October 25 2015 Sermon On The Mouth

/ Great Plains Community Church/

Sermon on the Mouth

Memory Verse: Proverbs 13:3 He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin. (LB) 

"Self control means controlling the tongue.

HOW TO STAY OUT OF TROUBLE

1. THINK  before you speak.

Proverbs 16:23 (GN) "Intelligent people think before they speak. What they say is then more persuasive."

Proverbs 18:20 (GN)"You will have to live with the consequences of everything you say.  "

Proverbs 20:25  "It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider his vows. 

2. Always speak the TRUTH

Proverbs 10:10 (GN) "Some one who holds back the truth causes trouble.  "

Proverbs 24:26 (GN) "An honest answer is the sign of a true friendship."

Proverbs 28:23 (LB) In the end people appreciate frankness more than flattery. "

3. Speak the truth IN LOVE

Proverbs 12:18 (GN) "Thoughtless words can wound as deeply as any sword, but wisely spoken words can heal

Proverbs 15:4 (LB) "Gentle words cause life and health.  '

Proverbs 12:25 (LB) "A word of encouragement does wonders!  

March 16 2014 Growing The Character Of Kindness

/ Great Plains Community Church/

Growing The Character of Kindness

Galatians 5:22 – The Fruit of the Spirit is kindness.

Colossians 3:12 – Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

Two Reasons For Kindness:

  1. God is kind to us.
  2. We want people to be kind to us.

Five Characteristics Of Kindness:

1. A kind person is sensitive to others.

Philippians 2:4 – Each of you should look not only to your own interest, but also to the interest of others.

David: Kind to Saul’s grandson.

2. A kind person is supportive.

Proverbs 15:4 – Kind words bring life, but cruel words crush your spirit.

Proverbs 10:32 – Righteous people know the kind thing to say, but the wicked are always saying things that hurt.

3. A kind person is sympathetic.

Romans 12:15 – When others are happy, be happy with them. If they are sad, share their sorrow.

John 11:35 – Jesus wept at the tomb of Lazarus.

4. A kind person is straight forward.

Proverbs 27:6 – Wounds from a friend are better that kisses from an enemy.

5. A kind person is spontaneous.

Galatians 6:10 – As we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially those who belong to the family of believers.

The Number One Enemy Of Kindness Is: BUSYNESS!!!

A Project For This Week: Write down seven people you want to show kindness to this week. List the ways you can do it. Ask God to give you the opportunity to show kindness to one of them each day.

November 6 2011 Love As A Lifestyle

/ Great Plains Community Church/

Love As A Lifestyle

Gal. 5:22 – The Fruit of the Spirit is Love.
Without love, nothing else matters. (I Cor. 13:1-2)
Love shows we really know God. (I John 4:7-21)
To love is our #1 responsibility. (Matthew 22:36-40)
I Cor. 13:5 -Love is not rude, love does not demand it’s own way, love is not irritable and love keeps no record of when it has be wronged. 

I. How to develop a loving lifestyle or mindset.

1. Accept others unconditionally.
Romans 15:7 – Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.
Romans 12:18 – If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

2. Commit yourself personally.
Romans 12:10 – Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.
Romans 12:5 – In Christ, we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 

3. Encourage others continually.
I Thess. 5:11 – Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up just as in fact, you are doing.
I Cor. 13:7 – If you love someone, you always believe in him and always expect the best of him.

4. Serve people cheerfully.
I Peter 4:10 – Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.
Romans 12:13 – Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

5. Forgive others freely.
Col 3:13 – Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

6. Decide to expand the Kingdom.
Matthew 28:19 - Go and make disciples of all nations.
II Cor. 5:14 - For Christ’s love compels us.

II. The practical application for dealing with draining people.

1. Difficult people: I must be tactful, not just truthful.
I Cor. 13:5 - Love is not rude.
Prov. 16:21 A wise mature person is known for his understanding. The more pleasant his words the more persuasive he is.

2. Demanding people: I must be understand and not be demanding.
I Cor. 13:5 -Love does not demand it’s own way.
Titus 3:2 -Believers shouldn’t curse anyone or be quarrelsome, but they should be gentle and show courtesy to everyone.

3. Disappointing people: I must be gentle not judgmental.
I Cor. 13:5 -Love is not irritable.
Prov. 15:4 - Gentle words bring life and health.

4. Destructive people: Don’t repeat it, just delete it.
I Cor. 13:5 - And love keeps no record of when it has been wronged.
Prov. 19:11 - When someone wrongs you it is a great virtue to ignore it.

CONCLUSION: Eph. 3:17-18 – I pray that Christ will be more at home in your heart, living within you as you trust Him. May your roots go deep into the soil of God's Marvelous love, and may you be able to feel and understand how long, wide, deep and high His love really is, and experience this love for yourselves.

October 30 2011 When Love Is Wise

/ Great Plains Community Church/

When Love Is Wise

James 3:13-18

Vs. 18 – And these who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of goodness. 

Wisdom is a lifestyle of love.
Vs. 13 – Who is wise and understanding among you? 
Let him show it by his good life.

Lack of wisdom causes all kinds of disorder.
Vs. 14-16 – disharmony and all other kinds of evil.

How To Relate Wisely To Others
Vs. 17

1. If I'm wise, I won't compromise my integrity.
Vs. 17 – The wisdom that comes from heave is first of all pure.
Prov. 10:9 – The man of integrity walks securely.

2. If I'm wise, I won't antagonize your anger.
Vs. 17 – wisdom is peace-loving.
Prov. 20:3 – Any fool can start arguments, the wise thing is to stay out of them.
Prov. 14:29 – A wise man controls his temper, he knows that anger causes mistakes.

3. If I'm wise, I won't minimize your feelings.
Vs. 17 – wisdom is considerate.
Prov. 15:4 – Kind words bring life, but cruel words crush your spirit.

4. If I'm wise, I won't criticize your decisions.
Vs 17 – wisdom is submissive.
Prov. 12:15 – A fool thinks he needs no advice. A man listens to others.

5. If I'm wise, I won't emphasize your mistakes.
Vs 17 – wisdom is full of mercy and good fruit.
Prov. 17:19 – Love forgets mistakes, nagging about them parts the best of friends.

6. If I'm wise, I won't disguise my own weaknesses.
Vs. 17 – wisdom is important and sincere.
Prov. 28:13 – You will never succeed in life if you try to hide your sins.
Col. 2:3 – The secret is Christ Himself, in Him lie hidden all God's treasures of wisdom.

October 30 2011 When Love Is Wise

/ Great Plains Community Church/

When Love Is Wise

James 3:13-18

Vs. 18 – And these who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of goodness. 

Wisdom is a lifestyle of love.
Vs. 13 – Who is wise and understanding among you? 
Let him show it by his good life.

Lack of wisdom causes all kinds of disorder.
Vs. 14-16 – disharmony and all other kinds of evil.

How To Relate Wisely To Others
Vs. 17

1. If I'm wise, I won't compromise my integrity.
Vs. 17 – The wisdom that comes from heave is first of all pure.
Prov. 10:9 – The man of integrity walks securely.

2. If I'm wise, I won't antagonize your anger.
Vs. 17 – wisdom is peace-loving.
Prov. 20:3 – Any fool can start arguments, the wise thing is to stay out of them.
Prov. 14:29 – A wise man controls his temper, he knows that anger causes mistakes.

3. If I'm wise, I won't minimize your feelings.
Vs. 17 – wisdom is considerate.
Prov. 15:4 – Kind words bring life, but cruel words crush your spirit.

4. If I'm wise, I won't criticize your decisions.
Vs 17 – wisdom is submissive.
Prov. 12:15 – A fool thinks he needs no advice. A man listens to others.

5. If I'm wise, I won't emphasize your mistakes.
Vs 17 – wisdom is full of mercy and good fruit.
Prov. 17:19 – Love forgets mistakes, nagging about them parts the best of friends.

6. If I'm wise, I won't disguise my own weaknesses.
Vs. 17 – wisdom is important and sincere.
Prov. 28:13 – You will never succeed in life if you try to hide your sins.
Col. 2:3 – The secret is Christ Himself, in Him lie hidden all God's treasures of wisdom.