WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.960 Today we are going to take a posture of peace by speaking life-giving words. 2 00:00:08.400 --> 00:00:13.120 Posture is a short audible fist bump to remind you God is with you in everything. 3 00:00:13.680 --> 00:00:17.920 Together we're going to be emboldened to take a daily posture of perfect peace. 4 00:00:17.920 --> 00:00:25.120 In Hebrews chapter 4 verse 12 it says, 5 00:00:25.680 --> 00:00:32.400 For the word of God is alive and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, 6 00:00:33.120 --> 00:00:38.960 piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joint and of marrow, 7 00:00:38.960 --> 00:00:42.880 and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 8 00:00:43.840 --> 00:00:50.000 As children of God, people of His kingdom, our language is vital. 9 00:00:50.720 --> 00:00:58.320 It matters. The words we speak matter. The way we talk about things matters. 10 00:00:59.120 --> 00:01:06.640 Think about it. God takes His word very seriously. When He speaks, things happen. 11 00:01:07.200 --> 00:01:09.440 When He spoke, the world was created. 12 00:01:10.640 --> 00:01:16.640 Going back to creation, Genesis 3, what did the enemy go after in the garden? 13 00:01:16.640 --> 00:01:19.760 What did the deceiver try to attack? 14 00:01:20.560 --> 00:01:25.760 God's word. He planted this accusing question in the heart of man. 15 00:01:26.560 --> 00:01:29.440 Did God really say? 16 00:01:30.880 --> 00:01:34.720 Have you ever had that question try to rise up in your heart and mind? 17 00:01:34.720 --> 00:01:39.920 Did God really say? Did He really say He would provide for all of my needs? 18 00:01:39.920 --> 00:01:45.920 Did He really say He would be my healer? Did He really say I'm completely forgiven? 19 00:01:45.920 --> 00:01:48.880 Did He really mean what He said? 20 00:01:49.680 --> 00:01:53.360 Is He really who He says He is, good, loving, faithful? 21 00:01:53.360 --> 00:01:55.680 Can His word be trusted? 22 00:01:56.640 --> 00:02:00.560 Which is really asking, can He be trusted? 23 00:02:01.120 --> 00:02:04.080 Can I entrust myself to Him? 24 00:02:05.440 --> 00:02:09.919 When you read the conversation between Eve and the deceiver in Genesis chapter 3, 25 00:02:09.919 --> 00:02:15.280 you'll see that the accusation makes way for a lie to be believed. 26 00:02:15.840 --> 00:02:20.240 The deceiver tells Eve what God said is not true. 27 00:02:20.240 --> 00:02:23.200 He said, you won't die if you eat from this tree. 28 00:02:24.240 --> 00:02:27.280 Now, if you don't know how that story plays out, I encourage you, 29 00:02:27.280 --> 00:02:32.720 go and read Genesis 3 today and then keep reading and then keep reading 30 00:02:32.720 --> 00:02:33.920 and then keep reading. 31 00:02:35.680 --> 00:02:40.320 What was God's response to this accusation against His word? 32 00:02:40.320 --> 00:02:43.520 How did God respond, not just to the accusation, 33 00:02:44.320 --> 00:02:50.080 but respond to Adam and Eve's response to the question, did God really say? 34 00:02:51.360 --> 00:02:57.280 In John chapter 1, it describes Jesus as God's word. 35 00:02:57.840 --> 00:03:03.760 It says in John chapter 1, in the beginning was the word, speaking of Christ, 36 00:03:03.760 --> 00:03:07.600 and the word was with God and the word was God. 37 00:03:08.160 --> 00:03:10.080 He was in the beginning with God. 38 00:03:10.080 --> 00:03:15.200 All things were made through Him and without Him was not anything made that was made. 39 00:03:16.080 --> 00:03:20.320 In Him was life and the life was the light of men. 40 00:03:20.320 --> 00:03:26.080 The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it. 41 00:03:26.080 --> 00:03:31.520 And then when you skip down to verse 14 in John chapter 1, it says this about the word. 42 00:03:32.160 --> 00:03:38.560 It said the word became flesh and dwelt among us and we have seen His glory. 43 00:03:38.560 --> 00:03:44.560 Glory as of the only son from the father, full of grace and truth. 44 00:03:44.560 --> 00:03:49.600 What was God's response to the accusing question against His word? 45 00:03:49.600 --> 00:03:51.040 Did God really say? 46 00:03:52.000 --> 00:04:00.080 God sent His word, Jesus, in bodily form to live with us, 47 00:04:01.280 --> 00:04:04.960 to demonstrate the nature of God to us. 48 00:04:04.960 --> 00:04:09.440 Everything Jesus did revealed the heart of the father towards us, 49 00:04:09.440 --> 00:04:14.960 reminding us of our worth, our purpose, and our glorious destiny in God. 50 00:04:16.000 --> 00:04:17.760 Jesus is the word of God. 51 00:04:17.839 --> 00:04:23.040 And when you believe in the word, Jesus, the word comes and lives in you. 52 00:04:23.040 --> 00:04:33.040 And now a greater word than any accusation or lie spoken to you or over you lives in you. 53 00:04:34.000 --> 00:04:37.200 You carry a greater word. 54 00:04:38.080 --> 00:04:41.600 And God takes His word very seriously. 55 00:04:42.240 --> 00:04:43.840 This is good news. 56 00:04:43.840 --> 00:04:48.640 Isaiah 55 11, He says that His word does not return to Him empty. 57 00:04:48.640 --> 00:04:50.960 It accomplishes His purpose. 58 00:04:51.520 --> 00:04:53.200 This is such good news. 59 00:04:53.840 --> 00:04:57.680 When God speaks, things happen. 60 00:04:57.680 --> 00:04:59.440 The world was created. 61 00:04:59.440 --> 00:04:59.920 The world. 62 00:05:00.000 --> 00:05:11.960 was changed. And when his children speak, things happen. 1st John 4 17, as he is so 63 00:05:11.960 --> 00:05:19.000 are we in this world. When we speak, things happen. We can shift hearts and 64 00:05:19.000 --> 00:05:26.260 minds and atmospheres and cultures. Language is vital. What we say matters. 65 00:05:26.260 --> 00:05:33.140 How we talk about things matters. When we do not pay attention to the life of 66 00:05:33.140 --> 00:05:38.820 Jesus, the Word in us, then we will default to a lesser word over our lives, 67 00:05:38.820 --> 00:05:46.820 be it negative thoughts or emotions, diagnosis, accusations, insecurity, offense, 68 00:05:46.820 --> 00:05:52.140 bitterness. If your language about yourself, about others, about the 69 00:05:52.140 --> 00:05:57.340 circumstances surrounding you is negative, it will win you over to 70 00:05:57.340 --> 00:06:02.740 practicing defeat. But when your language originates out of God's 71 00:06:02.740 --> 00:06:10.740 perspective, when his words become your words, you will walk in victory. Now, don't 72 00:06:10.740 --> 00:06:15.700 get legalistic about this, okay? Remember, there's no condemnation for those who 73 00:06:15.700 --> 00:06:20.980 are in Christ Jesus. Do not beat yourself up for the words you may or may not have 74 00:06:20.980 --> 00:06:28.220 said. This is about being invited into a greater awareness. It's about placing 75 00:06:28.220 --> 00:06:33.220 your attention on the right thing. This is not about perfect performance, it's 76 00:06:33.220 --> 00:06:41.340 about patient practice. Practice will make permanent. What you are saying about 77 00:06:41.340 --> 00:06:47.900 yourself and to yourself must be the truth. And if it hasn't been the truth, 78 00:06:48.100 --> 00:06:56.580 today's a great day to start. You carry a greater word. Agree with that greater word. 79 00:06:56.580 --> 00:07:02.820 Say what your Father is saying about you and to you. Don't let your 80 00:07:02.820 --> 00:07:08.260 circumstances speak to you anymore. They are a lesser word. Don't let your 81 00:07:08.260 --> 00:07:15.340 symptoms speak for you. They are a lesser word. Don't let the mistakes, the regrets, 82 00:07:15.500 --> 00:07:25.260 the accusations speak about you. They are a lesser word. Today, refuse to speak or 83 00:07:25.260 --> 00:07:33.660 think or agree with any lesser word. Instead, let's do what Colossians 316 84 00:07:33.660 --> 00:07:43.420 encourages us to do. It says, let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching 85 00:07:43.540 --> 00:07:49.580 you and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and 86 00:07:49.580 --> 00:07:56.940 spiritual songs with thanksgiving in your hearts to God. Today, remember you 87 00:07:56.940 --> 00:08:03.020 carry a greater word. Speak that word over you, over others, and over your 88 00:08:03.020 --> 00:08:09.780 circumstances, and expect the world around you to change.