“The Saving Tongue”

Colossians 4:2-6

Over the past several weeks we have been studying about the mouth, the tongue and have seen from God's Word what He declares about our tongues. We began with a brief description of the mouth from James 3. Then we proceeded to discuss the sinful nature of the mouth and how what comes out of our mouth is a direct correlation with what is in our heart. We saw how bad and deceitful our mouths and tongues our and our need to be transformed by Christ. We have then discussed how our mouths should change to be encouraging, gracious, forgiving, and loving to one another. Tonight I want to bring it all to a conclusion, now this does not mean there is not more to be said about the tongue, because the Bible is full of other things we can discuss, but for this series I want to end on a high note, I wan to end on the way our tongues should be used most, an area in which it is used the least, but we are directly commanded to use them the most, sharing the GOSPEL.

I have entitled tonight's message “The Saving Tongue”, because truth be told that should be the way we use our tongue most, to tell others about the love of Christ. It is a message that offers encouragement, hope, peace, grace, and love. It is the message that brings light and direction, it sooths our fears, and most importantly introduces us to our creator and brings life to those who receive it. This is the message we should speak most about. This is how God intended to use our mouth to glorify God.

Have you ever been excited about something, you are bursting at the seems to share with someone, ever been given a secret you wished you could share because it so good. Have you ever told about it because you just couldn't help yourself?

Example – When I asked Rachelle to marry me

Finding out about Rachelle being pregnant with Josiah

The call to be youth pastor at Hollis Center Baptist Church

I could not help but express those emotions, well in ACTS 4:20, the same was said about the apostles knowledge of the Gospel. How can we be kept quiet about what we have heard and received concerning eternal life? How can you keep quiet? But we are, it is our least favorite thing, but you see if we are not willing to talk about our salvation, about the Gospel we are really living in shame. If we can talk about the latest movie, video game, song or Cd with enthusiasm, we should be able to talk about what Christ did on our behalf not because we deserved it, but because he loved us.

You see we are all willing to tell others about what bobby did for sally that was so romantic, but what Christ did for us is so much more an example of love than anything we can give, we are then really ashamed of what we have. Paul said in ROMANS 1:16 -  

16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

It should be what we want to talk about most, it should be what we want to talk about with everyone without abandonment. Turn in your Bibles to Colossians 4, and I want to share with you from God's Word what God desires of the use of our tongue.

I. The Praying Tongue –

1. For Unbelievers

•  One that is Devoted -

•  Consistent, Intentional, Constant

•  I Thess. 5:17

•  Luke 18 – widow goes to the judge

•  One that is Watchful and Alert

1. Attitude of alertness –

2. Garden of Gethsemane – Matt. 26:40-41

C. One that is thankful for God's Work

2. FOR US

A. One that is praying for open doors to share Christ

B. One that prays for clarity when opportunity arrives

II. The Preserving Tongue

1. Understand that our walk reflects opportunity to speak

2. Understands we need to be real not hypocrites, because we walk what we talk

3. Look for opportunities to speak in our walk –

Hoard the time to speak to others,

4. Conversation is full of Grace –

To speak what is spiritual, wholesome, fitting, kind, sensitive, purposeful, complimentary, gentle, truthful, loving, and thoughtful

5. Talk seasoned with salt – preservative

Just as salt not only flavors, but prevents corruption, the Christians speech should act not only as a blessing to others, but as a purifying influence within the decaying society of the world.

6. Knows how to answer everyone

1 Peter 3:15