October 16, 2016
Read 1 John 4:8 - 10. We have been thinking of the love that the Father had for the Son. That love has been manifest and extended to us. We can give Him thanks for that this morning!
Hymn 341 - Jesus bids us shine
Prayer
We are back in Proverbs 10 today. Last time we learned about diligence, and this week we’ll look at another topic. Our verses will talk about the mouth, tongue, and lips. We use our mouth, tongue, and lips for talking and communicating, and what we say is either good or bad.
Proverbs 18:21 shows us that our words have power; they can either give life or bring death. We must make sure that what we say makes God happy. Sometimes you hear people say, “Take that back!” but we can’t really do that with our words. Once we have said something, we can’t put it back; just like you can’t put tooth paste back in the tube. We have to be careful what we say. People used to say, “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me,” and that’s not really true either. Words really can hurt, and that’s why we want our words to be helpful, not hurtful and discouraging.
Proverbs 10:11. If we’re righteous we will say right things, because our words come from our hearts. If we have the Bible in our hearts, our words will be like a well of water. Water gives life and refreshes us. It’s like when Joshua started his job as the leader of Israel. God came and told him that He would be with him and help him. Those words must have been a big encouragement to Joshua.
Proverbs 10:20. In this verse, silver may refer to money; something that is pure and valuable. The words of the just are like that; they are words of life, and are valuable to others.
Proverbs 10:21. This time, the words of the righteous provide food for others. This is like encouragement again. I saw a man at the grocery store once, and as he went around shopping he praised the employees profusely, telling them what a good job they were doing. His words must have made an impression on those people, and our words can help people and uplift their spirits, too.
Proverbs 12:18. On the bad side, when we say unkind things, it’s like piercing other people with a sword. Our words can hurt, discourage, and break down others. We should want to be encouraging in what we say.
Proverbs 15:1. Our words can also upset people, if we’re teasing and provoking them. Speaking soft words is the kind thing to do.
Proverbs 21:23. We need to have self control over our words. We may want to say something, but it’s good to not say it if it’s unhelpful or mean. We need to ask the Lord to help us keep our tongues. That will keep us from trouble and arguments. Proverbs 10:19.
Proverbs 10:23. Again, our words come from our hearts. Let’s make sure that our words are helpful and encouraging, because once we speak them, we can’t take them back!
Colossians 2:16-23
This verse begins another warning. Maybe someone was judging the Colossians for not keeping these things. However, they are shadows of things to come. If you see a shadow, you don’t see much detail. Just lines, movement, and speed. The things mentioned here are just types. The substance of them has arrived through Christ the Head of the body. We are complete in Christ, and seen in fullness. Don’t let anyone take that away. When the shadows arrive we’ll see the real things.
There are still some who live in the shadows. Sukkot, feast of tabernacles, begins on Oct 16 this year. There will be those who will set up booths to celebrate it, but this is just a shadow of the future. Some of them might not even know why they celebrate it. It has passed away since something better has come. We are brought into the body of Christ, and are in a lofty place compared to the shadows. So the warning is not to be occupied more with the shadows than with the substance.
Darby puts the beginning of verse eighteen as, “Let no one fraudulentley deprive you of your prize.” It is the voluntary humility of worshiping angels and such like that takes away the reward. But it’s not really humility, it’s puffing up. The reward is holding the Head. Holding the Head means holding Jesus Christ who is the Head of life. In Leadership He is Lord and Master. As Headship He gives strength to obey, and both are needed.
When you have a body, each member plays its role in supporting the body. In our occupation with Christ, the Head of the body, we get food and strength to go on. We are each to function for the welfare of the entire body. It is not to be the responsibility of only one person. We died with Christ, we were buried with Him, we have been raised with Him, and we will reign with Him. Why then do we go after the elements (Darby) of the world? Instead of being subject to ordinances we should look to our Head for resources. Darby has the parentheses start at verse twenty-two to the word “honour” in verse twenty-three.
So, we are living stones in a building that forms the house of God. We have the Head, and we increase with the increase of God. The enemy wants us to miss it, but we must listen to the warnings.
Hymn 290 - Praise the Saviour, ye who know Him!
Prayer