“So” October 31, 2010
I was reading the other day that the average male speaks 2000 words a day while the average female speaks 5000.
That is two and a half times more that a man and you know what that tells me? (Pause) Women have more to say than men do, and also they probably know more words.
Illustration: Ask a woman how her day was and she will most likely give you details and then when the woman ask the man he will respond, “Fine.”
This got me thinking so I went to the internet and found out that (the) was the most used word in the English language.
I was looking for the word so but it wasn’t one of the top 25 but I did find out something interesting.
So is one of the smallest words in the English language and it has 31 meanings.
Sort of an all purpose word that can be used in many sentences.
But men there are times when not to use the word so. Wife says, “I’ve had a bad day!” SO!
As kids we used it as a way of telling each other that what you just said isn’t a big deal. SO!
Now as adults we still use it but we are more mature now and we say, “So, what’s your point?”
Now you probably thought that “So” as a sermon title was a little strange and you’re first thought was probably, SO WHAT,
As I was reading God’s Word the other day I noticed the word so being used a lot and found that to be interesting it too had many meanings.
It was used in different ways to express or emphasis commands, directions, intentions, and so on.
In the book of Genesis it is used considerably, the first time in verse seven.
Genesis 1:7 So God made the expanse and separated the water under the expanse from the water above it.
The way it is used here is a direction. God said in the previous verse, “Let there be an expanse between the waters to separate water from water.”
In other words God said it then He did it. Many times as we read the creation God says it, then he does it.
So in the beginning God was true to His Word which is the way He wants us to be.
I believe that one of the best characteristics a person can have is to be true to their word.
If you tell someone that you will do something then do it.
Now knowing that God was true to His word in the beginning is of great importance to us as I will explain later.
Now look at the final sentence in verse seven. “And it was so.”
In other words God said it, He did it, and that was final. It didn’t have to be explained with a bunch of fancy words, it was so.
Illustration: Dad taught me to respect elders and when he told me to do something, I did it.
We read the commands of our Lord in the Bible and they all say do or don’t do, and it is so.
The next use of the word so that is important can be found in the book of Mark.
Mark 6:34 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them,, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. SO he began teaching them many things.
You might look at the word SO here and wonder what is the significance it just says so He did it, but in the events leading up to this we can understand.
When Jesus lands on the shore of Bethesda, he leaves the Sea of Galilee and steps into a virtual sea of humanity.
Now the reason Jesus had crossed the sea in the first place was to get away from the crowds.
He wanted to relax with His disciples and have a little solitude.
Here again we are shown the human side of God. He is human, He is tired, and He needs a break.
Sometimes even the things we enjoy most can drain us and bring us down.
Illustration: I enjoy playing golf but one summer me and some friends went to Orlando Florida for a week of golf. We played two rounds each day and by Friday I was tiered of golf even though I enjoy the game.
So here Jesus had been teaching and healing and He was just worn down. He wasn’t trying to get away from the crowds because He didn’t care anymore, He needed some time alone.
The last thing He probably needed right now was another few thousand people to heal and teach.
But His love for people overcame His need for rest, SO He did what had to be done.
Illustration: You come home from church on Sunday and plan on a quiet afternoon of rest but something comes up, stopped drain, busted water line, and it needs attention so you fix it.
And Jesus did this knowing that many of them would not even thank Him for healing them, but He healed them anyway.
And He also fed them and some of those who were asking for bread today would be screaming for His blood a few months later, but He healed them anyway because He had compassion for them.
The next to the last so I want us to consider is the most important one so far and you shouldn’t even have to look it up because you know it by heart.
John 3:16 For God SO loved the world He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Now notice how the word so is used here. It is to intensify the word love.
We use it in this manner all the time. That meal was so good, I enjoyed that movie so much.
See the writer wanted to emphasis the love God has for us.
Illustration: People say it is brand spanking new. Never did understand how that made sense.
When I was a kid brand and spanking wasn’t good together. Dad would spank and leave a brand on my behind.
So God didn’t just love the world, He so loved the world.
There is not one of us here who can attest to that kind of love for anything.
Why? Because we couldn’t give up a child and watch that child suffer because of our love for other people.
I said earlier how God being true to His word is of great importance because He is just as true today as in the beginning.
He promises us life eternal in heaven if we will follow Him. He promises it and He will do it.
Now comes the final SO but it is still undetermined for some.
Jesus died SO we would be forgiven, He rose from the grave SO someday we can too.
SO the decision is up to you.
SO now is the time.
SO will you respond.
If SO come as we sing.
