON
You are familiar with these words: “To love and to honor, in sickness and in health, ’til death do us part.”
Those are powerful words! Merely HEARING them evokes specific images and memories. SAYING them incites strong emotion and a sense of duty.
Let me show you. Those of you who are setting with your spouse this morning -- I want you to turn to them and look them straight in the eye. Right now, go ahead. Now take their hand in yours and together repeat after me:
I Pledge
to love and to honor you,
in sickness and in health,
‘til death do us part.
See what I mean? Just saying it eye to eye, hand in hand can be a reaffirming moment on a marriage.
The “trophlight” or “exchange of vows” has virtually been unchanged for over 500 years. It crosses continents, cultures, and religious allegiances. WHY HAS IT BEEN ABLE TO MAKE THE SHIFT AND MOVEMENT SO EASILY? BECAUSE IT HAS MEANING FOR ALL WHO SAY IT.
YOU, MY FRIEND, HAVE JUST EXPERIENCED THE POWER OF WORDS. YOU HAVE JUST EXPERIENCED WHAT SAYING THEM AND WHAT HEARING THEM CAN DO.
And what is true of a Marriage Vow is equally true of other oaths. Listen to what Jesus says about your words:
33 “Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit.
34 You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.
35 The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.
36 But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.
37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”
Let’s say another pledge together. This is one that everyone can participate in. It was originally male in its intent but you will all catch on and recognize its familiarity. Okay let’s get ready -- raise your right hand and point three fingers in the air and repeat after me.
On my honor I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country
and to obey the Scout law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong
mentally awake,
and morally straight.
(The Boy Scout Oath.)
Now you are all good Boy Scouts!
Alright, its “equal time” for the ladies. Men, you should participate. Everyone raise your right hand and point three fingers in the air and repeat after me:
On my honor I will try
To serve God and my country
To help people at all Times
And to live by the Girl Scout Law.
(The Girl Scout Promise.)
Now you’re all good Girl Scouts too. Men, don’t you feel pretty?
For many of you saying those oaths bring back memories and covenants. But they are more than that; these are “Words We Live By.” They are embedded deep within you and they elicit a sense of duty, and responsibility. That is what they are supposed to do … they have fashioned our consciousness and formed an identity of what a good citizen is.
Jesus tells us that the “Words We Live By” show whether we are a good citizen in the Kingdom too.
36 But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.
37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”
Now not all the words you use give you a renewed sense of commitment and honor. As we all know, some words can get us into trouble. For example: I have found eight things that you should never say when your wife is pregnant. I thought these would be especially appropriate since this is Father’s Day.
Fatal things to NEVER say to your pregnant WIFE:
- "Not to imply anything, but I don’t think that kid in there weighs 40 pounds."
- "Ya’ know, looking at her, you’d never guess that Angelina Jolie ever had a baby!"
- "I sure hope your thighs aren’t gonna stay that way forever!"
- Ya’know, you’re about 5 pounds away from a surprise visit from that Richard Simmons fella!"
- "Fred at the office passed a stone the size of a pea. Boy, that’s gotta hurt."
- "I’m jealous! Why can’t men experience the JOY of childbirth?"
- "Are your ankles supposed to look like that?"
- "Get your own ice cream, Buddha!"
Men -- trust me. Never … NEVER … say those things to your pregnant wife -- it only assures you of trouble.
But seriously; what do Jesus’ warnings about our speech say to us? I know they challenge me and drive me straight to the altar in search of strength and pardon.
#1) JESUS’ WORDS WARN US TO BEWARE OF COMPLAINING AND GRUMBLING.
Have you ever noticed how easy it is to complain? It is always easy to find fault isn’t it? But the Saints’ speech is to be disciplined and well-seasoned.
“Innocent venting” shows the condition of one’s heart and damages those who are watching.
• And do not grumble, as some of them did —and were killed by the destroying angel. (1 Corinthians 10:10)
• Don’t grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door! (James 5:9)
• Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. (1 Peter 4:9)
• Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe (Philippians 2:14-15)
#1) JESUS’ WORDS WARN US TO BEWARE OF COMPLAINING AND GRUMBLING.
#2) JESUS’ WORDS CHALLENGE US TO REFRAIN FROM COARSE JOKING AND CRASS SPEECH.
It does not portray the image of Jesus that He deserves.
• Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. (Ephesians 5:4)
Josiah Wedgwood, English maker of the famous Wedgwood pottery, was showing a nobleman through his factory one day. One of Wedgwood’s employees, a young boy, was accompanying them. The nobleman was profane and vulgar. At first, the boy was shocked by his irreverence; then he became fascinated by the man’s coarse jokes and laughed at them.
Wedgwood was deeply distressed. At the conclusion of the tour, he showed the nobleman a vase of unique design. The man was charmed by its exquisite shape and rare beauty. As he reached for it, Mr. Wedgwood purposely let it fall to the floor. The nobleman uttered an angry oath and said, "I wanted that vase for my collection, and you have ruined it by your carelessness!" Wedgwood answered, "Sir, there are other ruined things more precious than a vase which can never be restored. You can never give back to that young man, who just left us, the reverence for sacred things which his parents have tried to teach him for years. You have undone their labor in less than half an hour!"
Yes, depending on how it is used, our tongue can give special direction or it can bring serious destruction.
#1) JESUS’ WORDS WARN US TO BEWARE OF COMPLAINING AND GRUMBLING.
#2) JESUS’ WORDS CHALLENGE US TO REFRAIN FROM COARSE JOKING AND CRASS SPEECH.
#3) WE SHOW WHAT WE REALLY LOVE BY WHAT WE CHOOSE TO TALK ABOUT.
34 . . . For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.
What kind of a reputation have your words and speech given you?
† Are you known as a complainer?
† Are known as an exaggerator?
† Are you known as a gossip?
† Are you known as a flatterer?
† Are you known as a liar?
† Are you known as an encourager?
† Are you known as a truth teller (in love)?
† Are you known as one whose words build up other people?
In the story, A Wart Hog from Hell: Revelation, written by Flannery O’Connor, Mrs. Turpin is a self-righteous woman who turns on God when life takes a bad turn.
Out on the farm she screams to God, "Just who do you think you are!?"
Momentarily the question returns to her as it echoes off the mountains. She discovers her pride.
That’s what our words do. They reveal the real self. The inner person. As with Mrs. Turpin, God need not judge us – our words do it.
WRAP-UP
#1) JESUS’ WORDS WARN US TO BEWARE OF COMPLAINING AND GRUMBLING.
#2) JESUS’ WORDS CHALLENGE US TO REFRAIN FROM COARSE JOKING AND CRASS SPEECH.
#3) WE SHOW WHAT WE REALLY LOVE BY WHAT WE CHOOSE TO TALK ABOUT.
So, what is the solution? No it’s not to discipline your speech patterns more. You can always do that to some extent but whenever your guard is down you will show the real you.
Jesus makes the answer very clear.
34 You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.
35 The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.
The problem is a heart problem. And the answer is to receive a clean heart. Thankfully, God offers one.
• I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. (Ezekiel 36:26)
THE BIBLE CLEARLY TEACHES US THAT GOD CAN LIBERATE THE HEART FROM THE SHACKLES OF SIN. There seem to be four expectations (not steps) for this deliverance to be experienced. This is consistently the solution offered by God’s prophets and apostles in the Bible.
1. Confess your sin to God.
2. Surrender yourself entirely - without reservation to God.
3. Invite God’s Holy Spirit to come - cleanse – and fill you with Himself.
4. Begin to walk in obedience.
Apart from this, you will try and try to be what God wants and you will fail and fail. But, by coming and surrendering to God you can experience His empowerment and victory.
Now, just as your careless words and impure words show your heart. So do words of righteousness, holy passion, and love.
We are going to close with a song. It’s. Why not sing it as a prayer of your heart -- and act on it as God’s spirit leads you.
* The idea and data for this series comes from Brian Burrell’s Book, Words We Live By (1997, The Free Press).
This Sermon is provided by Dr. Kenneth Pell
Potsdam Church of the Nazarene
Potsdam, New York
www.potsdam-naz.org
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Children’s Sermon: A Clean Heart
Theme: The words from our mouth show the condition of our heart.
Object: A thermometer for taking someone’s temperature
Scripture: Matthew 12:34b-35
Hi everybody! It is good to see you today. Let’s see what I have in the treasure box. Look at this? Do you recognize it? It is a thermometer and it is used to take someone’s temperature. Taking someone’s temperature can help determine if that person is sick or not … if they have a fever.
Has your mom or dad ever used something like this with you? I suspect they have. It is very helpful and very accurate at telling whether something is wrong with you and if you are sick.
Did you know that Jesus tells us that there is a way to tell if we are spiritually sick? It is just as accurate as this thermometer.
Listen to Jesus’ words from Matthew 12: 34b For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.
Our words tell a lot about us. Kind words flow from a gentle and pure heart – mean words flow from a heart that is unclean and troubled.
Today in our sermon we will look at the power of words. I have a coloring sheet for you today that also helps remind us to speak words that are pure and kind.
Let’s pray:
Dear Jesus, Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. (Psalm 19:14). Amen.
This Children’s Sermon is provided by Dr. Kenneth Pell
Potsdam Church of the Nazarene
Potsdam, New York
www.potsdam-naz.org
