The Mouth of God

The Mouth of God Exodus 4:27-31 | Sermon Recap & Discussion Questions In order to save us, Jesus had to enter into our world. In response, we must enter into the lives of those around us and speak words of hope, peace, and love found in the gospel.  I. The Word of Hope In order for Moses to deliver a word of hope to the Israelites, he had to be among them and begin to understand them, just as Jesus did for us. In the same way, we must seek to understand the people and places God places us in and step into those situations with a word of hope, knowing the Holy Spirit is with us and will give us the words we need to say at the right time.   II. The Word of Peace Donald Grey Barnhouse reminds us that “The devil was in Egypt. The devil was ruling Egypt. Behind Pharaoh there was Satan.” We must realize that each person we come in contact with is in spiritual warfare. We have the word of peace found in the gospel that frees people from their bondage to Satan. As ambassadors of Christ, we must represent him by speaking that word and allow the power of the Holy Spirit to make it effective. III. The Word of Love Sometimes love can be demonstrated through righteous anger. God demonstrates his love for his people by becoming angry at their harsh slavery and using Moses and Aaron to deliver them. He also demonstrates his love for us by drawing near to us in Jesus Christ. He is not remote and detached; he is close and personal. In the same way, we must demonstrate our love for people by showing up in their presence and then by speaking the word of love found in the gospel.  Discussion Questions Take a moment to reflect on the nature of the words that you speak on a typical day. There are generally two categories of words we speak: 1) those necessary for getting our work done, 2) those we speak by choice. With that in mind, how would you characterize: 1) the way you speak the words necessary to getting your work done (think about things like body language, tone, attitude, etc.)?2) the content of the words you speak by choice?  Read 2 Corinthians 5:16-21. What does this passage say our calling as Christians is? If that is the case, what does this mean for the words we speak? Besides the words we speak, what is the most important thing we can do to represent Jesus? What do you think is the primary thing that keeps you from representing God with your words more consistently? What does the gospel say to this hesitation? Read Luke 12:11-12. What encouragement does this give you when you enter into a situation where you feel anxious about what to say and/or how to say it? If each person you come in contact with is engaged in spiritual warfare, how might this change the way you view that person and the things they say and do? How might that shape the way you respond and the words you speak? Perhaps we could characterize our words in two more categories: words of reaction and words of response. Words of reaction are characterized by self-preservation and a desire to be in control. Words of reaction might actually be not speaking at all — “shutting off.” Words of response are characterized by love and a desire to represent Christ. Think about the benefits you receive from being united to Christ and how that might enable you to be someone who responds rather than reacts. Consider memorizing 19:14 this week.